THE NEWS HACK'S CREED:
I know more than you.
I make lots more money than you.
I'm smarter than you.
I'm sexier than you.
I appear on TV all the time.
I work ten minutes a day.
I rule the universe.
I'm going to live forever.
You are an idiot.
THE NEWS HACK'S CREED, No. 2:
A lie isn't a lie when it tells THE TRUTH.
THE NEWS HACK'S CREED, No. 3:
I've come to realize that the looseness of the journalistic life, the seeming laxity of the newsroom, is an illusion. Yes, there's informality and there's humor, but beneath the surface lies something deadly serious. It is a code. Sometimes the code is not even written down, but it is deeply believed in. And, when violated, it is enforced with tribal ferocity.
--JOHN "OMERTA" CARROLL.
THE NEWS HACK'S CREED, No. 4:
News isn't news when we don't report it.
PERMALINKS:
THE NEWS HACKS' DICTIONARY
THE EUGENE DAVID GLOSSARY
AMERICA'S MOST UNINTENTIONALLY FUNNY WEB SITE!
Blogroll Me!
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Thursday, August 07, 2008
Iraqis: Deal close on plan for US troops to leave
Is Dubya running for president, or merely for the history books?
That's the great thing about Dubya: for months, for years he says he won't do something, and then he does it. How America has survived that proverbial empty suit in the White House is beyond us. What's one more empty suit in The Lord?
Is Dubya running for president, or merely for the history books?
That's the great thing about Dubya: for months, for years he says he won't do something, and then he does it. How America has survived that proverbial empty suit in the White House is beyond us. What's one more empty suit in The Lord?
Two decades after The Little Tramp Guess-who gets back in the PC biz:
...IBM and its partners said there's market demand for less expensive PCs than those that ship with the Windows operating system and Microsoft's Office suite of applications. The four companies see Vista, the latest version of Windows, as opening the door for OS rivals.
Among the complaints of Vista is that it requires more powerful computers than those running XP, the previous version of Windows. As a result, many businesses have delayed upgrading to Vista until the end of their hardware life cycle.
IBM said this gives it and the Linux distributors the opportunity to work with hardware partners to offer PCs preloaded with Linux and IBM's Open Collaboration Client Solution, which includes Lotus Notes, Lotus Symphony, and Lotus Sametime.
DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....
...IBM and its partners said there's market demand for less expensive PCs than those that ship with the Windows operating system and Microsoft's Office suite of applications. The four companies see Vista, the latest version of Windows, as opening the door for OS rivals.
Among the complaints of Vista is that it requires more powerful computers than those running XP, the previous version of Windows. As a result, many businesses have delayed upgrading to Vista until the end of their hardware life cycle.
IBM said this gives it and the Linux distributors the opportunity to work with hardware partners to offer PCs preloaded with Linux and IBM's Open Collaboration Client Solution, which includes Lotus Notes, Lotus Symphony, and Lotus Sametime.
DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....
A news site I've never heard of, newsmax.com, which purports to be an "independent" publication with "a conservative perspective".... [Link added]
So that's what you learned at The Paper of Re-CORD, huh Waxy?
So that's what you learned at The Paper of Re-CORD, huh Waxy?
The message behind McCain's "Celeb" ad, Schumer said, was, "He's not one of us, he's a celebrity, he's an elitist".
"That's what they did with John Kerry," Schumer said, adding, "I would have been a little tougher."
Okay, Sen. Pepe lePew, YOU'RE AN EFFETE NOSE-IN THE-AIR FAUX-FRENCH NIXONIAN OVERCOIFFED ZILLIONAIRE SNOB!!
How's that for toughness, Red-Light?
"That's what they did with John Kerry," Schumer said, adding, "I would have been a little tougher."
Okay, Sen. Pepe lePew, YOU'RE AN EFFETE NOSE-IN THE-AIR FAUX-FRENCH NIXONIAN OVERCOIFFED ZILLIONAIRE SNOB!!
How's that for toughness, Red-Light?
FOXNEWS.com serves a useful purpose -- it spots an EXTRA STRIPE on the U. S. FLAG!
