In the Tuesday, September 23, 2008 New York Times National Section, there was an article which spoke about McCain and Obama's views on the bailout plan.
It talks about how McCain was much more critical than he has been in the past about the issue and says, "When we're talking about a trillion dollars of taxpayer money, 'trust me' just isn't good enough." He also added that "we won't solve a problem caused by an oversight with a plan that has no oversight." I agree, but I do think we need to not be hasty in this decision, because a trillion dollars is a lot of money and it is estimated it will add an average of $2,500 to every taxpayers taxes.
Barack Obama said that officials should "work quickly, in a bipartisan fashion, to resolve the immediate crisis and avert an even broader economic catastrophe." He also addressed that this should not just be a "blank check to Washington." I also agree, as a taxpayer I want to make sure my money goes where i am being told it is going.
I must however point out something I found interesting. Apparently, Barack Obama "proposed spotlighting tax breaks for corporations." This is ironic because he is the same person who is all about small businesses and supporting them, but instead he wants to give tax breaks to corporations, aka, larger businesses.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Al Jazeera
In the very beginning of "Control Room", the main speaker of the film, and a representative of Al Jazeera states that in a time of war media and propaganda are necessary. Which I felt made the entire film contradict itself. Al Jazeera is known for being controversial and according to the USA's beliefs, it is the "mouthpiece of Osama Bin Laden".
I also love that during one of their own propaganda videos they show British troops and try to make it seem as though they are American soldiers. It makes me angry to watch this propaganda and then be accused of producing too much of it. American soldiers are not simply full of hate and storming into homes and arresting citizens, I have many family members and friends who are soldiers and this si not the procedure they follow.
Al Jazeera says, "We are Arabs like them. We are muslims like them", and this is why they are the only ones who can understand the people in the Middle East. So, the implication is that because we are not Arabs or because we are not muslim, we do not understand the people. This documentary seems to be a very good promotional video for double standards and propaganda from the Arab world.
I cannot for the life of me understand how Al Jazeera did not see why America was outraged by the videos of our POWs being interviewed and humiliated. They say they have the "right" to post these videos and that the public has the right to know. Yes, they are right, but unfortunately the public does not always want to know. I have the deepest admiration for the POWs and all troops serving their nation oversees and I find it completely disresepctful to air these videos. If that had been my sister, my brother-in-law, or my friends I would have been outraged. It was unnecessary and uncalled for. On the other hand, we do not air footage of their fallen soldiers we have killed or we are holding prisoner. We uphold a higher regard for human life.
Yes, we are guilty of reviewing footage and deciding what we choose to air and what not to, but Al Jazeera does the same thing. When they specifically choose to air footage of our troops barging into homes and being overly aggressive, rather than the footage of troops knocking on doors, being friendly and conversing with locals. The problem here, is that the media feels they are entitled to everything. They get upset over not being allowed to know coordinates of troops, or being unable to view a deck of cards with the 55 "Most Wanted", but what gives them the right. With the deck of cards, yes it was wrong to offer them up when they never intended to show them, but if they reveal the names and the media makes it known who they are looking for-- what stops them from hiding away and abandoning their stations like Sadam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden? Nothing. If they know the coordinates of our troops and make them known, they put the troops in an unnecessary danger. We cannot disclose everything and the media cannot continue with unrealistic expectations.
Ultimately, Al Jazeera and many other newscasters choose to focus on the negative and not the positive projects that troops are participating in, and then get angry over propagnda. When it comes to wa, propagnda is everywhere. The stories I get told by my sister, friends and other famil members when they come home are nothign like what I hear on the news. The gifts and cards they come home with. The pictures of them with locals they made friends with. All sides are guilty of propaganda and it upsets me that Al Jazeera would complain about it, when they not onl guilty of it, but call it necessary and justify it. One of their own reporters even said that he would love to send his children to American schools and for them to live American lives, yet he is the first to judge the way we run our media relations. Oh, and did I mention he said he would love to work for FOX NEWS. Yet another contradiction.
