Archive
Objectivity vs. Transparency
Which is better? To know the information you are getting is completely unbiased, or to know about the biases the information contains, and how it was obtained, when you receive it.
That’s the discussion I had with Micheal Foley and a few others during Monday’s #journchat. For the purposes of our discussion and this blog post, we’re discussing news reporting.
I’m of the mindset that in Utopialand, all news reporting would be completely objective and unbiased. Realizing that we don’t live there, I still believe being as objective as possible is the best route to go.
Michael is of the opposite opinion. He’d rather know EVERYTHING about that report. How the information was obtained, the history of the reporter and interview subject, not to mention the opinion of the editor or director that originally thought of the story. He argues that only with every single piece of relevant information about the story, its subjects, and its writers, can you truly get the full picture.
I don’t feel that way. I think if you are (trying) to be objective, you’ll end up being transparent. Being objective in a situation that you have an opinion about is maybe the most difficult thing a journalist can do. If they can do it well, and I (perhaps naively) believe there are reporters out there who want to be objective. Being objective means all of the relevant information is presented in an unflinching light. The good, the bad, the ugly are all present in the story.
No matter what the personal opinions of the reporter or subjects of the story, or editors or news directors, if all the information is reported in the story, and no details that could slant the story one way or the other are left out, you’re being truly objective…and transparent at the same time.
So maybe the lesson in all of this is in the end, if you’re being truly objective, you’re being truly transparent.
Let me have it in the comments.
EDIT NOTE: I spelled Micheal’s name incorrectly earlier. I’ve now corrected it. May my mistake live on in infamy.
When A Change At The Top Is Necessary
It appears British Petroleum CEO Tony Hayward is on his way out. There are many reasons I think this is a good idea. Here’s a couple:
Looks like you’re going to get your wish Mr. Hayward. And don’t forget this gem:
My friend Jason Mollica has written a post detailing his belief that it doesn’t really matter if Hayward is replaced or not. The crux of his argument is as follows:
What I AM saying is that regardless if Hayward is booted, the next person still has a monumental mess on his hands. So, ultimately, why even bother removing him? The environmental damage alone will take decades to fix. Some things may never return to normal.
This is a “save face” move. BP appears to be moving on from the Hayward reign and place the keys in the hands of a new leader. Basically, BP’s board is saying, “Hey look! We are doing something about the spill!” No, you removed your CEO who was a small part of the problem.
I disagree that this is completely a “save face” move. Without a doubt, any guy dumb enough to say he’d like his life back and then a couple of weeks later attend a yacht race in France is a liability. Where I disagree with Jason is that I don’t think BP is viewing this as a “Look at us people of the Gulf Coast region affected deeply by our screw up! We’re DOING something!”.
There comes a time when the ship needs a new captain. When that leader inspires zero faith from the crew (in this case crew being the public, its BP’s employees, and its investors and stockholders), a new direction is needed. Americans, and most people worldwide, are predisposed to distrust corporate CEO’s, a point made by another friend of mine, Sam Ogborn in the comments:
Here’s my question though: who is someone that the public trusts? Most CEOs of large corporations I’ve never heard of, so I wouldn’t be a good judge of character. But how can someone instill trust in the public eye if no one knows of them in the first place?
That’s a GREAT question. The answer is the public just needs to know that the top man (or woman) at BP “gets it”. They need to know that the BP CEO understands the trauma inflicted by this spill on wildlife and mankind and perceive that person as someone who CARES about what happens in the Gulf. Hayward didn’t seem like he ever truly cared. See those clips up above if you disagree.
To promote change you need a person at the top that is willing to instill change. If Tony Hayward isn’t going to do his job, then BP needs to find someone inside its organization that can step up and do the job correctly. It’s less about solving the problem in the Gulf, which is going to take another generation at the minimum to TRULY solve, and more about putting someone in place that will take those first steps.
When Is Enough, Enough?
