The Other McCain blasts the Mainstream Media for lacking hustle on the Carrie Prejean picture story. But can you teach an old dog new tricks?
How do most stories get into a newspaper? Somebody has a story they want to tell and they want the best megaphone. In this case, the person with pictures of Carrie thought a blog would be a better megaphone than say, the L.A. Times. As long as the pictures got publicity, why should they care who gets credit for being first.
Individual reporters can hustle with their sources, so they are first on the list to get information when it's ready to go. Local newspapers publish all the local news, so when something big happens, their reporters should have it before someone swooping in from the mainstream media.
Besides, there's a firehose worth of information out there, and the media can only put a trickle on their news space. They have to use filters. We don't have to use the same filter. We can search the internet and find stories that interest us, and promote them outselves if we'd like.
The mainstream media used to have the biggest, and often, only megaphone. Not anymore.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Going back 2000 years
It was a good thing there was no internet in Biblical times. Peter could have fallen into the media trap Carrie Prejean is in.
Can you imagine what would happened after Pentecost?
"Hey Peter, here you are talking about Jesus being raised from the dead. But less than two months ago, you denied knowing him three times. We have an affidavit from one of the servant girls and two centurions.
"Are you just doing this to advance your own career? You think you're better than the other disciples?"
UPDATE: Linked on the sidebar of the Other McCain.
Can you imagine what would happened after Pentecost?
"Hey Peter, here you are talking about Jesus being raised from the dead. But less than two months ago, you denied knowing him three times. We have an affidavit from one of the servant girls and two centurions.
"Are you just doing this to advance your own career? You think you're better than the other disciples?"
UPDATE: Linked on the sidebar of the Other McCain.
Where do undecideds go?
The latest poll of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates shows:
Undecided 36%
McAuliffe 30%
Moran 20%
Deeds 14%
The T-Mac people are happy, but should they be? There's an awful lot of undecideds out there, and McAuliffe is probably the only candidate most regular voters have heard about. Maybe it's pro-McAuliffe 30% and against McAuliffe 70%.
There's five weeks left. Will 40 percent be good enough to win? Probably. Can he get there?
Undecided 36%
McAuliffe 30%
Moran 20%
Deeds 14%
The T-Mac people are happy, but should they be? There's an awful lot of undecideds out there, and McAuliffe is probably the only candidate most regular voters have heard about. Maybe it's pro-McAuliffe 30% and against McAuliffe 70%.
There's five weeks left. Will 40 percent be good enough to win? Probably. Can he get there?
We need Dr. McCoy
Chrysler says it can turn a profit in 2012. We probably need a second opinion from Dr. McCoy.
Steyn on his topic
Mark Steyn, along with guest-hosting for Rush Limbaugh, focuses on the rising rate of Muslim population growth in Europe and what it might mean for the future. Have someone doubt his thesis and he has an answer.
Some people have numbers, but I think Steyn sees the trend.
Some people have numbers, but I think Steyn sees the trend.
Democrat for Mountain top mining
Across the border, West Virginia governor Joe Manchin sees a place for mountaintop mining - road building.
West Virginia would like to build a four-lane road throughout the mountainous coalfields between Huntington and Bluefield. Years of planning and money pumped in by Senator Robert Byrd have built little bits of the road. They have found a segment where a private company will mine coal and leave behind a road bed for this project.
Is this a good use of mountaintop mining, or must it be stopped all times, at all costs?
West Virginia would like to build a four-lane road throughout the mountainous coalfields between Huntington and Bluefield. Years of planning and money pumped in by Senator Robert Byrd have built little bits of the road. They have found a segment where a private company will mine coal and leave behind a road bed for this project.
Is this a good use of mountaintop mining, or must it be stopped all times, at all costs?
Monday, May 4, 2009
More sports info
I always enjoy reading the TV sports column in the newspaper. But in the last month, two of my Friday stops - Orlando and Baltimore - have been victims of budget cuts. The Baltimore guy has landed at Sports Media Journal. They provide a Friday roundup from newspapers across the country, and ought to fill my need.
Enjoy your hiatus, Jeff
Jeff Frederick has announced he will not try to reclaim the chairmanship of the Virginia Republican party, and he and his wife will be taking a break. Good for them.
Looking back, last year was going to be a hard year for Republicans. No matter who was in charge. Hopefully this year will be better, and those in charge now know that poor results will not be tolerated.
