I've gotten a lot of grief for not living up to the name of my blog, specifically in the celebrity department.
In an effort to appease the powers that be (namely, those who thrive on gossip), I'm gonna provide my little bit of celebrity insight. Keep in mind that I have no inside information, just my astute sense of the entertainment biz as source for this. So without further adieu...
Question: Who has been the top tabloid fodder for the past couple of years?
Britney Spears.
Question: Who won a number of Video Music Awards from MTV this year?
Britney Spears.
Question: What network has the exclusive rights to show the upcoming 90 minute documentary from Britney, about Britney?
MTV.
Question: Who stands to benefit from all the advertising dollars generated from said tabloid darling Britney from the last few years?
MTV
Now, based on the surprise that Britney showed during her acceptance speeches on said Video Music Awards AND based on the fact that Britney won a number of awards that probably should have gone to other artists, AND based on the fact that MTV has the exclusive rights to the first run of Britney's documentary...I ask you this:
Is it possible that MTV gave Britney her VMA awards IN EXCHANGE for the exclusive rights to show the documentary that will bring in so much ad revenue?
Is it possible that the stench of PAYOLA is wafting through the air?
Thoughts anyone?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
R.I.P. the former John McCain
By using a largely over-used metaphor prevalent in today's world, John McCain has gone over to the dark side.
He uses personal attacks rather than substantive policy positions to compete. This indicates he's already lost but is unwilling to admit defeat. Why? Because if he was truly a man of honor, he'd have better arguments and policies instead of relying on the tactics of weakness. Mudslinging is only for wimps and pussies.
At one time, I respected John McCain. I respected him when he ran against George Bush and between the two, I would have chosen McCain.
Now? He's lost all semblance of rationality and honor. He's completely destroyed any integrity his service could have garnered in my mind.
It's a tragic end for a once fine American.
Goodbye John McCain.
He uses personal attacks rather than substantive policy positions to compete. This indicates he's already lost but is unwilling to admit defeat. Why? Because if he was truly a man of honor, he'd have better arguments and policies instead of relying on the tactics of weakness. Mudslinging is only for wimps and pussies.
At one time, I respected John McCain. I respected him when he ran against George Bush and between the two, I would have chosen McCain.
Now? He's lost all semblance of rationality and honor. He's completely destroyed any integrity his service could have garnered in my mind.
It's a tragic end for a once fine American.
Goodbye John McCain.
Troopergate comes back to haunt McCain as previously predicted.
I warned awhile back that Troopergate would come back to rot the McCain campaign from within.
The report of the Alaska investigator into the matter has been released. The results are rather damning of Palin and her handling of the matter.
Of course, the Republicans will call it politics, but doing so ignores the following facts:
1. The probe began in July, a couple of months before Palin became the VEEP choice.
2. Governor Palin agreed to participate in the investigation until she became the VEEP choice. This indicates that the politics were coming from the Republican side.
3. The investigator was a former Republican prosecutor, so the allegations of politics seem a little unfounded.
With the above, I think this mess will turn out to destroy Palin's positive influence on the campaign unless McCain's supporters are so willfully ignorant of the facts that they choose partisanship over integrity.
Considering past behavior, I suspect that McCain will maintain his loyal base and Governor Palin will be viewed as a victim by that base, despite the evidence to the contrary.
Such a sad state of affairs when partisanship trumps honesty and integrity.
The report of the Alaska investigator into the matter has been released. The results are rather damning of Palin and her handling of the matter.
Of course, the Republicans will call it politics, but doing so ignores the following facts:
1. The probe began in July, a couple of months before Palin became the VEEP choice.
2. Governor Palin agreed to participate in the investigation until she became the VEEP choice. This indicates that the politics were coming from the Republican side.
3. The investigator was a former Republican prosecutor, so the allegations of politics seem a little unfounded.
With the above, I think this mess will turn out to destroy Palin's positive influence on the campaign unless McCain's supporters are so willfully ignorant of the facts that they choose partisanship over integrity.
Considering past behavior, I suspect that McCain will maintain his loyal base and Governor Palin will be viewed as a victim by that base, despite the evidence to the contrary.
Such a sad state of affairs when partisanship trumps honesty and integrity.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
McCain has lost his credibility and his honor...if he ever realy had any to begin with
Here's a good story about McCain from the right-wing REALCLEARPOLITICS.com
I didn't realize that John McCain was a member of the fascist group World Anti-Communist League. Has a nice sounding name, but is really a haven for war criminals and drug smugglers who just so happen to sport an ultra-right wing ideology.
McCain is nothing more than a politician. He's lost all credibility as a man of honor and integrity with his smears.
Fortunately, American has awoken from its slumber of ideology.
I didn't realize that John McCain was a member of the fascist group World Anti-Communist League. Has a nice sounding name, but is really a haven for war criminals and drug smugglers who just so happen to sport an ultra-right wing ideology.
McCain is nothing more than a politician. He's lost all credibility as a man of honor and integrity with his smears.
Fortunately, American has awoken from its slumber of ideology.
False balance is giving in to the wrong side
This story gets at a complaint I've had for years against the press.
My problem has been the attempt to present a "balanced" view or an even-handed story when the facts are not so balanced and even-handed.
Attempting to provide balance when the facts scream otherwise is nothing but press bias in its own right.
For example: To be balanced when you report on the world being round, you should probably give equal time and the appearance of equal weight to those who say the Earth is flat.
Now, most of us would think the flat earthers don't deserve the same billing as the rest of us and we'd be right. But, by giving equal weight to the flat earth advocate, we'd be giving them MORE weight than they deserve.
Can you see my point?
When someone demands balance from the press they are in essence admitting they are in a weak position and are demanding that the world give them an advantage not warranted by their position.
