President Must Respond to Lang Lang Controversy....Now!

Celebrated Pianist Lang Lang

Like Mexicans, Chinese-Americans Could Face Major Backlash

On January 22, the Epoch Times reported that celebrated musician Lang Lang performed a song at the White House State dinner, for President Hu Jintao’s visit, that is considered to be anti-American and a propaganda tool commonly used in association with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Unlike many bloggers, reporters and news outlets, I have a great deal of respect for my audience. Thus, instead of paraphrasing or rehashing the story and possibly excluding important facts, I’ve provided you with the link to the article so you can get all of the information and make an informed decision as to whether or not the performer’s actions – and possible involvement on the part of the Chinese government -- should be called into question: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/49822/

The minute the Epoch Times posted this story online, I realized many ignorant Americans would immediately assume Lang Lang used the high profile event as an opportunity to not only embarrass and insult America, but also to give her a good, swift kick in the ass on behalf of the Chinese government and its people. Based on the comments left on many sites that posted the Epoch Times article, I was right.

As a media person, I also realized many of the pain-in-the-ass, reckless, conservative and liberal news organizations would follow their usual protocol and completely talk around this story and ignore many of the facts in order to enrage members the public -- namely those who already fear and loathe President Obama, the fact that China is now recognized as the world’s sole economic powerhouse, and the fact that China “owns” us after absorbing a trillion dollars in U.S. debt.

Until Lang Lang, or President Hu Jintao, sits down with Charlie Rose or a “60 Minutes” correspondent to explain the content of “My Motherland” and what the song means to the people of China, the fools -- from the back hills of Arkansas to the projects of New York City -- yelling “Those goddamn Chinks are taking over this country! America isn’t America anymore, and we’re outta work because of those slanty-eyed bastards!!” run the risk of fueling even greater anti-Chinese sentiment and creating a Jared Loughner prototype…. or legions of them.

President Obama is in the process of fine-tuning his State of the Union address, which will be broadcast on January 25. He’s “de-funked” the White House and added air freshener by inserting a new leadership team. The G-Man has a message for the president and his new posse. Mr. President, strategically placing a few comments into the speech about the Lang Lang incident is not only vital to the interest of Sino-U.S. relations, it is vital to the interest and safety of Americans and Chinese-Americans living, working and worshiping together in this country. It would behoove you to address this incident before the nation.

This commentary is from the heart and…. From The G-Man.

Photo source: Andreas Praefcke

Author: Andreas Praefcke

Permission: Public Domain

NBC Owes America an Apology

Robert Downey, Jr. and wife Susan pictured at the Academy Awards in 2010.

Gervais Also Needs to Issue Public Apology to
"Iron Man" Star & Recovering Addicts

Dear NBC Executives,

Unfortunately, the antics of your Golden Globes host became the focal point of the show -- as many in attendance and watching at home wondered what he would say or do next. Gervais and his comments overshadowed the heralded event, which is not what you want as an NBC executive or the director or producer of the Golden Globes. Few are talking about the show, in general, but everyone is talking about Gervais.

Secondly, anyone that has a friend or family member that is battling -- or has died as a result of -- drug addiction should be furious at Gervais. They should also hold the NBC network accountable because it hasn’t even bothered to issue anything in the way of an apology to those who may have been offended by comments made by the host, like the family, friends and supporters of Robert Downey, Jr.

Messages are being posted all over the Internet in support of Gervais citing his "comedic brilliance" and right to attack "a bunch of arrogant and hypocritical individuals that take themselves way too seriously".

After carefully examining a number of them, it became clear to me that the comments were solely based on a deep-seated hatred of Hollywood and celebrities. If these people were to put that bitterness and disdain aside for just one minute, and look at the larger issue, they would realize Gervais did something that was beyond shameful and goes against what this country is trying to accomplish in the wake of the Arizona shootings, which is tone down the rhetoric, nastiness and viciousness that has gripped our nation. If Robert Downey, Jr., a recovering addict that has made tremendous progress, felt Gervais was “hugely mean-spirited”, we would be well advised to listen to him.

The quip about Robert Downey, Jr's stint at the Betty Ford Clinic and the Los Angeles County jail was extremely insensitive, tasteless, uncalled for and unwarranted. Robert Downey, Jr., like millions of addicts in this country, fights an ongoing battle to remain sober. Some make it, while others succumb to their addiction -- leaving family and friends grieving for years. There isn't a goddamn thing funny about that, and you need to remind Gervais of this fact!

Every drug abuse counselor in America will tell you that addicts need all the support they can get, and they certainly don’t need to be publicly humiliated, ridiculed or torn down. To call someone out for past criminal behavior or addiction in a small setting is one thing, but to call them out amongst an audience of millions is extremely dangerous, reckless and the worst thing you could do to a recovering addict.

Now, I’m a fierce proponent of free speech, so I wouldn’t go as far as to say Gervais shouldn’t be invited back to host next year’s Golden Globe awards. However, his return should be predicated on Gervais agreeing to issue a formal, public apology to the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Robert Downey, Jr., recovering addicts all over the country and the family and friends of addicts that died while battling substance abuse.

I'll close with a special message for the controversial comedian. If you have something to say to me or about this commentary, Gervais, I'm not a hard man to find. I'll be waiting for you. Trust me on that.

This commentary is from the heart and…From The G-Man.

