How's 24 years for Enron's CEO!

After a long awaited court ruling Skilling, Enron's CEO was sentenced to 24 years. This has been the longest sentence for financial fraud. I think Enron marked the dacade for fraud and deciet in business. As if employer relationships with their employees wasn't strained enough the leaders of this company just set a new bar of hipocracy in the office. I mean do you really trust who you work for? If the answer is yes then by all means stay where you are at. However if you doubt the actions of your company leaders by all means question them and find out on your own. Sherri Sera a former administrative assistant said, “I can’t state strongly enough, during 20 years, have I seen or heard anything that he was leading a massive conspiracy to mislead Enron shareholders and employees.” So as you may imagine people were believing all the lies put out by these corporate big shots. So that leads me to say that the world of business is a currupt place in America today. I agree with the massive sentence given to Jeffry Skilling it made a statement. Corporate America will be punished for fraud they are no beter than drugdealers in suits. They are liers, make decitfull statements, and are afecting the lives of everyone who invests in them.

Coca-Cola's #1 Idiots

So a young man named Dimsom and Edmund Duhaney decided that they could become overnight millionaires by stealing the secrets of their employer coca-cola and selling them to arch sales rival Pepsi. They decide to let in a secretary Ms. Williams in their master mind plan to become the next Bill Gates. And by all surprise their plan goes terribly wrong when Pepsi themselves rat them out. Maybe they might have gotten away with it if their buyer would have agreed to keeping their little secret. So now they face up to ten years in jail and 250,000 dollars in fines! Now if that doesn't make you think twice about back stabbing your company I don't know what will. I mean how valuable could the information be after all it is just a multi-million dollar company their advertising campaign, sample recipe and confidential information. Wow, it is amazing the types of crimes that happen today it is the stealing of information that pays the big bucks! Now that is why these three are Coca-Cola number one idiots!

Television Inovasion

Through out the years there have been several interesting television shows aired. While some shows ruled the critic ratings then quickly died off, others clung on to the high ratings and lasted an eternal amount of time providing the same boring drama season after season. Some viewers enjoy the excitement, drama, suspense, emotions and reality of the shows aired. Now it is those series producers trying to figure out what really makes us, as the viewer, not change the remote and tune in day after day. Only a few programs have gotten loyalty out of me. Those shows are True Life , Beverly Hills 90210, and 30 days.


True Life is a show aired on MTV. It is a documentary with think mtv to try totakcle real issues. The program follows people around that all have the same 'issue' or problem in common. It shows how they live and the obstacles they have to overcome here in America. There is such a sincerity to the stories I enjoy. What the people are just like you and I. The program just shows the reality and gravity of life but always has a positive message to give to help those of us who are viewers and may face similar situations. Some of the shows themes have been, "I'm addicted to Methaphenamies" "I'm getting plastic surgery," and "I have an eating disorder." These problems are dealing with people today, they are relevant of today's society, from being gay to cheating spouses, it really covers a lot.

One of the programs I grew up on was Beverly Hills 90210. This program was targeted at teens and the problems they faced. It was very entertaining but at the same time it dealed with problems such as drugs, teen pregnancy, and friendship. It truly was a huge success making the cast overnight stars. I love it because it yelling out "Wake Up" to people like me, the youth by showing true situations.

Thirty Days is a new very smart program dealing with social and political issues in the headlines today. It's by Morgan Spurlock the same director of "Supersize Me" This show is also completely relevant and very controversial. It usually makes two families or people with clashing views interact to see weather their beliefs will change. Some of the programs themes were gay marriages, immigration,and living on minimum wage.

Howard Raises the Bar

Howard Stern was born on January 12 1954. Who would have thought that out of Boston University a media icon would emerge. Constantlly pushing the envelope since college he has pushed censorship in mass media to a new level. He outraged people with his thoughts since Boston University when he was fired from the radio station up until straining relations with CBS executives. Howard Stern was ranked number seven on Forbes salary listing, proving his genius. He has become a self made millionaire for simply speaking his mind. Known for his rude remarks, racial jokes, sexual reference, and most importantly his battle on censorship he has made a mark on the mass media. Today the media is filled by influence on television and radio from political and special interest power houses. Howard Stern has provided a refreshing new approach that threw the mold out the window! I remember watching the show on T.V one late night, Nicole Richie was a guest that night and the way he expressed himself made me think, "Should I be Watching this?" At the same time I could not get my self to change the channel. With T.V filled with censorship and fines for every slip up Howard Stern makes people wonder whats liberty and what's obscene. He took the path less taken many times jeopardizing his career. Wouldn't it be inspiring to not have to conforn to a norm and conform to others. I believe what makes Howard Stern appealing is that he breaks the unwritten rules made by society. How many times do we think something and don't have the nerve to speak our thoughts. Howard Stern is an innovator in the mass media, first of all everyone knows him. everyone may not like him in fact they may hate him, others absolutely love him but no mater what they know who Howard Stern is. He knows he is pushing peoples buttons in fact he has made a career out of it. We need people who think outside the box like that. A piece of advise for the average conforming person is go against society's norm and you may very well earn some fame. If fame or money don't come your way at least you've been you own true person for once!