(Via USAOKAY.com's On Deadline)
(Via USAOKAY.com's On Deadline)
You're a news hack. Which of these two stories would you run?
Hollywood Seems to Show Vulnerability to Recession
OR:
POLL: MOVIEGOERS FLOCK TO 'R'-RATED COMEDIES WITH GRAPHIC HUMOR!!!!!!!!!! [Home-page link; Hooray-for-Hollywood overemphasis added]
Well that's EASY: it's the LATTER. The first one appears to be a legitimate poll (to the extent polls are legitimate); the second one's likely a self-selected junk poll from a ticket-selling site aimed at fanboys. The first has news bad for show-biz (and by extension bad for news hacks); the second one is good good good! Stories like these are so easy to choose between it's no wonder that not only do the hacks have a rep lower than used-car dealers, but show-biz news has a rep somewhere between the earth's crust and the gates of Hell.
A NEUHARTHISM OF THE WEEK AWARD TO CARL AND YAHOO! NEWS!
P. S. HEY CARL!! MAYBE IT'S NOT SUCH SUPERDUPERWONDERFUL NEWS AFTER ALL!!!!!
(First and third links via ArtsJournal)
Hollywood Seems to Show Vulnerability to Recession
OR:
POLL: MOVIEGOERS FLOCK TO 'R'-RATED COMEDIES WITH GRAPHIC HUMOR!!!!!!!!!! [Home-page link; Hooray-for-Hollywood overemphasis added]
Well that's EASY: it's the LATTER. The first one appears to be a legitimate poll (to the extent polls are legitimate); the second one's likely a self-selected junk poll from a ticket-selling site aimed at fanboys. The first has news bad for show-biz (and by extension bad for news hacks); the second one is good good good! Stories like these are so easy to choose between it's no wonder that not only do the hacks have a rep lower than used-car dealers, but show-biz news has a rep somewhere between the earth's crust and the gates of Hell.
A NEUHARTHISM OF THE WEEK AWARD TO CARL AND YAHOO! NEWS!
P. S. HEY CARL!! MAYBE IT'S NOT SUCH SUPERDUPERWONDERFUL NEWS AFTER ALL!!!!!
(First and third links via ArtsJournal)
PEOPLE WARNER "Get Smart" Billboard Watch: Yep, still there.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Before we neglect this, one half of the schmaltzy pop piano duo of Ferrante and Teicher has died, and lest anyone call that adjective an insult we note that Harry James was denigrated as schmaltzy, and what's more, their biggest hit was a 1960 revival of Charles Williams's "Jealous Lover", aka "Theme from The Apartment" (aka "The Key to Love" for the film sheet music), and it was memorable, glorious schmaltz, the sort that gave pop music flavor before it became all noise and attitude; and no one should denigrate the masses who made it a hit, for they were on to something.
And no, we didn't use that cover art to make fun of them; once upon a time pop had an intentional sense of humor.
INSIGHT from the TWXSTERS:
Surprising as it may be to hear a member of the Shah's deposed regime support the stance of the Islamic Republic in a confrontation with the West, there is widespread concern among Iran experts that the current Western strategy of demanding that Iran forego the right to enrich uranium has created a diplomatic dead end.
How many STROBES will work for the LORD?
Surprising as it may be to hear a member of the Shah's deposed regime support the stance of the Islamic Republic in a confrontation with the West, there is widespread concern among Iran experts that the current Western strategy of demanding that Iran forego the right to enrich uranium has created a diplomatic dead end.
How many STROBES will work for the LORD?
Shucks, I guess we're the heavies again.
Why is it death-penalty opponents, however justified, always sound so self-righteous?
Why is it death-penalty opponents, however justified, always sound so self-righteous?
We've read it suggested -- and I wish I could find the link because I do recall the story -- that the ASSPress not only relies on its own staffers, but on staffers at the increasingly shrinking newspapers...meaning the ASSPress can only get even WORSE.
Is that POSSIBLE?
Is that POSSIBLE?
Speaking of money burning, as we'd have guessed, social networking's become a bonfire of its own.
