PAF 494 Blog #7 - Hold the Mustard

I think it is quite ironic that I'm in Congressman Weiner's state as I write this blog. As I pass by hot dog vendors on almost every street corner, I can't help but to remember how this scandal was exploited by the media. Late night talk show hosts and comedians ate this story up as they laughed and joked about what Weiner did with his wiener, referring to the lewd photo the congressman tweeted. Social media is being used more and more in the political realm to gain publicity, financial support, and the commitment of voters, but that's not all politicians use social media for. Many of them are using it for personal social interactions with others. I wouldn't be surprised if there are a lot more stories similar to Anthony Weiner's story that just haven't been exposed. One thing is for certain and that is people need to be careful what they communicate and how they communicate things through social media, because social media belongs to the world. 

Leaders such as Congressman Weiner must understand that they have a responsibility to act with integrity. He said that what he did didn't affect how he did his job, but I believe that once something like that goes public it does make a difference due to how people view you. His true nature was exposed displaying the character of a man who hurt and disrespected his wife, had improper sexual communications with multiple women other than his wife, and lied. I once heard the expression, "Never lie to someone who trusts you. Never trust someone who lies to you." No one is perfect, however there are standards, especially when you are a person that occupies an honorable position in society. How can people who once trusted Congressman Weiner continue to do so knowing that he is a liar that lacks strong moral character and sound social judgement? 

When this scandal was first uncovered, Congressman Weiner adamantly expressed that he had no intention of resigning. If he could have had his social media cake and ate it too, he surely would have. I think he made the right decision to finally resign even though that decision was really forced upon him by pressure he received from Republicans, Democrats, and the media. There are consequences for our actions and poor judgments. Congressman Weiner became a student that learned a painful lesson, and a teacher instructing by his example in the largest classroom in the world. Personally, I would have had more respect for the congressman if he didn't try to cover up the truth when he was first found out. I believe that he attempted to use the media as a PR weapon when he came out with his scandal cover-up story. It looked really bad when he finally came back and told the truth. If he was attempting to us media as a weapon I would say he ended shooting himself in the foot with that same weapon. I accept the congressman for his political knowledge and professional abilities, but as for his messy, inappropriately spicy personal life I must say, "Give me a Congressman Weiner; hold the mustard." My last comment as I blog in New York is, "What happens on the Internet many people will forgive, but most will never forget."

I look forward to communicating with you again soon on Deneene Says...

PAF 494 Blog # 6 Mud Wrestling on the Social Media Landscape Under the Internet Sun

Before there was technology old as the telephone and new as the Internet the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water existed. The center of our solar system has always been the sun, but as we step into new technologies there is a system of media such as news print technology, telegraph/telephone technology, film, photo, and audio recorded technology, and radio and television broadcast technology that revolves around a sun or center of the technology known as the Internet. Being twenty-one or in other words, existing in the twenty first century means that many will indulge in the intoxicating offerings of new millennium technology. Twenty-one has become more than the legal drinking age or a winning hand on a black jack table; it has become the century where technology has grown up into a force to be reckoned with.

The power of money bows to the power of social media where the statements of stands on political issues, political advertising campaigns, and the ability to reach a targeted audience is accomplished with less money and less effort in the history of campaigning. Social media participants have the ability to share their thoughts, views, and news, and this can mean that individuals can gain support for candidates on an exponential level. It is like multi-level marketing for politicians as potent as an atom bomb. Two becomes four, four becomes eight, eight becomes sixteen, and so on and so on and so on. Before you know it millions are involved. It is just like the phenomenon that if you double a penny every day for thirty days you'll have over a million dollars. Social media is like a bank that offers its investors compound interest. The results are wealthy and mind boggling. Social media participants share information faster than a virus can be spread causing people to come down with the same views and beliefs they are infected by. People love to share and social media allows this. Constituents that use social media like things and connect to others that like what they like and connect to others on the same wavelength. Social media has even become a top platform for campaign donations.  All types of people are putting their votes and their money where their computer is. 