Lindsay Lohan is in jail. Probably not for very long, but still, she’s sitting in jail as we speak. Her lawyer quit on her the day before she was scheduled to turn herself in to begin her sentence. Obviously, she can’t be a very easy client to deal with. I mean, have you seen the video from the day she was sentenced? No? Well, then. Have a look:
In the public relations world, we sometimes deal with that client who is like Lindsay Lohan. I believe there is a time when it becomes necessary for you as a professional to cut ties with that client. Whatever behavior the client is displaying is secondary to the problem of how much time they steal away from your other clients. When you have to spend days upon weeks working with a client who promptly ignores every thing you’ve discussed and does whatever they please you have instantly wasted copious amounts of precious time that could have been devoted to other clients.
Here’s the thing. Every relationship you have is mutually beneficial, otherwise you don’t seek to sustain it. If you continuously pour resources down the drain with one particular client, the other clients who actually value your services will end up walking away from you. Why? They may perceive that you’d rather spend your time dealing with Lindsay Lohan and her drama than working with them, which isn’t the case. In fact, it’s the mirror opposite of the case.
If you aren’t getting something in return for your hard work with a client, other than payment, I submit that it isn’t really a client worth keeping. Money is such a meaningless thing. I know people with barely enough money to scrape by that are some of the happiest people I know. And as you might guess, I know the exact opposite as well. Dealing with Lindsay Lohan just to collect a retainer fee or paycheck isn’t worth what it costs you in the end in terms of job satisfaction, happiness, and peace of mind.
Just cut the cord.
#cookchat Transcript 7/11
| MattLaCasse: | Ok everyone! We’ll get #cookchat started in just a minute or two. Intros all around! I’m Matt. This is me and Sam’s joint. | |
| 12:59 am | stephmajercik: | @MattLaCasse Not the noodle! Lol #cookchat |
| 1:00 am | NdorphinAddict: | @stephmajercik You know you want it!  #cookchat |
| 1:01 am | hanniespice: | hi, i’m hannie, cute adorable democrat blogger who aspires to be like Martha Stewart. I know, weird combination. #cookchat |
| 1:01 am | MichaelBittner: | @MattLaCasse I’m Mike, live in KC, I kind of cook. #goodtryer #cookchat |
| 1:02 am | MattLaCasse: | Q1 coming up in 2 minutes. In other words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPm_9YWRKMA#cookchat |
| 1:03 am | aurorameyer: | I’m Aurora. I live in Mid-missouri and my husband and I love to cook. and are willing to try any recipe (within reason!) once. #cookchat |
| 1:03 am | SJOgborn: | Hi. I’m Sam. And @MattLaCasse is maybe one of the funniest people I’ve ever met…but that’s completely besides the point. #cookchat |
| 1:03 am | MattLaCasse: | Q1 Government says seafood from the Gulf is safe to eat. Would you feed it to your family?http://yhoo.it/cIwXhL #cookchat |
| 1:05 am | aurorameyer: | A1: I trust the fish monger at the local market. if he feeds it to his family, I’ll eat it too. If he doesn’t, no dice. #cookchat |
| 1:05 am | jessicamalnik: | Hi everyone! I’m Jessica, I’m a newbie cook, who is obsessed w/ the Food Network. #cookchat |
| 1:05 am | SJOgborn: | RT @MattLaCasse Q1 Government says seafood from the Gulf is safe to eat. Would you feed it to your family? http://yhoo.it/cIwXhL #cookchat |
