A critical factor in the upcoming race for Wisconsin’s governor that is missing from the solid Isthmus cover story “How Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett gets elected governor of Wisconsin - Though the odds are against the Democrat, a confluence of factors could work in his favor” by Marc Eisen is turnout. Obama won in large part because many young people and folks who usually don’t come out and vote were motivated and came to the polls.
The stakes are very high for this upcoming race but I am afraid many college students and other Obama supporters will not be motivated to get off Facebook and vote for Barrett. As a parent with skin in the game, I am terrified to think of what Walker would do to the school districts that need the state revenues. Barrett needs to get the troops on the ground working to support his candidacy or he will lose, the Tea Party fan club has a lot of energy at the moment. Walker’s facebook page has 26,000 fans compared to Barrett’s 12,000 which is worrisome given that democrats are typically younger and more web connected than the typical grandma in Wausau GOP supporter.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Apples and Oranges
Had a nice summer drive to Milwaukee for a work meeting and got to hear a lot of public radio. Hear part of a program I have not listened to before called The Story. They did a great program which talked a lot about what it is like being black in America. Part 1 was an interview with Russell Goings, a guy I did not know about who seems like a fascinating renaissance man. He played pro football, had dyslexia, ran wall street investment firm, was good friends with painter Romare Bearden and now he has written an epic poem of black life in America. His stories reminds us of how recently racism was manifest in our schools and work places and is an inspiration of how to overcome road blocks on the way to success.
I also heard part of the next story about Rosemary Stewart-Stafford who is an interesting women who grew up with mixed race parents in the South many years ago. She described her experience growing up and then how went undercover at white supremacist groups. Both stories are very compelling and remind me how scary and strong the racist side of America recently was and still is in some places.
Then you compare those stories to the recent new about Shirley Sherrod. Consider what she was even accused of doing when the out of context clip was distributed. It appeared that she may have not helped a white farmer save his farm (as it turns out this is not the case). Even if true, this mild manifestation of racism is nothing compared to the Rosemary experience watching a black man get his head bashed in at the grocery store because he stepped in line in front of a Rosemary’s white mother or Russell’s experience being stuck in the closet with a dunce cap in elementary school. Given the years of explicit racism, it is a wonder that every black doesn't join the New Black Panther party.
I also heard part of the next story about Rosemary Stewart-Stafford who is an interesting women who grew up with mixed race parents in the South many years ago. She described her experience growing up and then how went undercover at white supremacist groups. Both stories are very compelling and remind me how scary and strong the racist side of America recently was and still is in some places.
Then you compare those stories to the recent new about Shirley Sherrod. Consider what she was even accused of doing when the out of context clip was distributed. It appeared that she may have not helped a white farmer save his farm (as it turns out this is not the case). Even if true, this mild manifestation of racism is nothing compared to the Rosemary experience watching a black man get his head bashed in at the grocery store because he stepped in line in front of a Rosemary’s white mother or Russell’s experience being stuck in the closet with a dunce cap in elementary school. Given the years of explicit racism, it is a wonder that every black doesn't join the New Black Panther party.
Monday, July 19, 2010
This American Life is the Best Fucking Radio Show Ever!
As readers of this blog know, I LOVE the public radio show This American Life. So,ten thousand people and I recently took a TAL podcast survey. TAL published the results here. http://podtrac.com/thisamericanlifesurvey/ Nothing too earth shattering, I would have liked to see the open ended ideas and comments from listeners which were not included in the published results. That aside, I am curious about how they should act in response to question the posed about bleeping swear words.
The question was “This American Life bleeps swear words on the podcast, but it’s not legally required. Would you like the show to remove the bleeps so you can hear the original language?” 1947 people checked “No, I would like you to continue to bleep the swear words in the podcast” and 8779 said “I would like to hear the original language in the podcast, swearwords and all”. What is to make of these results? I am frankly surprised that there are so many who want to hear the bleeps. Listeners to this show are adults and listen most often I would guess by themselves or with other adults so they are not likely concerned about kids listening. Maybe a few listen in the car or house while kids are in the background but I doubt that is many folks. They don’t mind the content and adult discussion enough to not listen despite the bad bleeped language. Who are these prude listeners and why are they so uptight?
What should TAL do in response to this result, I would recommend they leave it as is because you would possibly lose some listeners to the podcast if they become offended by the swearing they start hearing and I doubt you would pick up dirty talking public radio listeners by allowing the f-bombs to be out there. But, on the other hand, this is not a traditional business. This is art and not for profit art at that. The artists should be able to do whatever they want without considering its market share. What Would Ira Do?
The question was “This American Life bleeps swear words on the podcast, but it’s not legally required. Would you like the show to remove the bleeps so you can hear the original language?” 1947 people checked “No, I would like you to continue to bleep the swear words in the podcast” and 8779 said “I would like to hear the original language in the podcast, swearwords and all”. What is to make of these results? I am frankly surprised that there are so many who want to hear the bleeps. Listeners to this show are adults and listen most often I would guess by themselves or with other adults so they are not likely concerned about kids listening. Maybe a few listen in the car or house while kids are in the background but I doubt that is many folks. They don’t mind the content and adult discussion enough to not listen despite the bad bleeped language. Who are these prude listeners and why are they so uptight?
