Posts with the tag communications

FOX, IS IT NEWS?

"NERVIE" — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:19:24 EDT

Journalist Jeff Greenfield responded to the ongoing battle from the media this week, when reporting, that the FOX NEW’S DEPARTMENT is being accused of being the research and communication’s arm of the Republican Party. He also says that “. . . Fox’s bottom-line has increased 13% since Obama came into office. So perhaps they are crying all the way to the bank”.

Obama accuses Fox News as appearing “to be more like a talk show format and not a news format”.

There is no question that the Rupert Murdoch owned conglomeration’s opinions predominately favor the far Right Republican agenda. So when the White House decides not to give more fuel to Fox’s perceived negativity and refuses to be on their programs, is this an exercise of free speech? On the other hand, is it an exercise in futility? The points of views coming from the White House will be interpreted as the voice of the Obama Administration no matter what the administration representative says when they appear on FOX. Being fair however, MSNBC has been called the most left in their presentation of Obama’s opinions. So to whom do we listen for the “true news story”? Nevertheless, who would that be?

Where do we find a news source that is truly balanced? Personally, I find I have to listen to them all and weigh what seems “logical”, but I was taught in journalism school and at the LA TIMES that politics are highly hinged in “manipulating emotions and the illusion”.

Change in Habits -- Across the Board

Alora from Austin, TX — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:03:58 EST

It is going to take some getting used to, but I am going to have to change my habits when it comes to watching the President speak. Throughout the Bush Administration, I did not have television and rarely watched news online. After years of political activism (starting at age 13), I was so appalled at being represented on the international stage by someone who could not speak in complete sentences, that I stopped watching the President speak. I found it less painful to read snippets in the news after-the-fact.

I am now constantly amazed to hear the President speak, and find myself encouraged by what I hear, instead of disappointed or embarrassed.

The President has quite the task on his hands. The old battle lines between "Republicans" and "Democrat" are built on very old paradigms, and none of them yet seem to understand that the days are long gone when most of their assumptions about how the world works are no longer valid. The Democrats are going to be almost as hard for the President to bring to the table (over time) as the Republicans are.

I wish him luck and fortitude. As a very impatient person, I am constantly heartened to see how much patience he exhibits. Because he is going to need it.

And, as an aside, to the Comms Team: great job. As a career IT professional now working in the Enterprise / Web 2.0 space, I give you kudos for your committment to transparency -- particularly in light of the fact that government policies and systems have not kept up to date with change at all, and that your challenge is going to be bigger and harder than it really should have to be. Good luck!

Suggest New Secretary of Communications Position

Dr Linda Shelton — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:46:13 EST

Communications is the new frontier. Newspapers are being converted from print to internet. Huge amounts of money are wasted through lack of standardization, redundancy, and difficulty in querying and finding data. We need to standardize not just electronic medical records, to prevent duplicating services and errors, but also utility bills, credit card bills, contracts, court records, prison and jail records, and any communications which are fundamental, frequent, and subject to privacy and security concerns.

Elderly and disabled persons often have difficulty in the area of communications. Changing the format of utility bills causes a problem. Difficult to read credit card bills causes chaos. Incomprehensible contracts are a disaster.

National security is highly dependent on communications - on the battle front, for homeland security, to prevent terrorist attacks, to prevent crime. However the privacy concerns are huge. Intelligence may sometimes compromise privacy. How do we balance these?

Information technology is poorly understood by most Americans. We need increased education in this area.

Mediation, debate, giving and following instructions, about almost anything are necessary skills in society. How can we increase our skills as a nation in this area?

Please give your conerns about what needs to do and why centralizing these concerns in one cabinet level position may be efficient and move us forward quicker or the opposite view.

FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION ON FRANCHISING (CABLE TV)

WallyStuart — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:48:49 EST

While the speculation is now who Barack will choose for CIO (Chief Information Officer) for the nation, the Chair of the FCC, and his change in the current Communication Policy ...

http://www.millervaneaton.com/content.agent?page_name=HT%3A++Obama+Administration

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

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For the time being, the focus for citizens in support of local access to programming telecom media should now be on Congress, the FCC, and their state legislatures. We need NOT focus on the doings of Barack and his transition team! Here is an introduction and resources to now consider to protect the public's right to participate fullly in using the new media and techologies:

http://www.millervaneaton.com/content.agent?page_name=LEGISLATIVE%20FEATURE:%20Intro%20Page

FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION ON FRANCHISING

INTRODUCTION; Key Resources

The Bell companies and their allies are mounting a massive campaign in three different venues - Congress, the state legislatures, and the FCC - to eliminate local cable franchising. A Bell victory at any of these levels could effectively seize local property, deprive local governments of needed revenues, leave subscribers unprotected in dealing with large cable companies, and end public, educational, and governmental access. Thus, it is essential that local governments oppose the Bell campaign in all three areas.

In this ongoing feature we will make available key resources for this effort.

Congressional Video Franchise Legislation

State Video Franchise Legislation

FCC Rulemaking on Franchising

Related Legislation

60 Days and Counting

Oblogama from San Francisco, CA — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:00:07 EDT

I am tired of losing. Though I consider myself an independent, I have voted for a Democratic Presidential Candidate in every single election since 1984 (Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, Gore, Kerry – pretty slim pickings when you see it in print). Unfortunately, the Obama campaign is heading towards a train wreck unless it initiates a drastic change in its approach. It’s quite possible they will be the biggest losers of all time – and so will we. Here is why:

