Long Live the King

Johnny Carson Dies at 79

Entertainer. That's what comes to mind when I think about Johnny Carson. He knew what people wanted to see. He knew how to be topical without being boring. And he was a good interviewer. (note to Leno, you stink as an interviewer, that's why I watch Letterman.) Johnny Carson was an original. When he was the host, The Tonight Show wasn't just a television show, it was an event. Johnny Carson was so good, "how good was he?" He was so good, he could even make politicians sound entertaining. Johnny we'll miss you. Hi yoooooooooooooooooooooo.

Technology Notes

CNN.com - 'Evil twin' threat to Wi-Fi users - Jan 20, 2005

If you use a wireless network to do your Internet banking, you might want to be wary of this. Very scary concept. Who has time to think up these things?

Technology Notes part 2

USATODAY.com - Copyright bill poses threat to iPod's future

It's well past time for the music industry to get their house in order. I am sick and tired of hearing all the whining about how these multi-billion dollar megastars are losing money because people are illegally downloading and swapping their music on the Internet. The music industry has fumbled a golden opportunity to use the internet to further promote their industry and their wares. I've been saying this for two or three years and no one is listening to the fat guy from Converse, Indiana. You want to promote your music? You want to gain a market for it? How about doing this:

Give away one or two cuts from each CD the record company releases. Allow people to download it for free via iTunes or another legitimate music download service. People hear the music, they like it, they'll go buy the music.

Music piracy has always been around. When I was a kid we would record our favorite songs off of the radio so we could listen to them whenever we wanted. Eventually, I'd take my hard earned allowance, walk downtown to the dimestore and buy the album or the 8 track. I think the big suits in the music industry are fretting over nothing. Plus, suing 12 year old kids who illegally downloaded music is a PR nightmare! How much money are you going to get out of a 12 year old.

The music industry is missing a golden opportunity. Why not seize the day and make the technology work for them? Why not take the lead? Hire some of these people who are heading up the illegal file swapping networks and put them to work for you. Have them come up with an innovative approach that is legal. The internet can be one big promotional engine for the music industry if they use it correctly. It's like anything else, you can use your creativity and your enthusiasm for good or evil. It's your choice.

I'm just sick of hearing mega billionaires whether they're music stars, sports stars or politicians whine about how badly they're being treated.

Two Inaugurations-Two Uniforms

Columnists - Opinion - Marion Chronicle Tribune - www.chronicle-tribune.com

What a great column from Mike Cline of the Chronicle-Tribune! I just hope he's gotten proper counseling for wearing the jumpsuit. That can scar a guy for life! Of course, in my opinion, wearing most of the clothes we wore in the early 1970's (plaid bell bottom pants and mustard colored mock turtlenecks) scarred us for life!

Looking for signs of intelligent life in Fort Wayne

USATODAY.com - Looking for signs of intelligent life in Fort Wayne

Oh, so "Men's Health" magazine is now "Scientific American?" Oh come on, it's a poor excuse for a magazine. USA Today did a great job looking at what Fort Wayne has to offer. I grew up just south of Fort Wayne and it's a great community, if you want urban living with a commute that's not too bad.

USATODAY.com - Mr. Potato Head goes to the dark side

USATODAY.com - Mr. Potato Head goes to the dark side

This has my vote for marketing idea of the week...

News and Notes

Colts loss still stings...Monday is always, just Monday....does Larry King list "getting married" as one of his hobbies? ...If you're feeling old and depressed, hang out with a 4 year old for about 20 minutes, the feeling will go away.... Is it me, or did "24" jump the shark last week? Jack: (thinks) "I have to stall for time! I could let the air out of this guy's tires, or I could get in front of him in line at the convenience store and buy a bunch of lottery tickets and scractch each one, no wait, I'll rob the convenience store" I love the show, but I'm sorry, it's time to kill off Jack Bauer. Sorry Kiefer. ...Wouldn't it be poetic justice if Jon Lovitz's "pathalogical liar" character from Saturday Night Live replaced Dan Rather as anchor of the CBS Evening News? "And now it's time for a report from my wife, Morgan Fairchild...." Shouldn't Sunday afternoon naps be mandatory? ...I saw a show on The History Channel last night that was questioning whether or not Noah's Ark was a real story or a myth. The show must have been produced by the same folks who think Al Gore created the Internet...Judging by the topics in this post, I watch waaaaaaaaaaaay too much TV. I gotta go read a book, I just hope I remember how to function without a remote control..... :)

