This is not an endorsement of either major party candidate for President. Rather it's an endorsement of the one and only issue you need to think about before you cast your ballot.
The Deficit. Check out the National Debt Clock for the current, and very scary numbers. It's so huge that it defies description. How it will impact us all is easy. We're going broke. In fact we are broke.
As a nation we're like a bunch of people who got together for a big fancy steak dinner. We've chowed down on prime rib, filet mignon, drinking 18 year old scotch and are ordering cheesecake for desert. We're looking around the table figuring one of us is going to pick up the tab right?
Wrong. Everyone's credit card is maxed out and our only choice is to all try and sneak out on the bill or spend a long night washing dishes. Both solutions fraught with peril to our prestige as a nation. In fact our existence as a nation.
President Obama asked former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson and former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles to form a commission and come up with solutions. Both men are patriotic, brilliant and solution seekers. They put together a bi-partisan team and came up with a road map to reduce the monstrous deficit. Read it here.
After much praise and fanfare, it was stuffed in a drawer where it resides today. That's because there was no sugar in it to help the medicine go down. It's because it would require actual political courage to enact the measures to save us from joining Thelma and Louise driving off the edge of the Grand Canyon.
The debates are over. A myriad of pundits have opined. It's time to cast your ballot. Before you do, ask yourself which of the two candidates is best prepared to lead us in digging out of a very deep and dark financial hole. It will take no small amount of courage. It will take all of us to be part of the solution. All of us.
We can't have equal pay if there is no money. We can't have Medicare or Social Security if there is no money. We can't grow our economy if there is no money. We can't compete in the global market place if there is no money. We can't defend ourselves if there is no money.
There is no money.
The question isn't are we better off that we were four years ago. It's "Will we be better off as a nation four years from now?"
Ignore the made for TV sound bites. Ignore the nonsense being posted on Social Media. As Al Simpson says, look at the Math, not myth.
It's time to decide. While you do the National Debt Clock is ticking. Upward.
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Walking to School
A week and a half ago, young Jessica Ridgeway left for school. Her mom watched her walk down the street on her way to a park where she'd meet friends for the rest of trip to school.
It was the last time she was seen alive. Her body was found a week later in a field. A community mourns and is anxious for revenge. There is a monster loose among us and if FBI profiles are to be believed, it's likely someone who's been in the community for a while.
Kids shouldn't disappear on the way to school. It's not right. It's a sad testimony how our civilization has become, less civilized.
We were in Atlanta visiting our own grand kids following the story online, hoping against hope for a happy ending. There was no happy ending.
Our grand kids are never out of the sight of family or very trusted adults. They're escorted to the bus stop for school, watched as they board and there is always someone there to pick them up after they get off the bus home.
All sorts of activities that kids do are monitored. Closely. It's the way our world is these days.
Growing up as a kid my friends and me walked to school right up to the time we were old enough to drive. We thought nothing of it. We'd walk to cub scout meetings, often at night albeit as a group but mostly without an adult escort.
We thought nothing of it.
I'll bet you when they catch the monster that did this, it (can't refer to it in human terms) will have a previous record. Just like the driver of the hit and run car that killed a young woman a few weeks earlier. One reporter on TV literally unfurled pages of documents showing the suspect had a LONG list of prior arrests for drugs, DUI and well, it was a long list. But the system kept on letting him out. An innocent woman is dead. Justice? Ask her family. It should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.
One of the problems with our so-called "Justice System" is we keep on letting bad people out over and over again, to commit crimes over and over again.
When the "Justice Center" was built in downtown Denver, much was made of its beauty of design. WHY? They should have taken a page out of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and built it ugly. An example of where you end up when you break the law. Arpaio gets all sorts of grief from a long list of liberal do-gooders. His response is simple and to the point. Don't break the law and I won't arrest you.
We have a second home in south-central Colorado and our drive down takes us by the Super Max in Florence. It's good to know that the place is designed to keep the worst monsters among us locked up and under control. In most cases they throw away the key.
