Free speech or necessary rules?

One of the announcements from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently was to advise bloggers on new blogger ethics guidelines...that  bloggers will now be required to advise readers when a product they are blogging about was provided gratis or that he/she was paid for the review or posting. It doesn't matter if it's a positive review or not. The rules state that a blogger who has received money or "in-kind payment" tied to a product review must disclose the deal to readers.

Now, radio stations must also adhere to these same rules; they have long had the rule but it hasn't been enforced. On radio, is is clearly paid advertising, typically a live read by the onair talent.

But here is my question, is a blogger considered advertising?

It seems to me if the blogger is a paid arm of a corporation or product, then it's advertising. If the blogger's sole reason to exist is to tout the benefits of the product or is an employee or contractor of the blogged-about brand, then that's another form of "paid" advertising (funded by the brand).

But what about free speech for individuals? We all know that conferences and trade shows load people up with swag in hopes it will lead to more business; newspapers and magazines are sent free products as PR in hopes to get them written into a story; businesses commonly give away samples to induce trial and word of mouth marketing.

The FTC has said it has no plans to pursue enforcement of the rules on bloggers or social media users who blog about products.

But what do you think -- free speech or a necessary regulation of often-blurry advertising tactics?

The first Twitter?

Email, Instant messaging, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, blogging...all have changed our lives in making communication with each other so quick as well as allowing us to share our innermost thoughts and feelings with family, friends, and the world.

In reality, this is nothing new. It's only the method, the technology, that's different.

Tower of London from the outside, looking over the moat.

I was struck by this almost 2  years ago when visiting the Tower of London. Many prisoners held there over the centuries used elaborate graffiti etched into the stone walls to communicate their presence, their love for their families, proclaim their religious faith, note their time in prison, or convey their philosophies on life. These prisoners were not necessarily wrong-doers or hardened criminals, but instead included kings, queens, traitors, saints, and sinners. Many of the carvings in the walls date from the 1500 and 1600s.

Prisoner graffiti from the Tower of London.

Check out the wall carvings in the Beauchamp Tower and the Salt Tower at the Tower of London. This is history and it is fascinating.

The vast array of British history that is on display at the Tower is dazzling. From the Royal Crown Jewels, to the armour belonging to Henry VIII, elements of torture, and an 11th century chapel. The Tower, begun in the early 1080s by William the Conqueror, is a fortress of buildings and exhibits. It's well worth visiting again and again.

Sidenote: The day we visited the Crown Jewels at the Tower, a few pieces had been removed and were noted as "In use." The next day, as we gathered to watch the queen's processional from Buckingham Palace to the ceremonial Opening of Parliament, we were able to see these very pieces, each conveyed to Parliament in its own exquisite, regal, horse-drawn carriage, including the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and Sceptre.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the Opening Day of Parliament

A don't miss site in London. I can't wait to go back!

If you go: check out the sites, times, and prices ahead of time at http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon. It's worth spending the day at the Tower.

A jobless recovery?

According to a U.S. Department of Labor report released on Friday, the number of job seekers competing for each job opening has reached its highest point since the recession began. There are 6.3 unemployed workers competing, on average, for each job opening. When the recession "officially" began in December 2007, there were 1.7 unemployed workers for each job opening.

Now, some economists predict a "jobless recovery," according to an article in Saturday's Washington Post. (Business Digest)

Huh? So what constitutes a recovery? A drastic cut in the number of jobs lost each month? A more favorable Gross Domestic Product? A more favorable trade balance with foreign countries? Increased retail spending?  But what happens to the jobs -- and the people seeking jobs -- in a "jobless recovery?" 

Does the lower economic group in this country grow in number, creating an even larger group with limited resources to pay for housing, health care, taxes, insurance, food....not to mention all the "nice to have" things like travel, entertainment, and charitable giving?

And what happens to the people?  After all,to put a face on unemployment and job seekers is the real story. They are people like me... and the many people I know who have recently lost their jobs and are worried about the future.


