Sunday, October 03, 2010
"Muslims in America" - NYTimes.com
Very well said. The saddest part is that the letter has to be written in the first place. We in the US should be so much better than the way too many of us are.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
"What’s Dumb, Really?" - NYTimes.com
What this says to me is that our schools really are failing us. This says that 35% of 18-29 year olds don't know that the House has a Democratic majority and 51% of the same group does not know that Joe BIDEN is the Vice President. I'd love to see the same questions posed to school age young people and see how they do, starting with the local schools where I live.
"Apps for MoMA, Museum of Natural History and Others" - NYTimes.com
Which newspapers are doing better than this?
"USPS says droopy newspapers to cost more to mail " - TheUnion.com Online News
Despite the fact that many of these "droopy" newspapers have been doing better than the bigger city papers, it's hard to imagine that this is where the future lies, no?
Friday, October 01, 2010
"Marketers like that you "Like"" - Marketplace From American Public Media
With the technology and the applications evolving so fast, it's nearly impossible to establish some sort of balance in one's life. How does a reasonable person sort it all out?
"Blue Haiti" - NYTimes.com
How can the newspaper world, collectively, do a better job of telling the world about Haiti, both what the rest of the world wants to know and what they ought to know? How do we put the Haiti story into a continuous news environment and not merely a postcard from last January? Surely we have the smarts, the technology and the market access to make that happen? Why have we done such a poor job?
Is it, as some have suggested, that "we" regard Haitians as somehow inferior, or as failures, and we prefer to keep those people cordoned off from us and our thinking on an island?
If not, what and why is it so?
Is it, as some have suggested, that "we" regard Haitians as somehow inferior, or as failures, and we prefer to keep those people cordoned off from us and our thinking on an island?
If not, what and why is it so?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
"A Pork Cookbook in Israel? Not Kosher" - NYTimes.com
I support Israelis exactly to the same extent as I support Palestinians, other Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and all the rest who practice a religion and those who don't.
The United States is seen as the patron saint of Israel and of no other country in the world.
It's stories like these that make me wonder out loud about what kind of a freedom-loving place receives so much money from us every year? Yes, I wonder the same thing about Egypt and many other countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan, but somehow we don't see as a country to be bothered by the actions Israel takes, or may take, that demonstrate only that it wants forever to be a religiously monobelief territory that does NOT embrace our fundamental commitment to separation of church and state. Yes, I realize the growing number of people in Israel who are Muslims, but I also believe that Israelis really don't want them there and I rarely here any Israeli talk about the benefits from living in a country made up of Muslims and Jews.
Why else would the "settlements" be an issue?
The United States is seen as the patron saint of Israel and of no other country in the world.
It's stories like these that make me wonder out loud about what kind of a freedom-loving place receives so much money from us every year? Yes, I wonder the same thing about Egypt and many other countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan, but somehow we don't see as a country to be bothered by the actions Israel takes, or may take, that demonstrate only that it wants forever to be a religiously monobelief territory that does NOT embrace our fundamental commitment to separation of church and state. Yes, I realize the growing number of people in Israel who are Muslims, but I also believe that Israelis really don't want them there and I rarely here any Israeli talk about the benefits from living in a country made up of Muslims and Jews.
Why else would the "settlements" be an issue?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Spammers and scammers on Saturday and Sunday?
It's remarkable to me that spammer and scammers even take the weekend off. I get so much less of this garbage on the weekends than I do during the week. Maybe there is hope for civility after all!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
"Told to Eat Its Vegetables, America Orders Fries" - NYTimes.com
There are no links in this story to more information. Why does the NYTimes make us all "change channels" in order to learn more?