| 1:05 am | NdorphinAddict: | Oh yeah and I LOVE to cook! #cookchat |
| 1:06 am | hanniespice: | @jessicamalnik hi jessica, I love food network too. #cookchat |
| 1:06 am | MattLaCasse: | Q1 While I don’t eat a lot of seafood in the first place, I don’t think I would knowingly eat something from the gulf right now. #cookchat |
| 1:06 am | jwendz: | Might as well pop in while I’m online. I’m Julia, adv/PR student at Michigan State. College student who cooks more than Ramen! #cookchat |
| 1:06 am | MichaelBittner: | RT @MattLaCasse: Q1 Government says seafood from the Gulf is safe to eat. Would you feed it to your family? http://yhoo.it/cIwXhL #cookchat |
| 1:07 am | NdorphinAddict: | @MichaelBittner No, I wouldn’t. #cookchat |
| 1:07 am | MichaelBittner: | @cookchat It’s simply not worth the risk. #cookchat |
| 1:08 am | MattLaCasse: | Q1 Bigger question might be how our views on Gulf seafood will affect that industry. #cookchat |
| 1:08 am | SJOgborn: | @MichaelBittner I agree. Better safe than sorry. #cookchat |
| 1:09 am | MattLaCasse: | @jwendz Hi Julia! Thanks for stopping by! #cookchat |
| 1:09 am | cockyhawkfan: | @MattLaCasse Wouldn’t you know whether it was safe to eat if it was black? #cookchat |
| 1:09 am | brittenwolf: | RT @SJOgborn: @MichaelBittner I agree. Better safe than sorry. #cookchat |
| 1:09 am | jessicamalnik: | Q1: On the flip side, I hear oily seafood tastes great fried! JK. #cookchat |
| 1:10 am | aurorameyer: | @MattLaCasse will affect it indefinitely & exponentially. the perception vs reality is most damaging seafood is their livelihood #cookchat |
| 1:10 am | MattLaCasse: | So very true. RT @cockyhawkfan: @MattLaCasse Wouldn’t you know whether it was safe to eat if it was black? #cookchat |
| 1:10 am | SJOgborn: | Q2 Disgusting or the next step towards the future of food? http://consumerist.com/2010/07/candwhich-the-sandwhich-in-a-can.html #cookchat |
| 1:11 am | MattLaCasse: | @aurorameyer That’s exactly what I fear. Some recovery acct from #BP isn’t going to do the job completely. #cookchat |
| 1:11 am | brittenwolf: | Isn’t unrefined oil brown? @MattLaCasse @cockyhawkfan #cookchat |
| 1:11 am | ashantifoods: | RT @jessicamalnik2010Q1: On the flip side, I hear oily seafood tastes great fried! JK. #cookchat: Q1: On the fl… http://bit.ly/9w0Qk8 |
| 1:11 am | aurorameyer: | p.s. anyone know how to quickly tell if corn is done being boiled? is it when it smells like corn? #cookchat |
| 1:12 am | MattLaCasse: | RT @SJOgborn: Q2 Disgusting or the next step towards the future of food? http://bit.ly/d407PH#cookchat |
| 1:12 am | aurorameyer: | @SJOgborn horrendous! hideous! terrible for you! how hard is it really to make a sandwich? (i’m done ranting now). #cookchat |
| 1:12 am | aurorameyer: | @MattLaCasse new orleans was barely recovering when I was down there in january. many talked about how seafood saved them. #cookchat |
| 1:13 am | MattLaCasse: | @brittenwolf @cockyhawkfan I dunno. Pictures of it in gulf have been brown, but animals covered are black… #cookchat |
| 1:14 am | MattLaCasse: | Q2 I find the idea of the Candwich a little unappetizing. However, I think it’s a really interesting idea. #cookchat #cookchat |
| 1:15 am | jessicamalnik: | @SJOgborn Q2: This is so WRONG. It’s like 10 times worse than mystery meat and worse it comes in a can. #sowrong #eww #cookchat |
| 1:15 am | brittenwolf: | Q2 21st century SPAM. #cookchat |
| 1:16 am | SJOgborn: | @jessicamalnik its almost like a Lunchable? Yes…no? Either way…yikes… #cookchat |