Mild-Mannered, Nattering Nabobs, Do Not Win Elections: Bill Clinton didn’t win simply because he had a bluntly effective Economy Stupid message – he won because he had aggressive political pit bulls able to get that point across to the Average Joe. The fast evaporating Change message, easily co-opted by the Republicans, and coupled with Robert Gibbs as overly domesticated poodle, does not cut it (there is no doubt that he means well; however, his bland, uninspiring television appearances gives me cause, without pause, to tune out and change the channel to seek out Karl Rove discussing his tactics – I learn more from Rove than I could ever learn from Gibbs). I have yet to see an Obama campaign spokesman who talks like people do in Peoria, let alone rough and tumble Chicago where during cold winter scotch drinking nights, they speak their minds. I cringe every time I see a highly intelligent surrogate miss a highly important moment – it occurred throughout the Republican Convention to the point of embarrassment. Just one instance – though there are many – in a response to Wolf Blitzer, about Senator Lieberman's appearance at the convention, Gibbs said, "You know, Wolf, let me take a big whack at that. I think Joe Lieberman ought to be ashamed of himself. He looked into the camera and he was speaking to the American public about cynicism in politics. And then walks out on the very stage behind me and just makes something up, and lies about Barack Obama. I wish I could say something softer, but that's actually what it was." Something softer? Are you %*&%$^ kidding me? Lieberman took a swing at your buddy and that’s all you got? Have you heard of clout – the thing that the Obama campaign has a little bit of these days? For starters, a kindergartner could have mustered enough rightful indignation to say that Lieberman was a pig who spit on the face of 51 MILLION American voters in 2000. This election needs a memorable, talented James Carvillesque character that can counter the toxic crap that comes out of McCain’s henchmen (Graham, Lieberman, Giuliani, Ridge, Romney, and a greater list than I have time to recite). Who do we have that doesn’t sound like Charlie Brown’s school teacher? As progressive-minded folks, who do we really respect and admire as Obama’s right hand man, the kind of guy who will bury the dead prostitute (Pelosi, Reid, Dean, Richardson)? Who will eviscerate our opponent with a smile on their face? Don’t dare tell me this is a different kind of election and that it is about change – that is nonsense – that is why the only thing that folks remember about Mondale, Dukakis, Gore and Kerry is a landslide, a tank helmet, the internet and a swift boat (forgive me President Gore – you more than redeemed yourself in the years that followed);
It’s Gender Stupid: On Saturday, June 7, 2008 the day that Hillary Clinton quit the race, I predicted that McCain would select a woman as his vice-president. Certainly no stroke of genius on my part – just plain old common sense and a little bit of math. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned X 18M/Republican’s have women that vote too X a divided country = let’s try this Hail Mary pass and see what happens (oh, and Palin can help with the base that has never really liked me). Great theater, great idea, great poke in the eye to the progressive movement. Now don’t get me wrong, and don’t dare charge me as sexist – I am not bitter about Hillary’s loss and I know women will not blindly flock to McCain, but I do know a smart political chess move when I see one. Obama needs to do three things: (1) Give as good a speech on Gender as he did on Race (include choice, wages and most importantly, announce a powerhouse woman who will serve in an Obama administration); (2) Find another woman besides Hillary Clinton to shore up your gender credentials – not because she isn’t loyal or willing, but because she won the silver medal, losing by less than 1/100th of a second – that’s like asking the guys who lost to Phelps to help him sell Wheaties; and (3) pray;
The War: You are being swift-boated and I have yet to see anyone from the Obama Campaign make this very clear statement – "You guys have blood on your hands!" It is time to be bold and tough. Those that will take that as fighting words ain’t going to vote for you anyway. If you want to have a subtle segue than say this, "I can understand why you voted for George Bush in 2000 – Compassionate Conservatism had a nice ring to it; Believe it or not, I can even give you a pass on voting for him in 2004, still shaken up by 911 and wanting consistency for our troops; but if you vote for McCain/Bush in 2008, you have blood on your hands!" The fact that Obama gave a speech in 2002 is wearing very, very, very thin. Better go on the offense in a way none of us could ever have imagined. Hell, get one of the generals who lined up to endorse you to make this statement. Obama will have plenty of time to unite the country when he is in office – for now it’s divided and your supporters need to be fired up before some of them head to the nearest Starbucks for a super-dooper, extra latte, after an inspiring speech;
Race: Obama comes from Chicago, long known as the most segregated city in the United States. He knows race in a way that only Chicagoans can really understand. It is painstaking work to transcend the negative perceptions and stereotypes. It takes more time and sweat than anyone can imagine. All too often, it fails. When Harold Washington became Mayor, there was an enormous segment, yes a so-called Democratic segment, that was up in arms. Fact – there is a significant population that will not tolerate the idea of a black man in the White House – I apparently do not live in the same post-racial world as others would have me believe in. Fact – there are just as many folks in urban areas as there are in rural areas that are bigoted and incapable of accepting a positive message over their own ignorant hang-ups. For whoever is the Obama demographic expert, in those areas stick to whatever progressive oases exist and/or where enlightenment can occur. Let your supporters know where those places are. We will come. Hit every single university and community college hard – direct as many Obama campaign workers as possible to get to the campuses and live there for the next 60 days;
Celebrities and Elites: How can the Obama campaign not come up with a simple effective ad to throw it back in the face of the REAL, celebrity-ridden, Republican party. Short and simple – Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sonny Bono and Fred "Gopher from the Love Boat" Grandy (the last two always mystified me). Then turn it up a notch – the other side skewers Obama as being elitist, but what about their own well-known entourage – Jon Voight, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, and sheesh the damn list is so damn long, but of all the talent in the Obama campaign they can’t seem to shove it back so hard and so fast to make McCain wish he never entered the race. I just don’t get it;
Religion: Let’s just stick with Ohio because it’s significant; the same scenario that exists there exists everywhere else in the United States; and most importantly, Ohio was the 2004 equivalent of Florida in 2000. They won and we wimped out. Two ugly words – Kenneth Blackwell. Three ugly words – His Despicable Cadre. There is an article that I keep close at hand to remind me just how sinister this pandering political mafia can be. In the words of Pastor Rod Parsley, it describes their efforts to create, "the largest evangelical campaign ever attempted in any state in America." His Reformation Ohio movement is about politics, sheer and simple. The conservatives can say that – loud and proud, but the progressives do not have a rallying reply. The closest we ever get is a weak rejoinder – we are pro-choice, so take that bully. In this day and age, that is so meager as to be less than insignificant. I do not deny anyone’s right to practice religion – in fact, I support it wholeheartedly. What I do deny them is to mix it with the state. Obama has a religious constituency (the sane component) – someone get them out there for a sixty day vigil. Choose the place(s), but arm them with the correct platform and let them do their thing;
The Debates: Role play with Hillary Clinton. Really. There is no doubt, despite the drama and the punishing primaries, she made Obama a better candidate. She takes on the persona of McCain and Obama takes his licks in private, learning from the experience instead of on national television. Come up with a top ten list of great one liners that we will remember for generations (e.g., Where’s The Beef, I knew JFK and you’re no JFK, etc). Find out what makes McCain angry and let the viewers experience first-hand what his temperament is truly like. Define the term "maverick" then define the term "lemming" – then define McCain as a guy that wants to throw the United States off of a cliff. Most importantly, attach a small, relatively harmless battery to Biden and zap him when he starts talking too much (in no way do I condone torture, but at the same time, I do not want to be tortured by his inability to get to the point). The list is long. In the end, don’t screw it up. PS My own personal pet peeve – though Obama hasn’t said it for a long time, remove the phrase "carrot and stick" from his lexicon – the world is not our mule;
Only One Color Matters: This election has absolutely nothing to do with the way a state’s hue is flashed ad nauseam on our television screens. The only color that matters are the paths that stretch from New York to Los Angeles, and yes, all the way up to Alaska – they are called blue highways – roads that run through some of the most beautiful, genuine places on earth. They also connect the myriad small, forgotten towns where so many voiceless people live; however every four years they have a chance to be heard – this year they plan to be especially loud. If you believe that the endless array of urban Change signs and trendy bumper stickers are signs that we will win this election than you do not know your country in the way that someone like Bill Clinton knows it. The only winning Democrat since 1992 knows that giving a sincere speech, a damn good, intelligent, caring speech, sometimes on the back of a pickup truck, is the only way to win. The question is whether that has really sunk in this year and whether there is enough time to really let the Obama message be heard by the people that need to hear it – good hard working people, often disparaged as living in "fly over country" by progressive people that just don’t get it. The most important text message that the Obama campaign could send out now is where their supporters, living in large metropolitan areas can go, within an hour or two from their homes, and where a meaningful grassroots effort would have the highest impact. Otherwise, in these isolated patches of America, the only message they will be hearing for summer’s duration is a catchy Raising McCain song that does nothing to improve their lives or this nation.