Companies are reluctant to hire; that's been well-documented. But there are jobs out there as a result of re-organizations, contracts that have been awarded, attrition, and some new positions being created. In my view, it seems that people with experience are finding it tougher and tougher in this economy. I believe hiring managers have a preconceived, biased view of more experienced professionals: they are set in their ways; they may not know new technologies and the online world; they expect too much salary; they are not as adaptable to change as younger people; they don't have the energy; I need new ideas, not old ways of thinking; this is a young person's business. We must assure hiring managers that this is NOT the case -- and it can be challenging to do in a resume and cover letter.


I worry. I worry about the future of this country as well as my own future. A "jobless recovery" has other implications somewhere...and I just wonder what those are and how it will affect me.

Engaging one's mind

There are so many low cost and free cultural and educational opportunities in the Washington area, and I sometimes feel there is much I don't want to miss out on.

Last night was one of those times. The Washington National Cathedral sponsors many different events throughout the year: musical, inspirational, environmental, as well as discussions on world events. Wednesday evening at the Cathedral, I attended the Ignatius Program which involved a discussion of the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The panel discussion was moderated by Adi Ignatius, editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review (the program series is in honor of his parents and their support of the National Cathedral). Speakers included Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rory Stewart, author of The Places in Between about his walk across Afghanistan, and Husain Haqqani, Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S.

I don't know about you but I have been thoroughly confused about the U.S. goals in Afghanistan -- what exactly are we trying to achieve? It has seemed for years like a hopeless situation that only puts U.S., and other country's, service people in dire places and extreme danger. And with General McChrystal asking for more troups in order to achieve success in Afghanistan, I've wondered exactly what that success is.

If you've read anything about Afghanistan, you are aware of the warring factions, the tribalism, the remote protected compounds, the poverty, the lack of education, and the often-treacherous terrain in which tribes and remote villages are separated from each other.

It was educational, intellectually-stimulating and enlightening to hear the perspectives of the three speakers. There is no conclusion on what should happen there. It depends of course on one's perspective and whether the U.S. should operate in the best interest of the Afghani people, of the United States, of a military situation that we're now 9 years into, or in consideration of how the U.S. is viewed by other countries around the world.

I am currently reading Rory Stewart's book about his walk across Afghanistan, and I have great admiration for the work he and the nonprofit organization he established are currently doing in that country to help where the government isn't or can't. His position is that the country needs to be left in the hands of the Afghanis and the U.S. should not commit more troops. It only prolongs the Afghanistan government NOT taking responsibility for their own country. His description made me think of the U.S. acting as a "helicopter parent," rather than the child taking responsibility for his own actions.

An intriguing question from the Pakistani ambassador: Why do Americans (the U.S. government) feel they have to fix things in all parts of the world? Why do Americans feel they have to fix radical Islam?

Senator Kerry's major question of the decision-makers -- and he's going on a fact-finding mission to Afghanistan next week -- is, "What is possible in Afghanistan? and Why is it important for the U.S. to be in Afghanistan?"

Sidenote: Chris Cuomo of ABC News has provided excellent daily reports this week on Good Morning America from Afghanistan about the people and the U.S. servicemen and women.

Another recommended must read: Three Cups of Tea by John Mortenson This gives an amazing perspective on the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan and Mr. Mortenson's efforts to educate children who are not being served by the countries in which they live.


Reminder to self (and others): take advantage of the lectures and seminars that are available all over the Washington area. You might learn something and open your own thinking about the world.

Does Levi Johnston make you want to buy pistachios?

From Monday's USA Today comes this gem about the new campaign from the Pistachio industry... with their first-ever television campaign:


Pistachio industry bets on 'sex sells' mentality with ads - USATODAY.com*


This series of tv and online spots features double entendres with the goal to create a buzz and viral marketing effort around pistachios. But Levi Johnston? Really? Certainly he's cute. But couldn't the ad agency for pistachios have come up with something more interesting and compelling to make me want to buy pistachios?


Pistachios were recalled from stores earlier this year after a salmonella contamination scare, causing a 20% decline in pistachio sales. Their goal now is to encourage regular purchase of pistachios rather than thinking of them as a special occasion purchase.


And I'm sure this slightly risque campaign, that features a series of spots with various "celebrities" and "not quite celebrities" will draw lots of publicity (particularly around Levi Johnston), but I find the campaign offensive and not funny. 


I won't be buying pistachios. How about you? 

Whoever said finding a job would be easy?