Photo source: United States Army

Photo credit: United States Army

Permission: Public Domain

"The Mighty Mardo"

Bill Mardo, pictured at age 18, joined the Daily Worker in 1942

Politicians, Media Ignore Pleas to Honor
Severely Ill Civil Rights Icon

“Jackie…. Jackie…. puh-leeze …Jackie! Excited kids leaning over the Dodger dugout roof, imploring a smiling, ebony-skinned twenty-eight-year old athlete to scribble his name on a white baseball…. on an outstretched piece of paper…. on anything. The air so thick with excitement you could almost dip your fingers into it. Ebbets Field, Opening Day of a new baseball season – opening in a whole new way. Yes, yes, on this fifteenth day of April in 1947, Jackie Robinson picked up his bat and broke the chains that had imprisoned a great American game for more seasons than anyone wants to remember.”

Bill Mardo

An excerpt from “Robinson – Robeson”, the twelfth chapter of “Jackie Robinson: Race, Sports and the American Dream” (Edited by Joseph Dorinson and Joram Warmund)

My relationship with Bill Mardo, whom I affectionately refer to as “The Mighty Mardo”, began back in April of 2010. At the time, I was volunteering at a Manhattan senior care facility. Every Wednesday, from 3pm to 4pm, I would serve as the deejay for “The Classics Café”, a dance mix program that I created for the facility to engage and entertain many of the wheelchair-bound residents. I would play anything from the Andrew Sisters to James Brown, and the seniors would get their groove on for the full hour.

The program became an enormous hit, and it wasn’t long before many of the residents approached me for requests. But there was one man who never did. I approached him -- as he sat close to his longtime companion, Ruth -- and asked if there was a specific artist or song he liked. With a slight smirk he responded, “Sinatra”. The smirk led me to believe that he didn’t think I could pull it off, but I promised him that I would play a classic or two from “Old Blue Eyes” every week. I kept that promise for eight consecutive months. The Creator rewarded me for my act of kindness by allowing me to discover this man’s amazing and breathtaking legacy.

One day, while in route to the facility, I ran into Ruth. “Everyone loves you and the Classics Café! We hope you’re not leaving anytime soon, especially Bill,” she exclaimed. “He was so thrilled when you played Sinatra, and I wanted to show my appreciation by giving you this,” she stated. She handed me a thick envelope and revealed that she Googled me. Your work as a journalist and writer is absolutely amazing, G-Man. You have a lot in common with Bill. Please read this and let me know what you think,” she concluded. We hugged in the middle of 86^th Street and West End Avenue and parted company.

The envelope contained the complete version of the Robinson–Robeson excerpt I presented at the beginning of this article. The chapter features one of the greatest essays ever written on not just Robinson breaking the color barrier in professional baseball, but also on racism in America and the true relationship between Robinson and the legendary Paul Robeson. Mardo unleashes a blistering and merciless attack on the late, great Dodger general manager Branch Rickey and his original reluctance to sign Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Mardo brought these words to life during a speech at Long Island University, in 1997, marking the 50^th anniversary of Robinson’s historic feat. Copyright restrictions prevent me from publishing the piece in its entirety, but I urge each of you to obtain a copy and share it with as many people, especially young people, as possible. Please!

To say that I was speechless after reading Mardo’s essay would be an understatement. I was determined to find out more about him and conducted Internet searches that went well past 3am. I was catapulted into a state of awe after learning Mardo, back in 1941, at the tender age of 18, became a member of the Young Communist League (YCL). Mardo took the editor of the “YCL Review” to task for not having a sports page – something Mardo felt was crucial in the fight against Jim Crow. The fiery, unrelenting and young sportswriter became the YCL Review’s first sports editor.

His powerful prose and scathing attacks on segregation and racism, in both society and professional sports, eventually caught the attention of another columnist named Lester Rodney. Rodney was the sports editor for the “Daily Worker”, the Communist Party U.S.A.’s newspaper. In 1937, Rodney and the publication launched a personal crusade against segregation and racism in professional sports through a series of news stories and columns. Mardo brought his take-no-prisoners style of writing to the publication in 1942, and Robinson was signed to the Dodgers five years later. This "Dynamic Duo of Desegregation" helped change the course of history and sports journalism.

The Daily Worker Sitting Room, circa 1943.

Many historians and sports analysts have cited Rodney, Mardo and the Daily Worker as having an enormous impact on Branch Rickey’s decision to bring Jackie Robinson into the major leagues. While it is true that many Black organizations, newspapers and sportswriters were just as important in defeating segregation in major league baseball at that time, Mardo was one of the few sportswriters in the country that developed and maintained a very close relationship with Robinson on and off the field.

Mardo was there when people, Black and white, Jew and Protestant, praised and prayed for Robinson. Mardo was also there when people spit on Robinson and yelled, “Go back to the nigger leagues, boy!” or “Got that fried chicken and watermelon for you in the dugout, nigger!” Mardo battled the monsters with his conviction, sharp mind and love of words. Lester Rodney died in 2009 at the age of 98. Mardo, now 87, a knight who played a significant role in slaying the baseball segregation dragon, is all that’s left to remind us of this dynamic duo’s remarkable achievement and the Daily Worker’s unsung legacy.

Every person in America owes a huge debt of gratitude to Bill Mardo, Lester Rodney and the Daily Worker, and it is high time that something was done to honor them. Mardo and I have become extremely close, and not too long ago Ruth informed me that he is extremely ill. Needless to say, I was deeply affected by the news.

Realizing he may not have much time left with us, as he is battling Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, I refuse to simply stand by and watch this great man waste away or die in a Manhattan nursing home. Soon, these dreadful diseases will rob him of every wonderful memory he has of his beloved Ruth, his family, his friends, his historic achievement, Robinson and Robeson. The day will come when Mardo, a man that helped change the course of history, won’t remember any of it. Not only does this make me angry and sad, it makes me cry. That’s why something must be done now!

Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly introduce "The Mighty Mardo".
He is pictured with his long-time companion, Ruth.

I'm determined to see that this legendary man is honored. I’ve reached out to most of the major sports anchors and writers in New York City, and they haven’t even bothered to respond. I’ve reached out to the New York State Conference of Black Senators, and they haven’t bothered to respond. I love Bill Mardo and his legacy enough to tell them all, right here and now, in classic Mardo fashion, that they’re a disgrace to this nation for refusing to acknowledge his legacy! They aren’t fit to carry the trusty typewriter Mardo constantly banged away on, and they should be deeply, deeply ashamed of themselves!

That’s why I wrote this piece, and that’s why I’m calling on President Barack Obama, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the New York City Council, filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood, ESPN Magazine, and professional athletes from various sports to publicly acknowledge Bill Mardo and Lester Rodney. I’m also urging the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) to launch an all-out effort to have them inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I will close with another excerpt from Mardo’s brilliant and critically acclaimed Robinson-Robeson.

“Having had the real privilege of knowing both Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson, I know in my gut that this is what Jackie and Paul would be addressing today. They might be saying, “Hey, Ebonics is a fact of Black life. But c’mon, let’s get real! Roots…street language…the vernacular…don’t have a damn thing to do with what is number one on the agenda. There’s a four-letter word that that we all spell alike and pronounce alike. It’s called jobs…J-O-B-S! Jobs lead to another four-letter word that we all spell alike and pronounce alike. It’s called hope…H-O-P-E! Jobs and hope lead to something called L-I-F-E-!”

For more information on Bill Mardo and the Daily Worker, please visit these links:

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/02/03/Personality-Spotlight-Bill-Mardo-fought-to-break-down-race-barriers-in-sports/UPI-77111265193120/

http://clogic.eserver.org/3-1&2/rusinack&lamb.html

A Warrior's Curse: Required Reading for 2012 Presidential Candidates and the Nation

U.S. Marine Vet's Powerful Essay Addresses PTSD and Honors Troops

In May of this year, I filmed an exclusive and explosive interview with United States Marine Corp veteran Bob Cuba, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Cuba served two tours of duty as a sergeant and agreed to appear on the Internet news/talk show version of this blog to discuss the horrors he experienced and witnessed while fighting in Iraq. He also appeared to address many of the myths and outright lies surrounding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition Cuba has waged a valiant battle against for the last several years.

An outspoken advocate on matters concerning PTSD and U.S. military veterans, Cuba recently submitted an essay, which is a world exclusive, for publication on this blog. “A Warrior’s Curse” cuts through all the psychobabble and innuendo about PTSD and, in true Marine fashion, addresses it in an extremely direct, no-nonsense and powerful way.

I truly believe that A Warrior’s Curse provides great insight and possible methods for treating PTSD -- and helping veterans -- from the greatest possible source: a veteran who was on the front line, diagnosed with the condition, and watched fellow Marines die while serving their country.

Candidates will soon announce they intend to make a run for the White House in 2012. All will have aspirations about being the most powerful political figure on the planet, but how many of them are willing to take the country to war at a moment’s notice. In addition, what are they willing to do for current veterans and those fortunate enough to return home after engaging in bloody and brutal conflicts in the name of America?

A Warrior’s Curse delves deep into these issues in a blunt and concise manner, and everyone in this nation, from President Barack Obama to Al Pacino to Joe Scarborough to “Joe and Jane Six Pack”, is urged to read it, especially if they truly, truly give a damn about the men and women of the United States military.

A Warrior’s Curse

It’s not new by any means and has been called by many names. It was called “soldier’s heart” during the Civil War, shell shock in World War I, battle fatigue in World War II and Korea, and since the Vietnam War it has been known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). No matter the name, it’s still the same thing. However, it’s not a disease and it’s not a mental illness. PTSD is psycho-spiritual manifestation of an incomplete rite of passage that results from modern society’s ignorance and its refusal to properly honor the warriors that wage war on their behalf.

Previous civilizations recognized the need for a warrior class to serve as protectors. These warriors placed their very lives in danger and were often rewarded with special honors and status in society. Sadly, that is no longer the case, as war has evolved to a point where destruction is immeasurable and the violence unthinkable. It can only be compared to Hell itself. Although, I suspect Hades would be a bit less traumatizing.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) defines PTSD as “a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. People who suffer from PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached or estranged, and these symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person's daily life” (Ford, Huber and Meagher 1).

In addition, the DVA notes “PTSD is marked by clear, biological changes and psychological symptoms. PTSD is complicated by the fact that it frequently occurs in conjunction with related disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other physical and mental health conditions. The disorder is also associated with impairment of the person's ability to function in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems and divorces, family discord, and difficulties in parenting” (Ford 1-2).

While modern medicine does, in fact, provide for the ability to recognize symptoms, it fails to take into account the humanity of the people it diagnoses and completely ignores the soul, which, though intangible, is what defines a person. War kills the soul -- in the sense that it will never be the same; it is transformed when innocence is lost and seeks to become wise in its place. When a soul in unable to make that transition, when it cannot grow, then the reality of combat remains forever present as though the warrior is still there, fighting. In the case of the soldier, this is not a mere psychological disorder. It is a spiritual condition that feels more like a curse than anything else.

