Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
"Ike flooding kills 58 more in rain - soaked Haiti" - NYTimes.com
If this were Louisiana, how would the US and Americans, and their media, be reacting? What, exactly, is the difference between someone who dies or is left homeless in Haiti and someone in Louisiana who dies or is left homeless?
Consider this....
The distance between Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti and New Orleans is 1,359 miles.
The distance between Port-au-Prince and Washington, DC is 1,438 miles
The distance between New Orleans and Boston is 1,348 miles.
Consider this....
The distance between Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti and New Orleans is 1,359 miles.
The distance between Port-au-Prince and Washington, DC is 1,438 miles
The distance between New Orleans and Boston is 1,348 miles.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Designing for what you see from inside....
It has always seemed to me that what you see from inside a house is far more important than how the house looks from the outside. The only exception to that rule is when you have an outside area in which you sit a lot and gaze back at the house. Otherwise, the rest of it is all for show, and if that's where your ego sits, have at it. For me, I'd much rather profit from what I can see when I am actually in and using my home.
That said, I have not seen a good book that approaches home design from this literal perspective.
An item on CBS Sunday Morning today about architect John LAUTNER came close in touching on the point of his designs.
That said, I have not seen a good book that approaches home design from this literal perspective.
An item on CBS Sunday Morning today about architect John LAUTNER came close in touching on the point of his designs.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Monday, September 01, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Made in North Carolina
I have been looking around as I shop here in Chapel Hill, NC, and I remain very surprised to find so little that is clearly labeled (so you can see it without sending out a label search party) as having been made here in North Carolina. The time seems to have come when people might value such products over others, for many reasons, and retailers ought to work harder with their suppliers to make sure customers know which products are those from North Carolina.
Our local Farmers' Market has a rule that everything sold there must be grown or produced within a fixed number of miles of the market. Why couldn't retailers establish simple labels or sections - as they now increasingly do with organic - to call attention to that which is local in the store?
Our local Farmers' Market has a rule that everything sold there must be grown or produced within a fixed number of miles of the market. Why couldn't retailers establish simple labels or sections - as they now increasingly do with organic - to call attention to that which is local in the store?
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Some of what I learned from newspapers today - 30 Aug
+ That the November election in North Carolina is up for grabs = News & Observer
+ That we have many unmarked train crossings in NC, and failing to stop at each can cause death = News & Observer
+ That an investigation into these deaths in Afghanistan appears to be moving forward in a fair manner = The New York Times
+ That we have many unmarked train crossings in NC, and failing to stop at each can cause death = News & Observer
+ That an investigation into these deaths in Afghanistan appears to be moving forward in a fair manner = The New York Times
Friday, August 29, 2008
Some of what I learned from newspapers today - 29 Aug
+ That one of our neighborhood restaurants is earning a rave review = News & Observer
+ That news of the choice of a Republican Vice Presidential candidate is evolving quickly = The New York Times
+ That the renovation of a square near home in Nice, France has now been completed = Nice Matin
+ That while I love lots of windows in a house, there are many negatives that need to be addressed = The Wall Street Journal
+ That there are significant challenges, even with high fuel prices, in reducing automobile use = The New York Times
+ That news of the choice of a Republican Vice Presidential candidate is evolving quickly = The New York Times
+ That the renovation of a square near home in Nice, France has now been completed = Nice Matin
+ That while I love lots of windows in a house, there are many negatives that need to be addressed = The Wall Street Journal
+ That there are significant challenges, even with high fuel prices, in reducing automobile use = The New York Times
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Some of what I learned from newspapers today - 28 Aug
+ That our local regional newspaper might sell its Chapel Hill office - The Independent
+ That the apparent squabbling among MSNBC on-air people seems real - The Wall Street Journal
+ That Gustav, the soon-to-be hurricane again is headed toward the Gulf and possible strike in an area including New Orleans - The New York Times
+ That the apparent squabbling among MSNBC on-air people seems real - The Wall Street Journal
+ That Gustav, the soon-to-be hurricane again is headed toward the Gulf and possible strike in an area including New Orleans - The New York Times
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Some of what I learned from newspapers today - 27 Aug
+ That our only local department store is in serious trouble - Dillard's = Wall Street Journal and the Memphis Business Journal
+ That there is a town in Japan about the same size as my community in North Carolina that hopes to eliminate all waste going to landfills and incinerators by 2020 = The Guardian
+ That there is a town in Japan about the same size as my community in North Carolina that hopes to eliminate all waste going to landfills and incinerators by 2020 = The Guardian
Monday, August 25, 2008
Interconnected?
On many levels, we have all become more interconnected than we used to be. We say this all the time, and for the most part, it is true.
But is it true when it comes to full extent of the physical, geographical communities in which we live? Do we feel a sense of being closer to neighbors or neighborhood businesses because they have websites, e-mail lists, etc?
I find myself putting more and more of those people and businesses into a pile labeled largely unresponsive.
Don't we have to go a step further on the interconnectedness front and figure out how we can follow more of the people aspect of all this? Do you know your neighbor's full "story"? Do you know the checkout clerks' stories at the supermarket? Can you communicate with them on that level, or is it limited to the mostly superficial hello?
Despite all this stuff flying about in the internet and over phone lines, we still have a huge amount of work to do.
Stay tuned. Or, better yet, stay connected!
But is it true when it comes to full extent of the physical, geographical communities in which we live? Do we feel a sense of being closer to neighbors or neighborhood businesses because they have websites, e-mail lists, etc?
I find myself putting more and more of those people and businesses into a pile labeled largely unresponsive.
Don't we have to go a step further on the interconnectedness front and figure out how we can follow more of the people aspect of all this? Do you know your neighbor's full "story"? Do you know the checkout clerks' stories at the supermarket? Can you communicate with them on that level, or is it limited to the mostly superficial hello?
Despite all this stuff flying about in the internet and over phone lines, we still have a huge amount of work to do.
Stay tuned. Or, better yet, stay connected!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
OBAMA vice presidential announcement
It's interesting to reflect on how the news of Joe BIDEN's selection made its way into my e-mail in-box this morning, long before I got up.
First observation is that it is surprising that no one seems to have come up with a way to alert us to news with an alarm clock. In other words, how do we say to a machine that we want "you" to wake us up if certain news is appears during the night? I have seen no such option.
Second observation is when I received the several e-mail messages of the night:
NYTimes - 1:04 AM
WSJournal - 1:06 AM
Minn Star-Tribune - 1:11 AM
Huffington Post - 1:32 AM
OBAMA campaign - 4:58 AM
First observation is that it is surprising that no one seems to have come up with a way to alert us to news with an alarm clock. In other words, how do we say to a machine that we want "you" to wake us up if certain news is appears during the night? I have seen no such option.
