A view of the entrance of the Bella Centre in Copenhagen where the UN Climate Change Conference was held. Via United Nations Photo/Creative Commons

Countries from all across the world came together earlier this month to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Mike Smith flew over to blog for his HuffPo column, The Energy Collective and other content-hungry entities as each day unfolded. Here’s a roundup of events he attended, people he met and opinions he analyzed:

Dec. 7, 2009: Renewables and Grid Depend on Customers; The (Vestas) Answer is Blowing in the Wind

I will be working from Copenhagen where new entrepreneurs GEO and established companies like the 100-person Vestas wind energy of Denmark (see next blog post) are counting on new carbon consumption guidelines from delegates; many also seeking partnerships with like-minded clean energy distributors or smart grid businesses. My role is both blogging for Huffington Post and as contributor to Energy Collectiv. I am also on a trade mission with the U.S. Department of Commerce and working the U.S. trade booth at Bright Green trade show on Dec. 12-14.

Dec. 9, 2009: EU, US Not Doing Enough for Climate Change (Chinese Party News Service);  Deputy Delegate Su Wei Pushes Back on EU Comparisons (The Energy Collective); Deputy Delegate Su Wei Pushes Back on EU Comparisons (HuffPo)

China’s Deputy Head of the Chinese Delegation Su Wei confirmed that the recently announced 45% reduction of GHG emissions before 2020, per unit of GDP, is an internal and domestic matter. He also said China’s ambitious efforts were more remarkable than those of the EU and the U.S. – by offering UNFCCC attendees simple math equations. He is the first delegate to compare “apples to apples” on developed country reduction targets.

Americans Arrogant at UN Climate Conference (COP15) (HuffPo)

American bombast and European Union snark were on full display at Day One of the UNFCC in Copenhagen today. U.S. Envoy Jonathan Pershing said “there is a deal to be done” in Copenhagen but relented that it would not be a treaty.

Dec. 10, 2009: Todd Stern Says No Treaty at Copenhagen

Special U.S. Envoy on Climate Change Todd Stern yesterday arrived at the United Nations Foundation meeting on Climate Change, a big jet-lagged, and went right onto the press conference stage. He said that the United States believes the outcomes here in Copenhagen will become a “politically binding agreement” but not legally binding.

Dec. 11, 2009: The Business of Green at COP15

Today in Copenhagen, the world’s governmental delegates stepped aside a bit as global business took center stage. With the Bright Green expo* and trade event starting on Saturday morning, commercial enterprises and dealmakers started their own negotiations today.

View Mike’s complete HuffPo blog feed here.

Jane Pickard and Mike Smith on Lakeview Road at top of Knights Hill on Saturday 19/12/09

Martin Sachs , who heads Lambeth’s Highways team, told residents at the Norwood Forum last week that in wintry weather his priority is to grit the busiest roads and those on hills  twice a day , using special gritter vehicles  - apart from red routes which are looked after by t he London Mayor’s Transport for London.  Traffic speeds up  the melting process on roads but gritting pavements is a slower manual process done by  staff who normally sweep the streets. Busy pavements outside shopping centres, schools and  hospitals have priority.  Salt  bins are left unlocked for residents to use.

Labour action team members Jane Pickard and Mike Smith have asked for Norwood’s  side streets to be gritted too. “Some streets are like an ice rink”  said Mike Smith on Saturday “and many older people are trapped in their homes until the pavements are made safe to walk on.”

More snow fell on Monday afternoon (21 Dec) causing chaos throughout London as traffic struggled with the icy roads. The resulting gridlock prevented gritters getting on the road quickly. Gritting will continue throughout the night.

Call Lambeth on 020 7926 9000 to report problem streets and pavements. For red routes call Transport for London 0845 305 1234 (24 hours a day)

For more details of Lambeth’s plans for winter weather see

http://tinyurl.com/yjq5njd

Red Wings: 3  Lightning: 0

I really could care less that the Red Wings won last night’s game. I said all over the comments of pretty much any Wings preview you could find that I would be happy with an injury-free game. Most of that was out of pure giddyness of seeing the latest massacre at A2Y on Wednesday. Seriously Buddha, you’re way out of your league “dude” (See what I did there, with the quotes?).

Anyway, the Wings put together a pretty strong effort last night in a game that many of us expected to be a typical long layoff letdown. Drew Miller scored a phenomenal goal that actually prompted me to fall in love with a Spartan. Via @GordieHoweHT

WOW. Give him a contract extension right now. On the bench and everything. WHAT A GOAL BY MILLER

Yeah, I was excited about that one. Brian Rafalski did his best impression of Drew Brees on ice with the bomb to Drew Miller. Miller did a phenomenal job of controlling the puck (batting it out of the air, I believe), going to the backhand to avoid the poke check by Tampa goalie Mike Smith, and elevating the puck over Smith. I’ve made my sentiments clear already, but Miller is a guy I want to see in Detroit for a few more years. He’ll probably sign for close to the league minimum if it gives him some long-term stability as far as a regular paycheck goes. Plus, I think he digs playing in Detroit after going to MSU. And having a legitimate shot at this guy every year doesn’t hurt either (I’ll take Hayden Panettiere, he can have the cup).