Friday, September 24, 2010
Alan RUSBRIDGER advice
Alan RUSBRIDGER of the Guardian spoke at a conference in Jaipur, India, a week ago and had some very interesting comments to make, winding up with these ten points for newspapers, roughly reported here:
1 - Encourage participation
2 - No longer "us" to "them" publishing
3 - Involve others pre-publication and seek their ideas
4 - Help communities of interest form
5 - Be open to the web and be part of it
6 - Aggregate and curate the work of others
7 - Recognize that journalists are not the only experts
8 - Promote diversity and shared values
9 - Publishing is the beginning of the journalistic process rather than the end
10- Be transparent and open challenge, correction and addition
1 - Encourage participation
2 - No longer "us" to "them" publishing
3 - Involve others pre-publication and seek their ideas
4 - Help communities of interest form
5 - Be open to the web and be part of it
6 - Aggregate and curate the work of others
7 - Recognize that journalists are not the only experts
8 - Promote diversity and shared values
9 - Publishing is the beginning of the journalistic process rather than the end
10- Be transparent and open challenge, correction and addition
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Customer surveys
I wonder if my perception is correct that we are being given more customer surveys to complete than in the past. Last week, I took a tour with a guide in India and after a 4 hour session, I got handed a clipboard with "satisfaction" questions. One of the airlines I traveled gave me a similar kind of survey, but I cannot recall which one. And now I seem to get a survey every time I order something online.
What happens to all these results?
Is service better as a result?
Is anybody listening?
Most seem quite artificial and contrived and allow no flexibility to note exactly what went exceptionally well or what went seriously wrong. If I were designing the questionaire, I'd ask just those two questions!
What happens to all these results?
Is service better as a result?
Is anybody listening?
Most seem quite artificial and contrived and allow no flexibility to note exactly what went exceptionally well or what went seriously wrong. If I were designing the questionaire, I'd ask just those two questions!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
North Carolina exports
Where are the stories and statistics about exported services and products from North Carolina? If we are going to continue digging ourselves out of this economic hole, we ought to be looking very hard on what resources, capabilties and products we have in NC that the rest of the world and the rest of the country want or could use?
I cannot recall a comprehensive story about this anywhere.
The items to be addressed range from exported sweet potatoes to exported expertise from an organization like RTI for example, and includes online education and LED lightbulbs from Cree.
I cannot recall a comprehensive story about this anywhere.
The items to be addressed range from exported sweet potatoes to exported expertise from an organization like RTI for example, and includes online education and LED lightbulbs from Cree.
"Anonymous Donors Play Big Role in Midterms" - NYTimes.com
I choose not to support any organization whose contributors are not disclosed. Money talks, and I want to know who is speaking.
Monday, September 06, 2010
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
"The Herald-Sun - Deli will give profits to help Pakistan"
I added a comment to this badly headlined but very important story.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
"Government Gadfly in Teaneck, N.J., Is Killed" - NYTimes.com
Very sad. She sounds like my kind of person!
"The RL Gang, Childrens Storybook - RalphLauren.com"
This - from a banner ad on the top of the nytimes.com wesbsite - is billed as "The First Shoppable Children's Storybook". Many will hope it is the "Last". Imagine the next ..."The First Shoppable News Story on the Floods in Pakistan".
