The HUBtag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://12007-09-16T15:20:19ZMovable Type 3.33The Hub Radio Show Prep - For September 15th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.552007-09-16T15:17:07Z2007-09-16T15:20:19ZSegment 1 MILITARY INTELLIGENCE? It seems the US Air Force misplaced five nuclear warheads a couple of weeks ago. Ops! A B-52 bomber mistakenly loaded with five nuclear warheads flew from Minot Air Force Base, N.D, to Barksdale Air Force...
Segment 1
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE?
It seems the US Air Force misplaced five nuclear warheads a couple of weeks ago. Ops! A B-52 bomber mistakenly loaded with five nuclear warheads flew from Minot Air Force Base, N.D, to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on Aug. 30, resulting in an Air Force-wide investigation, according to three officers who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the incident. Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Ed Thomas said the transfer was safely conducted and the weapons were in Air Force custody and control at all times. However, the mistake was not discovered until the B-52 landed at Barskdale, which left the warheads unaccounted for during the approximately 3-1/2 hour flight between the two bases, the officers said.
“Nuclear warheads mistakenly flown on B-52”, http://www.thetowntalk.com/, Sep 4, 2007Let’s see…they lose five nuclear warheads for three and half hours but that can assure us there was no risk of detonation. If you don’t know where they are, how the hell can you assure us they are not going to go off?HHHEEEEERRRREEEEEE’S FRED!
Senator Fred Thompson decided to forgo the Fox Republican debate and announce his bid for the White House on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He was quoted as saying more people watch the Tonight Show than a debate. Thompson made his candidacy official in a 15-minute Webcast that aired at midnight, around the same time he was seen on the East Coast chatting with Jay Leno on a taped broadcast of NBC's "Tonight Show."
“Thompson announces candidacy on Leno”, http://www.breitbart.com/ Sep 6, 2007Is it a smart move on Thompson’s part to bypass a traditional political forum such as a typically low-rated, political debate for a high-rated, late night talk show? Will this truly help him connect with voters. Point being, are those who are likely to vote in a primary watching the debate or Leno?]]>
UNDER 40 VOTER BLOCK
A new book by Bryan Caplan, The Myth of the Rational Voter, points out that people don’t like their world view challenged, thus, we vote for candidates who make us feel good – in other words, irrationally. Voters don’t fear consequences so they indulge their biases. John Stossell says that he is okay with young voters who don’t care to vote because “most of you don’t know anything yet.”
“Economic Illiteracy”, Wednesday, Aug 1st, 2007What do you think about Stossell’s perspective? Should everyone of age 18 be allowed to vote no matter their level of education? Is it a bad idea to launch get out the vote campaigns that often serve merely to get out the uneducated vote? Should we require current event tests for people under 25 prior to entering the voting booth so that they earn their right to vote? Since most would simply walk out rather than go through the hassle of taking a test, would the “walk-out rate” be a good litmus test for whether they have any business voting? Segment 3TERROR FRONT – THE LONG HIGHWAY
In the wake of 9-11 earlier this week, General David Patreaus is focusing the nation on progress in Iraq as the front in the war on terror. But terror fronts are like Halo video game environments, they all look different, there are many of them, and the name of the game is Decentralization. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff talks tough out of one side of his department for cracking down on “sanctuary cities” for illegals in the U.S. and hinting at taking away their government funding. At the same time, he serves under an Administration that just ramped up the release of over 100 Mexican trucking companies onto U.S. highways trafficking goods, products, services, and the occasional soul longing for freedom in the New World or longing to bring his brand of “reality” by who knows what means.
“The Security and Prosperity Partnership” http://www.cis.org/articles/2007/back607.html, June 2007
“Mexican trucks approved for longhaul…” http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57533
“Chertoff warns meddling sanctuary cities” http://www.washingtontimes.com, September 6, 2007How do you reconcile the idea that you are protecting national security in a war on terror and opening U.S. borders to illegals, especially trucking companies? Isn’t it easier to smuggle dangerous cargo in a big rig than in your back pocket? What do you think of the Securities and Prosperities Partnership? Is this inevitable in the U.S.? Is this a good effort to build alliances with our border nations to project a more united front against terror? After all, the Canadians don’t seem to trust the Russians any more than we do and what American doesn’t love a good chimicanga? Would be a different issue regarding national sovereignty if we were expanding our borders as opposed to simply opening them, making Mexico our 51st state? Segment 5STRONG MEN?
A new book about the presidency of George W. Bush, Dead Certain, quotes the President saying that “self-pity is the worst thing that can happen to a presidency” and that “I've got God's shoulder to cry on. And I cry a lot. I do a lot of crying in this job” when he reflected on soldiers that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror.
Disregard your personal feelings about George W. Bush’s presidency. Can a man, let alone a President who is charged to project American power, cry? Is emotion like this a sign of weakness or strength? Should the American people feel more or less confident in leaders who are able and willing to cry? If “Big Girls Don’t Cry” do men have any business crying? What does a willingness or ability to cry say about a person? What about an unwillingness?Segment 6SURPRISE! MY CHILD IS SMARTER THAN YOUR CHIMP.
European scientists have found that children are smarter than chimpanzees. A unique study comparing the abilities of human toddlers to chimpanzees and orangutans found that two-year-old children have social learning skills superior to the apes, the researchers said.
”Shock: Kids smarter than chimps” http://www.news.com.au/storyWow, Scientists are now finding humans are smarter than apes and it seems to surprise them. Have they compared to cognitive skills of research scientist to those of primates? The primates might fare better. On the other hand, how dare chimps go out and try and disprove what hundreds of years of science has tried to justify – their similar cognitive capabilities to humans. Don’t they have any appreciation for what’s been done on behalf of their image?! If they keep this up, we may bump them back down the evolutionay ladder. THE GENERAL “DON’T BETRAY US” REPORT
The week prior to U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus' Congressional testimony, Congressional Democrats worked overtime to undermine his findings saying the general is a mouthpiece for President Bush and his findings can't be trusted. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin referred to the report as "The Bush report." "We know what is going to be in it. It's clear. I think the president's trip over to Iraq makes it very obvious," the Illinois Democrat said. "I expect the Bush report to say, 'The surge is working. Let's have more of the same.
“Dems already discount war report” http://washingtontimes.com, September 6, 2007Why do some of our political leaders seem to have a vested interest in our defeat in Iraq? What does victory in Iraq look like? Will the Petraeus report really change opinions or will pundits take elements out of context to justify their current opinions? Are we determined not to let the facts get in the way of what we already believe? Why is it difficult to change the opinions of those who are emotionally invested in an argument?Segment 10TERROR FRONT(S) – THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY
The Dept. of Defense focuses on traditional warfare, the Dept. of Homeland Security deals with border warfare, and yet a new warfront is going largely unnoticed – possibly because the terrorists on this front look more like Steve Erkel than Rambo or Conan: The Barbarian. The world of cyber-terror came alive in Estonia recently and the U.S. is just starting to grapple with its implications.
“Web War One” Wired Magazine, pp. 163-169; 182-184, September 2007Is the U.S. doing enough on the cyber-terror front? Is this a real-world Revenge of the Nerds? Is it a real or imagined threat? Even if it’s real, for the sake of posterity, let’s imagine a threat. What would a successful “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”-attack look like on U.S. soil? How do you feel the U.S. stacks up with world prestige when it comes to the number of “Vetted Anti-Cyber Terror geeks”(those elite nerds who hold the trust factor worldwide within the hacker nerd community)?]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For September 8th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.542007-09-10T04:32:12Z2007-09-10T04:37:16ZSegment 1 WHO NEEDS A LIBRARY CARD? According to a recent Associate Press-Ipsos poll, one in four adults has not read a book in the last year. Of those who do read, we read an average of four books a...
Segment 1
WHO NEEDS A LIBRARY CARD?
According to a recent Associate Press-Ipsos poll, one in four adults has not read a book in the last year. Of those who do read, we read an average of four books a year. The most avid readers being seniors and women, with the top genres being religious works and popular fiction.
“One in four read no books last year”, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap, Aug 21, 2007How many book have you read this year? Are books becoming irrelevant? Are we reading less or do we just have more reading options? What purpose do books serve?]]>
THE SCIENCE OF GIVING
In a recent story on ABC’s 20/20, John Stossel discovered that science is finding a connection between giving and improved physical health. That was true for former heart patients at Duke University Medical Center. They were asked to visit current heart patients -- no particular agenda, just to listen and lend support. By doing that, the volunteers had better health after their heart attacks.