Second observation is when I received the several e-mail messages of the night:
NYTimes - 1:04 AM
WSJournal - 1:06 AM
Minn Star-Tribune - 1:11 AM
Huffington Post - 1:32 AM
OBAMA campaign - 4:58 AM
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Printing blogs
Among modern life's persistent irritants is at least my inability to print items that I find in blogs on The New York Times site and in many other places. Why is it that blog technology makes it so much harder to print what's on the screen than is the case with most websites?
Monday, August 18, 2008
"Export Boom Helps Farms, but Not American Factories" - NYTimes.com
And what has this meant for NC agricultural exports?
Here are the state figures (the years appear first and correspond to the numbers below - here is the link to a clear chart):
North Carolina Agricultural Exports by Commodity (in millions of dollars)
Commodities
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Total
1204.6
1327.9
1361.3
1293.7
1312.0
1572.8
1578.9
1791.6
Here are the state figures (the years appear first and correspond to the numbers below - here is the link to a clear chart):
North Carolina Agricultural Exports by Commodity (in millions of dollars)
Commodities
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Total
1204.6
1327.9
1361.3
1293.7
1312.0
1572.8
1578.9
1791.6
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
"Amid Ruined New Orleans Neighborhoods, a Gadfly Buzzes" - NYTimes.com
On one level it is really a great shame that this story could be written in the first place, but accepting the necessity of what occurred, this piece does a great job of profiling what someone with excellent intentions - it appears - can do when armed with a strong will, curiosity and a commitment to share a story. That's at the heart of what makes journalism so important, especially when greater accountability seems to be the key result.
Monday, August 11, 2008
"Barack Obama | Change We Can Believe In | Be the First to Know" - OBAMA website
This is done extremely well, I must say. It will be very interesting to learn how many people sign up to be the "first" to learn of the VP choice and through what medium.
"New York Times to Roll Out TimesPeople Social Networking Site" - NYTimes.com
If the New York Times does this well, it may very well succeed. I like the idea of being able to connect with - or at least follow - people who also value and read the NYT.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
"John Edwards story -- the readers react" - News & Observer
I feel very strongly about the importance of fully reporting the EDWARDS story. See my comments on the second page of this article.
"Flush With Energy" - NYTimes.com
Comparing how the US is doing with how Denmark has done on energy policy is very helpful.
There is another comparison I would like to suggest. It is Denmark and North Carolina. Denmark is a lot smaller than North Carolina with its 5.5 million population alongside of about 9 million in North Carolina.
So....
Why cannot North Carolina - especially in this election year - adopt a plan to make it energy independent? What is unique about Denmark's wind, for example? How about the sun in North Carolina? Down the line, there may even be some offshore energy to be carefully harvested? Nuclear present and future?
Is it totally unrealistic to think that North Carolina could become the first state in the US to achieve energy independence?
Shouldn't we try?
What is the status of this bill in the state legislature - Energy Independence Act? In fact, it looks like it was passed and signed by the Governor two years ago. However, when you look at the text, it seems so little. Can't we do better? Wouldn't it serve everyone's best interests?
There is another comparison I would like to suggest. It is Denmark and North Carolina. Denmark is a lot smaller than North Carolina with its 5.5 million population alongside of about 9 million in North Carolina.
So....
Why cannot North Carolina - especially in this election year - adopt a plan to make it energy independent? What is unique about Denmark's wind, for example? How about the sun in North Carolina? Down the line, there may even be some offshore energy to be carefully harvested? Nuclear present and future?
Is it totally unrealistic to think that North Carolina could become the first state in the US to achieve energy independence?
Shouldn't we try?
What is the status of this bill in the state legislature - Energy Independence Act? In fact, it looks like it was passed and signed by the Governor two years ago. However, when you look at the text, it seems so little. Can't we do better? Wouldn't it serve everyone's best interests?
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Book Review - 'The Hebrew Republic,' by Bernard Avishai - Review - NYTimes.com
This sounds to me to be an approach that might yet bring peace to this troubled corner of the Mediterranean. Let's all give it some serious consideration whether we be Israelis and/or Jews or all others.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist - Gail Collins - Unity Is Crowded - Op-Ed - NYTimes.com
I'm a no-erosion type OBAMA supporter. At least I don't want to see his stands on issues about which I care a lot changed a great deal. Are there some issues where I would like him to change his views? Sure. But I think Gail COLLINS, as she so often does, has gotten the chock on the line in this column. I hope OBAMA is listening and soon draws that line and steps very rarely beyond it in reshaping his "message".
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sud de France
This is the site for a region of France in the far south. They are trying to promote all of their agricultural products under a mark - Sud de France (South of France).
Does North Carolina do the same? Do we see many products of North Carolina that carry a North Carolina label?
Does North Carolina do the same? Do we see many products of North Carolina that carry a North Carolina label?
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
"The New Progressive Book Club Is Geared to Liberals" - NYTimes.com
What a great opportunity this presents for localizing this to places like Chapel Hill. It could all be organized on the book club's website, which may already be its plan.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
"Produits Casino - Aide culinaire - 4 muffins blancs"
Which US supermarkets provide this type of information about their products?
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
"Critics and News Executives Split Over Sexism in Clinton Coverage" - NYTimes.com
Some people really enjoy taking on the media. Give them any issue, and they will blame the "big", usually, media for it or for the way it turned out.
In the rough and tumble of political discourse, some people will say things that they really mean and regret saying them later in order not to offend. Others will say things they did not mean, but inadvertently saidnonetheless. There are many permutations of that; the point is that we as a country accept this and value it.
For those who prefer highly balanced and sterilized "media" "coverage" where all reporting and commentary is run through dozens of rinse cycles before it is presented, you are welcome to that world. I prefer the one that lets reporters and commentators say what's on their minds and allow them or others to change or correct the impression or the facts.
This campaign is very important. Let's not burden it with someone's irritation over an imperfect world. Get on with life, instead.
In the rough and tumble of political discourse, some people will say things that they really mean and regret saying them later in order not to offend. Others will say things they did not mean, but inadvertently saidnonetheless. There are many permutations of that; the point is that we as a country accept this and value it.
For those who prefer highly balanced and sterilized "media" "coverage" where all reporting and commentary is run through dozens of rinse cycles before it is presented, you are welcome to that world. I prefer the one that lets reporters and commentators say what's on their minds and allow them or others to change or correct the impression or the facts.
This campaign is very important. Let's not burden it with someone's irritation over an imperfect world. Get on with life, instead.
