If you haven't heard the news, apparently Ralph Nader thinks he's God's gift to America again. Except apparently he doesn't think there's any chance he's going to win:
Nader has long rejected his portrayal as a spoiler in the presidential race. In his NBC interview Sunday, he cited the Republican Party's economic policies, the Iraq war, and other issues, saying, "If the Democrats can't landslide the Republicans this year, they ought to just wrap up, close down, emerge in a different form."
So....remind us why you're running?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Gmail? Seriously? This is What My Conversations Say About Me?
Sometimes I really wonder what my Gmail ads say about me. For instance, see the ads below that popped up next to an email from my friend about hanging out tonight. From what I can tell, Gmail thinks I'm an emphatically masculine eco-friendly guy with a baby who wants to date cross dressers and male vampires. I'm so confused about my identity.
(I swear I am not making any of these up)
(I swear I am not making any of these up)
Sponsored Links
Mens Low Rise Jeans
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www.wanqwear.com
www.wanqwear.com
Swaddle Couture
Organic swaddle blankets Sooth baby in eco-friendly style
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www.swaddlecouture.com
Date A Cross Dresser
Meet A Local Cross Dresser Tonight. 100% Free. Join Now!
www.DateACrossDresser.com
www.DateACrossDresser.com
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www.GothScene.com
www.GothScene.com
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Letter to the Editor
I'm pretty sure Time won't publish my letter, so I'll do it myself. Click the link for the story I'm commenting on.
Is a Wage a Right?
For me, Richard Zoglin's story on the Comedy Store strike of 1979 recalled not just the current Writers Guild of America labor dispute, but the wage plight of another group of writers--young journalists. Just as Mitzi Shore insisted that the exposure she was offering aspiring comedians amounted to payment, the media (as well as many other industries) offers thousands of unpaid internships as a way to pay one's dues, the argument being that this work offers invaluable experience in the field and, therefore, no other compensation is required. While many earnest young people find a way to survive this situation, whether it be living in hovels subsisting on Ramen noodles and peanut butter, working 80-hour weeks, or both, the ultimate result is that a career in journalism is feasible mainly for the most privileged classes, those who can afford to spend a college semester in a big city receiving only internship credit or those whose parents are willing and able to support them after graduation.
Though an unpaid internship is by no means the only path to a career in this field, it is certainly the fast track. Furthermore, often even paid internships and full time entry level positions offer little more than rent money; certainly not enough to splurge on a lunchtime burrito or, heaven forbid, a meal at one of the restaurants one's publication reviews. As Zoglin's article shows, the onus rests on employees to address this issue--as long as there are those willing to work for nothing for a shot at their dream, employers will offer exactly nothing. And as long as the wage for an honest day's work remains at zero, the mainstream media will continue to be the bastion of those elite few who could afford to chase their dream without earning a penny.
Is a Wage a Right?
For me, Richard Zoglin's story on the Comedy Store strike of 1979 recalled not just the current Writers Guild of America labor dispute, but the wage plight of another group of writers--young journalists. Just as Mitzi Shore insisted that the exposure she was offering aspiring comedians amounted to payment, the media (as well as many other industries) offers thousands of unpaid internships as a way to pay one's dues, the argument being that this work offers invaluable experience in the field and, therefore, no other compensation is required. While many earnest young people find a way to survive this situation, whether it be living in hovels subsisting on Ramen noodles and peanut butter, working 80-hour weeks, or both, the ultimate result is that a career in journalism is feasible mainly for the most privileged classes, those who can afford to spend a college semester in a big city receiving only internship credit or those whose parents are willing and able to support them after graduation.
Though an unpaid internship is by no means the only path to a career in this field, it is certainly the fast track. Furthermore, often even paid internships and full time entry level positions offer little more than rent money; certainly not enough to splurge on a lunchtime burrito or, heaven forbid, a meal at one of the restaurants one's publication reviews. As Zoglin's article shows, the onus rests on employees to address this issue--as long as there are those willing to work for nothing for a shot at their dream, employers will offer exactly nothing. And as long as the wage for an honest day's work remains at zero, the mainstream media will continue to be the bastion of those elite few who could afford to chase their dream without earning a penny.
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