“Doing good and feeling better”, 20/20 with John Stossell, Aug. 20, 2007Why does it seems that we a designed to function physically and emotionally better when we’re generous? Does being stringy actually produce the opposite effect of what is hoped to be accomplished? Is the stereotypical “Ebenezer Scrooge” more fact than fiction?Segment 3ROVE REVIEWS
Last week, The “Architect” Karl Rove came out from behind “The Bush” to step down as the top political and domestic policy strategist for the Administration. Even “founding fathers” of the modern Conservative movement like Richard Viguerie are reflecting, “In politics, nobody was better…At policy, he was a disaster.”
“Out of the Picture” Time Magazine, pp. 26, August 27, 2007“The Father of Spin” http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/1999Q2/bernays.htmlIs the harsh criticism warranted? Is Rove a modern-day Edward Bernays-like PR Man, the kind of guy who would knowingly sell women on cancer-sticks while forbidding his own mother to participate due to potential health risks? Why are we so easily sold on perception rather than reality – the whole politics over policy bit? Is it because we trust too easily? Too lazy to look at the moving parts in policy proposals? Why don’t politicians run on policy proposals rather than on policy headlines? Must the political PR machine depend on negative smear-the-other-guy (or girl) tactics in order to galvanize public support? Was it really that Rove did not have good ideas to champion or that the realities on the ground (the War on Terror, Congressional stalemates over Social Security privatization and the like) made him eat his words when he shouldn’t have had to. Weren’t others dropping the ball on implementing good ideas with bad decision-making or no decision-making? Faceoff DebateShould the U.S. blacklist Iran’s Revolutionary Guard by calling them a “specially designated global terrorist group”? Good or bad idea?Segment 5VICK-TORY FOR THE PROSECUTION!
Atlanta star quarterback Michael Vick has eaten up media broadcast time like a dog to kibble and the verdict is finally in. The NFL wants him out and the Falcons want $20 million dollars of his bonus back in their pocket. Still, you have the likes of interim NAACP President and CEO Dennis Hayes using the issue to race-bite, er, bait, and NBA stars like Stephon Marbury comparing dogfighting to something as harmless as hunting. (PETA would like me to insert here that if you think hunting is harmless just ask the deer, jackass!)
What do you think about the arguments for defending Vick? What about the argument that dogfighting should not be a criminal activity, I mean, look at all the professional athletes involved in violent crimes against humans who are still holding down jobs, girls, and sports cars?Segment 6NEED A JOB? GO WEST YOUNG MAN!
Helena, Montana McDonalds’ owner John Francis can’t find enough people to ask, “Would you like fries with that?” He forced to outsourcing the drive-thru window to a Texas telemarketing firm. Record low unemployment across parts of the West has created tough working conditions for business owners, who in places are being forced to boost wages or be creative to fill their jobs. Francis tried advertising in the local newspaper and even offered up to $10 an hour to compete with higher-paying oil field jobs.
“Help Wanted Ads Go Unanswered in West” http://apnews.myway.com, August 25, 2007 Is this an isolated problem unique to the west or is this just the beginning of a larger problem as Baby Boomers age and leave the workforce to a smaller Generation”X” employment pool?BATHROOM ETIQUETTE WITH CRAIG AND THE COPPERShttp://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/31/craig.arrest/index.htmlWhat do you think about Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and the bathroom sideshow? What are appropriate hand signals for setting off the gay-dar? Hands up, hands down? What is appropriate bathroom etiquette?NEW DEMOCRATIC STRATEGY-HAVE A HEART
Emory University Psychology Professor Drew Westen recently told a group of highly placed Democratic strategists, "The political brain is an emotional brain. It prefers conclusions that are emotionally satisfying rather than conclusions that match the data." He goes on to say that the Democrats single worst tendency is “intellectual dispassion.” In his new book, Western, who is not affiliated with a particular candidate, lays out his argument that Democrats must connect emotionally with the American electorate and that he can teach them how.
“Hearts over minds, he tells Democrats” http://www.latimes.com/news/politics, July 9, 2007-08-26“Stop Making Sense” www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/books/review, August 26, 2007Is the American electoral process really this emotion-driven? Are Democrats more rational than Republicans and in need of an emotional conviction? Who are the real intellectual linemen (Republicans or Democrats) on the political gridiron? Do we really vote feelings over facts as a nation? Is our religion an example of that?Segment 10DITZY CHICK – THE HUB PANEL TRIES TO FIND GEOGRAPHY ON A MAP
It seem Miss Teen South Carolina doesn’t know her hot a$$ from a hole in the ground. She completely botched the answer to the question, "Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can't locate the United States on a world map. Why do you think this is?” Her answer made it to Youtube in record time and is being forwarded to an e-mail account near you!
Why are we as a culture fascinated by this? Even though they call these things scholarship pageants, do people really watch these for displays of academic prowess? Would a buck-toothed Mensa have a shot at winning one of these? This was evidently not this young lady’s first pageant, how did she make it that far and not be able to give a coherent answer?]]>
Baby Killer Showdown for “Have A Heart” Democratstag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.532007-08-28T02:26:28Z2007-08-28T02:30:24ZRockstar Emory University Psychology Professor Drew Westen has posited sweet salvation for Democratic candidates in the 2008 presidential race with his recent book, “The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation”. Westen argues up...
Rockstar Emory University Psychology Professor Drew Westen has posited sweet salvation for Democratic candidates in the 2008 presidential race with his recent book, “The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation”. Westen argues up a tree that it makes no sense to debate an issue using facts and figures and to count on voters – particularly swing voters – to make choices based on higher faculty understandings of policy minutia. Democrats need to follow the Republicans lead and learn to appeal to emotions. I say, the Republican strategy should be to continue allowing Democratic think-tankers to have enough rope to hang themselves (this book being the rope), become wholly convinced of Republican lack of intelligencia, and then insult them with emotional appeals. Nothing says emotion like selling welfare policies to and underclass as a false hope that is really a statistical death spiral. It’s not that Republicans don’t get facts and figures; it’s just that they are smart enough to know when someone is teasing out the stats to get the answer they want when the stats can be read either way. ]]>
Is it possible, as David Brooks points out, that “substance has something to do with the political fortunes of parties?” (The Democratic wins in the 20th century came over Civil Rights and the New Deal. Republican wins in the waning years of the century came due to the right policy platforms for economic growth and the cold war).
If Democrats should take the “have a heart” emotional approach, Westen suggests hitting “wedge issues” like abortion head-on. Even if freak-onomists like the two Steve’s (Dubner and Levitt of “Freakonomics” fame) can show how crime reduction in the early 90’s was related to an escalation in abortion rates in the 70’s and early 80’s, that argument doesn’t wash well with those simpletons holding doggedly to traditional family values. Is it time for more pro-choice Dems to throw in the towel and divorce the economists in order to woo Middle America back to their bosom? Only time will tell and with a campaign trail that was being cut over two years out, we have plenty of that. In the meantime, one Emory University Rockstar Philosopher would like to say, vote with your heart’s emotion and do it for the children. ]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For August 25th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.522007-08-24T15:14:50Z2007-08-26T15:19:03ZSegment 1 WHAT’S IN A NAME? A Dutch Catholic bishop feels the church should begin to use the name Allah for God to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians. Tiny Muskens, the bishop of Breda believes God doesn't mind what...
Segment 1
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
A Dutch Catholic bishop feels the church should begin to use the name Allah for God to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians. Tiny Muskens, the bishop of Breda believes God doesn't mind what he is called. The Almighty is above such "discussion and bickering," he insisted. Muskens points to Indonesia, where he served 30 years ago, as an example for Dutch churches. Christians in the Middle East also use the term Allah for God.
“Bishop urges Christians to call God `Allah’”, http://wnd.com/news/, August 15, 2007Does God really care if we use His proper name? Would He respond to a “hey You up there!” as long as we capitalize the “y” in “you” to signify deity? What is God’s proper name anyway? Let’s play “Name the Sovereign Deity” where we mere mortals purport to label and categorize the Almighty so we feel better about Him….okay, now, why do we do stuff like this?PUTTING YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD
Having a bad attitude the next time you’re at the airport could open you up to closer screening. Some airports now have specially trained security personnel that are watching body language and facial cues of passengers for signs of bad intentions.
“New airport agents check for danger…”, http://www.mcclatchydc.comDoesn’t this illustrate that human perception is one of the best screening tools we have? At what point will the ACLU jump in and say this is profiling? Is what we call our “sixth sense” really a subconscious ability to pick up on “micro-expressions?” Is our body language our own worst enemy when we try to hide something? Or is it really our best friend because it attempts to expose the lies that are harmful to our well being? Do passive aggressive people (the type of person that tries to control indirectly without confrontational language, per se) get betrayed by their body language? If this is true, then you know what this means… TSA officials who are trained to pick up on body language cues will usually make bad partners for controlling spouses. They should probably just sign over the divorce papers right now and start cutting alimony checks.]]>
IT PAYS TO NOT BE CAUGHT IN A LIE
A game show that is all the rage in South America is soon coming to American television. “Nothing But the Truth” uses a lie detector and a series of 21 increasingly personal questions to judge whether contestants are telling the truth. If they pass, they win up to $50,000 and can walk away with their winnings at any time. If they fail, they face the wrath of family and friends sitting in the studio audience.
