As part of a grassroots marketing effort, the AARP will pay you $60 to put a sign in your yard advertising a new website, AreYouWhoYouWantToBe.com.
Now I really wish I had a lawn.
Monday, November 27, 2006
YouTube helps boost old-tube networks
From CNet:
New studies claim that online video is driving viewers away from broadcast television. But at least one network thinks it may have found a way to reverse that trend.It's so much more enjoyable to watch David Letterman and Craig Ferguson on YouTube than trying to navigate around the Comedy Central Website to view Daily Show clips - and I'd usually much rather watch Daily Show Clips.
CBS inked a deal with YouTube in October, and since then has uploaded more than 300 clips. Those clips have been viewed 29.2 million times, the companies said in a press release.
But what may be more important to CBS is a related spike in ratings for the broadcast versions of the shows. "Late Show with David Letterman" has added 200,000 new viewers, and "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" has gained 100,000 viewers, since the YouTube postings started.
"Professional content seeds YouTube and allows an open dialogue between established media players and a new set of viewers. We believe this inflection point is the precursor to many exciting developments as we continue to build bridges rather than construct walls," Quincy Smith, president of CBS Interactive, said in a release.
Cooking show or your favorite eatery?
Should church be a cooking show or a restaurant?
Thomas has a link from a friend of his who writes that church feels too much like a cooking show.
We’re being told how to put all the ingredients in to make a good life but we don’t actually get to experience it and enjoy it with others.
What do you think?
Which do you prefer?
Thomas has a link from a friend of his who writes that church feels too much like a cooking show.
We’re being told how to put all the ingredients in to make a good life but we don’t actually get to experience it and enjoy it with others.
What do you think?
Which do you prefer?
Unique marketing
From Treehugger:
We have written so much about the greening of Chicago recently; its green roofs programs, bicycle plans, etc.
However it is hard to ride a bike if you can't breathe, and soot isn't good in the garden.
The American Lung Association of Chicago and Advertising students from Columbia college are once again doing power wash graffiti to get the message out- 17,000 tons of pollution spew out of Chicago's two old coal fired power plants.
"We're not painting the sidewalks, we're selectively cleaning off the dirt, much of which came from these two plants," Kevin Tynan, Director of Marketing for the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago, said. "The Fisk and Crawford plants are responsible for thousands of asthma attacks, hundreds of ER visits and dozens of premature deaths every year and they need to be cleaned up."
Read more at: cleanupfiskandcrawford.org or watch a video at: Youtube.
Here's another great idea for church marketing. Get out and clean off a side of a building or sidewalk and ad your message.
Of course be sure and ask permission from any property owners before you just start cleaning off any filth on their buildings.
Love Dodge Ball?
I found this interesting ad on Craigslist over the weekend...
Dodgeball Game XXXX
Who: You and your friends, or your enemies
When: Saturday, December 2nd, 2006
Where: Mesquite, Texas - Dunford Community Center (near 30 and LBJ about a mile down the road from Trophy Nissan) 1015 Green Canyon Dr, Mesquite Texas 75150
Time: 3 PM - 5 PM
Bring: Athletic wear and a sportsmanlike attitude.
Cost: $5
I think this is a great example of how the web is changing how people create community. I wonder how many people show up for this event for each game. How useful could/would this be for churches? After all Craigslist is free. Anyone using Craigslist to publicize your events to the public? Why keep your events all to yourself? Let everyone know.
Another useful tool is Google Calendars which now allows everyone to search your public events.
You can add events to your calendar and mark them as public and everyone can search for events in their area.
For example, I have encounter's worship services listed on my Google calendar and a search of Waxahachie will pop the event up on every Sunday. Tag it with a website in the description and who knows who might find your church because of it.
Dodgeball Game XXXX
Who: You and your friends, or your enemies
When: Saturday, December 2nd, 2006
Where: Mesquite, Texas - Dunford Community Center (near 30 and LBJ about a mile down the road from Trophy Nissan) 1015 Green Canyon Dr, Mesquite Texas 75150
Time: 3 PM - 5 PM
Bring: Athletic wear and a sportsmanlike attitude.
Cost: $5
I think this is a great example of how the web is changing how people create community. I wonder how many people show up for this event for each game. How useful could/would this be for churches? After all Craigslist is free. Anyone using Craigslist to publicize your events to the public? Why keep your events all to yourself? Let everyone know.
Another useful tool is Google Calendars which now allows everyone to search your public events.
You can add events to your calendar and mark them as public and everyone can search for events in their area.
For example, I have encounter's worship services listed on my Google calendar and a search of Waxahachie will pop the event up on every Sunday. Tag it with a website in the description and who knows who might find your church because of it.
