Irresponsible

Just a quick note to observe how... disturbed and disappointed I was today on Twitter.

When the plane landed in the Hudson River recently it was an amazing thing to follow in real time Twitter. It spread viraly and the news of survivors and the photos spread to us Tweeters before they made it on to the TV or news websites.

That's an excellent use of this tool for instant independent journalism.

Today, reading Natasha Richardson declared dead, brain dead, dead, brain dead, suffering brain swelling, possibly fine, possibly not in real time, with RETRACTIONS, was disgusting and, frankly, frightening. There's nothing more irresponsible than just declaring someone DEAD without properly verifying. The Internet is a potent, powerful, and permanent tool. Please have the good sense to not race just to be the first person with the story unless you have the correct information. A lead is one thing. Actually posting a notice someone died is far different.

I feel awful for any member of a circle of family and friends who'd have to read such a thing. Being a celebrity, her family's misfortune is playing out on the world stage... but on any stage there's no excuse for declaring something like that about another person - something so final - without definitive proof. At least both Perez Hilton and the New York Post retracted their statements quickly.

I wish her and her family the best. I also wish them privacy, discretion, and respect.

Let's all remember to mind our Ps and Qs and be careful out there, okay.

Who Parodies the Watchmen?

I follow @ThinkHero on Twitter, and they sent me a link to their new video - the "Post-Watchmen Parody Show." With fun, witty riffs on Watchmen, Heroes, Star Trek, and Nena - I have to say I enjoyed it. It's good, playful fun and it made my night - will definitely be checking them out again.

Go look!

ThinkHero MegaShow #2 - Post Watchmen Parody Show

Sitting and squirming and avoiding the topic...

My horoscope for March 11, 2009 :

If only you could take wing and fly to your freedom, JAY. Perhaps you should
allow yourself to envision the future your own way; you'd be much less agitated.
Of course, the planets are daring you to outdo yourself right now. It's time to
break free from the past. Take a long, hard look at all your values, and keep
only those you feel are essential.

This is what I didn't read until tonight. I wish I had seen it this morning. I spent a good chunk of my day sitting at my desk squirming and seething. I'm really frustrated with where I'm at lately.

This weekend, I'll be taking that "long, hard look at all your values" and keeping "only those you feel are essential."

Should be fun... I'll keep you posted.

Didn't see this one coming...

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"Cincinnati Pride;" or "Raping Ned Beatty"

The theme and logo for Cincinnati's pride festivities was released today... and I'm not sure what I think about it.

Yes, Cincinnati IS Porkopolis (not that anyone really cares that much) and it's a fun, witty, festive design. I think my reservations stem from the word"Squealin'"

We're generally not a land of farmers anymore, and over the last thirty plus years, the word "Squeal" has only invoked one thing in the American vernacular. Namely, "Squeal like a pig."

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with a logo that is going to lead the general observer, someone who's not invested in Pride, to immediately jump and link a community celebration to inbred hillbillies ass-raping Ned Beatty.

Because it's the first place MY mind went, and I AM invested in it. I'm not sure I want to embrace, defend and... own this logo. I know I'm coming in after the fact because I didn't volunteer or sit on any committees that lead up to the selection of this theme, but... dude, I can't believe someone didn't raise some reservations. I have to process "Squeal like a pig," "Sex pig" "Dirty Piggy" and "Pigs in Shit" to get to a mindset where I can say "This is a festive way for the community to celebrate Pride this summer." Good for The Serpent, not good for a universal theme.

I have to point it out: This emperor is wearing a new outfit...

Thoughts?