As far as the Zetterberg injury goes, it sucks. It really, really sucks. Seeing him go down prompted a fairly predictable reaction (via @GordieHoweHT)

no no no no no no no no no no no no no

I can’t blame Mattias Ohlund for anything, because the hit was clean. Z has a bad tendency to lunge for the puck, and this time he paid the price. Great defensive play by Ohlund. I can only imagine that Emma was very upset. I’m not a big fan of guys gooning it up after big, clean hits, but a big “thank you” goes to Patrick Eaves for getting in Ohlund’s face after the hit. Overall, I’d only approve of something like what Eaves did if that team’s star is on the ice. If Ohlund had hit Kris Draper? I’d be mad at Eaves for taking a stupid penalty. It’s just a different story when one of the best players in the league is the one taking the big hit. Apparently, Z will only be out for a couple of weeks (a.k.a. two months).

Also, I loved the shot that FSD had of Todd Bertuzzi saying something to Ohlund in the second period. Bertuzzi looked even more like the Unibomber than usual, and I can only imagine this is what Bertuzzi said.

“Don’t go to sleep tonight. I will find you.”

Speaking of Bertuzzi, I will continue to tell him he sucks as long as he keeps scoring goals. I’m probably jinxing myself by doing this, but the last three times I’ve said he sucks on this blog before a game, he’s scored (I didn’t get a chance to before the Phoenix game).

Once again, Jimmy Howard had a very strong game. The Chief is all over the Jimmah Bandwagon at A2Y.

Jimmy Howard’s December stats, courtesy of the hopeful globetrotter, Herm:

4-2.  1.67 GAA.  .944 save percentage.  The kid, the same one who gave Charles Manson a face wash after an OT winner?  The same kid who celebrates his first ever shutout by getting a stick caught in his skate?  We’re talking the same kid none of us would have trusted to guard our fridge in October much less keep pucks out of the Wings net.

I agree in that I love what Howard’s doing as the Red Wings’ regular season goalie. But when April comes? Chris Osgood is in net. No. Questions. Asked.

The playoffs are here bitches. They are here now.  And Jimmy Howard is getting the nod almost every night.

Every game is like a playoff game for the Wings right now. But this tells me that Ozzie is still #1 in the D, and will continue to do so until he hangs them up and #30 goes up to the rafters (yeah I said it, the rafters).

Also, Jimmy Howard starts again. Osgood will get to start Sunday against Chicago. Into the fire, Oz.

Uncle Mike knows that the tilt in Chicago is the important game this weekend. Dallas? Two points would be nice, but taking two from the division leader and heir-apparent (suck it, ESPN) in their own building is what Babs wants. It’s what everyone in the Wings organization wants. You can’t tell me that this Wings team isn’t going to put a little something extra into every shift on Sunday. They’re starting to find their groove and they know who’s waiting for them.

I would love nothing more than to take all four points available from the Blackhawks in the next week, while seeing Brad Stuart flatten Marian Hossa a la “Marty Havlat, meet Mr. Kronwall” last year. I don’t blame Hossa for leaving Detroit (seriously, we just didn’t have the cap space), but it will still bring a smile to my face to see him get run.

Regardless, good win for the Wings last night. They have a nasty back-to-back in Dallas on Saturday, then in Chicago on Sunday. Hopefully they can keep the winning streak alive, but I’ll take two from Chicago and no more injuries with no complaints.

Jane Pickard & Emmaus staff outside the proposed new pub

The derelict shop at 13-19  Knights Hill, between Emmaus and the new Ladbroke’s betting shop , applied for planning permission to become a bar-restaurant in summer 2008. The final decision will be made on Wednesday 16th December 2009 at Lambeth’s planning committee at 7pm  in Lambeth Town hall . For details of the committee papers see: http://tinyurl.com/yah4558

These meetings are open to the public who may speak in favour or against the proposals.

The shop has been derelict since it was last used as a Job Centre about 10 years ago.  The owners plan a pub similar to Westow House at 79 Westow Hill, The EDT in Lordship Lane and Jam Circus in Brockley Road. See their web site for details : http://www.antic-ltd.com.

And the  new owners of Southern Pride on Elder Road are applying  for a licence under the name of Scandals Bar & Club  http://www.clubscandals.co.uk/index.php.   For details of the licence see http://tinyurl.com/ycxxkd4
Closing date for public ‘representations’ is 28th December 2009.

We still wait to see what happens to The  Gipsy  Queen on Norwood High Street and The Rose & Crown on Crown Lane  which both remain closed.

If you comment on either of these developments please do copy in  Cllr Jackie Meldrum at jmeldrum@lambeth.gov.uk

Before I begin with the post-proper, I have to share something that I saw this morning while I was on my Starbux run.  I was driving down the street and saw a fifteen or sixteen-year old guy walking on the sidewalk on the same side of the road I was driving but in the opposite direction (we were facing each other).  I was possibly eight car-lenghths away from him when I noticed a small sedan drive by and splash him.  The youth turned around and patted the back of his head and neck.  I checked my rearview mirror and saw that no cars were behind me, so I approached very slowly.  Had I had a towel in my car, I probably would’ve rolled down the window when I got to where he was standing and asked, “Hey, I saw that … would you like a towel for your head?”