| 1:16 am | MichaelBittner: | @cookchat Are we going to get #candwhich trending or not? #cookchat |
| 1:16 am | jwendz: | Q2 The PBJ doesn’t seem THAT strange…but the BBQ chicken freaks me out to the max. #cookchat |
| 1:16 am | MattLaCasse: | RT @brittenwolf: Q2 21st century SPAM. #cookchat #CANDWICH #cookchat |
| 1:16 am | ryascolot: | @SJOgborn Q2: that is the nast. #cookchat |
| 1:17 am | MattLaCasse: | @MichaelBittner Only if that pay me and @SJOgborn a ton of cash. #cookchat #CANDWICH#cookchat |
| 1:17 am | NdorphinAddict: | @MattLaCasse I’d rather do the frozen ones than the canned if I HAD to #cookchat |
| 1:18 am | aurorameyer: | bowing out for a few. fried chicken making time. #cookchat |
| 1:18 am | aurorameyer: | @NdorphinAddict LOVE him! #cookchat |
| 1:19 am | jwendz: | Q2 But at the same time, how hard is it to make a PBJ sandwich? Shouldn’t need it premade & canned. #cookchat |
| 1:19 am | MattLaCasse: | Q2 Couldn’t #CANDWICH be a first step towards getting better, healthier, food to developing nations? #cookchat #optimistic #cookchat |
| 1:19 am | MattLaCasse: | @jwendz Agreed, but I think #CANDWICH is more about time than anything else. #cookchat #cookchat |
| 1:20 am | jessicamalnik: | So, what would it take for all of you to eat a candwich? #cookchat |
| 1:20 am | aurorameyer: | @jessicamalnik desperation and all other food gone. #cookchat |
| 1:20 am | MattLaCasse: | @jessicamalnik Honestly? A free sample. #candwich #cookchat |
| 1:20 am | NdorphinAddict: | @aurorameyer U know, I bet he would! #foodrevolution #cookchat @jamie_oliver |
| 1:21 am | jessicamalnik: | Haha! I feel the same way! RT @aurorameyer: @jessicamalnik desperation and all other food gone. #cookchat |
| 1:21 am | MattLaCasse: | @aurorameyer No, no, no. Not calling it healthy at all. Just saying it may be a first step towards something else. #cookchat #cookchat |
| 1:22 am | NdorphinAddict: | @jessicamalnik $3 million #cookchat |
| 1:22 am | MattLaCasse: | Q3 coming up in 2 minutes. #cookchat #cookchat |
| 1:22 am | jwendz: | @MattLaCasse I guess it depends on who it’s marketed to. But right now it looks like something aimed at American kids. #cookchat |
| 1:23 am | MattLaCasse: | @SJOgborn Space, Food donations to developing nations, any way to help keep food edible longer. #cookchat #cookchat |
| 1:23 am | NdorphinAddict: | @MattLaCasse Toward what? Early death? LOL #cookchat @aurorameyer |
| 1:23 am | MattLaCasse: | RT @jwendz: I guess it depends on who its marketed to. But right now it looks like something aimed at American kids. #cookchat #cookchat |
| 1:23 am | jessicamalnik: | @MattLaCasse Eww! #cookchat |
| 1:24 am | MattLaCasse: | RT @lanes0220: Q2 sandwiches were made for ppl on the go, does anyone remember that? #cookchat#cookchat |
| 1:25 am | NdorphinAddict: | @lanes0220 Actually it started with someone gambling, but yeah #cookchat |
| 1:25 am | aurorameyer: | fried chicken step one. Eggs and salt and pepper. #cookchat http://twitpic.com/24jket |
| 1:25 am | SJOgborn: | RT @MattLaCasse Q3 A tip of the cap to All-Star Week which begins tomorrow. Best ballpark food you’ve ever had is ______. #cookchat |
| 1:25 am | SJOgborn: | @cookchat self-explanatory…seeing as I am in Chicago…. #cookchat |
| 1:26 am | aurorameyer: | step 2 it is like shake and bake! #cookchat http://twitpic.com/24jkp5 |
| 1:26 am | MichaelBittner: | @MattLaCasse Hot dog at Busch in #stl … #cookchat |