I also love that during one of their own propaganda videos they show British troops and try to make it seem as though they are American soldiers. It makes me angry to watch this propaganda and then be accused of producing too much of it. American soldiers are not simply full of hate and storming into homes and arresting citizens, I have many family members and friends who are soldiers and this si not the procedure they follow.
Al Jazeera says, "We are Arabs like them. We are muslims like them", and this is why they are the only ones who can understand the people in the Middle East. So, the implication is that because we are not Arabs or because we are not muslim, we do not understand the people. This documentary seems to be a very good promotional video for double standards and propaganda from the Arab world.
I cannot for the life of me understand how Al Jazeera did not see why America was outraged by the videos of our POWs being interviewed and humiliated. They say they have the "right" to post these videos and that the public has the right to know. Yes, they are right, but unfortunately the public does not always want to know. I have the deepest admiration for the POWs and all troops serving their nation oversees and I find it completely disresepctful to air these videos. If that had been my sister, my brother-in-law, or my friends I would have been outraged. It was unnecessary and uncalled for. On the other hand, we do not air footage of their fallen soldiers we have killed or we are holding prisoner. We uphold a higher regard for human life.
Yes, we are guilty of reviewing footage and deciding what we choose to air and what not to, but Al Jazeera does the same thing. When they specifically choose to air footage of our troops barging into homes and being overly aggressive, rather than the footage of troops knocking on doors, being friendly and conversing with locals. The problem here, is that the media feels they are entitled to everything. They get upset over not being allowed to know coordinates of troops, or being unable to view a deck of cards with the 55 "Most Wanted", but what gives them the right. With the deck of cards, yes it was wrong to offer them up when they never intended to show them, but if they reveal the names and the media makes it known who they are looking for-- what stops them from hiding away and abandoning their stations like Sadam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden? Nothing. If they know the coordinates of our troops and make them known, they put the troops in an unnecessary danger. We cannot disclose everything and the media cannot continue with unrealistic expectations.
Ultimately, Al Jazeera and many other newscasters choose to focus on the negative and not the positive projects that troops are participating in, and then get angry over propagnda. When it comes to wa, propagnda is everywhere. The stories I get told by my sister, friends and other famil members when they come home are nothign like what I hear on the news. The gifts and cards they come home with. The pictures of them with locals they made friends with. All sides are guilty of propaganda and it upsets me that Al Jazeera would complain about it, when they not onl guilty of it, but call it necessary and justify it. One of their own reporters even said that he would love to send his children to American schools and for them to live American lives, yet he is the first to judge the way we run our media relations. Oh, and did I mention he said he would love to work for FOX NEWS. Yet another contradiction.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Grand Home of a Larger Than Life Team
Ok, so I'm a Red Sox fan, and the Yankees just kill me, but even I can admire the legacy of a stadium and the history which has occurred within it's walls. The article by Tyler Kepner in the Sunday Sports section covered the history of Yankee Stadium, its structure and the memories it keeps.
This is Timely and Current news because it is happening right now, and people are talking about the memory of the stadium and its emmense history. The stadium has had an Impact on People who have associated the stadium with their team since the 1970's when it was last renovated. The Proximity of the event is very close to the New York crowd and it is Prominent to every single person who has ever been a fan of the Yankees or watched the team playb in that field. The story is Unique and has a sense of Emotion, it talks about fans closing the chapter and opening a new one in a new home for their beloved team.
This is valuable news which deserves every last bit of coverage.
This is Timely and Current news because it is happening right now, and people are talking about the memory of the stadium and its emmense history. The stadium has had an Impact on People who have associated the stadium with their team since the 1970's when it was last renovated. The Proximity of the event is very close to the New York crowd and it is Prominent to every single person who has ever been a fan of the Yankees or watched the team playb in that field. The story is Unique and has a sense of Emotion, it talks about fans closing the chapter and opening a new one in a new home for their beloved team.
