Independent America

BusinessWeek redux: The New Entrepreneur

Quite a day for press coverage -- two interviews before 11 a.m. and we didn't even put out a release!  BusinessWeek originally profiled IA, then did a follow-up blog discussion on us a couple of years ago.  Somehow they remembered us, and put together this item today.  I'm actually quite a bit more optimistic for Mom & Pop than I was portrayed in the article -- I intend "Rising from Ruins" to be both a cautionary tale, and an inspirational film.

Yes, "intend."  Here I am, struggling to get everything done in time for our intended August 30th premiere in New Orleans (on the 3rd anniversary of Katrina).  Hopefully, the film will be the showcase of a day-long event sponsored by the New Orleans Institute, "New Orleans Speaks: We Are the Ones We've been Waiting For." 

I'm heading to New York City next week to interview Naomi Klein, who wrote "Shock Doctrine" about how power brokers take advantage of disasters to push through unpopular policies.  She had some particularly poignant things to say about post-Katrina New Orleans.  I'm eager to compare observations with her to see if we're on the same page.

IA: Rising from Ruins April Movie Trailer

We're nearly done shooting the documentary, "Independent America: Rising from Ruins" (with a scheduled premiere of August 30 2008 in New Orleans, on the 3rd anniversary of Katrina).  In today's world of social media and the neverending conversation, it's best to start "selling the message" even when you're still a work-in-progress.  And the people of New Orleans have a powerful message to tell.

Also available on YouTube (though Blip.TV quality is MUCH better).

Why I'm Keeping My SUV

We acquired our Tennessee-made/Japanese-designed Nissan Xterra while we were still living in Canada.  At the time, I was looking for the most appropriate film production crew vehicle that could also handle the mountains, snow and off-roads of British Columbia.  It had the space, the "utility" (four power outlets, tie downs, fold-flat seats), and the four-wheel drive necessary to fulfill this task.  In other words, the right tool for the job.  [This was prior to our assuming a "Local First" lifestyle, but as Michael Shuman has argued in the "Small-Mart Revolution" "Buying American" via a globally-sourced GM or Ford is not quite as virtuous as buying local.]

Packed to the ceiling with gear, it was perfect for our two Independent America road trips -- and still more economical than Charles Kuralt's RV.

Recently -- probably like most North Americans -- I had to reassess our vehicle policy given gas prices and that we were now living in a more urban setting in Seattle.

I'm sticking with the SUV.