Russia, Local Entrepeneurs, and the Democratic Race
6 Comments Published by Dr. Beyster May 20th, 2008 in Entrepreneurship, Politics.About two weeks ago Betty and Mary Ann left on a purely pleasure trip to Russia. I did not feel that I would be able to travel comfortably on commercial airlines so I did not go. I’ve been anxious to hear from them, but communication in and out of Russia is not easy, and there’s been little communication so far. I’m quite lonesome and wish they’d get back. Meanwhile, I’m in the hands of caregivers and my friends here in town.
My schedule remains about the same as it has been for some time now, there is usually one major event each week. We are attempting to decide the local winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. There are six award categories, including consumer products and services, business products and services, life sciences (as you know, San Diego has lots of activity in the life sciences), high technology/defense and security, environmental and clean technology, and real estate. In addition, we need to vote on who will be awarded the award for Supporter of Entrepreneurship. This is the award I received several years ago. The local formal event announcing and recognizing the winners is scheduled for sometime in early June. I’m looking forward to the awards ceremony — there are usually about 1,000 attendees and most of the contestants have their families and friends there. The contestants won’t know if they won or not until it is announced at the ceremony. This makes for quite an exciting event.
I love watching what’s going on in the Democrats competition for president. Both Hillary and Obama are showing no mercy in their campaigns. If I were a Democrat, I would have a hard time making a decision between the two. Obviously, I am a Republican and so it looks like I will be supporting John McCain, which I will have no difficulty doing.
– Bob
One of my neighbors has just spent the last two months in Russia- he is a consultant on jet engines which they are interested in with an eye to producing commercial jets. Was interested in your comment about flying commercial – sounds to me like you got use to the corporate jet world which is the only way to travel. My neighbor says that Moscow is fabulous but as soon as you get “out of town” things are pretty primative which was my daughter’s comment. She led delegation from the University of Wisconsin and the Dept. of Natural Resourses to Lake Bakal to help them with polution problems. It is not easy being a democrat – I can’t decide between the two candidates and Mccain is looking better all the time. Jean N Sumi
Jean: Thank you for your blog comments. It’s always nice to hear from you. Betty and MA had an interesting trip to St. Petersburg. They burned the candle on both ends while they were there. They went to the ballet, the opera, and many other cultural events while they were there. They saw the Hermitage, several cathedrals, and sailed on the Neva River. They didn’t buy me any nesting dolls, but they had a very good time. They also commented that the condo they stayed in didn’t have an elevator, and they don’t have some of the conveniences we are used to in this country. I’m glad you’re looking favorably at McCain. I think he is an honest and straightforward guy capable of dealing with the Congress. I think he is strong on defense and might be just the right guy to reduce the defense budgets because he knows where the waste is. It will be interesting to see how the election goes. – Bob
Dear Dr. Beyster:
My wife and I have lived in our current home for just over 10 yrs. It is in
“Jewell Colony” on Grosse Ile and affectionately known as the “Beyster House”.
The house was built around 1929 which, as stated in your biography, is about the
time you moved to the island. If this home was indeed built by your parents or a
relative would it be possible to share some of it’s history. If you like I could
forward some current photographs of the home.
I realize you are a busy man so any information you provide would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you.
Don: I would really appreciate some photos of the house that my dad designed and built on Lakewood Drive . I lived in the house from the time I was in kindergarten until I went into the Navy in 1942. My parents and sister lived there many more years after that. Both of my parents are buried in the graveyard at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. I have many fond memories of the house. My bedroom was above the dining room and my sister’s was to the left as you walk up the stairs — we shared a bathroom. My parents were in the bedroom over the living room. The room over the garage was not developed although it had radiators which helped keep it from getting too cold in the winter. We sometimes used it as a guest room. I would like to see the house again — maybe I can arrange a visit to the Detroit area the next time I fly to the east coast. I won’t feel so sheepish about asking to see it. It is truly a wonderful house, and I’m not surprised that it’s survived this many years. If you can send some digital photos to me at inquire@fed.org, I would really appreciate it. And if you send me your mailing address, I’ll send an autographed copy of The SAIC Solution to you. — Bob
Dear Dr. Beyster,
With regard to Russian Communication Systems do you see cooperating opportunities in multi-lingual dual-use commercial systems development?
I was supposed to see St. Petersburg with my deceased beau pere, a director of the IRSN in Paris, France, unfortunately his cancer had a different idea. What is the Campus of the Twelve Universities like?
what is your assesment of the Russians openess to cooperation in a commercial system? Do you think the recent GSA/Boeing assessment will damage US Contracting Opportunities in FRANCE?
In global counter-terrorism, it would appear that state actors would gravitate to ideas for mutual security in an increasingly common platform that is respectful of sovereignty.
I need a job now in Paris France CEDEX and I am an expert salesman.
James: Thank you for your message. Unfortunately, my wife and daughter went to St Petersburg, not me. I will, however, venture some answers to your questions. With regard to Russian communications systems and their ability to cooperate with multilingual commercial systems in the United States, I suspect that is very difficult. The reason I suspect that is because it cost my daughter a dollar a minute to call back home, so the systems aren’t geared to work well together. My assessment is that the Russians aren’t very interested in linking communications systems, but the email system worked well during the time they were there. Regarding your second question about the recent Boeing tanker award — you may have different opinions, but I am not very concerned. We don’t get much business from France, so I don’t think it makes much difference to American companies. The main thing is I hope the government gets it right this time and that those who may be playing favorites will get out of the picture. On your third question, the matter of global counterterrorism, it would appear that you had observed that state actors appeared to be gravitating toward mutual security in increasing numbers. I’m not sure why this surprises you — this is, after all, what the United Nations is all about, and Interpol and others are focused on counterterrorism. Am I misreading your question? I can’t comment on international procedures in place to counteract terrorism, but I guess that many agencies of the federal government are cooperating with their global counterparts in the belief that if we can stop terrorism before it gets to our shores, we will be better off. Let me know if I’ve missed your point completely. In regards to your job needs, at the present time I have no contacts in France. All of my previous contacts have long disappeared. — Bob