Facebook may mark something of a turning point in Silicon Valley. Top-tier startups may allow employees to sell some of their stock privately, if the prospect of an IPO remains remote.
Fuel the fire!
Facebook may mark something of a turning point in Silicon Valley. Top-tier startups may allow employees to sell some of their stock privately, if the prospect of an IPO remains remote.
Fuel the fire!
WILL CURLEY (NYUK! NYUK! NYUK!) TELL DAVID "NON" GERMAIN TO STOP LOOKING FOR THAT CUSHY STUDIO JOB?
A NEUHARTHISM OF THE MONTH AWARD TO NON!
(And an honorary Neuharthism award to ArtsJournal, which HAD to link to this)
A NEUHARTHISM OF THE MONTH AWARD TO NON!
(And an honorary Neuharthism award to ArtsJournal, which HAD to link to this)
PEOPLE WARNER "Get Smart" Billboard Watch: Still there.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
MORE DEVELOPMENTS at MOON 'N' STARS:
MORE DEVELOPMENTS: Sales growth in China, Russia and other developing markets was strong, and they now account for 30 percent of the company's business.
So -- when does MOON start boasting that it's...an international company?
MORE DEVELOPMENTS: Sales growth in China, Russia and other developing markets was strong, and they now account for 30 percent of the company's business.
So -- when does MOON start boasting that it's...an international company?
Bush Gives China a Mixed Report Card
Which, if we know Dubya's Every Child a Dilbert Act, means a gentleman's A.
Which, if we know Dubya's Every Child a Dilbert Act, means a gentleman's A.
'No Olympic torch relay for London 2012'
...despite the UK being slightly different from China -- although we suspect most of the OLYMPIC® PARTNERS™ would hardly know the difference.
...despite the UK being slightly different from China -- although we suspect most of the OLYMPIC® PARTNERS™ would hardly know the difference.
We can think of a few reasons why this is good news:
Archer Daniels Midland profit down 61 pct. in 4Q
Archer Daniels Midland profit down 61 pct. in 4Q
Okay, we can see why declining oil prices (assuming they continue to decline) might be a bad thing: they'll discourage conservation. But it is highly unlikely that people will soon forget the shock inflicted to their wallets, nor can any sane people take a chance on mortgaging their futures to the Saudis and Russians and other tyrants again.
The bad news: The auto biz is collapsing.
The GOOD news: It can't finance JUNK TV AND RADIO!
(Via IWantMedia)
The GOOD news: It can't finance JUNK TV AND RADIO!
(Via IWantMedia)
PEOPLE WARNER "Get Smart" Billboard Watch: Still there.
Monday, August 04, 2008
A third of 11-year-olds in England are getting higher scores in English, mathematics and science national curriculum tests than teachers believe they deserve.
Hmmm, you don't think Dubya's Every Child a Dilbert Act -- naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Hmmm, you don't think Dubya's Every Child a Dilbert Act -- naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
We are sorry to learn that Robert Novak is retiring permanently given his "dire" condition. We can't say that he was a favorite of ours but his illness came suddenly and dreadfully out of nowhere, and we wish him as good and painless health as is possible under the circumstances.
And in news increasingly expected over the last week we hear sadly that Boscov's has filed for bankruptcy. To its credit it tried to be the old-fashioned department store selling everything, but it, like the industry, built too many stores, for no good reason than to show big cities they could do without retailers, and because the suburbs were forever.
How apt too that the company is closing as many stores as it bought from Federated. Retailing often makes no sense along with its no cents.
How apt too that the company is closing as many stores as it bought from Federated. Retailing often makes no sense along with its no cents.
6.1 million shares times TWO CENTS is...$120,000!
Brilliant investment, Carl! That's worth less than one of its homes!
Brilliant investment, Carl! That's worth less than one of its homes!
“There’s an interesting line building on Obama that somehow success and intelligence are a handicap,” said Mark Sawyer, a UCLA political scientist.
Yes, if success is hubris and intelligence is snobbery.
Yes, if success is hubris and intelligence is snobbery.
