Political Punching Bag

Show Me The Video!

2008-12-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

Images and videos online are extremely popular in this day and age. People all across America are turning to the web to search for homes for sale, used vehicles, collectible antiques, and possibly even a date for Saturday night...Now ask yourself, which one of those previously mentioned items would you commit to - that is without seeing some sort of visual first. None...I am sure.

So it's no secret that videos play a large role in drawing audiences to online news organizations. So the video must be fresh and relevant. It is most common to go to a news website and find video that accompanies a story.

So if the Atlantic Online is to take the advice of the Media Shift organization (a division of PBS) and "engage in a never-ending conversation with their community," to foster strong relationships with audiences, it must be remember to incorporate video. Since a conversation is not one-sided, the Atlantic Online cannot forget to incorporate video from professional writers as well as the community. There are a few ways to accomplish this goal.

Allowing audiences to post a commentary with video is one. Lets take the Atlantic's recent article entitled "Cheese Balls," an article about an old Italian cheese recipe that has become a hot (not literally) new menu item that is found in select major cities across the country. (So this may be the point that you are wondering why I choose cheese, but stick with me here). So, you get to the bottom of this article and click on the much needed comments section (if we are to encourage a community conversation). The incorporation of videos may convince Mary Morelli from a tiny little town in Upstate New York to create a five-minute video response about how those who don't live in a major city with a trendy cheese shop can make still make homemade cheese with the Morelli family recipe. Sure, of course, Mary could just plainly write the recipe and hope that viewers click on her commentary featuring her own cheese dish, but a visual to more likely to get your mouth watering...Right?

"Interaction gives us more than additional eyeballs," writes according to Media Shift writer Roland Legrand. "It teaches us new aspects of storytelling. For instance, a news website is sometimes more about telling a story in a way to bring the community together rather than about providing 'hard news.'"

So, if the Atlantic Online takes Legrand's advice into account and really drives home this idea of creating community dialogue then vlogging is essential. Allowing audiences to vlog, is basically letting them lead the conversation. They become the professors at the head of the class posing the questions and not just the students on the other end of those pressing topics.

For example let's take Andrew Sullivan's article entitled "Goodbye to All That: Why Obama Matters," in which Sullivan says that "we may in fact have finally found that bridge to the 21st century that Bill Clinton told us about. Its name is Obama." Okay so, encouraging conversations would allow readers of that article to supplement Sullivan's opinion with vlogs like this....

Got An Idea?

2008-12-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

So you don't have to be a "journalist" to be a journalist. And thanks to some cool online tools any one can get their message out.

There is a cool interactive website that guides individuals in creating, mini-newspapers, flyers and brochures. It also allows room fro creativey providing various options for fonts and text color and size. Maybe you shoud try to create your own media.

And here a few various views on ways to jump into the world of vlogging head first... But, please let me say that I would not put all my eggs in one basket, using these guides...

Just for laughs - Maybe these people should think twice about vlogging!

Paperless in 2012???

2008-12-08T10:02:00.001-08:00

So there seems to be some buzz circulating around the country about numerous businesses going paperless - leaving paper only necessary in bathrooms and in the hands of those with colds.

So maybe this is why newspaper organizations are down-sizing their paper products and vamping up their online websites. The Christian Science Monitor declared a bold move in the direction of online news after deciding to overwhelmingly cutback paper publications last spring. Eight newspapers in the state of Michigan announced a downsize to allow for "more innovation" on their websites, just last month. The Hartford Courant, the largest daily newspaper in the state of Connecticut, partnered with their broadcast news affiliate to talk about the smaller size of their newly condensed newspaper.

Hold one, just a minute! Patrick Dixon of Global Change, says that businesses should not use their last scraps of paper to write off paper publications just yet. Dixon is a futurist, business consultant who was once listed alongside Bill Gates as one of America's "top 20 most influential thinkers." He says that there is an undeniable emotional appeal to tangible paper publications. Dixon also says that people can more effectively read in paper form than they can online....

So maybe the Atlantic Online should take Dixon's points into mind and remember to keep it's paper product just as strong as it's online component.

So What's The Problem?

2008-12-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

So what's the problem with news media today? Is there really a problem? Well...if there is, what can news organizations do about it?

Some average citizens are voicing their opinions about what is wrong with the way news is delivered... So that being said, I think that if the Atlantic Online, is going to move forward into the future of journalism, they must first open their ears to hear the complaints of their audiences....