If government insists on building "Shovel Ready" projects, then build more jails. Make them big, ugly and scary looking. We need judges who will put people away, literally when they do bad things. One thing I like about the Chinese system of justice is when you're convicted they take you out back and shoot you in the head. Cuts down on recidivism.
Do-gooders love to carry "Thou shalt not kill" signs. The quote is right, you're not supposed to kill but if you read further into scripture the point is made there's a price to pay when you do.
I hope they catch the monster that took Jessica away from us. I hope they punish this monster to the fullest extent of the law. I am not so sanguine about our "Justice" system's courage to do so. Weak lawmakers make weak laws. We have too many weak lawmakers. We have people who have been on death row for the most heinous crimes. They've been there for decades. Appeals, motions blah blah blah. Their victims are dead. They live on.
It's just plain wrong and innocent children like Jessica shouldn't have to pay for it.
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And don't mind sharing an opinion from time to time)
It was the last time she was seen alive. Her body was found a week later in a field. A community mourns and is anxious for revenge. There is a monster loose among us and if FBI profiles are to be believed, it's likely someone who's been in the community for a while.
Kids shouldn't disappear on the way to school. It's not right. It's a sad testimony how our civilization has become, less civilized.
We were in Atlanta visiting our own grand kids following the story online, hoping against hope for a happy ending. There was no happy ending.
Our grand kids are never out of the sight of family or very trusted adults. They're escorted to the bus stop for school, watched as they board and there is always someone there to pick them up after they get off the bus home.
All sorts of activities that kids do are monitored. Closely. It's the way our world is these days.
Growing up as a kid my friends and me walked to school right up to the time we were old enough to drive. We thought nothing of it. We'd walk to cub scout meetings, often at night albeit as a group but mostly without an adult escort.
We thought nothing of it.
I'll bet you when they catch the monster that did this, it (can't refer to it in human terms) will have a previous record. Just like the driver of the hit and run car that killed a young woman a few weeks earlier. One reporter on TV literally unfurled pages of documents showing the suspect had a LONG list of prior arrests for drugs, DUI and well, it was a long list. But the system kept on letting him out. An innocent woman is dead. Justice? Ask her family. It should never have been allowed to happen in the first place.
One of the problems with our so-called "Justice System" is we keep on letting bad people out over and over again, to commit crimes over and over again.
When the "Justice Center" was built in downtown Denver, much was made of its beauty of design. WHY? They should have taken a page out of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and built it ugly. An example of where you end up when you break the law. Arpaio gets all sorts of grief from a long list of liberal do-gooders. His response is simple and to the point. Don't break the law and I won't arrest you.
We have a second home in south-central Colorado and our drive down takes us by the Super Max in Florence. It's good to know that the place is designed to keep the worst monsters among us locked up and under control. In most cases they throw away the key.
If government insists on building "Shovel Ready" projects, then build more jails. Make them big, ugly and scary looking. We need judges who will put people away, literally when they do bad things. One thing I like about the Chinese system of justice is when you're convicted they take you out back and shoot you in the head. Cuts down on recidivism.
Do-gooders love to carry "Thou shalt not kill" signs. The quote is right, you're not supposed to kill but if you read further into scripture the point is made there's a price to pay when you do.
I hope they catch the monster that took Jessica away from us. I hope they punish this monster to the fullest extent of the law. I am not so sanguine about our "Justice" system's courage to do so. Weak lawmakers make weak laws. We have too many weak lawmakers. We have people who have been on death row for the most heinous crimes. They've been there for decades. Appeals, motions blah blah blah. Their victims are dead. They live on.
It's just plain wrong and innocent children like Jessica shouldn't have to pay for it.
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you" (And don't mind sharing an opinion from time to time)
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Presidential Debate Primer
Tonight's the night. Romney vs Obama at DU. Time now to manage expectations.
1. First, this really isn't a debate but more of a series of highly rehearsed responses to expected questions from the moderator, regardless if they actually deal with the question. It's all about the sound byte. It's a game of "Gotcha!"
If a candidate begins a response with "The fact of the matter is ...." it means they aren't going to answer the question. Or at least try not to because ...