New media is definitely innovating campaigns while it is also providing a new terrain for mud fights. I'm not talking about two women in bathing suits going at it in the mud; I'm talking about political competitors using the Internet to sling mud in a technological way. I don't think the pioneers of cutting-edge technology ever meant for it to be used in this way. Anonymous Twitter accounts, erroneous information broadcast to tens of thousands if not more in a matter of seconds or minutes, and digital character defamation carried on the waves of the web that cause candidates to drown are becoming and will become more commonplace. I remember the Steven Seagal movie Above the Law, and I feel that since there are not laws nor guidelines to govern social media many politically incorrect people that would otherwise be deemed as gangsters are going to get away with premeditated political murder. There is mud on the social media landscape and some politicians are getting stuck in it. Anyone running or planning to run for office these days better put on their fatigues because there is a war where the Internet is the main weapon of choice the enemy will use. 

Obama made history by facilitating "his story" through social media as he leveraged it to his advantage. This was a move wiser that than the spun web of a spider to catch its prey. From this day forward I believe that politicians must say, "I do" to social media for better or for worse. Social media is not just a fad and it isn't going away. If anything, something greater is coming that will be built on its foundation. It is time to tweet, facebook, Youtube, and do every other possible thing that is here now and coming to extend the voice of your view. It is really too bad about the deceit that exists alongside or because of pure genius, but such is life. 

In the upcoming 2012 election social media is going to be the technological "fly on the wall." More than that it is going to be a community of butterflies not afraid to spread their wings of opinion after going through a technological metamorphosis. We've been saying for years that a change would come, well now it has. Social media is informing people, but it is also forming people's opinions.  In an age where we can get "at the moment" information and "after the fact" news is being buried among the graves of outdated information technology resources. More people than ever before are looking to social media for current and true news, and what they read and share with others will influence them and work to shape public policy based upon what they believe from what they see, read, and receive. 

All great leaders were once great followers. I must admit that I've never really been a huge fan of twitter, but I understand and honor its power and presence. As I tweet I also invite people to fly with me in the skies above and inline with the information superhighway. A few political and news-worthy tweeters that I follow are: Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and Anderson Cooper. Anderson Cooper tweets all the up-to-date news no matter what it is. If it is news Anderson is singing it like a bird whether it is political or not. I like his tweets and I think he keeps the audience of the world current on everything that is happening. The Barack Obama twitter site that I'm following is run by his 2012 campaign staff. The most recent three tweets of this site offer an opportunity to win a chance to chat with the President, asks millionaires and billionaires to pay their fare share according to the "Buffet Rule," and inquires as to what people would ask the President if they were able to sit down at dinner with him. These tweets appeal to the social, political, and real motivations of the American people in an effort to connect with, maintain the support of, and gain new voters. As far as Hilary Clinton, I think I am connected with the wrong twitter page. I went to look at the page for her I'm following and there was only one tweet. I know Hilary has a lot more to say than that. She is the female voice of America and if I could make my best guess my intuition tells me that Hilary is up to speed on all issues that affect this nation individually and collectively. Hilary has to be a hummingbird of twitter; compact, cute, and powerful. Her wings flutter fast carrying her from place to place while she drinks the nectar of political news and issues. While I am in search for a more valid twitter site for her I don't have to find it to know that she is courageous, well-spoken, and still believing in the concept that it takes a village to raise a child. 

Deneene Says...

1. Social media may be enhanced but it is not going away.
2. Social media and politics will hold hands like high school sweethearts.
3. Social media is the new mud in the hands of technology-wise politicians.
4. Social media provides the content, collaboration, community, and collective intelligence that will forever change politics.
5. Social media is as influential as a dollar bill is to a homeless person. 
6. Social media is instant and informative.
7. Social media is a force to be reckoned with which truths and falsities must be deeply considered.

Thanks for lending me your eyes and ears. I hope to communicate with you again soon regarding the profound topics of our present time. 

PAF 494 Blog #5 - A Political Food Critic's Review

Bon Appétit to all of those with a hunger for well-prepared media. Today I sat down in the virtual restaurant of mediabistro.com with my pad and pen like any good food critic would to accurately report on what is being served up. I love food and I love to cook so I chose to review mediabistro.com because it sounded so delicious. There are recipes for putting together a great story that will properly nourish your need to ingest accurate and up-to-date news stories. While the articles and subjects posted on this blog seemed to be fresh, I wasn't convinced of the site's capability to provide its readers with a well-balanced, highly organic menu of new items. Though the articles posted on the site were indeed diversified and current, I sometimes got the feeling that harmful additives and preservatives where included. At times I felt like I was watching CNN and at other times I felt like I was watching The Insider. Not that The Insider isn't an accurate news source, it is just celebrity-focused tabloid type news. 