Scaring Viewers Into Watching Programming

Where's The Positive News?

Celeb Stories Trump Big Stories

Subliminal Messages

2008-12-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

So I push for subliminal messages ;)

"The [New] Atlantic" Calling All Vloggers

2008-12-01T13:16:00.000-08:00

So "The [New] Atlantic" is looking for a few good vloggers to join our online news website! The goal of "The [New] Atlantic" is report one story two ways: one from the perspective of a professionally-trained journalist and the other from a skilled citizen journalist.

We will be searching for fresh videos daily created by citizen journalists who have a profound interest in bringing truth and enlightenment to the online community. Why continue to just be a sponge for news, soaking up what the media outlets provide? Get out there, find the truth, and shed the light on today's most pressing topics.

Question: Who are Vloggers?

Answer: Vloggers are citizens journalists, who have an interest and talent for reporting current events and human-interest stories in a fair and balanced fashion. Vloggers do not have be educated on the subject of journalism, but must demonstrate solid skills for delivering a report in the form of a video.

Question: What will vloggers be doing?

Answer: Vloggers will hit the streets as reporters covering stories that will be featured on "The [New] Atlantic" website. Vloggers will be sent daily and weekly assignments via email, on which they may report. Some assignments will be distributed locally and some nationally. Vloggers will not be mandated to cover each assignment that comes their way, only those that each vlogger feels passionate about. In addition, vloggers may also take initiative to uncover new stories, that have not been assigned. Compelling vlogging entries will be featured in a special section of "The [New] Atlantic" online called "Citing Citizen Journalists."

Please Note: Each assignment will be sent to about 10 to 15 vloggers. Therefore, each vlogger must cover the story in a manner that is as in depth as possible to enhance the odds of being featured as the supplemental story to go along with "The [New] Atlantic" staff reporter's story.

Question: Why should I become a vlogger?

Answer: Becoming a vlogger gives everyday, average citizens the chance to let their voices be heard. We are seeking the voices of the young, the not-so-young, the middle class, the wealthy, and the list goes on from there. "The [New] Atlantic" online aims to become a honest and dependable news source with the help of citizen journalists who have no hidden agendas and corporate responsibilities that leak into reporting.

Question: How Can I become a vlogger?

Answer: Submit a 200-word description of yourself and tell us what you are passionate about. In addition, please submit a short (90 seconds or less) vlog of a hot topic that really gets you going.

Show us what you've got...The online community needs you!

Internet For Good or Bad

2008-12-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

Forget "taking it to the streets", as the once popular song by the Doobie Brothers suggested...Now it's taking to the net, as in Internet. And the net is wide open and ready for one to compile lots of positive and negative bits of info. Here is one example of using popular websites to distribute the good, the bad, and the unconfirmed.

50 Days Until Inaguration

2008-12-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

Although, there are still 50 days standing between the American people and the 44th President, one does not have to wait an amount of days equal to the number of states, to become more acquainted with the politics of President-Elect Obama thanks to www.change.gov .

One can learn about various Obama-Biden agendas on a variety of topics, including education - where citizens can read in detail why the new presidential team "believe that our kids and our country can’t afford four more years of neglect and indifference," according their mission statement.

Americans can read blogs about other Americans whose stories are said to taken into account by the new incoming administration.

And hey, if you are one complaining about the lack of jobs in the country - there is also a link where you can apply for a job to work along Obama and Biden.

Obama appears to be continuing his technological connection to the American public. He and his team are utilizing the Internet to connect with citizens and make them feel connected to him.

This is a smart, yet simple way to accomplish political goals. So...I see that there is a jump on Sara Palin's push for President in 2012 by a group pf her supporters.

Out With the Old

2008-12-01T08:29:00.000-08:00

I can only imagine a world where each political campaign gets more and more techno-savvy! And although, President-Elect Obama was the first to bring campaigning into the computer age - I don't think that any politicians wants to be on the obsolete end of technology where, Sen. McCain was often found...

Breaking it Down

2008-12-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

So here is one's plain english version of Twitter...

Streaming Live....

2008-12-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

Well... one no longer has to be glued to a television screen to catch up on the latest breaking news. You can now be glued to your computer screen thanks to websites streaming live....