But, I didn’t have a towel.  Moreover, I wouldn’t have wanted to startle him just by saying that I saw what happened and if he was okay.  Of course he was okay…just a bit wet.  I did what any considerate, courteous driver would do, I drove very slowly over that puddle.  The youth was still looking in the direction that the splasher was headed; in my rearview mirror, I observed the boy putting his hand up in acknowledgement.  He probably realized that I had seen him get splashed and did my best not to do the same thing.

All right.  The New Orleans Saints crossed over into east coast time in an effort to maintain their all-win season this afternoon at the Georgia Dome.  The Atlanta Falcons, once more without quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner, didn’t perform — haven’t performed as well as they know they can, and we know they can.  Whatever the explanations, elaborations, and legitimate excuses, would the Falcons be able to muster and channel energy and confidence sufficiently to interrupt the Saints’ perfect season?

Broadcast on Fox, with commentary provided by Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, the first quarter started with the Falcons on offense.  Chris Redman reprised his role as QB; Sam Baker was back in the game today.  Running back Jason Snelling made a solid impression early in the drive with a thirty-eight yard run.  The Falcons put up the first score with a thirty-six yard Matt Bryant field goal.  Atlanta 3 and New Orleans 0.  One needn’t wonder what the Saints would do in reaction.  Shall we say red zone pronto? But no to touchdown, yes to field goal.  The Falcons made another field goal at the end of their second possession.  Atlanta 6 and New Orleans 3.

The second quarter banged out with the Saints in the red zone following a stellar pass between quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Robert Meachem.  Two plays later, running back Reggie Bush sliced through the front, right corner of the end zone for a TD.  New Orleans 10 and Atlanta 6.  With roughly seventy seconds left in the first half, wide receiver Marques Colston made a TD catch. The extra point was no good.  New Orleans 16 and Falcons 6.  The Falcons would’ve wanted to get a TD too going into halftime but they took a FG instead.  New Orleans 16 and Falcons 9.

The third quarter sprang out with the Saints on an energetic, and eventful, offense.  They got into the red zone, the officials called defensive pass interference on Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes, Falcons head coach Mike Smith fumed and sent his headset crashing to the turf, the Falcons broke up a Saints TD catch and nearly recovered a Reggie Bush fumble.  The Bush ran the ball in for a TD on the next play, though.  New Orleans 23 and Atlanta 9.  The Falcons didn’t lose momentum.  They came back with a fifty-yard TD catch and run by wide receiver Michael Jenkins (who had missed a similar set-up in the second quarter).  New Orleans 23 and Atlanta 16.

I assert that the Falcons played much better against the Saints today than they did against the Eagles last week (the Ch’i from last week was all off).  Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez made an excellent run, which preceded a Jason Snelling plane-breaking TD.  The Falcons tied the game in the top of the quarter 23 to 23.  The Falcons’ defense stayed the course as well, holding the Saints to an FG rather than another end zone visit with four minutes left to play.  New Orleans 26 and Atlanta 23.  Oh Lourdes.  After losing twelve yards, Chris Redman threw an interception…Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma snatched the ball.  With just about two minutes left, the Saints faked a field goal attempt but Mark Brunell’s pass to tight end Darnell Dinkins was incomplete.  Alas.  New Orleans 26 and Atlanta 23.  Final score.

Observations & Miscellania:

1.  Joe Buck and Troy Aikman looked like Ken dolls.   Joe wore a navy jacket, a white button-down shirt, and a shimmery light blue tie.  Troy wore a light gray jacket, a white button-down shirt, and a shimmery dark burgundy/purple tie.  It’s like Prom Ken and CEO Ken.

2.  Hmmm…the producers decided to air the feed from a camera that was taking in a high-angle close-up of Brent Grimes with a hand and an arm waving about while lining up for a snap.

3.  “That’s just good NFC South football right there: banging heads, knocking around…” Joe Buck remarked of the impromptu mosh pit that formed in the final second of the first quarter after the Saints returned a kickoff.

Get game summary, stats, and play-by-play here.

To whoever it is that gives out the NFL fines I say, “What’s up wit that?”

Chad Johnson has been fined $50,000 in the past few weeks.  He was fined $20,000 for “attempting to bribe” an official with a $1 bill during a review of a catch on the sideline.  He was then fined $30,000 for putting on a poncho and sombrero on the sideline after last weeks game.

Now, Chad expects to get fined and he does his antics knowing the consequences.  In fact he matches all of his fine amount in donations to charities.   Still, the amounts he has been fined is utterly ridiculous compared to the fines that have been given out this season in the NFL.

The $20,000 was a ridiculous amount given what happened.  OK, he used the word bribe in a post-game interview, so he was fined.  Fair enough.  But the amount was ridiculous considering first of all that everyone in the country saw what happened and that it was all a joke.  Secondly, and more importantly, because the same week Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith was fined only $15,000 for his role in exacerbating instead of trying to stop a sideline fight between his team and the Redskins.  Whoever decided that a $1 bill and misspeaking is equally detrimental to the image and integrity of the game needs to seriously reevaluate their priorities.  Is it really more important to try to send a message to one player fooling around (albeit with a dangerous subject) than to make sure coaches try to maintain order instead of fighting with players?  The answer is no.

