Last month Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) told Iowa radio host Jan Mickelson that the fix for the US debt crisis is to default on its debts as a way to save $1.7 trillion in interest payments -- effectively filing for bankruptcy -- and advance bond investments. Of course he also mentioned that we, like Greece, could see rioting in the streets by people losing their federal entitlements. "We're not immune from that," the 2012 GOP Presidential Candidate told Mickelson.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Does Romney have the integrity to be President?
By August of '07, Former Massachusetts Governor W. Mitt Romney had attended more than 200 campaign events in Iowa as he appeared to lead the pack in the '08 GOP run-up, according to a statement during an interview with a radio host in Des Moines.
"As you know, I enjoy getting together with Iowans all across the state." the candidate said in response to Jan Mickelson's final on-air question. But the answer didn't fit Mickelson's query at all, which was actually an invitation to join him on the radio again, but for more than the eight minute heated discussion that ensued over whether Romney could reconcile his stance on abortion with his religion.
All about being a Mormon
"I'm happy to talk about my faith," says Gov. Romney multiple times while on the campaign trail. But that doesn't square with his repeated theme in this interview, which is, "I'm not here to talk about Mormonism." "No, I'm not running as a Mormon and I get a little tire of coming on a show like yours and having it be all about Mormonism..."
When former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee surged in the polls, many felt it was because of concerns over Romney's mormonism. So Romney rethought whether he needed to address religion, and subsequently made a high profile Kennedy-esque speech on the matter.
The "hidden camera"
"I get intense," the presidential hopeful told then CBS anchor Katie Couric when asked whether there was a time when the governor got angry. Romney went on to give an example of the recent radio interview where the host had hidden a camera in the console. You'll have to evaluate that for yourself.
Mitt Romney has shown he can play facts rather loosely at times, such as when he told us his father had walked with Rev. Martin Luther King, which, of course, was demonstrated to be untrue. That claim was later characterized as a figure of speech.
"As you know, I enjoy getting together with Iowans all across the state." the candidate said in response to Jan Mickelson's final on-air question. But the answer didn't fit Mickelson's query at all, which was actually an invitation to join him on the radio again, but for more than the eight minute heated discussion that ensued over whether Romney could reconcile his stance on abortion with his religion.
All about being a Mormon
"I'm happy to talk about my faith," says Gov. Romney multiple times while on the campaign trail. But that doesn't square with his repeated theme in this interview, which is, "I'm not here to talk about Mormonism." "No, I'm not running as a Mormon and I get a little tire of coming on a show like yours and having it be all about Mormonism..."
When former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee surged in the polls, many felt it was because of concerns over Romney's mormonism. So Romney rethought whether he needed to address religion, and subsequently made a high profile Kennedy-esque speech on the matter.
The "hidden camera"
"I get intense," the presidential hopeful told then CBS anchor Katie Couric when asked whether there was a time when the governor got angry. Romney went on to give an example of the recent radio interview where the host had hidden a camera in the console. You'll have to evaluate that for yourself.
Mitt Romney has shown he can play facts rather loosely at times, such as when he told us his father had walked with Rev. Martin Luther King, which, of course, was demonstrated to be untrue. That claim was later characterized as a figure of speech.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Are Podcasts bad for Radio?
WTEM announced it would begin embargoing their Podcasts for 24-hours after the corresponding shows air -- essentially erecting a pay wall, according to the story on NTS. If you follow this thread, you begin to realize there's a huge under-appreciation for compelling local digital content amid fears of a declining traditional audience.
And that seems to be the mentality. Indy radio notable Jerry Lee ended WBEB's streaming because he sees it as a bad business model. While I agree with the revenue challenges in digital, I think Lee misses the boat and is doing a disservice to his industry by rationalizing an inability to articulate a successful sales pitch to sell a valuable product. My response:
It's easy to find stories of account executives coming back from client meetings and reporting buyers still don't understand the cost-benefits of partnering in the digital spaces. Those clients and prospects see themselves as media savvy, many having a keen understanding of audience measurements and targeting. They are paying attention, but are they provided valid data? They aren't if they're not discussing Podcasting and online video that's significant and growing fast -- and available to advertisers right now.