Jim Lehrer is tonight moderator. I've met him a couple of times. He's a nice guy but a no-nonsense questioner. This is his 12th Presidential Debate. You can't fool him. He's also convinced organizers to make tonight's event more of an interview format with fewer questions, but longer segments for questions, answers and follow-up. He'll challenge every response with both candidates.
2. There's something else on the stage tonight. An 800 pound gorilla called the DEFICIT. It passed the $16 Trillion mark during the Democratic Political Convention. How much is $16 Trillion? Well, it's about $60 Thousand for each and everyone of us. Each and everyone. It will be even more tomorrow.
Both candidates will at least mention it, blame each other for it and the key will be if either offers some real ideas to reduce it. Not likely, as it could be perceived as a "gaffe" and you know what the media does with gaffes.
3. Speaking of the media, they will outnumber the actually number of real people in the audience or at least in the building by about 3-1. As a former television news director, executive producer and network field producer let me tell you that there really is no bias in at least the national media. It's just that most of the national folks are out or touch with reality and any sense of what goes on here on Main Street USA.
One could say they're mostly stupid, but that would be impolite. Let's just use the term "Obtuse."
I can't tell you the number of times I got bizarre requests for story coverage for stories that didn't even exist. These folks live and work in Washington DC and New York City. They go to cocktail parties with the same people they cover and often inter-marry! It's incestuous. They have little if any clue as to what the real issues are that impact us outside of their world. (See previous comments on deficit)
After the debate, these folks will tell us what really was said and what it meant. They don't think we have enough intelligence to make up our own minds on what we heard. It's true.
Do don't listen to them. They're, you know, obtuse. Make up your own mind. Be your own pundit.
I will say this about local media, they're by and large very fair. They live and shop where we do and their kids go to the same schools as ours. They're clear in separating opinion from reporting. They live with us here on Main Street USA. They're worth a listen.
4. It's important we respect the process. President Obama and Governor Romney have had the courage to put their name on the ballot, to say "this is what I believe in and this is what I want to do." We are free to agree or disagree with either candidate but let's respect the fact they made a deeply personal decision to run for office. Along with wearing the uniform, the most patriotic thing anyone can do is run for office. Act accordingly, especially on Social Media. Name calling and F-Bombs do nothing to bridge the scary political divide that exists in America. (See earlier comments on deficit)
5. Do your home work. I suggest reading the report of the Simpson-Bowles Commission. It was ordered by the President, and both Republican Senator Alan K. Simpson along with former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles put together a remarkable roadmap to dig us out of a frightening financial hole. (See earlier comments on deficit)
The report, was filed away in some box. Like the Ark of the Covenant scene from that Indiana Jones movie.
Here's the link to the report.
As you read, or at least skim through the report you'll see there's very little sugar inside to let the medicine go down. The trouble is, it will take no small amount of political courage to make the tough decisions that need to be made in Washington and executed here at home. (See earlier comments on deficit.)
Look, listen, ponder as if the future of our nation depends on it. Because it does.
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"
1. First, this really isn't a debate but more of a series of highly rehearsed responses to expected questions from the moderator, regardless if they actually deal with the question. It's all about the sound byte. It's a game of "Gotcha!"
If a candidate begins a response with "The fact of the matter is ...." it means they aren't going to answer the question. Or at least try not to because ...
Jim Lehrer is tonight moderator. I've met him a couple of times. He's a nice guy but a no-nonsense questioner. This is his 12th Presidential Debate. You can't fool him. He's also convinced organizers to make tonight's event more of an interview format with fewer questions, but longer segments for questions, answers and follow-up. He'll challenge every response with both candidates.
2. There's something else on the stage tonight. An 800 pound gorilla called the DEFICIT. It passed the $16 Trillion mark during the Democratic Political Convention. How much is $16 Trillion? Well, it's about $60 Thousand for each and everyone of us. Each and everyone. It will be even more tomorrow.
