Assholes at MADD

Once again, the assholes at MADD don't want anyone to drink. I know drunk driving is bad, but I want to start an Anti-MADD organization that:

1) Protects the rights of adults to legally consume a legal product
2) Protects our constitutional rights against drunk driving check points
3) Tells MADD to shut up and stop telling the rest of us what to do

Education is a good thing, I have no problem with them going out and talking about the ills of drunk driving, but there lobbying and attempts to restrict my rights to make the world safer are driving me nuts. Now they want to stop people in NY from drinking on the train...

"We have to provide a safe and secure ride for all our customers," Pally said. "A state agency encouraging people to drink by selling it themselves? It makes no sense. We should not have the railroad be a bartender."

Deena Cohen, the president of the Long Island chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, enthusiastically supports Pally's proposal. "People get off the railroad and they get into cars," she said. "Somebody is going to get killed."

Personally, I think we have to leave it up to the adult making the decision whether or not to drink. We can't ban something because they MIGHT break the law. This is no different than the people who want to restrict free speech, suspend civil liberties in the name of protection, etc. It's punishing the innocent. In our code of laws you punish the guilty.

Conflict of Interest

So John Mainelli used to write a radio column for the NY Post AND consult radio stations at the same time. He keeps writing things about Howard Stern, saying he has slipped or lost traction all in an attempt to convince the general public that satellitte radio is a pointless venture that won't go anywhere. His negative press is really designed to keep the public in the dark listening to crappy FM. His quotes in this article really illustrate this:

http://www.radioandrecords.com/radiomonitor/news/format/talk/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003520921

The man is afraid, as are all terrestrial radio execs, and they should be. I can only speak from the perspective of a Sirius subscriber, but I have to say that in my two years of subscribing I have not once listed to FM. Why? The reasons are so simple:

1) Choice - I have so much more choice. Raleigh now has THREE country stations and no alternative rock station. We also have two pretty crappy rock stations, one that plays a mix of classic rock and newer stuff for 20 somethings and another that plays softer rock for 40/50 something women. They BOTH suck. On Sirius, I have THREE classic rock choices alone. This doesn't take into account Left of Center (college rock), Alt Nation (alternative), the Underground Garage (just good rock), etc. The choice available is staggering and the programming is so much better than terrestrial radio.

2) Signal - I can listen wherever and whenever I like. If I drive to DC for the weekend, the stations go with me. If I want to stream over the Internet at the office I can. Some people will tell you that the signal and sound quality suck, don't believe them. It's as good as FM.

3) Howard Stern - For those fans who say "I miss him," too bad. Go buy Sirius. He has been funnier and more creative without the FCC breathing down his neck. Don't buy the stories that say he's losts guests, cache, creativity, etc. He is funnier than ever. His guest roster is as good as it's ever been (a mix of A and B level celebs who are entertaining and promoting everything from books to hit movies to hit TV shows). For the life of me, I don't get why people won't subscribe, it's no different than cable TV.

4) FM Sucks - Just to kick FM again, I know a little bit about how programming is picked for you, the listener. It is not, as many people romanticize, local management listening to music, picking what they think their listeners would like and then playing it. It is researched, surveyed, tracked, compiled, and programmed using computer algorithms. Sure there is local research, but the music all becomes a number as weekly, monthly, or quarterly market research is compiled. The process is so sterile now and often removed from the local market. It's depressing.

I know I sound like a commercial, but this John Mainelli guy really pissed me off today. Traditional radio is afraid of Sirius and XM. They're afraid of no commercials, better programming, no FCC control, etc. Go to www.sirius.com and get the three-day free trail, it's worth it. Buy it as a Christmas present for friends and family. Together we can kill the vapid wasteland of FM radio and make radio something cool and fun again!

Asshole of the Week (or everything that is wrong with the NBA)

So, what happens when you play for the same franchise for years? If you're in today's NBA you become an idiot and demand a trade. So this week's Asshole is none other than Allan Iverson. Not only does he want a trade, but now he doesn't want to go to Charlotte. Likely because they're not instant winners.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2695147

For never being a team player, for not understanding that the coach is in charge, for demanding a trade, for being a ball hog, for thinking you're God's gift... you're this week's Asshole.

Periodic Recap and Commercial

Not much to report. I was out of town last week in NY, Chicago, and Texas doing a marathon of focus groups so I'm just tired and busy and tired and busy and busy.

I'm a little too occupied to be worked up about anything today. Either that or all this work has fried the short-term memory.

Where was I? Oh, if you're looking for a good Christmas gift, buy someone a Sirius radio. To be honest, I have no clue why people still listen to FM. Even if you're not a Howard Stern fan, there is a lot on Sirius. The music destroys normal radio. It's easy, just do it. It's not difficult or expensive or a hassle. I promise. It is still the best Christmas present I've gotten in recent memory.

BTW, I've been lucky enough to not watch Good Morning America for a week. So nothing about the bubble head.