Buy, sell! Only losers think! September 9, 2008

Or at least, that’s what this report would lead you to think. The story? False (or old) news report says United is bankrupt. Again. Traders scramble to “sell sell!” United stock drops a shitton within a few hours, all before someone realizing this “news” is false. Fishy about how it got out there, to Bloomberg News and all, but there it was.

While I found this report slightly hilarious and somehow feel little sympathy for United (or the traders), it also got me thinking in the broader terms of our media and the impressions we take from them, especially with the nebulous world of politics and political reporting. Ah, the sometimes parallel universes of finance and, um, everything else that matters. Consider how the media are covering the election and How Much This Really Matters. A lot of people have too many things on their plate to pay attention to every detail coming out of each of the campaigns, and thus, we’re often left with impressions. Impressions largely shaped by the media. Nothing new, but I think increasingly frightening right now with the political stakes so high.

Take Campell Brown of CNN’s questioning of a McCain spokesperson about the Republican nominee’s new pick for VP, the Lipstick Pitbull Palin. Doing what journalists are supposed to do, Brown questioned the campaign spokesperson about what qualifications Pitbull has regarding foreign policy issues. She had to ask the question a good three times, each time receiving a non-answer, where the spokesperson deflected the question to, “She is running with an experienced candidate,” and, “Well what experience does Obama have?” Post-interview, the McCain campaign is up in arms about the media’s “smear” campaign against the Reds and their liberal bias. Aren’t journalists supposed to, um, ask stuff? Til they get answers? You may remember recently hearing much fluff coverage about how much people love Palin and her “straight”, simple ways, which seems to be the media beginning to soften its previously-totally-appropriate coverage of her.

I was scared of the pitbull. Now I’m scared of the microphones chasing her around, and how little they’re going to ask her about anything that matters when you’re in charge of the country. You know, like war, possible war, healthcare, the economy. Whatever–Drill, Baby, Drill! That’s a line I can remember.

I’ll tell you what Time Out doesn’t September 5, 2008

Been a while since I’ve posted. I thought about going on about how much I despise most things about one Ms. Palin, and McCain’s creepy George Bush-like smile he had goin on during his acceptance speech last night, but I think all the Slates/Drudges of the world have me covered on that front. If you’d like to murmur on with me about such all things politics, it’s much funner in person anyway.

Instead! I will get to the most important business that this 60-degree day has me musing on, which is that of the Fall, spitting its way in with mucho rain (that thankfully held off for my beloved Andrew Bird concert the other night, he’s so dreamy..) and winterier temps. Fall always feels like the real New Year to me, thanks to an entire lifetime of school year calendar mindsets being drilled into my impressionable lil head. You think Time Out’s gonna tell you what to be excited about this fall? Pshh, lame. I got you covered:

1. Pumpkin butter, pumpkin soup, pumpkin beer. Maybe even just a pumpkin? And let’s not forget fresh maple, mmm.

2. Zillions of apple varieties, probably a few new ones I haven’t heard of. I remember Honey Crisp were all the rage last year, though I still don’t know why, as I find them too sweet and lacking flavor.

3. Sweater days, short sleeve days, boot days, and sandal days… All probably in the same day. Like the apples, variety is the spice of life!

4. School year nostalgia. I’m about to start doing a tutoring program which I’m very excited for, I think also largely because it reminds me of all the fresh-year things that come with being in school, all full of potential. School just isn’t the same now, where I’d be paying thousands to relive my childhood as a 25-yr-old, but with more homework and less recess. No thanks, I’ll help other kids do their homework instead.

5. Abbrieviatedly, I will say: The Election, and all the over-coverage that is sure to come along with it. Sure, I woulda taken John Kerry the last time ’round, but this time, really now, how can Obama *not* win? Hot damn, that’ll be one depressing day. Or not! Anyway. Stay tuned. (Not that you have much choice, it’s hard to avoid.) And John McCain, yes, I am ready to “Fight!” for this, though probably not in the way you meant during your humdrumedly-delivered speech.

6. HOLIDAYS! Halloween, Election Day (this is a holiday this year, in my book), Thanksgiving, CHRISTMAS, New Years. September means I can start planning my Holiday Party without feeling like a total loon doing it in July.

7. My book currently in the works with one Ms. Pasulka. Now that I’ve written that we’re doing this, we’ll get more of a moveon. It’s written in a blog now, it’s gotta be done! I promise you, it will beat the pants offa this one, with a better graphic designer who creates appealing book covers not targeted to 12-yr-olds (even though the book is to 20-somethings, go figure).

This may be enough for now, get back to work, you slackers. Add your own to mine, will you? All two of you who read my blog?