Looking back, last year was going to be a hard year for Republicans. No matter who was in charge. Hopefully this year will be better, and those in charge now know that poor results will not be tolerated.
Jack Kemp roundup
SWACgirl has collected a bunch of posts remembering Jack Kemp.
At a time when Republicans are thinking how to grow the party, it's nice to be reminded Kemp grew the party with ideas and enthusiasm. Not by telling other parts of the coalition to be quiet.
At a time when Republicans are thinking how to grow the party, it's nice to be reminded Kemp grew the party with ideas and enthusiasm. Not by telling other parts of the coalition to be quiet.
More, more, more
The other McCain's post on Specter and cancer reminded me of a song from the 70s. What do Democrats want? More, more, more.
The fight over Specter
Should the Republican party make room for people like Arlen Specter or scrape them off the bottom of their shoes?
I'm scraping. Especially after this cancer answer.
"If we had pursued what President Nixon declared in 1970 as the war on cancer, we would have cured many strains. I think Jack Kemp would be alive today. And that research has saved or prolonged many lives, including mine."
I'm scraping. Especially after this cancer answer.
"If we had pursued what President Nixon declared in 1970 as the war on cancer, we would have cured many strains. I think Jack Kemp would be alive today. And that research has saved or prolonged many lives, including mine."
Let's hear from a GM bond holder
The Truth about Cars blog met up with a retired couple who own GM bonds as part of their retirement portfolio. Not all bondholders are high-flying New York types.
For your car news
I followed an instapundit link to the truth about cars website. I know where I'll be going for my car news now.
Here's a take from Sunday on the continuing crisis.
Some Detroiters honest-to-God believe that Chrysler and GM will repay the money “loaned” to them by the federal government. That’s a leap of faith that would have taken Evil Knievel across the Grand Canyon (proper) and on to Maui.
Here's a take from Sunday on the continuing crisis.
Some Detroiters honest-to-God believe that Chrysler and GM will repay the money “loaned” to them by the federal government. That’s a leap of faith that would have taken Evil Knievel across the Grand Canyon (proper) and on to Maui.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Hey Terry, we need some help
Blue Commonwealth has a nice, long post on the Wal-Mart planned across from the Wilderness battlefield outside of Fredericksburg.
So Terry McAuliffe, you're talking about bringing more jobs to Virginia. Can you help Wal-Mart find a better site for this store? Because Wal-Mart doesn't build stores for kicks. It builds where there's a need for a store. It builds where people are.
More jobs mean more people, and more people mean more services are needed. Wal-Mart brings in jobs. Terry, can you find a nice location for this employer of Virginians?
So Terry McAuliffe, you're talking about bringing more jobs to Virginia. Can you help Wal-Mart find a better site for this store? Because Wal-Mart doesn't build stores for kicks. It builds where there's a need for a store. It builds where people are.
More jobs mean more people, and more people mean more services are needed. Wal-Mart brings in jobs. Terry, can you find a nice location for this employer of Virginians?
Jobs McAuliffe will create
1. People to track his employment history.
2. People to explain Global Crossing without using the phrase "Right-wing conspiracy."
3. People to track the political connections used during his career.
4. People to explain what favors he will offer businesses to do more business in Virginia.
5. People to explain how a dealmaker from the dot-com bubble will make it through the current credit crunch.
6. People to add other jobs I may have missed.
The Washington Post weighs the positives and negatives of McAuliffe's background. His father-in-law -partner in several Florida land deals - says he's a very good businessman.
"He's very prescient and just has a good sense and a good instinct as to value and a sense of timing," Swann said.
If he wins, will he tell Virginians what market is going to tank so we can get out before the losses mount.
2. People to explain Global Crossing without using the phrase "Right-wing conspiracy."
3. People to track the political connections used during his career.
4. People to explain what favors he will offer businesses to do more business in Virginia.
5. People to explain how a dealmaker from the dot-com bubble will make it through the current credit crunch.
6. People to add other jobs I may have missed.
The Washington Post weighs the positives and negatives of McAuliffe's background. His father-in-law -partner in several Florida land deals - says he's a very good businessman.
"He's very prescient and just has a good sense and a good instinct as to value and a sense of timing," Swann said.
If he wins, will he tell Virginians what market is going to tank so we can get out before the losses mount.