"Administration Strategy for Detention Now in Disarray" - washingtonpost.com
Beyond this decision is the even more important division it demonstrates between John McCAIN and Barack OBAMA. Neither candidate is perfect, of course, but I think we can count on OBAMA to fight for the rights of all people, as demonstrated here, and for John McCAIN to advocate the interersts of a select group, also as shown here. In picking the next justice to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, I fervently hope it will be someone much closer to OBAMA's thinking than to McCAIN's.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
"Irish voters likely to sink EU treaty, poll shows" - The Guardian
It's astounding that this vote has not gotten more coverage in the US, of all places. I speak as an Irishman in saying so.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
"Paper Or Pricey Plastic?" - NYTimes.com
Higher prices do have their benefits. One could add to that headline "...or Bring Your Own", the best solution.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
"U.S. Withdraws Fulbright Grants to Palestinians in Gaza" - NYTimes.com
Israel policy is not sustainable. The sooner the US takes a more non-discriminatory policy toward the peoples of the Middle East, the sooner we can all move forward. That may or may not include Israel as we know it, but that all depends on how an Israel un-tethered from the US chooses to behave. We owe it to everyone to stop treating Israel as some kind of chosen land and privileged people. It simply is neither.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Slugging
I heard a piece on NPR this morning about "slugging"....essentially, sharing rides for the High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in Northern Virginia. It was really depressing when they got to the point about one of the informal rules being that no one ever gives their name.
Perhaps I am alone, but I think the pendulum has swung way off to one side when it comes to how we treat other people on various modes of conveyance. When was the last time you introduced yourself to someone sitting next to you on on bus or an airplane or a train of any kind, or standing in a long line for something.
How did we get to the point where people react with annoyance to any effort to say hello beyond a forced smile?
Perhaps I am alone, but I think the pendulum has swung way off to one side when it comes to how we treat other people on various modes of conveyance. When was the last time you introduced yourself to someone sitting next to you on on bus or an airplane or a train of any kind, or standing in a long line for something.
How did we get to the point where people react with annoyance to any effort to say hello beyond a forced smile?
COSTCO leading the way....
I am a periodic shopper at COSTCO and always appreciate the chance to return home with my trophies of months-long supplies of various things.
What I just focused on is that COSTCO is way ahead of its time in terms of the waste it produces or does not produce. They have no plastic bags to give out and therefore none get thrown away by cutomers. You can buy reusable plastic bags, which I have done, that include one insulated model, there for COSTCO and other shopping uses. In addition, for those who want to put their purchases in containers, COSTCO always has a bin or two of discarded cardboard boxes available at no charge. Whenever I use that option, I am always certain to send it off to cardboard recycling after I get back to Chapel Hill (from Durham, the closest COSTCO store).
Finally, I notice that I rarely have any waste from packaging I acquire from COSTCO products that I cannot recycle. Virtually none of it goes into the "all other" garbage.
What I just focused on is that COSTCO is way ahead of its time in terms of the waste it produces or does not produce. They have no plastic bags to give out and therefore none get thrown away by cutomers. You can buy reusable plastic bags, which I have done, that include one insulated model, there for COSTCO and other shopping uses. In addition, for those who want to put their purchases in containers, COSTCO always has a bin or two of discarded cardboard boxes available at no charge. Whenever I use that option, I am always certain to send it off to cardboard recycling after I get back to Chapel Hill (from Durham, the closest COSTCO store).
Finally, I notice that I rarely have any waste from packaging I acquire from COSTCO products that I cannot recycle. Virtually none of it goes into the "all other" garbage.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Israel
The more I learn and the more I think about it, the more it seems to me that "we" in the US ought to be supporting democratic states around the world, first, and urging those that impose restrictions based on race or religion to change their policies. There may be reasons to be somewhat supportive for strategic defense alliance reasons, but surely we should not be lauding them across the board.
This applies to Israeil and many other countries.
How is it consistent with "our" values to be as supportive of the Jewish state of Israel? If Israel were simply another country with a commitment to democracy and non-discrimination, its additional strategic importance might justify this. But with the country, in the name of Judaism, so discriminatory with respect to non-Jews, I simply cannot buy the level - monetarily or otherwise - of our support for Israel.
This applies to Israeil and many other countries.
How is it consistent with "our" values to be as supportive of the Jewish state of Israel? If Israel were simply another country with a commitment to democracy and non-discrimination, its additional strategic importance might justify this. But with the country, in the name of Judaism, so discriminatory with respect to non-Jews, I simply cannot buy the level - monetarily or otherwise - of our support for Israel.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Progress Energy Performing Arts Center "Rip-Off"
Why are we all forced to use Ticketmaster in Chapel Hill, NC in order to buy tickets for an event (at the Progress Energy Center) in Raleigh, NC? The Ticketmaster charges for tickets I am using this week amount to 33% added to the price of the tickets. That's ridiculous when these things can be handled so efficiently today via computer systems and the internet. We should be able to print out our own tickets as do the airlines today.
If you wish to complain about this, the general manager at the Progress Energy Center is a Jim LAVERY - 831-6970.
(This will give you a sense of how behind-the-times they are at the Center..... When you click on the link for parking information you get this page that essentially says you can park wherever you can find a place in downtown Raleigh. Is that helpful or what?)
If you wish to complain about this, the general manager at the Progress Energy Center is a Jim LAVERY - 831-6970.
(This will give you a sense of how behind-the-times they are at the Center..... When you click on the link for parking information you get this page that essentially says you can park wherever you can find a place in downtown Raleigh. Is that helpful or what?)
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Barack OBAMA speaks in Chapel Hill 28 April 2008
29 April 2008 - Attending the OBAMA rally in Chapel Hill, NC ..... I support Senator OBAMA's candidacy and have put some money where my fingers are as I type this. You should know that as I offer some reactions to the OBAMA "One-Stop Early Vote Rally" at the Dean Dome on 28 April.
It was a rainy night, as Garrison KEILLOR might have introduced the experience.
So I took an umbrella with me. When I got to the Dean Dome, the security people (still not sure whether they were Secret Service or some other service with American eagles on their sleeves and impressive badges) told me and everyone else that the “staff” for the organizers of the event had said no umbrellas inside...actually, it was "no metal" and so far, I guess that covers all umbrellas. Life gives us so many of these choices.
OBAMA or umbrella?
We all chose the candidate, and that meant a giant collection of umbrellas at the entrances. At least we had a shot of retrieving them unlike all of that stuff confiscated at airports, which on my last flight, do seem to allow umbrellas onboard. The agent told me I would find my umbrella in one of the big barrels that would be at the entrance when I left.
I thought about my umbrella - not a particular favorite - during the event, especially as I gazed at the 18,000 or so other people in the arena.
Well, to put your mind at ease, I walked out at 11:20 or so, and there was my umbrella, right where the agent said it would be! I don't know if others were so lucky or whether there is a rain sale today at the Dean Dome of all the leftovers. I suppose they hold on to the residue for some period of time?
Now that I've gotten that annoying detail out of the way, back to the story.
I did not take a bus this time as they stop running, I am pretty sure, for these late night outings, at least for the return. So I tried to find some other people who wanted to go and thought we could at least car pool. None of my friends was able to make it. I drove to the first sign for the "Smith Center" parking and that was in the new garage more or less across from the new Cancer Center at UNC Hospitals. Parking was free, or I hoped it would be. From there, with my trusty umbrella in hand, I walked to the Center.