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
For the Class of 2014, No E-Mail or Wristwatches - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com#more-47951#more-47951#more-47951
The perception that e-mail is declining in importance is an important one. What bothers me about it is the progressive move away from clear writing and communication toward cryptic lines of partial thought.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
American Airlines
A note I sent to American Airlines today:
“Today, I purchased two tickets from AA - one for me and one for my wife to travel from NC to CA and to France and back to NC. Because I was concerned about the connection time for the itinerary that I found - only 35 mins in ORD - I called AA. An international agent said, "don't worry, it's a thru flight and you don't change planes". Relieved, I made the booking. When I called back to check on seat assignments, I was told that this was wrong. 35 mins in December, the day before Christmas, is simply not a reasonable amount of time to make a connection in a very busy airport. We have been switched now to an earlier departure that will be most inconvenient. Despite the misrepresentation upon which I relied, the agent - including a supervisor - neither apologized (until asked) nor offered to rebook us on a flight through Dallas that would have been much closer to our original schedule. It was only when I asked about an earlier ORD flight that one was offered. American should recognize when it makes a mistake, as here, and make the customer "whole" which you have not done, other than waiving the change fee. I believe you should rebook us on the Dallas connection, arriving in San Jose at about 4:30 instead of the flights on which we are now booked. You misrepresented critical information, you should accept your error and make it right. Will you? I was also told by the supervisor that if I appealed his decision on the phone, I might very well have to pay the change fee anyway! End”
“Today, I purchased two tickets from AA - one for me and one for my wife to travel from NC to CA and to France and back to NC. Because I was concerned about the connection time for the itinerary that I found - only 35 mins in ORD - I called AA. An international agent said, "don't worry, it's a thru flight and you don't change planes". Relieved, I made the booking. When I called back to check on seat assignments, I was told that this was wrong. 35 mins in December, the day before Christmas, is simply not a reasonable amount of time to make a connection in a very busy airport. We have been switched now to an earlier departure that will be most inconvenient. Despite the misrepresentation upon which I relied, the agent - including a supervisor - neither apologized (until asked) nor offered to rebook us on a flight through Dallas that would have been much closer to our original schedule. It was only when I asked about an earlier ORD flight that one was offered. American should recognize when it makes a mistake, as here, and make the customer "whole" which you have not done, other than waiving the change fee. I believe you should rebook us on the Dallas connection, arriving in San Jose at about 4:30 instead of the flights on which we are now booked. You misrepresented critical information, you should accept your error and make it right. Will you? I was also told by the supervisor that if I appealed his decision on the phone, I might very well have to pay the change fee anyway! End”
Monday, August 16, 2010
"Peter Miller: "The Smart Swarm" (Avery)" - The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU and NPR
I wonder if there is not for newspapers to learn here about their customers.
"The Washington Post Worries About New Rules for Kaplan" - Media Decoder Blog - NYTimes.com
Most newspapers and newspaper companies have not become the knowledge companies that many of us thought they could become. That said, the Washington Post is somewhat of an exception only insofar as it acquired Kaplan a while ago, not really knowing what it would become. It is NOT integrated into the service offerings of the Post. It may, however, be the canary in the mine shaft of the company, however, as it has been allowed to coast along on the strength of Kaplan.
"Rachael Ray Launches iPhone Food Shopping App" - NYTimes.com
Why is this not being launched by local newspapers as well, or, better yet, a better version of the basic idea that is well suited to people in the market, their need to keep track of what they have and need at the best prices and optional places in which to obtain what they need.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
"The Herald-Sun - It s possible for us to live in harmony"
I started to read this editorial today with the hope that the text would reinforce the headline, but, sadly, it did not. The writer often expresses his strong opinions in this space and, equally sadly, I am not surprised.
This morning, I watched a commentary by Ben STEIN, the often labeled "conservative" commentator, among other things. He talked about how an osprey, I believe, had nested on a bridge that often shook when trains passed over it. (If not trains, then cars...) He marveled at the ability of the bird to focus on the important things.
The important thing about the President's remarks Friday night is that our President has forcefully reinforced a core principle that we need to embrace, and remind ourselves to embrace, every day. It is that we are a land of many different people who think many different thoughts (as is usually the case in comparing my own thinking to that of the writer of the piece in the Herald-Sun), and we are stronger as a country when we not only accept that, but celebrate it.
So I salute this fellow for writing what he thinks, and my ability to write as well, with a different perspective - one that says let us follow the President's lead and focus on the important thing in this discussion. It is - quite simply - our dedication to the principle that we do not discriminate between and among people of different faiths.
Let normal zoning and building regulation handle the matter, but let's applaud the President's "important" point - that there should be no issue here of which religion is practiced in any building otherwise approved. That principle is in the First Amendment to the US Consitution, and it is surely our President's responsibilty to support and defend it whenever and however he can.