I am tired of losing – get this damn thing on track!

Lending a Helping Hand.

Sardine — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:19:21 EDT

My father always taught me to pick my battles wisely and to stand up for what I believe in. I

believe that we should use all our resources to lend a helping hand to worthy causes when the

greater good is at stake.

My background is in Business Administration with an emphasis on marketing and finance. I

have worked in executive business development and strategic alliances, and have been involved

in business communications and call center management for over 15 years.

In my career my with the political call center I work with, my involvement brings a strong

emphasis on marketing utilizing telephones and other communication mediums.

I am also is active on the Executive Board of Directors for a number of civic agencies throughout

Gainesville Florida and I am the Director of Communications for a non-partisan social

organizing agency serving the community of Gainesville Florida, and we are working on many

of the same issues as Obama'08 is trying to sort out. Such issues includes affordable health care

for all Americans and especially children, fair working wages, housing, education and safe

communities.

I invest valuable experience and knowledge to the operations and culture the political call center

I work with, which in turn enhances our programs and campaigns which the political call

center designs and executes.

If you believe that my education, experience and skill base can be of use and would like me

to lend a helping hand - I can be reached at: 352.682.9427 or jdc352@gmail.com.

Inaugural Post!

Spin360 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:03:23 EDT

Hi There Folks!

As you can see this is my first post, so I'll just tell you why I've decided to Blog for Barack! It's pretty basic, if I didn't find a way to get in touch with Barack's PR Folks and Communications Team to share strategies and thoughts, even if they're worthless, I was going to bust. So, what you'll find here is postings of PR and Communications tactics that I think can be effective in this campaign and movement.There is no particular order. Some postings will be random thoughts, and some will be occasional frustrations, but I'll always try to provide a solution or suggested call to action as events unfold. Sometimes there will be pauses in posts, as I am generally only apt to post when I am completely sickened by the mass media and politicos and their impact on the electoral process.

Here Goes Nothing!

FYI - Federal Election Commission Regulations (Please Read)

Edmund Dantes Hamilton — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:35:15 EST

Direct Link To PDF
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Internet Final Rules (Page 2, Right Column, Bottom)

Internet Communications and Activity (Page 10 Right Column, continues Page 11 Left and Center Columns)

Activity Conducted by Press Entities and Bloggers (Page 12 Center Column, Bottom)