I felt a little Pied Piperish as there were only a few ahead of me at first, and others falling in line behind me. But as we wound our way toward the Dome, more people appeared ahead. It was a mostly young crowd - although mighty quiet I thought - and the people I saw as we began to get in line outside the arena seemed to reflect both the larger group inside and the community as a whole - old, young and multi-colored, if you do not count Latinos and Latinas. I heard nor saw not a single reference to them or the Spanish language in the course of the event.
En route to the arena, I passed two guys selling OBAMA buttons (it was t-shirts on the way out), got a flyer from someone on behalf of Hampton DELLINGER running for Lt Governor (and talked with the fellow handing them out about whether Hampton is "from" Durham or Chapel Hill -- he told me I just missed his parents.....delighted to see Hampton and I presume his parents supporting OBAMA, as his father had worked for Bill CLINTON; finding anything about Hampton's support of OBAMA on his website, however, is a fruitless task), and met Jim NEAL from Carrboro, running for the US Senate (he gave me only his hand and no paper!).
Along the way, someone collected the part of the ticket on which you had to give name, rank and serial number. It was curious to me that with all the effective use of the internet by the campaign, there seemed to be something less than a creative effort to use the database of people within driving distance of Chapel Hill to bring them to the event. It will be interesting to see if I receive anything by way of followup via phone, e-mail or snail mail.
In the parking lot were a couple of TV trucks from local stations, contributing at least some very local bad air to the environment, presumably burning gas the whole time we were inside.
I had left home at 8:30 PM and was in the arena (without my umbrella), following a nice rainless walk, at about 8:55. I'd say 80% of the people had arrived at that point, maybe 85%.
There was some excitement in the air, but not as much as I would have expected.
There were a few people on stage setting up things, but the real star was a woman who came out twirling OBAMA t-shirts and tossing them into the crowd the way a stripper might do the same with other articles of apparel! She did a great job. When a guy joined her, he clearly did not have the same savoir faire that she did!
In the stands behind the podium was a large "Chapel Hill for Change" sign, and over to one side a row of sign holders spelling NCforOBAMA. The monitors up high were promoting early voting, and there was one additional OBAMA sign in the hall that I could see, other than small ones that people, especially behind the podium, were holding (and who received some instruction at one point on how to wave them from one of the staff).
A "privileged" group got to stand the whole time (over two hours) in front of the podium. These were the people who reached their arms the highest when trying to catch a flying t-shirt. Another group was ushered in somewhat ahead of OBAMA who must have been the high rollers and some of the visiting firemen and women politicians; they got seats.
There were only a couple of people who may have been reporters sitting at the press desks. It looked pretty deserted. That was a good sign that there would not be major announcements. There were more people running the half-dozen or so TV cameras, but I presume all of them were local stations, although I did not look closely.
There was good music, and I thought it was all recorded stuff carefully picked by the organizers to get the crowd in the right mood. Instead, I learned later, it was a real band! They did a great job, and I wonder who pays the royalties for using what they performed? I am not a good person to identify songs, but I think one might have been "Right Back where We Started From".
And there were, as was reported by at least the Herald-Sun some number of "waves" making their way around the hall. Actually, just a few.
One young guy arrived near me - I was up in the stands, about two-thirds of the way - proudly wearing a t-shirt with Fxxx BUSH in large letters. Several people asked him to pose for photos.
Otherwise, there was only one tie that I saw in the stands; it was a pretty informal crowd. Some of the organizers, and of course the Secret Service, were well-suited for the occasion.
A few people munched on popcorn and soft drinks....
At precisely 9:30, out came a minister (from the Chapel Hill First Baptist Church, Dr. J.R. MANLEY I believe) to deliver a very long prayer that I found very hard to follow. Most every head was bowed for the duration. He said nothing that I could discern about politics, but did talk about love a lot.
Then someone else appeared whose name I did not get, and once he found the flag way up high, we all rose to say the Pledge of Allegiance. It's been a long time since I attended an event where we recited the Pledge en masse.
It was then the turn of Reps David PRICE and Mel WATT to speak. PRICE seemed a little uncomfortable in front of all those people and referred to his notes a little too often. As the former Duke professor he is, it seemed quite appropriate that he rattled off a bunch of wonky issue points, some of which seemed to spark a bit of interest. He got a fair response on ending the Iraq war and next to nothing when he spoke of restoring America's "moral leadership" in the world. WATT was more of a cheerleader and got more juices flowing after noting that PRICE had taken care of the substantive stuff.
The regional director for OBAMA came on stage and tried to whoop up the crowd a bit. He claimed that we were no where near as loud as we should be for "one of the biggest indoor events in the history of the Barack OBAMA campaign". He urged everyone to get to work over the next 8 days, getting a good response from noting North Carolina's ability to make a difference for the first time in the primary process.
He left the stage about 9:50.
I was thinking I should have brought binoculars with me. The couple ahead of me had a pair. I guess there must have been a binocular exception to the no metal rule?
There was no announcement about timing.
I wondered about how much an event like this really costs.
I picked up snippets from the music - coming to America and my country.....that sort of thing.
Next up was Sam PERKINS, I take it a UNC basketball alum and NBA veteran. He talked about why it is so important to stay in school and to "pay attention". He had played so long ago that the Dean Dome had not been built at that time. He talked about wearing the "uniform of hope" and winning the "championship of hope" with OBAMA as the coach. The crowd seemed to like this a lot.
A female UNC senior from another town in North Carolina took the podium next. (OBAMA later wished her a happy 22nd birthday which must have made it quite a birthday for her.) We all gave the late Eve CARSON a moment of silent tribute, and the woman behind me even stopped jabbering on her cellphone at that time. The speaker was very impressive and very committed, talking about how she had traveled to several states to support OBAMA, and noting how a Swedish exchange student friend had given so much of his time for the same cause because he believed so much in the OBAMA candidacy.
She introduced OBAMA to a standing ovation. We knew he was about to appear as the Secret Service - pretty sure this time - had lined the entry walk on both sides standing at conspicuous attention. (They did the same throughout his remarks from strategic points around the podium.)
It was 10:30 and time for the candidate. On stage he came with a number of handshakes and many waves.
He thanked PERKINS and noted work he has done on the Special Olympics and fighting malaria.
I could not help but think how silly it was to sit there and watch the big monitors instead of squinting to see the real person on the stage. Those monitors really turn the experience into nothing more than what you can do at home in a more comfortable seat.
OBAMA thanked Chancellor "MESSER" and then corrected himself (MOESER) from someone in the privileged standing group in front of the podium. And he thanked others from Tarheels for OBAMA to his lead organizer for these big rally events, a UNC alum.
He then gave us his stump speech. The "fierce urgency of now" was followed by words on Iraq and the economy, on energy and education.
It was good to hear it all in one sitting, but nothing new. We listen to bits and pieces too often, and we need to hear all candidates go through the full pitch a couple of times in the campaign to make sure we keep things in perspective.
There seemed to be a little too much at this point about "why" he chose to run.
He did not use teleprompters as best I could tell.
And no notes.
He talked about BUSH and CHENEY and McCAIN, with his key phrases deployed at key moments like assuring us the first two would not be on the ballot in November. CLINTON was next, and she and others were treated quite reverentially.
