Do you even KNOW what a reporter does?

Its so annoying when people try to sound smart and just end up being idiots. Especially when they do so in such a way that those who don't know any better just nod their heads.

I wholeheartedly have to disagree with this Yahoo article. Both in its conclusion (though not necessarily its initial assertions) about the number 2 dying career, and their alternative suggestion of Public Relations Specialist.

The article states that that the #2 Dying Career is Reporter. It says "They say a species must adapt or die, and with the trend of the Internet replacing print journalism (you are reading this on the computer, after all), media folks who don't adjust might not survive too much longer."

With this I agree. In part. The part where reporters have to play the web and social media cards. They need to adapt to this new format. Just like when they had to adjust to going from the old typesetting and inkwells and every manner of technical changes have come along over the ages. This idea is nothing new. Its just a new medium to get used to. Some make it, some don't. Just like in the days when they had to adjust from radio to television.

"In short, many reporters could be going the way of their typewriters soon." In short . . . this is a ridiculous assertion on the article writer's part. Some will, obviously, not be able to adapt. But reporters have made the jump from inkwell to typeset to print to radio, television and digital pretty well.

And for anyone that brings up "citizen reporters" into the mix saying that these people will replace the experienced writer because they are cheaper have not seen the comings and (mostly) goings of venues that use them exclusively. Companies such as the publishers of The Examiner that created online venues using these "citizen reporters" found that quality over quantity was of great importance, even in the plethora of junk that is often the makeup of the internet. No one would put stock in poor writing, poor reporting and obviously slanted journalism. The cream rises to the top, they found, and began to tinker with how they, pick, maintain and assist with quality the writers they have.

The second assumption in the article is that a good alternative for a reporter is the career choice of Public Relations Specialist.

Really? Reporter to public relations??? Have they really met any reporters?

The author (and oh boy do I use that term loosely here) states "In the new world of Facebook, Twitter, and all things Web, the public image of a company has never been more important." And I agree. Even to the point of saying that in this new age, a reporter is essentially their own company when it comes to social media. Sure, papers and news shows and online venues have their own ways of publicizing in these arenas. But it is also incumbent on the reporter to do so also. But that is an adaptation in effect, not the be all and end all of what reporters do.

Now if you ever actually met a reporter or even just know what it is that reporters do, can you really seeing Woodward or Bernstein "evaluate advertising programs, write press releases, and communicate with the media and public to promote a company's public image"?

I am sure I cannot. Making people look good is so not the job of a reporter. Reporting the news is the job of a reporter. Informing the public of things they need to know about their government, businesses, the economy, American and worldwide society and culture, thats the job of a journalist. But making someone or something look good - well, that is just not their job. And saying this is an alternative career for a reporter is just plain naive.

I would have told this to the writer (Terence Loose) of this little bit of fluff on Yahoo's Education channel. But there is no place for comment. Nor is there a way to send them a little missive. And this bit of oversight is just the thing that a reporter in today's media needs to do in order to adapt. The reader feedback is a valuable asset to today's reporter, just as much as "Facebook, Twitter and all things web", as Loose makes a point of highlighting. So I am guessing we may not be hearing much from this writer.

You can agree or disagree with me on this, because that is your right to do. But its okay. I don't mind. Because, as the title of this blog states, this is just me Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.

Charles

Unemployment dropping? REALLY?!

So, Obama and all the media pukes are rallying behind the numbers saying that the unemployment rate is dropping.

This gets me so mad. They way they play with numbers and lie right to our faces. I just want to scream! Because the average American will just go, "oh great, so what are the Republicans and Obama detractors yelling about?"

We are yelling because they are lying to your face and you are believing them.

God, stop being so stupid!

Here's a bit from Erik Erickson of Red State.

"The household survey says unemployment has fallen. Jobs are being created. A few days after American Airlines announced it would lay off 15,000 employees and other companies are laying off as well, the unemployment rate fell with new hires.

It is good news for Barack Obama, except not really.

The unemployment rate fell, but so did the number of people participating in the workforce. If those people were factored in, the unemployment rate would be 11 percent. In fact, people 55 years and older and people just entering the workforce are having a ridiculously hard time finding jobs.

We know this is so by the number of foreclosures in the country — which are still high. The household survey data suggests good news for Barack Obama's re-election prospects, but reality suggests otherwise. 70 percent of Americans, according to Rasmussen, know someone struggling to find a job. And these people will take it out on the incumbent. But there is a danger for the GOP. If the unemployment number keeps falling, they'll need a bigger platform than just claiming they can put people back to work. They will have to work hard to cut through the media noise cheerleading unemployment numbers that ignore those who've just given up on Obama's hope.

—Erick Erickson"

Its the same thing I have been trying to tell you all for years. Unemployment rate so not mean what you think they mean. Instead of believing the government SPIN doctors, the politicians and the foolish media jerks like Keith Oberman. Talk to your family, friends and neighbors.

I bet you know at least one, if not MANY more who are out of work, unable to pay bills, being foreclosed on, can't find a job, can't get health coverage - can't even scrap up enough food for a decent meal each night.

