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Why I Was Going to Run for Congress

December 10, 2011

This is kind of a political rant, so fair warning and I apologize if I offend you in advance.

Voter Suppression, media green zones like in Baghdad (and here), indefinite detention of Americans by military, the revolving door between lobbyists and government, SOPA, Congressional insider trading, shorting on the debt ceiling, re-districting to keep power - aren't we tired of this crap yet? I am. Very tired. DC and state capitals are owned and run by career politicians and lobbyists. This truly is Corporate America or America, Inc.

I have spent the last few weeks trying to decide if I should run for Congress.

Posted in off topic, politics

To One of the Weird Ones

October 6, 2011

So your streams are probably filled with Steve Jobs links today. For repeating some of it here I apologize in advance. Seth Godin wrote a short eulogy to Steve Jobs yesterday. He spoke about the devices he created.

Posted in off topic

Unemployment and the Digital Divide

July 18, 2011

In this article in TechCrunch, you will read an interesting look at how Silicon Valley and the march of technology are causing a Digital Divide.

Every online sale takes away from brick-and-mortar business just as Wal-mart has run over mom-and-pop stores, each resulting in empty storefronts and unemployment. When we start automating basic jobs - like robots to make fast food burgers - we have to realize that the unemployed and the unemployable will grow. (There 's a great article in The Atlantic about what it's like to be unemployed for an extended time.

As more jobs become 1099 (contractor jobs), more and more will make less and less. Workers shifting from W-2 (an employee) to 1099 will experience anxiety over the loss of benefits and a steady paycheck.

Posted in broadband, economy, jobs, off topic, politics

Dear PR People and Constant Contact

November 22, 2010

Dear PR People and Constant Contact, WTH???

First, Constant Contact. Gail Goodman, for goodness sake, please move to an opt-in approach to your service. After being added to anyone's list, the adressee should immediately get an email that asks if they want to be on it. Period.

Posted in PR, off topic

My Negative Outlook

August 26, 2010

It has been pointed out that I tend to have a negative outlook. I don't know how fair that statement is but I'll give you my view of the world.

I'm an American. This is the greatest country in the world. The potential here is limitless.

Posted in FCC, Internet, broadband, economy, off topic, politics

Not a Political Piece

August 20, 2010

This isn't meant to be political but more like here are some thoughts for digestion.

This first is from FCC Commish Copps (thanks to Benton Foundation):

"I think most of you understand how important the Internet and access to high-speed broadband are to the future of our country. This incredible technology intersects with just about every great challenge confronting our nation-whether it's jobs, education, energy, climate change and the environment, news, international competitiveness, health care or equal opportunity.

"You know, history is pretty clear that when some special interest has control over both the content and distribution of a product or service -- and a financial incentive to exercise that control -- someone is going to try it. That's a monopoly or an oligopoly or whatever you want to call it -- I call it a danger to America."

The second is from Al Franken:

"But there's an even bigger issue here.

Posted in off topic, politics

Cricket Brought Dave

August 16, 2010

Tonight starting at 10:30 PM Cricket streamed the Mile High Music Festival. 2.5 hours later, Dave Matthews Band is still jamming with a mix of crowd favorites (like Two Step, Ants Marching and Jimi Things) and songs that they don't play often. Tim Reynolds was strumming guitar. I saw DMB live a couple weeks ago in Tampa. My third time and it was the best. They are really having fun as they complete their final tour for a while (they are taking all of 2012 off).

When they are having fun, the crowd is having a blast. Translated: When your employees are enjoying life, so are your Customers!

Cricket did some smart sponsoring on this one!

Posted in off topic

Never Vote Incumbent

July 12, 2010

As long as I am ranting, I figured I would hit on Incumbents. I don't mean the ILEC's, although most of them don't care a wit about their customers. I'm talking about career politicians. We breed them in the US like a rare dog.

Think about this: Why would someone spend $24 million to be governor? Rick Scott is using his own money to win the race in Florida.

Posted in off topic, politics

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