| 1:26 am | MattLaCasse: | Q3 Hebrew National hot dog. Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL. #cookchat #mlb #cubs #cookchat |
| 1:27 am | jessicamalnik: | @aurorameyer You should be on the Food Network! Loving the cooking demonstration tweets. #cookchat |
| 1:28 am | aurorameyer: | step 3 fry! #cookchat http://twitpic.com/24jlab |
| 1:29 am | SJOgborn: | @aurorameyer You need to start a food blog, stat. I’d read it. #cookchat |
| 1:30 am | JessicaThinkies: | Q3: probably hot dogs and peanuts! #cookchat |
| 1:30 am | MattLaCasse: | Seconded. RT @SJOgborn: @aurorameyer You need to start a food blog, stat. Id read it. #cookchat#cookchat |
| 1:31 am | hanniespice: | my pizza #cookchat http://twitpic.com/24jlwo |
| 1:31 am | CubanaLAF: | Another reason my mentee @sjogborn is awesome: She can cook. And she runs #cookchat. |
| 1:31 am | SJOgborn: | Q4 Restaurant revenues continue to decline. Are you eating out less? If so, have you recreated your favs? http://bit.ly/9lKR2C #cookchat |
| 1:31 am | jessicamalnik: | Me too! RT @SJOgborn: @aurorameyer You need to start a food blog, stat. Id read it. #cookchat |
| 1:32 am | MattLaCasse: | @hanniespice That looks amazing. I made a taco pizza at home this week. SOOOOO good. #cookchat#cookchat |
| 1:32 am | jwendz: | Q4 I’m surprised to learn that restaurant revenues have declined. Places in Troy, MI and #lovelansingalways seem packed! #cookchat |
| 1:32 am | LauraScholz: | @SJOgborn Q4: I think we eat out more. Mostly b/c we’re busy-I like to think we’re helping the local economy! #cookchat (p.s. I don’t cook!) |
| 1:33 am | JessicaThinkies: | We eat out a lot less since I went back to school. We’ve also learned new tricks and have recreated nearly everything we loved #cookchat |
| 1:33 am | hanniespice: | @jessicamalnik I watch & try to convert their recipes to ones more #wls friendly. #cookchat |
| 1:34 am | hanniespice: | @MattLaCasse taco pizza sounds good as well. #cookchat |
| 1:34 am | brittenwolf: | @LauraScholz I agree. I love checking out local spots, but am still addicted to the national chains. #cookchat |
| 1:34 am | MattLaCasse: | Q4 We tend to cook more than go out. However, I’m bound and determined to recreate loaded mashed potatoes from Colton’s. #cookchat #cookchat |
| 1:34 am | NdorphinAddict: | @SJOgborn We eat out less because I want fresher, healthier food, and I can’t get that eating out as readily #cookchat |
| 1:35 am | MichaelBittner: | Speaking of ballpark food.. #cookchat http://twitpic.com/24jmx5 |
| 1:35 am | aurorameyer: | step 4 cooling and de greasing. #cookchat http://twitpic.com/24jn2z |
| 1:35 am | NdorphinAddict: | @brittenwolf I avoid chains. I want originality. Hard to find, though. #cookchat |
| 1:36 am | MattLaCasse: | @brittenwolf @LauraScholz If I never ate at another nat’l chain (i.e. Applebee’s) I’d do an Irish jig. Even though I’m French #cookchat |
| 1:36 am | davidlmulder: | I’m not surprised that value-added, chain restaurants have been faltering. Quality isn’t there for the price. #cookchat |
| 1:37 am | jessicamalnik: | @hanniespice I have to downsize the recipes, since all those shows have recipes that feed an army literally #dinnerforone #cookchat |
| 1:37 am | MattLaCasse: | @cubanalaf Far too kind. I’m just a fat kid that eats a lot. @SJOgborn #cookchat |
| 1:37 am | jwendz: | Q4 Here’s a “recreate” recipe I must try – PF Changs lettuce wraps! http://bit.ly/9uuqfK #cookchat |
| 1:37 am | LauraScholz: | @MattLaCasse Oh, I never eat at chains. Like ever. Okay, maybe Chick-fil-A in moments of weakness. #cookchat |