Meantime the non-speculators have another excuse to parrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-TY!!!!!
Thanks for forcing us to pay attention to every little thing that happens, GEKKOS.
Thanks for forcing us to pay attention to every little thing that happens, GEKKOS.
The best-laid plans of mice:
The biggest increase in prices in almost three decades eroded consumers' buying power in June, diminishing the boost from the government's tax rebates.
The biggest increase in prices in almost three decades eroded consumers' buying power in June, diminishing the boost from the government's tax rebates.
America's news hacks seem to be low-keying Solzhenitsyn's death, which gives them more of a synergistic excuse to play up THOSE @#$%&* BABY PICTURES, although not so much as if PEOPLE WARNER didn't have exclusive dibs.
A bad day: We are sorry to learn that "Skip" Caray has died. He at least as much as MOUTH was responsible for the Atlanta Braves' briefly becoming the nation's team, when we still cared about baseball, and his acerbic nature was always a source for us of amusement -- and of course he was Harry's son, a recommendation in itself.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn has died. We are not familiar with his works, only his legacy, which speaks for itself for all time: the voice of Russia, and the voice of Conscience; the voice that exposed the Gulag, the voice that exposed the depthless evil of Soviet Communism. He was the bedrock to the cause of the dissidents and by his example set up John Paul II's courageous fight against the Communists in Poland. Back in 1978, in the thing that resonates with us, he delivered a commencement address at Harvard in which he prophetically spoke (in several senses) of the softness of the West against the Soviet menace. The hacks focused (as little minds will) on what he said about rock music and called him a reactionary old fogy and all that jazz, which showed their excellence of character; but we paid the price the following year for our mental softness, and again twenty-three years later, and because we didn't listen to such a voice of authority. In his last years he became almost a joke, but that was because he won his fight against Soviet evil, a fight he won through the strength of his pen, and his guts, and if a low-grade criminal malice has replaced it we at least know Belly Kisser is no Stalin, whatever his boasts. Heck even he mourned him. Only Solzhenitsyn's undying example, and the memories of the unspeakable privations of his people, can keep Russia from backtracking into evil.
We see The Paper of Re-CORD's Web site has give him a tiny little box of his own on the home page, which means, needless to say, he did a lot of good.
PEOPLE WARNER "Get Smart" Billboard Watch: Still there.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
If it's Sunday it must be Big-Double-A-Scribble Time:
1. No no no no no no no no NO! Four of the biggest members of the American Society of Willfully Ignorant Advertisers have cut their JUNK TV spending for the latest quarter -- by up to DOUBLE DIGITS? NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! We'd guess it's either STRATEGY (a word CEOs love to use when justifying why they're worth nine digits), or the economy -- or maybe, just MAYBE, financing JUNK TELEVISION earns them more ENEMIES than FRIENDS.
We see too that Moon 'n' Stars has boosted its Web spending -- and while that may mean financing JUNK TV in a DIFFERENT VENUE, it may also mean a slight boost in sense at the Puzzle Palace on the Ohio.
2. Whoops: I'd say the Big Double-A-Scribble pulled a FAST ONE on us -- three other members of the American Society of Willfully Ignorant Advertisers upped their spending! HOWEVER, if we read between the lines this MAY be concentrated in the "channel", and in the stores, which seems to us the best place to get a customer, rather than by reminding him for the millionth instance that CEOs who spend half their time schmoozing with stars in the name of advertising are among the most despicable.
3. Elsewhere the Big-Double-A insists companies go bankrupt because they STOP FINANCING JUNK TELEVISION. We can SEE why companies MUST put their faces before the public, but aren't there ways of doing it without this hip notion with the middle finger? And how much could outfits like Mervyns or Bennigan's showcase themselves in such intensely cookie-cutter businesses with problems of their own? And wasn't one of Sharper Image's conundrums the very effective marketing of Consumer Reports?
4. Big Double-A is also aghast because Moon 'n' Stars and its twin in Europe might change CEOs, which, whatever their current placeholders think, suggests such jobs are interchangeable, though their enormous perks and opportunities for malevolence are not.
