The annual holiday shopping season is coming to a close. This is the time of year when retailers across the country look to make that one big push towards profitability. If they can give people the right deal, they wil be that much closer to that goal.
Some retailers must deal with more that other retailers when it comes to competition for the almighty dollar. Some have the misfortune of being close enough to a bordering state that does not offer a sales tax. If that is the case, then shoppers may be tempted to drive further in order to save a little more.
That is the case in Massachusetts, a state bordered by tax-free New Hampshire. The state house did little to help retailers in the Bay State when it voted to raise the sales tax from 5% to 6.25% in August of this year.
Legislators across the fair commonwealth are crying poverty. They are saying they need to find a way to raise revenue in order to keep things operating. Raising taxes is not the way to work. All that does is make people who live a little further away from the border considered taking their hard-earned money elsewhere. A rising tax means more money being saved by shopping in a tax-free state. Suddenly a drive up to New Hampshire seems worth it.
I suggest lowering the sales tax. Doing so would make people think twice before making a trek to the Granite State and keep the money in Massachusetts. By lowering the sales tax, people are saving money. This would allow them to spend in more places. More business would be profitable and the economy would recover.
The legislators are doing no favors by raising taxes and fees. This act merely gives people more reason to take their money elsewhere and make New Hampshire businesses more merry.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
'Ti$ the Sea$on
Christmas waits for no one. Recession or no recession, people are looking for ways to come up with money for gifts for friends and family in addition to the bills that are a part of everyday life.
A survey conducted by America’s Research Group (ARG) and UBS found more people will be shopping on “Black Friday” in hopes of finding more bargains. One-third of American families will not be shopping for as many people as before.
“Our annual Christmas shopping survey reveals that American consumers are under so much more financial pressure this year that even children will feel the pinch,” ARG CEO and founder C. Britt Beemer said in a press release regarding the company’s findings.
Nick, a 20-year-old customer service rep, plans to spend the same amount of money as last year.
“It will be more than two years ago,” Nick said of the money he will be spending. “It will be less gifts but more quality.”
Nick prepares for the holiday season by taking on extra shifts where he works at Christian Book Distributors in Peabody. His brother does the same thing, putting in what Colon calls, “crazy amounts of overtime.
“It’s helped,” Nick said. “It’s given me a chance to go out and buy things for the family.”
Another adjustment Nick is making is spending a Christmas with a serious relationship. Nick and his girlfriend, Ryane, will buy gifts for each other but will try to keep the spending to a minimum. The story was a little different last year.
“Last Christmas, we were dating for a couple of weeks,” Nick explained. “I said, ‘No gifts.’ She said, ‘No way.’”
Nick went out and bought Ryane a gift despite the agreement.
Ryan, a 24-year-old retail clerk, doesn’t have to worry about shopping for that special someone. Ryan is single.
“I look at the bright side,” Ryan said of his single status. “It saves me a couple hundred dollars.”
Ryan started his Christmas shopping in the middle of November. He, like other shoppers, will be attending to his holiday duties with less money than last year.
Working retail gives Ryan the opportunity to see the Holidays from both sides of the counter. Freeman works about 40 hours per week at a local Apple Store.
“Business is good,” Freeman says of the land of iPhones and their apps. “The store is consistently busy. The products like iPod and iPhone, they’re high on the wish list.”
Peoples’ wants for the Apple Store’s offerings have not been slowed any by the economic downturn.
“It’s not a store that is necessarily affected by the [recession],” Freeman said.
A spokesperson from Apple’s corporate office in California could not comment on Apple’s sales, citing company policy that prohibits entertaining such questions.
There are others who are making holiday plans. Nick tells of one friend who is buying their family a 42” LCD TV.
Nick and his family are making Christmas lists for each other. The wish lists will not have as much as years past. Colon still enjoys the tradition.
“Who knows what we want on our lists?” Nick wondered. “We’re very childish in that way. I don’t care.”
Nick and his family do their best when it comes to keeping the spending to a minimum.
“Obviously, there’s an advisory type of thing,” Nick said. “My family definitely says, ‘take it easy,’ but,” he adds with a grin, “We say, ‘Yeah. We took care of you this year.’”
Keri, an elementary school teacher, normally buys gifts for all of her friends. This year, however, she and her friends have organized a Secret Santa. The group will exchange gifts ranging from $5 to $20.
“We did it online,” Keri said. “We put up wish lists.”
The majority of Keri’s Christmas money will go towards one big gift for her family. She has foregone putting Christmas lights on the house this year so she can have more money for gift-giving.
“Outside, it’s like, ‘Whatever,’” Keri said. “I’ll just put a wreath on the door.”
Ryan estimates he spent $700-$800 last Christmas. He has a plan in place this year to make sure that figure doesn’t get eclipsed in 2009.
“I keep a budget in mind. I already broke it down,” Ryan said. “I’m more organized with what I’m going to buy. The organization is going to be a little better this year.”
Some of that organizing has already been done for Ryan, who saw his credit limits lowered on his credit cards as a result of companies trying to reign in the revolving debt.
Suzanne is a 22-year-old waitress. She traditionally starts her Christmas shopping two weeks before December 25th. She plans on spending the same amount as last year.
“I’m not worried about the Holidays,” Suzanne said. “I am the Queen of Bargain Hunting.”
Suzanne shops for her immediate family, grandparents, two roommates, and a boyfriend. She goes to stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s where she can get things that are marked down.
“It’s great,” she said.
Another part of the organizing is deciding whether to shop from the convenience of your home or braving the madness at the local shopping mall. Nick will divide his time between shopping online and going out to the urban wild that is the mall at Christmastime. He finds pros and cons to both methods.
“It’s more comfortable to shop at home,” Nick explained. “There’s definitely a shipping process. That’s bad. They have next day shipping but if you don’t see it in three days you, get worried.”
On the other hand, going to the mall can help Nick get in the holiday spirit.
“You see kids sitting on Santa’s lap. It warms your heart.”
Nick is trying to remember things like that so he doesn’t get stressed over the holidays.
“I’ve had it on the brain,” he admits. “It’s been there. You can’t worry about something like Christmas. You’re supposed to enjoy it.”
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Who needs a shirt?
Recession? People are still having babies. Babies still need clothes. Someone has to take care of people’s needs.
Meet Debbie Fireman and Janice McAllister, co-founders of Wholly Shirt. All they do is shirts.
“The idea for a shirt company came when my niece was born,” Fireman recalled from her office in Penn Valley, an area in Pennsylvania’s southeast that borders New Jersey.
“I got involved with her a couple of years ago,” McAllister said. She was ordering promotional products from my company (IM Incentives, a promotions company in Needham, Massachusetts). She happened to mention she wanted to do something like this. She said, “Why don’t we do this together?’”
The business is a side project for both women. McAllister works full-time at IM Incentives. Fireman runs Fireworks, a marketing company in Penn Valley.
“There was a lot of risk involved,” McAllister said. “It’s not always going to work. It’s challenging and rewarding at the same time.”
There are certainly challenges that await the entrepreneurs. According to the U.S Department of Commerce, over 627,000 new businesses opened in 2008. In the same year, 595,600 small businesses closed. The same office reports seven out of 10 new businesses last at least two years. Five will last at least five years.
“We’re very proud of what we created,” Fireman said. It has huge potential.”
McAllister handles the decals when it comes to getting them ready to be on the shirt.
“Jan has access to printers and knowledge of garments,” Fireman explained. “We got together and came up with ‘Wholly Shirt.’”
Fireman handles the design aspect of the company. She and McAllister have come up with a variety of ideas for the shirts. Some examples of the gear are a shirt that reads, “Hi. I’m new here.” There is a shirt with a bar code on it that is sold as a Halloween costume. Another shirt reads “Wear, wash, wow, repeat.”
“We’re just clever,” Fireman said. “We have really cool designs. We took some common football sayings. On a baby, they take on a whole new meaning: ‘Two-minute warning’. ‘End Zone.’ ‘Hand-off.’”
Fireman uses the experience she has from working at Fireworks to steer the company in the direction the women want. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Marketing. She has been working in marketing ever since she graduated. She and McAllister hope to have a website up running soon.
“I can contribute my skills to this business,” Fireman said. “We’ll do some promotions when we get the website up.”
In the meantime, the business will run on word-of-mouth and some people have started to take notice. The company is based primarily in Boston and Philadelphia but McAllister and Fireman are already looking to branch out. The two went to Greenwich Village last weekend and showed some designs. The company got a decent response from people.
“We have some sample setups,” McAllister said. “We walked into seven or eight stores. We have a brochure and an order form. We’re following up on those. There’s nothing yet but it was just last weekend.”
“We’ll see what happens,” Fireman said.
The women have given the shirts as gifts. One of McAllister’s cousins bought six shirts earlier this year.