| 1:37 am | SJOgborn: | @NdorphinAddict I feel the same way sometimes. Quality just isn’t there when I go out to eat. #cookchat |
| 1:37 am | MattLaCasse: | RT @davidlmulder: Im not surprised that value-added, chain restaurants have been faltering. Quality isnt there for the price. #cookchat |
| 1:38 am | jessicamalnik: | Yes! RT @LauraScholz @SJOgborn Q4: I think we eat out more. Mostly b/c we’re busy-I like to think we’re helping the local economy! #cookchat |
| 1:38 am | MattLaCasse: | @LauraScholz I try not to, but the town I live in doesn’t have a ton of local options. Why we cook more than eat out #cookchat |
| 1:39 am | MattLaCasse: | Q5 coming up in 4 minutes. #cookchat |
| 1:39 am | SJOgborn: | I went out to this French restaurant in Chicago that totally knocked my socks off. Meal could definitely not be recreated! #cookchat |
| 1:39 am | brittenwolf: | A play off Q4, but what’s your favorite meal from a local spot? #cookchat |
| 1:40 am | jessicamalnik: | @LauraScholz I’m not a huge fan of Chick-fil-a although I do enjoy discreetly laughing @ the ppl who go there dressed up like cows #cookchat |
| 1:40 am | NdorphinAddict: | I have found it helpful to cook extra and freeze it so when I’m busy I have a ready meal. #cookchat |
| 1:40 am | NdorphinAddict: | Daycare staff are jealous of my son’s lunches lol #cookchat |
| 1:41 am | MattLaCasse: | @SJOgborn There are definitely reasons to go out to eat, like your French restaurant! #cookchat |
| 1:42 am | SJOgborn: | @brittenwolf Salad featuring locally grown ingredients…doesn’t seem like it would make a difference, but it definitely does. #cookchat |
| 1:42 am | MattLaCasse: | @LauraScholz Yes. I (sometimes) miss living in a bit more urban area like I did in Columbia, MO. #cookchat |
| 1:42 am | NdorphinAddict: | @SJOgborn Local makes ALL the difference. #cookchat |
| 1:43 am | NdorphinAddict: | @MattLaCasse Oh hell yes! When in Denver @lecentraldenver is a MUST for EXCELLENT food #cookchat |
| 1:43 am | NdorphinAddict: | One of the things I really love now is delivery svc that brings me local, organic produce weekly to my home. #cookchat |
| 1:43 am | MattLaCasse: | Q5 Mixing drinks is considered cooking, right? What’s your favorite summertime mixed drink? #cookchat |
| 1:44 am | SJOgborn: | RT @MattLaCasse Q5 Mixing drinks is considered cooking, right? What’s your favorite summertime mixed drink? #cookchat |
| 1:44 am | MichaelBittner: | @cookchat Rum+coke. Also my favorite fall, winter and spring drink. #cookchat |
| 1:45 am | jessicamalnik: | @MattLaCasse You think CoMo is urban?! I take that back, I forgot where you now live. #cookchat |
| 1:45 am | SJOgborn: | @cookchat Mojitos, really amazing sangria… #cookchat |
| 1:45 am | aurorameyer: | @jessicamalnik awe thanks! #cookchat |
| 1:46 am | NdorphinAddict: | @SJOgborn Mojito! #cookchat |
| 1:46 am | MattLaCasse: | @jessicamalnik It ain’t small (anymore), that’s for sure! #cookchat #cookchat |
| 1:47 am | MattLaCasse: | Q5 My summertime drink is gin or vodka and tonic. Recently discovered sweet tea flavored vodka. It’s simply amahzing dahling. #cookchat |
| 1:47 am | jessicamalnik: | @MattLaCasse Yeah, but it isn’t exactly a huge metro area either. #justsayin #cookchat |
| 1:47 am | aurorameyer: | @SJOgborn I’ll see what I can do! thanks! couldn’t have done it without Jason! he cook while I took pictures! #cookchat |
| 1:47 am | MattLaCasse: | @jessicamalnik Very true. It is the largest city I’ve ever called home though. #cookchat |