What's the oddest thing you have had to do to land a new job? Sometimes the interview process can be grueling, meeting with one person after another, not hearing back whether they think you are a good fit for the job or not, being tested on the work you would be doing, coming up with solutions for your potential employer during the interview.


Here are some of the things I'm familiar with. Of all of them, I believe the federal job application may be the most trying and time consuming. Try figuring out how to best answer the questions and write concise but informative essays, when you can tell from the job description that you could do the job in a snap. Or you can tell from the job posting that whoever wrote it hadn't a clue what they are talking about.

• I once had to take a personality test when applying for a job at an ad agency. I apparently passed the test because I was hired and worked there for 5 years. A friend later told me that she was not hired after taking the same test.
• It's not uncommon to have to submit writing samples as part of a job application process. Employers want to see if you can communicate effectively and professionally and it often tells something about how an applicant thinks through a challenging issue. But submitting a writing sample for a freelance gig to review grant proposals? I submitted a couple of blog postings...I haven't heard from them.
• A friend has recently been asked to submit written recommendations to a potential employer as part of her interviewing process. This is a job she's really interested in so of course she wants to be strategic and smart and demonstrate her talents and thinking, and she should do the best job she can. But it seems to me that the employer is also getting some free ideas...
• Another friend has had multiple meetings with a nonprofit organization that was interested in working with her on a contract basis. She's interviewed, been to meetings, had conference calls, and has submitted at least 3 proposals, outlining how she would handle their work, including objectives, a plan of action, and a timeline. They decided not to move forward at this time. Did they get a free plan in the process?
• Aptitude and skills testing is common among professions in which mastery of particular talents, creative skills, software, language is critical to finding the best fit for the job. This often involves a test project to determine if the applicant can actually do what her resume says she can. 
• Many employers want to run a credit check on a potential employee to determine if he/she is in financial trouble already (that person is identified as a potential risk); this is an even more relative issue now. Quite recently, in completing applications, I have had to consent to the employer running a credit check on me. 
• Each job is different, but the process to apply for Federal government jobs requires one to complete a questionnaire relevant to the qualifications necessary for the job, along with essays. This is part of the KSAs, in which a"screener" is evaluating the application before sending only the highest scoring applications along to the hiring manager. It's a time-consuming process; I can only hope they can streamline the  process if indeed Federal hiring is expected to increase.

What are some of the unusual job tests you've had to endure? What unusual interview questions have you encountered?


Good luck to all who are patiently sending resumes, networking, interviewing, and hoping for that next perfect job. 

The effect of unemployment on Metro

I just heard a report this evening that Metro ridership has dropped since the fatal Metro accident earlier this year, causing the Metro board to be very concerned with the loss of revenue. 

I wonder, though, about how the loss of jobs and thousands of people who are no longer commuting on Metro is affecting Metro revenues.  While economists and the media seem particularly interested in the number of people filing for unemployment each month and the fact that the number is falling, judging the end of the recession and the promise of an economic recovery by that same number, it seems very inadequate to me.

Are they also analyzing how the people who have been laid off are no longer spending money to travel on Metro daily nor spending money parking cars in the Metro parking lots? Metro may be suffering a severe lack of confidence in the public's opinion due to accidents, continuing delays, inefficient service, and inadequate or unqualified staff that are resulting in fewer travelers on Metro, but that certainly isn't the whole story.

For those of us who have been laid off in the past couple of years, we are cutting back on spending and determing what is a "need to have" and what is a "nice to have." This affects restaurants, clothing stores, gas stations, coffee shops, theaters, and more.

In September 2008 the reported unemployment rate (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for the Washington DC area was 4%. As of the end of August the reported unemployment rate for the area: Washington 11.1% (this is above the national average of 9.8%), Maryland 7.2% and Virginia 6.5%. Of course the unemployment rates would be even higher if the people who are discouraged and no longer seeking a job were also included in these numbers.

Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 64,000. The good news may be that the firings are decreasing but the hiring is not yet happening on a wide scale basis. As of the end of June, 199,800 people in the Washington metro area were looking for work. That's a lot of people no longer contributing to the tax base, Metro revenues, local subscriptions, contributions to charities, support of performing arts organizations, as well as to a variety of local businesses.

The media may be reporting on supposed good news in the economic recovery, but a vast number of people who are out of work and want to work aren't seeing it yet.