Today's Christmas gift ideas
It's a couple minutes late, but before I head home for the night here's Monday's Christmas gift ideas.
Today's theme: Fair Trade
Fair trade is an organized social movement which promotes equitable standards for international labor, environmentalism, and social policy in areas related to the production of FairTrade labeled and unlabelled goods, which may range from handcrafts to agricultural commodities. The movement focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries.
Fair trade's strategic intent is to deliberately work with marginalised producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency. It also aims at empowering them to become stakeholders in their own organizations and actively play a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade.
Under $10
Handmade candle holders from Pakistan
A great conversational piece
Under $20
Family Circle Ornament
This marvelous handmade, fair trade ornament embodies a loving family message. Sculptured in soapstone by Kisii craftspeople using only simple tools. As each item is individually hand-carved from natural material, colors and dimensions will vary. Made in Kenya.
Under $50
Handmade woven baskets
Who doesn't have a place for cool handmade woven baskets?
Under $100
Coffee Aficionado Gift Box
Probably not a great gift for my fiance, her roommate or others who should avoid caffeine, but for the rest of us the Coffee Aficionado Gift Box is a great way to test the wits and expand the palate of discriminating coffee lovers. They have paired our six most popular origin coffees with Coffee Smarts trivia cards and a Grounds for Change logo mug.
Over $100
Coiled Wall Hanging
Tree of Life design has religious and cultural significance, showing how all living things are related. Artisan rolls different colors of dyed wool from Andean sheep into long strands. Then this tapestry is woven on a wooden loom, using cotton for the warp and coiled wool for the weft. Each wall hanging is woven by a single artisan, requiring two days.
Today's theme: Fair Trade
Fair trade is an organized social movement which promotes equitable standards for international labor, environmentalism, and social policy in areas related to the production of FairTrade labeled and unlabelled goods, which may range from handcrafts to agricultural commodities. The movement focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries.
Fair trade's strategic intent is to deliberately work with marginalised producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency. It also aims at empowering them to become stakeholders in their own organizations and actively play a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade.
Under $10
Handmade candle holders from Pakistan
A great conversational piece
Under $20
Family Circle Ornament
This marvelous handmade, fair trade ornament embodies a loving family message. Sculptured in soapstone by Kisii craftspeople using only simple tools. As each item is individually hand-carved from natural material, colors and dimensions will vary. Made in Kenya.
Under $50
Handmade woven baskets
Who doesn't have a place for cool handmade woven baskets?
Under $100
Coffee Aficionado Gift Box
Probably not a great gift for my fiance, her roommate or others who should avoid caffeine, but for the rest of us the Coffee Aficionado Gift Box is a great way to test the wits and expand the palate of discriminating coffee lovers. They have paired our six most popular origin coffees with Coffee Smarts trivia cards and a Grounds for Change logo mug.
Over $100
Coiled Wall Hanging
Tree of Life design has religious and cultural significance, showing how all living things are related. Artisan rolls different colors of dyed wool from Andean sheep into long strands. Then this tapestry is woven on a wooden loom, using cotton for the warp and coiled wool for the weft. Each wall hanging is woven by a single artisan, requiring two days.
Horse Sense: After the Thumping
On November 7th, voters nationwide gave the Republican Party a “thumping” according to President Bush. Although a thrashing might be more accurate, I suppose a thumping will do—or should. For those of us concerned about flagging voter turnout, we should at least be heartened. The turnout was well above that of recent midterm elections, in some races motivating 60 to 70 % of registered voters to participate. While the margins of victory from race to race were not spectacular between Republicans and Democrats, the cumulative effect of Democratic victories in case after case certainly was, and the undeniable conclusion is that there was a national wave that washed across the political scene in 2006—and it was a Democratic wave. Analysis reveals that whereas, some Republicans switched sides in the General Election or stayed home; and whereas, the Democrat Party’s Get Out The Vote (GOTV) phase of its campaign was more successful than in recent years, the margins of victory (10% or less) came from Independent voters. These same voters who broke for Republicans 50-50 in 2004 went 2 to 1 against them in 2006. Moreover, fully one-third of white Evangelical Christians (core of the so-called ‘rightwing religious base’ of the Republican Party) voted for Democrats.