| 1:48 am | jwendz: | Q5 I’m a big fan of sangria and gin & tonics. #cookchat |
| 1:48 am | jessicamalnik: | @aurorameyer My pleasure! If you start a food blog, I’ll definitely subscribe, read and comment on it all the time. #cookchat |
| 1:48 am | MattLaCasse: | Q5 Do you find your alcohol tastes vary w/ the seasons? Or do they stay the same? #cookchat |
| 1:49 am | jessicamalnik: | @MattLaCasse Wow, CoMo is the 2nd smallest city I’ve lived in. #citygirl #cookchat |
| 1:49 am | MattLaCasse: | @jwendz Sangria is such a dicey drink. If done correctly, it’s fantastic. If done poorly…yikes. #cookchat |
| 1:50 am | SJOgborn: | @jessicamalnik CoMo is definitely THE smallest city I’ve lived in. I’m going to miss it big time though. Must go back soon. #cookchat |
| 1:50 am | SJOgborn: | @MattLaCasse Totally agree with the sangria bit. cc @jwendz #cookchat |
| 1:51 am | MattLaCasse: | @SJOgborn @jessicamalnik You can fit my hometown of Grinnell, IA almost four times into Wrigley. Pop of 10,000. #cookchat |
| 1:52 am | lanes0220: | Q5:Def varies! Right now I’m in the midst of sweet tea vodka, not so much in the winter #cookchat |
| 1:52 am | SJOgborn: | Ok, and Q6. Settle the debate: KC, Memphis, or Carolina BBQ? #cookchat |
| 1:53 am | MattLaCasse: | @SJOgborn will drop Q6 in just a bit. A quick thank you to everyone who is participating this evening! You all add flavor! #cookchat |
| 1:53 am | jessicamalnik: | @MattLaCasse Wow! That’s tiny. #cookchat |
| 1:53 am | SJOgborn: | Just received a potentially threatening message from @MattLaCasse but good for him we agree on Kansas City BBQ. You got lucky. #cookchat |
| 1:53 am | NdorphinAddict: | @MattLaCasse For me they vary by season. I find I drink much more red wine and “heavier” flavors in fall and winter. #cookchat |
| 1:54 am | MattLaCasse: | Q6 KC BBQ. Perfect mix of smoked meat and sauce. #cookchat |
| 1:54 am | SethDrury: | @SJOgborn @MattLaCasse An Arnie Palmer, its the perfect summer concoction! #cookchat |
| 1:55 am | MattLaCasse: | @SethDrury Tried it w/ sweet tea vodka rather than regular tea? It’s wonderful. #cookchat |
| 1:55 am | SJOgborn: | @SethDrury I think we should be BFF’s? That’s my all-time favorite drink, not just in the summer. #cookchat |
| 1:56 am | NdorphinAddict: | @brittenwolf Have u tried a Peru libre? Even better than rum & coke (Cuba libre) #cookchat |
| 1:57 am | MattLaCasse: | @laurenkgray is missing her chance to fight for Carolina BBQ over Memphis or KC. #cookchat |
| 1:58 am | MattLaCasse: | Q5 I think we can all agree on at least one thing. Do not sully my whisky with anything other than ice or water. #cookchat |
| 1:59 am | brittenwolf: | @NdorphinAddict No, but I’ll check it out! Thanks for the tip. #cookchat |
| 2:00 am | NdorphinAddict: | @MattLaCasse I dunno I REALLY love Southern & 7. #cookchat |
| 2:01 am | MattLaCasse: | Thanks so much to everyone for chatting this evening! Transcript will be up shortly. Send me and Sam ideas for the August #cookchat |
| 2:01 am | MattLaCasse: | @NdorphinAddict Southern? As in…SoCo? GAH! I can’t stomach that stuff anymore. #cookchat |
| 2:02 am | SJOgborn: | @cookchat Thanks everyone for participating tonight. Have a good week! #cookchat |
| 2:02 am | NdorphinAddict: | @MattLaCasse I will forgive you for saying that. #cookchat |
| 2:02 am | jessicamalnik: | I have to head out. Thanks for a great chat everyone! Special thanks to the fantastic co-founders @MattLaCasse and @SJOgborn #cookchat |
| 2:03 am | MattLaCasse: | @NdorphinAddict If you’d had the same college experience I did, you’d have a similar reaction, trust me. #cookchat |