5. Just So You Know, No One Paid for This Article
Sometimes, to paraphrase the late, great Hoagland Howard Carmichael, we wonder.
1. No no no no no no no no NO! Four of the biggest members of the American Society of Willfully Ignorant Advertisers have cut their JUNK TV spending for the latest quarter -- by up to DOUBLE DIGITS? NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! We'd guess it's either STRATEGY (a word CEOs love to use when justifying why they're worth nine digits), or the economy -- or maybe, just MAYBE, financing JUNK TELEVISION earns them more ENEMIES than FRIENDS.
We see too that Moon 'n' Stars has boosted its Web spending -- and while that may mean financing JUNK TV in a DIFFERENT VENUE, it may also mean a slight boost in sense at the Puzzle Palace on the Ohio.
2. Whoops: I'd say the Big Double-A-Scribble pulled a FAST ONE on us -- three other members of the American Society of Willfully Ignorant Advertisers upped their spending! HOWEVER, if we read between the lines this MAY be concentrated in the "channel", and in the stores, which seems to us the best place to get a customer, rather than by reminding him for the millionth instance that CEOs who spend half their time schmoozing with stars in the name of advertising are among the most despicable.
3. Elsewhere the Big-Double-A insists companies go bankrupt because they STOP FINANCING JUNK TELEVISION. We can SEE why companies MUST put their faces before the public, but aren't there ways of doing it without this hip notion with the middle finger? And how much could outfits like Mervyns or Bennigan's showcase themselves in such intensely cookie-cutter businesses with problems of their own? And wasn't one of Sharper Image's conundrums the very effective marketing of Consumer Reports?
4. Big Double-A is also aghast because Moon 'n' Stars and its twin in Europe might change CEOs, which, whatever their current placeholders think, suggests such jobs are interchangeable, though their enormous perks and opportunities for malevolence are not.
5. Just So You Know, No One Paid for This Article
Sometimes, to paraphrase the late, great Hoagland Howard Carmichael, we wonder.
It seems slightly less likely that former Sen. Daschle's very understandable head-banging is justified.
“I took hold of her ankles and lifted her legs on to the table, provoking the congratulations of Mr Self-Importance for my assistance. He then shoved his hand under her skirt and groped her. It was all over.”
Holloway, now chairman of the Scottish Arts Council and a director of the Centre of Contemporary Arts in Glasgow, is well known for his support for feminist causes and gay rights.
NUF SAID.
Holloway, now chairman of the Scottish Arts Council and a director of the Centre of Contemporary Arts in Glasgow, is well known for his support for feminist causes and gay rights.
NUF SAID.
In its politics Hellywood is almost exactly like the news biz -- once run by hard-core Republican bosses like Louis B. Mayer, now run by "creative" types who are so conformist as to lead a producer to speak of a "new McCarthy era." But it suspends disbelief to think any unlikely sea change in show-biz' politics will do us good because on all sides the people running The World's Biggest Cultural Garbage Dump believe above everything in themselves; left-wing or right-wing it will still excrete torture-porns and grossout "comedies". And one suspects in the back of his calculating head a producer of genius like David Zucker would admit to that -- and perhaps make a few himself.
(Slightly revised for clarity on 10/4/2008)
(Slightly revised for clarity on 10/4/2008)
Some Wall Street chatter has KKR looking to buy Lehman Brothers....
Is this more of the misery-loves-companies routine we've seen a bit too often these days?
Is this more of the misery-loves-companies routine we've seen a bit too often these days?
We see a problem with ProPublica: it concentrates on government -- and only on government. It confirms that news hacks essentially see no need for serious news coverage outside of government. Of course so much of what is newsworthy happens outside of government, but the hacks have too many reasons not to cover it -- in business (never know when that networking could come in handy!), in real estate (anyone with houses to sell? We can help!), in the sciences (where the hacks never lose a chance to display their ignorance), and especially in pop cul-TYURE, our close and infallible brother. By making government its business, its only business, ProPublica has effectively neutered itself.