“New FOX gameshow embarrasses liars” http://www.nypost.com, August 14, 2007Why do people like to watch other people destroy their own lives? Why do people think they can actually lie and not get caught? Why would they want to take that risk on national TV? Isn’t this just Jerry Springer with a cash prize?Segment 2Live Talkback segmentSo will you watch the liar, liar gameshow? Do you think it will work? Do you even think lie detector machines are necessary on television? How big a factor will body language become? What kind of body language sends up the liar flare? Howard Schultz, the producer, says he created the show because of his disgust at how dishonest the world is becoming. Honestly? Would Schultz pass the lie detector test or is he, perhaps, a savvy television producer who knows America can’t stay away from a train wreck with a cash prize? The hell, you say! Segment 3BIG BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has ordered the government to give up the ghost on their warrantless wire-tapping program by August 31st. This was done on behalf of the ACLUwho made the request after taking time out of their busy schedule from applying vaseline to their chapped a%#@% from Don Imus’ getting the best of them over the Rutgers girls’ basketball comments earlier this year.
“Secret Spy Court to Consider ACLU Request for Bush Spy Order”, Wired Mag, Aug 17, 2007
“FBI office under investigation involved in secret spying controversy”, Wire Mag, Aug 16, 2007
“Is the Bush Administration still spying?”, Wired Mag, Aug 15, 2007Are you concerned about the government’s warrantless wire-tapping? Do you feel it is unconstitutional? If George Orwell had never written 1984 would you still be a paranoid schizophrenic? What is it with people getting worried over things that are and possibly should stay out of their control? Why are we obsessed with knowing everything and staying in control? Segment 4JEHOVAH JIRAH, GOD, ALLAH OR WHATEVER YOU CALL HIM GETS A URL ADDRESS – GODTUBE.COM Interview with Chris Wyatt of GodTube.comWhy the fallout toward traditional religious expression today? Is the online universe a more comfortable search engine for God today? Why or why not?]]>
Big Brother, Where Art Thou?tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.512007-08-16T03:48:29Z2007-08-20T03:49:57ZMere weeks after the Bush Administration pushed hard for and signed into law the Protect America Act (just in time for Congress’ summer recess) the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court is capitulating to ACLU pressure and ordering the government to give...
Mere weeks after the Bush Administration pushed hard for and signed into law the Protect America Act (just in time for Congress’ summer recess) the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court is capitulating to ACLU pressure and ordering the government to give up the ghost on their warrantless wire-tapping program by August 31st. The ACLU made the request after taking time out from their busy schedule of applying Vaseline to their still-chapped a%$#@ from Don Imus’ getting the best of them over the Rutgers girls’ basketball comments earlier this year. Truth be known, Congress sanctioned spying on foreigners and Americans acting as foreign agents under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, requiring a warrant from a secret FISA court in the United States.
But new times and the Administration’s citing of a “surveillance gap” call for new measures and with the new Act, it seems to be open season on surveillance of anyone overseas with or without a warrant. According to deputy solicitor general Gregory Garre in a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals proceeding last week, this includes foreigners conducting electronic communications on U.S. soil.
As far back as 2004, groups like the ACLU were watching the daytime George Orwell-esque drama unfold between players such as the NSA and the FBI over the “Intensive Care Showdown” involving secret wire-tapping and data mining operations on U.S. soil. At the outset, those involved were able to secure the blessing of the Justice Department before that department had an about-face over concerns of privacy violations. Add to that the ingredient of an on-going investigation of the Communication Exploitation Section, Counterterrorism Division and allegations that they generated misleading “emergency letters” to telecom companies in order to garner thousands of Americans’ phone records, an abuse of the National Security Letter component of the Patriot Act, and you have quite a combustible story.
With our long history of schizophrenic paranoia in the media, it comes as no surprise that before the ink was dry on the newly endorsed Protect America Act and its buffed-up electronic eavesdropping privileges, complaints from the Center for Constitutional Rights (a.k.a. Lawyers for Suicide Bombers) were pouring in to a federal judge decrying that the statute be repealed. They claim that the alleged electronic monitoring is hurting the confidentiality of their attorney-client relationships with the prisoners they represent at Guantanamo Bay and it is having a chilling effect on their first amendment rights. A little laughable considering a) they are terrorist prisoners, and b) a fear of what the government might do to them was of little concern when many of them were planning out their crimes against humanity. Center attorney Shayana Kadidal lamented, “Congress has ceded further power to an administration that has done nothing but abuse its power and betray the trust of the American people”. (A fact bemoaned by millions of American people still alive to complain about how their trust has been betrayed by government agencies that have kept them alive).
The real prime time draw, however, is going on in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals where the ACLU has requested the release of government documents regarding an operation where government agencies were allegedly siphoning off millions of phone records and e-mails from AT&T’s customer network. The government is currently citing the “state secrets privilege” where the courts may not force government disclosure when it might compromise national security interests. Seriously, aside from Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice’s affinity for American Idol, do you really think the government is intrinsically interested in your personal life if it doesn’t involve national security? And with the restraints of manpower, can they even afford to be combing through millions of records rather than relying on impersonal key word search systems to locate real threats? The cold hard truth is, your marital problems are not a threat to national security. Nevertheless, the documents retrieved by former AT&T technician Mark Klein and provided by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to be used in the case against the new Protect America Act are generating a lot of heat, many of which were published in Wired News last year. And that, is perhaps, exhibit A as to why the government is hesitant to produce these types of documents. Journalists aren’t paid to protect national security interests, they get bonuses for breaking big stories. And they will publish them as a public service. So let me get this straight. The government collects data on private citizens in the U.S. and it is wrong because they are violating individual privacy rights? And for the sake of hallowed privacy the ACLU is asking the courts to release this private surveillance for review and a possible leak to the media so we can together review in one accord and determine whether or not it’s a privacy violation. Hello pot, this is kettle. And don’t tell him he’s black.
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For August 11th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.502007-08-11T03:40:20Z2007-08-20T03:46:54ZSegment 1 THE WAY TO AN IRAQI’S HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH Many Iraqis are developing a taste for American-brand products, which were banned under Saddam Hussein and are becoming increasingly popular. Rice, salt and canned goods are among the...
Segment 1
THE WAY TO AN IRAQI’S HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH
Many Iraqis are developing a taste for American-brand products, which were banned under Saddam Hussein and are becoming increasingly popular. Rice, salt and canned goods are among the most popular American products at the Al-Ameer market, owner Mohammad Abbas said. "American items have a great reputation and quality," he said. "And people want them in our markets because they get bored of Syrian, Jordanian and Iranian items."
“Iraqis acquire a taste for American brand products”, USA TodayCould Frito-Lay, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg’s and Nabisco be just as critical to the rebuilding of Iraq as Halliburton? What is it about American made products that is so appealing to other countries? Especially countries who officially have a history of hating everything we stand for? Are American advertising executives really that effective in getting their message out?MOTHERS FOR THE MOTHERLAND
There’s a disturbing trend among the youth of the former Soviet Union. State sponsored youth camps are gaining popularity among the young who were not alive during the Cold War and do not know first-hand the terrors of Communism. Many in the West are seeing disturbing similarities to the Hitler Youth Camps popular in the 30’s and the Soviet Youth Camps that flourished during the Cold War. They not only seem to be capturing the hearts and minds of these robust youths but their libidos as well. “Remember the mammoths,” say the clean-cut organizers at a recent youth camp's mass wedding. "They became extinct because they did not have enough sex. That must not happen to Russia".
“Sex for the Motherland”, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pagesIs history destined to repeat itself in the Soviet Union? Is the mass brain washing of procreating youth going to bring about positive change or create a hoard of mindless drones devoted to carry out the wishes of a totalitarian regime? ]]>
IRANIAN OVERLOAD – IS IRAN KILLING FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT
This week, Iranian police cracked down on a “satanic concert” and arrested hundreds of young adults men and women charged with the illegal activities such as (gasp) dancing with mixed genders of unrelated individuals, (double gasp) wearing clothing that accentuates one’s body (triple gasp) playing and selling “satanic music”….which basically amounts to Western music exported by The Great Satan and her minion demons with names like Virgin, SoSo Def, RCA and Capitol. Meanwhile, outside of the culture romp, the U.S. is stepping up supply chains of munitions to Middle Eastern countries with no love lost toward Iran to provide more checks and balances.