Is the American Crowd ready for Kazan Once More?

Oct.2006- A classic film revived, first released in 1957 and now the DVD release in 2006 has people talking. Directed by Elia Kazan(1909-2003) the innovative film then produces a better effect today, building fame through out the years. The American public may now be ready to appreciate this film. Writing credits by Budd Schulberg. The film is released once more to remind us of the irrational fanatics Americans tend to become. The story shows the steps taken for an icon to form part of a manipulative market and his fall from the top. Andy Griffith's film debut proved him to be an actor with depth, playing the character of Larry 'Lonesome' Rhodes and making his personality come to life. Also staring in the film is academy award winning Patricia Neal, playing the paper of Marcia Jeffries. She represents women who are manipulated by lies and who work hard for these mobiles who cheat and do not appreciate hard work and loyalty. This film introduces a negative view of America presenting 'the people' like sheep that are willing to follow a megastar. The people who become victims of 'Lonesome' and his carelessness about the whole thing. Taking place in a segregated America we may think it is a story of the past but it could very easily be placed in Hollywood today! Coming from Arkansas Lonesome has nothing,a hobo, while making his money his head grows along with his wallet, simply an overnight media sensation. He has a double face the one presented to the audience and the manipulative one capable of controlling the consumers minds. Lonesome Rhodes how ever may not be a thing of the past a scary thought is he may be lurking on our television radio and political party's today represented by those attempting to persuade our thoughts. We may just be all those people being fooled, the film comes at a time when America can appreciate the message screamed in the film, "Don't be a sheep think for yourself."

What is it about Harpers Bazaar?

When asked about my favorite magazine I really didn't know how to pick one. I enjoy the Times because of it's current events. But as far as a recreational magazine I have always enjoyed reading Harper's Bazaar. All through high school I enjoyed this magazine because of their cover on fashion. I enjoy fashion and it's changing trends. I guess I use the magazine as a reference to see the new trends and purchase fashionable clothes. One of the parts I most enjoyed in the magazine was the part were the people ask questions and the editor answers them. A lot of the questions asked were the same concerns I had. I guess because the magazine specifically targets people who are interested in fashion it would be common for the consumers to have the same questions. I actually find that it is a good thing that magazines are so specific that way the consumer is satisfied with what they purchase. Another great feature that the magazine has is they also say where you could find some of the clothes that they are displaying. Like the new look of the moment and exactly where to get it. Now that's specific and very helpful for those who are not non-stop shoppers. It makes it easy for people to quickly find what their looking for. At the same time the magazine is advertising certain stores and the consumer is more likely to also purchase the clothes in the stores provided. I also enjoy the layout of most of the pages, they are focused on the models and what they are wearing. The first thing that catches your eye is the look that is being advertised making it easier to picture if the certain style of the look is one that would suit you. Now for people who could care less about fashion the magazine is useless but I enjoyed it through high school and still purchase it from time to time.
Find out more about it @ http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fnn/

New Media? Old Media?

At the Wikipedia website I found this article about the classification of new media and old media (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_media). At first I was puzzled, but soon after I realized it ties in to what we have been talking about in class. It goes into stating that books, newspapers, magazines and television, to an extent, all fall into this category. How can the things that I was used to while growing up be old, I mean, I feel young right? But it goes so much deeper than that; it is a form of media that has been surpassed. The new forms of media are essential to my every day life. I use them and could not imagine the world with out them.
Then they also say the forms of new media are easier for marketing and advertising. They also engage the public in two way conversations trough the Internet, instead of being one dimensional. New media included web sites, email, CD/DVD, electronic kiosks, mobile and there are much more. The development of this new media, to me, is astonishing. It just shows how our world is developing into a technology oriented market. The fact that there are actual classifications that state what old media is, is a bit frightening, but at the same time it is exciting and convenient to use them. I really feel that before I was exposed to material such as this I had no notion of how much the world was changing. Now that I have an understanding of my surroundings, I feel as if we are part of a changing world. Just like in the past, when things were used and then discarded, we are doing the same today.