| 2:03 am | MattLaCasse: | RT @SJOgborn: @cookchat Thanks everyone for participating tonight. Have a good week! #cookchat |
| 2:05 am | brittenwolf: | Great chat tonight! Thanks everyone, especially @MattLaCasse and @SJOgborn. #cookchat |
| 2:06 am | NdorphinAddict: | @MattLaCasse I’m a year-round drinker of dark beer #cookchat |
| 2:07 am | brittenwolf: | Amen to that! RT @NdorphinAddict: @MattLaCasse I’m a year-round drinker of dark beer #cookchat |
| 2:12 am | aurorameyer: | sorry to have bailed. I had to eat while it was hot. I promise to read the transcript! hope everyone had a great chat! #cookchat |
| 2:13 am | hanniespice: | @MattLaCasse hey #cookchat was fun, what i caught of it. thanks for letting me know about it. |
| 2:20 am | laurenkgray: | @MattLaCasse hey now, NC BBQ is unbeatable. you cannot beat our BBQ here!! we love it!! LEXINGTON born & raised! #cookchat |
Biggest PR Winner in LeBron’s Decision May Surprise You
First of all, apologies. It’s been well over a month since I’ve written a blog post. Even the last #cookchat transcript was over a month ago. I have, in all honesty, been slacking in the blogging department. In my defense, I didn’t understand just how busy summer would be as the Marketing Module Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri. Zero time during the day to blog in peace, and I’ve been too exhausted, or too busy, on the weekends to do any blogging.
Onto the biggest PR winner from LeBron’s decision to spend the next few years on South Beach. I would put forth that the only group of people viewing LeBron in a positive light now are Miami Heat fans; and possibly die-hard Bron-Bron fans. After the spectacle of “The Decision”, LeBron came off as nothing more than an ego that’s really good at playing basketball. That’s all well and good, he’ll make his millions and laugh all the way to the bank. However, I think someone else that was hardly mentioned at all last night may have scored some serious PR points. Who’s that? This guy:
Kobe Bryant
Kobe has slowly rebuilt his image after nearly destroying himself in Colorado a few years back. Most people will tell you he’s the best player in the NBA currently, given that he has five rings, and two won “by himself”, though Pau Gasol is a mighty fine second fiddle. More importantly, Kobe’s image has something now that LeBron’s doesn’t. Loyalty. Kobe has done everything in his career in Los Angeles. Granted, LA ain’t Cleveland (no disrespect to Cleveland), but LeBron had the tools at his disposal the past two season to make serious runs at the title; and he came up short both times.
Kobe now has a nearly workman like image now. He’s not viewed as egotistical (generally speaking), he’s viewed as a team player, and he’s viewed as a leader. Would you say any of those things about LeBron James? Maybe you would…I know I wouldn’t. Did it seem like LeBron was concerned with the playoffs this year, or was his mind already drifting to July 1st and the sweepstakes he knew would happen? Was he concerned about beating the Celtics, or was he more concerned about building the “King James” image?
Bottom line is I believe LeBron James seriously hurt his image and reputation on Thursday night. There’s a gracious way of leaving your hometown team, and there’s an ungracious. I believe James chose the ungracious route, and that may hurt him for some time to come in places far from the shores of Lake Erie.
Comments About My Ruminations