Alan Markow

Professional writer and communicator 40+ years. Senior corporate communications exec in high tech, telecom, banking, and chemicals. Navy journalist during Vietnam era. IVN blogger since inception. Political views range from liberal to libertarian.

Three steps America must take to overcome the Great Recession

There’s a very real unraveling of the “rules of the road” these days, and it’s likely to cause a re-assessment of many aspects of our lives. Among the

By Alan Markow

/ July 14, 2010

Three steps America must take to overcome the Great Recession

It's the local economy, stupid

Bookending the Fourth of July parade story in the latest edition of my local town weekly are two telling and (unfortunately) common stories – both dealing with budget problems. On one

By Alan Markow

/ July 9, 2010

Signs of recovery emerging in Silicon Valley

Two important signs of economic recovery turned up in the San Jose Mercury News this week. First is an apparent boom in the chip industry, and second is an uptick

By Alan Markow

/ July 7, 2010

Signs of recovery emerging in Silicon Valley

Senator Boxer will be tough to defeat in November

Is Barbara Boxer a shoe-in for re-election to the Senate in the fall, or is she in real trouble with California voters? Her campaign has been moved from the “sure

By Alan Markow

/ July 2, 2010

Senator Boxer will be tough to defeat in November

Imagine the response if the BP oil spill had ruined Pebble Beach

Watching the awe-inspiring television images from the recent U.S. Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach, I began to envision the Monterey Peninsula marred with splotches of oil, and the

By Alan Markow

/ June 30, 2010

Imagine the response if the BP oil spill had ruined Pebble Beach

Gulf of Mexico drilling disaster triggers counterproductive reaction in California

Santa Barbara environmentalists who have been fighting offshore oil drilling for more than 40 years appeared to have gained a new ally when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced this week that

By Alan Markow

/ May 6, 2010

Gulf of Mexico drilling disaster triggers counterproductive reaction in California

Mindless partisanship has eroded thoughtful political discourse

No one would argue that today’s political discourse reaches the heights of intelligent repartee. You’d have to go back to media figures such as William F. Buckley and

By Alan Markow

/ May 1, 2010

Mindless partisanship has eroded thoughtful political discourse

California environmentalists' surprising solution: Drill, baby, drill!

On April 20, when an explosion hit the Deepwater Horizon oil rig just off the Louisiana coast, the repercussions might have crashed like a tidal wave on the far off

By Alan Markow

/ April 29, 2010

California environmentalists' surprising solution: Drill, baby, drill!

Senior driving a tough judgment call

Most of us will never forget the feeling of freedom that came with our right to drive. It was almost a magical release from the bounds of childhood. More than

By Alan Markow

/ April 24, 2010

Free-market capitalism betting on global warming

One winter storm that hit the east coast this past winter had the anti-global warming advocates claiming victory over Al Gore and environmental groups pursuing legislative solutions to anthropogenic (man-made)

By Alan Markow

/ April 21, 2010

Free-market capitalism betting on global warming

Bountiful snowfall may not provide drought relief for California

Here in the High Sierras, winter hasn’t relinquished its hold on the atmosphere. A snowstorm during the first week in April dumped as much white stuff on the top

By Alan Markow

/ April 17, 2010

Bountiful snowfall may not provide drought relief for California

Boxer may be tough to beat in US Senate race

Barbara Boxer’s opponents may be exulting in her “vulnerability” as the 2010 election approaches, but they shouldn’t be tempted to underestimate California’s junior senator. With practically zero

By Alan Markow

/ April 14, 2010

Boxer may be tough to beat in US Senate race