Wholly Shirt has also embraced social networking and can be found on Twitter and Facebook.
Shirts had been sold to friends and family when Fireman was at the post office one day. The employee behind the counter learned what Fireman was shipping out.
“The guy at the post office was like, ‘I want one,’” Fireman said.
The shirts are shown to whoever sees them. Shirts are custom made. Designs are created by Fireman.
Freeman didn’t have anyone try to talk her out of the new venture.
“No one ever talked me out of anything,” she said.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Hail to the Chief because...
The Nobel Foundation annouced today Barack Obama, President of the United States, was the 2009 recipient of the Peace Prize for, "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." The Associated Press reported the deadline for nominating people for the award in February, less than a month after Obama took office.
The AP went on to report the committee had awarded the prize to Obama, "to promote what he stands for and the positive processes and the positive processes that have started now."
In other words, thie prize was awarded to promote his beliefs rather than his accomplishments.
Foolish me. I thought you had to do something in order to get a prize.
I have long-wondered about the hype that has surrounded the former junior Senator from Illinois. What was it about him that made him such a prime candiate for President? I'm still waiting to see what it is that makes him an effective leader for the United States.
If a prize is to be awarded to someone for what they want to do, I would like to know when i can expect my Pulitzer Prize. Come on. I want to do good. I want to expose corruption. I want to tell the world of all the people who are working to make their homeland safer, more economically viable. I really want to. Where's my prize?
At the same time, we are forgetting that Barack Obama really had a choice to make when it came to his future. think about it: You are a Senator. People are seriously considering you for the next President of the United States. If you decide not to run, this means someone else from your party could be elected to the highest office in the land. That means you would have to wait eight years before you could run for President again. Would you pass that chance up? Eight years is a long time in someone's life, let alone the life of a politician.
Obama's stock was high. It could go nowhere but down. He struck while the iron was hot and rode a wave of international hype into the Oval Office. He reached for the opportunity with both hands and has taken full advantage of what has been presented to him.
Barack Obama has not been in office for a year yet. His country has annointed him based on what? Whatever it is, the global community has followed suit. Just when you think the legend of Obama can not get any bigger, someone is ready to step forward and make the man bigger than what he has accomplished.
The AP went on to report the committee had awarded the prize to Obama, "to promote what he stands for and the positive processes and the positive processes that have started now."
In other words, thie prize was awarded to promote his beliefs rather than his accomplishments.
Foolish me. I thought you had to do something in order to get a prize.
I have long-wondered about the hype that has surrounded the former junior Senator from Illinois. What was it about him that made him such a prime candiate for President? I'm still waiting to see what it is that makes him an effective leader for the United States.
If a prize is to be awarded to someone for what they want to do, I would like to know when i can expect my Pulitzer Prize. Come on. I want to do good. I want to expose corruption. I want to tell the world of all the people who are working to make their homeland safer, more economically viable. I really want to. Where's my prize?
At the same time, we are forgetting that Barack Obama really had a choice to make when it came to his future. think about it: You are a Senator. People are seriously considering you for the next President of the United States. If you decide not to run, this means someone else from your party could be elected to the highest office in the land. That means you would have to wait eight years before you could run for President again. Would you pass that chance up? Eight years is a long time in someone's life, let alone the life of a politician.
Obama's stock was high. It could go nowhere but down. He struck while the iron was hot and rode a wave of international hype into the Oval Office. He reached for the opportunity with both hands and has taken full advantage of what has been presented to him.
Barack Obama has not been in office for a year yet. His country has annointed him based on what? Whatever it is, the global community has followed suit. Just when you think the legend of Obama can not get any bigger, someone is ready to step forward and make the man bigger than what he has accomplished.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Billy Moschella Jr. on stage and CD
Billy Moschella, Jr. will be performing at The Mint on West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 26. Moschella is promoting the release of the compilation CD "The Art of Men". The CD features the song "Close to Home", performed by Moschella and the band "Serenity". The song also appears on the band's debut album "Midnight Escapades".
Tickets can be purchased in advace at artofmencd.com. Tickets are $10 or you can purchase a ticket and a copy of the CD for $20. For mor information on Serenity, go to www.myspace.com/serenitysongs.
Other bands you want to see:
Have at It will be playing at the Haverhill Rocks Battle of the Bands at GAR Park on August 22 and the Chit Chat Lounge in Haverhill on August 27.
CatFish Lucy will play at Kitty O'Shea's on August 28.
Tickets can be purchased in advace at artofmencd.com. Tickets are $10 or you can purchase a ticket and a copy of the CD for $20. For mor information on Serenity, go to www.myspace.com/serenitysongs.
Other bands you want to see:
Have at It will be playing at the Haverhill Rocks Battle of the Bands at GAR Park on August 22 and the Chit Chat Lounge in Haverhill on August 27.
CatFish Lucy will play at Kitty O'Shea's on August 28.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
T Party?
Try this: Walk into your boss' office today. Sit down and say, "You know, I'm having a little trouble making the ends meet. I'm gonna need an extra $100 each week for the rest of the month." For this money, you will do less work. Not a good idea?
On August 1, the sales tax in Massachusetts was raised from 5% to 6.25%. I'm sure you may be reading this in another state and thinking, "A sales tax of 6.25%? Sign me up."
That is not my point here. My point is that Joe and Jane Public can't just walk into the office and tell their boss they need a little more cash for a time. "Don't worry," Joe assures his supervisor. "We can always roll it back next month."
There was a time when I lived close enough to the New Hampshire border to shop there on a regular basis. Making the trek was worth my while, especially when it came time for Christmas shopping.
Now that the commonwealth has the extra tax revenue, can we expect to recieve more bang for our buck? If not, can we expect a refund if we are not satisfied with what we are paying for? I've always wanted to do that. "I'm not happy. This isn't working. I want my money back."
One of my favorite stories is about the day I went to the registry to get my drivers license renewed. I had an appointment at 11. No problem. I will go to the registry at 9:00, get my license and back for my appontment. I get there and the line is already around the block. The Registry doesn't even open until 11.
Together We Can.
Now the T is getting in on it. Word is fares are going to be raised again. how much is the train now? Two dollars? I tried taking the train but I got tired of waiting. After 20 minutes I walked back home, got in my car and drove.
There needs to be more incentive to riding the train. I had a job where I took the train to Boston. Waiting for the train, riding the train, changing trains and waiting for another train took an hour. Sitting in traffic took an hour. At least I can drink my coffee and listen to the radio in my car. The car won.
Better service would certainly help things for our friends at the T would certainly help improve ridership. Refraining from dropping $328k on Dennis Grabauskas can't hurt your bottom line either.
I would like to point out something else. It would be unfair to put all of this on Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, although people like Howie Carr would love to argue otherwise. I can remember things like this going back years and administrations. Using Patrick as a punching bag would be counter-productive.
Instead, stick it to everybody. Take a look at the incumbent's challenger. Write a letter (or e-mail). Make a phone call. Make noise in other ways besides raising your voices at a meeting. (That's getting to be Old Hat.)
If you really want to do some good. Avoid cars, tolls and trains if you can. Ride a bike and get some excercise. You'll save gas money, work on your figure, and your tan.
On August 1, the sales tax in Massachusetts was raised from 5% to 6.25%. I'm sure you may be reading this in another state and thinking, "A sales tax of 6.25%? Sign me up."
That is not my point here. My point is that Joe and Jane Public can't just walk into the office and tell their boss they need a little more cash for a time. "Don't worry," Joe assures his supervisor. "We can always roll it back next month."
There was a time when I lived close enough to the New Hampshire border to shop there on a regular basis. Making the trek was worth my while, especially when it came time for Christmas shopping.
Now that the commonwealth has the extra tax revenue, can we expect to recieve more bang for our buck? If not, can we expect a refund if we are not satisfied with what we are paying for? I've always wanted to do that. "I'm not happy. This isn't working. I want my money back."
One of my favorite stories is about the day I went to the registry to get my drivers license renewed. I had an appointment at 11. No problem. I will go to the registry at 9:00, get my license and back for my appontment. I get there and the line is already around the block. The Registry doesn't even open until 11.
Together We Can.
Now the T is getting in on it. Word is fares are going to be raised again. how much is the train now? Two dollars? I tried taking the train but I got tired of waiting. After 20 minutes I walked back home, got in my car and drove.
There needs to be more incentive to riding the train. I had a job where I took the train to Boston. Waiting for the train, riding the train, changing trains and waiting for another train took an hour. Sitting in traffic took an hour. At least I can drink my coffee and listen to the radio in my car. The car won.
Better service would certainly help things for our friends at the T would certainly help improve ridership. Refraining from dropping $328k on Dennis Grabauskas can't hurt your bottom line either.