Ironically, Iowa has seen amazing success stories within the radio sphere, regularly producing digital CPM rates of $10 and often as high as $50. That's what happens when you have personal relationships with the buyers that runs deeper than the rhetoric we're reading in ad pubs.
Building and growing those trust relationships with local direct customers, educating them, making sure they understand the weaknesses of old-fashioned ratings models so that they don't step over customers in pursuit of archaic ratings, seems like a pretty important thing to be talking about in sales meetings in every market.
I think it was Roy Williams who taught us that it's not the size of the audience that matters as much as super-selling the audience you can afford. This is, I think, where partnering with local digital content can be a critical foothold for bourgeoning small businesses, the nation's economic engine.
And that seems to be the mentality. Indy radio notable Jerry Lee ended WBEB's streaming because he sees it as a bad business model. While I agree with the revenue challenges in digital, I think Lee misses the boat and is doing a disservice to his industry by rationalizing an inability to articulate a successful sales pitch to sell a valuable product. My response:
Jerry presumes it's not possible to sell enough advertising to support the platform, and I would have to ask, "why not?"In fact, many successful broadcasters are commanding $35 CPM for online video, says Brian Benedik, president of Katz 360, in a conversation he had recently with media consultant Mark Ramsey. The advertising agency predicts the real growth area will be on the local level where traditional media really needs to communicate the value of the digital audience. Benedik sees the trends first hand, so his vantage point should be something direct marketers should appreciate.
There's a real and growing audience in streaming, so to feign failure in digital is to fail in sales. Radio is a culture that refuses to graduate to modern CRM facilities, so with virtually no order automation, $10 spots carry hefty cost of sales; our sale-by-appointment mentality cannot sustain digital.
It's easy to find stories of account executives coming back from client meetings and reporting buyers still don't understand the cost-benefits of partnering in the digital spaces. Those clients and prospects see themselves as media savvy, many having a keen understanding of audience measurements and targeting. They are paying attention, but are they provided valid data? They aren't if they're not discussing Podcasting and online video that's significant and growing fast -- and available to advertisers right now.
Ironically, Iowa has seen amazing success stories within the radio sphere, regularly producing digital CPM rates of $10 and often as high as $50. That's what happens when you have personal relationships with the buyers that runs deeper than the rhetoric we're reading in ad pubs.
Building and growing those trust relationships with local direct customers, educating them, making sure they understand the weaknesses of old-fashioned ratings models so that they don't step over customers in pursuit of archaic ratings, seems like a pretty important thing to be talking about in sales meetings in every market.
I think it was Roy Williams who taught us that it's not the size of the audience that matters as much as super-selling the audience you can afford. This is, I think, where partnering with local digital content can be a critical foothold for bourgeoning small businesses, the nation's economic engine.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
CF City Council to residents: Hand over the keys!
The city council of Cefar Falls, Iowa is on its second of three readings before it casts a final vote on a law that requires commercial properties to supply keys to the city government. It's my understanding that the revised ordinance may also require owners of residential rental property to also provide access.
Not having the ordinance in front of me and not being a constitutional scholar, it's hard for me to pass judgment, but I was stunned watching council meeting highlights. It leaves me wondering from where they think they get the power to control the citizens, for whom it works.
Handing over your keys seems like giving wholesale compulsory consent, implied forfeiture of liberty. It's CF residents' & business owners' job to call BS on this.
One of the council members said, "The merits of an idea do not depend on the number of people who hold that idea". I agree with this, which is why our founders decided against a democracy where we're all indentured to a misinformed majority and where mob rules apply.
I whole-heartedly disagree with the councilman who said "[the council has] the right..." No. The council has a responsibility to the people; in a constitutional republic the people have a right to have their interests represented by the elected body, and it shall consider and respect the reasonable will of the people. The council's will, for the sake of convenience, should not trump the will of the people.