Both candidates will at least mention it, blame each other for it and the key will be if either offers some real ideas to reduce it. Not likely, as it could be perceived as a "gaffe" and you know what the media does with gaffes.
3. Speaking of the media, they will outnumber the actually number of real people in the audience or at least in the building by about 3-1. As a former television news director, executive producer and network field producer let me tell you that there really is no bias in at least the national media. It's just that most of the national folks are out or touch with reality and any sense of what goes on here on Main Street USA.
One could say they're mostly stupid, but that would be impolite. Let's just use the term "Obtuse."
I can't tell you the number of times I got bizarre requests for story coverage for stories that didn't even exist. These folks live and work in Washington DC and New York City. They go to cocktail parties with the same people they cover and often inter-marry! It's incestuous. They have little if any clue as to what the real issues are that impact us outside of their world. (See previous comments on deficit)
After the debate, these folks will tell us what really was said and what it meant. They don't think we have enough intelligence to make up our own minds on what we heard. It's true.
Do don't listen to them. They're, you know, obtuse. Make up your own mind. Be your own pundit.
I will say this about local media, they're by and large very fair. They live and shop where we do and their kids go to the same schools as ours. They're clear in separating opinion from reporting. They live with us here on Main Street USA. They're worth a listen.
4. It's important we respect the process. President Obama and Governor Romney have had the courage to put their name on the ballot, to say "this is what I believe in and this is what I want to do." We are free to agree or disagree with either candidate but let's respect the fact they made a deeply personal decision to run for office. Along with wearing the uniform, the most patriotic thing anyone can do is run for office. Act accordingly, especially on Social Media. Name calling and F-Bombs do nothing to bridge the scary political divide that exists in America. (See earlier comments on deficit)
5. Do your home work. I suggest reading the report of the Simpson-Bowles Commission. It was ordered by the President, and both Republican Senator Alan K. Simpson along with former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles put together a remarkable roadmap to dig us out of a frightening financial hole. (See earlier comments on deficit)
The report, was filed away in some box. Like the Ark of the Covenant scene from that Indiana Jones movie.
Here's the link to the report.
As you read, or at least skim through the report you'll see there's very little sugar inside to let the medicine go down. The trouble is, it will take no small amount of political courage to make the tough decisions that need to be made in Washington and executed here at home. (See earlier comments on deficit.)
Look, listen, ponder as if the future of our nation depends on it. Because it does.
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"
Thursday, September 27, 2012
E-Mags in a word: Cool!
I like to read. You know, stay current on stuff I'm interested in from news, to sports to hobbies. Like most folks, I subscribe to several magazines and have done so for years.
But like everything else, the publishing business is going digital. Publications like Businessweek, Sports Illustrated, National Geographic and even Model Railroader are all available on digital devices like your iPad.
The best part is you get your issue days before the print issue ever arrived. And it's more than just the same content in the print version. I just downloaded the latest issue. My favorite part, the "Leading Off" photos are incredible in a digital format. There's also sections for breaking news. The content evolves like it never could in print. Best of all, lots of video and interactive content.
Businessweek is also making good use of electronic delivery, with updated audio content and you can esaily share stories of interest with friends on Twitter and Facebook.
Our most recent subscription is to National Geographic. They're doing an absolutely fabulous job of transitioning their epic coverage of our world into digital content. Always a great read, it's become a great experience.
My hobby is model railroading. Model Railroader Magazine has been part of the hobby way before I was born. Now the magazine arrive via Zineo, and while not quite as elegant a delivery system as others, it's still fun to learn more about my hobby on my iPad.
Of course there are many other publications available digitally, you must have your own favorites. But what a grand experience when the content is digital shareable and ever changing.
Finally I rarely read actual books anymore, you know, the ones that sit on bookshelves. You can buy bestsellers for devices like the Nook or Kindle and of course my favorite, the iPad. Libraries have full digital collections and there's always a new read waiting for me when I digitally return one just completed.
The digital world can be bewildering sometimes, and often annoying. Especially Facebook during election season. But the digital evolution of magazines and books is here to stay and just going to be better and better. I like it!
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!!
