The Downside of Associative Power

Looking for Mr. Far Right: Meghan McCain's dating problems, post-election

New Trial Begins for Jailed Russian Tycoon

Mikhail Khodorkovsky's trial opened today in Moscow, though it's not entirely clear what the purpose of the trial is. No, actually, the purpose is quite clear. Khodorkovsky was formerly the head of the Russian oil company Yukos. And,

Khodorkovsky, at one point estimated by Forbes magazine to hold a $15 billion fortune, built Yukos into Russia's largest oil company and defied the Kremlin by publicly criticizing its policies and lending financial support to opposition groups critical of then-President Vladimir Putin.

That puts it all together, doesn't it?

Khodorkovsky was originally arrested in 2003 on charges of tax evasion (shocking, isn't it?), tried and sentenced, in 2005, to a nine year prison term, to be served in Siberia (a long Russian tradition). He's been brought back to Moscow to face additional charges, presumably to ensure that he stays in Siberia permanently, where he can work in the prison garment factory.

If you's like to show your support for Mr. Khodorkovsky, you can visit his webpage, though you'll need to speak Russian to do so (sorry, there is an English version).

More on Mr. Khodorkovsky from Frontline

Why Skilled Immigrants Are Leaving the U.S.

Immigration, legal or illegal, has been a political hot button in recent years. Now, it seems, many immigrants are returning home -- unfortunately, these folks are the people that the US needs to keep.

There's no question but that innovation is the key to creating and sustaining competitive advantage, whether its on the level of the individual, the organization and the country (and if this doesn't compute, flip back in your notes to Michael Porter). What appears, though, to be happening, as described in this article, is that highly skilled individuals, often from India and China, are returning home and taking their skills with them. The article puts it quite simply:

The U.S. is no longer the only land of opportunity. If we don't want the immigrants who have fueled our innovation and economic growth, they now have options elsewhere.

So, where does this leave the US economy. Well, again, I think it's pretty simple. People such as:

• Vinod Khosla (one of the founders of Sun Microsystems)
• Arun Netravali (Bell Labs and Lucent)
• C.K Prahalad (Distingiushed Professor of Management at the University of Michigan)
• Roger Y. Tsien (2008 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and professor at the University of California - San Diego)

aren't the people that we need to pack up and leave the US.