Is it any wonder that experts have absolutely no idea how to deal with the most devastating condition afflicting thousands of men and women serving in the Armed Forces? They just don’t know how to address the problem and openly admit it. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) “there is no generally accepted and used definition for recovery in PTSD” (IOM 4). Particularly disturbing, is it not?

There is a very good reason for this madness. The experts can’t figure it out because they are the product of the society in which they are born and because you have to be engaged in war in order to know what it actually does to you. Consider all of the external factors – public resistance and denial of government elected and appointed officials, military brass and biased researchers that are trying through influence to disguise the problem, while proposing that it’s something that will just…go away -- and you have a winning combination for destroying yet another generation of our nation’s finest men and women, who -- as the warriors of antiquity -- put their lives on the line for the safety and security of the entire population.

Look no further than September 11, 2001, as an example. Do you remember how angry the majority of Americans were and how easily and quickly we embraced men and women of the Armed Forces as they went off to war? But now they are forsaken, misunderstood and abandoned because there is something that is far more important than the well being of our nation’s heroes. What is that? The answer is money; the cost of providing adequate care for our veterans is too high for an ungrateful nation.

The argument that “generous VA disability payments may act as a disincentive to recovery” (Satel 2) might be a good indicator as to why there is no effective way to treat PTSD. It implies that the veterans whose lives are being devastated by their war experiences just don’t want to let go of their petty compensation payments for their suffering and so they make no effort to recover. What? These men and women gave everything but their lives, which they would have gladly sacrificed for their country. As a result, they suffer and that’s their fault? They don’t deserve to be treated in this fashion or dishonored in any way, and this is one of the major reasons so many of them cannot make the transition to civilian life.

There is no place for the veteran in our consumer-oriented society. We expect them to reintegrate without regard to their valor, to their sacrifice, as though nothing had happened and shun them if they dare expect gratitude, let alone a place of honor among us. They are expendable, mass-produced fighting machines no better than a car, to be hauled away as junk when the engine doesn’t turn properly anymore. Veterans Day is just another day off from work or to go out, enjoy family and, maybe, drink a little beer. At most, the veterans get a parade here and there, but as soon as it’s over they’re forgotten once more.

Our society is the absolute antithesis of the ancient and medieval ones, where the warrior was celebrated and respected. “Make no mistake about it, the veterans of this country want nothing more than to become successful and productive members of the society we fought so hard to defend” (Leal Jr. 4). Truer words have never been spoken, but how can they?

We have been at war in two separate theaters of operation -- Afghanistan and Iraq -- for the better part of a decade with no end in sight. Moreover, we don’t just ask our men and women in uniform to go to war once; we ask them to go back again and again, year after year. In one of the studies conducted, it was determined that “the prevalence of PTSD increased in a linear manner with the number of firefights during deployment: 4.5 percent for no firefights, 12.7 percent for three to five firefights, and 19.3 percent for more than five firefights” (Norton 2). But keep in mind, this by no means takes into account other traumatizing events like surviving a mortar attack or exposure to an improvised explosive devise, commonly known as an IED, which is the most common form of engagement used by the enemy in the aforementioned regions. Therefore, it’s reasonable to expect that a sizable percentage of combat veterans will exhibit symptoms of PTSD. Why is it, then, that with all the resources available to the richest, most powerful nation in the world, there is still no effective way to treat PTSD?

Medication does not work in any meaningful way other than in suppressing the symptoms of PTSD, and that is in no way, shape, or form a solution. Psychotherapy is pointless because the therapists avoid talking about the actual war experience, and even if they didn’t, they wouldn’t understand anyways. War can only be experienced and understood from a personal standpoint.

Furthermore, PTSD groups are more depressing than they are helpful. So what can be done? The ideal solution would be to go back in time and prevent these wars from happening in the first place, but that would’ve been unlikely. This is not the kind of war that can be won, so we should cut our losses and recall the troops. The latter is also unlikely.

The first thing that we need to do is realize, like it’s some kind of scientific breakthrough, that “people don’t have nightmares about, ‘It’s another Groundhog Day…they have nightmares about the killing they’ve done and seen” (Weinstein 2). Next, make people aware of the fact that the killing that was done and witnessed by American troops was on behalf of and at the request of the government of the United States and therefore, the people. We cannot and, indeed, should not continue to place the burden of responsibility on the shoulders of our veterans because they only followed orders.

Finally, while honoring their service, we must also honor the veteran -- including those currently serving on active duty -- in a personal and meaningful way, instead of the empty displays of feigned gratitude that we are accustomed to. We must take good care of them because, when all is said and done, they took good care of us as a nation -- and they did so while making sacrifice after sacrifice. Once America begins to make good on this promises, the veteran’s rite of passage will be completed…. and they will begin to heal.

Cited works for this essay include the following:

"The Iraq War Has Increased the Number of Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

"Most Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapies Are Ineffective." Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Is Over-Diagnosed." Veterans. Ed. Margaret Haerens. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

"Better Mental Health Outreach Is Needed for Veterans." Veterans. Ed. Margaret Haerens. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

"Mentally Ill Veterans Need More Effective Psychotherapy." Mental Illness. Mary E. Williams. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

"Honest Discussion About Killing Can Help Soldiers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

Photo source: Bob Cuba, OIF, USMC Veteran

Copyright: Bob Cuba, OIF, USMC Veteran

Young Entrepreneur Saves Businesses Using Facebook

Groundbreaking Book Quickly Transforming
Social Media Landscape

Everywhere you turn there's a reference to social media, be it Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn, the list goes on. It’s 2010, and nothing has gained more momentum since the conception of the Internet amongst consumers and businesses than social media.

