Wind Power a Lo$er...for now.

Folks owning stock in Vestas Wind Systems* got some bad news yesterday as the Danish builder of wind generators reported lousy earnings, and even worse guidance through the rest of the year. Shares dropped 22% at the news.

Talk about having the wind taken out of your sails! Or turbines in this case.

While there has been much talk about wind power, part of the "green" energy solution, there is little profit because while demand exists, financing doesn't. Especially for infrastructure to get the power from where the wind is, to where the demand is.

So wind power works, it's just not working now. Both the government and the industry itself need to manage expectations, it's a PR thing. We need to continue to develop alternative energy 'cause we're going to run out of oil eventually. But we're a generation away at least from replacing the old with the new.

Sadly, the argument about energy is "Either-Or" but not both. We'll need both fossil fuels and green energy deveopment at the same time. It's up to this generation, to make sure power is available for the next.

As one Gulf oil worker said, "Air Force One runs on jet fuel." There's also a reason 100 plus coal trains leave the Powder River Basin (Let 'er buck) in Wyoming every day. A demand for power being met by tried and true fossil fuel sources. But while the supply is plentiful, it's also finite.

So let's not give up on wind, but let's be real at the same time.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We get the conversation started about you"
* I own Vestas shares

Tonight's Line-Up

I can forecast with reasonable certainty that these stories will be covered on the traditional network shows tonight.

1. Arizona Immigration Law.
2. Oil spill in the Gulf.
3. President Obama on "The View"
4. Afghanistan. At least a good chance of coverage.

Missing from the list is what our military continues to do in Haiti. I talked with my daughter this morning. She's on a mission trip in Haiti at an orphanage. She shared with me that our Air Force, Navy, Army and Marines are all involved involved in humanitarian efforts. She said helicopters are flying by where she's working all the time. Also on the scene are UN Troops from several South American Nations.

I had no idea.

Apparently the folks in New York don't know either, or worse, do know but don't want us to know. Heaven forbid we hear this sort of thing about our men and women making a difference.

But at least we'll see the President on The View. Should be a cute story.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversations about you"

No PR for Haiti

Remember Haiti? It was in all the papers. For awhile. Then came that dang mess in the Gulf. From Page One to nothing.

My son-in-law just returned from a mission trip to Haiti. My daughter leaves for a similar trip later this month.

There is no more unique nor poorer country in the hemisphere. What's most interesting is that my son-in-law hasn't said or posted much about his experience there. I'm guessing he's still letting the experience sink in and I have no doubt he will share his story in a thoughtful and impactful way when the time is right. He did tell me yesterday that the earthquake damage in Port au Prince is beyond description.

Learning about preparations for their trips did teach me one thing. You just don't show up in Haiti and offer to help. The rules are pretty strict and for good reason. It remains a dangerous place, the government or what passes for government, is corrupt and not capable of doing much. The aid groups working there have learned from experience what to do, and more importantly what not to do.

The humanitarian need remains huge. The good news is there are groups who are well trained to deal with what needs to be done now and moving forward. Even better are the good people willing to journey to Haiti to accomplish it all.

As to the point of this blog, it's a shame that coverage of Haiti has gone from wall to wall to nothing. Yes, there is news being made elsewhere, but Haiti is an on-going problem that has festered for over a century. There are stories still to be told. Many stories. Here's to the media returning to do just that.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We get the conversation started about you."