But like everything else, the publishing business is going digital. Publications like Businessweek, Sports Illustrated, National Geographic and even Model Railroader are all available on digital devices like your iPad.
The best part is you get your issue days before the print issue ever arrived. And it's more than just the same content in the print version. I just downloaded the latest issue. My favorite part, the "Leading Off" photos are incredible in a digital format. There's also sections for breaking news. The content evolves like it never could in print. Best of all, lots of video and interactive content.
Businessweek is also making good use of electronic delivery, with updated audio content and you can esaily share stories of interest with friends on Twitter and Facebook.
Our most recent subscription is to National Geographic. They're doing an absolutely fabulous job of transitioning their epic coverage of our world into digital content. Always a great read, it's become a great experience.
My hobby is model railroading. Model Railroader Magazine has been part of the hobby way before I was born. Now the magazine arrive via Zineo, and while not quite as elegant a delivery system as others, it's still fun to learn more about my hobby on my iPad.
Of course there are many other publications available digitally, you must have your own favorites. But what a grand experience when the content is digital shareable and ever changing.
Finally I rarely read actual books anymore, you know, the ones that sit on bookshelves. You can buy bestsellers for devices like the Nook or Kindle and of course my favorite, the iPad. Libraries have full digital collections and there's always a new read waiting for me when I digitally return one just completed.
The digital world can be bewildering sometimes, and often annoying. Especially Facebook during election season. But the digital evolution of magazines and books is here to stay and just going to be better and better. I like it!
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The "Economic Plan" I want to hear
Both candidates for President are bombarding the airwaves and digital media with their economic plans. All are vague, lacking in any sort of meaningful substance and therefore a huge waste of our time and money.
Both candidates will be asked the same questions during the debates. Hopefully moderators will try and nail them down to specifics, but this is the answer I'd like to hear from either candidate.
"The day after the inaugural, I will schedule a 6am meeting at the White House. I am however, willing to drive to the capitol should meeting space be available. Invited are the following people:
The House Speaker and Minority Leader from both parties along with the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders. And me of course.
That's it, no aides just the 5 of us. A live video and audio feed will be available for any and all news outlets for the duration of the meeting.
We'll have plenty of coffee and healthy food because we'll need it. The first thing we're going to do is look each other in the eye and agree that what we're about to do is in the best interests of the people we work for, the American People. We understand that not everything we do will be agreeable to everyone, but the greater economic good is our goal.
Then we get to work. We will trim $1 Trillion from the deficit not matter how long it takes. We will look where to raise revenues in a fair and equitable way, but more importantly identify the waste we all know exists in our spending habits, which have been part of a broken process going back for decades.
This is not about blame, but fixing things and doing what's right. I'm sure we'll argue and tempers might flare so we can take a time-out if needed. But we don't go home until we've trimmed back that first trillion bucks. No smoke and mirrors, just the real deal.
When we're done, and we can do it, we will hold a joint news conference to share what we've done. In advance we'd like to apologize to our friends in the media as that news conference could happen at likely a very weird hour and frankly, we won't be looking our best as we'll be pooped and a little stinky. But we will tell you we have found a way to knock that first trillion from the debt. Real solutions, not projections or political hoo-ha. We will also agree to no political grandstanding. This is a team effort.
Then we'll go get a few hour sleep and get on with the business of governing. That said, we will meet again the following month to knock another trillion from the debt. Maybe we could alternate between the White House and Capitol. The important thing is we meet.
THAT is my economic plan."
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"
Both candidates will be asked the same questions during the debates. Hopefully moderators will try and nail them down to specifics, but this is the answer I'd like to hear from either candidate.
"The day after the inaugural, I will schedule a 6am meeting at the White House. I am however, willing to drive to the capitol should meeting space be available. Invited are the following people:
The House Speaker and Minority Leader from both parties along with the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders. And me of course.
That's it, no aides just the 5 of us. A live video and audio feed will be available for any and all news outlets for the duration of the meeting.
