plus 4, Do public figures deserve some privacy? - Rushville Republican |
- Do public figures deserve some privacy? - Rushville Republican
- Parades start rolling Friday - Enterprise-Journal
- The Cost of Living - DAILY KOS
- Liberty hires economic development consultant - Houston Community Newspapers
- Automotive Technicians Make Purchase Decisions Based on Brand ... - Newswiretoday.com
| Do public figures deserve some privacy? - Rushville Republican Posted: 01 Dec 2009 12:22 PM PST Published December 01, 2009 10:35 am - Events this past weekend involving golf superstar Tiger Woods have reignited the eternal debate over what amount of privacy a public figure deserves. Do public figures deserve some privacy?
Events this past weekend involving golf superstar Tiger Woods have reignited the eternal debate over what amount of privacy a public figure deserves. Woods isn't saying much about the weekend auto accident that apparently resulted in his minor injuries. Other than providing the bare essentials to investigators — his drivers license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance — Tiger isn't saying anything else to police, nor does he have to. The only official statement was on his own Web site tigerwoods.com. Here it is in a few short paragraphs. "As you all know, I had a single-car accident earlier this week, and sustained some injuries. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I'm pretty sore. "This situation is my fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again." "This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible. "The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false. "This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be. " But Tiger's statement is doing nothing to stop the swirl of the rumor mill. One tabloid has claimed his involvement with another woman. Tmz.com says the Florida State Police is apparently now asking for medical records from the hospital where Woods was treated. Investigators want to know if his injuries are consistent with a car accident or potential spousal abuse beforehand. If that's the case, this becomes a criminal matter and all bets are off when it comes to keeping quiet. There is more than a gray area when it comes to privacy and public figures. Call it a big gray gulf instead. Ask yourself when does what happens to someone else become my business? Let's take for example the most recognized public figure in America. It is my business if President Barack Obama goes off on a bender and skinny dips in the Potomac River. It's my business because my money pays that guy's salary. If my next door neighbor, however, decides to strip down for a swim at a private nudist camp it is not my business. And I guess if Tiger wants to swim in the buff behind a nice tall privacy fence it's not my business either. But it might be the business of all the businesses that sponsor Tiger Woods. Remember, while Woods is the world's best golfer he makes a lot more money in endorsements than he ever has on the golf course. I'm sure there are plenty of meetings going on today in the boardrooms of those companies. Executives are no doubt squirming with the question of how much they trust Tiger as the face of their business operations when he's suddenly not being all that forthcoming about this weekend's circumstances. But until or unless this becomes a criminal matter the public should remain satisfied with what Tiger wants to say because in the end it's up to him and him alone to repair any damage his reputation may have suffered. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Parades start rolling Friday - Enterprise-Journal Posted: 01 Dec 2009 01:05 PM PST Parades start rolling Friday Posted: 12/01/09 - 03:41:38 pm CST Area Christmas parades will begin rolling Friday and continue through Dec. 19. Here's a look at when and where the parades will take place:Magnolia Magnolia's Christmas parade will be 5:30 p.m. Friday. The theme is "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." The parade will follow its usual route from Eva Gordon Elementary School to downtown Magnolia. There is no fee for entry. For more more information, call 783-5211. McComb McComb's annual parade, sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, with line-up at 9:30 a.m. on South Railroad Boulevard. Pike County's veterans will serve as grand marshals. The theme is "Journey Through Christmas Past." The entry fee has increased from $5 to $20. Anyone who registers after Wednesday must pay $25. Only Santa may throw candy, and there can only be one Santa — the one who rides on the fire truck at the end of the parade. Horses are allowed, but ATVs are not. Participants may only play Christmas music.Signs for float sponsors must be placed on the front and driver's side of vehicles. Vehicles must be decorated by 9 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call the chamber at 684-2291. Summit Summit's Christmas parade will be 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, and shares McComb's theme, "Journeys Through Christmas Past." There is no registration fee. Participants may throw candy and beads. To register, visit Masey's Jewelers, Covington Ace Hardware or Summit Town & Country on Robb Street, or call 276-7533, 276-7420 or 276-9544. Bands, pageant contestants, dance schools, scouts and others are welcome to participate. Floats, cars, motor vehicles, horses, tractors and motorcycles are welcome. The route begins at Summit First Baptist Church, goes west on Robb Street, left onto Chestnut, right onto Baldwin, left onto Highway 51, then east along Robb Street, ending at the church. Liberty Liberty's Christmas parade will be 2 p.m. Dec. 12. The theme is "A Patriotic