People who pay for gas and electricity by cash, cheque or by pre-payment meters are being charged hundreds of millions of pounds more than they should be, a parliamentary inquiry found last week.
That could put the energy firms in breach of European Union rules on price-setting.
Now if only we had a European Union....
PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!!!!!
Someone must alert GEKKO KUDLOW so he can write a column.
That could put the energy firms in breach of European Union rules on price-setting.
Now if only we had a European Union....
PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!!!!!
Someone must alert GEKKO KUDLOW so he can write a column.
Understatement of the Day:
"When something looks decrepit, it looks like management doesn't care about their riders."
"When something looks decrepit, it looks like management doesn't care about their riders."
Would anyone have paid attention to this story but for the word "Rockefeller"?
And apparently he isn't even related.
And apparently he isn't even related.
To the extent we can trust the prevaricating holy cockroaches, we are getting closer....
Anyone for Elvis by year's end?
Anyone for Elvis by year's end?
Saturday, August 02, 2008
The future of ROWLINGCORP:
Scholastic pulled in $240 million from its Harry Potter franchise in the first quarter after the release of Deathly Hallows last summer but saw that figure drop to a mere $10 million in the most recent quarter.
Scholastic pulled in $240 million from its Harry Potter franchise in the first quarter after the release of Deathly Hallows last summer but saw that figure drop to a mere $10 million in the most recent quarter.
It appears NRO is launching its first new fad since "CRUNCHY CONSERVATISM", whatever that was, and one destined to last as long.
P. S.
[I]n 1995, when Republicans were in control, Democrats pulled a similar stunt. During that protest, they put a photo in the speaker’s chair of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) wearing a diaper.
A PLAGUE O' BOTH YOUR HOUSE!
P. S.
[I]n 1995, when Republicans were in control, Democrats pulled a similar stunt. During that protest, they put a photo in the speaker’s chair of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) wearing a diaper.
A PLAGUE O' BOTH YOUR HOUSE!
The decline of newspapers has nothing to do with journalism
See? SEE? If we've told you once we've told you a THOUSAND TIMES -- it ISN'T OUR FAULT!
See? SEE? If we've told you once we've told you a THOUSAND TIMES -- it ISN'T OUR FAULT!
Luther Davis, the last surviving author of the musical adaptation of Kismet (one of my favorites), has died, and if it was lucky to open during a newspaper strike we are unlucky that what is now Branson East can't give its clientele more "leggy harem girls", content as it is with revivals and AudioAnimatronics.
China could be might be possibly perhaps maybe gradually incrementally slowly becoming a freer nation, which, as we know too well may not be necessary in the spritz of the eternal fountain of Adam Smith, and further which, as this author notes, is subject to a billion perceptions. And don't pat yourselves on the back, con-SER-va-tives; think of all our jobs the New Superpower has sucked away.
Friday, August 01, 2008
If we were 13 years old and followed roller derby (as we did when we were 13), this might get us excited, but we are no longer 13 years old, nor do we follow roller derby.
Count on con-SER-va-tives to find a good in a bad situation:
EXXON-MOBIL [SIC] PAYS $32 BILLION IN TAXES!!!!! [We're-in-the-money overemphasis added]
1. Wait! Aren't taxes EEEEEEEEEEEEEEVIL? 2. WHO'S PAYING THEIR TAXES?
EXXON-MOBIL [SIC] PAYS $32 BILLION IN TAXES!!!!! [We're-in-the-money overemphasis added]
1. Wait! Aren't taxes EEEEEEEEEEEEEEVIL? 2. WHO'S PAYING THEIR TAXES?
"It's less about stopping you from sweating, but more about saving the world," said Blake Callaway, Sci Fi's VP-brand marketing.
IT'S ALL ABOUT LITTLE JEFFY DOMINATING THE UNIVERSE BY PESTERING US WITH ADS.
IT'S ALL ABOUT LITTLE JEFFY DOMINATING THE UNIVERSE BY PESTERING US WITH ADS.