0-7 in Foxboro

I am not an Indianapolis Colts fan. I am a Washington Redskins fan, but I look to root for the Colts when the 'Skins aren't playing. It really broke my heart to see the Colts lose 20-3 to the New England Patriots. I think I really knew the Defense was suspect, I think I've known that all season. But I just can't see how the NFL continues to let the Patriots get away with cheap shots, defensive pass interference and holding on the offensive line. Teddy Bruschi give me a break. "What rule are they going to change next." You know, if they would enforce the rules on the book, it would be okay. I don't like the Patriots swagger. They make me sick. I can't see how it's not defensive pass interference when a Patriot DB tackles Marvin Harrison before he has a chance to catch the ball! Arggh. I also don't understand why the Colts offense didn't do something to disrupt the Patriots. Go no huddle on the first series. Put in some West Coast offense wrinkles. Run the Wing T, something! I think part of the Colts problem is Tom Moore the offensive co-ordinator, that and they need to spend some money on the Defense. Another season for the Colts is gone, so when do the Cubs report to spring training?

Daniels isn't saying if he'll ask for tax hike

Daniels isn't saying if he'll ask for tax hike

So Tuesday we find out whether or not "MyGovMitch" is going to announce a tax increase. I am not worried. If he announces a tax increase, I'll pay it. I can't stop it. I can't fight it. Everything Mitch Daniels has said so far has sounded good to me. And if he thinks a tax increase can get the state out of this mess, let's do it. I expect Mitch Daniels to shrink the size of state government. His notion to break apart Family and Social Services is a good idea. It's the state's largest and most inefficient department. Bigger is not always better. I think "MyGovMitch" has some good ideas. No I don't like paying more taxes. And government should be smaller and efficient, not big and bloated. Remember, the Governor and the House and Senate work for us, they are accountable to us, not the other way around.

TaxWatch: January to-do -- and not to do -- tax list - General News - Personal Finance

TaxWatch: January to-do -- and not to do -- tax list - General News - Personal Finance

Some good tax advice from CBS Marketwatch. You don't have to be the CEO of a corporation to take advantage of this advice!

Citizen's Guide | Indianapolis Star

Citizen's Guide Indianapolis Star

The Indianapolis Star has put together a very good citizen guide to the Indiana General Assembly. It includes contact information for all Representatives and Senators along with district maps and summaries of hot issues. Bravo Indianapolis Star!

So you're doing WHAT now?

That's usually what people ask me. A lot of folks assume I'm still on the radio. I left radio at the end of March 2004 to take a job at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion. I'm a "Program Representative." So what's that mean? I recruit adult students to take Master's programs online. I'm also working on my MBA as well. So why did I leave radio? I want to teach at the college level some day. I saw the move to IWU as the potential first step toward that dream. I enjoyed the radio business and especially enjoyed "Good Morning Grant County." It was the most rewarding part of my radio career. I really felt like the show had an impact on our community. A positive impact. Yes I do miss the people at the radio station and the people who were frequent guests and contributors. There are some days I wish I had an hour to do "News and Notes" again. I'm blogging now and reviving the website because folks have told me they miss my commentary. So that's WHAT I'm doing now...

It's the 10th already!!!

Man, it's amazing how an ice-storm can eat up time! It's the 10th of the month, the first month of the year already? Really. Time just flies by. Although this weekend I had an unusual experience. I actually got to veg out at home and watched some TV. Actually, we got to do that New Year's weekend too, but I'm not counting on three in a row. If you haven't checked out "24" on Fox, it is amazing. I got the first season on DVD for my birthday. This is the 4th season of the show and I really enjoy it. I make time for very few TV shows for regular viewing, but "24" is one of my favorites. There are three hours of appointment TV for me each week, "24" on Monday Nights and "Lost" and "Alias" on Wednesdays. When "The Donald" is on, yeah I'll watch "The Apprentice." What ties all of these TV shows together? The twists and turns in plot development that you never see coming. At least I don't see them coming, maybe they're in my "blindspot."