Chad Johnson has been fined the same amount in these two instances as the fine against Cowboys O-lineman Flozell Adams for his fifth unnecessary roughness penalty this season.  Flozell is out to hurt people, and Chad is out to gain spotlight.  Which is more dangerous to other players and the league’s image?

Now I am a Bengals fan, and yes, I do not agree with Chad’s antics.  The point is that what Chad does on the sideline after a touchdown for the camera is nowhere near as detrimental to the individual games and the league as a whole as the things that are confrontational and happen on the field, yet Chad is getting the most fines.

I wish Chad would stop and have fun celebrating with teammates instead of all his spotlight-gaining antics, but the simple fact is that what he does is not as bad as those who have been fined as much or less in recent weeks.  So to whoever decided the opposite was true, “What’s up with that?”

A Special Exposé by The Mo’Kelly Report

UPDATE 12.9.09 (3:40pm)  Univision responds to this report HERE.

__________________

UPDATE 12.9.09 – The Smoking Gun: Here is the Video PROVING Univision lied about the racially deplorable video airing in America.  Notice in the clip, the Univision logo bug symbol can be found in the lower right.

Download clip HERE.

President Obama was met with both cheers and jeers when he announced earlier this year that comprehensive immigration reform would have to wait until 2010.

Click HERE.

Maybe 2010.  Maybe.

Remember, healthcare was supposed to get done in 2009, so don’t hold your collective breath.  That’s not a knock on President Obama, just an acknowledgment of the obvious.  The wheels on the bus (better known as Washington politics) go ‘round and ‘round.  Mere movement and discussion shouldn’t ever be equivocated with progress, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

For all the talk as to how this country should or should not effectively deal with both illegal and legal immigration to the United States, less has been discussed as to how we Americans are doing thus far on a human level.  Congress can legislate policy, but it can’t outlaw ignorance and insensitivity.

My concerns as an African-American man lie more with Black and Brown relations on a day-to-day level and less with one’s immigrant status.  The tension between African-Americans and Latinos has been well-documented and exists on varying levels from the gang-infested streets to the progressively

Cesar Chavez

integrated corporate suites.  Ostensibly African-Americans and immigrating Latinos are more similar than disparate, given the African diaspora and the historical issues of race in America.  And that’s saying nothing of Cesar Chavez and the Farm Workers Movement.  You’d think we’d be brothers-in-arms in 2009, yet reality suggests something else.

“We have fought hard and long for integration, as I believe we should have, and I know that we will win. But I’ve come to believe we’re integrating into a burning house.”

-          Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

One could make the argument that immigration in 2009 is “integration 2.0” where once again America in a legislative sense deals with the realities of the evolving hues of her citizens.  Dr. King feared that African-Americans were integrating themselves into a society that did not understand the plight of the disenfranchised and poor, disproportionately made up of people of color.

He was right.

I would submit the question today in relation to the immigration/integration conundrum confronting Black/Brown relations in 2009 is whether Black/Brown relationship-building must begin far in advance of those wishing to cross the U.S. border; not after we’ve been thrust together.

In recent weeks, a highly controversial and patently offensive video has made its viral presence felt on youtube, ironically enough, mocking the “integration” of African-Americans/Afro-Hispanics into Mexican society.

To which, a number of LATINO readers of The Mo’Kelly Report equally incensed by the content, responded by forwarding the clip in the hopes of me offering some editorial response.

Not African-American, only Latino.

Reasonable people should agree, the content is beyond reprehensible and nothing short of unforgivable.  It’s not satire and definitely not humorous.  Anytime you seek out the lowest common racial denominator of the patently offensive to elicit laughter, it’s the surest sign of not humor…but hatred.

But wait, there’s more.

Although the above program Cero en Conducta is produced by Televisa in Mexico it (the program) regularly aired on Galavisión; a subsidiary of Hispanic programming giant Univision, in the U.S. as well as Mexico.  Televisa still presently produces content for Univision and its subsidiaries.  It has been long connected to EMI Music and its success in making Latin artists such as the late Selena household American names well-documented.

Televisa has long been connected to the creation and shaping of broadcast media within the United States.  To that end,  three separate and unrelated sources contended that the television episodes in question also aired in the United States on Univision, emphatic in their proclamation.

To put Univision’s scope of influence in its proper perspective, here it is in their own words.

“(Univision is) One of America’s top five television networks regardless of language and the leading Spanish-language broadcast television network, covers 95% of all U.S. Hispanic television households.”

“Galavisión, (is) the leading Spanish-language cable television network, covers 81% of U.S. Hispanic cable households.”

In fact, that scope of influence just increased with the December 7 announcement of the creation of its own television production company.

Yes, I know…serendipitous.

Click HERE.

Univision’s statement of programming purpose on their website also reads as follows:

“For close to 50 years, Univision has been at the heart of Hispanic America. It’s where Hispanics turn to for the information they need most and the entertainment they prefer and is the reason why Univision continues to be the number one Spanish-language network in the country.”