“Iran detains scores at satanic rock gig”, http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews, Sat, Aug 4th, 2007
“World Spotlight: Arming Iran’s Enemies”, Time Magazine, pp. 19, August 13, 2007Are these types of cultural and geopolitical activities an indication of a perfect storm brewing against Iran or are they merely an indication that the Iranian government has poor musical taste and the U.S. would be shipping munitions supply support to countries like Israel and Saudi Arabia even if their only sworn enemy was some poe dunk Communist outfit in the Cayman Islands?Segment 2
LIVE Talkback segmentSegment 3WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?
There is a new form of competitive fighting that is grabbing the attention of Men 18-34 in a way no other sport is. It’s called Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and a recent broadcast of the sport on the Spike channel drew a larger young male audience that the NBA playoff game that was airing at the same time. Fans of the sport claim there is more beauty in the fights than a Russian Ballet. Critics see it as a form of human cock fighting.
“Mixed Martial Arts” http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/08/60minutes/main2241525.shtmlWhat is it about this no holds barred fighting that has caught the attention of the18-34 year old men in our society? Has the over “PCifaction” of our culture destroyed all normal outlets for natural aggression? Where do men find their outlet today? Where do they unplug? Are we just looking for a fight because we are not in one? Is this what happens when we are not involved in a larger fight? What do the “fights” look like for the 21st century man? What are examples of worthy fights verses the fights that are nothing more than distractions to a man? How do you identify the two? Do we have an unwillingness to identify an enemy or an evil today? How would that hold us back from understanding and engaging a personal mission that would be life size for the duration of our life? The pace of life is frenetic and patiently measured responses are fewer and fewer these days. Faceoff Debate – Christopher Colandro verses ???Segment 4
Live Talkback segmentAtlanta Singles Scene – What about men and fighting for relationships? – We naturally want to fight for, defend and support the women in our lives. More and more, when men engage that activity today (whether single or in some cases, newlywed), they are hearing, “I don’t need a man to fight for me!” or the woman who believes that “self-empowered, self sufficient woman” means any male pursuit is an effort to dominate her. What men meant for support is interpreted as ownership and thrown back in their face. Do you see this happening? What is it doing to men’s drive to fight for intimacy? What is it doing to women? Why do we need intimacy anyway? Is this all an unfair mischaracterization of the “new feminist” woman? Is The Hub sounding too much like Dr. Laura Schlessinger on this point?Segment 5
HEADING FOR THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS!
There’s a storm coming in Hollywood and some of America’s top film/tv/media writer’s in the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) have had enough. They want a piece of the digital re-broadcast pie – all those IPod, online video, DVD sales where greedy corporate media titans take the bulk of the percentage and rarely give the creative class what they want. What does this mean? If we don’t act now the writer’s are going to strike at the end of October (and possibly take the Screen Actor’s Guild guys with them) and our media saturated lives might be robbed of the fresh, wildly creative stories and show concepts like “How to Get Kicked off an Island”, “How to Get Kicked off a Karaoke Stage”, “How to Get Kicked off a Bachelor’s Dating List” or “How to Get Kicked off A Trump Project”.
“Hollywood’s Massive Re-write”, Wired Magazine, pp. 29, August 2007Does the creative class, the class that designs and produces product and ideas, too often get the financial leftovers second to the executive/sales/dealmaker class? Do the writer’s in the WGA have a point or are they just getting greedy? Currently, all free online material is considered promotional – the stuff that writers do for free without residuals anyway. Should they be able to expect more from the relationship? ]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For August 4th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.492007-08-04T03:29:57Z2007-08-20T03:40:05ZSegment 1 GRIM REAPURR Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours. His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has...
Segment 1
GRIM REAPURR
Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours. His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live. "He doesn't make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die," said Dr. David Dosa in an interview.
“http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/”What does a cat know that well-trained, medical professionals are missing? Is there more to the dying process that cannot be measured by diagnostic equipment? What is this cat tapping into? Or are cat just truly the furry minions of satan called to push helpless seniors over to the other side? YOUR FRIENDS ARE MAKING YOU FAT
If your friends and family get fat, chances are you will too, researchers report in a startling new study that suggests obesity is "socially contagious" and can spread easily from person to person. The large, federally funded study found that to be true even if your loved ones lived far away. Social ties seemed to play a surprisingly strong role, even more than genes are known to do.
“Obesity is socially contagious”http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070725/D8QJT64G0.html, July 25, 2007Do we tend to gravitate towards people who are our same physical size or do our peers really influence our concept of what is an acceptable weight? Should we use comparison as a determination of what is ideal? Why do we do that?
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INDONESIA TRACKS HIV/AIDS
Lawmakers in Indonesia's Papua are mulling the selective use of chip implants in HIV carriers to monitor their behavior in a bid to keep them from infecting others, a doctor said Tuesday. John Manangsang, a doctor who is helping to prepare a new healthcare regulation bill for Papua's provincial parliament, said that unusual measures were needed to combat the virus.
“Microchips mulled for HIV patients” July 24, 2007, http://www.breitbart.com/articleIs this a good idea to keep up with the carriers of a deadly, infectious disease? Would this have kept Andrew Speaker off an international flight? Does the reaction to this have more to do with the disease they are monitoring than the public health concerns?Segment 2Live Talkback segmentCould they get away with the chip implant system for HIV patients in the U.S.? What would be the public outcry against it from groups like the ACLU? Why shouldn’t we be able to discreetly monitor highly contagious individuals with a disease widely linked to behavioral activity? How would we determine the cause to be from a promiscuous behavioral activity and not another cause without violating human rights and privacy rights issues? Why do we rush so quickly to minimize the embarrassment of the negative outcomes of people’s choices and protect the rights of the guilty of the victims? Segment 3 THE YOUTUBE GENERATION PUTS POLITICS UNDER THE MICROSCOPECan you get truth of an issue from a vacuum, a cloistered, highly researched, highly controlled environment like a press conference with someone who many call Tony “The Snow Job” running the show? What about from a structured debate with questions that have been put through the news media gate-keeper filter? CNN blew the doors off the old format of political candidate debates last week with the first YouTube debate moderated, not by Chris Matthews, but someone even colder...a snowman. (Yes the kind with the button nose and two eyes made out of coal). Now, many are saying Republicans are unwilling to engage their free-for-all online debate invitation on September 17th. Can you really maintain credibility in today’s day and age without the trial by fire? What does a convincing trial by fire look like today, if not the Man Against Nature fare? “Republican Candidates: Afraid to Face the YouTube Generation?”, Wired Magazine, July 27, 2007What does it mean to hold the power and control in the political scene today? Is power achieved through closing off and posturing from a distance or from opening up and being transparent? How far is too far in trying to connect with voters in the greatest popularity contest on U.S. soil? Is there still a place for drawing a “need to know basis” line in a campaign for the hearts of voters? What approach do you trust more? Are we cynical of the guy trying to hold all the cards in the conversation? Faceoff Debate
Wendy Wright verses ????Will the YouTube debate(s) have a real affect on the 2008 Presidential elections? Will this increase the number of young adults involved in the political process-will they end up voting?Segment 4THE YOUTUBE GENERATION GOES TO THE POLLS (cont’d)
YouTube has already left its mark on politics. Mitt Romney has gone on record giving the snowman moderator from the Democratic YouTube debate the cold shoulder over Global Warming. Republican George Allen lost his Senate seat and a likely spot in the 2008 presidential race after a YouTube video caught him referring to a man of South Asian decent as "macaca"—an ethnic slur in some countries. In the presidential campaign, buzz-worthy video clips have included Bill and Hillary Clinton's spoof of "The Sopranos" finale, Edwards' combing his hair to the tune "I Feel Pretty," and a buxom model professing her crush on Obama.
“YouTube Take Two…”, July 27, 2007, www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article
“Online Questions Challenge Candidates”, July 23, 2007, www.breitbart.com/articleIs the way a candidate handles himself in this forum, a good indication of their ability to lead? What affect will this have on future debate formats? Will they become more voter involved?Segment 5THE VOLUNTOURISM INDUSTRY TAKES FLIGHT
Millions of Americans hit the high seas, the friendly skies and become road warriors every summer to re-claim a little bit of what corporate worlds and cubicle stole from them over the last 12 months. And a new voluntourism industry is offering a whole new type of trip – a mixture of volunteer work and sightseeing. One part feel-good humanitarianism, one part globe-trotting exotic fun, these trips take the long-time model of church mission teams and Peace Corps groups and give them a commercial feel.