I would like to point out something else. It would be unfair to put all of this on Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, although people like Howie Carr would love to argue otherwise. I can remember things like this going back years and administrations. Using Patrick as a punching bag would be counter-productive.
Instead, stick it to everybody. Take a look at the incumbent's challenger. Write a letter (or e-mail). Make a phone call. Make noise in other ways besides raising your voices at a meeting. (That's getting to be Old Hat.)
If you really want to do some good. Avoid cars, tolls and trains if you can. Ride a bike and get some excercise. You'll save gas money, work on your figure, and your tan.
Friday, July 31, 2009
What's all the Rage?
The fallout from the Juiced Ball Era continues. Now Boston fans have another name to gasp over: David "Big Papi" Ortiz. Ortiz was a career .266 hitter with the Minnesota Twins before being signed by the Boston Red Sox before the 2003 season. He helped the Red Sox to their first World Championship in 86 years in 2004 when Boston defeated the St. Louis Cardinals. During that season, He and Manny Ramirez combined for 84 home runs and 269 RBI. In 2007, The Red Sox won the World Series again, defeating the Colorado Rockies.
Earlier this summer, reports came out that Ramirez would be serving a 50-game suspension for failing MLB's drug policy. The whispers started to come out and I was one of those whispers. I remember hearing the news and saying, "I hope he wasn't doing this in 2004." One member of the Red Sox was bad enough. Now there are two names being implicated.
I can remeber the news of steroids going as far back as 1988. Jose Canseco, then a left fielder for the Oakland Athletics, was on his way to being the first player in history to have 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season. Wherever he went, fans would chant, "Steroids!" whenever he was on the field.
Ten years later, Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals hit 70 home runs in a season, breaking what is believed to be one of the most sacred single-season sports records: Roger Maris' 61 home runs. Not long after that, there were the inquiries. The hearings. Congress demanded to know what was going on. What were athletes putting in their bodies and when did they do it? I am still fascinated by this. People without jobs and health insurance. National debt is climbing and Congress is investigating professional athletes and what they may or may not be doing to themselves.
Major League Baseball has a new policy that was implemented during the current collective bargaining agreement. The Baseball Writers Association of America is wondering whether to hold the peformance enhancing against players when they become eligible for the Hall of Fame. Does any of this really matter?
Should it stop at steroids? Why are we all of a sudden concerned with what a player does to himself? When did this idea of being pillars of the community come about? Ty Cobb was a Hall of Famer. He was notorious for playing dirty and committing other acts, including attacking a handicapped fan who was heckling him. Wade Boggs was elected to the Hall in 2005. As a player, Boggs made headlines off the field with his affair with Margo Adams.
These are not the only two. You can go on and on. Former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey didn't allow black players on his team. Babe Ruth did anything and everything. Not only was he known for his off-field antics but he was also known for his charity.
After all this, how do you judge a player? Do you ignore the off-field capers and focus on what happens on the field? Do you shrug your shoulders when you learn he has a little help with his numbers? Do you shun him? Cheer him? Boo him? Yes, there are players who got a little help from their friends but its not like a World Series was cancelled. Members of the infamous "Black Sox" were banned for life for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series but its hard to lump certain players (George "Buck" Weaver and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson) into that group.
Additional players will become eligible for the Hall of Fame with each year. Debate will continue for or against him as it always has. Unfortunately, not all debate will deal with the numbers.
Earlier this summer, reports came out that Ramirez would be serving a 50-game suspension for failing MLB's drug policy. The whispers started to come out and I was one of those whispers. I remember hearing the news and saying, "I hope he wasn't doing this in 2004." One member of the Red Sox was bad enough. Now there are two names being implicated.
I can remeber the news of steroids going as far back as 1988. Jose Canseco, then a left fielder for the Oakland Athletics, was on his way to being the first player in history to have 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season. Wherever he went, fans would chant, "Steroids!" whenever he was on the field.
Ten years later, Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals hit 70 home runs in a season, breaking what is believed to be one of the most sacred single-season sports records: Roger Maris' 61 home runs. Not long after that, there were the inquiries. The hearings. Congress demanded to know what was going on. What were athletes putting in their bodies and when did they do it? I am still fascinated by this. People without jobs and health insurance. National debt is climbing and Congress is investigating professional athletes and what they may or may not be doing to themselves.
Major League Baseball has a new policy that was implemented during the current collective bargaining agreement. The Baseball Writers Association of America is wondering whether to hold the peformance enhancing against players when they become eligible for the Hall of Fame. Does any of this really matter?
Should it stop at steroids? Why are we all of a sudden concerned with what a player does to himself? When did this idea of being pillars of the community come about? Ty Cobb was a Hall of Famer. He was notorious for playing dirty and committing other acts, including attacking a handicapped fan who was heckling him. Wade Boggs was elected to the Hall in 2005. As a player, Boggs made headlines off the field with his affair with Margo Adams.
These are not the only two. You can go on and on. Former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey didn't allow black players on his team. Babe Ruth did anything and everything. Not only was he known for his off-field antics but he was also known for his charity.
After all this, how do you judge a player? Do you ignore the off-field capers and focus on what happens on the field? Do you shrug your shoulders when you learn he has a little help with his numbers? Do you shun him? Cheer him? Boo him? Yes, there are players who got a little help from their friends but its not like a World Series was cancelled. Members of the infamous "Black Sox" were banned for life for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series but its hard to lump certain players (George "Buck" Weaver and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson) into that group.
Additional players will become eligible for the Hall of Fame with each year. Debate will continue for or against him as it always has. Unfortunately, not all debate will deal with the numbers.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Who's your Friend?
A little while ago, I thought it would be a good idea to open a Facebook profile and network. I would make friends, let them know what I was posting for the world to see and give them a chance to read and share their thoughts. People could e-mail me or post a comment on the blog itself.
The Facebook page as well as the Twitter page would give people a chance to see what I have to say about events that go on in the world. I give my opinion about what I am writing but I also try very hard to present all the facts and give both sides of the story.
Of course I want people to read but I also want to give people the chance to espress their views and ideas. I believe it is their right and it is also necessary for a society to progress.
It seems with every post I publish, I get a few more friends. It also seems I lose a few friends once the blog grows by each entry.
I thought simply opening a Facebook account and giving people access to one's views and ideas would give them another perspective and allow them to educate me on an idea or two. I never thought I could be "un-friended" by someone simply because my ideas didn't jibe with theirs.
I am still fascinated with the internet. It has allowed me to make new friends and find old ones. You can catch up with people you haven't seen or heard from in years. On the other hand, it has also allowed some not-so-good people to find me. I'm sure anyone who has gone out with someone they met over the internet has at least one interesting story to tell.
My point is this: I am happy to have "met" the people I have over Facebook. If your reading and it has been a while, I would like to hear or read what you have been up to over these years. It's not just me. There are other people who are out there who have fallen out of touch with you and we all have some stories to share and updates to give. Have a good day Thanks for reading this little public service.
The Facebook page as well as the Twitter page would give people a chance to see what I have to say about events that go on in the world. I give my opinion about what I am writing but I also try very hard to present all the facts and give both sides of the story.
Of course I want people to read but I also want to give people the chance to espress their views and ideas. I believe it is their right and it is also necessary for a society to progress.
It seems with every post I publish, I get a few more friends. It also seems I lose a few friends once the blog grows by each entry.
I thought simply opening a Facebook account and giving people access to one's views and ideas would give them another perspective and allow them to educate me on an idea or two. I never thought I could be "un-friended" by someone simply because my ideas didn't jibe with theirs.
I am still fascinated with the internet. It has allowed me to make new friends and find old ones. You can catch up with people you haven't seen or heard from in years. On the other hand, it has also allowed some not-so-good people to find me. I'm sure anyone who has gone out with someone they met over the internet has at least one interesting story to tell.
My point is this: I am happy to have "met" the people I have over Facebook. If your reading and it has been a while, I would like to hear or read what you have been up to over these years. It's not just me. There are other people who are out there who have fallen out of touch with you and we all have some stories to share and updates to give. Have a good day Thanks for reading this little public service.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.
The Henry Louis Gates Jr., Saga continues to be felt beyond the city limits of Cambridge. Even President Barack Obama has weighed in on the controversy. Sgt. James Crowley is standing by his actions that took place on July 16. Dr. Gates wants an apology and the chance to educate Sgt. Crowley on Racism in America.
According to the police report posted on thesmokinggun.com, Gates was seen trying to force his way into his own home. Gates was returning home from a trip overseas when he apparently had trouble opening front door.
A neighbor who saw Gates struggling with the door but didn't know who he was, notified the police of an attempted burglary.
At first glance, it looks like someone who was having a bad day. Gates is tired. He is returning home from a long plane ride. He is having trouble opening his door. He is frustrated and just wants to go inside and relax.