Celebrate and offend a feminist
The Other McCain has declared this National Offend a Feminist Week. He's gotten a great response in the day since his post, and Pundit and Pundette are definitely on fire with the anthem for the week, "I enjoy being a girl."
If you can follow this, thank a teacher
Economics in one sentence
While It Won't Work is short and to the point, the Other McCain can also give longer answers to why President Obama is putting us on the wrong economic path.
It helps to have a good closing sentence.
You can't make capitalism work without capital, and the capital shortage is going to result in a lack of job creation.
It helps to have a good closing sentence.
You can't make capitalism work without capital, and the capital shortage is going to result in a lack of job creation.
Common sense from Lucente
The News Leader looks at how local governments are attacking possible budget shortfalls. Waynesboro vice mayor Frank Lucente examines the facts.
"We can't be all things to all people," Lucente said. "Unlike the federal government, we can't print money, though we probably would if we could. We have to balance our budget and if we spend a dollar, we have to take it from someone."
"We can't be all things to all people," Lucente said. "Unlike the federal government, we can't print money, though we probably would if we could. We have to balance our budget and if we spend a dollar, we have to take it from someone."
What happens next
The Atlantic's economic blogger Megan McArdle takes a look at the Chrysler situation and doesn't like what she sees. Especially if the hedge funds give into the President's demonization of them.
And if you were a rich people, how would you react to the news that a hedge fund manager who had a senior lien had refused to allow his claim to be treated like unsecured debt in a bankruptcy? Would you be outraged and pull your money?
h/t Instapundit.com
And if you were a rich people, how would you react to the news that a hedge fund manager who had a senior lien had refused to allow his claim to be treated like unsecured debt in a bankruptcy? Would you be outraged and pull your money?
h/t Instapundit.com
Saturday, May 2, 2009
On religion and torture
The Pew Forum's poll has produced plenty of shock - how can people who go to church more think torture can be justified?
The breakout sample is pretty small - 174 people identified as white evangelical protestants - out of 742 surveyed. Double the sample size for both groups and let's see what happens.
This is just part of the old abortion/death penalty question. "How can you be against abortion and yet for the death penalty." The easy answer is innocent life of the unborn vs. person found guilty government and a jury of his peers.
In the cases of torture of Al Qaeda members, you can say we were protecting innocent life - those people at the sites where terrorist acts could happen. It shouldn't be a shocker.
The breakout sample is pretty small - 174 people identified as white evangelical protestants - out of 742 surveyed. Double the sample size for both groups and let's see what happens.
This is just part of the old abortion/death penalty question. "How can you be against abortion and yet for the death penalty." The easy answer is innocent life of the unborn vs. person found guilty government and a jury of his peers.
In the cases of torture of Al Qaeda members, you can say we were protecting innocent life - those people at the sites where terrorist acts could happen. It shouldn't be a shocker.
Lawyers to the left, lawyers to the right
How about a quick bankruptcy for Chrysler? Not so fast, my friends.
The only ones who are going to make money off this deal are the lawyers. If you think the government pressured your bond holder to accept less money than a normal bankruptcy, I see a lawsuit there. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm sure somewhere someone has an idea for successful litigation in this mess.
The only ones who are going to make money off this deal are the lawyers. If you think the government pressured your bond holder to accept less money than a normal bankruptcy, I see a lawsuit there. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm sure somewhere someone has an idea for successful litigation in this mess.
From the wayback machine
While doing some spring cleaning, I found a page from USA Today from November 2004. It had a story about the auto industry, so I had to check it out.
The headline - Dealerships plan to cut back on auto inventory
The problem - The issue stems from a fundamental business problem facing Detroit automakers. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler Group need to keep their factories running to generate enough cash to pay for their huge pension and health care obligations. Toyota and Honda can simply cut production when demand wanes rather than pile on profit-eating incentives.
A few years down the road, the same problem is there.
The headline - Dealerships plan to cut back on auto inventory
The problem - The issue stems from a fundamental business problem facing Detroit automakers. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler Group need to keep their factories running to generate enough cash to pay for their huge pension and health care obligations. Toyota and Honda can simply cut production when demand wanes rather than pile on profit-eating incentives.
A few years down the road, the same problem is there.
Steyn on the first 100 days
Here's the routine. Get up Saturday morning and find Mark Steyn's column. Then find the sentence that distills this week's argument.
The problem in the Western world is that governments are spending money faster than their citizenry or economies can generate it.