“Vacationing like Brangelina”, Time Magazine, pp. 49, August 6th, 2007So are volunteer vacations a great way to give back or just very expensive guilt trips that are low results and high on guilt? ]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For July 28th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.482007-07-21T04:44:40Z2007-08-02T04:48:48ZSegment 1 VOTERS DIM ON GOVERNMENT, BRIGHT ABOUT FUTURE. Most U.S. voters think the country is on the wrong track and remain deeply unhappy with President George W. Bush and Congress, but still feel good about their finances and optimistic...
Segment 1
VOTERS DIM ON GOVERNMENT, BRIGHT ABOUT FUTURE.
Most U.S. voters think the country is on the wrong track and remain deeply unhappy with President George W. Bush and Congress, but still feel good about their finances and optimistic about the future, according to a recent Reuters/Zogby poll.
“Voters unhappy with Bush; Congress”, http://news.yahoo.com, Wed., July 18th, 2007Is this political cognitive dissonance healthy? Are people becoming less involved in politics because they feel what politicians do have little relevance to their daily lives? Have we chosen to ignore politicians because they have chosen to ignore us?THE NEWS MEDIA IS OLD NEWS WITH YOUNG ADULTS.
Most teenagers and adults 30 and younger are not following the news closely at all. This is the finding in a report, titled “Young People and News,” released last week by the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.
“Young adults are giving newspapers scant notice”, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/business/media/
”Breaking the News”, Wired Magazine, pp. 86, August 2007Are these media habits a result of the rejection of the content of the traditional media outlets or just a reflection of new habits based on the change in media delivery options? Why do young adults place little value in consuming traditional news?]]>
WATCHING TV IS COSTING YOU MILLIONS
A recent study found that it would take $1 million for someone to be willing to give up TV for the rest of their lives. Guess what? If you decided to give up TV and invested the money you saved, you would get that $1 million -- and probably a lot more. People rarely consider the cost of watching TV, and when they do, they usually focus on the cost of their monthly cable bill. The truth is that there are a wide variety of costs associated directly and indirectly with having a TV.
“How to earn $1 Million dollars not watching TV” http://biz.yahoo.com, TheStreet.comSo if people turn off their TV for an hour a week and listen to “The HUB Radio Show” instead, it will save them $200 a year in consumer spending.Segment 2Live Talkback segmentSo does watching TV keep you out of the store because so that it saves you money or does it just make you a more impulsive shopper so you actually grab up more when you’re there? What about the loss in productivity/creative energy? Passive pursuits verses active pursuits?Segment 3HEALTH CRISIS – SICKO OR FATSO?
Michael Moore’s mockumentary “Sicko” is once again stirring up debate over our overburdened health system. One of the proven causes of many of our health related problems is the preventable problem of obesity. A recent report from John Hopkins University found if people keep gaining weight at the current rate, fat will be the norm by 2015, with 75 percent of U.S. adults overweight and 41 percent obese.
“75 percent of Americans overweight by 2015”, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19845784, July 07It seems Michael Moore wants to blame the medical establishment for the poor health of our population when the real problem seems to be our own unhealthy lifestyles. Why does our culture tend to demand that the government must bail our fat butts out of situations we create for ourselves?“Obesity – How We Grew So Big”, Time Magazine, June 7, 2004Can we blame it on society? New types of leisure habits? Technology making us more sedentary? Faceoff Debate – Wendy Wright vs. ????
(Topic in Washington Memo section, Time Magazine, July 30)Segment 4THE AMERICAN HEALTH CRISIS (cont’d)Segment 5VICK’S VICE IN A DOG EAT DOG WORLD
So Arthur Blank’s Falcons have found a way to put Atlanta back on the map with the federal indictment of one star quarterback, Michael Vick. It seems the man loves a good dogfight and loves punishing the loser with more spunk than a German Olympic boxer during the height of the Third Reich (in other words, tortured or dead).
“Falcons’ Vick indicted by grand jury in dogfighting probe”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn, July 18, 2007What is it about professional athletes that causes them to pursue such destructive hobbies? Too much idle time? Too many resources? Is it nature (the environment in which their placed and anyone would have a tendency to act the same in a given environment) or nurture (the way in which they were raised). In other words, bad parents or wrong place/wrong time? What does an interest in something like dogfighting say about someone? How does one become so sadistic when they’re surrounded by such a high society and public professional world? What causes people to develop a dark side when they have everything anyone could supposedly want in life?]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For July 21st, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.472007-07-19T04:39:20Z2007-08-02T04:44:25ZSegment 1 SPRINT TELLS ANNOYING CUSTOMERS, “BUH-BYE”Sprint-Nextel Hundreds of cell phone customers are being given the boot, accused of being too high maintenance. Sprint-Nextel is disconnecting 1,200 subscribers on grounds the clients call customer service too often and make "unreasonable...
Segment 1
SPRINT TELLS ANNOYING CUSTOMERS, “BUH-BYE”Sprint-Nextel Hundreds of cell phone customers are being given the boot, accused of being too high maintenance. Sprint-Nextel is disconnecting 1,200 subscribers on grounds the clients call customer service too often and make "unreasonable requests."
“Sprint cuts 1,000+ customers for excessive complaining”, http://www.news4jax.com/news/ If you break your contract with cell provider, you have to pay a termination fee. Isn’t it only fair that if a cell provider breaks your contract, they have to pay you a termination fee? BREAKING ADDICTION: ARE WE A VICE-STRICKEN SOCIETY?
For a human race fond of controlling all the variables and staying on our A-game, we seem to buck nature and common sense quite a bit in order to pursue destructive crutch habits. Are we just self-loathing woe-be-gones or do we “do addiction” for escape? From ignorance? New research is revealing the top American vices, why we have them and how to get rid of them.
“The Science of Addiction”, Time Magazine, pp. 42If addiction is so harmful, shouldn’t evolution have killed off the beast a while back? Why do we get caught in irrational addictions when we were still rational thinkers before we became impulse-behaviour zombies? What is it about us that makes us run toward excess and lose balance and perspective? What do you have to do to maintain balance?]]>
YOUR X-BOX - THE NEXT FORUM FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE.
As the national debate over immigration continues, advocacy groups are trying a new medium - video games - to promote their agenda and influence public opinion.
"Games are really good at exploring complex issues, and what issue is more complex than immigration?" said Suzanne Seggerman, president of Games for Change, an organization aimed at supporting new uses for digital games. "They are also great at promoting a single point of view…. A game can allow for a new perspective and, in some cases, new conviction."
“Immigration debate finds itself in play” http://www.latimes.com/technologyDoes this really open up the argument for people or isolate it? Does it trivialize it? If I remember the game codes and get to the higher levels, do I get an infinite renewable Z-visa? If I win, do I get to challenge Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to a game of Sudoku and see if he’s any better with those numbers than immigration revenue figures?Segment 2Live Talkback segmentHow can you use violent video games to open up a constructive dialogue about illegal immigration? Talk to your kids about illegal immigration. Parents. The Anti-Immigrant. Segment 3CHURCH FOR STATE – GOD ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
It’s not about blurring the lines between seperation of church and state. But it does come in handy to keep God in your back pocket on the campaign trail. We’re used to politicians invoking their platforms of faith and family. But aren’t Democrats traditionally more secular, aren’t they supposed to represent the ACLU crowd? Reasoned intelligence over emotional roller-coasters. After all, isn’t that what faith amounts to? Is the formula changing – Shake hands. Kiss babies. Say a Hail Mary. Shake hands. Kiss babies. Say a Hail Mary.
“How the Democrats Got Religion”, Time Magazine, pp. 28, July 23, 2007Are Democrats playing the God card more often these days? Are they becoming the new Moral Majority? Does it matter where it’s coming from as long as the one nation stays under God? What would be on God’s stump speech? Segment 4CHURCH FOR STATE – Cont’dSegment 5WI-FI WONDERS – WI WI! WE IS GOING TO BE WIRELESS CITY DECATUR!Interview with Chris Leonard – Ga Public Policy FoundationChris says the Wi-Fi hot spot cities are costing tax payers and not returning on the investment. Yes, Chris, but isn’t the utopia of being able to walk around with your head in your notebook PC more than enough to cause one to ignore the pocket pinching? Not to mention the increased productivity because “Cubicle Boy” can finally breathe the fresh air? What is the solution the free city-wide WiFi is trying to resolve? Is this a case of, “I can, therefore I must”? Chris says low-income families can’t afford laptops. Really, must we always be concerned with the needs of the less fortunate? Can’t we just pray for them, volunteer with humanitarian groups and sign up for benefit golf tournaments? How about an “Annual Give A Hobo a Notebook PC Golf Classic”? Will golf for Wi-Fi?]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For July 14th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.462007-07-13T04:31:09Z2007-08-02T04:38:40ZSegment 1 PIMP MY HYBRID PART II It seems Al Gore III is a HUB show listener. He followed the lead of our March 3rd show and evidently pimped his Hybrid. He was pulled over last week after an Orange...