The allure of free business-to-consumer or business-to-business marketing simply grabbed everyone at the height of the recession when traditional advertising and marketing budgets were cut. Businesses had to reinvent themselves; their approach to their customers and the use of social media played a pivotal role in the restructuring.

Now, Julian Hall is about to transform the social media landscape once again.

Born in Harlesden (NW), London, Hall struggled before becoming an award-winning, digital media entrepreneur. Hall aptly describes himself as someone that “lives and breathes social media and all things digital.”

Over the last 10 years, he has served as a consultant for companies big and small, from bootstrapped start-ups to investment banks, in the London area. He now travels the globe delivering seminars on social media, innovation and what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Recently, “The Online Genius” and columnist, who has an avid following in the UK -- online and in print -- has vowed to help and save businesses by sharing his expertise on how to effectively use social media to increase revenue.

“The 10 Secrets of Social Media Marketing – The No Nonsense Guide For Entrepreneurs & Business Owners”, Hall’s first major publication, reveals the secrets of how to build powerful customer relationships using social media, getting complete strangers to evangelize your products or services, how to think just like your customers, the biggest social media mistakes and how to avoid them, why working backwards is the best way to go… and many other secrets.

“I realized that even with the runaway, global success of companies using social media, there was very little, down-to-earth information -- delivered in plain English -- that could guide a business owner through the minefield of social networks, strategies, do's and don'ts, successes and horror stories that all come with the territory. I decided to write the book, and I’m really glad I did,” stated Hall.

When asked to describe his target audience in detail, Hall was very direct in his response.

“Basically, I targeted entrepreneurs and small business owners because they don’t have the time to become experts on platforms like Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. What they need is information and guidance on the most effective high-level strategies to produce the best outcomes for their short and long term goals using social media platforms.”

“They still like to read books and digest information in an offline format, because this is what they're used to doing on the plane, train, coffee shop or comfort of their own homes. They might read a few blogs on the subject, attend free talks at exhibitions, which are more like sales pitches, or go to local enterprise workshops. However, the downside to all of these is they often walk away with information overload.”

The savvy, young entrepreneur did not mince words when proclaiming standard practices no longer apply in a social media-dominated world.

“Having a website means nothing! Period! If you’re not engaging your audience, then you might as well forget it. Incidentally, social media is also the perfect remedy for cash strapped businesses.”

Furthermore, Hall emphasized that integrity is considered the “heart” of the social media business world.

“Today, reputation is everything. Say what you’re going to do, then do what you say. If you never make it a priority to help others, chances are others will never help you.”

Hall is quickly generating an impressive list of business owners that have profited from his advice and vast experience.

“We were extremely impressed with the knowledge and the way that The Online Genius proactively positioned our services,” said Francois Hotte, Marketing Manager of Group NBT and Easily.co.uk.

Hotte has delivered a staggering 30 percent return on investment (ROI) through the use of social media.

“Julian asks the questions entrepreneurs ask and answers them in business terms and not confusing Internet marketing-speak. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding social media and this book will provide entrepreneurs and small businesses with essential tools that can empower them,” Hotte concluded.

Small business owner Alton Walker of AltonWalker.com agrees.

“If I didn't employ his services, I would've been cheating myself out of a life-changing, business development and career decision.”

The 10 Secrets of Social Media Marketing – The No Nonsense Guide For Entrepreneurs & Business Owners is available on Amazon.com and at www.JulianHall.co.uk

If you would like to contact Julian Hall for possible book tours, guest appearances or speaking engagements, you may reach him care of Celeste Agulhas, his managing agent, at celeste@julianhall.co.uk

WikiLeaks: The Bitch-Slap Heard Around the World

Why Political Pimps and Media Madams
Are Targeting Assange

Folks, The G-Man is laughing his ass off! Why? I’m laughing because Julian Assange and his WikiLeaks organization have literally bitch-slapped the American mainstream media into reality -- the reality that they aren’t and haven’t been adhering to the principles of true journalism.

Global debates are raging about whether or not Assange has crossed the line of journalistic integrity after publishing what the American government considers to be sensitive information.

Commentators, fellow journalists and pundits from all the major publications and networks, as well as elected officials, have mercilessly attacked Assange and his organization. Some have actually called him a “terrorist” and WikiLeaks a “terrorist organization”. The folks over at FOX (Fuckin’ Obnoxious Xenophobes) News have been the worst. To all of them I say, cut the bullshit!

The majority of these ass-clowns are pissed at Assange because he did what few journalists in America have the balls -- or tits -- to do, which is expose and tell the truth about the deal-making, deception, deviousness and dirt that continues to take place in politics and between nations. The news weasels have been too damn busy competing for White House privileges, invitations to White House Correspondence dinners, and posing as shills for corporate/government agencies and/or officials. That’s a fact, thanks to people like Conservative commentator Armstrong Williams.

Assange wasn’t the first to lay the smackdown on the U.S. government and the media. It’s no secret that beloved activists, athletes, celebrities and “Constitutionalists”, including Paul Robeson, John Lennon, the late Senator Paul Wellstone, Congressman Ron Paul and Muhammad Ali, exposed questionable policies and practices of the U.S. government over the last 70 years. By the way, if the U.S. government admitted to lying about the infamous Gulf of Tonkin incident during the war in Vietnam, no one in their right mind can say the government shouldn’t be held accountable or questioned.

Contrary to what the politicians and corporate-controlled news weasels in America think, the general public is not stupid. Many believe the U.S. government acts just like the Mafia, in terms of strong-arm tactics, backroom deals and working under a veil of secrecy. The Obama administration, like those of the past, has proved to be no exception.