Not having the ordinance in front of me and not being a constitutional scholar, it's hard for me to pass judgment, but I was stunned watching council meeting highlights. It leaves me wondering from where they think they get the power to control the citizens, for whom it works.
Handing over your keys seems like giving wholesale compulsory consent, implied forfeiture of liberty. It's CF residents' & business owners' job to call BS on this.
One of the council members said, "The merits of an idea do not depend on the number of people who hold that idea". I agree with this, which is why our founders decided against a democracy where we're all indentured to a misinformed majority and where mob rules apply.
I whole-heartedly disagree with the councilman who said "[the council has] the right..." No. The council has a responsibility to the people; in a constitutional republic the people have a right to have their interests represented by the elected body, and it shall consider and respect the reasonable will of the people. The council's will, for the sake of convenience, should not trump the will of the people.
Maddow on Santorum on Weiner
I can appreciate MSNBC's Rachel Maddow when she articulates a subject and can call BS when it's due, but she loses me when she predicates an entire segment on a false premise.
Here she is telling us that Sen. Rick Santorum said Rep. Anthony Weiner should resign.
But that's not what the former PA Senator said -- if you can recognize the difference between saying what you would do and telling someone else what they should do. In fact, Mr. Santorum has been pretty explicit about the distinction -- and made it when he visited Des Moines Friday.
Here she is telling us that Sen. Rick Santorum said Rep. Anthony Weiner should resign.
But that's not what the former PA Senator said -- if you can recognize the difference between saying what you would do and telling someone else what they should do. In fact, Mr. Santorum has been pretty explicit about the distinction -- and made it when he visited Des Moines Friday.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
What's wrong with your video?
With so much video floating around, it's easy to be tempted to put some of your own out there. And a lot of business professionals have a pretty good reason to make video part of their marketing strategy. It can't be terribly complicated, right?
Somehow, $10,000 later, your videos aren't quite what you had invisioned. They sound terrible, the lighting isn't right and there's some jerking while panning and zooming.
Notice my first observation was bad sound. That seems to be the first thing we notice about bad video, which seems counter intuitive, but true. It's also the first thing the beginner shooter neglects. And unfortunately the fix often means a new camera or expensive audio recording gear (and an editing nightmare). The reason the audio isn't clear is because you're using the built-in microphone on the camcorder. So the camcorder becomes the mic, meaning for best results, you would have to hold the camera as if it were a mic. In that way, you capture the subject as the most prevelent source. But that makes for some extreme close-ups that would make even the most beautiful subject nervous.
The better solution is to start with a camcorder that has a microphone input. With that, you can choose a long wired mic or a wireless system for $20 to $200 (and up).
The next issue is lighting. The most common problem with poorly lit subjects is that the camcorder struggles with more light behind the object it's shooting than on the subject itself. For between $150 & $200 you can buy a professional softbox light that will give your star enough illumination to be clear and have nice color. Avoid shooting in front of windows indoors.
Finally, the jerky pans can be eliminated through creative technic and/or better stabilizing equipment. A handheld shooter should have a good grip on the camcorder, tuck in his or her elbows, find a shot and hold it as steady as possible. Operate with the zoom all the way out so you minimize the magnified motion. Try to reduce panning whenever possible. And the best answer here is to buy a professional tripod, like a Monfrotto, for $200 and up.
What you should walk away knowing about shooting good video is to create the ideal situation for your camacorder instead of settling on shooting in challenging situations. Given adequate sound, light and technique, even consumer camcorders can do a pretty amazing job.
With these tips, I can make a better video for $600 than others who have spent $10,000.
Somehow, $10,000 later, your videos aren't quite what you had invisioned. They sound terrible, the lighting isn't right and there's some jerking while panning and zooming.