Try to enjoy the rest of the weekend.
The problem in the Western world is that governments are spending money faster than their citizenry or economies can generate it.
Try to enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Mawage
Thanks to reading the Hollywood Minute update from Yankee Philip, I learned of the trouble in the Penn household. Much better to remember the good times, before they met, when Robin starred in "Princess Bride"
A few years after the movie came out, a friend from high school got married. And the pastor sounded a bit like this guy.
Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam...
A few years after the movie came out, a friend from high school got married. And the pastor sounded a bit like this guy.
Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam...
We get results
Monday, I put up a post marking a month since the last blog post on the Virginia Republican Party's website. Last night, four posts went up.
Check them out. Glad to see the RPV is listening.
Check them out. Glad to see the RPV is listening.
Why all the swine flu talk?
Why are TV and newspapers giving wall-to-wall coverage to swine flu? The public definitely has interest.
Tuesday, I put up a post titled "Swine Flu Parody," linking to a fake news story that Miss Piggy was detained at the border. The hits have been rolling in since then.
TV and newspapers have your attention with this story. They're not going to let go easily.
Tuesday, I put up a post titled "Swine Flu Parody," linking to a fake news story that Miss Piggy was detained at the border. The hits have been rolling in since then.
TV and newspapers have your attention with this story. They're not going to let go easily.
Coming, Winter 2010
Don Surber brings us up to speed on Making Work Pay. It's making your refund smaller.
So enjoy that pizza you buy with the extra $13 in your pocket now. You'll be fasting instead of eating next winter.
HR Block and those with refund loans won't be happy when this change hits home.
So enjoy that pizza you buy with the extra $13 in your pocket now. You'll be fasting instead of eating next winter.
HR Block and those with refund loans won't be happy when this change hits home.
Bad news travels fast
From the ways not to let employees go file comes this story from Baltimore. Two columnists for the Baltimore Sun were called at Camden Yards during an Orioles' game and told they no longer had jobs. That's really phoning it in.
But thanks to the new media, a reporter from California let the world know during his updates from the game. And a paper in London picked it up, which is where I got my link.
I'd better post the Sun's original article also. It's written by a reporter I worked with on the college newspaper.
But thanks to the new media, a reporter from California let the world know during his updates from the game. And a paper in London picked it up, which is where I got my link.
I'd better post the Sun's original article also. It's written by a reporter I worked with on the college newspaper.
Weekend watchdog
It's the first Saturday in May. It's time for the Kentucky Derby. It's time to watch 20 horses you've never heard of go around a track in two minutes. And then you'll know one horse.
Hard to believe, but no horse has won the Triple Crown in the ESPN era.
The NHL second round begins with two games on Versus Friday, and Saturday NBC has the marquee matchup - Penguins vs. Capitals. Sid the Kid vs. the Great Eight.
The NBA has the Game 7 or Game 1 vibe this weekend, highlighted by Saturday's matchup between the Bulls and Celtics in Boston. The Bulls evened the series with a three-overtime win Thursday, playing four hours of clutch basketball.
Friday, the Heat try to force a Game 7 against the Hawks. The winner gets LeBron and the Cavaliers in the second round. Oh, goody.
NASCAR begins three weekends of Saturday night racing in Richmond. Won't be anybody flying into the fence there.
On MASN, you have the Orioles trying to stay out of the AL East cellar against the Blue Jays, who are trying to hang onto first. The last-place Nationals continue their series against the Cardinals, who lead the NL Central.
Hard to believe, but no horse has won the Triple Crown in the ESPN era.
The NHL second round begins with two games on Versus Friday, and Saturday NBC has the marquee matchup - Penguins vs. Capitals. Sid the Kid vs. the Great Eight.
The NBA has the Game 7 or Game 1 vibe this weekend, highlighted by Saturday's matchup between the Bulls and Celtics in Boston. The Bulls evened the series with a three-overtime win Thursday, playing four hours of clutch basketball.
Friday, the Heat try to force a Game 7 against the Hawks. The winner gets LeBron and the Cavaliers in the second round. Oh, goody.
NASCAR begins three weekends of Saturday night racing in Richmond. Won't be anybody flying into the fence there.
On MASN, you have the Orioles trying to stay out of the AL East cellar against the Blue Jays, who are trying to hang onto first. The last-place Nationals continue their series against the Cardinals, who lead the NL Central.
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