USA-China. Keep Talking.

Chinese President Hu is visiting the United States and there's a lot of coverage, chatter and opinion about just what condition our relations are in.

China is well on its way to becoming an economic super power. When the financial markets in China sneeze, we get a cold.

Pass the Kleenex.

We've come a long, long way since President Nixon made his historic trip to China in 1972. Another milestone happened when the British turned over control of Hong Kong in 1984.

Today we get everything from Pandas to iPads (At least manufactured there) from China. Chinese labor is cheap. I can't imagine what an iPad, although American designed, would cost if manufactured here. As for the Pandas, I have family going to China this fall just to play with the little buggers.

But back to the topic at hand, it's a tense relationship now and has been all along. After the Tienanmen Massacre there was demand to completely cut off relations with China. My friend and political mentor, and at the time United States Senator Alan K. Simpson disagreed.

Simpson told me that if anything it was a time to increase communication, especially in the way of one on one dialog between the two countries through student exchanges and business. He reasoned, thoughtfully as always, that if we could talk at all levels it could only help. We did exactly that and all in all, it's worked out pretty well.

Today the big issue is all the money we owe China. Make that a huge issue. We owe China trillions of dollars and apparently there is no plan in place to pay it back. That's our fault, not China's. China is artificially messing with the value of it's currency, which is messing up the value of our dollar. That's their fault.

China has lots of faults, not the least of which are the personal freedoms we take for granted which don't exist in China.

So it's best we keep talking, that our students go there and theirs come here. It's best people from China come visit us, and we visit them. It's amazing what happens when regular folks get to know each other, regardless of nationality. Good things happen when you start a conversation.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

The Day I Met Regis

On the set with Regis (1992)

Regis Philbin is calling it a career, announcing that at the young age of 79 he's going to sit in front of the television instead of in front of the camera with Kelly Ripa. Philbin is a Notre Dame grad and Navy Vet and been in television since the 50's. I first remember seeing him as the sidekick on the Joey Bishop Show.

Back in 1992 I got to meet Regis, when he was co-hosting the iconic morning show with Kathy Lee Gifford. My station carried the show and when business had me in New York, the producers were kind enough to invite me to shoot a promo with the two. I'd done these before, but never in front of a live studio audience!

The bit involved me and Kathy Lee doing the promo, with Regis trying to get a word in, which we didn't let him do. Through it all both Kathy Lee and Regis were hugely gracious and simply great fun.

I can say for sure the guy you see on TV is the guy he is in real life. He enjoys his work, doesn't cop the "Star" attitude and at least the one time I worked him, a total pro. What's known as a "Nice Guy."

Happy trails Regis. Why do I have this feeling we haven't seen the last of you?

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

You Can Be Sick And Still Think

I just watched, how can I say this politely, an embarrassing segment on one of the networks speculating on Steve Jobs' health. The reporter is also a doctor and simply should have known better.

Jobs has taken a leave of absence from Apple to deal with health issues.

Jobs is fighting Pancreatic Cancer and has also had a liver transplant. He's a fierce business competitor and just as tough in fighting cancer. I did like what one analyst said about Jobs, describing him as a combination of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Sam Walton. Wow.

So now Jobs is taking care of his health. Regardless of sick he may, or may not be, doesn't mean he can't think. And it's his BRAIN that has made Apple what it is. Heck, I was at an Apple Store yesterday and the place was packed. Packed because the store sells wonderfully innovative products. Hip, cool and very useful.

As the spouse of a Stage IV Cancer survivor, I can attest that just because someone may be fighting any disease, the brain works just fine.

It's one of the many misperceptions people have about sick people, especially cancer patients, and it's just plain wrong.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

MLK Day. A Missed Opportunity?

My wife and I recently volunteered at our granddaughter's kindergarten class. A delightful group, and very diverse. This in Atlanta, GA where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached. I think he would have liked to have visited that kindergarten class, or so many others like it around the country.

I came of age in the 60's. We were shaped for better or worse by the Vietnam War and the assassinations of President John Kennedy, brother Robert and of course, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some how in all this mess we landed on the moon. So many emotions from so many often violent images. The fire hoses and police dogs in Selma. The '68 Democratic Convention. The whole world was watching, but now our attention is drawn elsewhere.

It was a most turbulent and frightening time. As Buffalo Springfield sang, "There's battle lines being drawn. Nobody's right if everybody's wrong. Young people speaking their minds. Getting so much resistance from behind...."

So today we honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Or do we? Most schools are closed for the "holiday." There's been a lot of talk on the news how the weather might impact "holiday" skiers. At least the "holiday" hasn't been debased with the like of "Veterans Day" or "Presidents Day" sales here and there. At least not yet.

But the real missed opportunity is closing schools when they should be open instead. We're a generation removed from when Dr. King laid his life on the line, and eventually lost it fighting for civil rights. He envisioned a land where we would all be judged on the content of our character and not by the color of our skin. That kids, regardless of gender or race could all work, play and study together, just like our granddaughter's classroom.

What an opportunity for kids of any age to spend this day focused on what it took to get to us where we are now, and where we need to go in the future. It's the most extraordinary national experience, one that continues to this day.

But while most schools are closed, the ski areas, movie theaters and malls are open.

A missed opportunity.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversations about you"

"Shaken, Not Stirred" a stirring fundraiser!

"Jumping in Puddles in Heaven"

It's hard to remember a time when a President of the United States hasn't had to step up and comfort the nation. President Bush following 9-11, President Clinton after Oklahoma City, President Reagan after the Challenger Disaster. President Roosevelt's words after the attack on Pearl Harbor echo to this very day.

Add President Barack Obama to the list. I agree with this analysis of the speech.

He ultimately succeeded by focusing our attention on 9 year old Christina Green. Pure in thought and heart and love of life and country, who died because she chose to exhibit those qualities by attending the event that turned so tragic.

"Jumping in puddles in heaven." I can't write it without tearing up, just as I did when the President spoke those words.

Christina believed in something special. Let's not let her down.

Thank you Mr. President for making her a sterling example of all we can still be as people and a nation and why we must honor her legacy.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"

Are YOU Hungry. Are YOU Cold?

It's my privilege to serve on the Board of Directors of the Jeffco Action Center the past several years. At last night's meeting we got a report from the Program Services Team for December. The numbers tell the story.

• Average clients needing help per day: 191.
• 5,997 people provided 5 day supplies of food.
• 43 Seniors picked up supplemental food commodities.
• Worked with Walgreens to provide free flu shots to clients.
• Toys provided for 4,366 children from 1,558 families via the "Santa Shop."
• Almost 3,000 volunteer hours for holiday-related gift and food donations.

Now it's January and people still need help. The face of the "Needy" has changed greatly. So many of the clients could be your friends or neighbors. (Maybe they are) They're educated, well groomed and the victims of bad circumstances not of their creation.

The Action Center is just one of so many terrific agencies around the country making a difference. But they can only do so with your help. Just a dollar or one can of food can make a difference.

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you"