He was much more critical of lobbyists et al to whom he will not be obliged in any way. (The role of lobbyists apart from campaign contributions is a subject on which I'd love to debate OBAMA; I have some perspectives to offer....)
Throughout, he kept his sense of humor.
And, of course, he used now well-established lines like not hiring someone to play the game better, but hire someone who is going to "change the game plan" to be President.
In his words about energy, he said that the McCAIN proposal to lift federal gas taxes for a while would amount to only about $25 for most people. "Is that the best you can do?," he asked. He noted that the missing taxes would deprive America of funds that would otherwise go to the highway trust fund.
OBAMA got a good response talking about Research Triangle Park and its importance and contribution and the need to do more of that, and he got an even bigger response in talking about paying teachers better.
He did better than PRICE had in getting people revved up about global issues. He talked about Iraq and reminded us of his opposition in 2002 and his promise to bring the war to an end in 2009. "America's back; we are ready to lead again," he told us would be the headline next year. Helping the developing world with health issues, education, and respect for human rights - resolving Darfur - will be at the core of that effort, he said. And he promised that America would once again obey the Constitution and protect and civil liberties.
Bringing everyone together was another big theme. Republicans, independents..... He said we need to reflect "the decency of the American people".
He had reminded his staff, he told us, that after the elbowing et al, they and all of us need to remember what the campaign is "all about". "Don't get distracted" from this, he warned. Don't let comments about a "pastor", a "lapel pin", questions about patriotism or suggestions about being Muslim..... take you away from working to insure that "this country is about every child having an opportunity". He criticized the media for allowing those sorts of issues to "dominate" political coverage for the last "several weeks".
He concluded by talking about "values". He reminded everyone of his upbringing, of the ways in which this country had helped his parents, and about his wife's background as well and her humble beginnings. He seemed so inspired that she might become the "First Lady of the United States". For those who question his patriotism, he told us that his story could not happen "anywhere else on earth". Despite all our "imperfections", "each of us can grab for that dream". We can, together, fight for liberties, make the world more just and more equal, and more unified.
He finished at 11:15.
OBAMA got a standing ovation, shook a lot of hands, I walked out with the crowd, found the umbrella, and walked with a group that had turned once again much quieter than I would have expected back to my car. Yes, the parking was free. And I was back in Southern Village at 11:45.
It was an evening well-spent.....
It was a rainy night, as Garrison KEILLOR might have introduced the experience.
So I took an umbrella with me. When I got to the Dean Dome, the security people (still not sure whether they were Secret Service or some other service with American eagles on their sleeves and impressive badges) told me and everyone else that the “staff” for the organizers of the event had said no umbrellas inside...actually, it was "no metal" and so far, I guess that covers all umbrellas. Life gives us so many of these choices.
OBAMA or umbrella?
We all chose the candidate, and that meant a giant collection of umbrellas at the entrances. At least we had a shot of retrieving them unlike all of that stuff confiscated at airports, which on my last flight, do seem to allow umbrellas onboard. The agent told me I would find my umbrella in one of the big barrels that would be at the entrance when I left.
I thought about my umbrella - not a particular favorite - during the event, especially as I gazed at the 18,000 or so other people in the arena.
Well, to put your mind at ease, I walked out at 11:20 or so, and there was my umbrella, right where the agent said it would be! I don't know if others were so lucky or whether there is a rain sale today at the Dean Dome of all the leftovers. I suppose they hold on to the residue for some period of time?
Now that I've gotten that annoying detail out of the way, back to the story.
I did not take a bus this time as they stop running, I am pretty sure, for these late night outings, at least for the return. So I tried to find some other people who wanted to go and thought we could at least car pool. None of my friends was able to make it. I drove to the first sign for the "Smith Center" parking and that was in the new garage more or less across from the new Cancer Center at UNC Hospitals. Parking was free, or I hoped it would be. From there, with my trusty umbrella in hand, I walked to the Center.
I felt a little Pied Piperish as there were only a few ahead of me at first, and others falling in line behind me. But as we wound our way toward the Dome, more people appeared ahead. It was a mostly young crowd - although mighty quiet I thought - and the people I saw as we began to get in line outside the arena seemed to reflect both the larger group inside and the community as a whole - old, young and multi-colored, if you do not count Latinos and Latinas. I heard nor saw not a single reference to them or the Spanish language in the course of the event.
En route to the arena, I passed two guys selling OBAMA buttons (it was t-shirts on the way out), got a flyer from someone on behalf of Hampton DELLINGER running for Lt Governor (and talked with the fellow handing them out about whether Hampton is "from" Durham or Chapel Hill -- he told me I just missed his parents.....delighted to see Hampton and I presume his parents supporting OBAMA, as his father had worked for Bill CLINTON; finding anything about Hampton's support of OBAMA on his website, however, is a fruitless task), and met Jim NEAL from Carrboro, running for the US Senate (he gave me only his hand and no paper!).
Along the way, someone collected the part of the ticket on which you had to give name, rank and serial number. It was curious to me that with all the effective use of the internet by the campaign, there seemed to be something less than a creative effort to use the database of people within driving distance of Chapel Hill to bring them to the event. It will be interesting to see if I receive anything by way of followup via phone, e-mail or snail mail.
In the parking lot were a couple of TV trucks from local stations, contributing at least some very local bad air to the environment, presumably burning gas the whole time we were inside.
I had left home at 8:30 PM and was in the arena (without my umbrella), following a nice rainless walk, at about 8:55. I'd say 80% of the people had arrived at that point, maybe 85%.
There was some excitement in the air, but not as much as I would have expected.
There were a few people on stage setting up things, but the real star was a woman who came out twirling OBAMA t-shirts and tossing them into the crowd the way a stripper might do the same with other articles of apparel! She did a great job. When a guy joined her, he clearly did not have the same savoir faire that she did!
In the stands behind the podium was a large "Chapel Hill for Change" sign, and over to one side a row of sign holders spelling NCforOBAMA. The monitors up high were promoting early voting, and there was one additional OBAMA sign in the hall that I could see, other than small ones that people, especially behind the podium, were holding (and who received some instruction at one point on how to wave them from one of the staff).
A "privileged" group got to stand the whole time (over two hours) in front of the podium. These were the people who reached their arms the highest when trying to catch a flying t-shirt. Another group was ushered in somewhat ahead of OBAMA who must have been the high rollers and some of the visiting firemen and women politicians; they got seats.
There were only a couple of people who may have been reporters sitting at the press desks. It looked pretty deserted. That was a good sign that there would not be major announcements. There were more people running the half-dozen or so TV cameras, but I presume all of them were local stations, although I did not look closely.
There was good music, and I thought it was all recorded stuff carefully picked by the organizers to get the crowd in the right mood. Instead, I learned later, it was a real band! They did a great job, and I wonder who pays the royalties for using what they performed? I am not a good person to identify songs, but I think one might have been "Right Back where We Started From".