Sgt. Crowley answers a call and asks (not "demands" according to the Boston Globe) Dr. Gates to provide identification. According to the police report, Dr. Gates refused to produce identification at first but eventually showed a Harvard ID to Sgt. Crowley.
In my opinion, the situation is merely an unfortunate incident. Police respond to a call. They do not have the luxury of deciding whether or not the call is worth pursuing. Upon arriving at the house, Crowley sees Dr. Gates in the foyer and asks him if he may speak to the Harvard professor. According to the police report, Dr. Gates responds with, "Why? Because I am a black man in America?"
No, Dr. Gates. It's because there was a report of a break-in at your residence and the police want to make sure your house is secure and you are well.
Despite Crowley's attempts to assure Dr. Gates that the police are there to make sure he and his residence are okay, Dr. Gates proceeds to telephone the police department and wants to speak to the chief. Crowley attempted to leave the residence but Gates threatened Sgt. Crowley, telling the policeman that Dr. gates wasn't someone, "he wanted to mess with." Sgt. Crowley, according to the report, attempted to leave the house because it was difficult to hear between the acoustics of the residence and the loud shouting of Dr. Gates. Crowley said he would speak to Dr. Gates outside. Dr. Gates responded, "Ya, I'll speak with your momma outside."
Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested for disorderly conduct. He was not arrested for being black and it was not because of, "the capricious whim of one disturbed person," as he told the Boston Globe. Throughout the entire incident, Dr. Gates was the one person who was constantly bringing up the subject of race, which makes me wonder who the racist in this story really is.
According to the police report posted on thesmokinggun.com, Gates was seen trying to force his way into his own home. Gates was returning home from a trip overseas when he apparently had trouble opening front door.
A neighbor who saw Gates struggling with the door but didn't know who he was, notified the police of an attempted burglary.
At first glance, it looks like someone who was having a bad day. Gates is tired. He is returning home from a long plane ride. He is having trouble opening his door. He is frustrated and just wants to go inside and relax.
Sgt. Crowley answers a call and asks (not "demands" according to the Boston Globe) Dr. Gates to provide identification. According to the police report, Dr. Gates refused to produce identification at first but eventually showed a Harvard ID to Sgt. Crowley.
In my opinion, the situation is merely an unfortunate incident. Police respond to a call. They do not have the luxury of deciding whether or not the call is worth pursuing. Upon arriving at the house, Crowley sees Dr. Gates in the foyer and asks him if he may speak to the Harvard professor. According to the police report, Dr. Gates responds with, "Why? Because I am a black man in America?"
No, Dr. Gates. It's because there was a report of a break-in at your residence and the police want to make sure your house is secure and you are well.
Despite Crowley's attempts to assure Dr. Gates that the police are there to make sure he and his residence are okay, Dr. Gates proceeds to telephone the police department and wants to speak to the chief. Crowley attempted to leave the residence but Gates threatened Sgt. Crowley, telling the policeman that Dr. gates wasn't someone, "he wanted to mess with." Sgt. Crowley, according to the report, attempted to leave the house because it was difficult to hear between the acoustics of the residence and the loud shouting of Dr. Gates. Crowley said he would speak to Dr. Gates outside. Dr. Gates responded, "Ya, I'll speak with your momma outside."
Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested for disorderly conduct. He was not arrested for being black and it was not because of, "the capricious whim of one disturbed person," as he told the Boston Globe. Throughout the entire incident, Dr. Gates was the one person who was constantly bringing up the subject of race, which makes me wonder who the racist in this story really is.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Is this orphan a problem child?
As the old saying goes, you can't do or say anything anymore without insulting a person or a group. Warner Brothers appears to be the latest example.
Warner Brothers is releasing the movie "Orphan" on July 24 and the movie has already sparked some contreversy.
According to an article on aol.com's ParentDish, the horror movie focuses on a girl named Esther, who is nice and sweet at first but turns into something more than a nuisance when she goes home with her new family.
As mentioned before, everyone is a victim nowadays. This time the label is worn by children and the families who adopt them.
Did you see the movie "Problem Child"? It has to be 20 years old by now. You might be able to find it at a video store. Here's the basic idea: A baby is left on a doorstep. During the first few years of his life, he is constantly being passed on to home after home. The child is simply too much for whatever family that has the misfortune of finding him. He is ultimately given to an orphanage that looks more like a reform school run by nuns. When a social worker meets the boy and sees how much trouble he is, he makes it his mission to see that the boy is passed off to the first family that steps into his office.
Where were the cries of protest when this movie was released? Where was the publicity when the boy dressed up as the devil for a party and, later in the movie, even befriended an escaped convict.
I guess that was different. "Problem Child" was a comedy and was meant to entertain people. "Orphan" is a horror movie. Are people worried the public will take this too seriously and stay away from children who need a family?
It never ends, unfortunately.There will always be a group that needs something to do and will need something to protest and make a statement for or against.
The article on ParentDish quotes people who work in the adoption community who fear the new movie will only reinforce negative stereotypes people have about adopting. Others say the movie makes it seem as if the process is easier than it really is. No matter what the issues are, Warner Brothers has given the public another example of movies can create a negative stereotype of a certain group of people.
Has anyone seen "Annie"?
Warner Brothers is releasing the movie "Orphan" on July 24 and the movie has already sparked some contreversy.
According to an article on aol.com's ParentDish, the horror movie focuses on a girl named Esther, who is nice and sweet at first but turns into something more than a nuisance when she goes home with her new family.
As mentioned before, everyone is a victim nowadays. This time the label is worn by children and the families who adopt them.
Did you see the movie "Problem Child"? It has to be 20 years old by now. You might be able to find it at a video store. Here's the basic idea: A baby is left on a doorstep. During the first few years of his life, he is constantly being passed on to home after home. The child is simply too much for whatever family that has the misfortune of finding him. He is ultimately given to an orphanage that looks more like a reform school run by nuns. When a social worker meets the boy and sees how much trouble he is, he makes it his mission to see that the boy is passed off to the first family that steps into his office.
Where were the cries of protest when this movie was released? Where was the publicity when the boy dressed up as the devil for a party and, later in the movie, even befriended an escaped convict.
I guess that was different. "Problem Child" was a comedy and was meant to entertain people. "Orphan" is a horror movie. Are people worried the public will take this too seriously and stay away from children who need a family?
It never ends, unfortunately.There will always be a group that needs something to do and will need something to protest and make a statement for or against.
The article on ParentDish quotes people who work in the adoption community who fear the new movie will only reinforce negative stereotypes people have about adopting. Others say the movie makes it seem as if the process is easier than it really is. No matter what the issues are, Warner Brothers has given the public another example of movies can create a negative stereotype of a certain group of people.
Has anyone seen "Annie"?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What's happening in Boston Radio?
In case you missed it, it's been an interesting week in Boston Radio.
CBS announced a shakeup on the dial that will take effect in the middle of August. It involves two current radio stations.
Mix 98.5 will be heard on the frequency currently owned by WBCN (104.1). 'BCN will be on the internet and nowhere else. Appearing on 98.5 will be a new sports station called "The Sports Hub".
The Sports Hub will carry the Bruins (previously heard on WBZ 1030) and the Patriots (heard on 'BCN since the mid-1990's). This is important for the new station because both teams bring a loyal following, especially the Patriots.
This will be important to the Sports Hub because it will be the fourth sports station to come to Boston this decade. WEEI is known all over the country for its gargantuan ratings. The other two tried and left some valuable lessons for the new station on the dial.
WWZN (1510 "The Zone") started off alright. It was owned by the Sporting News who decided it wanted to take a piece out of WEEI's share. "The Zone" was a national sports station formerly known as "One on One Sports" with Rick Ballou and "Papa" Joe Chevalier manning the mikes. James Brown, who was on FOX television, was talking to fans on his midday show.
The situation for Sporting News couldn't have been better. WEEI and its market share was there for the taking. All the "new" station needed was some viable local talent that wouldn't keep listeners on hold for hours on end.
WWZN featured veterans Eddie Andelman and Sean McDonough. McDounough was doing play-by-play for the Red Sox and also working for ESPN. Eddie Andelman was "The Godfather of Sports Radio". He had been doing it for decades.
McDonough's show was about "raising the bar" when it wasn't being hosted by Butch Stearns of FOX 25, who seemed to be in the studio of "The Zone" as much as if not more than McDounough. Andelman's show, co-hosted by Dave Jaegeler, soon degenerated into a three-hour infomercial for bookmakers from Las Vegas. A short stint by Mike Adams in the morning did little to help the station.
After the "Zone Experiment" faded, ESPN entered the scene with its sports station on 890 AM. The station featured little in the way of local programming. Michael Felger of Fox Sports New England hosted an afternoon program with Bob Halloran of WCVB-TV. Felger's show was short-lived despite bringing sports topics to the table and listeners on the line, something 1510 couldn't do.