I’ll come back to the clips in a moment but you see where this is going.

Ralph Lawler (left) and Mike Smith

Recently The Los Angeles Clippers play-by-play team of Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith were suspended for one game for racially questionable remarks surrounding the heritage of the first Iranian-born NBA player, Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Click HERE.

Arya Towfighi, the vice president and assistant general counsel for Univision Communications Inc., the lone email complainant according to the Los Angeles Clippers and Fox Sports was quoted in the Los Angeles Times with the following reason for speaking out.

“…highlight the issue that a lot of folks who wouldn’t consider saying such things about African Americans or Hispanics but because this was an Iranian player, it just flowed more easily.”

Correct, the vice president and assistant general counsel for Univision Communications Inc. went on record as to who would or “wouldn’t” say “such things about African-Americans.”

The question became clear, was Towfighi speaking in earnest or error, given his position and knowledge of Univision?

I reached out directly to the following executives at Univision to ascertain the nature of the origin and truth behind the above Cero en Conducta youtube

Cesar Conde

clip, while also informing them of this impending story.

Cesar Conde – President of Univision

Otto Padrón – Sr. VP of Programming

Multiple requests to verify whether the clip aired on Univision in America were summarily ignored.  I’ve since taken this to be tantamount to “we can neither confirm nor deny.” The logical assumption is that any network asked to verify whether it aired a racially deplorable program would categorically (and quickly) deny the accusation given the world we live.

That is…assuming the accusation were untrue.

Undeterred, I also reached out to Univision Communications, as the division of the company has a history and record of being “more sensitive” to such issues (e.g. Lawler and Smith).  I contacted the following individuals:

Mónica Talán –  Univision – VP of Corporate Communications

Rosemary Mercedes – Univision Public Relations Manager

Javier Ramis – Director of Marketing and Promotions

My first round of requests was also ignored but when I followed up with a bit more irritation and impatience, Ms. Talán did eventually respond in two separate emails.

“Morris,

The material does not have the Univision logo bug and Univision has a policy against airing any material with derogatory stereotypes.  As a voice for the minority community, we take these issues very seriously.

Thank you,

Mónica Talán

(And then later)

“Morris,

Here is the information you requested: the show is called “Cero en Conducta” (“F” in Conduct) and it is produced in Mexico by Televisa. We reviewed our records and found that we rejected the episode in April 2006 in accordance with our policy.”

The subsequent questions are more than obvious.

1. If this controversial episode did NOT air in America; why seemingly was there the great consternation and hesitation by Univision to address my request on ANY level, since it is a “voice for the minority community?” (Remember that key point if/when Univision comes out with a “rebuttal” or “response.”  The “voice” was silent.)
2. Given the existence of the youtube clip, we know for certain this episode aired “somewhere.” If it only aired on Galavisión Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries in which Univision programming is aired, is that somehow “less” offensive or “less” in contradiction with the “policy” referenced by Ms. Talán?
3. (Given the veracity of the readers who swear this aired within the United States) What does it mean if Univision both flaunted (and covered up) the broadcast of horrendous stereotypes of African-Americans on American airwaves; yet also condemned a singular yet inappropriate remark on an NBA broadcast?

At this point, we know for certain that the program Cero en Conducta did previously air on Univision or one of its subsidiaries in America and Univision does not dispute this fact (despite its reticence).  What is still in contention is whether this particular episode aired in America, running directly counter-intuitive to its “policy” against airing material with “derogatory stereotypes.”  Not only that, does this “policy” extend to Univision properties outside of America?

According to Ms. Talán, the proof is in the absence of the Univision logo in the corner of the clip.  Meaning, the smoking gun would be none other than a clip containing the Univision “bug.”  As of this publishing, my sources allege that this smoking gun exists.

UPDATE 12.9.09 – The Smoking Gun: Here is the Video PROVING Univision lied about the racially deplorable video airing in America.  Notice in the clip, the Univision logo bug symbol can be found in the lower right.

Download clip (if pulled from youtube) HERE.

This clip aired in 2009!

Professor Mark Sawyer of UCLA, his letter to Univision of protest can be found HERE

(Mo’Kelly doesn’t like being lied to…)

That aside, if the Univision logo delineates any and all Univision programming, then why (for example) is this clip without the bug logo (note the artists are holding a Univision microphone, so clearly it aired on Univision.)  The logo argument is now specious at best.  This clip below was posted less than a week ago.  Maybe this is a “new” policy.

Maybe…

If African-Americans and Latinos are to reasonably co-exist and develop a mutual, healthy respect for one-another, we must be honest.  We must be honest in how we feel about one-another, the messages and media which shape these beliefs and our roles in promulgating them.  Somebody, as late as 2006 thought such drivel would appeal to the Hispanic masses.  Somebody wrote it, produced it and aired it not because they individually found it humorous but because they felt the Hispanic MASSES would find it humorous; pelted bananas and all.  Its existence is telling, it’s airing (anywhere) is equally troubling.

African-Americans and Latinos will always struggle to live and love side-by-side as long as programming similar to Cero en Conducta can be somehow found where…

“ Hispanics turn to for the information they need most and the entertainment they prefer.”