Segment 1
PIMP MY HYBRID PART II
It seems Al Gore III is a HUB show listener. He followed the lead of our March 3rd show and evidently pimped his Hybrid. He was pulled over last week after an Orange County California Deputy Sheriff clocked him doing 100mph in his Toyota Prius. What they found in his car led to his arrest on drug possession charges.
“Al Gore’s son busted for drugs in hybrid car” http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews,
Once again, why is our society so enamored with the lives of dysfunctional celebrity families? Do they already have these problems or does their life in the spotlight cause these problems?MICHAEL MOORE-THE NEW ORSON WELLS?
With the release of his latest film “Sicko,” Michael Moore is being compared to another Hollywood film legend Orson Wells. Paul Greengrass, the acclaimed filmmaker of "United 93" and "The Bourne Supremacy" says Moore reminds him of another larger-than-life filmmaker.
“The Big Picture: Michael Moore”,
www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies, July 3, 2007Do the viewers of Moore’s films understand that what he’s doing is more for entertainment than a true expose of factual situations? Do they really care?]]>
NEW BRITISH PM, NOT PMSing OVER BOMBINGS
Gordon Brown doesn't do charisma. In contrast to Tony Blair, the new British leader has offered no emotive sound bites, no promises of tough new laws and no talk of a "war on terror" since the failed attacks in London and Glasgow. The stern Scot's few public statements have been somber, measured and brief.
“Britons Cheer Brown for attacks response” www.breitbart.com/article, July 3, 2007Is this new approach really going to make Briton safer or does this Scot have his head stuck up his arse? Is it any coincidence that these attacks took place just days after Blair left office? Are the terrorist just testing the tone of the new leadership to see what they can get away with in the future?Segment 2Live Talkback segmentIs Gordon Brown’s nonchalante “tea time” approach to terrorism going to soothe aggressions long-term or is it setting the Mother Country up for a scald in the lap? Would that be very British? Is this another Winston Churchhill to the House of Commons prior to the WWII London bombings all over again? “Sure, they blietzkrieged Holland and Denmark, but maybe they just really liked bread with cheese breakfasts and Dutch potato dinners”. Segment 3WHERE’S THE FAIRNESS IN THE DOCTRINE?
The world of news media continues to get more and more complicated. Don Imus listeners want him to get his job back while the Senate ramps up an effort to kill talk radio (er, promote the Fairness Doctrine by another name), and the new media blogosphere seeks to report it all while not canceling itself out with its sheer size and cumbersome inability to diffuse information. Who needs who more? Big media or new media? And then there’s the question of big media glitz and profits and does that compromise the news?
“Murdock & Dow Jones: A Media Apocalypse?” NewsMax, pp. 44, July 2007
“The Last Tycoon” Time Magazine, pp. 32, July 9, 2007Are Conservatives who rail against the Fairness Doctrine talking out of both sides of their mouths when they turn a blind eye to the Conservative track record of Rupert Murdock’s NewsCorp in his vie to take over Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal? Does truth and, ultimately, society suffer when editorialism is spun as news? Does it contribute to our cynicism? Is trust too much of a luxury in a post-modern world? What would have to happen to gain it and keep it? Segment 4Live Talkback segment “This Is CNN?!” Wired Magazine, pp. 54, July 2007-07-06Does media glitz and entertainment values hurt the news? Is there anything wrong with getting your news from a Lindsey Lohan protégé like Nicole Lapin? Must the anchors reporting all the news that’s fit to print be primped and fit? Segment 5CIVILIAN COP PAPARAZZI
PowerPhone technology is about to organize handshake between 9-11 and “YouTube” and its happening on the streets of New York by allowing civilians to report crimes with camera phone photo images. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is going one step further to allow 3-11 callers to to document non-emergency quality-of-life concerns to hold city agencies accountable.
“911 Callers Send Cell-Phone Images” NewsMax, July 2007So what if I decide my quality-of-life is impeded by the neighbor’s car being left in the driveway for three weeks and I report it only to discover they were off on a long vacation? Who’s to guard against all those nosy, well-intentioned anal retentives? Would this technology work better if it were not first implemented in New York but say, Mussle Shoals, Alabama, where people might be a little less wound up?]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For July 7th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.452007-07-03T19:44:58Z2007-07-03T19:47:49ZSegment 1 BOTTOMS UP TO A NEW KIND OF CLEAN. A “cheeky” billboard campaign for a new type of toilet seat/bottom cleaner is causing quite a stir in Manhattan. The billboard shows a line up of professionally photographed rear ends...
Segment 1
BOTTOMS UP TO A NEW KIND OF CLEAN.
A “cheeky” billboard campaign for a new type of toilet seat/bottom cleaner is causing quite a stir in Manhattan. The billboard shows a line up of professionally photographed rear ends with a smiley face super-imposed over each set of cheeks. Why all the happy cheeks? According to the ad campaign, it’s because all of those hinnies use the new Toto Washlet. A device claiming it can upgrade a standard U.S. toilet to the state-of-the-art in personal hygiene.
“Moons Over Manhattan” http://adage.comIs it really necessary to have a device to power wash and blow dry your butt? What happens if this malfunctions?TELEPATHY TV
Forget the TV remote: A new technology in Japan could let you control electronic devices without lifting a finger simply by reading brain activity. The "brain-machine interface" developed by Hitachi Inc. analyzes slight changes in the brain's blood flow and translates brain motion into electric signals.
“The Couch Potatoes Luxury”, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technologyIf they take this technology to the next step and develop a TV remote that will change to the channel that best mirrors your mood and desires that could be dangerous. Imagine it’s 2015 and you’re watching Sports Center, you girlfriend walks in looking hot and the TV automatically changes to the Spice Channel. You’re dead meat! Or your mother in law walks in and it changes to an Animal Planet documentary on the African Wildebeest?]]>
VOTER REFUND
Hot air dot com has a video on their website in response to all of the Republican flip-flopping on the failed Senate immigration bill. They are proposing calling your Congressman or Senator and asking for a refund of any campaign contributions you might have made. Their argument is money seem to be the only language politician know how to speak and this is a way to speak their language.
“HotAir Refund: RNC Video”, http://hotair.com/archives/2007/06/26/hot-air-video-rnc-refund/?print=1Is that really a bad idea? Would it cause a new level of accountability for our elected officials? Or would we just be contributing to the “buy a Senator” system that we all seem to decry?Segment 2LIVE Talkback SegmentWhere could the couch potato luxury system and technologies that read our brainwaves and convert them into electronic commands get us into trouble? Can we really trust ourselves that much? Are we really as good at controlling our thoughts as we think we are? Where do they control us? What has to be in place to take thoughts captive before they translate into commands? What about when you add substance inhibitors to the mix? Do you feel like you would compromise yourself to “ask for a refund” from your representatives campaign contributions? Is there any legal grounding for this or is it all pie-in-the-sky Hotair.com just trying to blow smoke?Segment 3BACK ON THE WARFRONT
Congress is once again preparing to go off on a July war kick to end operations in Iraq. Strategies from pulling out at a given date to mandating a higher holdover period on re-deployments are all on the table. Which all has us asking the question again, How do you get out alive and stay alive after you get out?
“Pelosi, Reid to announce new push to end Iraq war”, www.thepolitico.com/blog/thecrypt, June 28, 2007How do you feel about some of the proposals that are about to be discussed? Pros and cons? Is it a question of American resolve? Should our resolve be about duration of time or force of impact (level of escalation)? How do you go about projecting power in a meaningful way without causing the world’s empirialist knee-jerk reaction to go any higher? How does a nation “walk softly and carry a big stick”?FACEOFF DEBATESegment 4LIVE TALKBACKSuggestions for taking on the war and playing the power projection game.Segment 5GOOGLE STREETMAPS THE PLANET
One online innovator working to help us get where we’re going faster, be more efficient and save energy is mega-mapper web dominator Google. Google Maps is about to take the whole world to the map with digital mapping that is working to span the globe.
“The Whole Earth, Cataloged”, Wired Magazine, pp. 154, July 2007-06-24Do you think this will work to help people be more efficient and get from point A to point B without wasting as much energy or will it simply encourage people to travel more? Will GPS completely replace traditional maps in the near future? Does this have a aggregate positive or negative effect when you factor in the added mapping accessibility available to do-gooders and terrorist minds?]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For June 30th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.442007-06-28T16:50:50Z2007-06-28T16:52:49ZSegment 1 MONKEY SEE. MONKEY DO. Scientists at Emory’s, Yerkes National Primate Research Center say they've shown for the first time that the local customs that define human cultures also exist in the world of chimpanzees. And that means that...