This is valuable news which deserves every last bit of coverage.
Buyers and Roadblocks
In the Sunday Real Estate section, I read an article on buyers of real estate and the roadblocks they are facing. I missed the part of class in which the scale of 1 to 5 was based on which number was the best or worst, so instead I am simply going to talk about the article and the value of the news within it.
According to Timeliness, I would say this article applies because it was within the last 24 hours. Also, the news is Current because of the investor market and problems with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The issues buyers are facing will be and are effected by these issues.
The Impact on People is vast and the Proximity of these events are being felt by everyone. These are not events that effect only city dwellers, but country homesteads all around the country, rural and urban areas alike.
The events occurring within the market are Unique in the way many people never thought they would experience the collapse of a system which has boomed throughout the years.
Based on the evidence I gathered within the article I would say the news is extremely valuable, not only to current buyers, but future buyers as well. The market does not seem to be getting any better, any time soon.
According to Timeliness, I would say this article applies because it was within the last 24 hours. Also, the news is Current because of the investor market and problems with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The issues buyers are facing will be and are effected by these issues.
The Impact on People is vast and the Proximity of these events are being felt by everyone. These are not events that effect only city dwellers, but country homesteads all around the country, rural and urban areas alike.
The events occurring within the market are Unique in the way many people never thought they would experience the collapse of a system which has boomed throughout the years.
Based on the evidence I gathered within the article I would say the news is extremely valuable, not only to current buyers, but future buyers as well. The market does not seem to be getting any better, any time soon.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Rosenberg Was a Spy
In the Wednesday Metro Section, I read an article bout the children of the late Rosenbergs and their reaction to the news that their parents were indeed spies. The entire time I read the article, I could not stop myself from thinking what a great movie that would make. The Rosenbergs were accused of giving nuclear weapon secrets to the Soviets during the Cold War, and ultimately were executed at Sing Sing in 1953.
Recently, one of the former spies, has come forward about his involvement and the involvement of those who were accused. They have said that the boys Mother, Ethel Rosenberg was set up to be guilty, and she was actually quite innocent. Unfortunately, she suffered the same fate as her very guilty husband- execution. Morton Sorbell is the man who has come forward and changed the lives of the children of the Rosenbergs. The sons, Michael and Robert Meeropol (both were adopted after their parents death), are reacting to the news with regret. They had always tried to maintain their family's innocence and until last week that was possible.
Michael Meeropol said tht they had laways pushed their parents' innocence and that he and his brother had felt their parents were set up by the governement to "feed the cold war hysteria", but in 1975, he says that he realized that, "whatever happens it doesn't change me... the truth is more important than our political position".
Both brothers have been very successful in their lifetmes, Michale works in Springfield, Ma. as a professor and Robert is now a lawyer also in Ma. and runs an adocate prgram for children whose parents have "suffered because of their progrssive politics". The brothers said they knew their parents were communisits but that they also knew, "it's much harder to prove someone innocent than to prove them guilty".
The brothers saw their parents the day before their execution, and their 14th wedding anniversary, June 18, 1953, and Michael screamed "One more day to live" and in middle of the death house. This invoked his parents to write, "Always remember that we were innocent and could not wrong our conscience", the very next day. The bothers say they do not hold any anger towards their parents for this lie, they say, that their parents were not guilty of the crimes they were exectued for. They say that the testimony was more about their friends and the circle they were involved with. Robert says, "My parents would have to have made a bigger betrayal to avoid betraying me, and frankly I don't consider myself that important".
The story of the Rosenbergs is one I remember learning about in history class, and I remember my teachers always talking about the controversy surrounding the case. However, that controversy no longer exists, the truth has been revealed.