Immigration reform in Washington likely begins in 2010.  “Integration Reform” for the rest of America can’t wait as long and must begin long before Latinos arrive in America.  Otherwise, it’s integration into a burning house, 21^st century-style.

RELATED: Seeing America from Beyond La Ventana

AT  

Colorado Avalanche (14-8-5, 33 pts) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (10-6-8, 28pts)

What’s the Big Deal?

The Avalanche are in trouble. Another three game losing streak (being swept in a home and home against the Wild…of all teams), and now the news that David Jones is pretty much done for the season could spell disaster for the Avalanche. So, what is wrong with the Avs? To put it in a nutshell, they only play 40 minutes, then forget to come out in the third. This is going to have to turn around, if the Avalanche want any hope to turn their once promising season around.

On paper, Colorado and Tampa are similar teams, after tasting success for a long period of time, both are rebuilding. However, Tampa seems to be right on track. Stamkos and Hedman look to be the solid core of this team for years to come.

Goalie Matchup

Craig Anderson (13-7-5 2.67 GAA 2 SO)

Mike Smith (4-4-5 3.22 GAA)

Injuries

Avs’ Keys to Victory

60 Minute Men

Colorado HAS to play a sixty minute game tonight in order to counter the speed and youth of the Lightning.

Puck Possesion

Tampa has legit players. They can score at a moment’s notice, Colorado is going to have to clear the zone early and often. Their best defense tonight is a good offense.

Infamous Prediction

3, 1

Carrotmobs, Jujutsu and Advocacy

Mike Smith led us this week with an excellent account of his experience in grass roots organizing during the Obama presidential campaign. More importantly — and if we listened well — he discussed how we might learn lessons from the campaign for future political advocacy whether that advocacy revolves around an election or the promotion of specific issues.

One of the key takeaways is to embrace potential allies and enable them to pursue their own online messaging in support of the issue at hand. This necessitates a relinquishing of top down control, and relinquishing such control is something many struggle with throughout all industries be they corporations, advocacy organizations, political campaigns or community organizers.

At issue, of course, is the actual message. What is it? How is it said and how is it presented? This is a classic case of who controls the messenger. In the parlance of the day, are there mechanisms to prevent others from going rogue? Or is that just the cost of doing business in the digital age?

The answer is not simple and the conversation about the answer is quite long. If we cut to the short of it though the answer is yes, no matter the vertical we need to give up our attempts to control every aspect of a brand or message and instead realize that we are a participant in an ever evolving conversation about it.

JUMP to read the rest of the post.

This year - for the first time ever – I am participating in a free, and hopefully very entertaining fantasy college basketball league. The draft was an online affair and I decided to let the computer do the picking for me with no pre-ranking. When the draft was completed, I expected to see some big names from big schools. OK – or at least some recognizable names from recognizable schools.

Instead my team of 14 has not one player I’ve heard of. Granted, I am a Big 12 homer and will freely admit to such, but this makes me feel basketball dumb. So, here I am – thinking of revamping the team before our league games have even begun. And what do I find out? My team is good – like really good – even though I don’t know a bit about any of these apparently fine young basketball players.

Because of this, I’m going to share my talent pool and give some of these young men some props (that I’m guessing they’re not necessarily receiving on a regular basis).

My team of 14 players can consist of anywhere from one to four centers, two to eight forwards and two to eight guards. The computer suited me up with three centers, six forwards and five guards with which to begin the season and here they are:

At center – Keith Benson (Oakland), William Mosley (Northwestern State), Antwan Carter (Longwood)

Benson is a 6′11″, 225 lb. junior from Farmington Hills, MI that averaged 47.42 fantasy points last year – the second most on my team. Mosley is a sophomore from Shreveport, LA measuring 6′7″, 220 lb who grabbed 32.8 points last year on average. Carter, another sophomore, is 6′6″, 225 lb. from St. Petersburg, FL who netted a respectable 28.23 fantasy point average last year.

At forward – Mike Smith (East Tennessee State), Jonathan Rodriguez (Campbell), Gana Lawal (Georgia Tech), Ben Stywall (North Carolina-Greensboro), John Williams (North Carolina-Ashville), Julian Boyd (Long Island University-Brooklyn)

The forwards are laden with upperclassmen, with half of my six being seniors, one a junior and two sophomores. Smith – from Vandalia, MO, Rodriguez – a Miami, FL native, and Stywell - of Charlotte, NC are the seniors and all are about the same height and weight. Smith, at 6′6″ is one inch taller and 10 pounds heavier than the other two, who both come in at 6′5″ and 210 lbs. 

Lawal is the largest forward on the roster, a 6′9″, 234 lb. junior from Norcross, GA. The forward spots are rounded out by two sophomores, Williams (6′4″, 215 lb. from Raleigh, NC) and Boyd (6′7″, 225 lb. from San Antonio, TX). Smith happens to be the squad’s 2008 fantasy points average leader, with 48.08.