False balance is just as wrong as being an ideologue.
My problem has been the attempt to present a "balanced" view or an even-handed story when the facts are not so balanced and even-handed.
Attempting to provide balance when the facts scream otherwise is nothing but press bias in its own right.
For example: To be balanced when you report on the world being round, you should probably give equal time and the appearance of equal weight to those who say the Earth is flat.
Now, most of us would think the flat earthers don't deserve the same billing as the rest of us and we'd be right. But, by giving equal weight to the flat earth advocate, we'd be giving them MORE weight than they deserve.
Can you see my point?
When someone demands balance from the press they are in essence admitting they are in a weak position and are demanding that the world give them an advantage not warranted by their position.
False balance is just as wrong as being an ideologue.
AIG P. R. department is prowling the web for rapid response to negativity.
In an effort to give fair and equal treatment, I've decided to post a comment that I received on my previous posting about AIG.
Here:
AIG Blog Relations
Earlier today, AIG announced an important policy change - one that we wanted to be sure you knew about.
A short time ago, our Chairman and CEO Ed Liddy said that he has ordered the immediate cancellation of all outside meetings, conferences, and recognition events across AIG, except those that are required by law or that are deemed absolutely critical to sustain our ongoing business needs.
Given AIG's commitment to our customers, business partners, regulators, and American taxpayers, coupled with the new and very different challenges our company now faces, we take these responsibilities extremely seriously. Their trust is critical to our success. We recognize the need to be sensitive about all company expenditures.
As we move forward, we will continue our focus our efforts to pay back the $85 billion loan from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as quickly as possible.
Well, it seems that the AIG PR department is on the prowl to respond to any potentially negative press about them after the snafu with the "Spa" event.
My little old blog popped up on someone's radar.
Here:
AIG Blog Relations
Earlier today, AIG announced an important policy change - one that we wanted to be sure you knew about.
A short time ago, our Chairman and CEO Ed Liddy said that he has ordered the immediate cancellation of all outside meetings, conferences, and recognition events across AIG, except those that are required by law or that are deemed absolutely critical to sustain our ongoing business needs.
Given AIG's commitment to our customers, business partners, regulators, and American taxpayers, coupled with the new and very different challenges our company now faces, we take these responsibilities extremely seriously. Their trust is critical to our success. We recognize the need to be sensitive about all company expenditures.
As we move forward, we will continue our focus our efforts to pay back the $85 billion loan from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as quickly as possible.
Well, it seems that the AIG PR department is on the prowl to respond to any potentially negative press about them after the snafu with the "Spa" event.
My little old blog popped up on someone's radar.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
AIG shows why it's in bad shape--Poor judgment
People are rightly mad over AIG's "spa" event for it's executives.
Not only does AIG get into trouble for bad business, they put their lack of business acumen on display by sending executives to a spa AFTER they get a tax payer funded bailout.
I can tell you that I'd like a spa trip at someone else's expense. Maybe Congress will grant me such a boon because after the last eight years, I could surely use a little massage and hot mud...
Not only does AIG get into trouble for bad business, they put their lack of business acumen on display by sending executives to a spa AFTER they get a tax payer funded bailout.
I can tell you that I'd like a spa trip at someone else's expense. Maybe Congress will grant me such a boon because after the last eight years, I could surely use a little massage and hot mud...
Bigots trying to make African Americans to blame for mortgage crisis--Idiots
It seems that some people look for ways to target minorities for the ills that afflict the nation to a higher degree than most.
Some on the Right blame mortgage loans to black people for the mortgage crisis.
The tenacity with which bigotry holds on still bothers me.
Can't we all just get along?
There are just as many, if not more white people who stop paying their mortgages as black people. Most people with mortgages don't stop paying it because they mis-spend their money elsewhere; they do it because it becomes more important to put food in their mouths rather than pay a mortgage.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs wins out in the end. (Food before shelter, etc.).
To blame a group for the mortgage mess because it fits some stereotype shows the utter idiocy of those claiming it.
Shame, shame, shame.
Some on the Right blame mortgage loans to black people for the mortgage crisis.
The tenacity with which bigotry holds on still bothers me.
Can't we all just get along?
There are just as many, if not more white people who stop paying their mortgages as black people. Most people with mortgages don't stop paying it because they mis-spend their money elsewhere; they do it because it becomes more important to put food in their mouths rather than pay a mortgage.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs wins out in the end. (Food before shelter, etc.).
To blame a group for the mortgage mess because it fits some stereotype shows the utter idiocy of those claiming it.
Shame, shame, shame.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Stories of our demise are greatly exaggerated.
When I read stories like this about banks worldwide faltering, seemingly in response to the financial crisis here in the U.S., I suspect that those predicting the loss of American significance are wrong.
The U.S. remains a large player in the world. Whenever a major shift occurs, it's like a rock hitting water. The ripples spread outward affecting every boat floating on the water.
This world is extremely inter-connected and for us to ignore that in an effort to save ourselves does nothing but doom us all. It's like the state motto of Kentucky: " United we stand, divided we fall."
The world is in for a tough time. A lot begins here in the U.S. We may be first, in this, but it will be us that leads the world out of the trouble not because of American exceptionalism, but because there's no one else who can do it.
The U.S. remains a large player in the world. Whenever a major shift occurs, it's like a rock hitting water. The ripples spread outward affecting every boat floating on the water.
This world is extremely inter-connected and for us to ignore that in an effort to save ourselves does nothing but doom us all. It's like the state motto of Kentucky: " United we stand, divided we fall."
The world is in for a tough time. A lot begins here in the U.S. We may be first, in this, but it will be us that leads the world out of the trouble not because of American exceptionalism, but because there's no one else who can do it.
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