Summer 2010 is now upon us. The living is not exactly easy in a world with continued economic challenges, a growing environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, an intractable war in Afghanistan (the so-called graveyard of empires), and a noble US soccer team that can’t seem to defend against opposing teams in the first few minutes of every game.

With that as a backdrop, here are some brief musings on the goings on in the week just past:

• Thank God General McChrystal’s PR handlers served him so badly (what were they thinking to let the General and his aides just ramble on so, apparently on the record?!). The now infamous Rolling Stone article put Afghanistan back on the front burner, where it belongs. This war has the potential of surpassing Vietnam in terms of being a dangerous quagmire. President Obama and his team now have an opening to rethink and reset the Afghanistan war strategy. Let’s hope they avail themselves of that opportunity.
• The US soccer team really is a terrific group. They gave us plenty of thrills, but too many chills. Ghana was the better team yesterday and deserved to advance to the next round in the World Cup. I think the US needs a new coach and a new approach to the game.  The defending is pretty poor, especially in the opening minutes of games. Conceding goals that early, virtually every game, is unacceptable. Coach Bradley seems like a great guy, but he has to be accountable for these mistakes. He also made some questionable team changes at the outset of the Ghana game. We need fresh blood and fresh thinking for the next World Cup.
• Germany was devastating today, soundly beating England 4-1. That said, the football governing body FIFA must change its policy about using video to check bad calls by referees. The ref’s call in this game, disallowing a clear English goal in the critical first half, was an unmitigated disaster. If that goal had been allowed, as it should have, it would have tied the game 2-2 and could have changed the entire psychology of the match. England likely would have gotten a major psychological boost, which surely would have made a huge difference. Germany was still the better team today, but FIFA’s antiquated rules of not using instant-replay to check questionable calls is just unconscionable at this level of play.
• The annual Cannes advertising festival is now taking place in that swanky Provence city. What a waste of time in this era of economic challenge. The Cannes Festival really is beyond an anachronism at this point in the history of business and advertising. But, still the bigwigs of advertising love to attend. Why wouldn’t they? It is a great party.
• They hype about Apple’s new iPhone is just ridiculous. No, the phone won’t stop the oil gusher in the Gulf or cure erectile dysfunction. But, a lot of people seem to be giving Apple and its hot new phone that kind of power. Strange! I am sticking to my BlackBerry, just to protest this ridiculous technology obsession that is gripping much of the nation.

So, how was your week?

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