Longtime partner Coke has signed on through the 2020 Games. "COKE HAS NOT IN THE LEAST RECONSIDERED ITS OLYMPIC SPONSORSHIP!!!!!" says Kevin Tressler, director of Coke's Worldwide Sports & Entertainment Marketing. [Enthusiastic overemphasis added]
Obviously his bosses like their biennial three-month vacations.
[Corrected 8/2; dummy used "biannual".]
Obviously his bosses like their biennial three-month vacations.
[Corrected 8/2; dummy used "biannual".]
At least a handful of American companies who had relied on workers stationed overseas are now bringing jobs back to the United States. In addition, foreign companies are continuing to expand U.S. operations and hiring more local residents, instead of flying in foreign staff for business.
It's called "insourcing" or "reverse outsourcing." It's the opposite of outsourcing, the oft-criticized practice of American companies' shipping jobs abroad to take advantage of lower labor costs and other incentives.
Some observers are skeptical that insourcing is yet a significant trend, and one pointed out to ABC News that it cannot easily be seen in economic numbers -- but others see anecdotal cases where it appears to be happening.
I'm skeptical too: it sounds like another management fad to supplant another management fad.
It's called "insourcing" or "reverse outsourcing." It's the opposite of outsourcing, the oft-criticized practice of American companies' shipping jobs abroad to take advantage of lower labor costs and other incentives.
Some observers are skeptical that insourcing is yet a significant trend, and one pointed out to ABC News that it cannot easily be seen in economic numbers -- but others see anecdotal cases where it appears to be happening.
I'm skeptical too: it sounds like another management fad to supplant another management fad.
These folks can't excuse themselves by saying they didn't see it coming. GM kept stubbornly building big trucks and SUVs for years, even as the price of gas went up. Had these bozos had more sense in the product mix they wouldn't face such huge losses -- and the prospect (still remote, but now a little less so) of their company in ruins.
On a happier note, today is August 1. What's so special about August 1? Today is Week 9. Week 9 of what? Week 9 (we think) of PEOPLE WARNER selling "Get Smart" on a Steen billboard overlooking I-95. PEOPLE WARNER seems to love its TENTPOLES; recently we noted how it had lovingly left an ad for some basketball movie in a garage weeks after it had left the theaters. Maybe "No-Does-Not-Rhyme-With" Bewkes and his other overpaid TWXSTERS zoom up and down I-95 (don't know why; maybe to hector Congresspoops over DRM) to exclaim, "WHAT A DEEP BENCH OF TENTPOLES WE HAVE!" Or maybe somebody wants to stick it to all the TWXSTERS who've been laid off. Or maybe Steen hasn't a clue what's it's doing. We imagine PEOPLE WARNER plastering hundreds of billboards this way, and not giving any more of a damn than it does for its filmic excretions. Whatever the case that "Get Smart" billboard is a comfort to us, reminding us that in this life there are verities, and one of them is billboards.
Who knows? Maybe it's selling the DVD.
We wonder what Otto Fingerbanger would think. He probably wouldn't.
And now he can go poison himself for all eternity.
P. S. at 2:38 p. m.
One source who has been briefed on the investigation said Ivins had been under intense FBI scrutiny for weeks if not months and that wiretaps were used in the investigation. Authorities' working theory is that Ivins sought to highlight U.S vulnerability to such attacks.
I guess he proved we were vulnerable, all right.
P. S. at 3:10 p. m.
He had a long history of homicidal threats, according to papers recently filed in local court by a social worker.
The more we hear of this story the more we think it will confirm every black-helicopter nut's psychoses over government -- but it now appears this nutcase was a one-man black-helicopter job himself.
P. S. at 2:38 p. m.
One source who has been briefed on the investigation said Ivins had been under intense FBI scrutiny for weeks if not months and that wiretaps were used in the investigation. Authorities' working theory is that Ivins sought to highlight U.S vulnerability to such attacks.
I guess he proved we were vulnerable, all right.
P. S. at 3:10 p. m.
He had a long history of homicidal threats, according to papers recently filed in local court by a social worker.
The more we hear of this story the more we think it will confirm every black-helicopter nut's psychoses over government -- but it now appears this nutcase was a one-man black-helicopter job himself.