Monthly Archives: September 2009

Brave new (media) world

LAST WEEK the Washington Post issued an in-house social media policy, guidelines to govern the conduct of its staff on Facebook, Twitter or other online social networks. “(These) can be valuable tools in gathering and disseminating news and information,” the policy states. “They … Continue reading

Around the World, Currently, Media Matters, Pop Culture , , , , , , , ,

Feeling inadequate

TORONTO LIKES TO consider itself “world class.” As the rest of Canada keeps a careful eye trained on the nation’s largest city – seemingly always ready to attack T.O. for being arrogant and self-centered, uptight and stressed-out, cold and impersonal etc. … Continue reading

Currently, Oh Canada , , , , , , , , , , ,

Owning the podium

THERE WAS A front-page story in last Sunday’s New York Times about foreign athletes who were surprised Canada had limited their access to training sites for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler. “Canadian officials said they were following rules of … Continue reading

Around the World, Currently, Oh Canada, Sporting Life , , , , , , , , , ,

Failure of flu fatalism

DESPITE ALL THE hysteria surrounding a looming H1N1 / swine flu pandemic, I’ve managed to remain calm. I typically adopt a fatalistic outlook on such matters. If I’m going to get infected with some airborne flu virus, there’s not a hell … Continue reading

Around the World, Currently , , , , , , , ,

Questionable value

THE VALUES Voter Summit wrapped up Sunday in Washington, DC. The event, a mega-meeting of social conservatives, featured appearances from religious leaders, politicians and C-list celebrities such as Stephen Baldwin and the former Miss California, Carrie Prejean. If you don’t know who she is – … Continue reading

Currently, Pop Culture , , , , , , ,

More like AerNOplan

LAST WEEK I flew to London for the wedding of two friends I’ve known for years. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, though at first I was a tad concerned about the exorbitant cost of traveling to the … Continue reading

Around the World, Currently , , , , , , , , , ,

Obama: Journalism isn't doomed

SPEAKING AT A memorial for legendary CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite Wednesday, President Obama had some interesting and insightful things to say about the precarious state of journalism at present. Obama, himself no stranger to the whims and wiles of … Continue reading

Currently, Media Matters, Pop Culture , , , , ,

Unusual punishment, not cruel

THREE BRITISH MEN were convicted Monday of plotting to blow up trans-Atlantic planes using liquid explosives hidden in drink bottles. The case resulted in new restrictions for airline passengers – as anyone who flies is painfully aware of – including limits … Continue reading

Around the World, Currently, Unusual Punishments , , , , , , , ,