This morning, I watched a commentary by Ben STEIN, the often labeled "conservative" commentator, among other things. He talked about how an osprey, I believe, had nested on a bridge that often shook when trains passed over it. (If not trains, then cars...) He marveled at the ability of the bird to focus on the important things.
The important thing about the President's remarks Friday night is that our President has forcefully reinforced a core principle that we need to embrace, and remind ourselves to embrace, every day. It is that we are a land of many different people who think many different thoughts (as is usually the case in comparing my own thinking to that of the writer of the piece in the Herald-Sun), and we are stronger as a country when we not only accept that, but celebrate it.
So I salute this fellow for writing what he thinks, and my ability to write as well, with a different perspective - one that says let us follow the President's lead and focus on the important thing in this discussion. It is - quite simply - our dedication to the principle that we do not discriminate between and among people of different faiths.
Let normal zoning and building regulation handle the matter, but let's applaud the President's "important" point - that there should be no issue here of which religion is practiced in any building otherwise approved. That principle is in the First Amendment to the US Consitution, and it is surely our President's responsibilty to support and defend it whenever and however he can.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
"Obama's support of mosque near Ground Zero draws strong reactions" - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency
The President's words on this issue are precisely why I wanted him to be our President, and I only hope that he will speak so well, so clearly, and so decisively on so many other matters that also may not be popular but on which he knows the right thing to do. He should say so, as here, so much more often than he does.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
"Pete Hamill, Print Holdout, Goes Direct to E-Book" - NYTimes.com
This is likely to be a great book and the whole process - because of HAMMILL - will be well worth any price of admission.
This is a non-fiction book that will have a lot of facts in it. I wonder to what extent the publisher and HAMMILL will include useful links for the engaged reader who wants to "do" something, or explore something, while reading or after completing the book? In other words, empower the reader to use what she/he learns to "do" something more that makes the book part of an eternal research project in a way that simply makes it easier to do, and therefore more likely to be done?
This is a non-fiction book that will have a lot of facts in it. I wonder to what extent the publisher and HAMMILL will include useful links for the engaged reader who wants to "do" something, or explore something, while reading or after completing the book? In other words, empower the reader to use what she/he learns to "do" something more that makes the book part of an eternal research project in a way that simply makes it easier to do, and therefore more likely to be done?
OrangeChat - Today in The Chapel Hill News | newsobserver.com blogs
I spent nearly 15 minutes trying to find the story mentioned here about underage drinking. My point is that the newspaper makes it far too hard and I almost gave up. They don't put the story in one database - for the paper serving the community where this happened. Then they give you relevance results on their main page that make no sense to me. Only by searching on date can you get to it. A simple link here would have been so nice, and even if the writer did not have the link at the time he posted it, he could go back and add it later, no? It just seems a question of doing it well or doing it poorly.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Better Days?
This letter from the publisher of the News and Observer in Raleigh, NC strikes me as badly missing the contemporary mark. Instead of talking about how much more valuable the newspaper has become for its customers, this is the story of an enterprise trying to weather a financial storm. For most people, which - do you suppose - is the more important message?
Monday, August 09, 2010
British Towns and Institutions Reel From First Austerity Cuts - NYTimes.com
As August turns into September, I think the pain of the cuts in many European countries is going to be felt in new and unpredictable ways.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
"Patient Money - Demystifying the Emergency Room Bill" - NYTimes.com
I think people ought to be pressing all of these points, even when they have insurance. We need to get patients into a position where they are working to reduce costs, even when someone else is footing the bill.