Now ears will be on the new sports station, due to make its debut in less than a month. There will be the usual curiousity that always helps a new product but soon enough it will have to deliver something besides "newness" if it wants to take on the monster that is WEEI. Hopefully, 98.5 will not forget what makes talk radio so successful: the listeners who call in. If it can build on that, Boston fans will have a choice between two great options. If not, it will join the likes of The Zone in the history of Boston Radio.
CBS announced a shakeup on the dial that will take effect in the middle of August. It involves two current radio stations.
Mix 98.5 will be heard on the frequency currently owned by WBCN (104.1). 'BCN will be on the internet and nowhere else. Appearing on 98.5 will be a new sports station called "The Sports Hub".
The Sports Hub will carry the Bruins (previously heard on WBZ 1030) and the Patriots (heard on 'BCN since the mid-1990's). This is important for the new station because both teams bring a loyal following, especially the Patriots.
This will be important to the Sports Hub because it will be the fourth sports station to come to Boston this decade. WEEI is known all over the country for its gargantuan ratings. The other two tried and left some valuable lessons for the new station on the dial.
WWZN (1510 "The Zone") started off alright. It was owned by the Sporting News who decided it wanted to take a piece out of WEEI's share. "The Zone" was a national sports station formerly known as "One on One Sports" with Rick Ballou and "Papa" Joe Chevalier manning the mikes. James Brown, who was on FOX television, was talking to fans on his midday show.
The situation for Sporting News couldn't have been better. WEEI and its market share was there for the taking. All the "new" station needed was some viable local talent that wouldn't keep listeners on hold for hours on end.
WWZN featured veterans Eddie Andelman and Sean McDonough. McDounough was doing play-by-play for the Red Sox and also working for ESPN. Eddie Andelman was "The Godfather of Sports Radio". He had been doing it for decades.
McDonough's show was about "raising the bar" when it wasn't being hosted by Butch Stearns of FOX 25, who seemed to be in the studio of "The Zone" as much as if not more than McDounough. Andelman's show, co-hosted by Dave Jaegeler, soon degenerated into a three-hour infomercial for bookmakers from Las Vegas. A short stint by Mike Adams in the morning did little to help the station.
After the "Zone Experiment" faded, ESPN entered the scene with its sports station on 890 AM. The station featured little in the way of local programming. Michael Felger of Fox Sports New England hosted an afternoon program with Bob Halloran of WCVB-TV. Felger's show was short-lived despite bringing sports topics to the table and listeners on the line, something 1510 couldn't do.
Now ears will be on the new sports station, due to make its debut in less than a month. There will be the usual curiousity that always helps a new product but soon enough it will have to deliver something besides "newness" if it wants to take on the monster that is WEEI. Hopefully, 98.5 will not forget what makes talk radio so successful: the listeners who call in. If it can build on that, Boston fans will have a choice between two great options. If not, it will join the likes of The Zone in the history of Boston Radio.
Friday, July 10, 2009
More opinions on Sarah Palin?
Carl M. Cannon of politicsdaily.com writes about Sarah Palin and whether she has been the victim of bias in the media.
I found it refreshing to find a journalist questioning the media's integrity. In my opinion, it seems the media has been falling down the same hole as the field of politics.
Cannon wonders if the media is to blame for what has happened to Sarah Palin during and since the Presidential Election. My answer is yes and no. It all depends on what you are reading.
The old adage rings true: Freedom of the Press belongs to who owns one. The opinions of a print or broadcast story will depend on the slant of the source and/or the corporation that owns it.
This type of coverage has been going on longer than it should. It shows no sign of letting up. There are plenty of media outlets that will cater to one's side of the fence and people will flock to that particular outlet for a daily affirmation for why they are right to support such a cause.
No need to let facts get in the way. Whether you support an "experienced" incumbent or an "outsider" with fresh ideas. This person is perfect and that one is perfectly crazy. It all depends on which side of the fence you are on.
Senator Barack Obama represented hope and change. His lack of experience was fresh voice we needed to help the country. Joe Biden? His experience was the perfect complement to Senator Obama. Sarah Palin? Who the heck is Sarah Palin? What experience does she have? Republicans were quick to question Obama's lack of experience but touted that of Palin's?
Barack Obama won the nomination of the Democratic Party. He spent months convincing people to choose him over Hillary Rodham Clinton. What does he do? He taps her to be his Secretary of State. There seems to be some advantage to being an insider after all.
Newspapers will run photos of politicians. Look inside the pages. How many times have you seen pictures of a Democrat looking like a Muppet with big eyes and an open mouth. Coincidence?
There are many people speculating over why Sarah Palin has decided to give up her office. Even Levi Johnston, the father of Palin's grandchild is weighing in. These opinions will either be sound opinions or more tomfoolery. It all depends on what you're reading or thinking.
I found it refreshing to find a journalist questioning the media's integrity. In my opinion, it seems the media has been falling down the same hole as the field of politics.
Cannon wonders if the media is to blame for what has happened to Sarah Palin during and since the Presidential Election. My answer is yes and no. It all depends on what you are reading.
The old adage rings true: Freedom of the Press belongs to who owns one. The opinions of a print or broadcast story will depend on the slant of the source and/or the corporation that owns it.
This type of coverage has been going on longer than it should. It shows no sign of letting up. There are plenty of media outlets that will cater to one's side of the fence and people will flock to that particular outlet for a daily affirmation for why they are right to support such a cause.
No need to let facts get in the way. Whether you support an "experienced" incumbent or an "outsider" with fresh ideas. This person is perfect and that one is perfectly crazy. It all depends on which side of the fence you are on.
Senator Barack Obama represented hope and change. His lack of experience was fresh voice we needed to help the country. Joe Biden? His experience was the perfect complement to Senator Obama. Sarah Palin? Who the heck is Sarah Palin? What experience does she have? Republicans were quick to question Obama's lack of experience but touted that of Palin's?
Barack Obama won the nomination of the Democratic Party. He spent months convincing people to choose him over Hillary Rodham Clinton. What does he do? He taps her to be his Secretary of State. There seems to be some advantage to being an insider after all.
Newspapers will run photos of politicians. Look inside the pages. How many times have you seen pictures of a Democrat looking like a Muppet with big eyes and an open mouth. Coincidence?
There are many people speculating over why Sarah Palin has decided to give up her office. Even Levi Johnston, the father of Palin's grandchild is weighing in. These opinions will either be sound opinions or more tomfoolery. It all depends on what you're reading or thinking.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Michael Jackson
I didn't know what I was going to do on Tuesday. I knew what I wasn't going to do: I wasn't watching the news.
I figured I would be presented with story after story about Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson this. Michael Jackson that. Michael Jackson ate this before he died. TMZ is reporting that Michael Jackson was wearing this when he died.
I've said it before. I'll say it again: God rest his soul. My condolences to his family. God forgive me. I don't care.
I've never really understood the fascination with celebrities' lives. I don't get the obsession people have when celebrities die. (I said "die" instead of "pass away". Does that make me insensitive?)
I got an e-mail from a friend of mine. My friend said he was disappointed to find over 15 stories that dealt with Michael Jackson's death . These stories overshadowed 11 soldiers dying in Afghanistan. There was a story about this on cnn.com. You can find a link to the story here.
I don't think my friend was the only one who bothered to read about the men and women were killed in the line of duty. He was one of the few who were good enough to mention that there are people who are out there risking their lives everyday. Whether you agree with the reasons for their being there or not, you can not deny the fact that they died serving their respective countries.
Personally, my life is too busy to be obsessed with what other people are doing. I would be lying if I said I never wondered what it would be like to be someone for a day. It must be nice to be paid eight figures to play baseball or to hear people screaming your name as you play a guitar. I don't understand what people expect to gain from watching "Extra". Why are people so obsessed with who is dating/marrying/divorcing who? Who cares who has a "bump"? What is the fascination with babies being adopted in foreign countries? I understand there is a lot of poverty in the world but are there not enough children here who would love to be adopted and loved?
I've worked in journalism. I get how it works. Ted Williams died and the city of Boston was following his health just as closely as it was following the Red Sox. A celebrity is stricken or dies and the public is obsessed with the recovery process. If he or she does not survive, the focus of the news suddenly shifts to his or her accomplishments as well as the exploits of that person during his or her life. It may be more interesting than a normal person's life but is it worth obsessing over?
I figured I would be presented with story after story about Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson this. Michael Jackson that. Michael Jackson ate this before he died. TMZ is reporting that Michael Jackson was wearing this when he died.
I've said it before. I'll say it again: God rest his soul. My condolences to his family. God forgive me. I don't care.
I've never really understood the fascination with celebrities' lives. I don't get the obsession people have when celebrities die. (I said "die" instead of "pass away". Does that make me insensitive?)