And there were, as was reported by at least the Herald-Sun some number of "waves" making their way around the hall. Actually, just a few.
One young guy arrived near me - I was up in the stands, about two-thirds of the way - proudly wearing a t-shirt with Fxxx BUSH in large letters. Several people asked him to pose for photos.
Otherwise, there was only one tie that I saw in the stands; it was a pretty informal crowd. Some of the organizers, and of course the Secret Service, were well-suited for the occasion.
A few people munched on popcorn and soft drinks....
At precisely 9:30, out came a minister (from the Chapel Hill First Baptist Church, Dr. J.R. MANLEY I believe) to deliver a very long prayer that I found very hard to follow. Most every head was bowed for the duration. He said nothing that I could discern about politics, but did talk about love a lot.
Then someone else appeared whose name I did not get, and once he found the flag way up high, we all rose to say the Pledge of Allegiance. It's been a long time since I attended an event where we recited the Pledge en masse.
It was then the turn of Reps David PRICE and Mel WATT to speak. PRICE seemed a little uncomfortable in front of all those people and referred to his notes a little too often. As the former Duke professor he is, it seemed quite appropriate that he rattled off a bunch of wonky issue points, some of which seemed to spark a bit of interest. He got a fair response on ending the Iraq war and next to nothing when he spoke of restoring America's "moral leadership" in the world. WATT was more of a cheerleader and got more juices flowing after noting that PRICE had taken care of the substantive stuff.
The regional director for OBAMA came on stage and tried to whoop up the crowd a bit. He claimed that we were no where near as loud as we should be for "one of the biggest indoor events in the history of the Barack OBAMA campaign". He urged everyone to get to work over the next 8 days, getting a good response from noting North Carolina's ability to make a difference for the first time in the primary process.
He left the stage about 9:50.
I was thinking I should have brought binoculars with me. The couple ahead of me had a pair. I guess there must have been a binocular exception to the no metal rule?
There was no announcement about timing.
I wondered about how much an event like this really costs.
I picked up snippets from the music - coming to America and my country.....that sort of thing.
Next up was Sam PERKINS, I take it a UNC basketball alum and NBA veteran. He talked about why it is so important to stay in school and to "pay attention". He had played so long ago that the Dean Dome had not been built at that time. He talked about wearing the "uniform of hope" and winning the "championship of hope" with OBAMA as the coach. The crowd seemed to like this a lot.
A female UNC senior from another town in North Carolina took the podium next. (OBAMA later wished her a happy 22nd birthday which must have made it quite a birthday for her.) We all gave the late Eve CARSON a moment of silent tribute, and the woman behind me even stopped jabbering on her cellphone at that time. The speaker was very impressive and very committed, talking about how she had traveled to several states to support OBAMA, and noting how a Swedish exchange student friend had given so much of his time for the same cause because he believed so much in the OBAMA candidacy.
She introduced OBAMA to a standing ovation. We knew he was about to appear as the Secret Service - pretty sure this time - had lined the entry walk on both sides standing at conspicuous attention. (They did the same throughout his remarks from strategic points around the podium.)
It was 10:30 and time for the candidate. On stage he came with a number of handshakes and many waves.
He thanked PERKINS and noted work he has done on the Special Olympics and fighting malaria.
I could not help but think how silly it was to sit there and watch the big monitors instead of squinting to see the real person on the stage. Those monitors really turn the experience into nothing more than what you can do at home in a more comfortable seat.
OBAMA thanked Chancellor "MESSER" and then corrected himself (MOESER) from someone in the privileged standing group in front of the podium. And he thanked others from Tarheels for OBAMA to his lead organizer for these big rally events, a UNC alum.
He then gave us his stump speech. The "fierce urgency of now" was followed by words on Iraq and the economy, on energy and education.
It was good to hear it all in one sitting, but nothing new. We listen to bits and pieces too often, and we need to hear all candidates go through the full pitch a couple of times in the campaign to make sure we keep things in perspective.
There seemed to be a little too much at this point about "why" he chose to run.
He did not use teleprompters as best I could tell.
And no notes.
He talked about BUSH and CHENEY and McCAIN, with his key phrases deployed at key moments like assuring us the first two would not be on the ballot in November. CLINTON was next, and she and others were treated quite reverentially.
He was much more critical of lobbyists et al to whom he will not be obliged in any way. (The role of lobbyists apart from campaign contributions is a subject on which I'd love to debate OBAMA; I have some perspectives to offer....)
Throughout, he kept his sense of humor.
And, of course, he used now well-established lines like not hiring someone to play the game better, but hire someone who is going to "change the game plan" to be President.
In his words about energy, he said that the McCAIN proposal to lift federal gas taxes for a while would amount to only about $25 for most people. "Is that the best you can do?," he asked. He noted that the missing taxes would deprive America of funds that would otherwise go to the highway trust fund.
OBAMA got a good response talking about Research Triangle Park and its importance and contribution and the need to do more of that, and he got an even bigger response in talking about paying teachers better.
He did better than PRICE had in getting people revved up about global issues. He talked about Iraq and reminded us of his opposition in 2002 and his promise to bring the war to an end in 2009. "America's back; we are ready to lead again," he told us would be the headline next year. Helping the developing world with health issues, education, and respect for human rights - resolving Darfur - will be at the core of that effort, he said. And he promised that America would once again obey the Constitution and protect and civil liberties.
Bringing everyone together was another big theme. Republicans, independents..... He said we need to reflect "the decency of the American people".
He had reminded his staff, he told us, that after the elbowing et al, they and all of us need to remember what the campaign is "all about". "Don't get distracted" from this, he warned. Don't let comments about a "pastor", a "lapel pin", questions about patriotism or suggestions about being Muslim..... take you away from working to insure that "this country is about every child having an opportunity". He criticized the media for allowing those sorts of issues to "dominate" political coverage for the last "several weeks".
He concluded by talking about "values". He reminded everyone of his upbringing, of the ways in which this country had helped his parents, and about his wife's background as well and her humble beginnings. He seemed so inspired that she might become the "First Lady of the United States". For those who question his patriotism, he told us that his story could not happen "anywhere else on earth". Despite all our "imperfections", "each of us can grab for that dream". We can, together, fight for liberties, make the world more just and more equal, and more unified.
He finished at 11:15.
OBAMA got a standing ovation, shook a lot of hands, I walked out with the crowd, found the umbrella, and walked with a group that had turned once again much quieter than I would have expected back to my car. Yes, the parking was free. And I was back in Southern Village at 11:45.
It was an evening well-spent.....
Why I support Barack OBAMA (in 450 words)
Barack OBAMA offers the people of the United States our best opportunity to rejoin the world in a positive and constructive manner. That’s the primary reason I support him as our next President.
We have so much to offer one another and people everywhere on our shared planet. At home, we can demonstrate once again how much we care about education, how much we can do to improve our environment, how well we can take care of one another, and how fully we can respect the rights and liberties of all. Abroad, we can help others first by showing how we can do these things so much better within our own country, and we can join with those who admire us - and those who do not - to solve problems, to pursue opportunities, and to add at least a little to the lives of so many.