As the name Media Bistro implies, one is made to feel like they are going out to eat so I viewed this site in the same way I would an upscale dining establishment. How was I greeted? How was I treated? What was the menu selection like? Would I go back again? For me the site was a little edgy in its appearance. It started with posts of Media Bistro Tweets, went to the current week's Media Bistro News, and then went to posted articles. The appearance of the site was a little chaotic, and I didn't feel a warm reception like I would expect at a bistro. The print on the site was small, jagged, and racy, but the articles provided valid links to more in depth news resources. Again, the articles were good, current, and informative; I'm just not sure if I like the way they were served. Poor presentation or bad plating can deduct large points from a great tasting and perfectly prepared gourmet meal. The site might benefit from a usability study and redesign. 

I consider the site's articles fair and balanced for the most part. I also think that at times the articles can sway to one side working to influence the reader to adopt the prominent view of the article. I like the site's diversity and modern appeal, but I didn't like the site's presentation or aesthetic qualities. There was a good subject variety of articles which I also liked, but at the same time the site seemed a little Hollywood. Some of the negative things I thought about the site might actually be positives in regards to the ability to appeal to mass audiences. For instance, audiences that are not necessarily politically-focused might be able to more easily receive political news from this type of mainstream, nontraditional news venue. I can't argue against the good mix and variety of articles this site provides. There is a good mix of diverse topics and news information. Due to the way the articles are written and the audience these articles appeal to, the real possibility of media influence based upon how the news is reported comes into play. The articles on this site provide first hand knowledge on a lot of political issues to uniformed people that can sway their opinions and beliefs based upon the content and tone of the articles. It is kind of like being raised up by radical surrogate parents when your genes come from conservatives. 

Some of the interactive pieces of this blog that I noticed was the ability to tweet the blog on Twitter or email it to a person. I did not see any ability to comment on, or challenge blog posts though this might be possible through facebook posting. Comment posting might be available on the blog also I just didn't see it, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Overall, the news food was tasty with a good selection, but the service provider could improve by enhancing their delivery venue. I'm full of the news that has passed over my political taste buds so you'll hear from me as soon as my readers have digested this review of mediabistro.com.

Deneene Says...,"Dine often on healthy media."

PAF 494 Blog #4 - Healthcare Coverage at the State Level - No Illusions

Whether you've heard something through the grapevine, seen it on television, heard it on the radio, or read it in a newspaper, magazine, or online you don't know how much of it is fact and how much of it is scripted opinion. I wish the media was the mother of facts as opposed to the midwife of fiction. Partial truth isn't always a whole lie, but in some cases it might as well be if it influences a person to take a side on an issue that has been written about in the mere shadows of truth. I truly agree with the statement, "Perception is everything." All things aren't what they seem to be, but the way a person perceives something is absolutely real to them. In regards to the statement, "You can't believe everything you read in newspapers or see on TV," I believe this to mean that the media can act as smoke and mirrors do for a great illusionist. Everything we see and hear is not always accurate. It is really too bad when news that is supposed to be able to be trusted becomes nothing more than opinionated gossip only worthy of being published in the tabloids. People thrive on drama, thus the success of reality TV.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way I'd like to discuss a political issue that is being debated both locally and nationally. Media influence can greatly sculpt how people react to and deal with these dually debated political issues. In addition to local and national concerns such as gun violence, mass unemployment, food safety, a struggling economy, and same-sex marriage, there is a growing healthcare crisis. The healthcare crisis that is sweeping our nation is believed to be caused largely due to the massive loss of jobs and the inability of people to secure gainful employment. When people lose their jobs they also tend to lose their healthcare coverage. I experienced this first hand, and since I worked for a company that helped employers advertise their open positions and helped people get jobs by broadcasting employment opportunities; I was in utter shock when I was laid off. I found myself in the same position that many of the people I talked to and tried to help were in. I had medical coverage for three months during my severance period, but if I wanted to continue coverage I had to through Cobra which wasn't an option at a cost of around $400 a month when I didn't have an income. To me Cobra became nothing more than a snake. I was approved for State medical coverage upon making application, but my son was not. I was informed that the medical program to cover children was full and his name would be put on a waiting list. The next time I applied for him approximately eight months later he was approved. I also received a notice that no one that applied after a certain date would be approved due to cuts in State funding. How sad, I thought it was for the many people out there needing help. Even if they qualified they wouldn't be able to get medical coverage. This issue of healthcare really hits home for me which is why I decided to feature an article in this area.