Friday, August 06, 2010
"The Music-Copyright Enforcers" - NYTimes.com
Newspapers never created this system to protect what they produce. Historians will tell us why.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
"Google and Verizon in Talks on Selling Internet Priority" - NYTimes.com
We saw this coming back in the mid-80s. Now we'll get a chance to see what happens.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Delta - Coments on each flight
One of my goals is to write about each flight I take, noting the things that either might be useful to others or that others might find amusing. On my last trip from Nice to NC a few days ago, I can comment on everything from the entertainment offerings to the passengers around me, not to mention one late flight attendant on the New York to NC leg. I am still thinking about the best format and searching for the time to do this each time!
Monday, August 02, 2010
"Lines on Plagiarism Blur for Students in the Digital Age" - NYTimes.com
This is a further reflection of one of the problems that the newspaper business has created for itself. Instead of assiduously defending its copyright in content, newspapers have allowed vast hordes of people to take that content and use it for their own purposes without compensation or control. It started largely with the copy machine and now has expanded geometrically with the the internet.
I don't know if it is too late for newspapers to turn this around, but they show no inclination to do so.
I don't know if it is too late for newspapers to turn this around, but they show no inclination to do so.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Friday, July 02, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
"Somnolence au volant : une étude choc à l'approche des vacances" - Sciences - TF1 News
This is astonishing - "sleeping" while driving and not realizing it.
"Editorial - The Court, the Constitution and the Reality of Guns" - NYTimes.com
It will take a very long time to undo a decision such as this one, but we must be patient and press forward, hoping that smarter justices will make the right decisions in the future.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
"Across Street From the White House, Coffee and a Chat With Lobbyists" - NYTimes.com
As a former paid lobbyist for the newspaper business, I find all of this utterly foolish and downright stupid. "Lobbyist" is a dumb term to start. We all have an interest in what our government does and some choose to take that interest in do something with it. It might mean writing a letter or it might mean joining an association to work on our behalf. That works the same way and should not be distinguished in the case of a business which also has an interest in what government does.
We should do away with the whole lobbyist thing and make all contacts with anyone in the federal government subject to mandatory disclosure. Feel free to say anything to anyone in the federal government about anything, but do it on the record. Period.
People in government should ask if the person approaching them is there on behalf of anyone else, and failure to disclose who should be subject to a fine. It could be your neighbor, your boss or your client; it doesn't matter. Disclose or pay the price, and that disclosure, too, is part of the public record.
Either everyone is a lobbyist who voices anything to the government or no one is. End the silly distinction between good people and bad lobbyists.
We should do away with the whole lobbyist thing and make all contacts with anyone in the federal government subject to mandatory disclosure. Feel free to say anything to anyone in the federal government about anything, but do it on the record. Period.
People in government should ask if the person approaching them is there on behalf of anyone else, and failure to disclose who should be subject to a fine. It could be your neighbor, your boss or your client; it doesn't matter. Disclose or pay the price, and that disclosure, too, is part of the public record.
Either everyone is a lobbyist who voices anything to the government or no one is. End the silly distinction between good people and bad lobbyists.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
"Editorial - A Bruise on the First Amendment" - NYTimes.com
The New York Times got it right; the US Supreme Court did not.
Monday, June 21, 2010
"A Slate for the Digital Age" - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com
Sorry, but I don't get it. If you can't save it, or work with it in some way, other than using less paper, what the devil is the value?
"France Telecom Said to Join Bid for Le Monde" - DealBook Blog - NYTimes.com
This has been idea much discussed over decades - a phone company buying a newspaer - but I think this would be the first major move in that direction? Perhaps Canada is an exception? Others?
"Ink Gushes in Japan’s Media Landscape" - NYTimes.com
There is a tendency to look at this, and other stories, and say that Japan is simply behind the US on this score, or that other countries are ahead or behind. In doing so, we assume that certain things are taking hold in the US and that it is the standard by which others should be judged. What if Huffington Post, for example, has no future? What does that mean? I think there is at least a credible chance that we will learn the answer to that. Who really pays attention to the Huffington Post except out of some curiosity?
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
"Culture et Loisirs" - nicematin.com
Something I saw today in Nice Matin that struck me as a good thing that I do not see too often...