After the thumping, Republicans had lost the House and the Senate. Democrats picked up 29 seats in the House for a majority in that chamber; and 6 Senate seats for a 51-49 majority there. This was clearly not a very good election day for Republicans. They were supposed to have a “firewall” in the Senate—no way they would lose it. To lose the Senate, why they would have to lose practically everything under any contest, including staunchly Republican “Red States” like Montana and Virginia! Republican West; Republican Southland: standard bearers of the Grand Old Party. Yet it happened. In addition, Democrats picked up 6 Governorships for a 28-22 “advantage” in states, which means less now than later when you’re gauging likely outcomes in the 2008 presidential race. Political analyst Mark Shields opined that the election was not a Democratic victory so much as a Republican defeat. Howard Dean, Democrat Party chairman, explained what happened in similar terms. Grinning from ear to ear, he explained the president had helped Democrats “a lot.”
Issues affecting the votes varied. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that corruption and ethics topped the list for many going to the polls, even more than terrorism or the war in Iraq. Of course war was on everyone’s mind too, and no one claimed to be pleased with the current situation. One of the most encouraging notes I received before the election was from a fellow conservative attempting to motivate the Republican base, advising everyone to just “hold your nose and vote All Republican.” I figured things weren’t going to go too well, if that was the best we could do. Indeed, Democrats deserve a little credit. They didn’t trot out the Ted Kennedy model, at least not in prime time. Liberal and conservative labels got a little mixed up if you ask me. John Kerry’s pitiful “botched joke” gave us all cause for a guffaw, but anyone with a lick of sense knew it was never intended to insult the troops. People can be forgiven for catching media clips and losing context, but the president knew better and still played it for coarse political advantage.
Maybe that’s all that was left. Indeed, I was amazed how vapid and vacuous had become the rhetoric from self-styled conservatives facing moderates for the first time in years. If God and guns were removed from the panoply of political discussion, Republicans seemed lost, possessing no original or thoughtful idea on virtually anything else. Howard Dean got this much right: part of their problem was that they were conjoined with the president! And sadly, he really could have used the oversight and constructive criticism from within his party for a long time—he needed it in fact, but never got it. Instead, the president bought into fallacious neo-conservative foreign policy assumptions and most in Congress followed merrily along. The president continued to combine the wars in Iraq and on terrorism as if they were the same things, without drawing distinctions, without offering meaningful explanation, without detailed strategic discussion; and he got a bye from his party that the people refused to give Republican candidates. Worst of all, the president said it was cool to be a Big Government Conservative, especially in time of war, and Republicans tripped over themselves to get “with it.” Since 2004, Republican government has resembled the animals at the end of Animal Farm, looking and acting like the people they replaced; or in this case, Republicans dancing around and behaving like Democrats. After twelve years (1994-2006) of Congressional domination, Republicans proved they could spend more for guns and butter at the same time than LBJ. Instead of inflation, they just added debt. Republicans proved they could govern as arrogantly as FDR and Nixon put together, flippantly dismissing dissent and criticism, failing to address valid concerns with current policies, as well as concern over issues not being addressed, such as immigration. Always, always, however, considering a self-ascribed holy cause to be the Republicans’ inoculation from legal or constitutional strictures, and even from meddlesome, unpatriotic questioning.
In addition, this government’s management competence came under question after Katrina, and quite frankly remains there. If the government were competent, for instance, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld would have left easily, in good graces after the 2004 elections, and not after the thumping. Certainly by summer this year he should have gone, when it was clear how the war was going, clear we needed “fresh eyes” in terms of strategy, clear even as to how the outlines of this election were shaping up. Robert Gates replacing Rumsfeld helps put realism back into American foreign policy and clears the way for a course correction in both the wars on terrorism and in Iraq. Likewise, the Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group’s ongoing work, as well as the Democrats’ choice of Steny Hoyer (MD) over John Murtha (PA) as their new Majority Leader, bodes well for serious reassessment, for prudence and bipartisanship in the road ahead out of a difficult and challenging situation. For many of us, I’m sure it was hard to take the thumping; but it was even harder perhaps, to realize for the first time in twelve years, that the good of the nation does not always follow the political fortunes of a single political party.
_____________________
Wesley Allen Riddle is a retired military officer with degrees and honors from West Point and Oxford. Widely published in the academic and opinion press, he ran for U.S. Congress (TX-District 31) in the 2004 Republican Primary. Email: wes@wesriddle.com.
After the thumping, Republicans had lost the House and the Senate. Democrats picked up 29 seats in the House for a majority in that chamber; and 6 Senate seats for a 51-49 majority there. This was clearly not a very good election day for Republicans. They were supposed to have a “firewall” in the Senate—no way they would lose it. To lose the Senate, why they would have to lose practically everything under any contest, including staunchly Republican “Red States” like Montana and Virginia! Republican West; Republican Southland: standard bearers of the Grand Old Party. Yet it happened. In addition, Democrats picked up 6 Governorships for a 28-22 “advantage” in states, which means less now than later when you’re gauging likely outcomes in the 2008 presidential race. Political analyst Mark Shields opined that the election was not a Democratic victory so much as a Republican defeat. Howard Dean, Democrat Party chairman, explained what happened in similar terms. Grinning from ear to ear, he explained the president had helped Democrats “a lot.”