I got an e-mail from a friend of mine. My friend said he was disappointed to find over 15 stories that dealt with Michael Jackson's death . These stories overshadowed 11 soldiers dying in Afghanistan. There was a story about this on cnn.com. You can find a link to the story here.
I don't think my friend was the only one who bothered to read about the men and women were killed in the line of duty. He was one of the few who were good enough to mention that there are people who are out there risking their lives everyday. Whether you agree with the reasons for their being there or not, you can not deny the fact that they died serving their respective countries.
Personally, my life is too busy to be obsessed with what other people are doing. I would be lying if I said I never wondered what it would be like to be someone for a day. It must be nice to be paid eight figures to play baseball or to hear people screaming your name as you play a guitar. I don't understand what people expect to gain from watching "Extra". Why are people so obsessed with who is dating/marrying/divorcing who? Who cares who has a "bump"? What is the fascination with babies being adopted in foreign countries? I understand there is a lot of poverty in the world but are there not enough children here who would love to be adopted and loved?
I've worked in journalism. I get how it works. Ted Williams died and the city of Boston was following his health just as closely as it was following the Red Sox. A celebrity is stricken or dies and the public is obsessed with the recovery process. If he or she does not survive, the focus of the news suddenly shifts to his or her accomplishments as well as the exploits of that person during his or her life. It may be more interesting than a normal person's life but is it worth obsessing over?
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Billy Moschella Jr. to appear in LA
Folk musician Billy Moschella Jr. will appear on "The Art of Men", a compilation CD featuring artists from around the world.
"The Art of Men" is scheduled to be released on August 26 with a release party at The Mint in Los Angeles. Moschella's contribution, "Close to Home", comes from his debut album "Midnight Escapades". You can hear the song at http://billymoschella.com/music.html.
Moschella will be on stage with the group "Serenity" and will be playing new songs at the release party. The party will run from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets may be purchased by emailing billy@billymoschella.com. For more information, go to http://gilli.net/wgm/artofmen.
Billy Moschella, Jr. was born and raised in Massachusetts. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2007 and has been performing around the world for over 10 years.
"The Art of Men" is scheduled to be released on August 26 with a release party at The Mint in Los Angeles. Moschella's contribution, "Close to Home", comes from his debut album "Midnight Escapades". You can hear the song at http://billymoschella.com/music.html.
Moschella will be on stage with the group "Serenity" and will be playing new songs at the release party. The party will run from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets may be purchased by emailing billy@billymoschella.com. For more information, go to http://gilli.net/wgm/artofmen.
Billy Moschella, Jr. was born and raised in Massachusetts. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2007 and has been performing around the world for over 10 years.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Mark Sanford
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is in the middle of a personal and political quandary. Last week, the Republican governor disappeared from his home state and no one knew why. Now we know where he was and why he didn't want anyone to know where he was or why he left.
Sanford has since admitted to having an affair with a Maria Belen Chapur, a former television reporter from Argentina. Sanford was in Argentina to see the woman and has since admitted to the affair and has reimbursed South Carolina the $8,000 he spent for the trip. He is in his second term as governor and cannot run again according to state laws. Sanford has been supported by some members of his party while others, especially those who are eyeing the office in the next election season, are calling for his resignation.
Sanford considered resigning the office but changed his mind after speaking with friends and allies. Hopefully fixing his political damage will help his private life and vice-versa.
Who cares?
Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts Governor and Presidential hopeful in 2008, told NBC's "Meet the Press" people elected to office should be held to a higher standard.
"Not everybody is a governor, or a senator, or a president. And we expect people to live by a higher standard because what they do is going to be magnified," Romney said. "The things they care about will be hurt. And the culture of the nation and the people who follow them will be hurt."
With all due respect, Mr. Romney. You are wrong.
Can you imagine how much time and money would be wasted if we looked into the personal lives of every elected official? When did we start holding people in public office to different standards of our friends and neighbors or even ourselves?
Who is to blame? Is it the media for reporting these stories? The people who leak this type of information to the media? (The Greeley Tribune reports Chapur's e-mail account was hacked into and news of the affair was leaked.)
I wonder if people who are regarded as heroes and historical figures today would survive if they lived in modern times. Half of the people who worked on the Declaration of Independence owned slaves. Members of the Founding Fathers wanted to include their slaves in their respective state's population for the purposes of boosting their representation in Congress but refused to extend to them the same rights everyone else enjoyed.
Throughout history, people who have been regarded as great figures have been afflicted with personal flaws. This did not prevent them from rising to the challenges that were presented to them. It did not prevent them from succeeding or contributing to their state or country.
Mark Sanford is far from perfect but he is not the only person on this planet who is flawed. The fact that he travelled to another hemisphere to be with another woman goes to show how much soul-searching he needs to do. If South Carolinians want to take another look at their governor, I hope they have the best interests of their state in mind when they do it. If South Carolina is a better state because of Mark Sanford, I hope they will keep their governor. If they feel the need for a new governor, I hope the reason is not Maria Belen Chapur.
Sanford has since admitted to having an affair with a Maria Belen Chapur, a former television reporter from Argentina. Sanford was in Argentina to see the woman and has since admitted to the affair and has reimbursed South Carolina the $8,000 he spent for the trip. He is in his second term as governor and cannot run again according to state laws. Sanford has been supported by some members of his party while others, especially those who are eyeing the office in the next election season, are calling for his resignation.
Sanford considered resigning the office but changed his mind after speaking with friends and allies. Hopefully fixing his political damage will help his private life and vice-versa.
Who cares?
Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts Governor and Presidential hopeful in 2008, told NBC's "Meet the Press" people elected to office should be held to a higher standard.
"Not everybody is a governor, or a senator, or a president. And we expect people to live by a higher standard because what they do is going to be magnified," Romney said. "The things they care about will be hurt. And the culture of the nation and the people who follow them will be hurt."
With all due respect, Mr. Romney. You are wrong.
Can you imagine how much time and money would be wasted if we looked into the personal lives of every elected official? When did we start holding people in public office to different standards of our friends and neighbors or even ourselves?
Who is to blame? Is it the media for reporting these stories? The people who leak this type of information to the media? (The Greeley Tribune reports Chapur's e-mail account was hacked into and news of the affair was leaked.)
I wonder if people who are regarded as heroes and historical figures today would survive if they lived in modern times. Half of the people who worked on the Declaration of Independence owned slaves. Members of the Founding Fathers wanted to include their slaves in their respective state's population for the purposes of boosting their representation in Congress but refused to extend to them the same rights everyone else enjoyed.
Throughout history, people who have been regarded as great figures have been afflicted with personal flaws. This did not prevent them from rising to the challenges that were presented to them. It did not prevent them from succeeding or contributing to their state or country.
Mark Sanford is far from perfect but he is not the only person on this planet who is flawed. The fact that he travelled to another hemisphere to be with another woman goes to show how much soul-searching he needs to do. If South Carolinians want to take another look at their governor, I hope they have the best interests of their state in mind when they do it. If South Carolina is a better state because of Mark Sanford, I hope they will keep their governor. If they feel the need for a new governor, I hope the reason is not Maria Belen Chapur.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Warranties
I brought my car in for some work last year that was covered under a recall. The manager of the garage was thrilled to tell me I still qualified for an extended warranty with the manufacturer. My last car lasted a very long time and a lot of miles. Like most cars, it needed more work as it got older so I figured I would spend the extra money and pick up the extended warranty.
Apparently the warranty I got wasn't enough. As soon as I gave out my information, I started getting phone calls from the factory to try to get me to upgrade this fabulous purchase everyone was congratulating me on. Salesmen were trying to get in on this. Not only were they happy that I decided to get a warranty but they also thought I should get a new car to go along with it. They seem to think "No" means, "We can sell a new car if we get someone else to call." They tried this four times in two hours since I drove the car off the lot.
You hear a lot of stories about people doing a lot of nasty things in order to make a buck. Those stories seem to get magnified during these economic struggles. I'm sure everyone has a story to tell about car salesmen.
I couldn't explain why I was suddenly getting all these calls. I just bought something and they are trying to sell me the same thing again? That didn't seem right. Then someone showed me a story about people who were running a scam. They were pretending to sell extended warranties but were really just getting credit card information so they could commit fraud. That would explain why the line would suddenly go dead when I asked to speak to their supervisor.
Aol.com is reporting on a story that involves robocalls and the nuisance they cause to the public. I can attest to this. Fortunately, I haven't had a meal interrupted by one of these "services" that seem to know just what I need and has something that's good for what ails you.
According to the article ("Annoying Car Warranty Robocalls Blocked by a Judge" can be found here), Transcontinental Warranty, Inc. was served with a temporary restraining order last week. I'm sure this news was met with the joy of many people who got to experience the sounds of silience for a couple of days.