In the section of the paper with information on weekend events, the paper has devoted a full page to telling us readers what Nice Matin’s editorial leadership thinks are the best things for “us” to consider doing this weekend. In each case, they not only say what it is – two concerts (both Irish!) and a museum exhibition – BUT also WHY “we” should go in some detail in each case. That takes a lot of confidence to do this, and I believe it is what a good newspaper ought to be able to do and do it reliably well. By tapping the best of what the newspaper has to help the paper make a judgment like this the paper is doing what a lone blogger or fly-by-night news offering cannot do.
It influenced my judgment about whether to go to one of the events, and I have now decided that I will go in part because of the recommendation.
Imagine if newspapers could channel their capabilities better to help people make smart and informed choices in all areas, not just entertainment and culture. That’s the role I always thought newspapers were supposed to play!
The story is not to be found on the Nice Matin website, however!
In the section of the paper with information on weekend events, the paper has devoted a full page to telling us readers what Nice Matin’s editorial leadership thinks are the best things for “us” to consider doing this weekend. In each case, they not only say what it is – two concerts (both Irish!) and a museum exhibition – BUT also WHY “we” should go in some detail in each case. That takes a lot of confidence to do this, and I believe it is what a good newspaper ought to be able to do and do it reliably well. By tapping the best of what the newspaper has to help the paper make a judgment like this the paper is doing what a lone blogger or fly-by-night news offering cannot do.
It influenced my judgment about whether to go to one of the events, and I have now decided that I will go in part because of the recommendation.
Imagine if newspapers could channel their capabilities better to help people make smart and informed choices in all areas, not just entertainment and culture. That’s the role I always thought newspapers were supposed to play!
The story is not to be found on the Nice Matin website, however!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
"Ultra-Orthodox Jews Protest Ruling" - NYTimes.com
I find myself getting increasingly irritated with what I think is a huge gap between our liberal ideals of equality, integration and multiculturalism and the fanatical commitment of many who call themselves Israelis to some idea they have that they are a special people deserving of some place that others should not occupy. They are precisely no better or worse than the rest of us and I would be a lot more comfortable with the US govenrment if it were in bed with a country that shared these kinds of principles. I find myself questioning whether Israel as a country does, and the no response to that question keeps winning.
When you look at a newspaper home page, what is your first impression?
The New York Times
Nice Matin
Distributing free newspapers
One of the oldest marketing moves by newspapers is to distribute free copies to non-subscribers.
In Chapel Hill, I noticed that one of the local papers was delivering a portion of each paper that covers Chapel Hill to non-subscribing households. Most of these papers sat, untouched, on the driveways. I really wonder if this resulted in any new subscribers. It forces the person receiving the paper to actually look at it without any guidance.
Here in Nice, where I am now, yesterday's local newspaper was not put on driveways, but it was free. They do this periodically when they have support, in this case from a local bank. So the papers appear in all the normal places, and one need only pick it up and it is yours. There is a wrapper on the outside with a little info about the bank and a sailing event that it has sponsored. Instead of wrapping the paper in practical and interesitng guidance, there were just platitudes about how wonderful the paper is; if it does not look like there is something wrong with this picture, you are not looking at the right picture!
What's missing in both of these is remarkable. Where is the "guide" for the customer or the non-customer to what lies in that paper. For the customer, it is a chance to remind about the value and the utility of the paper, and for the non-customer, it is a chance to introduce the paper, creatively, and quickly. The absence of this is one of the reasons why I think newspapers are not going to muster enough creativity to get themselves out of the hole in which they now sit.
In Chapel Hill, I noticed that one of the local papers was delivering a portion of each paper that covers Chapel Hill to non-subscribing households. Most of these papers sat, untouched, on the driveways. I really wonder if this resulted in any new subscribers. It forces the person receiving the paper to actually look at it without any guidance.