Issues affecting the votes varied. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that corruption and ethics topped the list for many going to the polls, even more than terrorism or the war in Iraq. Of course war was on everyone’s mind too, and no one claimed to be pleased with the current situation. One of the most encouraging notes I received before the election was from a fellow conservative attempting to motivate the Republican base, advising everyone to just “hold your nose and vote All Republican.” I figured things weren’t going to go too well, if that was the best we could do. Indeed, Democrats deserve a little credit. They didn’t trot out the Ted Kennedy model, at least not in prime time. Liberal and conservative labels got a little mixed up if you ask me. John Kerry’s pitiful “botched joke” gave us all cause for a guffaw, but anyone with a lick of sense knew it was never intended to insult the troops. People can be forgiven for catching media clips and losing context, but the president knew better and still played it for coarse political advantage.
Maybe that’s all that was left. Indeed, I was amazed how vapid and vacuous had become the rhetoric from self-styled conservatives facing moderates for the first time in years. If God and guns were removed from the panoply of political discussion, Republicans seemed lost, possessing no original or thoughtful idea on virtually anything else. Howard Dean got this much right: part of their problem was that they were conjoined with the president! And sadly, he really could have used the oversight and constructive criticism from within his party for a long time—he needed it in fact, but never got it. Instead, the president bought into fallacious neo-conservative foreign policy assumptions and most in Congress followed merrily along. The president continued to combine the wars in Iraq and on terrorism as if they were the same things, without drawing distinctions, without offering meaningful explanation, without detailed strategic discussion; and he got a bye from his party that the people refused to give Republican candidates. Worst of all, the president said it was cool to be a Big Government Conservative, especially in time of war, and Republicans tripped over themselves to get “with it.” Since 2004, Republican government has resembled the animals at the end of Animal Farm, looking and acting like the people they replaced; or in this case, Republicans dancing around and behaving like Democrats. After twelve years (1994-2006) of Congressional domination, Republicans proved they could spend more for guns and butter at the same time than LBJ. Instead of inflation, they just added debt. Republicans proved they could govern as arrogantly as FDR and Nixon put together, flippantly dismissing dissent and criticism, failing to address valid concerns with current policies, as well as concern over issues not being addressed, such as immigration. Always, always, however, considering a self-ascribed holy cause to be the Republicans’ inoculation from legal or constitutional strictures, and even from meddlesome, unpatriotic questioning.
In addition, this government’s management competence came under question after Katrina, and quite frankly remains there. If the government were competent, for instance, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld would have left easily, in good graces after the 2004 elections, and not after the thumping. Certainly by summer this year he should have gone, when it was clear how the war was going, clear we needed “fresh eyes” in terms of strategy, clear even as to how the outlines of this election were shaping up. Robert Gates replacing Rumsfeld helps put realism back into American foreign policy and clears the way for a course correction in both the wars on terrorism and in Iraq. Likewise, the Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group’s ongoing work, as well as the Democrats’ choice of Steny Hoyer (MD) over John Murtha (PA) as their new Majority Leader, bodes well for serious reassessment, for prudence and bipartisanship in the road ahead out of a difficult and challenging situation. For many of us, I’m sure it was hard to take the thumping; but it was even harder perhaps, to realize for the first time in twelve years, that the good of the nation does not always follow the political fortunes of a single political party.
_____________________
Wesley Allen Riddle is a retired military officer with degrees and honors from West Point and Oxford. Widely published in the academic and opinion press, he ran for U.S. Congress (TX-District 31) in the 2004 Republican Primary. Email: wes@wesriddle.com.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Happy Christmas
It's that time of year. Lights are up around town. The malls and mega-stores are packed and there's that feeling of Christmas in the air again.
To celebrate, OrangeNoiseRadio will bring you a two hour Christmas special on Dec. 1.
If you'd like to be a part of the celebration or would like to wish a special Christmas greeting to someone give us a call at toll free: 888-727-5890 or in the DFW Metroplex: 817-886-0678.
Leave your requests or holiday shout-outs and we'll do our best to get them all on the air.
Merry Christmas and God bless!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Today's daily Christmas gift ideas
I'm going to try out a new feature here - Daily Christmas gift ideas. I'll see if I can do this once a day between now and Christmas. I'll have a category for under $10, $20, $50, $100, and over $100.