If a human calls me, I am annoyed but I remind myself it's just someone who's trying to make an honest buck. There is no way I can justify a computer calling me. I still don't know how people get this information. I am inundated with courtesy calls and junk mail within weeks of moving to a new address. I politely ask the operator to remove my name from their list. They do and they get a new list with my name and phone number on it and we start over again.
I don't have any answers for this. I try being nice. I try laughing hysterically into the phone for a few seconds and then hanging up. I try talking to their supervisor. Nothing seems to get my point across.
I'm really not sure what to do about this. People love to hide behind technology and it can get aggravating. I'm open to any answers or solutions.
Apparently the warranty I got wasn't enough. As soon as I gave out my information, I started getting phone calls from the factory to try to get me to upgrade this fabulous purchase everyone was congratulating me on. Salesmen were trying to get in on this. Not only were they happy that I decided to get a warranty but they also thought I should get a new car to go along with it. They seem to think "No" means, "We can sell a new car if we get someone else to call." They tried this four times in two hours since I drove the car off the lot.
You hear a lot of stories about people doing a lot of nasty things in order to make a buck. Those stories seem to get magnified during these economic struggles. I'm sure everyone has a story to tell about car salesmen.
I couldn't explain why I was suddenly getting all these calls. I just bought something and they are trying to sell me the same thing again? That didn't seem right. Then someone showed me a story about people who were running a scam. They were pretending to sell extended warranties but were really just getting credit card information so they could commit fraud. That would explain why the line would suddenly go dead when I asked to speak to their supervisor.
Aol.com is reporting on a story that involves robocalls and the nuisance they cause to the public. I can attest to this. Fortunately, I haven't had a meal interrupted by one of these "services" that seem to know just what I need and has something that's good for what ails you.
According to the article ("Annoying Car Warranty Robocalls Blocked by a Judge" can be found here), Transcontinental Warranty, Inc. was served with a temporary restraining order last week. I'm sure this news was met with the joy of many people who got to experience the sounds of silience for a couple of days.
If a human calls me, I am annoyed but I remind myself it's just someone who's trying to make an honest buck. There is no way I can justify a computer calling me. I still don't know how people get this information. I am inundated with courtesy calls and junk mail within weeks of moving to a new address. I politely ask the operator to remove my name from their list. They do and they get a new list with my name and phone number on it and we start over again.
I don't have any answers for this. I try being nice. I try laughing hysterically into the phone for a few seconds and then hanging up. I try talking to their supervisor. Nothing seems to get my point across.
I'm really not sure what to do about this. People love to hide behind technology and it can get aggravating. I'm open to any answers or solutions.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Bands
Updates on a couple of bands I try to keep tabs on but life gets busy:
Catfish Lucy will be at Kitty O'Shea's in Beverly on Friday, May 22. (9:45)
Have at It is playing at the Cantab in Cambridge on Friday, May 22 (9:00) and the Grog in Newburyport on Thursday, May 28. (8:00)
Catfish Lucy will be at Kitty O'Shea's in Beverly on Friday, May 22. (9:45)
Have at It is playing at the Cantab in Cambridge on Friday, May 22 (9:00) and the Grog in Newburyport on Thursday, May 28. (8:00)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Who can you trust?
I am fascinated by how easy it is to research a term paper today. I wonder how many students bother to open a book nowadays. Everything is available online.
There is so much information out there that one needs to exercise caution when it comes to researching that dreaded assignment. When I was younger, one former teacher would not accept encyclopedias as a source because the information found there was so general. When I got older, another teacher told me to not use Wikipedia because the information could not be verified all the time.
The teacher who warned me of Wikipedia and its questionable reliability got some vindication today when Yahoo! News reported an Irish university student had posted phony information on Wikipedia ("Irish student hoaxes world media with fake quote" can be read at http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Irish-student-hoaxes-worlds-apf-15201451.html?.v=1). Shane Fitzgerald, a 22-year-old sociology student, saw news of the passing of French composer Maurice Jarre. Jarre had passed away on March 28.
Fitzgerald said there was a discussion in one of his classes about how fast news tends to travel through all of the outlets today. This gave him an idea: Fitzgerald would fabricate a quote, attribute it to the late Jarre, and post it on Wikipedia. To their credit, people at the free web encyclopedia removed the quote twice but not before Web sites in three different countries included it in the composer's obituary. The only reason people knew of the mistake is because Fitzgerald finally stepped forward about the act. Since then, Yahoo! News has reported that just one media outlet, the Guardian of Britain, has admitted it erroneously included the quote.
It is easy today to find out the news. Around-the-clock coverage on radio, television, and the Internet gives the people access to information the want and need. Unfortunately, whether it's right can sometimes take a backseat to getting it first. Just ask the Guardian.
I have a blog but that does not make me a journalist. I will be the first to tell you that. However, I have been published before in news publications. Because of that, I consider myself to be a journalist. It's one thing to get something wrong. It's another thing altogether to run with something without verifying it. There is simply too much competition out there to report on something without verifying it first. Getting it right will give you much more credibility than simply trying to get a story first.
The Guardian has since admitted the folly and even contacted Fitzgerald since the error. Other outlets, according to Yahoo!, have attacked the man for posting the information in the first place.
This is not the first time such a thing has occurred. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, a quote attributed to Nostradamus surfaced and soon received notoriety. The quote mentioned "metal birds" crashing and tragedy striking. News of the quote spread but soon ceased when it was learned the quote came from a prankster and not from the renowned author.
Journalists have a responsibility to make sure the information the have is right. People have a responsibility to take information with a grain of salt. Giving people what is right will be doing them a better service no matter what they are reading.
There is so much information out there that one needs to exercise caution when it comes to researching that dreaded assignment. When I was younger, one former teacher would not accept encyclopedias as a source because the information found there was so general. When I got older, another teacher told me to not use Wikipedia because the information could not be verified all the time.
The teacher who warned me of Wikipedia and its questionable reliability got some vindication today when Yahoo! News reported an Irish university student had posted phony information on Wikipedia ("Irish student hoaxes world media with fake quote" can be read at http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Irish-student-hoaxes-worlds-apf-15201451.html?.v=1). Shane Fitzgerald, a 22-year-old sociology student, saw news of the passing of French composer Maurice Jarre. Jarre had passed away on March 28.
Fitzgerald said there was a discussion in one of his classes about how fast news tends to travel through all of the outlets today. This gave him an idea: Fitzgerald would fabricate a quote, attribute it to the late Jarre, and post it on Wikipedia. To their credit, people at the free web encyclopedia removed the quote twice but not before Web sites in three different countries included it in the composer's obituary. The only reason people knew of the mistake is because Fitzgerald finally stepped forward about the act. Since then, Yahoo! News has reported that just one media outlet, the Guardian of Britain, has admitted it erroneously included the quote.
It is easy today to find out the news. Around-the-clock coverage on radio, television, and the Internet gives the people access to information the want and need. Unfortunately, whether it's right can sometimes take a backseat to getting it first. Just ask the Guardian.
I have a blog but that does not make me a journalist. I will be the first to tell you that. However, I have been published before in news publications. Because of that, I consider myself to be a journalist. It's one thing to get something wrong. It's another thing altogether to run with something without verifying it. There is simply too much competition out there to report on something without verifying it first. Getting it right will give you much more credibility than simply trying to get a story first.
The Guardian has since admitted the folly and even contacted Fitzgerald since the error. Other outlets, according to Yahoo!, have attacked the man for posting the information in the first place.
This is not the first time such a thing has occurred. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, a quote attributed to Nostradamus surfaced and soon received notoriety. The quote mentioned "metal birds" crashing and tragedy striking. News of the quote spread but soon ceased when it was learned the quote came from a prankster and not from the renowned author.
Journalists have a responsibility to make sure the information the have is right. People have a responsibility to take information with a grain of salt. Giving people what is right will be doing them a better service no matter what they are reading.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Still love those Sox
It’s almost May. The Red Sox are 13-7. They’re trailing the first place Toronto Blue Jays by one game. Both teams are tied in the loss column. Toronto’s magic number is 141. Boston leads the Chicago White Sox by 2 ½ games in the Wild Card. Boston’s magic number is 140. The Red Sox have won nine of their last 10.
I am so sick of the bandwagon-jumping yahoos who have decided the Red Sox are their team now. It started innocently enough in 2004 when Edgar Renteria bounced a pitch to Keith Foulke. Foulke took a few steps and flipped the ball to Doug Mientkewicz. The Red Sox won the World Series. No one had been able to say that in 86 years.
It happened again in 2007. This time it was the Colorado Rockies instead of the St. Louis Cardinals. The bandwagon was packed to start with. Now it is overflowing with pink hat-donning frontrunners who couldn’t tell Kevin Millar from Kevin Romine. People who didn’t know the Green Monster didn’t always have seats on it. People who thought centerfielder Johnny Damon was wrong to take the money from the New York Yankees but forget how the Red Sox acquired left fielder Manny Ramirez.