Here in Nice, where I am now, yesterday's local newspaper was not put on driveways, but it was free. They do this periodically when they have support, in this case from a local bank. So the papers appear in all the normal places, and one need only pick it up and it is yours. There is a wrapper on the outside with a little info about the bank and a sailing event that it has sponsored. Instead of wrapping the paper in practical and interesitng guidance, there were just platitudes about how wonderful the paper is; if it does not look like there is something wrong with this picture, you are not looking at the right picture!
What's missing in both of these is remarkable. Where is the "guide" for the customer or the non-customer to what lies in that paper. For the customer, it is a chance to remind about the value and the utility of the paper, and for the non-customer, it is a chance to introduce the paper, creatively, and quickly. The absence of this is one of the reasons why I think newspapers are not going to muster enough creativity to get themselves out of the hole in which they now sit.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
"North Carolina congressman, Bob Etheridge, gets physical with reporter"
Based on what I've seen, if the young man did not touch ETHERIDGE and ETHERIDGE grabbed him, I would advise the young man to press charges of assault and possibly a civil complaint. Our respective rights to speech in a public place include the right to be free of physical assault because someone does not like what we may be saying.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
"Big City - Interest Grows in Arabic Class at Friends Seminary" - NYTimes.com
This is a great story that needs to be repeated all over the country. How can we hope to share the planet with so many other people who get up each morning thinking in a language we cannot understand. Bravo for this school and the students who have opted to study Arabic. I wish I could back to that age and join them in the decision.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
"BP and Officials Block Some Coverage of Spill" - NYTimes.com
I wonder who will fight for this access if we start losing significant major media enterprises.
"Caradeux Camp Journal - Haiti’s Displaced See Their Stories on TV" - NYTimes.com
We see very little about any role the Haitian newspapers are playing, and even less about the role newspapers in other countries are playing.
"Editorial - The Wrong Message on Deficits" - NYTimes.com
So many people sending so many conflicting signals on such a complex and criticially imporant matter.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Monday, June 07, 2010
Sunday, June 06, 2010
"Summary Box - Bar Codes Get Around, Get More Useful" - NYTimes.com
How many of these are being printed in newspapers? What's the average number of bar codes in a average US newspaper today?
Saturday, June 05, 2010
"Bravo Will Make You a Reality Star (if the Web Agrees)" - NYTimes.com
The implicaitons of this for news judgment exercised by other media companies are huge and troubling.
Friday, June 04, 2010
"Oil Spill Resources" - Green Blog - NYTimes.com
Is this as good as it could be? Couldn't it be designed and presented in a much more dynamic and easy-to-use manner?
"Wal-Mart to Offer Workers College Degree Program" - NYTimes.com
Which newspapers in the world have entered into similar agreements with universities that could provide newspaper customers with a college education? The New York Times has some such relationships, but it seems too bad that Wal-Mart is beating the local knowledge leader in so many markets - the local newspaper - with an offering to help customers further their educations.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
"Israel should lead investigation into attack on Gaza flotilla, says US" - The Guardian
If this is true, I find it outrageou that the OBAMA administration is asking the attacking party (Israel) to carry out the investigaiton when an international inquiry would be so much better for everyone involved unless Israel is really guilty of some of the charges leveled against it in this matter. In that case, it would not be so good for Israel.
In any case, I want my President to support the most objective and inclusive determinations in this matter and one cannot expect that result when the fox is asked to asses its assault in the middle of the nigth on the hen house. That is not to denigrate Israeil, but rather to make such an obvious point.
At worst, let their be two inquiries. The truth can then sort itself out between them.
This is very disturbing news.
In any case, I want my President to support the most objective and inclusive determinations in this matter and one cannot expect that result when the fox is asked to asses its assault in the middle of the nigth on the hen house. That is not to denigrate Israeil, but rather to make such an obvious point.
At worst, let their be two inquiries. The truth can then sort itself out between them.
This is very disturbing news.
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