Segment 1
MONKEY SEE. MONKEY DO.
Scientists at Emory’s, Yerkes National Primate Research Center say they've shown for the first time that the local customs that define human cultures also exist in the world of chimpanzees. And that means that humans aren't the only animals with culture, said Frans de Waal, a noted Emory University primatologist and one of the authors of the study published this month in Current Biology.
“Chimps learn 'traditions' in research breakthrough” AJC, June 18, 2007Is discovering animal behaviors that we once thought were only human behaviors making the animals more human or are we discovering our “civilized’ behaviors are really animalistic? Does “keeping up with the Jones’” make the Chimps more human or does it make humans more primitive?THOU SHALT USE A TURN SIGNAL
The Vatican recently took a break from strictly theological matters to issue its own rules of the road, a compendium of do's and don'ts on the moral aspects of driving and motoring. A 36-page document called "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road" contains 10 Commandments covering everything from road rage, respecting pedestrians, keeping a car in good shape and avoiding rude gestures while behind the wheel.
“Vatican issues "10 Commandments" for good motorists”, Reuters.com, Tuesday, June 19, 2007How about thou shalt use a turn signal? Thou shalt not use a cell phone while driving? Or Thou shalt have car insurance you undocumented alien! Has traffic really gotten so bad that it requires ecclesiastical intervention?]]>
Segment 2
THE EYES HAVE IT
Men are more likely to look at a female's face before gazing at other body parts, according to a new study by researchers at Emory University. And when men and women look at pictures of heterosexual sex, women look longer at the photos than men do, according to the study published in the journal Hormones and Behavior.
“Study finds guys not so naughty, gals not so noble”, AJC June 20, 2007Is this why “facebook” is so popular among young men? Are women more visually stimulated sexually than we once thought? How can we tell by looking at a woman’s face, that she’s interested? Is the term “she has bedroom eyes” founded in fact?Segment 3BIG BUSINESS SAPPING ENERGY BILL?
Debate is bouncing around the Senate about a new direction for American energy policy. One renewable fuel standard says that major electric utilities produce 15 percent of their power from wind and other clean energy sources like solar and geothermal energy by 2020. And what about making diesel fuel out of coal and increasing ethanol production? Despite all the promise, is big business going to sabotage for special interests?
“Lots of Heat, Little Light”, US News and World Report, pp. 43, June 25, 2007-06-24FACEOFF Debate – Stephen vs BrookeSegment 4IPHONE ROLLOUT FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
This weekend, big blockbusters like Transformers will pack theatres, fireworks and concerts will strangle parking lots. But the biggest blockbuster rollout may very well be already happening with the new IPHONE that is currently taking place around the country. Enter the competitors ready to combat Apple’s gadget with newly re-invented mobile-phone service and features. Is it too little, too late? Do they stand a snowball’s chance in hell?
“The iPhone Kick-Starts the Competition”, Time Magazine, pp. 36, July 2, 2007]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For June 23rd, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.432007-06-22T14:30:09Z2007-06-24T14:34:05ZSegment 1 GAS HOGS Not a day goes by, especially in the summer, when we aren’t all complaining about high gas prices. We suffer through $3 gasoline and threaten to cut back, threaten to buy hybrid, shell out big bucks...
Segment 1
GAS HOGS
Not a day goes by, especially in the summer, when we aren’t all complaining about high gas prices. We suffer through $3 gasoline and threaten to cut back, threaten to buy hybrid, shell out big bucks and drive great distances to attend concerts against global warming. Be glad you don’t live in London ($6.65 currently – and you wonder why Harry Potter drives a broomstick?) But despite struggling supplies, U.S. markets are asking to siphon off more. A new Washington Post/ABC News poll says it would take $4.38-per-gallon gas to make us cut back.
“Driving Prices Hirer” US News & World Report, pp 54, June 4, 2007Are we not just a bit disingenuous as Americans with our gas gouging hysteria? Why aren’t we red-faced with our hypocrisy? What would it take, aside from $4.38 cents to get us to move from WANTING to cut back to ACTUALLY cutting back? Are we really in as dire straits as some would have us think?COOL OFF THE GLOBAL WARMING DEBATE
PETA now has El Presidente Bush raising his salad fork to stop global warming. Turns out eliminating stockyards is better for fixing our Planet Griddle than buying that Prius. (Which might have played a part in convincing GM to ease off the global warming rhetoric when they found out they could pass the blame off on Bessie Angus). Anyway, not to worry, a group of scientists in Portland, Oregon, have come up with a top 10 list for stopping global warming…just before they went off to recess from their 4th grade classroom.
“Washington Whispers”, U.S. News and World Report, pp. 10, June 18, 2007“Portland Press Herald”, Portland Press Herald, June 14, 2007Should El Presidente Bush go all veggie for state dinner parties to make a point? Could it garner some PETA money for other initiatives like, say, a border fence? GM joined the pollution-busting U.S. Climate Action Partnership with the goal of cutting green-houses gases (and not stepping in cow patties). Then they gave out carbon indulgence coupons at the dinner for the environmentally “despondent” Competitive Enterprise Institute. Are they being hypocritical or just having fun at the hyper-eco-priest’s expense? What would you say to the Portland science class posse? How about their teacher?
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BARTOP CONFESSIONS
A court recently struck down FCC fines and gave broadcasters the profanity green light based on the current Administration’s flowery language example.
“Curser in Chief”, Time Magazine, June 18, 2007Should media vulgarity rules be determined by “taking the temperature” of the national indecency climate? Answer: Hell Yeah or Hell No?Segment 2
LIVE Talkback segmentSegment 3SOUL UP FOR GRABS IN THE GAME OF LIFE
How much is a good night’s sleep worth these days? How about a clear conscience? How far would you go to keep it clear? Does it matter? Is it utilitarianism on the march? What’s the value of a good reputation or have the metrics changed enough that everyone assumes one must cut corners just to stay in the game these days? Are we experiencing the age of the “hollow man”?
A LAWYER FINDS HIS SOUL?
District Attorney Mike Nifong had a wild ride with the Duke Lacrosse Case and last week the ride exit ended in a North Carolina State Bar Ethics trial against him for withholding key DNA test results among other things over the course of the long Duke Lacrosse investigation.
“Embattled Nifong Says He’ll Resign”, http://wral.com/news/local/story/1459913, June 15, 2007Nifong contends that he was always trying to do the right thing and that the charge of his lying is false. Do you believe him? Is this a sign of a man taking responsibility for his mistakes? Is this an honorable response to voluntarily step down regardless of the Bar’s decision?BOY MAKES GOOD
Genarlow Wilson, an honor student from Douglasville, Georgia, was charged at age 17 with having oral sex with a 15-year-old girl. Wilson got a 10-year sentence for “aggravated child molestation” that has since been amended to make consensual oral sex (which it was) between teens a misdemeanor.
“Taking Another Shot at Justice” U.S. News and World Report, June 18th, 2007Is this another case of the courtroom as our morality police? Why would or why wouldn’t this work? Is it a bad sign when the courtroom is relaxing the degree of guilt on a case involving moral decisions? Segment 4LIVE Talkback segmentSOUL UP FOR GRABS IN THE GAME OF LIFE (cont’d)
There is a trend online with sites like Wikipedia that lure “flamers” to participate. Flaming is where individuals anonymously and intentionally post indendiary comments on an open-source entry to arouse people’s anger.
“Taming Internet Flamers…” pp. 28, U.S. News, June 18th, 2007Is online vandalism equivocable to real-life graffiti vandalism? Even if you succeed in changing the perception of something you want to for your benefit, do you feel like the end justifies the means? Segment 5MAKING WAR ON JUNK MAILInterview with Todd Davis of LifeLock.comHow do you cope with junk mail? Do you ever read through them before deleting them? Does that defeat the purpose for you? What are good signs for determining when it’s safe to give out personal information online? ]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For June 16th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.422007-06-16T14:23:03Z2007-06-24T14:28:42ZSegment 1 CAMERA PHONE FALLOUT Several hospitals in Georgia are outlawing camera phones in the hospital based on privacy violations. Is this technology becoming too encroaching? PROFESSIONAL WEB NETWORKING PARTIES Web 2.0 has a new class of services – sites...
Segment 1
CAMERA PHONE FALLOUTSeveral hospitals in Georgia are outlawing camera phones in the hospital based on privacy violations. Is this technology becoming too encroaching?PROFESSIONAL WEB NETWORKING PARTIES
Web 2.0 has a new class of services – sites designed specifically to help you manage your career, do your job better and help you collect colleagues like water in a bucket. LinkIn is one such site that adds 120,000 members a week and is now up to 10 million totals. Jigsaw users have compiled over 5 million business contacts.
