Wetness=Reading

So the weather has been ridiculously terrible the entire summer. The drought that occurred the last couple summers has turned into 40 days and 40 nights or rain every month. So instead of climbing outside I've been climbing in the gym or reading. On the same note I've finished two more books.

3.The Wal-Mart Effect:How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works, and How It's Transforming the American Economy by Charles Fishman

A really interesting read about one of the most powerful and notoriously secretive corporations. Using a lot of research and interviews with Wal-Mart insiders Fishman paints a comprehensive picture of Wal-Mart that falls somewhere in between capitalist adoration and unsubstantiated left-wing attacks. While the corporation, Fishman argues, has greatly improved efficiency in distribution, data collection and other areas of business Wal-Mart's overall effect is negative. Although claiming to create hundreds of jobs, average net job growth was approximately 30 jobs in a given community, furthermore although the company is 10% of America's GDP it statistically creates poverty in communities. Also the way in which they squeeze suppliers into selling their products cheaper and cheaper every year has accelerated the outsourcing of jobs as well as creating questionable environmental and labor problems in impoverished countries. Fishman though ends the book with an optimistic idea for the future: what if Wal-Mart used its immense influence and power it wields to lead the elite corporations of the world to solve many of the problems it has created?

4. What happened: inside the Bush White House and Washington's culture of deception by Scott McClellan

Dear Scott,
Having spent three years as the mouthpiece and first line of defense for the intriguing tragic comedy that was the Bush administration, how could have wrote a more boring book? The nutrition facts framed I saw when I was eating a Baconator at Wendy's is more interesting and less painful to read. To be perfectly honest the point of the book seemed to be a failed last ditch effort at restoring your credibility. Furthermore, I know that you a Bush loyalist, from the worst state I have ever been to, there is no need to try to defend Bush, his policy, leadership style or anything at all. Its not helping your credibility. Here is an example: "Bush is plenty smart enough to be president. But as I've noted, his leadership style is based more on instinct than a deep intellectual debate." A contradiction, I believe is obvious, as are many others in your book. The last chapter focused on your thoughts about changing the permanent campaign mentality that is characteristic of the last two administrations yet you actively supported such actions while working for Bush. Twenty pages at the end of a 200 page book is too little too late. I would only recommend this book to your immediate family.
Your #1 fan,
John