Archive for September, 2008
Replacing My Damaged Knee
I expect to be off-line for a couple of days this week to have surgery to replace my right knee, damaged five years ago while bicycling. Guess I had peddled too aggressively up a hill and cracked the cartilage in my right knee. The instant and intense pain at the time made me think for [...]
Today’s Myth: “Main Street America…”
The whole notion of “Main Street America” – a centerpiece of the 2008 Presidential campaign – is today a myth. It, unquestionably, existed in some form or another long ago, either through the paintings of Norman Rockwell or the music of Aaron Copland or the stories by John Steinbeck, Thornton Wilder and others. But that [...]
Congress, the Media: Still Not Listening
What I find most interesting to observe during the debate on Capital Hill over the $700 billion dollar “bailout” of Wall Street is that neither members of Congress nor the national news media is listening … really listening … to the voices of outrage from the America people. As anyone who has spent any time [...]
Verizon’s Advertising: A Grain of Salt
I recently wrote about the avalanche of snail-mail flyers that come through the mail to thousands of people touting Verizon’s new fiber optic TV/Internet/telephone service called FiOS. Well, in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland – a small community in rural Calvert County, Maryland, on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay – residents who have had DSL [...]
More Than Promises, Passion & Perception
[Note: The commentary also appears in Bulldog Reporter.] The Presidential campaign in the United States is going to be won this year by public speaking skills, and the ability to deliver clear, simple-to-understand and crisp messages. The race ultimately is not debate over the economy, healthcare, terrorism, Iraq, or any other issue, I believe, but [...]
Willmott’s “Bunker Hill” Screened in NYC, Mass.
“Bunker Hill,” the new independent feature film from writer/director Kevin Willmott (CSA: Confederate States of America) will be screened before audiences at New York University in New York City on Wednesday, October 8, and open the 10th Anniversary Season of The Williamstown Film Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts on Friday, October 17, 2008. The provocative film [...]
The Bailout: Play By The Rules
Cheers for Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) who tells Congress that Wall Street has perpetrated the greatest financial crimes in history and should not get a bailout without accountability where it counts – to the American people. And, she says, prosecute every single one of the thieves responsible, with an independent investigative committee. Thanks to B.L. [...]
Vote Early, Vote Often
[Update: The PBS NOW program has just fixed the flaw in their online poll with this just-added statement: "Your first vote for this poll has been registered. Any subsequent vote will not be counted. This is not a scientific poll." But for hours, it was possible for one person to cast unlimited numbers of votes, [...]
Just in Time for the Holidays
Even though the holiday season is a few months away, I wanted to write a few words about the wonderful words, and marvelous music, in a new recording – “A Christmas Festival” – from famed English choral composer and conductor John Rutter. I am biased and quite honored because John has been a friend for many, many [...]
User Manual for Twitter
I am a convert. I have come to realize the enormous potential of Twitter as an online social networking tool. Twitter can be of tremendous value to anyone who recognizes the importance of sharing information and networking online among other people on various topics. In fact, it’s only limited by our own imaginations. David Risley, [...]
Bailout For the Rest of Us
Jason Dobbs, the 29-year-old son of a good friend in Colorado, has been writing about America, and the mess we’re in. And, his perspective is astonishing, in my opinion. Let me share his latest, “Bailout for the rest of us.” – From the U.S. National Debt Clock, as of the time of sending this email, [...]
Rebuilding America’s Leadership
The Presidential race is about LEADERSHIP. Rebuilding America’s image and reputation as a world leader is the over-arching #1 issue that should be embraced by whoever becomes the next President, in my opinion. It will have a direct impact on America’s security, leadership and respect around the world. Part of the reason for the current [...]
Breaking News: Twitter Beats Mainstream Media
Today … Monday morning at JFK International Airport in New York – just eleven days since the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks – and a suspicious-looking package is seen at the airport’s Jet Blue terminal. TSA personnel examine the contents, and find two hand grenades. News was flashed around the world instantly, reported not by [...]
Writing On the Wall For Old Media
See that blue line on the graph? The line that is flat-lining? That blue line represents jobs data for the TV news industry according to Simply Hired. Jobs in that industry are vanishing. Even though I have written about the slow death of mainstream media for years, this chart visually showing the troubling trend of [...]
Richard Edelman Fights Prostate Cancer
Richard Edelman, leader of Edelman Worldwide and a fine man, is courageously and openly writing about his battle against prostrate cancer on his blog, 6 A.M. I have the highest respect for Richard, an authentic and savvy visionary in the public relations industry, and wish him the best toward a speedy recovering.
Bluetooth Wants You to Know
I love Bluetooth technology. I have no idea what it is but Bluetooth works, and is a valuable part of my day. Bluetooth connects my cell phone wirelessly with an earpiece, and it wirelessly connects my keyboard with my Mac. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (BSIG) – the non-profit of 11,000 members that use Bluetooth [...]