“It’s Not Just Who You Know”, Fast Company, May, 2007Are these weak-tie websites having a negative effect on business? Do they give you a false sense of security as far as having a lot of contacts that really have no depth of relationship attached? Is this super-networking doing more harm than good? Which is better for business – a few good contacts or an army of loosely connected associates?]]>
RUSSIAN DEEP FREEZE
The West seems to be in yet another stare down contest with the Russians over a missile defense system that President Bush wants to put in motion despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s protests at the G8 Summit meetings. The call is for a radar screen in the Czech Republic to watch for threats and 10 interceptor rockets in Poland to shoot down missiles. The U.S. and Poland say that the system will not threaten Russia. The Kremlin counters that it will undermine their nuclear deterrent. The deepening rift prompted Tony Blair, the outgoing UK prime minister, to warn that people were now becoming “worried and fearful about what is happening in Russia today and Russia’s external policies”.
“US To Press Ahead with Anti-Missile Plan”
http://apnews.myway.com/article, June 8, 2007Is this good old fashioned Western paranoia at work? What is at the root of Prime Minister Blair’s concerns? Putin suggested putting defense systems on bases in Iraq, in Turkey or on ocean vessels. Do you see that as a healthy alternative?Segment 2
LIVE Talkback segmentSegment 3
FATHER FIGURES – Casting the Right ShadowDAD, WE NEED YOU!
In a recent study commissioned by the National Fatherhood Initiative, they found that fathers living at home have a definite, positive impact on the lives of their children. The absent fathers have a negative affect their families in economic, social and emotional ways.
“The Life Cycle of Father-Son Relationships” http://www.dunwoodypsychologists.com/Articles/dads.htm In your day-to-day life, do you find this research to be accurate? How has your Dad affected your life?CATS IN THE CRADLE
Williams points out, as children, sons idolize their dads and think they can do anything. As teens, sons experience a period of discord in which conflict is the central theme they share. As young adults, the father-son relationship enters into a period of evolving. Distance may still exist emotionally and they may even ignore each other. The conscious attempts at being different than one’s father so characteristic in the discord stage begin to appear more like competition. As adults in their 30’s and 40’s, sons begin to move into the stage of acceptance toward their fathers.
“Top 10 Father Facts” https://www.fatherhood.org/fatherfacts_t10.asp
“Late-Breaking Father Facts” https://www.fatherhood.org/fatherfacts_lb.asp
Several reports from National Fatherhood Initiative
Have you seen these things play out in your relationship with your dad or other father-son relationships you’ve observed? Is it an ironic twist of fate that we grow up to be just like the old man no matter how hard we try not to? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Why do so many fathers check out on responsibility these days? Fear? Irresponsibility? How do you forgive and move past the rut of making similar mistakes?
Segment 4GIFTS FOR DADInterview with Angie Hicks of Angie’s ListSegment 5THE SOLAR SYSTEM PURCHASE – U.S. PLAN TO PURCHASE OUT OF THIS WORLD PROPERTY TO HARNESS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES
NASA and MIT partnered last month on a bet to see how many IQs above 1600 could fit under one roof and also to talk about the idea of collecting sunshine with outer space solar panels and beaming it down to power lunar bases, terrestrial grids. The Defense Department and Pentagon officials are playing ball out of their dependence on fossil fuels and trying to wean themselves off of unreliable energy sources.
“Military Target: Solar-Beaming Sats” www.wired.com, June 7, 2007Is this some geopolitical “pie in the sky”? Could it work? What do you do about the altered environment and the ever-present global warming crisis? Would luring the sun toward a concentrated solar panel with a bee line to earth be like waving a red scarf in front of a bull? What happens if the beam “wanders” off from its receiver? Do we need this contraption to get at solar energy? We’re already harnessing it. Why not just keep developing better ways to catch it here on earth? Could this put radioastronomers on the map for sexy starring roles in big budget end-of-the-world summer blockbusters? It’s worked for storm chasers and climatologists already. Why not?]]>
The Hub Radio Show Prep - For June 9th, 2007tag:www.blog.thehubradioshow.com,2007://1.412007-06-08T14:15:15Z2007-06-24T14:22:32ZSegment 1 PLEASE FORGIVE ME, I HAVE TB "I'm very sorry for any grief or pain that I have caused anyone," TB patient Andrew Speaker said from his isolation room in the National Jewish Hospital in Denver. Speaker, a 31-year-old...
Segment 1
PLEASE FORGIVE ME, I HAVE TB
"I'm very sorry for any grief or pain that I have caused anyone," TB patient Andrew Speaker said from his isolation room in the National Jewish Hospital in Denver. Speaker, a 31-year-old lawyer from Atlanta, learned he had TB in January. Doctors say they told Speaker not to travel. Speaker said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health organizations advised him against travel but didn't stop him. Speaker said after the CDC called him in Rome and told him to cancel his commercial fight plans, it didn't offer him any help. Speaker says it would have cost $100,000 to fly back on a noncommercial airline.
“Andrew Speaker Says He Has Proof…” http://abcnews.go.com, June 1, 2007“Diane Sawyer Interviews Andrew Speaker, TB Patient in Isolation” http://abcnews.go.com, May 31, 2007
If he’s known about this since January, who else in our community has he come in contact with? And should we blame ourselves and feel guilty for even asking that question? And why is no one raising questions about the CDC and its precautionary protocols?ECCLESIASTICAL SPRAWL
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church has teamed up with WellStar Health Systems to develop both a church and medical facility as well as retail buildings on a 65 acre parcel on US 41 near Awtrey Church Road in northwest Cobb. To help convince Cobb County public officials this is the right use for that land, Church member have sent over 6,000 hand written letters encouraging support for the project.
“Church Building Plan Pushed with Power of the Pen” http://www.ajc.com, May 31, 2007Is it a good idea for a church to partner with a non-church entity to help promote its building project? Will the non-profit tax breaks a church receives from the county be funneled to the hospital and the for-profit retail locations? ]]>
CHILDREN WITHOUT SEX--SCIENCE PUTS SEXY BACK IN THE BOX
The recent trend in sexless marriages doesn’t necessarily have to mean childless marriages. The man who invented the birth control pill, Professor Carl Djerassi, who gave us “sex without children,” is predicting we will soon have “children without sex.” "It is my own prediction that within the next 30 to 50 years in the Western world, many women, when young, will bank their eggs or ovarian tissue, have them frozen, and use them when they feel the time is right for them to have a child," he says. "It will become commonplace. (Cue the “Free At Last” soundtrack).
“Children without sex is what the future holds…” http://www.dailymail.co.ukIs it ethical for women to have children in their 60s? How will the child born using such a procedure be affected both emotionally and physically? Do we really want science to create a generation of ageing mothers who’ve chosen to corrupt nature for the sake of their careers by having children late in life — with or without a man?Segment 2LIVE Talkback segmentSegment 3BELIEF AND BIGOTRYIslam is a religion of peace? Very few in America today can watch a car bomb or a war fueled by Islamic radicals around the world (or yes, for our Liberal friends, an unacceptable American empirialism and occupation) and not point the finger. But what about Muslims that insist on a religion of peace? Are we short-changing the peace process w/ uninformed bigotry?Interview with Dr. Ali Shehata
Presidential candidates are like urban sprawl these days, they’re everywhere. And every few years, we are locked in a process of trying to make the best decision at the polls, who most closely represents our values and beliefs. It’s the biggest exercise some of us ever get for asking ourselves what we believe, if for no other reason than to determine if what he/she/it believes is what we believe and deserves our endorsement. McCain believes in a strong national defense, Tancredo, in closed borders, Giuliani believes in the right to choose life…or just choose…or not. Hillary believes in the right to a good song and Fred Thompson believes in Nielsen Ratings. But Mitt Romney, well he believes the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County, Missouri.
“The Religion Test”, Time Magazine, pp. 40-42, May 21 2007Is it bigotry to say you won’t vote for someone because of what they believe in private or is that just smart business sense? Should our questions and qualifiers for governance go all the way to personal beliefs? Do we have a right? An obligation? Segment 4
LIVE Talkback segmentSegment 5THE HUB – We are rocket science!
THE SPACE RACE GOES PRIVATE “The New Space Race” Wired Magazine, pp. 144, June 2007
“How NASA Screwed Up” Wired Magazine, pp. 155, June 2007Is this such a good idea? What happened to Eeevil Kanneivl disclaimers like, “Don’t Try This At Home”? Or did we always privately roll our eyes at those anyway? Why the infatuation with getting out of this world? Do you think the government or private sector will do it first for consumers? Who wins the bids in the government projects? Gentlemen, place your bets!]]>