All WikiLeaks did was provide details of the U.S. government’s slight-of-hand act and prove that a good number of people in this country were correct in assessing the way government tends to operate, and that is the only reason why some very powerful people want Assange’s head on a platter and WikiLeaks shut down.

In closing, I want to state that the only issue I have with WikiLeaks is that it could publish sensitive information that may compromise the safety of U.S. troops. I don’t support that, and protecting members of our Armed Forces, who are all mere pawns in the scheme of things, is a non-negotiable. I hope Assange will consider this in the future.

This commentary is from the heart and…. From The G-Man.

Photo source: Originally posted on Flickr as IMG_4739

Credit: Espen Moe

Permission: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Action Needed for the Scott Sisters

BREAKING NEWS

Call for Pressure on Gov. Barbour and National Media

Nancy Lockhart, a legal adviser and analyst, submitted the following news item. Lockhart, who holds a Master of Jurisprudence from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, posts frequent updates on the Scott Sisters case at http://freethescottsisters.blogspot.com/.

Media activities surrounding the Scott Sisters case are diminishing and pressure needs to remain on Governor Haley Barbour to release them immediately.

Please assist us from December 13, 2010 to December 21, 2010 by blogging, having discussions on radio and television about the sisters, and requesting that calls be placed and e-mails sent to Governor Barbour's office in support of freedom for Jamie and Gladys Scott.

This time frame was selected in order to make sure that calls and e-mails will reach the governor before the Mississippi state government holiday.

Whether the Scott sisters are innocent or guilty, any reasonable person can see that the punishment they received does not fit the crime. In addition, Jamie Scott is very ill and suffering from stage 5 renal (kidney) failure.

Currently, it’s up to Governor Barbour to commute their sentences and pardon them.

Each sister is currently serving double life sentences each for an $11 robbery – that's four life sentences between the two sisters. To date, the sisters have been in prison 16 years. Let Governor Barbour know that you're seeking justice for the Scott sisters…. now!

Contact Information For Governor Barbour

P.O. Box 139

Jackson, Mississippi 392051-877-405-0733

governor@governor.state.ms.us

Email the governor's personal assistant - Dorothy Kuykendal

DKuykendall@governor.state.ms.us

Photo credit: Themis-jp

Permission: Public Doman

Haley Barbour, the World is Waiting…. and Watching!

Gov Refuses to Pardon Gravely Ill Woman in
Scott Sisters Case

Mississippi governor Haley Barbour has made a number of television appearances over the last several months, and I find it absolutely appalling that the jackass journalists that interviewed him failed to press him on the Scott Sisters case.

Instead of doing their jobs, the idiots fawned over him and completely ignored the controversial and shocking case. They chose to place emphasis on Barbour’s star power within the GOP and a possible 2012 presidential bid. The American-media bullshit machine has continued to operate full throttle, in terms of placing Barbour on a Republican pedestal, but The G-Man is about to throw a big-ass monkey wrench into the works.

The Scott Sisters case began back in 1993. It was two days before Christmas when Jamie and Gladys, who were 22 and 19-years of age, were said to have lured two men to an area just outside of Forest, Mississippi. When the four arrived, three young men appeared, produced a shotgun and robbed the two unsuspecting men. The assailants released their victims unharmed. Their take was a measly $11. Keep that in mind as you read on, folks.

The sisters were charged with setting up the armed robbery after two of the men who committed the robbery testified against them as part of a plea bargin. The three men who actually committed the crime served two-year prison terms and returned to society, but, inexplicably, Jamie and Gladys were slapped with double-life sentences! They’ve already served 16 years. By the way, no forensic evidence or weapon was ever presented during the trial, and the sisters proclaim their innocence to this day.

Okay, now that you have the back-story, let’s fast forward to the present. The sisters have written countless letters to Barbour over the years requesting clemency, but the governor has failed to act. It gets worse. Jamie Scott has been waging a valiant battle with kidney failure, and many family members, friends and supporters suspect that time is no longer on her side, given the fact that the prison hasn’t been providing the level of quality care she desperately needs.

“The dialysis trailer is infested with black mold. Several of the dialysis inmates are now experiencing headaches and watery eyes while in this trailer (mobile building), for treatment. One of the facility nurses had to be rushed out by ambulance recently, and this nurse only becomes sick while at work in the dialysis trailer,” said Nancy Lockhart. Lockhart, who holds a Master of Jurisprudence from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, posts frequent updates on the case at http://freethescottsisters.blogspot.com/.

Sadly, most of the major news networks, organizations and publications in this country don’t think this story is newsworthy or that Barbour should be questioned extensively about it. That’s a goddamn shame! If they want newsworthy, I’ll give them newsworthy.

The Jackson Free Press and Slate have reported that Governor Barbour has pardoned or suspended the sentences of five convicted murderers! Slate reporter Radley Balko revealed that those granted clemency had worked in a special prison program that allowed them the opportunity to work in and around the governor’s mansion. Is that newsworthy enough for you, mainstream media?

Even with this information hiding in plain sight, in print archives and on the web, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, HNN, MSNBC, NBC, the New York Times, the Washington Post and others have failed, and failed miserably, to cover this story or grill Barbour about it. This defies all logic and reason, and I’m calling each one of them out!

With over seventy percent of the country expressing a deep-seated hatred and distrust for the media, and WikiLeaks kicking their teleprompter reading, copy-editing asses, this is the mainstream media’s chance to report the story and make a difference.

