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Registered: Feb 2008
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Happy Birthday Dev Em! I have done them all, except, A. Travelled on a yacht. Cobie got it first so it's his question next.
-------------------- Exnihil: Novelty, if he had a power, the obvious one to me would of course be "The Power of Grayskull"
Registered: Oct 2003
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Okay: I go to all these reinsurance conferences every year where thousands of executives attend. Because the reinsurance/insurance industry has tons of money they get some really fantastic key note speakers. Which is a speaker I have not seen before? (These are all speakers with economic / political ties).
(A) Colin Powell (B) Bill Clinton (C) Malcolm Gladwell (D) Paul Volcker (E) Hank Greenberg (F) Hank Paulson (G) Michael Lewis (H) Condoleezza Rice
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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-------------------- Five billion years from now the Sun will go nova and obliterate the Earth. Don't sweat the small stuff!
From: Boston | Registered: Aug 2003
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-------------------- See Here for the latest update on the 2013 Chicago Gathering (now including tentative attendance list)
Registered: Feb 2008
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-------------------- Exnihil: Novelty, if he had a power, the obvious one to me would of course be "The Power of Grayskull"
Registered: Oct 2003
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Hank Paulson – very interesting speaker and of course, the topic was the bailouts and how close we were to financial collapse. I do believe he tried to do the right thing and we were much closer to collapse as a worldwide economy that is reported even today.
Paul Volcker – I was just a kid during the Regan years so I only know of his importance through reputation and history (though now he’s made a return to prominence), but he was another fascinating speaker on the economy. A really brilliant guy. And a brilliant move by Obama to bring him in.
Hank Greenberg – some people in the insurance industry actually admire Greenberg, but I revile him. He’s the ultimate mega-crook, who basically set-up AIG to be what it was and then was kicked out, so when AIG went down he made it seem like he had nothing to do with it. Yeah right. *Everyone* who works in reinsurance or insurance knows Hank “cooks the books”; he’s become a legend at it. But he’s basically untouchable. He’s also known to be incredible mean to people in meetings and who work for him.
Bill Clinton – this was a real pleasure. I had heard from someone who had met him prior to his Presidency that when you met Clinton you automatically knew “he was the smartest guy in the room”. That still holds up—Clinton is incredible smart, and just an amazing speaker. He was in a room full of conservatives and by the end of his speech he had a standing ovation. He’s just that likeable.
Colin Powell – Another great speaker who I’m thrilled I got to see. He’s equal parts smart and loyal to doing what’s right for this country. Someone asked him in the Q&A section if he could run for President (this was a few years before Obama). He smiled and said no, he never would, because he’s not political…he only wants to do what’s right for the country and would work for any Republican or Democratic President if they gave him the call.
*Extra* - Malcolm Gladwell – this is the best speaker I’ve ever seen. The writer “Outliers” and other highly important books on social economics, he might be the most brilliant person I’ve ever met face to face. I recommend everyone google him and read up.
And so…Blacula had it right off the bat:
Condoleeza Rice – I have never seen Condi in person, but actually will be doing so this November in San Antonio. I’m curious as to what she has to say. I suspect given her age, she’s preparing to resurrect her career for one more go in the coming years.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
^^^ Cool stories CK. I've got friends who've met Bill Clinton and have had similar stories about his charisma/dynamism. Would love to hear Malcolm Gladwell speak too. I haven't read any of his books yet but they're at the top of my 'Must Read' pile.
OK here's one about me...
A few years ago I found out that I (might) have which sordid ancestor in my family tree -
* A blood-thirsty pirate captain who went down with his ship * A Satanist who performed human sacrifices * A Nazi who went on trial at Nuremberg * A notorious turn-of-the-century murderess who drowned her children * A child-thief who stole an apple and was shipped off to the colonies for his horrible crime * A World War I deserter who was executed for his 'cowardice' * A slave-owner in the Caribbean * A 1930s Chicago gangster * An 18th century highwayman who was killed when he fell off his horse * The man who discovered Billy Ray Cyrus
From: Australia | Registered: Dec 2003
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-------------------- Five billion years from now the Sun will go nova and obliterate the Earth. Don't sweat the small stuff!
From: Boston | Registered: Aug 2003
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