Senator OBAMA brings to the task a perspective that is informed by a young lifetime of diverse experiences. He knows how a different part of the world looks when seen through the eyes of a young person; he knows what it is like to have a real family connection to another place in another land with good people. And he has been through the rigors of a family in the US that has schooled him in love and distance. The Senator has given much already to the people with whom he has worked, and knows, above all, how critically important it is to bring people together. For me, he reflects in so many ways the USA that I salute.
I believe we will see initiatives in his administration that we never have seen in the past. There will be receptiveness to new and different ways of solving our shared problems and new approaches to advancing opportunities for the entire world. I think he will help us better accept the need to compromise, whether we are dealing with terrorists or with agricultural subsidies.
We can do this, as he might say, and I believe we are seeing the birth of inspired leadership for the United States that we need so desperately. Ask yourself, just for example, how you would have handled all of the diversionary attention on Senator OBAMA’s pastor. I believe he did the right thing, trying to solve a problem constructively and, as we all do sometimes, finding himself unable to do so, resolving the problem in another way. That’s the approach I am confident that President OBAMA will take in dealing with the infinitely more important challenges that will greet him on 20 January 2009.
When we "hire" a President, good judgment and honesty top the criteria I believe most important. We have seen enough of Senator OBAMA's commitment to these principles to give me full confidence in him, and for me to give him my vote.
We have so much to offer one another and people everywhere on our shared planet. At home, we can demonstrate once again how much we care about education, how much we can do to improve our environment, how well we can take care of one another, and how fully we can respect the rights and liberties of all. Abroad, we can help others first by showing how we can do these things so much better within our own country, and we can join with those who admire us - and those who do not - to solve problems, to pursue opportunities, and to add at least a little to the lives of so many.
Senator OBAMA brings to the task a perspective that is informed by a young lifetime of diverse experiences. He knows how a different part of the world looks when seen through the eyes of a young person; he knows what it is like to have a real family connection to another place in another land with good people. And he has been through the rigors of a family in the US that has schooled him in love and distance. The Senator has given much already to the people with whom he has worked, and knows, above all, how critically important it is to bring people together. For me, he reflects in so many ways the USA that I salute.
I believe we will see initiatives in his administration that we never have seen in the past. There will be receptiveness to new and different ways of solving our shared problems and new approaches to advancing opportunities for the entire world. I think he will help us better accept the need to compromise, whether we are dealing with terrorists or with agricultural subsidies.
We can do this, as he might say, and I believe we are seeing the birth of inspired leadership for the United States that we need so desperately. Ask yourself, just for example, how you would have handled all of the diversionary attention on Senator OBAMA’s pastor. I believe he did the right thing, trying to solve a problem constructively and, as we all do sometimes, finding himself unable to do so, resolving the problem in another way. That’s the approach I am confident that President OBAMA will take in dealing with the infinitely more important challenges that will greet him on 20 January 2009.
When we "hire" a President, good judgment and honesty top the criteria I believe most important. We have seen enough of Senator OBAMA's commitment to these principles to give me full confidence in him, and for me to give him my vote.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Starbucks to Overhaul Its Entertainment Business - WSJ.com
Why not news and information at Starbucks?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Friday, April 04, 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
"Austria: New readership figures full year 2007" - Publicitas Promotion Network
Just in case anyone thought the trend was just a US problem....
"An Online Game So Mysterious Its Famous Sponsor Is Hidden" - The New York Times
There is much too much of this hidden sponsorship going around. Each sponsor, no matter how selfless or selfish, has an agenda. It may be no agenda but that, itself, is an agenda. We, the ones who do not know, ought to know in order to make more informed choices for better or worse.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Citizen Huff - The New York Times
I suspect we will see many more stories like this one of people who make it happen combing quality content and service with good technology. Or is there another explanation?
"State s politics take leap online" - News & Observer
The more opportunity for questions and answers - and the chance to read them "live" or afterwards - the better!
It is especially helpful for the N&O to include the specifics of how this will "work" and to note that you can read it later if not able to watch it as it happens.
It is especially helpful for the N&O to include the specifics of how this will "work" and to note that you can read it later if not able to watch it as it happens.
"Mercury News to be leaders on Internet, "pick up the pace", and integrate staff" - editorsweblog
This appears headed in the right direction at a venerable newspaper which now lacks a certain je ne sais quoi in terms of associating the newspaper with quality ownership. That's still important to me, and this is not the case, alas, here. It's not that it's bad; it's just not clear.
Anyway, the real test is the changes that are made here and what happens as a result. I worked with Mercury Center people at the very beginning of this, it surely would be nice to see the paper come back to its former glory in leading the way toward a new formula that guards what's good of the old and draws on the present and future to make it an even more successful undertaking for all affected - the entire community it serves.
Anyway, the real test is the changes that are made here and what happens as a result. I worked with Mercury Center people at the very beginning of this, it surely would be nice to see the paper come back to its former glory in leading the way toward a new formula that guards what's good of the old and draws on the present and future to make it an even more successful undertaking for all affected - the entire community it serves.
"BitTorrent Revolutionizes File Sharing" - NPR
I am not at all convinced that the classic model of 90% of most people preferring to watch than to perform or contribute is really changing that much. Yes, this technology is important, but I think the premise is faulty or at least limited.
That's when it comes to "creating" something beyond a text message or an e-mail -- something intended to go to a wider audience.
As for the more limited communication to individuals, family, friends, associates of one sort or another, the sky is the limit.
That distinction between what we create and distribute to people whom we pick for the most part and stuff we take or find from others...that line is worth preserving and respecting.
We should not say that technology either reflects that it is no longer so or forcing the result that the line can no longer be respected.
It can be, should be and requires a lot of harder patient explanation to future generations in order to preserve this. It's worth the time.
That's when it comes to "creating" something beyond a text message or an e-mail -- something intended to go to a wider audience.
As for the more limited communication to individuals, family, friends, associates of one sort or another, the sky is the limit.
That distinction between what we create and distribute to people whom we pick for the most part and stuff we take or find from others...that line is worth preserving and respecting.
We should not say that technology either reflects that it is no longer so or forcing the result that the line can no longer be respected.
It can be, should be and requires a lot of harder patient explanation to future generations in order to preserve this. It's worth the time.
"2 Irish Billionaires Clash Over Publisher’s Course" - The New York Times
I am an Irish citizen, and these sorts of stories interest me a lot. I do not know Mr. O'BRIEN but I am acquanted with father and son O'REILLY.
This sounds as though Ireland is an island separated from the rest of the world by water and mentality. Some of that, of course, is true.
But one has to wonder in terms of share value whether a newspaper company like Independent News & Media can really make a go of it for the medium term. I think the only reason that newspapers outside the US, in some number of cases, seem to be doing better than those in the US is that the digital stars have simply lined up in a different fashion as part of the transition.