Under $10:
One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God
Under $20:
Darth Vadar Transformer.
Seriously? My two favorite things together? Transformers and Star Wars - awesome.
Under $50:
West Wing Season 4 on DVD
Aaron Sorkin's last season with the show. A must have for any West Wing fan.
Under $100:
Sonicare Advance 4100 Electric Toothbrush
Laurie swears by her Sonicare toothbrush.
Over $100:
Microsoft Zune MP3 Player - Black
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Under $10:
One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God
Under $20:
Darth Vadar Transformer.
Seriously? My two favorite things together? Transformers and Star Wars - awesome.
Under $50:
West Wing Season 4 on DVD
Aaron Sorkin's last season with the show. A must have for any West Wing fan.
Under $100:
Sonicare Advance 4100 Electric Toothbrush
Laurie swears by her Sonicare toothbrush.
Over $100:
Microsoft Zune MP3 Player - Black
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
For Thomas and Laurie
Yahoo News/Tech Webb is reporting a new hack for OS X has been discovered. The hack works through Mac's Safari Internet Browser and allows outsiders to crash an OS X system.
On Monday, the "Month of Kernel Bugs" project, a month-long disclosure of operating system flaws, announced that a bug in Mac OS X's processing of DMG files -- disk images typically used to distribute software for the Mac -- could be exploited to crash a target machine. There was also the possibility that attackers could introduce additional malicious code to the compromised system to, for example, snatch control from its legitimate user.Also on NPR I heard today that there's only two things you should ever buy extended warranties on - large rear projection TVs and Appl computers. Both have such high priced repair costs that its actually beneficial to buy and extended warranty. Otherwise - forget it. Don't waste your time or money.
Cellphones to be used on multiple carriers
Thanks to a new ruling by the Library of Congress, cellphones can now be moved from one network to another and the companies can't stop you.
For example, if you got a cellphone from Sprint that you absolutely love you can switch that phone over to Cingular's network legally.
Now why you wouldn't just update your phone and get a new free phone with your new contract is beyond me -- but for those of you who really love your old phones -- the option is now there.
Speaking of...the Pink Motorola Razr is available from Verizon and Wal-Mart for less than $29! Just in time for Christmas.
For example, if you got a cellphone from Sprint that you absolutely love you can switch that phone over to Cingular's network legally.
Now why you wouldn't just update your phone and get a new free phone with your new contract is beyond me -- but for those of you who really love your old phones -- the option is now there.
Speaking of...the Pink Motorola Razr is available from Verizon and Wal-Mart for less than $29! Just in time for Christmas.
Erin Rigsby in Baptist Standard
UMHB Alumni Erin Rigsby (2000) was quoted in a recent article for the Baptist Standard. She was at UMHB for their mission conference and spoke about her work in Jos, Nigeria.
Erin was not in Jos the same time we were, she was on furlough but I did see her at the wrap up banquet for our trip.
Erin was not in Jos the same time we were, she was on furlough but I did see her at the wrap up banquet for our trip.
Erin Rigsby, a 2000 UMHB nursing school graduate, had a goal in returning to her alma mater.I've been posting updates and prayer requests from Erin on my Nigeria Blog. Be sure to keep her and the work in Nigeria as well as missionaries around the world in your prayers.
“God changed my life at UMHB,” said Rigsby, now a missionary in Jos, Nigeria. “He made it clear I needed to learn to love people who are different from me. That led to my desire to serve oversees.”
The 2000 graduate hopes to pass on to other students “to learn to love those that are unloveable and to learn to embrace the differences in others.”
Homemade Christmas gift ideas
I'm not sure if I should post this on here or not. I thought it would be a great gift idea for me to give this Christmas. Wouldn't want someone to think I'm giving it to them and them not get it, or have someone not be surprised when they see it. Of course judging by their reaction it might also be a great way to tell if folks really read my blog like they say they do. ;-). Either way Lifehacker links to a great "photo in a box frame" DIY. All you need is an interesting looking book, a few of your favorite photos and an Exacto knife or razor and you're set.
Click here to view the DIY.
The art of regifting
If you're looking for the perfect gift this year, why not just regift what you were given last year. From Lifehacker:
Share stories of regifting disasters, learn to regift properly, and win Seinfeld DVDs at Regiftable.com.
The site already includes several dozen regifting stories--including one about a Cracker Barrel gift card with only 38 cents left on it--and invites you to share your own. The three top-rated stories will win various prizes.
The site also provides regifting guidelines so you don't end up the subject of one of these bad-regifter stories. Don't want to regift? You can whip up pretty, printable gift certificates for any kind of "personal" gift.
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