Recently, one of the former spies, has come forward about his involvement and the involvement of those who were accused. They have said that the boys Mother, Ethel Rosenberg was set up to be guilty, and she was actually quite innocent. Unfortunately, she suffered the same fate as her very guilty husband- execution. Morton Sorbell is the man who has come forward and changed the lives of the children of the Rosenbergs. The sons, Michael and Robert Meeropol (both were adopted after their parents death), are reacting to the news with regret. They had always tried to maintain their family's innocence and until last week that was possible.
Michael Meeropol said tht they had laways pushed their parents' innocence and that he and his brother had felt their parents were set up by the governement to "feed the cold war hysteria", but in 1975, he says that he realized that, "whatever happens it doesn't change me... the truth is more important than our political position".
Both brothers have been very successful in their lifetmes, Michale works in Springfield, Ma. as a professor and Robert is now a lawyer also in Ma. and runs an adocate prgram for children whose parents have "suffered because of their progrssive politics". The brothers said they knew their parents were communisits but that they also knew, "it's much harder to prove someone innocent than to prove them guilty".
The brothers saw their parents the day before their execution, and their 14th wedding anniversary, June 18, 1953, and Michael screamed "One more day to live" and in middle of the death house. This invoked his parents to write, "Always remember that we were innocent and could not wrong our conscience", the very next day. The bothers say they do not hold any anger towards their parents for this lie, they say, that their parents were not guilty of the crimes they were exectued for. They say that the testimony was more about their friends and the circle they were involved with. Robert says, "My parents would have to have made a bigger betrayal to avoid betraying me, and frankly I don't consider myself that important".
The story of the Rosenbergs is one I remember learning about in history class, and I remember my teachers always talking about the controversy surrounding the case. However, that controversy no longer exists, the truth has been revealed.
Zune
In the Thursday Business Day Section, I read an article about the new Zune. Recently, Microsoft has been working on changing it's image and trying to separate itself from Apple. Apple is known for it's iPod and I'm sure a lot of people have never even heard of the Zune. The Zune and iPod were rivals, because they offered the same service, but this is no longer true.
The Zune has not changed much in appearance, but it has changed its software. They are giving free software updates to all owners of the old Zune. The new software includes: a clock, better looks, games, Zune jukebox software for Windows which is more "clean and focused". Microsoft is not trying to match the iPod, it is simply trying to reach a different target audience-- MUSIC LOVERS.
They offer a $15/month fee, which grants the user access to as many downloads you can get in a month, rather than 99 cents per song. The Zune also has a built in FM radio an dif you like the song you hear on the radio you click it and the Zune will automatically purchase the song from the Zune library. If you are in a wi-fi area then the download is instant, but if not it will automatically download the song when plugged into your PC. You can choose from "more than 100 channels" and listen to them commerical-free, much like satellite radio.
Zune also now offers a "social network" where you can transfer songs with the "friends" you make for free. The new Zune has become "a cross between music player and radio. Wireless streaming, capturing form the radio, channel subscriptions, recommendations-- if you'rea heavy usic consumer and willing to pay $15/month forever, it's just the best". Mac used to tell people to choose their product because it was different and different is better, but now Mac is a safe buy and you know what to expect when you purchase their products. Now if you want something different the obvious choice is Microsoft.
The Zune has not changed much in appearance, but it has changed its software. They are giving free software updates to all owners of the old Zune. The new software includes: a clock, better looks, games, Zune jukebox software for Windows which is more "clean and focused". Microsoft is not trying to match the iPod, it is simply trying to reach a different target audience-- MUSIC LOVERS.
They offer a $15/month fee, which grants the user access to as many downloads you can get in a month, rather than 99 cents per song. The Zune also has a built in FM radio an dif you like the song you hear on the radio you click it and the Zune will automatically purchase the song from the Zune library. If you are in a wi-fi area then the download is instant, but if not it will automatically download the song when plugged into your PC. You can choose from "more than 100 channels" and listen to them commerical-free, much like satellite radio.