Obama is lying. The media is lying (I say this because they can't be as stupid about this stuff as they let on). The SPIN doctors get PAID to lie to you.

Look out at the real world. Look at how it really is, instead of the LaLa Land THEY would describe for you.

We need to get all these liars out of office. We need to shut down all these media outlets who lie for a living instead of doing their jobs.

Agree with me or not. I honestly don't care. But at least STOP BEING SHEEP and look around you. THINK FOR YOURSELF! Don't even believe me, because I am human and have my own perspective on life (didn't have work for so long I went to work for myself). You make up your own mind. After all, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day. And support your local food pantry (money, food, time, whatever).

Charles

What Hypocrisy

The following is an email sent out by the Nancy Pelosi camp.

Charles --

Do you know what House Republicans have done to create jobs since claiming the Majority three months ago? Nothing.

However, they’ve found time for votes to restrict access to reproductive health care, take teachers out of our classrooms, nurses out of our hospitals, and even to defund NPR. All told, Republican cuts would destroy 700,000 jobs.

I’ve had enough of the Republicans’ extremist anti-jobs agenda and I think you have too.
On March 31st, we’ll hit the first FEC quarterly filing deadline since the outrageous GOP power play in Wisconsin and Republicans took the reins in the House. The eyes of the nation will be on our fundraising numbers to judge our grassroots determination to fight back against the radical Republican agenda. We must have a strong showing.

Contribute $5 or more to the DCCC’s Million Dollar Matching Gift Campaign right now. This deadline is so important that if you contribute today, my fellow House Democrats and I will match every dollar you give with two of our own up to our $1 Million goal.

An extreme Republican majority has launched an all out assault on middle class America. It began in Wisconsin, but has spread to Congress and state houses across the country.

Secretive groups like Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS are already up on the air running vicious attack ads against House Democrats who are standing up against the Republican assault and fighting for middle class working families.

I’ve set a goal of $1 million before the March FEC deadline to show the world that we have the grassroots strength to fight radical Republican budget cuts and to stand up for middle class American families.

Contribute $5 or more to the DCCC’s Million Dollar Matching Gift Campaign right now. This deadline is so important that if you contribute today, my fellow House Democrats and I will match every dollar you give with two of our own -- tripling the impact of your gift.

The DCCC counts on individual donors like you for 75% of their funding. Together, we can turn back this Republican attack on the middle class and move America forward. Please contribute today.
Thank you.

Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader

P.S. The first FEC quarterly deadline of the year is just 10 days from now. We must exceed our $1 Million grassroots goal to show the world that Democrats are strong, united and determined to fight back against the radical Republican agenda. Contribute Now.

I find it incredibly nauseating to read this, most especially from her. She is such an obnoxious individual who should never have been given any major position of power, as it went completely to her head. Now that she is out of power, the rhetoric (which is par for the course by any politician these days -- sadly) comes as a hypocritical reversal of her position when she was in charge. Remember the day the Congress began session with the Dems in control and she as Speaker? She cut the Republicans off at the knee caps and made their representation of their constituents absolutely nil. She both literally and figuratively disconnected half of this country and their rights at a representative government.

But Now she has "had enough" and she wants you to give her money to fight the Republicans. Of which she and other Democrats pledge to give two to your one in contributions. But where does she and her fellow Dems get the money they will pledge? From you, the people who give to her campaign and the other Dems. Seems really lame and dishonest and misleading and completely eye rolling.

Seems she has enough of the GOP actually doing their job and getting the jobs situation back on track (as opposed to the Dem controlled Congress who did nothing but spend, spend, spend their way deeper into the hole and making businesses nervous with all the changes ans spending and taxing and anti-business agenda). The GOP and most Conservatives understand how business works, how jobs are created, and they are actively working to get things right again so Americans can get back to work.

Dems do not know how business works. The President and Pelosi do not know how to make payroll, to make a profit, to grow a business. They only know how to keep everyone on entitlements and the public dole. They only know how to destroy the American Dream. They only know how to GROW government. Unions are killers of business today, and the GOP knows it. The Dems and all their liberal allies are so deep in bed with the unions, they wouldn't know "workers' rights" if it came up and bit them in their collective patooties! Unions had their place. And if they were not so greedy, corrupt and anti-business, they might still have a place at the table. But they aren't concerned beyond growing their own leadership's bank accounts and power.

Pelosi and those like her just make me sick. And it is I (and others like me) who have "Had Enough"!! We spoke in 2010 midterms. And if these nitwits (who pander to special interest, corrupt unions and entitlement addicted addle brains) don't get on the stick and start earning their (way too high) salaries, which we the people pay, then 2012 will be a HUGE slap in their faces as we send them scrambling to find a new place to live and a new job to do.

Personally, this may be just me, and you don't have to agree or disagree. Just so long as you look at what I have to say and think about it real hard. Don't just let others do the thinking part for you, and I will have considered my time well spent.

But heck, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.

Have a great day.