Barbour and the media organizations may not actually realize this, but by ignoring this alarming, heartbreaking and powerful story, they are indirectly saying, particularly to Blacks in and outside of Mississippi, “We don’t care about those nigger-bitches! We couldn’t care less about their double-life sentence or if Jamie Scott lives or dies.” I’m sure it isn’t their intent to convey this message, but that’s what comes across loud and clear.

If Jamie Scott is not able to be in the comfort of family and friends during the final days of her struggle or, heaven forbid, she is left to die in a prison cell, two things will happen: every news organization in America, including the Black ones, will have blood on their hands, and Barbour and the good, old boys of the GOP can kiss the all-important Black vote goodbye, forever, when America selects its 45th president…. and each thereafter.

This commentary is from the heart and ......From The G-Man.

Photo source:
http://www.photolibrary.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=23663

Author: George Armstrong/FEMA

Permission: Public Domain

Sarah Palin: America's Multimedia Whore

'Baby Trig' Will Suffer If Mom Remains in Media

Spotlight or Pursues Presidency

America, Sarah Palin has been “putting out’ to the mainstream media ever since Senator John McCain announced her as his running mate in 2008. Over the last two and a half years, Palin’s numerous speaking engagements, television appearances and projects, book deals and magazine articles have made her the most sought after and recognized woman in this country and abroad. That’s not an assumption; it’s a fact!

Yes, everyone in the male-dominated, national media is lusting after her. That’s the only reason why discussions about her looks and body continue to take place on national airwaves and networks. Wake up, people! If the offer or price is right, you can definitely get some “Half-Baked Alaska”. That's also a fact.

Palin has been labeled a king-maker by mainstream news pundits and become the media darling of America, but I have very serious concerns about how all of these external factors, including a possible bid for the White House, will affect her ability to raise her infant son, Trig, who has Down syndrome. I suspect there are millions of parents of special needs children out there that are just as concerned, and I think a national dialog should take place on the subject.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I know nothing about the complexities of raising a special needs child. However, I do have close relationships with several parents that are raising children facing mental and/or physical challenges, and they all agree, unequivocally, that special needs children require a great deal of time and attention from and interaction with their parents, especially their mothers. With Trig being so young, they noted extended quality time with his mother is of crucial importance.

In all fairness, I did discover that some amazing breakthroughs have been made in educating and enhancing the lives of children afflicted with Down syndrome and other conditions. Today, many grow up and go on to lead happy and productive lives with the assistance of medical personnel, family and friends. That’s all good, but the crucial difference is the overwhelming majority of mothers of special needs children aren’t hinting at or planning a run for the presidency.

I’m sure the Palin clan and extended family are doing their best to make sure Trig receives all the attention and love he needs if “Momma Grizzly” chooses to pursue other interests. Still, with Palin emerging as a dominant force within the Tea Party and politics, and a real possibility of her obtaining the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, she is being pulled and tugged in many different directions, at many different times, by many different people.

If she decides to run in 2012, the situation will only get worse. She’ll be required to do research and have a firm grasp of the issues, travel the country, raise money, stump for candidates, engage in scores of debates and make various television appearances at a whirlwind pace. It will be ten-times worse than anything she did during the midterm elections. If this comes to pass, how the hell would Palin be able to enhance and nurture that loving mother and child bond that is vital to Trig’s development? Answer: she won't!

Todd Palin won’t be enough. Trig’s siblings won’t be enough. The grandparents and extended family won’t be enough. Sarah Palin gave birth to that boy, and she needs to put him before anyone or anything else. Period!

Now, I’m sure she knows this, but I suspect she's in too deep, financially and politically, to walk away from all the bullshit and madness, live in peace, and devote herself solely to Trig and her family. She's made her political bed and now has to lie in it. The question is.... will Trig suffer emotionally because of her current and potential endeavors?

Whether she realizes it or not, multimedia and politics have merged to become Palin’s pimp. They have exposed, marketed and promoted her for their financial and political gain, and like a young, inexperienced actress that has been seated on a Hollywood casting couch, she has allowed herself to become a willing participant in the metamorphosis from doe-eyed innocent to political/multimedia harlot. Ultimately, she'll end up used, abused and discarded like an old whore after the attraction and desire wane.

The GOP and the Tea Party, which have merged to become what I call “The Gotees”, and multimedia, are nothing more than "Johns” using Palin for their own selfish gain. They're banging her like a screen door caught in a hurricane, and Palin simply lays back, counts her cash, and waits for the next caller.

Like the stereotypical dumb blonde, no one takes her seriously or thinks she's qualified enough or tough enough to lead a country, let alone go toe-to-toe with terrorists or political hardliners in America or abroad. The Gotees and multimedia don’t give a shit about Palin, and I guarantee you they care even less about Trig. It's all about building their base, power, generating revenue and ratings.

If anyone truly had Trig's best interest at heart, Palin's friends, Gotee members, the media and the parents of special needs children would raise the issue more consistently. For the many that continue to draw her into bed, Palin is simply a means to an end. Sadly, she, as well as her family, is too blinded by money, power and the media porn spotlight to realize it. Pray for Trig, America. Pray for Trig.

This commentary is from the heart and....From The G-Man.

Photo source: David Shankbone

Credit: David Shankbone

Permission: Creative Commons 3.0

Decorated Ex-Cop Files Landmark Lawsuit Against NYPD

Adrian Schoolcraft claims NYPD officials, officers and personnel at Jamaica Hospital Center were all involved in his termination and forced relocation from New York City. The former officer says he is still being harassed and receiving threats a year later.

