Notes on a Friday

The Real Campaign Begins
How exhilarating! The Real Campaign, so long awaited, has finally begun and it is off to an electrifying start. Early in January we will crown the victor. And make no mistake; this campaign has all the hallmarks of a classic political battle: The Media is revved up, the trash-talk is flying, the outcome is anyone’s guess, and everyone is guessing!

Oh, I’m sorry – you thought I was talking about the race for the White House. No! The Real Campaign is the race for a College Football National Champion. USC is off to a good start, and they meet Ohio State this week in an early contest with lots of hype and misdirection. But before Trojan fans claim the crown in mid-September the very tough SEC will have a lot to say.

And before you think I am trivializing that other campaign, answer this: Other than Supreme Court nominees – what exactly does the president impact? Foreign policy? Tell Columbia. They think congress killed their free trade deal. The Budget? You kidding? Legislation? Get real.

Time to grow up America! The Legislative Branch is more accountable for what really impacts us than who-ever is President. Even the Supreme Court has more real power to permanently affect your daily life. WE all elect a president in order to pack that court with OUR judicial activists.

So - Skip the debates. It is a waste of your time. You already know what kind of judicial appointments both tickets are going to nominate. Check in on your favorite candidates in the Real Campaign instead.

Just don’t forget to vote for your emotional favorite in that other race November 4th. And know that after you get all worked up on Wednesday, November 5th there will be a game Thursday night to quell your worst fears.

More on the State of Airline Passenger Services
I heard those groans. Relax! The rant is moderated and very short today.

If you don’t read Tyler Brûlé’s Fast Lane column in the Financial Times Weekend Edition you are missing something special. I don’t know any one else in the world like Tyler and that is the point. His viewpoint is unique but relevant. He is a pleasure to read.

Tyler is the editor-in-chief of Monocle Magazine. Depending on when you read his column, you may think he is a Fashion Guy, but that doesn’t give him enough credit. The two-part piece he did about how to fix Britain was dead-on. This last Saturday, he covered his recent customer experience with British Airways.

I was reminded of the "anonymous" airline experience at the end of the hit movie, Meet the Parents. And while that scene may have been over the top, I’m quite sure I met that Gate Representative in Detroit two years ago!

A link to Tyler’s comments is attached here for your convenience:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e218e37a-7ad9-11dd-adbe-000077b07658.html