We'll have plenty of coffee and healthy food because we'll need it. The first thing we're going to do is look each other in the eye and agree that what we're about to do is in the best interests of the people we work for, the American People. We understand that not everything we do will be agreeable to everyone, but the greater economic good is our goal.
Then we get to work. We will trim $1 Trillion from the deficit not matter how long it takes. We will look where to raise revenues in a fair and equitable way, but more importantly identify the waste we all know exists in our spending habits, which have been part of a broken process going back for decades.
This is not about blame, but fixing things and doing what's right. I'm sure we'll argue and tempers might flare so we can take a time-out if needed. But we don't go home until we've trimmed back that first trillion bucks. No smoke and mirrors, just the real deal.
When we're done, and we can do it, we will hold a joint news conference to share what we've done. In advance we'd like to apologize to our friends in the media as that news conference could happen at likely a very weird hour and frankly, we won't be looking our best as we'll be pooped and a little stinky. But we will tell you we have found a way to knock that first trillion from the debt. Real solutions, not projections or political hoo-ha. We will also agree to no political grandstanding. This is a team effort.
Then we'll go get a few hour sleep and get on with the business of governing. That said, we will meet again the following month to knock another trillion from the debt. Maybe we could alternate between the White House and Capitol. The important thing is we meet.
THAT is my economic plan."
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
SunRun Solar. So far so GREAT!
I've blogged a couple of times before about our switch to solar power here at home late last year. I've been interviewed by media about the switch a couple of times and asked this question both times:
"How is it?"
My answer is easy; "Exceeds every expectation."
It's been a very long, hot and dry summer. We set a record for the number 90+ degree days. Last year we used our AC very sparingly, it was just so expensive. Not this year, we had the thermostat set at between 76-78 degrees every day. No worrying about the power bill, because we were generating more power than we were using.
Some Stats:
Our goal with solar was simply to save money, but when you look at the positive impact it's had on the environment, it feels good. It also has me thinking of what things could be if more people gave solar a try.
The technology is just plain simple from installation to using every day. You can also go to your customer link on SunRun's home page to monitor your power use, along with the additional meter installed at the back of the house.
OK, I know the government is talking about all sorts of massive solar power "farms" using thousands and thousands of acres. Just not practical and you don't want the government involved in things anyways. Some neighborhoods up in the mountains are pooling resources for solar "gardens." Even on cloudy or rainy days, you're still generating power.
So whether on your own roof, or a community garden, solar works. It's easy and affordable.
Ka-Ching!
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"How is it?"
My answer is easy; "Exceeds every expectation."
It's been a very long, hot and dry summer. We set a record for the number 90+ degree days. Last year we used our AC very sparingly, it was just so expensive. Not this year, we had the thermostat set at between 76-78 degrees every day. No worrying about the power bill, because we were generating more power than we were using.
Some Stats:
- We've generated 6761 kWh of power since installation last December. That 820 MORE kWh than we used. We have a new power meter that runs both ways. It's been running backwards all summer. At the end of the year we'll get a credit from the power company for the power we SOLD them!
- We saved 10278 pounds of CO2 emissions. To put it in perspective, the savings in emissions is equal to us planting 120 trees. Or NOT driving 10,669 miles.
Our goal with solar was simply to save money, but when you look at the positive impact it's had on the environment, it feels good. It also has me thinking of what things could be if more people gave solar a try.
The technology is just plain simple from installation to using every day. You can also go to your customer link on SunRun's home page to monitor your power use, along with the additional meter installed at the back of the house.
OK, I know the government is talking about all sorts of massive solar power "farms" using thousands and thousands of acres. Just not practical and you don't want the government involved in things anyways. Some neighborhoods up in the mountains are pooling resources for solar "gardens." Even on cloudy or rainy days, you're still generating power.
So whether on your own roof, or a community garden, solar works. It's easy and affordable.
Ka-Ching!
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Lies, Damn Lies and Political Ads
Each campaign cycle, the political ads keep on getting nastier and nastier. This year both sides have really raised the bar on nasty.