Abuse of Power, Corruption and Fourth Amendment Violations Cited

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) prides itself on serving the public with courtesy, professionalism and respect, but according to a recent United States District Court complaint filed within the Southern District, a former officer claims high-ranking department officials performed their duties to the contrary and made his life a living hell.

Adrian Schoolcraft is a United States Navy veteran who received the “National Defense Service Medal”, the “First Good Conduct Medal” and a host of other awards. As a member of the NYPD, he was awarded the “Meritorious Police Duty Medal” and later recognized for his “dedication to the New York City Police Department and to the City of New York.”

The groundbreaking complaint alleges that a “coordinated and concentrated effort by high-ranking officials” within the department was launched in effort to silence, intimidate, threaten and retaliate against Schoolcraft for documenting and disclosing patterns of corruption with the NYPD.

“The NYPD had established an illegal quota policy for the issuance of summonses and arrest. Several of my superiors were falsifying documents and instructing police officers to suborn perjury on police reports in order to distort COMPSTAT statistics,” stated Schoolcraft.

The complaint also cites numerous illegal tactics conducted by NYPD officials against Schoolcraft to prevent disclosure of illegal and unconstitutional procedures, which would have revealed widespread corruption and on-going cover-ups within the police department.

“Nearly a year ago, specialized NYPD units, including several of my superiors, unlawfully entered my home in Glendale, New York. They physically abused me, had me forcibly removed in handcuffs and seized my personal effects; including evidence I had documenting NYPD corruption. What they did was a clear violation of my Fourth Amendment rights regarding illegal search and seizure,” said Schoolcraft.

The landmark lawsuit also revealed that shortly after the raid, NYPD officials had Schoolcraft admitted to Jamaica Hospital Center (JHC), which he claims was done against his will, and provided false and perjurious information to medical personnel that classified him as “emotionally disturbed”.

Schoolcraft contends that officers conspired with several Jamaica Hospital Center staff members, including two mental health experts from the facility’s psychiatric department, to have him involuntarily committed to the JHC psychiatric ward for six days.

According to the court document, one of the doctors declared Schoolcraft mentally sound, but failed to take any action when Schoolcraft was admitted to the psychiatric ward. Inexplicably, another doctor sanctioned the officer’s confinement to the ward without ever conducting a mental evaluation of Schoolcraft.

The officer was handcuffed to a gurney and left in the hallway, half-naked, and forced to remain there for nearly a week. He was denied access to a phone and given next to nothing to eat.

“I had a mountain of evidence against them, and they were worried about all of it becoming public. They were determined to shut me up or make me look crazy. They were willing to do whatever it took to ruin my reputation and discredit the allegations. Their sole purpose was and still is to prevent me from disclosing evidence of widespread corruption within the NYPD,” Schoolcraft stated.

“Ultimately, I was terminated by the NYPD. I lost my position, salary, benefits and pension for speaking out against what I knew was wrong on a number of levels. Honor and integrity are everything to me. They were codes I lived by in the military, and they were codes I adhered to as a police officer. In the end, my reputation was irreparably and permanently damaged by rogue members of the NYPD,” he continued.

According to the complaint, the former officer’s battle with NYPD officials and fellow cops eventually took a dramatic turn for the worst.

Schoolcraft alleges that his termination and continued harassment by the department forced him to relocate to upstate New York, some 350 miles outside of the New York City area. However, from December 2009 until present day, armed NYPD officials have remained relentless in their effort to silence, harass or harm him or his father, who also served honorably as a member of the NYPD, by repeatedly appearing at his upstate home.

“This is a blatant abuse of power by the New York City Police Department. You have armed NYPD officials and officers traveling outside of their jurisdiction, during working hours and on taxpayer dollars, to intimidate, threaten and possibly harm someone that was awarded for being an outstanding member of their rank and file,” said Jon Norinsberg, Schoolcraft’s attorney and co-counsel with Cohen and Fitch, LLC.

Schoolcraft and his attorneys claim that NYPD detectives and other officials continue to show up on many occasions and acknowledge they’re New York City police officers.

“Each time, they bang on my front door, or peer through my window, demanding to be let in. I’m not letting them in because I fear for my safety. There are a number people here that have witnessed these incidents, and I have irrefutable evidence that they’ve been here on more than one occasion,” said Schoolcraft.

The lawsuit further alleges that the NYPD has been instrumental in preventing Schoolcraft from being able to receive any form of financial or medical assistance that he is entitled to as a veteran.

“My client’s Fourth Amendment and civil rights have been violated on a number of levels and in the most egregious ways, and we intend to see that justice is done,” Norinsberg proclaimed. Schoolcraft’s attorneys are seeking $50 million in damages in the case.

Several calls were placed to Jamaica Hospital Center in effort to obtain comments from hospital directors and the doctors named in the lawsuit. Michael Hinck, Director of Public Affairs, stated that Jamaica Hospital Center and those named in the lawsuit would not comment because the matter is in litigation. Hinck indicated that comments would be provided immediately if the policy changes.

Calls, as well as emails, were placed to the New York City Police Department’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information to get their side of the story. A spokesperson stated that no comment was forthcoming and they had no idea if or when one would be submitted.

Schoolcraft, Norinsberg and Cohen and Fitch, LLC have set up a website urging other concerned and embattled New York City police officers to come forward and share stories regarding abuse of power, illegal quotas and systemic corruption within various precincts. Officers can submit stories at http://www.schoolcraftjustice.com.

For those interested in reading about Schoolcraft’s ordeal in full and uncensored detail, “From The G-Man” has posted the United States District Court complaint below this blog entry.

Photo courtesy of Cohen and Fitch, LLC.