On September 10th of this year N.C. Aizenman of the Washington Post wrote an article entitled, "As states lag in implementing health-care law, bigger federal role looks likely." The article can be viewed in full at the following link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/as-states-lag-in-implementing-health-care-law-bigger-federal-role-looks-likely/2011/08/29/gIQA8k6ZIK_story.html.

The article talks about how states nationwide are dragging their feet when it comes to establishing health insurance marketplaces which exist at the core of the 2010 health-care overhaul for this nation. A number of practical hurdles and partisan hostilities seem to be the cause for these delays. Since the delays are evident and unacceptable, the federal government is looking to intervene in order to speed up the process. Federal-state partnership arrangements are now under consideration. Vast expansion access to health insurance relies heavily on these state-based exchanges. The problem is that this law that will allow more people to afford and receive needed health coverage whether it is personally/privately purchased or provided through government subsidies, is not being implemented fast enough at the state level. This is a local issue that is rapidly becoming a national issue which may require national intervention to get things done at the state level. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. 

Everybody needs healthcare which is what makes this an issue in both the local and national limelight. The issue being adopting the health-care coverage law within every state. Most people seem to be for this while some seem to think it pushes us towards becoming a socialist nation. The gains are a medically more healthy nation as a whole while the losses include higher costs for the nation and possible lower revenues for insurance carries and medical facilities. I live in Arizona where The Health Care Reform law will benefit 1.3 million Arizona residents that don't have health insurance. There are another 281,000 residents that possess non-group insurance and this law will aid in them in obtaining affordable health coverage through the health insurance exchange. I wasn't really able to obtain accurate information on the stance my state politicians are taking on this issue or how it appeals to local voters though it remains a subject of controversy.  

With a news story I saw standing at the forefront of my memory about a lady that was about to loose medical coverage for her seven week old baby, I make a proclamation as local as my own home and as national as the American Flag. I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that we have all been bestowed with unalienable Rights being born into this great Nation, and among these rights are Life, Liberty,and the pursuit of Happiness, which can only be fully executed by including the security of reasonable and obtainable health coverage for all. I hope that the states shake an American Eagle's tail feather regarding this issue, and I hope that the media flies straight when reporting on it. Hopefully I'll communicate with you again soon on the Deneene Says...Blog, but right now I need to go make a doctor's appointment. Wishing health and healing to our entire nation and every citizen of these great United States. 

Truthfully and Politically Yours,

Dee Collins

PAF 494 Blog #3 - Check Me Out

In life there is the struggle for power, the struggle for power, and the struggle for power. I've made this statement to prove a point as to why our government in these United States is setup the way it is.  The American Government has a separation of powers, which means it is divided into three distinct branches that check on each other. The System of Checks and Balances prevents any one branch of the government from becoming too power or getting out of control. This is a good system, but may have one small problem. Our government is supposed to be by the people and for the people, so who checks on all three of these branches on behalf of the people? The answer to this question is the media. 

The media has been said to be like the fourth branch of government due to the role it plays in keeping the branches of government in check. Without the media it would be virtually impossible for the general public to know what is going on in and with the government, therefore the role of media is vital to citizens and voters. I'm sure we are all familiar with the expression, "Big Brother is watching you," but what happens when you start watching Big Brother and telling everything that he does? When considering the methods that the media uses to check each branch of the government I would say that the media keeps the public informed by reporting what the government is doing whether good or bad. The media is like a reporting agency always letting the people of our nation know what their elected officials are up to. The method of reporting timely and accurate news helps to enforce the integrity of our governing body. In cases where something bad has been reported, the media can help motivate the government and those in office to correct the error of their ways. Since the media tells all on those who run for office and are elected, and since it largely shapes public opinion and defines the character of a candidate to the masses, it is indeed a powerful type of fourth branch in the system of checks and balances. Now and days with media extended to the Internet, and with just about anyone having the ability to be a content creator we as the people can join in on this checks and balances system provided by the media. 