What should TAL do in response to this result, I would recommend they leave it as is because you would possibly lose some listeners to the podcast if they become offended by the swearing they start hearing and I doubt you would pick up dirty talking public radio listeners by allowing the f-bombs to be out there. But, on the other hand, this is not a traditional business. This is art and not for profit art at that. The artists should be able to do whatever they want without considering its market share. What Would Ira Do?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Warning! Do Not Listen To Mike Birbiglia in Bed When Your Wife is Sleeping
Was listening to This American Life episode #411 First Contact last night on the iPod while my wife was sound asleep. The Act 1 when Mike Birbiglia talks about his experience trying to make out with his crush as a young teen was LOL hilarious. If you were ever 13 you and want to smile you must listen. Don't drink coffee while doing so.
Best Day Ever For the 12 Year Old Me and Freakanomics Questions
Went to gas station today and they had a fountain soda machine with big sign, 99 Cents any size! Even for the huge BIG JACK. I know that the cost of the actual soda and cups are not very much so it does not cost them very much to give a huge BIG JACK soda to me but still it seems like they can’t be making much on these; few men or boys would buy a small or medium if the super size is the same price. Funny because they still sell much smaller bottles of pop for $1.50, I love these retail economics oddities. They have all the data and know the science of this whole thing. I guess part of the plan is a bit of a loss leader approach, they make money on other stuff and less on the soda.
Also, the cool feature of this machine that would have made the 12 year old me jizz my pants was all the flavor shots you can add to your drink! Right in the soda machine. My friends and I would have gone nuts, who wants a lime cherry Dr. Pepper?
Also, the cool feature of this machine that would have made the 12 year old me jizz my pants was all the flavor shots you can add to your drink! Right in the soda machine. My friends and I would have gone nuts, who wants a lime cherry Dr. Pepper?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
...if that happens to be the "The Da Vinci Code" or the Backstreet Boys, well, you know, good luck to you....
Terry Gross did a great Fresh Air interview back in September with Nick Hornby, check it out. I have read several of his books and think he is a very funny interesting guy. High Fidelity is a great book about a music fan in Brittan and much better than the set in the USA movie.
The interview is mostly about his writing the screenplay for 'An Education' and his book 'Juliet, Naked' which I have not seen/ read yet but I think I must.
He also gets into a lot of other issues including the appreciation of books and music (see above quote which sounds better than it reads) as well as his 3 sons, one of which is severely autistic. I am inspired about his reaction to his son's problem, while he clearly cares deeply about him, he doesn't just give up his passions and the enjoyment of music and books because of his hard time with his son. Some may just think that pop music is a waste of time when you have such a serious problem in your life but he keeps going, writing, thinking about music fans and working despite his great personal challenge he lives with each day.
Another insightful part of the interview was his discussion of the differences between post-war Britton and post war USA and how that is reflected in the music of the 50s and 60s.
Hornby talking about how he has changed his view about good art, music and books since having kids and has become less of a snob about it.
"the position I've arrived at finally, is that anything that makes you feel more alive is good for you, and if that happens to be the "The Da Vinci Code" or the Backstreet Boys, well, you know, good luck to you. But if you feel more alert and more able to cope and more willing to communicate as a result of anything you might consume, then that thing is performing a valuable function in your life, I think."
The interview is mostly about his writing the screenplay for 'An Education' and his book 'Juliet, Naked' which I have not seen/ read yet but I think I must.
He also gets into a lot of other issues including the appreciation of books and music (see above quote which sounds better than it reads) as well as his 3 sons, one of which is severely autistic. I am inspired about his reaction to his son's problem, while he clearly cares deeply about him, he doesn't just give up his passions and the enjoyment of music and books because of his hard time with his son. Some may just think that pop music is a waste of time when you have such a serious problem in your life but he keeps going, writing, thinking about music fans and working despite his great personal challenge he lives with each day.
Another insightful part of the interview was his discussion of the differences between post-war Britton and post war USA and how that is reflected in the music of the 50s and 60s.
Hornby talking about how he has changed his view about good art, music and books since having kids and has become less of a snob about it.
"the position I've arrived at finally, is that anything that makes you feel more alive is good for you, and if that happens to be the "The Da Vinci Code" or the Backstreet Boys, well, you know, good luck to you. But if you feel more alert and more able to cope and more willing to communicate as a result of anything you might consume, then that thing is performing a valuable function in your life, I think."
Friday, July 2, 2010
Great Hair
Check out this interview with Alison Scott about her saga that ended up resulting with her and her band (including my brother-in-law) opening for Bon Jovi. More Alison here.
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