The Red Sox have turned into a trendy pick for people who love to follow what’s popular. It’s been this way for years. It’s not like the way it was back then. It’s not like the way it was when the Boston media picked the Red Sox to finish first in the division every year and maybe even pick them to go to the World Series while the rest of the country picked them to finish closer to the middle of the pack.
This team is different, from the front office to the 25th man. This is a franchise that is well-scouted. Prospects don’t get away (Jeff Bagwell). Money is wisely spent (Jack Clark and Matt Young) and, sorry, Nomar Garciaparra, but people want to play here.
I understand people love a winner and this is what happens when a team has two world championships in five playoff appearances in one decade but this is getting ridiculous. Now you can actually pay membership dues to Red Sox Nation? Heck, Hank Steinbrenner, son of Yankee owner George Steinbrenner was offered a membership for FREE and Hank turned it down. Can you believe it? That was actually news.
I’ve been a Red Sox fan for over 20 years. I actually remember when Roger Clemens pitched for Boston and the biggest controversy was him having to carry his own bag instead of what he was allegedly putting into his body. I had no idea who Curt Schilling was when the Red Sox traded him and I didn’t even care because we got Mike Boddicker in return. Those were the days. I could sit down in front of the television and not have to yell at Wally to get out of the way of the game.
That was then. That was when John McNamara couldn’t handle the players and 25 players needed 25 cabs. That was when Joe Morgan used his magic twice in three years to lead the Red Sox to the playoffs against the mighty Oakland A’s. Butch Hobson got ignored by Clemens during Spring Training. Kevin Kennedy had an okay pitching staff. Jimy Williams talked about frog’s booties. Joe Kerrigan gave up the ship and Grady Little… well, you know.
This is now. Tickets cost more. Going to see the Olde Towne Team has always been an event. Now you have streets being shut down to prove it. Fenway Park now sells out for baseball games and concerts.
But I guess that’s the price of winning. In order to have the good, you have to put up with a few of the bad. There will always be a few bad. You’ll always have people talking about the Yankees when they’re five games behind The Red Sox and the Red Sox aren’t even in first place. You’ll have fans wonder about the Tampa Bay Rays and how they got to where they were. (Scouting and drafting. Just like Boston). You’ll always have people railing for players because they’re playing for the Red Sox. When that happens, you can throw the numbers out.
In the meantime, I will watch my team like I have been since I was nine years old. I will enjoy the winning while it lasts and wait for my nephew to be old enough to ask, “Who said, ‘The price goes up every day?’”
I am so sick of the bandwagon-jumping yahoos who have decided the Red Sox are their team now. It started innocently enough in 2004 when Edgar Renteria bounced a pitch to Keith Foulke. Foulke took a few steps and flipped the ball to Doug Mientkewicz. The Red Sox won the World Series. No one had been able to say that in 86 years.
It happened again in 2007. This time it was the Colorado Rockies instead of the St. Louis Cardinals. The bandwagon was packed to start with. Now it is overflowing with pink hat-donning frontrunners who couldn’t tell Kevin Millar from Kevin Romine. People who didn’t know the Green Monster didn’t always have seats on it. People who thought centerfielder Johnny Damon was wrong to take the money from the New York Yankees but forget how the Red Sox acquired left fielder Manny Ramirez.
The Red Sox have turned into a trendy pick for people who love to follow what’s popular. It’s been this way for years. It’s not like the way it was back then. It’s not like the way it was when the Boston media picked the Red Sox to finish first in the division every year and maybe even pick them to go to the World Series while the rest of the country picked them to finish closer to the middle of the pack.
This team is different, from the front office to the 25th man. This is a franchise that is well-scouted. Prospects don’t get away (Jeff Bagwell). Money is wisely spent (Jack Clark and Matt Young) and, sorry, Nomar Garciaparra, but people want to play here.
I understand people love a winner and this is what happens when a team has two world championships in five playoff appearances in one decade but this is getting ridiculous. Now you can actually pay membership dues to Red Sox Nation? Heck, Hank Steinbrenner, son of Yankee owner George Steinbrenner was offered a membership for FREE and Hank turned it down. Can you believe it? That was actually news.
I’ve been a Red Sox fan for over 20 years. I actually remember when Roger Clemens pitched for Boston and the biggest controversy was him having to carry his own bag instead of what he was allegedly putting into his body. I had no idea who Curt Schilling was when the Red Sox traded him and I didn’t even care because we got Mike Boddicker in return. Those were the days. I could sit down in front of the television and not have to yell at Wally to get out of the way of the game.
That was then. That was when John McNamara couldn’t handle the players and 25 players needed 25 cabs. That was when Joe Morgan used his magic twice in three years to lead the Red Sox to the playoffs against the mighty Oakland A’s. Butch Hobson got ignored by Clemens during Spring Training. Kevin Kennedy had an okay pitching staff. Jimy Williams talked about frog’s booties. Joe Kerrigan gave up the ship and Grady Little… well, you know.
This is now. Tickets cost more. Going to see the Olde Towne Team has always been an event. Now you have streets being shut down to prove it. Fenway Park now sells out for baseball games and concerts.
But I guess that’s the price of winning. In order to have the good, you have to put up with a few of the bad. There will always be a few bad. You’ll always have people talking about the Yankees when they’re five games behind The Red Sox and the Red Sox aren’t even in first place. You’ll have fans wonder about the Tampa Bay Rays and how they got to where they were. (Scouting and drafting. Just like Boston). You’ll always have people railing for players because they’re playing for the Red Sox. When that happens, you can throw the numbers out.
In the meantime, I will watch my team like I have been since I was nine years old. I will enjoy the winning while it lasts and wait for my nephew to be old enough to ask, “Who said, ‘The price goes up every day?’”
Friday, April 24, 2009
Peabody Charity Making a Difference
The recession is being felt by people all over the country and, unfortunately, the charities are no different.
Making a Difference in Peabody (MDP) has been in operation since 2002. It has been working hard to help those who are in need. MDP helps by providing turkeys for the Holidays and helping with rent assistance. Like other charities, MDP depends on contributions from private citizens and groups like the Peabody Fire Department. The Peabody Fire Department raised money for MDP with a football game against Lynn Fire Department in March. Lynn won 12-8, scoring a touchdown with less than two minutes in the game. The Peabody Fire Department will present a check to MDP at a dinner at Toscana's on Bourbon Street in Peabody on June 18. Tickets to the event can be purchased for $15 per person by calling (978) 317-4388. The event is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and will run until 7:00.
MDP is run by Scott Frasca, who has been working hard with a team of volunteers to make sure needs are being met.
"We are working harder to keep with the potential downfall in donations," Frasca said. "We're seeking other sources of funding.You can't rely on your traditional sources. You can't relay on the way things are or were."
MDP gets donations by, picking up the phone," according to Frasca. Many of the board members have been working for MDP since the foundation's inception.
Right now, rent and electricity are the biggest things MDP is dealing with.
Frasca is undaunted by the tasks that are set before him and his team of volunteers.
"To prevent failure, you have to work hard to succeed," Frasca said. There's a group of people who are working hard."
The game was organized by both departments and the North Shore Flag Football League (NSFFL).
Making a Difference in Peabody (MDP) has been in operation since 2002. It has been working hard to help those who are in need. MDP helps by providing turkeys for the Holidays and helping with rent assistance. Like other charities, MDP depends on contributions from private citizens and groups like the Peabody Fire Department. The Peabody Fire Department raised money for MDP with a football game against Lynn Fire Department in March. Lynn won 12-8, scoring a touchdown with less than two minutes in the game. The Peabody Fire Department will present a check to MDP at a dinner at Toscana's on Bourbon Street in Peabody on June 18. Tickets to the event can be purchased for $15 per person by calling (978) 317-4388. The event is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and will run until 7:00.
MDP is run by Scott Frasca, who has been working hard with a team of volunteers to make sure needs are being met.
"We are working harder to keep with the potential downfall in donations," Frasca said. "We're seeking other sources of funding.You can't rely on your traditional sources. You can't relay on the way things are or were."
MDP gets donations by, picking up the phone," according to Frasca. Many of the board members have been working for MDP since the foundation's inception.
Right now, rent and electricity are the biggest things MDP is dealing with.
Frasca is undaunted by the tasks that are set before him and his team of volunteers.
"To prevent failure, you have to work hard to succeed," Frasca said. There's a group of people who are working hard."
The game was organized by both departments and the North Shore Flag Football League (NSFFL).
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Have at It
I know this is short notice, but if you're looking for something to do tonight, check out Have at It tonight at the Chit Chat in Haverhill.
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