Zune also now offers a "social network" where you can transfer songs with the "friends" you make for free. The new Zune has become "a cross between music player and radio. Wireless streaming, capturing form the radio, channel subscriptions, recommendations-- if you'rea heavy usic consumer and willing to pay $15/month forever, it's just the best". Mac used to tell people to choose their product because it was different and different is better, but now Mac is a safe buy and you know what to expect when you purchase their products. Now if you want something different the obvious choice is Microsoft.
Friday, September 12, 2008
7 Years Later; Not Any Easier
Friday, September 12th, the NY Times Metro Section focused on the September 11th Memorials. To me, this is very important. I was personally affected by the events on that day 7 years ago, and can honestly say that it does not get any easier. Every year, I still cry when I reflect on that morning; the morning that changed America forever.
I think that it is important to reflect on the past, because every lesson we need on how to make the future better can be found in lessons learned from our past. I am a huge history buff, and it is rare to experience such a huge part of history. I reflect on that day as my Grandfather reflected upon Pearl Harbor, or the way my Mother and Father reflect on the assassination of JFK. Memorials are a way for people to gather together and show that they care, and for people to unite.
September 11th is more than an event in history. It brought this nation together. It was the first time in my memory that I saw people who had never met, truly reaching out to one another. The morale in our nation was wounded, but our pride was strengthened, and we we united in our need to make it clear that we could not be easily defeated. I remember my 8th grade teacher saying, "You are all about to witness the giant waking up once more, hold on tight". She was right. We entered an ongoing conflict, we joined forces with our allies and the American pride was evident all across the country.
However, 7 years later, I think some people have already forgotten that feeling. People, like the protesters at yesterdays memorials, focus on the negative and the morale of this nation is getting to it's napping. Someone said yesterday that "it is time to forgive and forget and move forward", I disagree. We can forgive, and we can move on, but forget? Never. Forgetting past events which hold such an impact on our future is nonsense. Some may not agree with the events that have followed September 11th, but protesting in the midst of a memorial to the 2, 751 people who lost their lives on that dreadful day is not the answer.
I think that it is important to reflect on the past, because every lesson we need on how to make the future better can be found in lessons learned from our past. I am a huge history buff, and it is rare to experience such a huge part of history. I reflect on that day as my Grandfather reflected upon Pearl Harbor, or the way my Mother and Father reflect on the assassination of JFK. Memorials are a way for people to gather together and show that they care, and for people to unite.
September 11th is more than an event in history. It brought this nation together. It was the first time in my memory that I saw people who had never met, truly reaching out to one another. The morale in our nation was wounded, but our pride was strengthened, and we we united in our need to make it clear that we could not be easily defeated. I remember my 8th grade teacher saying, "You are all about to witness the giant waking up once more, hold on tight". She was right. We entered an ongoing conflict, we joined forces with our allies and the American pride was evident all across the country.
However, 7 years later, I think some people have already forgotten that feeling. People, like the protesters at yesterdays memorials, focus on the negative and the morale of this nation is getting to it's napping. Someone said yesterday that "it is time to forgive and forget and move forward", I disagree. We can forgive, and we can move on, but forget? Never. Forgetting past events which hold such an impact on our future is nonsense. Some may not agree with the events that have followed September 11th, but protesting in the midst of a memorial to the 2, 751 people who lost their lives on that dreadful day is not the answer.
U.S. to Pull 8,000 Troops from Iraq in '09
In the Tuesday, September 9th, NY Times, I read an article about removing a large number of troops from Iraq in early 2009. I agree that we need to remove troops, and that a slow and steady removal is the best policy. However, I question if removing such a large number of troops so quickly is truly beneficial.
This may sound crazy, but I can speak from experience. My sister is a member of the 1173rd Terminal Transportation Battalion, and last year when they released less than 3,000 troops from their stations in Kuwait, it actually extended my sister's deployment from 18 months to 24 months. Luckily, my sister has returned home safely from her third tour overseas in the past 7 years.
Removing troops is not always the answer. We are planning on bringing 8,000 troops back to their families, and those families will be blessed with an early reunion. However, how many families will be told that they will have to wait 6 to 8 months longer to see their loved ones?