In the end, we will all be operating in a digital world, with some paper supplements. A company that now relies primarily on paper has got to rework itself and its relationships with the people who, together, pay the bill - those who advertiser and those who consume advertising and pay for services, including news.
I see no indication that Independent News has organized itself and its ties to customers in such a way as to get out ahead of what is sweeping so many newspapers off the media road.
This sounds as though Ireland is an island separated from the rest of the world by water and mentality. Some of that, of course, is true.
But one has to wonder in terms of share value whether a newspaper company like Independent News & Media can really make a go of it for the medium term. I think the only reason that newspapers outside the US, in some number of cases, seem to be doing better than those in the US is that the digital stars have simply lined up in a different fashion as part of the transition.
In the end, we will all be operating in a digital world, with some paper supplements. A company that now relies primarily on paper has got to rework itself and its relationships with the people who, together, pay the bill - those who advertiser and those who consume advertising and pay for services, including news.
I see no indication that Independent News has organized itself and its ties to customers in such a way as to get out ahead of what is sweeping so many newspapers off the media road.
"Obama's talking to all of us" - Sandusky Register
I support Barack OBAMA for President for many reasons.
This is a wonderful short piece from Ohio not necessarily supporting OBAMA but urging all of us to read in full his speech on race. One should read in full Hillary CLINTON's speeches and papers as well. And those of John McCAIN. All are available on their respective websites; you are free to use them without registering in any way.
What's so refreshing about this piece is the simple admonition - go read the full text and in a world where there is only a millisecond of reasons not to do so, do it right now. Don't wait. This speech; other speeches. Other candidates. Do your work as a citizen and/or a voter. Even if you are neither, help the rest of us make the right decision!
As I wrote above, I support OBAMA because I think he is the best of the three. But I am not an ideologue and I will continue to listen carefully to what the other two say, and read as much as I choose to make time to do.
This is a wonderful short piece from Ohio not necessarily supporting OBAMA but urging all of us to read in full his speech on race. One should read in full Hillary CLINTON's speeches and papers as well. And those of John McCAIN. All are available on their respective websites; you are free to use them without registering in any way.
What's so refreshing about this piece is the simple admonition - go read the full text and in a world where there is only a millisecond of reasons not to do so, do it right now. Don't wait. This speech; other speeches. Other candidates. Do your work as a citizen and/or a voter. Even if you are neither, help the rest of us make the right decision!
As I wrote above, I support OBAMA because I think he is the best of the three. But I am not an ideologue and I will continue to listen carefully to what the other two say, and read as much as I choose to make time to do.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
A home for Fiesta™ Collectors
Amazing sign of our digital times that this ever existed and the fact that it disappeared as quickly as it came! I am not a Fiesta collector, by the way!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Belarus: Journalists’ Homes Raided - New York Times
There has tended to be an assumption that US reporters, especially US citizens, carry the First Amendment with them as an endorsement to their passports. This never was the case and certainly is not today. Ditto for any US citizen abroad. In the case of Belarus or any other country, each person enjoys only the rights and privileges afforded and respected by the country where you are. Always assume the least protection, and always prepare yourself for the worst case scenario such as your hotel room or other dwelling being ransacked without warning by the local police. You're not in Kansas.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
newsobserver.com | USDA s nutrition tool fails
It's always disappointing to see the failure of something that still has so much potential to help people eat better as the distance between them and their online lives grows so much smaller.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Practical Traveler: Trans-Atlantic Flights - Getting to Europe Is About to Get Easier - Travel - New York Times
I am especially interested in all the ways that Raleigh-Durham Airport and Nice Cote d'Azur airport plan to profit from these changes.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Katharine Q. Seelye - On Line - Election 2008 - Politics - New York Times
There is no doubt in my mind but that we will all be voting on the web for the President and other electec officials one day. What's so fascinating about this is the resiliency of concern over some areas of technological advancement. We are prepared to accept more mistakes, I would argue, when the mistakes are not embedded in a machine but rather in plane view, rather than in a place where none of us non-techies can penetrate. Oversight of this process is essential, and we should move more intelligently toward this goal of online voting.
Friday, March 21, 2008
"Obama France"
I was curious to know whether there are any organized groups of French people - and others in France - supporting OBAMA. This blog was the closest thing that I could find. Some quite interesting observations by whoever is doing this - one "cpachai" according to the profile associated with the blog. Why are so many people like this so reluctant to say who they really are?
In any case, it's a site worth a look.....
In any case, it's a site worth a look.....
"Three New York Moguls in Talks to Buy Newsday" - The New York Times
This is another extraordinary sign of the times. We will look back on this period, I think, as one during which newspaper publishing became a much more personal as opposed to corporate undertaking. Owner-publishers will emerge from odd places and both First Amendment principles and our political system are bound to be affected by how this plays forward.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Send an Email - United States Representative Steve King
This is the Congressman who reportedly said that terrorists would dance in the streets if Barack OBAMA is elected President.
I wanted to ask him if he really said that.
But he has this set up - as do too many Representatives - to preclude any non-constituent from communicating with him.
It is perfectly appropriate for his constituents to have a preferred route of access, but to preclude the rest of us - unless we print and mail a letter or make a phone call - reflects a weakness unbecoming of a Member of the House of Representatives. In more colloquial terms, only wimps behave this way, and therefore this guy must be a wimp, I conclude.
Of course, he is free to correct the record here. I let anyone offer a comment and post all who write clearly regardless of whether they agree or strongly disagree. I seem to recall something about how democracy hinges on such exchanges.
Well, it seems to be true according to this report from the Associated Press. How sad to think that the good people of Iowa actually elected this man.
He needs a tremendous amount of professional and, above all, spiritual guidance. I hope someone connected to him - family, friends or constituents will offer to fill that void.
I wanted to ask him if he really said that.
But he has this set up - as do too many Representatives - to preclude any non-constituent from communicating with him.
It is perfectly appropriate for his constituents to have a preferred route of access, but to preclude the rest of us - unless we print and mail a letter or make a phone call - reflects a weakness unbecoming of a Member of the House of Representatives. In more colloquial terms, only wimps behave this way, and therefore this guy must be a wimp, I conclude.
Of course, he is free to correct the record here. I let anyone offer a comment and post all who write clearly regardless of whether they agree or strongly disagree. I seem to recall something about how democracy hinges on such exchanges.
Well, it seems to be true according to this report from the Associated Press. How sad to think that the good people of Iowa actually elected this man.
He needs a tremendous amount of professional and, above all, spiritual guidance. I hope someone connected to him - family, friends or constituents will offer to fill that void.
Friday, March 07, 2008
"Police: UNC Student Killed With Handgun" - AP
For God's sake, let's get rid of handguns. They have no place in a civilzed society. Special interests be damned; if the majority feels that people other than law enforcement should not be able to own handguns, w3hy shouldn't the majority prevail? If it provokes a Second Amendment challenge, so be it. Not to try is cowardice.
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