Notice my first observation was bad sound. That seems to be the first thing we notice about bad video, which seems counter intuitive, but true. It's also the first thing the beginner shooter neglects. And unfortunately the fix often means a new camera or expensive audio recording gear (and an editing nightmare). The reason the audio isn't clear is because you're using the built-in microphone on the camcorder. So the camcorder becomes the mic, meaning for best results, you would have to hold the camera as if it were a mic. In that way, you capture the subject as the most prevelent source. But that makes for some extreme close-ups that would make even the most beautiful subject nervous.
The better solution is to start with a camcorder that has a microphone input. With that, you can choose a long wired mic or a wireless system for $20 to $200 (and up).
The next issue is lighting. The most common problem with poorly lit subjects is that the camcorder struggles with more light behind the object it's shooting than on the subject itself. For between $150 & $200 you can buy a professional softbox light that will give your star enough illumination to be clear and have nice color. Avoid shooting in front of windows indoors.
Finally, the jerky pans can be eliminated through creative technic and/or better stabilizing equipment. A handheld shooter should have a good grip on the camcorder, tuck in his or her elbows, find a shot and hold it as steady as possible. Operate with the zoom all the way out so you minimize the magnified motion. Try to reduce panning whenever possible. And the best answer here is to buy a professional tripod, like a Monfrotto, for $200 and up.
What you should walk away knowing about shooting good video is to create the ideal situation for your camacorder instead of settling on shooting in challenging situations. Given adequate sound, light and technique, even consumer camcorders can do a pretty amazing job.
With these tips, I can make a better video for $600 than others who have spent $10,000.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
What's with my neighborhood?
Crime seems to love my neighborhood, especially police chases. This is the second one that sped by my house in the past year, but the fourth that I know of to flee through my neighborhood. There was also a wanted person being retrieved across the street and a murder six blocks away this month.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Giving up your passwords for a little gadgetiness
Out of the box it comes with some preset feeds, including facebook, twitter and Google Reader modules, all setup and waiting for you to...login. Yep, just supply usernames & passwords for your accounts and it'll take you for a spin around your social network.
But wait. Where does that login information go? On one hand, you have journalists telling you, "Never share your private information," and others extolling the virtue of this new whiz-bang newsreader.
That's a problem because this data mining operation, no matter how well trusted, could be compromised by hackers, same as credit card companies. Recently dozens of institutions had egg on their faces when they were forced to reveal to their customers that the company to whom they supplied customer lists was hacked.
So, not only do you have to wonder if your account credentials at facebook or twitter or Google is well guarded, but all of the other trollers you give up your information to, like this whiz-bangy, gadgety thing called Flipboard.
For me, I like the app, but have pushed aside the pre-built social media modules that need my password to function properly.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Ten Commandments Judge Roy Moore announces Presidential aspirations
Known as "Ten Commandments Judge", Moore made the announcement on WHO Radio in Des Moines this morning. During an interview with conservative talk show host Jan Mickelson, he said he's forming an exploratory committee for a possible presidential run.
Moore is perhaps best known for refusing to remove a monument bearing the Ten Commandments from the Alabama state courthouse.
Watch raw video from this morning's interview.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Pawlenty on coal
Former Minnesota Governor and possible GOP Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty spoke with Iowa radio talkshow host Jan Mickelson on Friday, April 1. Here is the dialog.
Mickelson: A number of people emailed me this question. You mentioned clean coal. What the heck is that?
Pawlenty: Ha ha. In South Dakota, they were willing to put up a coal plant that had the best technology of today. We approved it because they needed to run the lines through Minnesota. And it was the best of coal technology as it exists today -- or back then, 2010. And within thirty days or so of us approving that project, the Obama administration put a hold on it. And the investors said we’re not going to have this much delay and this much problem. They fled and the project got killed. So clean coal, I think, can be defined as, we need to use coal, but we...if someone wants to come forward and invest in the best-of-class technology as it exists today and build a coal plant, I think that’s something we should be inclined to do.
Mickelson: Here in Iowa we pulled the plug on one just a few months ago.
Pawlenty: Well they’ve pulled the plug all over, Jan, but there is...