This article, located on page A8, also mentions that, yes, there will be a decrease in troops in Iraq, but there will also be an increase of troops in Afghanistan. On the bright side, Bush promises to reduce the combat tours from 15 months to 12 months to ease the tensions of military families. Coming from a military family, I honestly do not believe this will do anything for the morale of families. Whether it is 15, 12 or even 6 months, it is not any easier. Everyday you wake up hoping that your don't get the dreaded knock on the door, and you pray everyday that you receive an e-mail just so you can sleep a little better. Every time your family members come home you ask yourself, how long will they be home this time?
This may sound crazy, but I can speak from experience. My sister is a member of the 1173rd Terminal Transportation Battalion, and last year when they released less than 3,000 troops from their stations in Kuwait, it actually extended my sister's deployment from 18 months to 24 months. Luckily, my sister has returned home safely from her third tour overseas in the past 7 years.
Removing troops is not always the answer. We are planning on bringing 8,000 troops back to their families, and those families will be blessed with an early reunion. However, how many families will be told that they will have to wait 6 to 8 months longer to see their loved ones?
This article, located on page A8, also mentions that, yes, there will be a decrease in troops in Iraq, but there will also be an increase of troops in Afghanistan. On the bright side, Bush promises to reduce the combat tours from 15 months to 12 months to ease the tensions of military families. Coming from a military family, I honestly do not believe this will do anything for the morale of families. Whether it is 15, 12 or even 6 months, it is not any easier. Everyday you wake up hoping that your don't get the dreaded knock on the door, and you pray everyday that you receive an e-mail just so you can sleep a little better. Every time your family members come home you ask yourself, how long will they be home this time?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sarah Palin
On Tuesday, September 2, 2008, I read an interesting article that made it above the fold of the front page in the New York Times. The article was titled, "A New Twist In the Debate Over Mothers". The article addresses the concerns of mothers and feeling that Sarah Palin is taking on too much. They feel that because of her pregnant seventeen year-old daughter, newborn with down syndrome, and the task of raising five children alone makes it seem unreasonable to attempt taking on Vice Presidency as well.
Personally, I think this is nonsense. I did some research on the authors of the article. Jodi Kantor is a living legend with her experience for someone her age, however, she is known to show great leniency for the Obama family. She defended Michelle Obama by blaming the media for overplaying Michelle's comment in Wisconsin about being proud of her nation for once in her life. Kantor also defended Reverend Wright in an April 30, 2007 article. Rachel L. Swarns is much more conservative or at the very least, appears to be. The worst example I could find of bias was in an article in which she seems to gloss over the fact that Barack Obama's views on affirmative action had flip-flopped multiple times over the years.
They quote an Austin, TX mother who thinks being a mother and the Vice President is "a lot to handle". Well, if Sarah Palin does become Vice President, which remember is the second in command position with less responsibility she would be joining a long list of former Presidents and Vice Presidents with large families. The average number of children for each President is 4, and poor President John Tyler managed to run the White House just fine with 15 children.
I do not question Palin's ability to carry out her position of Vice President simply because she is a Mother, if anything I think she may find it easier because with five children she is a professional multi-tasker. She has proved to Alaska that she can manage the dual-responsibility, and she is ready to prove to it to the rest of the country.
She does have two children with two very different forms of "special needs". One in the form of pregnancy and one with down syndrome. However, what people need to realize is that everyone has different thresholds for stress, and we are not the ones to judge someone else. I know personally, I do better the busier I am. If I have a million things going on, my grades are better; my stress is lessened; my priorities are better organized. When I have too much free-time or not enough things on my plate, my whole world seems to fall apart. It is alright if people want to speculate on Palin's ability to cope with so many things on her plate, but to judge her unfit for the position simply because of our own inabilities or insecurities seems unfair.
