Good morning to those of you who have been eagerly awaiting my return to the blogging world. Alas, it is probably just me that has been waiting. But, return I have, and my gripe today? The news.
First, let me start off by reminiscing about what the news used to be: unbiased, unilateral coverage of the most important happenings in America and the world. Remember those horrifically truthful news spots of the Vietnam war? Well neither do I, but I've seen repeats of them, and if you haven't seen them, you should. Those spots produced by either insane or insanely brave men and women brought the horror of what was happening in Vietnam to the forefront of the nation's, and indeed the world's, attention. back then Journalism meant something. Sure it usually meant trying to find the most horrific or scandalous story available, but they were deep stories that needed to be told. Without these stories, there is no telling where our world and country may have turned. For example, remember the efforts of Woodward and Bernstein to expose corruption and deceit in the federal government? Granted that story furthered the framework of massive distrust in the federal government, but it has also led to new levels of accountability amongst our nations leaders. Accountability that was sorely needed.
Now that we are all nostalgic, compare the efforts of those heroic, and possibly insane, journalists of only a few decades ago to modern day journalism. If you begin weeping for the future of our country, I wont think any less of you. This morning my wife and I turned off the news after about 30 seconds of viewing, because every single channel was plastered with news about Britney Spears, role model of the century, being whisked off to the hospital with a police escort. Now I know everyone loves good human tragedy, but this is getting ridiculous. There are stories about millions of people in the third world being tortured and killed because their tribe just happens to be the one out of favor at the moment. That's right folks, MILLIONS. And if that isn't enough human tragedy for you, I don't know what is.
Even if human tragedy doesn't interest you, there a hundreds of other great positive stories out there that don't involve an over-indulgent young woman who has lost just about everything that made her a semblance of a human being. There are stories about wonderful people doing fantastic work that they aren't even getting paid to do. There are stories about people overcoming their horrific ailments to make a difference in not only their lives but the lives of everyone around them. There are stories about what made the people of this nation wonderful and great in the first place. But no one wants to hear the good news. We want to hear about people that have more money and fame than us falling on their faces because it makes us feel better about ourselves. And shame on the major news networks for pandering to the hordes of self-loathing individuals who can't change themselves. The media is in a better position than anyone, even the government, to bring about change. Not just change in the country, but in this new world of globalization. The media controls exposure, and without exposure, no problem can be uncovered and thus solved.
So where are those heroes of journalistic integrity that stormed the jungle for the truth? Probably stuck in the back corner of the news room, searching for a dough nut for the nightly news anchor who proudly flaunts his Armani suit while smiling at the plight of someone who just a few years ago he secretly idolized.
I know, I know, I'm not always the most positive person in the world. But I love this country and believe in the good things that this country can do. And it irks me that we as a nation have squandered our ability to help and encourage those in need here in America, as well as throughout the rest of the world. We are all humans, we are all in the same earthly boat.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, December 21, 2007
Too much money
Good morning everyone:
With the Iowa caucuses just around the corner, all the talk in the news and NPR (yes some of us still listen to it) is of the candidates: their respective rankings in the polls and how much money they've raised and spent on the election trail thus far. Upon hearing this news I became slightly ashamed. Not from my lack of knowledge of all of the candidates or their policies, but of how much money we as Americans are wasting in this process. I love this country, and anyone that knows me can attest to that fact. I still get tingles from hearing the Star Spangled Banner. But, the process by which we elect our leaders is almost ridiculous. The whole process is not set up to pick the best person for the job, but to pick the person who can convince enough rich people and/or companies that he'll do what they want.
This election is already the most expensive campaign in the history of the United States. This coming at a time when many Americans are losing their jobs to outsourcing, their homes to foreclosure, are in debt, or are working until they are half in the coffin because they can't afford retirement. Don't you think that this country would be better served by candidates setting examples by finding ways to make their money go further, or better yet, if it didn't cost anything at all to campaign!