At guard – Ryan Tillema (Wisconsin-Green Bay), Mac Hopson (Idaho), Cameron Wells (Citadel), A.J. Slaughter (Western Kentucky), Sylven Landesberg (Virginia)

More senior presence is seen at guard, with three more making their presence known on the roster. Tillema is 6′8″, 215 lb. from Randolph, WI, Hopson measures 6′2″, 185 lb. and hails from Portland, OR and Slaughter comes in at 6′3″, 180 lb. from Eddyville, KY. Wells is a 6′1″, 195 lb. junior from  Houston, TX and Landesberg is the underclassman of the guard bunch, a 6′6″, 207 lb. sophomore from Flushing, NY.

Again – when I compare my team to that of my fellow league participants, this bunch of men from schools I probably couldn’t locate on a map averaged 38.23 fantasy points last season. My competition roster averages range from 39.59 (and two freshman) all the way down to 30.8 points, with just two out of the 16 teams in the league falling above me. Sure – I’m no spring chicken – I get that you can’t go by last year’s numbers in a fantasy sport and expect to win in the current year. BUT – this little team that could just might do it. So, before I cut the roster and load up with bigger conference players, I’m going to be proud of my small-school guys. Who knows, I just might keep ‘em all and root for the unknown.

State Senator Jeff Schoenberg

(Chicago, IL) — November 20, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation at a press conference today that could draw an estimated $1.15 billion in new federal Medicaid dollars to Illinois to help speed payments to thousands of local hospitals, fund social service providers, and provide relief to the state’s beleaguered budget.

“Trucking off to Children’s Memorial Hospital to have Gov. Quinn sign my bill that will generate $1.15 billion in new federal funds for hospitals and health care and human service providers. That should give many of the state’s nonprofit providers some oxygen as they seek to stay afloat,” wrote State Senator Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), the senate sponsor of the law, House Bill 542, his Facebook page today.

This is a big deal.

Hospitals and social service providers across the state are being financially starved by Illinois’ empty treasury. Once an invoice is submitted, vendors are waiting 3 to 6 months to get paid. This unheralded law will rescue many of these providers.

In addition to Schoenberg, sponsors include State Senators: Mattie Hunter, Susan Garrett, William Delgado, Dan Kotowski, Jacqueline Collins, Donne Trotter, and John Millner.

House sponsors were State Rep. Dan Reitz, Barbara Flynn Currie, Brandon Phelps, Lou Lang, Mary Flowers, Patricia Bellock, Rosemary Mulligan, Bill Black, Jack Franks, Keith Farnham, Linda Chapa LaVia, Sandy Cole, Mike Smith, Daniel Beiser, and Patrick Verschoore.

“This legislation will provide breathing room and a financial life-time to Illinois healthcare providers,” said Lang, a Deputy Majority Leader.

Congratulate Quinn and lawmakers. Led by the likes of Schoenberg, they had the foresight and tenacity to push this law forward. It means an extra $1.15 billion to Illinois. $1.15 billion. That kind of dough is hard to come by these days.

If you sing in the shower, you should belt out a few bars of praise for these legislators next time you’re lathering up.

Joining Quinn at the press conference:

• Patrick Magoon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Memorial Hospital
• Michael Curran, Chief Operating Officer, Norwegian American Hospital
• Howard Peters, Senior Vice President, Illinois Hospital Association
• Barry Maram, Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
• State Senator Jeffrey Schoenberg (D-Evanston)
• State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago)
• State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago)
• Alderman Vi Daley (43rd)

Team Airtronics 1st and 2nd

Kyle Paulson and Mike Smith both using their new Airtronics SD-10G take 1^st and 2^nd place at the California Valley F3B two day competition in Southern California November 6-7. Both Mike and Kyle can’t say enough about their new 10G. Kyle says with complete confidence, “Since using the 10G I truly have become a better pilot.” Kyle says he can perfectly dial in each mode with ease making him a more precise and competent pilot. Go Team AirTronics! (From left to right; Dave Klien 3^rd, Kyle Paulson 1^st, Mike Smith 2^nd )

Is it hard to believe that DeAngelo Hall was in the middle of a fight that ensued Sunday between Atlanta and Washington? This guy has been nothing short of a “thug” from the day he got into the league. If there were odds for the “most unliked player” in the league, Hall would easily be in the top 5 of most peoples NFL picks. Although he wasn’t fined after getting into a verbal battle with Atlanta HC Mike Smith, you have to assume that he had some choice words to say. Hall said that Smith was cursing at him, and that Jeff Fish (Atlanta’s director of athletic performance) tried to, “get some licks in”. This sounds like a bunch of B.S. to me, and if it is true is most likely because of what Hall had said to them.

I’m so tired of all of these NFL players acting like punks. Not to say that all of the players in the league act this way, but far too many do. It’s understandable to think that in the “heat of battle” players will do or say things that they normally wouldn’t. However, when a player is involved in these altercations over and over again it’s hard to give them the benefit of the doubt.nfl

Hall also stated that he’s, “always ready to mix it up”. Wow, what a surprise! Hall needs to focus more on football than fighting. He needs to grow up. Unfortunately, the league isn’t concerned about a player’s intellect as much as their 40 time. If Roger Goodell keeps his foot down in regards to his enforcement of league violations and bad conduct, he may change the way these unruly players act.