Most people on average are working during the day, when huge announcements, such as President Elect Obama selecting Sen. Clinton as Secretary of State, who he calls an "American of tremendous stature," according to a CNN report. But, thanks to national and local news websites, one can watch live, as the news breaks. No longer does one have to wait until they get home in the evening and flick on the evening news.

So what are you waiting for.... Watch It Live!

One Story...Two Ways

2008-11-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

So there is a definite difference in approach being taken by conservative Fox News and the liberal New York Times...Now, I know I am kind of comparing apples and oranges in terms of a television news organization and a newspaper. But, there is a stark difference here.

The New York Times uses direct quotes from President-Elect Obama to introduce it's audience to Obama's new economic team. Obama's quotes provide positive insight into the lives and qualifications of his new hires. However, Fox News takes a different approach. They stick more to the hard, cold facts and omit Obama's warm introduction of the candidates. However, Fox does include a few quotes from the man slated to become the 44th President, but they do not contain positive info about the economic team.

Fox News quotes Obama as saying of Larry Summers:
"'As a thought leader, Larry has urged us to confront the problems of income inequality and the middle class squeeze, consistently arguing that the key to a strong economy is a strong and growing middle class,' Obama said."

New York Times quotes Obama as saying of Larry Summers:
“Larry helped guide us through several major international financial crises – and was a central architect of the policies that led to the longest economic expansion in American history, with record surpluses, rising family incomes and more than 20 million new jobs. He also championed a range of measures – from tax credits to enhanced lending programs to consumer financial protections – that greatly benefited middle income families.” (They also include the portion that Fox mentioned).

Notice the use of diction. Fox notes that Summers helped to confront problems. Confronting is not the same as solving as we all know. So that word standing alone, doesn't firmly spell out success. However, with the New York Times' decision to include the full introduction - they note that Obama says he was a central architect, who championed projects.

I am not suggesting that one of these reports is better than the other. And of course one must keep in mind that the NYT is just reporting what Obama said - not that this is the truth. But, I think this serves as a clear example of how two stories can be delivered in two completely opposing fashions.

News Hounds: We watch Fox so you don't have to

2008-11-24T09:51:00.000-08:00

So the people of News Hounds teamed up through http://www.moveon.org/ and decided to conduct an experiment with Fox News channel.

"For approximately three months, each of us watched FNC conscientiously for five or more hours a week and posted our findings regarding Fox's self-proclaimed mission of fair and balanced reporting," writes a News Hound spokesperson in the group's manifesto. "Appalled by our results, we, who would not meet in person until months later, banded together in cyberspace in concern and outrage over the failure of American media, and Fox News in particular, to relate the news properly."

So what has this group come up with? Well, a great deal of bias reportedly being dished out by Fox News. Here are just a few examples.

According to News Hound, Dick Morris, of Fox News, invited a former Clinton advisor to discuss the possibility of Sen. Clinton being offered the Secretary of State position. But, News Hounds detected a problem with the interview. "Morris went out of his way to change the subject in order to make a fundraising pitch for the run-off candidacy of Republican Saxby Chambliss," writes a News Hound reporter.

"A Hannity & Colmes guest helped further the 'Barack Obama is a secret terrorist' meme, this time because his Attorney General nominee-to-be, Eric Holder, helped pardon a number of radicals, including a few tied to none other than William Ayers," writes a News Hound journalist. "It smacks of the failed guilt by association rhetoric of the just-ended campaign."

The reports of News Hound suggest a continual theme on behalf of Fox News... To me it appears that they have difficulty reporting a positive Democratic story and are continually looking for a slant to report on...

Fox News...Fair?

2008-11-24T09:41:00.000-08:00

I wonder who would really benefit from the Fairness Doctrine if it were to be reinstated? While I am unsure of the answer to that question - another question comes to mind. How could such a notion be properly measured?

Well, Bill O'Reilly seems to suggests that most news media (especially NBC) is already heavily left-sided. So would that mean adding another conservative news source into the mix to balance things out?

Brought to You Buy the Computer Age...

2008-11-17T10:34:00.000-08:00

The way in which we utilize the technology age has certainly changed... Of course you already know this, but think about it...A weekly address... available only on the Internet... from the President-Elect.

Now I don't want to blow this whole thing out of proportion, as if to make it seem as though some new technological tools are in use here- no! But, the use of the tools are changing. And I am pretty sure that we will see this administration continue to engage the American public with interactive technology. And furthermore, I expect to see other political figures doing the same. I think 2012 will be the year of the virtual election.