Former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil once said, "All politics is local politics." I'm not exactly sure what he meant by this statement, but I think I have an idea. Everybody is from somewhere, and each local place that we are from has its own distinct issues that are important to that place, initiatives, points of view, and desires for the government to act in a certain way regarding certain things. What this all means is that all the people in Washington, D.C. acting in the political realm are representing the local people from their home town/state which would make all politics local politics. Also, why do you think the presidential candidates go out on the campaign trail rather than just broadcasting to the nation from one central location? It is because they want to reach people where they live, love, and where their families and lives are. For a presidential candidate to be successful, they have to take a local approach for a national effort. 

I have to go check out the fourth branch now. I'll speak to you again soon on the blog where Deneene Says...

PAF 494 Blog #2 - More About Me and Media Influences

I'm Back...

Hello World, I'm back again with more to say. This blog entry is part of the course Media and Public affairs, and I'd like to share a little more about why I'm interested in this course. I have always had a deep interest in what life is all about and how things work in the world, but one day I realized that I wasn't keeping current with news, public policies, or politics. It came to my attention that I didn't know about anything in depth as I had separated myself to a large extent from the rest of the world. Politics, the media, and public policy were like flashes of pictures and fragments of whispers in my life. One day I came to after being in what seemed to be like a long sleep composed of days and years with a hunger to know more about the world I was living in. I started watching broadcast and cable news, and I began to read new articles on the Internet. The world opened up to me like an oyster and news was like a precious pearl.

Why I'm Interested in Media and Public Affairs...

I like to know what's going on, and how it will affect me, the ones I love, and others. I'm interested in this course so I can learn more about media influence, and politics. My Bachelor's degree is in psychology, so it is extremely intriguing to me to learn about the effects of media. To me this course is like using learning tools related to media, politics, and  public policy to solve a mystery. How many of the decisions we make are our own decisions? How has media become an invisible leader that we may not know we are following?  Additionally, with a Masters in Business and a soon to come Masters in Graphic Information Technology politics, media influence, and public policy are all things that have peaked my interest as my knowledge has expanded. 

More About Me...

I think I would actually love a career in broadcast media. I've taken a few graduate courses in Technical Writing Communication. I've been a public speaker for years and I've even had my own radio broadcast on two different occasions. When I had my radio broadcasts and was contacted by listeners, it became so real to me that there were people listening to what I had to say on the other side of the microphone. With my progression into my professional writing career, I'm going to be leveraging the media more and more. I will also most likely end up in the public eye a lot as I become more well-known. I may not be a candidate for office now, but maybe one day I will. Most likely, the only office I'll ever run for is the office to be a better person to help influence the world in a better way. If I do end up doing something more political, it just might have been sparked by this class.  I hope this class gives me greater awareness and helps me make better decisions.

Last week I launched my own publishing company and social network for aspiring authors to help give people a chance to pursue their dreams of publishing. On August 31, 2011 I released a press release about the launch of my company and I appeared on BlackNews.com. I received several responses from people that need help, advice, and direction of some kind on how to complete their publishing projects and get their voices heard. This was a very touching experience to me to be able to have a chance to help people with something that means so much to them. My press release and article was not politically-related media influence, but I was in the media and it did have an influence on people. 

A Few Thoughts on Media-Influenced Politics...

There is no doubt in my mind that the media does influence politics. Even based on some of the articles I read this week it was clear that Presidential candidates gained an advantage in the polls when articles about them in the media were positive or when they had more media exposure. The tone of the media, the stories they focus on, and how they portray people can influence how people vote, who they decide to back, and what they believe to be true about an individual running for office or in office. "Your life can be changed by the questions you ask, and by the way you answer the ones you are asked in the public eye." ~ Deneene A. Collins

I'll blog with you again soon on Deneene Says...

Thanks for checking in.