What if we took those millions of dollars candidates are spending on television adds hocking Christmas or smearing their opponents, who may well become their future running mate, and put it to some good use. The money could go to feed, educate and house homeless people. Or go into some kind of tax break for businesses who stay in America. Or even go into education funds, so that we can not only pay teachers what they should be paid, but make it affordable for anybody to go to school without incurring a ridiculous amount of debt. The posabilities are endless.
I know what a lot of people are thinking reading that. That money helps fuel the economy. It goes to the media which helps with advertising, which helps with manufacturers, which helps with jobs. BULL! Yes, taking money away from the media may in the short term effect this years revenue stream for the media, and potentially some other jobs down the line. But it is time to stop looking at the short term people. This nation, as great and wonderful as it is, is killing itself, and possibly the rest of the world with our short-sightedness. With the programs that could be funded by these campaign funds, all of our futures would be brighter.
The transition wouldn't even be so difficult. For all of you who haven't noticed yet, the face of elections is changing. Just like the advent of TV, the internet will soon become the primary medium for discovering who our next leaders should be. Once that happens, or as it is helped along, candidates wont need as much money for campaining anyway. Obviously they will still need some, and a good amount because there are still visits to the states. I don't want to take those visits away, because you can only trust what you read to a certain degree, but we could do with less annoying commercials that the general public doesn't really listens to anyway.
Let's also not forget that this would also balance out the playing field. There are great candidates out there who would be the best thing to ever happen to this country that no one knows about because they don't have millions of dollars to pay for advertisers and campaign managers to put them on the air. I'd rather have a leader who is intelligent, decisive, articulate, and penniless than one who is friends with some billionaires. But that's just me.
With the Iowa caucuses just around the corner, all the talk in the news and NPR (yes some of us still listen to it) is of the candidates: their respective rankings in the polls and how much money they've raised and spent on the election trail thus far. Upon hearing this news I became slightly ashamed. Not from my lack of knowledge of all of the candidates or their policies, but of how much money we as Americans are wasting in this process. I love this country, and anyone that knows me can attest to that fact. I still get tingles from hearing the Star Spangled Banner. But, the process by which we elect our leaders is almost ridiculous. The whole process is not set up to pick the best person for the job, but to pick the person who can convince enough rich people and/or companies that he'll do what they want.
This election is already the most expensive campaign in the history of the United States. This coming at a time when many Americans are losing their jobs to outsourcing, their homes to foreclosure, are in debt, or are working until they are half in the coffin because they can't afford retirement. Don't you think that this country would be better served by candidates setting examples by finding ways to make their money go further, or better yet, if it didn't cost anything at all to campaign!
What if we took those millions of dollars candidates are spending on television adds hocking Christmas or smearing their opponents, who may well become their future running mate, and put it to some good use. The money could go to feed, educate and house homeless people. Or go into some kind of tax break for businesses who stay in America. Or even go into education funds, so that we can not only pay teachers what they should be paid, but make it affordable for anybody to go to school without incurring a ridiculous amount of debt. The posabilities are endless.
I know what a lot of people are thinking reading that. That money helps fuel the economy. It goes to the media which helps with advertising, which helps with manufacturers, which helps with jobs. BULL! Yes, taking money away from the media may in the short term effect this years revenue stream for the media, and potentially some other jobs down the line. But it is time to stop looking at the short term people. This nation, as great and wonderful as it is, is killing itself, and possibly the rest of the world with our short-sightedness. With the programs that could be funded by these campaign funds, all of our futures would be brighter.
The transition wouldn't even be so difficult. For all of you who haven't noticed yet, the face of elections is changing. Just like the advent of TV, the internet will soon become the primary medium for discovering who our next leaders should be. Once that happens, or as it is helped along, candidates wont need as much money for campaining anyway. Obviously they will still need some, and a good amount because there are still visits to the states. I don't want to take those visits away, because you can only trust what you read to a certain degree, but we could do with less annoying commercials that the general public doesn't really listens to anyway.
