Archive for January, 2006

Bristol, Say Cheez It!

26 January, 2006
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Allen Funt wouldn’t approve The Town of Bristol, Vermont has just installed over a dozen security cameras throughout the village. There is a lot of discussion going on with regard to the plusses and minuses of going in such a direction in law enforcement in such a small, rural town. I embrace new technologies as quickly as the next guy. But, technology likes to grow towards some sort of critical mass or ubiquity. Just because a certain technology exists (digital video surveillance) do we have to take it to the penetration point that Bristol has opted to do? I’m not suggesting that the technology may not improve the climate of the community in one way. It does, however, leave one wondering if there will be unintended consequences that outweigh the benefits.

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Posted in Pals | No Comments »

Jessica’s Law NOW

16 January, 2006
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When the discussion [in local Vermont media] on the convicted child molester devolves into primers on “groomers” versus “grabbers” it’s time to bring Jessica’s Law to Vermont. The disingenuousness is clear by those who have had issues with Judge Cashman as being soft on crime long before his so called “twenty five year” epiphany and long before the innocent child was repeatedly attacked in unspeakable ways. And why are we so concerned about the perpetrator and his rehabilitation? A twenty five year sentence would do well to keep him off the streets and playgrounds and, at the very least, give a modicum of peace of mind to the child who was, and is, his victim.

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Bankers Dozen

10 January, 2006
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Here’s one of those rare times when a pass-a-long is worthy of a second look. Shown below, is an actual letter that was sent to a bank by a 96 year old woman. The bank manager thought it amusing enough to have it published in the New York Times. Dear Sir: I am writing to thank you for bouncing my check with which I endeavored to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations, three nanoseconds must have elapsed between his presenting the check and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honor it. I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my entire salary, an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only eight years. You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account $30 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank. My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that whereas I personally attend to your telephone calls and letters, when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, prerecorded, faceless Continue reading →

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Radio Radio

2 January, 2006
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Here’s my .02 response to my old friend, Scott Fybush’s call-out to feedback to his 2006 Rant about the radio industry of today. Scott and I worked together at WCAP Radio in Lowell, Mass. many years ago, I, the music guy, Scott, the knowledgable news guy. Scott’s peerless industry news can be found at FYBUSH.COM Bravo, once again, Scott, for yet another year of helping us all to comprehend the incomprehensible: radio in these no ordinary times. “Radio is Radio” resonates a pleasant harmonic. I will hold on with childlike optimism that there will be a day when one “radio set” will provide seamless access to local, regional, national, and international signals. And none of them will be called “Jack.” Collective noses press up against showroom windows of Sirius and XM and their aural images while millions of Americans, who have yet to embrace satellite radio, await something of relevance. Practicality is not lost on the fob generation. Your rant for radio unity provides another prescient reminder to local broadcasters who program modest signals that their inherent ability to be local may provide yet another reason to window shop.

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Posted in Media | 1 Comment »

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