Moving in a Positive Direction

2008-11-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

President-Elect Obama is moving the right direction. One prime example of this is seen in his willingness to meet with recent competitors from both sides of the aisle.

I am very pleased that Obama extended and invitation to Sen. McCain and also pleased that McCain accepted. "Advisers to both men have said that they did not expect Mr. McCain to be offered a job in the new administration," according to a New York Times Report. And I too don't see that happening. However, I cannot deny that I would be pleased to see more teamwork between Republicans and Democrats.

And the burying of the hatchet didn't start there...Obama has also met with former opponents, Sen. Clinton and Gov. Richardson of New Mexico (if you're like me, you may have forgotten about him). Although, such meetings are not out of the ordinary, I do not recall such meetings taking place 8 years ago. Therefore, to me this screams that we are moving in the right direction.

Voices Are Still Being Heard

2008-11-14T12:47:00.001-08:00

The Obama Administration continues to encourage Americans to speak their minds and become part of the government. He emphasises this encouragement through his website www.change.gov.

"Across the country, people are already writing to us with their advice for the Obama Administration. Nina, a single mother who is getting her doctorate while also working a full-time job in Pittsburgh, PA, hopes new policies will encourage companies to allow employees to work from home," writes an Obama spokesperson.

At this rate, I think more American people (like the now famous Joe the Plumber) will begin to feel important and start believing that their voices are truly being heard - and not just during active campaign seasons and on election night. I can only imagine that the American people appreciate direct consideration of their personal plight.

They Are Tired Too

2008-11-13T18:15:00.000-08:00

Gov. Palin's fellow Republicans are tired of her nonsense too! Well, it looks like Palin got her time in the sun that was denied to her on election night...too bad she pissed off other red party members.

According to the Huffington Post, CNN claims:

"Some Republican governors tell CNN they were not particularly happy with the way the Republican Governors Association press conference was executed Thursday, saying that they agreed to go as a show of GOP governors' unity -- but they ended up feeling like silent Palin supporters, since it was clearly a press conference called for her."

Give It A Rest Already Sara....

2008-11-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, so Gov.Palin got knocked down in the 2008 fight for the White House. Well, she has since got up, dusted off her old clothing, and tossed her hat (possibly from the consignment shop that she claims is her favorite) back into the ring...I get it. I understand. I am not mad at that and never will be. But, I really wish that someone would tell her to find some new ground to cover. Can't she sit down and think of something new and fresh? Can't she focus on what positive things that she may be able to accomplish, at least until the year 2011 rolls around and she has seven children?

"[Governors make] tough decisions to best serve the people who hire us. And we are held accountable every day. The buck stops on our desk. We are not just one of many voting yea or nay or present. No. There is no present button in our office, is there? We have to make the tough decisions," said Gov. Palin, continuing to poke fun at Obama's state Senate voting record.

This topic has already been discussed time and time again! "Illinois legislators often vote 'present' and for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes blocs of lawmakers do it as a protest in some dispute over rules and procedures. Obama was often joined in his "present" votes by 10 or 20 other senators," writes an Associated Press journalist. "In other cases, lawmakers do it to signal objections to the details of a measure that they support in principle. They also use 'present' votes as strategic moves to defeat legislation or, of course, simply to avoid taking a firm position."

Now, I can understand that some people may have some issues with voting present. However, in Obama's case "he voted 'present' 129 times. That was out of roughly 4,000 votes he cast, so those "presents" amounted to about one of every 31 votes in his legislative career,"according to the Associated Press.

So what's next Sara? Ayers tomorrow? Rev. Wrong on Saturday? I can't take it anymore...If this woman is going to be around for a while - okay - just get her some new material.

"I Was Just Gonna Brag'um Up"

2008-11-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

For some reason, I don't buy into Gov. Palin's claim that she wanted to give a speech to about the failed Republican presidential candidate. That makes no sense what so ever. I cannot imagine Palin saying - hey folks, I know ya didn't vote for'um, but he's one heck of a fella, ya sure shoulda voted for'um....Just give me a break!

Population Boost By 2010?

2008-11-10T07:31:00.001-08:00

Well, it seems that talk is shifting from large voter turnouts to turning down the sheets, to put it lightly.

