Archive for March, 2006
What Would Jesus Drive?
by Rio Flores on March 31st, 2006
It looks like some people have been having a little fun with Chevy’s new ” contest, which they sponsored through NBC’s The Apprentice. As described on their site:
“Now, you’re the director and it’s your job to communicate this message by creating the best Tahoe online commercial for your chance to win.”
A few of the funnier ones are getting passed around the web, including a few that are more politically hostile (the second one below). I’m entertained.
What Would Jesus Drive?
America 2006: The Ultimate Padded Cell
Support Our Troops - Ad Council’s Dissapointingly Bland Campaign (plus one typo)
by Rio Flores on March 29th, 2006
Originally founded to , Ad Council has just come out with a print and radio campaign urging American’s to support the troops. While I completely support the sentiment, especially with a kid brother on his second tour in Iraq, I’m disappointed that Ad Council’s volunteer agency couldn’t come up with something that wasn’t quite so bland. You can download the radio spots and flash banners at Ad Council, and a few print executions are below. Unfortunately, the jpegs they released to the media appear to have a typo in them. The copy in the first ad should read “You don’t have to be A commanding officer…”
Media Bias in Iraq? One Reporter Hits Back
by Rio Flores on March 27th, 2006
Recent Republican criticisms of media bias in report on Iraq prompted this interview on CNN’s Reliable Sources. Lara Logan, CBS News Baghdad correspondent sharply defends her reporting and that of her peers and even makes the case that coverage has if anything been kind. She points out several key facts, including:
- Travel is sharply limited as the U.S. military requires that journalists travel only under military guard.
- Military commanders often prevent reporters from covering successful reconstruction efforts as they place those successes at risk of attack. They don’t have the ability to move around the country.
- Many more American soldiers die every week than are covered by the major media outlets.
- Countless Iraqi civilians come forward with claims of American soliders’ abuse, but those aren’t reported.
- Reconstruction efforts aren’t going well, of the 1.5 million jobs that were supposed to be created by the efforts only 77,000 jobs have been created thus far.
- Security is the dominate consideration for military commanders and Iraqi civilians. Journalists are held prisoner by the security situation. Security dominates every event in Iraqi.
The Video:
Atheists are America’s Most Distrusted Minority
by Rio Flores on March 23rd, 2006
Based on a telephone survey of more than 2,000 households, University researchers found that Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in “sharing their vision of American society.”
The primary author behind the study believes that a fear of moral decline and resulting social disorder is behind the findings. “Americans believe they share more than rules and procedures with their fellow citizens—they share an understanding of right and wrong,” she said. “Our findings seem to rest on a view of atheists as self-interested individuals who are not concerned with the common good.”
Then & Now - An Awesome Flickr Photo Pool
by Rio Flores on March 23rd, 2006
It’s always so fascinating to see how places change over time. This is an awesome photo pool to very dramatically see that process in action! It’s basically a collection of historical photos matched with photos from current times. Especially history fans, I’m sure this would be worth exploring.
Great Romanian Ad Poking Fun of Bush!
by Rio Flores on March 22nd, 2006
I had to post this great ad from Anima Pro, a Romanian association for lost animals. Originally posted on adverblog, the copy says: “A dog loves you the way you are. Adopt one.”
I just thought this was hilarious!
Broadband for All? Who Isn’t Already Online that Wants to Be?
by Rio Flores on March 20th, 2006
As mentioned on Slashdot and in this press release, the Democratic Party is proposing affordable broadband for all Americans within 5 years. While I’m very eager to see my fellow Americans become more tech-savvy and more eagerly embrace the future, I really wonder how effective such measures could be. I really wonder who isn’t on broadband that wants to be, studies show cost isn’t a major barrier. I wonder how do the Democrats hope to accomplish such things and wonder what role government should be playing.
A Parks Associates study published late February shows slowing internet and broadband growth. Just this week BusinessWeek published their take on the study. Their analysis: Many consumers who want to go online are online. Of the 39 million homes without Internet access only, 8 million have computers in the home and only 2 million of these plans to get internet service of any kind. Another 300,000 homes might go online if the price were cheaper.
Based on the preceding paragraph, we can say that about 2.3 million offline households would be affected by a affordable broadband. As a point of reference, there are 108 million U.S. households. So, one million homes translates into slightly less than 1% of all U.S. households. Making broadband as cheap as dial-up won’t have much of an effect on the remaining households with computers, but lacking internet service. Many of these homes’ are content to simply access the internet from work. So.. What about moving people from dial-up to broadband?
In terms of dail-up to broadband transitions, the Parks Associates study indicates that “42% of the U.S. population has broadband access at home, while 22% use dial-up.” (Why were not talking about households anymore, I don’t know – I’m going to assume they meant 22% of households since all other citations reference households). About a month ago, a study came out suggesting that about1/3 of dial-up users would adopt broadband if the price were cheaper (Sorry – I can’t find the source). So, let’s just assume that 1/3 of 22% of America’s 108 million homes would be additionally affected by the Democratic “Broadband for All” proposal. That translates into another 7% or 7.8 million homes.
I hope delivering affordable broadband to these 10.1 million households (7.8 + 2.3), or 9% of all households, would be accomplished by creating some real competition in the broadband marketplace. Unfortunately, due to the various decisions of the FTC competition to provide broadband service is somewhat limited in this country. You generally will only find a 2 or 3 companies, if that, offering broadband to a given household. The situation gets worse in smaller cities and more rural locations. At this point, there is little reason for cable companies and telecoms to compete on price. I hope this is what Nancy Pelosi means when she speaks about providing affordable broadband for all.
There is really no need for any expansive government program. While I’m not conservative, I just don’t want another instance to emerge where Democrats can be painted as advocating “big government” or “big spending.” Instead let’s see what real market competition can do to the price of broadband.
The GOP is Gaming Port Security Funding & Airports Miss 21 Bombs. I Feel Safe!
by Rio Flores on March 17th, 2006
After being outmaneuvered previously on port security issues, the Republicans are playing the game hard, but do they really have the best interests of American Security at heart?
This past week Senate Republicans blocked increases of $1.7 Billion in “badly needed” funding and instead lead the 90-8 passage of a $978 million dollar increase. This past week in the house, the GOP rejected an increase of $1.25 Billion (article). After Sen. Robert Menendez had submitted a different bill for $965 million (D-NJ), Sen Mitch McConnell (R-KY) submitted a very similar bill for $978 million (article). The Republican controlled congress brought this latter bill to a successful vote and passage. Way to go Republicans – at least the LAT thought so (article)! My guess is some lazy reporter say a press release and didn’t bother to do any real journalism.
Aw gawsh, golly. I love these Republicans! They know that now is not the time to play politics with our national security! And they’ll tell you so, just ask.
Finishing out the week, the Government Accountability Office released a damning report in which 21 out of 21 airports failed to detect bomb making materials (article). Under funded ports and weak airport protection! I feel safe!