There are two types of ads; those produced by campaigns and those produced by Political Action Committees or PACS. By law, campaigns and PAC's aren't allowed direct contact but my guess is there is a lot of nodding and winking involved.
How bad is it? Both sides, directly and via their surrogates are saying some of the most hateful and untrue things about each other. These often outright lies are then further distorted to the point of nausea. How are we folks on Main Street served by all this? The answer of course is, not at all.
What's quite fascinating is the good work many media outlets do in fact-checking these ads. In just about every case, we learn the truth is being stretched a tad, OK a lot. By both parties. So why run the darn things? Either people are believing the ads or not believing the news.
Political "experts" say they work. These "experts" of course live in New York and Washington DC and are about as connected to us here on Main Street as Vladimir Putin.
Our economy is in a world of hurt and the national debt passed the $16 Trillion mark before the opening gavel in Charlotte. If both parties don't come together, and quickly to deal with this issue we'll be toast. Period. We're in the back seat with Thelma and Louise headed for you-know-where.
I saw an interesting interview this week about all this with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. He'll be speaking at the DNC this week, but was talking about negative ads. A former restauranteur, he told about talking with a soda marketing executive about how negative advertising would work in the soda business.
In essence he said, if Coke started bad mouthing Pepsi, Pepsi would have to respond. It would escalate to the point where no one would buy either product. Hickenlooper is not a fan of negative ads. What I've always liked about the man is he never uses them. Remember his "Shower" Ads?
Up until recently, we didn't have a voice in all this. We had to just sit there and watch this crap. Not any more. Thank goodness for the DVR where you can skip through them. But Social Media, being used extensively by both parties, is also being used by the people they're trying to influence. Campaigns and PACS post clever, is not entirely accurate graphics and urge followers to "Like" and "Share" them. People click without verifying. The response is anything but positive as flame wars break out.
All because of lies and damn lies. From both sides.
This nation is divided, dangerously so. Both the Democrats and Republicans seem hell bent on simply breaking us in half entirely.
Enough is enough. (I'm going to have a shower)
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
There are two types of ads; those produced by campaigns and those produced by Political Action Committees or PACS. By law, campaigns and PAC's aren't allowed direct contact but my guess is there is a lot of nodding and winking involved.
How bad is it? Both sides, directly and via their surrogates are saying some of the most hateful and untrue things about each other. These often outright lies are then further distorted to the point of nausea. How are we folks on Main Street served by all this? The answer of course is, not at all.
What's quite fascinating is the good work many media outlets do in fact-checking these ads. In just about every case, we learn the truth is being stretched a tad, OK a lot. By both parties. So why run the darn things? Either people are believing the ads or not believing the news.
Political "experts" say they work. These "experts" of course live in New York and Washington DC and are about as connected to us here on Main Street as Vladimir Putin.
Our economy is in a world of hurt and the national debt passed the $16 Trillion mark before the opening gavel in Charlotte. If both parties don't come together, and quickly to deal with this issue we'll be toast. Period. We're in the back seat with Thelma and Louise headed for you-know-where.
I saw an interesting interview this week about all this with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. He'll be speaking at the DNC this week, but was talking about negative ads. A former restauranteur, he told about talking with a soda marketing executive about how negative advertising would work in the soda business.
In essence he said, if Coke started bad mouthing Pepsi, Pepsi would have to respond. It would escalate to the point where no one would buy either product. Hickenlooper is not a fan of negative ads. What I've always liked about the man is he never uses them. Remember his "Shower" Ads?
Up until recently, we didn't have a voice in all this. We had to just sit there and watch this crap. Not any more. Thank goodness for the DVR where you can skip through them. But Social Media, being used extensively by both parties, is also being used by the people they're trying to influence. Campaigns and PACS post clever, is not entirely accurate graphics and urge followers to "Like" and "Share" them. People click without verifying. The response is anything but positive as flame wars break out.
All because of lies and damn lies. From both sides.
This nation is divided, dangerously so. Both the Democrats and Republicans seem hell bent on simply breaking us in half entirely.
Enough is enough. (I'm going to have a shower)
Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)