So for the first time in a long time the majority of America has gotten what they wanted in the Presidential election and that happiness has seemed to the tickle into other areas of life and not just for the average Joe's of America, but even Republicans too! Just ask Gov. Schwarzenegger, who says he has now been allowed "back into the bedroom."

" I want to have an Obama Baby. Let me be clear: I don't want to have Obama's baby, I want to have an Obama Baby. One of the thousands of babies I predict will be born somewhere around August 4th, 2009, " writes E. A. Hanks, of the Huffington Post.

August 4th just so happens to be President-Elect Obama's birthday. And I can imagine that women all over the world will be hoping that their baby cans share the birthday of this historical figure...But, let's just cross our fingers that unwed teenagers aren't jumping on the Bristol Palin plan!

Back To Normal???

2008-11-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

So will things ever really go back to normal for Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin? I don't really think so. I believe more than ever, America will continue to keep their eyes and ears open for the failed Presidential ticket. This is only to be expected after such a tight and trans-formative election. This was not the case four years ago... No one really gave much thought to Sen. John Kerry and Sen. John Edwards returning back to their lives. I know I sure didn't and I voted for them.

So John McCain will be returning to the Senate for another 2 years, but people around the world are now scratching their heads, trying to figure out which brand Sen. McCain will attempt to bring back with him to Washington.

"Will it be the John McCain who was an enthusiastic coalition builder, deal maker and central figure in Congress, one as apt to tweak Republicans as much as Democrats? Or the John McCain who seemed so dismissive of Mr. Obama, who spent considerable time assailing the opposition rather than making his own case and who to many seemed to become what he had once disdained," wrote a New York Times journalist.

I, for one, will be interested to see whether McCain follows through on his self-proclaimed devotion to bring change to the Nation's Capitol. I hope it will not be politics as usual for him...

As for Gov. Palin, one can at the very least assume that she is back to wearing heavy clothing and hiking boots to combat Alaska's cold climate. But, what will she do now that she has returned to her home state? Many are under the impression that she will begin prepping for her Presidential run in 2012. Or will she return home and begin tackling Alaska's budgeting problem which stems from oil prices dipping "below the level required to balance the state budget?"according to the New York Times.

Well the Christian Science Monitor points out that Gov. Palin has some serious damage control to do. And I agree.

"Palin’s nonpartisan reputation is in shreds, a side effect of her role as chief attacker of Democratic rival Barack Obama. Damaged, too, is her image as ethics reformer, with questions lingering over an abuse-of-power scandal involving a feud against her sister’s ex-husband, alleged circumvention of public-records laws, concerns about state payments for her children’s travel and nights spent in her own home, and even how she acquired the haute-couture wardrobe she sported on the campaign trail," writes the Christian Science Monitor.

Gov. Palin lost a great deal of credibility during this campaign. And although it is undeniable that she continues to have supporters, I think she will first have to repair her relationship with her home state, before she can begin to even think about fostering a trusted relationship with the American people as a whole.

Comedians Continue Taking Jabs

2008-11-07T02:43:00.001-08:00

"I would like to say one thing to John McCain," Dave Letterman said. "Listen, Senator: you don't show up for me, America doesn't show up for you."

"We're going to have to get over our nervousness about making fun of a black person. He's not a black person. He's the President," said Bill Maher. "And when we make a joke about him, we're not making a racial joke or a joke about all black people any more than when we made a joke about President Bush we were we making a joke about all mentally challenged people."

A Brighter Future for All Children - Finally!

2008-11-07T02:28:00.000-08:00

I don't have children. But, I feel the same way...

Fox Blasts Ralph Nader

2008-11-07T01:45:00.000-08:00

Forget Gilbert Grape. What's eating Ralph Nader? Why does he decide to go on the attack now? What good will this do him at this point?

Well...this is not the first time that Ralph Nader has made derogatory comments about Obama when race and politics are concerned. "He wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician. He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up," said Nader in June as he was launching his campaign for President...I find his comment offensive to Americans in general. It is no secret that some things (certainly not all) in this country are very black and white, if you will. However, he casts a stormy cloud over the entire country all the time. He is constantly assuming the worst! So I wonder what he has to say about himself only receiving one percent of the vote...I am sure that he thinks that minorities voted blindly for Obama and the whites in America were guilt tripped...Now that's all I will say about Nader - he is just not worth my time!