Let's also not forget that this would also balance out the playing field. There are great candidates out there who would be the best thing to ever happen to this country that no one knows about because they don't have millions of dollars to pay for advertisers and campaign managers to put them on the air. I'd rather have a leader who is intelligent, decisive, articulate, and penniless than one who is friends with some billionaires. But that's just me.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Winter Woes
OK, this is going to be a really short one. What is wrong with people?!?!?! For those of you that don't know, I live in Michigan. And what do we get in the winter months here in Michigan? Snow. that's right people, it has been happening for your entire life in the Midwest. Or at the very least before you moved here from some sunny, cloudless haven, you heard that it snows here. So why is it such a surprise when a "snowstorm" hits? And I use the term snowstorm loosely. anyone who has lived in northern Wisconsin, or anywhere near lake Michigan can tell you what real snow storm is. But, I digress. My real complaint is that people are surprised when a snowstorm, one which meteorologists have been predicting for a few days mind you, comes in and "dumps" five to ten inches of snow down over the course of two days. Now I'll admit at first the storm was really intense, almost white-out conditions, but that stopped being the case at around 11:00 am, and the roads were in pretty good condition by 5:00 Sunday evening. So why, I ask, are they announcing school closings Sunday evening when most of the snow has stopped and the roads are in good condition? But even this isn't my biggest complaint. No, my biggest gripe with people here in the wonderful land of Michigan is the use of snow as an excuse. Let me set something straight people. Just because there is snow on the ground, doesn't mean you can park like an A-hole. Especially, when you can clearly see the parking lines. I don't care if you get a little bit of snowbank on your car, park in the damn lines people! Also, for those of you with valid drivers license, if you have lived most of your adult life in the Midwest, how is it possible that you have not only passed your drivers test, but DON'T know how to drive in the snow?!?!?! I think there should be a mandatory duel licensing
one for summer and one for winter driving. Well that's my gripe for today. Thanks for listening.
one for summer and one for winter driving. Well that's my gripe for today. Thanks for listening.
Friday, December 14, 2007
The science of the men's room
I'm a traveler, not a professional traveler for the travel channel, although that'd be sweet, but I travel a lot for work. And one thing I've noticed on my travels is the proficiency with which men use the bathroom. Even in the busiest of airport bathrooms, there will rarely be a line for the men's room. And should there be a line, it moves with a regularity that makes the express line at the kwik-e-mart seem slow. Why? Because men have a code for the bathroom that can only be breached in emergencies.
Rule one, there is no talking allowed in the bathroom. This rule is important because it fosters an atmosphere of "get it done, and get out." This rule is only relaxed in emergency situations including a loss of toilet paper, heart failure, and opposing team taunting. And even in the special situations, words are kept to a minimum.
Rule two, begin the unzip process on approach to the urinal, and continue the re-zip process as you pull away. This small, but simple practice saves a small amount of time per user. However, when added together, it saves a lot of time and allows for the most efficient use of the bathroom stalls.
Rule three, a maximum of two shakes. Let's face it if you need more, you're not done peeing.
That's it folks. Three (four if you want to be picky) rules that allow then men's room to be among the most efficient places on earth.
Rule one, there is no talking allowed in the bathroom. This rule is important because it fosters an atmosphere of "get it done, and get out." This rule is only relaxed in emergency situations including a loss of toilet paper, heart failure, and opposing team taunting. And even in the special situations, words are kept to a minimum.
Rule two, begin the unzip process on approach to the urinal, and continue the re-zip process as you pull away. This small, but simple practice saves a small amount of time per user. However, when added together, it saves a lot of time and allows for the most efficient use of the bathroom stalls.
Rule three, a maximum of two shakes. Let's face it if you need more, you're not done peeing.
That's it folks. Three (four if you want to be picky) rules that allow then men's room to be among the most efficient places on earth.
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