Christmas." Line-up is at 1 p.m. at the Harrison building, and the parade will take place on Main Street. Registrants need to have forms completed and returned to town hall or Central Auto Repair by Dec. 10. Forms can also be faxed to parade organizer Lisa Sullivan at 657-8601 or mailed to P.O. Box 11, Liberty, MS 39645. Entry forms are available at First Bank, Trustmark National Bank, Central Auto Repair and Liberty Town Hall. For more information, call 657-8603. Osyka Osyka's parade will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Bicycles, horses and ATVs are welcome, although children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Candy and beads may be thrown. Line-up is at noon at Osyka Baptist Church. An open house and tour of the newly renovated town hall will be held after the parade. Refreshments will be served, and Santa Claus will make an appearance for kids. After that, a fireworks display will be held at 7 p.m. at Wall Timber on Highway 584. For more information, call Dianne Harrell at 542-3296 or 783-4113, or Kim Wall at 542-3451 or 542-5994. Gillsburg Gillsburg Christmas parade will be 2 p.m. Saturday with line-up at the old Causey wood yard. There's no entry fee. Theme is "Christmas is the Season, Jesus is the Reason." Call 542-5367, 542-3345, 810-2854 or 542-0262. Gloster Gloster's parade is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 12. Line-up will be in the Georgia-Pacific parking lot and participants must be in line by 9:30 a.m. Register for free at Town Hall by noon Friday. This year's grand marshals will be Mr. and Mrs. Robert Veal of Gloster. Thompson Community The 13th annual Thompson Baptist Church Christmas parade will be 10 a.m. Dec. 19, with line-up at Brown's Chapel at 9:45. The parade them is, "He is Lord!" Minister of Music Devin Mielstrup and his family will serve as grand marshal. The parade will be followed by a fellowship, singing and a potluck lunch. For more information, call 567-2743 or 567-2314. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| The Cost of Living - DAILY KOS Posted: 01 Dec 2009 01:41 PM PST You know why I think this is true? If you stop and think about it, what differentiates the cost of the above is who one pays to get the benefit of the item. What got me thinking about this was an amusing diary posted by Greywolfe a while back here. It seems the only people able to afford all the "good things in life" such as new homes, college for their kids, hair transplants, new homes or Corvettes are the ones pulling down Greywolfe's new minimum wage of $240 per hour (or more!). Sad to say, I am not one of them. Most of the manufactured items we buy every day are made for us by anonymous Asian people, who are paid next to nothing, working in factories which were built by Asian construction workers for next to nothing, in countries that charge next to nothing for their tax base or environmental needs. One of the ways we have essentially gone green in America is by turning our suppliers' kids into cancer magnets. Our skies are clear and our water is beautiful, because we make nothing here anymore--hey, who can afford to pay an American factory worker anymore? Some of those guys make way, way over minimum wage. Ever wonder what those $35 Khakis would cost you if it were made exclusively in America? Check this out. You aren't a khakis kinda person? How about a pair of jeans and a t-shirt? We all spend about $160 every time we go out and buy jeans and a t-shirt, right? Food, while mostly grown here, comes from corporate farms where very little American labor is used. And, guess who is exempt from our nation's minimum wage laws? Our beloved migrants, who must still hand pick crops like strawberries that are not machine harvest friendly. Until very recently, it seemed most of our meat also came from illegal immigrants working for less than the minimum wage. Here is an irony for you: South Americans are paid so little to pick oranges, that whole groves are going fallow here in Florida, as our "underpaid" migrants are no longer competitive with Brazilian workers. That's because they have to live and work in a country where we natives charge an arm and a leg for any services they need. And health care? Who are we kidding? Almost 100% of our health care, right down to the pills we take, must pass through a "Made and served in America" system. Forget cheap imports! You want to bring to bring down the cost of health care? Its really very simple--have the average American health worker's pay & benefits cut down to that of the average Chinese health worker in the same occupation. Do the same for the pharm's researchers and execs while you are at it. Our insurance costs would plummet 70%, and the poor insurance companies could become very profitable again. Of course, there would be the pesky problem of the 15-20% of our population who perform such services now requiring Medicaid..... And to top it all off, even if you're one of the few lucky ones who work for one of the last great American companies who treat their employees well, you now have to buy a hand gun for fear of your neighbor coveting your stuff that you rightfully Each day more and more American workers seem to be entering the twilight zone of the American underground economy where things like minimum wage and benefits are goals one reaches for. You know why you didn't get a raise or bonus this year? Your company's owner/manager knows the conditions "out there" are more frightening than those where you work, no matter HOW MUCH your co-pays and deductibles increase. In fact, even IF your company is profitable and its workforce productive, that might not insulate you from the coming dystopia, since now companies must maximize profits a bit more. Those few Americans still pulling down something close to what used to be called middle class wages are all in occupations that simply can't be outsourced.....yet. So, as this Christmas season stares us in the face, I salute the dwindling number of Americans who can still afford to be Americans. Enjoy it while you can. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Liberty hires economic development consultant - Houston Community Newspapers Posted: 01 Dec 2009 12:00 PM PST The City of Liberty has hired an energy consultant to help with an economic development project that could bring approximately 200 jobs to the city. The Liberty City Council held a specially called meeting on Nov. 24 and hired John Moore, of Austin, on a contractual basis to help Liberty work out an agreement with Boomerang Tube, LLC in order to provide electricity to their facility in south Liberty. "We're trying to restart our deal with Boomerang," said Liberty Mayor Carl Pickett. "We felt we needed a consultant on behalf of the city to get a deal consummated to get Boomerang on board as a commercial customer for electricity." The company is expected to use as much or possibly more electricity than the entire city of Liberty, according to Pickett. The company could use approximately 40 megawatts of electricity. Pickett explained that the city has committed to building a $2.5 million substation near the Boomerang facility. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Automotive Technicians Make Purchase Decisions Based on Brand ... - Newswiretoday.com Posted: 01 Dec 2009 12:29 PM PST For the past three years, Frost & Sullivan's Customer Research and Automotive and Transportation teams have partnered to survey full-time automotive technicians to measure their brand perceptions of various products used on a regular basis. More specifically, the survey assessed the overall brand perceptions, feature importance, brand purchase decision makers/influencers, and future brand intentions for automotive batteries, motor oil products, and tires within automotive garages/repair shops throughout the U.S. Not surprisingly, among the three product categories covered (batteries, motor oil, and tires), automotive technicians continue to be the primary purchase decision makers/influencers in garages/repair shops, which is likely due to their regular exposure to the products. For all three product categories, quality remains an important attribute among automotive technicians. Furthermore, despite the fact that these product markets are fairly competitive and similar by product features (i.e., quality, reliability, performance, etc.), product features still appear to serve as a differential factor for brand preferences. "In mature automotive replacement parts markets, such as those of automotive batteries and motor oils, one would expect product quality to be standard across the top brands, and service-related features to become the differentiating factor, in which a top brand might make its mark above competitors," comments Tonya Fowler, Global Director of Frost & Sullivan's Customer Research team. "However, among automotive experts, product-related attributes such as quality remain a cornerstone of a product. Given their experience, they know the difference between 'good' and the 'best'. Adding service features likely will not budge their opinions on the core product." Overwhelmingly, automotive technicians purchase more replacement parts from program distributors, on average, than from other distribution channel sources. However, while automotive technicians prefer some of the top, nationally-known distributors (i.e., NAPA, CARQUEST, Advance Auto, AutoZone, etc.), regional and/or local distributors garner nearly as much of the replacement parts business. Although lagging much behind program distributors, auto parts retail chains are competitive with vehicle manufacturer dealerships for the replacement parts distribution business. Among those automotive technicians who purchase replacement parts from vehicle manufacturer dealerships, the majority regularly purchase OEM replacement parts from dealers of domestic vehicle brands. "Automotive technicians do spend most of their time on domestic vehicles, and domestic vehicles have the highest application coverage by aftermarket brands," comments Mary-Beth Kellenberger, Global Aftermarket Program Manager with Frost & Sullivan's Automotive & Transportation team. "As the import vehicle population grows, aftermarket application coverage is improving, yet automotive technicians continue to be apprehensive about aftermarket import part quality." According to the survey, automotive technicians are experts in their field and know what brands work and which ones do not. Thus, brand loyalty is strong with the top brands, and it is unlikely that new product brands are easily accepted and must therefore prove their worth. While service is an important factor, automotive technicians place more emphasis on the product as a stand alone. However, alignment with the right distribution channel could make or break a product brand. This survey was conducted by Frost & Sullivan's Customer Research team, working in conjunction with Frost & Sullivan's Automotive & Transportation team. Specifically, the Customer Research team conducts independent, unbiased research among end users to evaluate and measure companies and trends in the market. For more information, please send an email to Jake Wengroff, Corporate Communications, at jake.wengroff[.]frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company email address, company web site, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by email.
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