Mickelson: Same way with nukes. You can’t get a nuclear power facility started. Some people are thinking about it and pre-collecting some of the funds to build a modular nuclear power facility. Would you encourage that, if you had that opportunity, at least to ponder it?
Pawlenty: Well, you know, other countries do this. By modular, what I take you to mean is this: there are certain packages or pre-existing technologies that have already been approved in other places and they don’t have to be approved from scratch every time they come through the system.
Mickelson: And they’re smaller-scale.
Pawlenty: And they’re smaller-scale, and so they’re repeatable, scalable, and you can bring them through the process without having to reinvent the wheel every time. I think it’s a good idea.
Mickelson: But as you said earlier, we should let the market decide. If the market-only were involved in energy choices, would nuclear power be on the scale? Which do you think would be the most economic, top to bottom, if the marketplace-only...
Pawlenty: I think the answer to that, going forward in the near and intermediate term, is probably going to be natural gas. And it’s here. We can Americanize it. It burns cleaner than coal, obviously. It’s less controversial than nuclear and we’ve got a boatload of it.
Mickelson: We already have something of a delivery system.
Pawlenty: We already do. And by the way, some of these old coal plants, if people choose, and think it’s economically viable, they can be converted to natural gas. We did that in Minnesota to some of our old coal plants. It reduced mercury emissions, SO2/NOx emissions. And it was a successful conversion from what I call old coal to a cleaner, better, more available and frankly more affordable energy source.
Mickelson: A number of people emailed me this question. You mentioned clean coal. What the heck is that?
Pawlenty: Ha ha. In South Dakota, they were willing to put up a coal plant that had the best technology of today. We approved it because they needed to run the lines through Minnesota. And it was the best of coal technology as it exists today -- or back then, 2010. And within thirty days or so of us approving that project, the Obama administration put a hold on it. And the investors said we’re not going to have this much delay and this much problem. They fled and the project got killed. So clean coal, I think, can be defined as, we need to use coal, but we...if someone wants to come forward and invest in the best-of-class technology as it exists today and build a coal plant, I think that’s something we should be inclined to do.
Mickelson: Here in Iowa we pulled the plug on one just a few months ago.
Pawlenty: Well they’ve pulled the plug all over, Jan, but there is...
Mickelson: Same way with nukes. You can’t get a nuclear power facility started. Some people are thinking about it and pre-collecting some of the funds to build a modular nuclear power facility. Would you encourage that, if you had that opportunity, at least to ponder it?
Pawlenty: Well, you know, other countries do this. By modular, what I take you to mean is this: there are certain packages or pre-existing technologies that have already been approved in other places and they don’t have to be approved from scratch every time they come through the system.
Mickelson: And they’re smaller-scale.
Pawlenty: And they’re smaller-scale, and so they’re repeatable, scalable, and you can bring them through the process without having to reinvent the wheel every time. I think it’s a good idea.
Mickelson: But as you said earlier, we should let the market decide. If the market-only were involved in energy choices, would nuclear power be on the scale? Which do you think would be the most economic, top to bottom, if the marketplace-only...
Pawlenty: I think the answer to that, going forward in the near and intermediate term, is probably going to be natural gas. And it’s here. We can Americanize it. It burns cleaner than coal, obviously. It’s less controversial than nuclear and we’ve got a boatload of it.
Mickelson: We already have something of a delivery system.
Pawlenty: We already do. And by the way, some of these old coal plants, if people choose, and think it’s economically viable, they can be converted to natural gas. We did that in Minnesota to some of our old coal plants. It reduced mercury emissions, SO2/NOx emissions. And it was a successful conversion from what I call old coal to a cleaner, better, more available and frankly more affordable energy source.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Pawlenty in Iowa
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This is clearly not a small thing. Podcasting has unquestionably hit the maintream -- repeatedly. And they're not just 2-5 minute '...
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Former Minnesota Governor and possible 2012 GOP Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty was a guest on WHO Radio's Jan Mickelson Friday, Apr...