Coming from a family of nine, I agree with Phylis Schlafly who raised a family of six and was quoted saying, "People who have only one or two are kind of overwhelmed with the thought of five children... I think the hard-working, well-organized C.E.O type can handle it very well". The country needs to focus on the important issues, such as Palin's stance on war, gun control, and economy, and let Sarah Palin focus on her role as a Mother and Vice President.
Personally, I think this is nonsense. I did some research on the authors of the article. Jodi Kantor is a living legend with her experience for someone her age, however, she is known to show great leniency for the Obama family. She defended Michelle Obama by blaming the media for overplaying Michelle's comment in Wisconsin about being proud of her nation for once in her life. Kantor also defended Reverend Wright in an April 30, 2007 article. Rachel L. Swarns is much more conservative or at the very least, appears to be. The worst example I could find of bias was in an article in which she seems to gloss over the fact that Barack Obama's views on affirmative action had flip-flopped multiple times over the years.
They quote an Austin, TX mother who thinks being a mother and the Vice President is "a lot to handle". Well, if Sarah Palin does become Vice President, which remember is the second in command position with less responsibility she would be joining a long list of former Presidents and Vice Presidents with large families. The average number of children for each President is 4, and poor President John Tyler managed to run the White House just fine with 15 children.
I do not question Palin's ability to carry out her position of Vice President simply because she is a Mother, if anything I think she may find it easier because with five children she is a professional multi-tasker. She has proved to Alaska that she can manage the dual-responsibility, and she is ready to prove to it to the rest of the country.
She does have two children with two very different forms of "special needs". One in the form of pregnancy and one with down syndrome. However, what people need to realize is that everyone has different thresholds for stress, and we are not the ones to judge someone else. I know personally, I do better the busier I am. If I have a million things going on, my grades are better; my stress is lessened; my priorities are better organized. When I have too much free-time or not enough things on my plate, my whole world seems to fall apart. It is alright if people want to speculate on Palin's ability to cope with so many things on her plate, but to judge her unfit for the position simply because of our own inabilities or insecurities seems unfair.
Coming from a family of nine, I agree with Phylis Schlafly who raised a family of six and was quoted saying, "People who have only one or two are kind of overwhelmed with the thought of five children... I think the hard-working, well-organized C.E.O type can handle it very well". The country needs to focus on the important issues, such as Palin's stance on war, gun control, and economy, and let Sarah Palin focus on her role as a Mother and Vice President.
VOGUE India
On Monday, September 1, 2008, there was an article in the Business Day section which was of interest to me, as a Public Relations major. Vogue India designed a fashion shoot that was supposed to draw in a new audience, but unfortunately it failed miserably. The pictorial featured a young child being carried by an older women, both in dirty clothing, yet the child is wearing a Fendi bib; an entire family is squeezing to fit onto one motorcycle to get into town and yet the woman is holding an Hermes Birkin bag; a toothless man who cannot even afford shoes for his feet is holding a Burberry umbrella. The goal and the message that was meant to be perceived was: "fashion is for everyone, not only the rich man".
The middle and lower class of India viewed things differently. They saw this as a mockery of their lifestyle and meant to be a joke for the upper class, who are more loyal readers of the magazine. This innocently intended campaign is now a reputation crisis, which the PR department of Vogue must quickly control as to not lose readership. I expect an apology will follow and possibly some showmanship of goodwill to the people who have been offended, or in a worst case scenario a very expensive re-shoot.
This is a good example of PR reputation management in action and as a PR major, I will be taking notes.
The middle and lower class of India viewed things differently. They saw this as a mockery of their lifestyle and meant to be a joke for the upper class, who are more loyal readers of the magazine. This innocently intended campaign is now a reputation crisis, which the PR department of Vogue must quickly control as to not lose readership. I expect an apology will follow and possibly some showmanship of goodwill to the people who have been offended, or in a worst case scenario a very expensive re-shoot.
This is a good example of PR reputation management in action and as a PR major, I will be taking notes.
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