Slim Pick'ins: Anyone Got A Plan?

BarryBlog is intentionally not a political blog. But like everyone else, I cannot deny the ailing economy has somewhat stolen the show.

Though I'm no expert on the political/economical system, it appears it doesn't take an MBA from Harvard (I know this because they seem as blindsided by our recent economic knockout as everyone else) to question the effectiveness and fitness of our political/economic system, as we all feel the collective tingle of our black eye continuing to swell.

I say "political/economical" with intention. I cannot see a separation. Every talking head speaks to PACs and money and greed as root to many of our problems. Every day a new leader in business and government is taken down by greed, which makes it hard for me to trust any lawmaker or politician. It's frustrating to see government under performing while lawmakers get very little accomplished towards the good of the republic without assuming bribery, payoffs and greed is running the show. Or perhaps something more old fashioned like incompetence.

So this mega billionaire OIL guy named T. Boone Pickens buys up a bunch of air time. It's been done before, Ross Perot ran his entire campaign out of his wallet, so precedence for self funding is not a gigantic surprise or distraction, or smokescreen for character. But I ask, is the Picken's Plan hogwash? Is it another behind the scene scheme to make a few people rich(er)?

See for yourself. Watch the video. I would be interested in your comments if you have anything to add because I'm skeptical.

Okay, back to graphic design, mid-century modern thrift store finds, and what not.

Depression Press: the Cure for Depression

Blacksmith, Newsboy, Shoe-shiner, Letter-smasher, and fellow Rural Illinois designer and letterpress printer extroirdinare Kent Henderson of Depression Press knocks 'em out of the park in so many ways. While I generally avoid politics on BarryBlog, I cannot help but to share his Pop-politics Flickr set. His Print-Shop set is equally awesome. As is his typecase set. But perhaps the most impressive images are the ones of his workshop. Every designer's dream. A barn out back. Loaded with lead. Ready to roll. Bravo Kent. I hope to own one of his letterpress posters soon. After the adoption.

(I can hear my friends laugh now. There will be no money after the adoption. Yeah I know.)

Almost forgot. Check out his creative direction website here, and his print shop here.

BizWeek asks the Candidates: Innovation Edge?

BusinessWeek.com asked the leading Democratic and Republican Presidential candidates if America's losing its innovation edge to emerging powers. Here are their responses - By Matt Vella

Governor Bill Richardson, Mitt Romney, John Edwards, Senator John McCain, Senator Barack Obama, Fred Thompson, Hillary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani

( via BizWeek Innovation and Design )