Sarah Palin coming to Vancouver

So it seems that everyone has come out of their summer slumber and noticed that the second speaker for the Bon Mot Book Club is going to be Sarah Palin. Malcolm Parry announced this in his column in early July, yet still the Vancouver Sun called a few days ago to "crack" the story!

Anyway, the media frenzy aside, I have enjoyed (most) of the comments and emails. Some on the Georgia Strait site are really quite witty and funny.

Some of the personal attacks against me that have arrived in my email box? Not as funny, but I guess that's how some people deal with a difference of opinion.

What's most interesting are the assumptions that are made about me and my motives for bringing her in. I like some of her policy ideas and disagree with others. Regardless of that, she is an interesting person with an interesting background and story, and someone who, regardless of whether you agree with her or not, is certainly a force in US politics. So why wouldn't I and others want to meet her and have a stimulating discussion? And what would be the point of only having discussions with people who you agree with on all issues?


If you're interested, please join us on October 13th - just a few weeks out from the US midterm elections!

First "Bon Mot Book Club" event - Author Michael Lewis (The Big Short) - September 20

I have to say that I'm pretty excited about the first speaker in my new event series! Michael Lewis has been writing about the financial markets (and other things) for about 20 years. Or since I was about 5 : )

I've booked him to launch my new event series in Vancouver on September 20. The Bon Mot Book Club will feature thought-leaders, newsmakers, intellectuals, heroes, and more than a few characters and rogues. And that’s just the guest list! The speakers bring all those traits and more as they focus on the headline-making issues and pressing problems of the day – covering topics on business & economy, politics, science & innovation, religion & spirituality, world affairs, culture, and much more.

But back to Michael Lewis and his book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. My only wish is that it had been published a year earlier so that I would have had more insight into the financial crisis as it was unfolding. But that's the issue, isn't it? No one had much insight into the financial crisis as it was unfolding, except the few that Lewis follows in his book who managed to short the market and make a bunch of dough.

Its a captivating read, and you're left feeling like you are as smart as the guys in the story - it all seems so obvious in hindsight. I hope you'll join me for a fascinating evening with the author on Monday, September 20!