So the boys who created the Trailer Park Boys are returning in 2010 with a new show. The Drunk and On Drugs Happy Funtime Hour, which J.P. Tremblay (left), Mike Smith (centre), and Robb Wells (right) have been working on over the past two and a half years, was recently picked up by Showcase for six episodes. The show is set to premiere in November next year, with a cameo from the Boys’ old friend Alex Lifeson, guitarist of RUSH.

Keep reading to watch an interview of the guys discussing the style of the new show.

Hope you enjoy the pun in the title Pics of the not-so-new Jamie Benn jersey will be coming eventually, probably from the next game I go to.

Begin stream of consciousness from the last month or so…

School has completely taken over my life (and I imagine vet school has taken over Sarah’s), so my limited free time has been spent actually watching hockey or spending time with friends. Proud to report that I have a new hockey convert. I took one of my friends to the Baby Stars vs. Rampage game a few weeks ago, and he had a great time. The $1 beers probably didn’t hurt his impressions. I’ll be taking him and another friend (also a hockey virgin) to the Baby Stars vs. Rampage game this weekend. They are both looking forward to it

I’ve been kind of disappointed with the Stars so far this season. I know they’re doing relatively well with points, but I just don’t see the effort or talent that I expect to see from the Stars. The effort hasn’t been happening every night with the top guys, the effort and talent are lacking throughout the defense corps (with the exception of our top pair and Skrastins), and Marty is either lacking effort or talent. I would say effort, but now I’m starting to think that his play has taken a permanent downturn. I think Crawford is a better coach than Tippett because I actually see his mouth moving during the game as he talks to players. I’m sure this was surprising to players who have played all or most of their career under Tippett. Tippett seems to be doing pretty well in Phoenix, but I think Phoenix is a team that can really benefit from having a coach who is good with plays, teaching the game, etc. The Stars needed someone to kick them into gear, and Tippett failed miserably at that.

I hated seeing Niklas Hagman in a Toronto jersey at the end of October in Dallas. I actually teared up a couple times they showed him skating around. I’m sure it will be equally as bad to see Smitty and Jeffy at the Nov. 28th game. I’m glad these guys went to the East where we don’t see them as often.

Ken Hitchcock coached his 1000th game last night against Detroit, and the Red Wings dominated 9-1. It’s sad that his 1st and 1000th games were bad losses to Detroit, but good that he’s had so many good wins in the middle. I still miss him in Dallas, and always look forward to seeing the Blue Jackets come to town. It’s good to see Hitch again, and seeing Rick Nash is something every hockey fan should experience.

The Stars play San Jose late tonight (9:30 pm start), and I’m looking forward to watching the game since I’ve been going all week for school. The Stars should try starting their games at 9:30 – maybe more fans would show up before the 2nd period. I know that’s been a long-standing problem in Dallas, but it’s pretty pathetic that the Stars attendance in the first period looks incredibly similar to the arenas of Phoenix and Colorado (averaging <10,000 a night).

We have a lot of Stars games planned in the next 2 months. The Nov. 21st game is on my boyfriend’s birthday, so we will be going to hopefully see the Stars kick some Devil butt. Then the whole gang is going for the Nov. 28th game against Tampa. Look for new signs and the split-up Sign Girls at the pregame skate. Next will be Columbus on Dec. 23rd. Sarah and I have an amazing hockey vacation planned in late December, and we’ll be going to the Dec. 29th, 31st, and Jan 2nd games. Talk about a nice break from school! I’m going to get spoiled by all of this hockey!

Stream of consciousness ends here… (meaning I have to actually do some work)

Amy

Mike Smith sat down with online community manager extraordinaireBrian Solis at the Public Relations Society of America’s annual conference Monday.

Solis’s main point was no surprise: Social media is changing the game when it comes to marketing and public relations.

PR really needs to be taking a more active role. We need to stop assuming this learning position and really be taking this learning and leadership position. We are losing time and footing to other divisions.

Solis named the customer service and interactive media industries as two areas public relations professionals could learn from when it comes to learning the ropes of the emerging social media industry. PR has a “lot more at stake,” but also a bigger opportunity than it did previously to put the public back into public relations.

Check out Mike’s complete interview in the videos below:

But wait, there’s more!

Check out more PRSA news from Mike or Ashley Houghton, under hashtag #prsa09.

The new big thing: Twitter lists

1. Twitter mania is hitting a fever pitch — the service has rolled out an in-site Retweet feature, perhaps to make it easier for novices to learn the terminology. And we’re starting to see the point of Twitter lists, especially in the aftermath of the Fort Hood shootings. Here’s a smart piece by NPR on what lists say about President Obama, Sarah Palin … and you.

2. Apple has set up shop in France — the Louvre, to be exact. Worldwide domination, to be exact.

3. On the other side of the social media universe, French President Nicolas Sarkozy is in hot water over a 20-year-old picture of him taking a pic axe to the Berlin Wall — journalists are saying Sarkozy wasn’t even there the day the wall tumbled.

4. Technology doesn’t make people less social, a new U.S. survey finds — in fact, it enhances their already existing social lives. Well, nice to know we haven’t been reduced to grunts just yet. There’s always next year.