Welcome back!
With the incredible tragedy in Haiti, it makes it a challenge to blog on the usual media and political circuses that surround us. If you haven't got around to donating, click the Canadian Red Cross or the American Red Cross. Or a charity that you trust to get all the money there and fast. While I'm at it, regardless of one's political leanings, you've got to admit that the Canadian and American governments kicked into gear in record time which is one of the few blessings out of the terrible disaster.
Then there's televangelist Pat Robertson, who never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Take a look at his comments on the Haitian disaster, and you'll see why. The really sad part is that Robertson's comments get a tremendous amount of media coverage instead of the enormous outreach efforts by the Catholic Church, Protestant churches and people of all faiths - as well as those who don't act out of faith - just plain old compassion for a nation in desperate need. Pat it's time to retire!
And now onto totally important inane matters that help to keep us sane.....
In my last posting I had blogged on the NBC late night fiasco. A few forests have been felled reporting on it but I haven't seen anything on the very clever PR move by Conan O'Brien. Since he took over the audience has dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million and yet he is coming out smelling like roses since he released this statement.
How did he accomplish that?
First, he cloaked it in the right context - "no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky." PERFECT
Once he set the context he made clear his [unselfish] motive in fighting NBC for trying to push the Tonight Show's slot to 12:05 - "Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future." BULLS-EYE
Finally, he makes his ask: "It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both." SIMPLE AND REASONABLE
By all accounts, he wrote it himself! Jay Leno's supporters are few and far between, making him look like he is only self-interested and going back on his word. I wonder who his advisors are?
Politics
How not to answer a question at a news conference.
Check out California Republican Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman's attempt to not answer the question at her news conference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmI2z5PVYGQ&NR=1
As a rookie to politics she can be forgiven. However, the lesson here is that you have to address the question before you are given the license to bridge. Perhaps she thought that the answer would be far worse than the 'dodge'? Tell the truth even if it hurts. The public is more forgiving of the truth than of sounding like the 'same old/same old' politician.
Until next time....
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