The announcement of Bristol Palin's pregnancy drew quite a stir from the media prior to the Republican National Convention held in Minnesota last week. Rumors and erroneous reports began to seep towards the nation's airwaves, while the Palin family and party advisers scrambled to clarify the details of the pregnancy. As the whole situation continued to unfold last week, I couldn't help but wonder about the loss of privacy in our nation.
The 24 hour, 7 days a week news cycle churns out opinion and information at a blistering rate. No one is really immune to it's scope; just ask Levi Johnston. I bet he never dreamed that he'd go from high school hockey player to being on the stage at the Republican National Convention. By now, his name has been mentioned thousands of times on the air, in print or in online publications. And to think people around the nation will know him not for his slap shot, or thunderous checks, but as the guy who got a vice presidential candidate's daughter pregnant. I must say it seems just a tad unfair. I'm not trying to rationalize or make light of his and Bristol's decision, but it's amazing to see how sometimes the consequences of our actions shine like a full moon on a cloudless night.
I found part the Palin family's statement regarding the pregnancy pretty interesting, "Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates".
It just seems like this story has been the great gossip at this juncture in election campaign. And instead of the whispers, stares and finger-pointing that happen in smaller social circles around the country, this situation exploded into a gossip that the whole nation could take part in. It's not just that they are a young couple with a child on the way, but they are a young couple with a budding pregnancy in the midst of a presidential election. Any privacy, decency and accuracy that the media, bloggers or other personalities may show would go right out the window.
For the youtube, myspace and facebook generation (of which I am a part); this should be a tale of caution. Even though we may long to pad the number of views on our web page, posts on our blogs or acceptance of friend requests, we may be in turn setting ourselves up to be the next Levi Johnston.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Have we lost privacy in our nation? Do we shoulder some of the blame in that loss of privacy? Is the media play the hero or villain when reporting such stories and issues?
Jonathan
Monday, September 8, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
For English Press One
The LPGA's announcement requiring international players to pass an evaluation of their English speaking skills (set to begin in 2009) has opened an interesting discourse across the country and around the world. But in their desire to broaden their fan base, strengthen existing sponsorships and attempt to gain new ones, has the LPGA waded into the murky waters of discrimination against some of their players?
Ultimately, I believe the descision to have this evaluation or proficiency rule is a favorable idea for all parties involved. Although, I also believe that the LPGA went about informing everyone of this new rule in the wrong way.
What do the players have to lose? The threat of suspension is an option if players do not pass or adhere to the new English speaking rule. But I think that the positives outweigh the negatives. For those players who do fall under the English provision, learning a new language can not only broaden their fan base in the United States but it could very well open up new marketing and sponsorship opportunities.
I do not believe that this new rule will be an assault upon the cultural identity of new international players in the LPGA. If the LPGA mandated that new international players renounce their homeland or renounce their home language then there should be strong protesting and condemnation. However, this is not the case; learning a new language can only assist that particular player on and off the golf course, whether it's English or another language.
The LPGA is not off the hook in regards to their new announcement. The announcement of the new rule should've been relayed to ALL players regardless of their nationality; this was not the case. The LPGA may also have to contend with legality issues as well. The LPGA does have time on it's side in regards to this issue. The rule is not being put into place until the 2009 season, which will allow for LPGA administrators to properly and clearly define the rule and how it will be implemented. But due to a less then stellar public relations announcement, the LPGA is on the defensive.
Does speaking another language really matter when trying to hit a small dimpled ball 250 to 300 yards? Yes, if you're a professional golfer. Because not only are these women professional athletes, competing against one another and the difficult courses that they play on, but they also are ambassadors for their sport. Being an ambassador in the world of professional sports doesn't just end once the game is finished, but it continues when players meet their fans, address the media and interact with their sponsors. Therefore, to further strengthen and broaden the game of golf, this rule should be embraced.
Here's my twist in this story. If the LPGA is going to set forth an English speaking rule for international players, then international tournaments should do the same to English speaking golfers. There should be a sharing of cultures on both sides, international players and American or English speaking players. This should be what the LPGA is truly searching and reaching for; to broaden the marketability of their game, and the beauty of the game by the acceptance cross-cultural communication.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Has the LPGA crossed the line in mandating an English speaking rule for it's international players? Is a suspension for a failed test or lack of adherence the proper action against players? Is the language argument really relevant?
Jonathan
Ultimately, I believe the descision to have this evaluation or proficiency rule is a favorable idea for all parties involved. Although, I also believe that the LPGA went about informing everyone of this new rule in the wrong way.
What do the players have to lose? The threat of suspension is an option if players do not pass or adhere to the new English speaking rule. But I think that the positives outweigh the negatives. For those players who do fall under the English provision, learning a new language can not only broaden their fan base in the United States but it could very well open up new marketing and sponsorship opportunities.
I do not believe that this new rule will be an assault upon the cultural identity of new international players in the LPGA. If the LPGA mandated that new international players renounce their homeland or renounce their home language then there should be strong protesting and condemnation. However, this is not the case; learning a new language can only assist that particular player on and off the golf course, whether it's English or another language.
The LPGA is not off the hook in regards to their new announcement. The announcement of the new rule should've been relayed to ALL players regardless of their nationality; this was not the case. The LPGA may also have to contend with legality issues as well. The LPGA does have time on it's side in regards to this issue. The rule is not being put into place until the 2009 season, which will allow for LPGA administrators to properly and clearly define the rule and how it will be implemented. But due to a less then stellar public relations announcement, the LPGA is on the defensive.
Does speaking another language really matter when trying to hit a small dimpled ball 250 to 300 yards? Yes, if you're a professional golfer. Because not only are these women professional athletes, competing against one another and the difficult courses that they play on, but they also are ambassadors for their sport. Being an ambassador in the world of professional sports doesn't just end once the game is finished, but it continues when players meet their fans, address the media and interact with their sponsors. Therefore, to further strengthen and broaden the game of golf, this rule should be embraced.
Here's my twist in this story. If the LPGA is going to set forth an English speaking rule for international players, then international tournaments should do the same to English speaking golfers. There should be a sharing of cultures on both sides, international players and American or English speaking players. This should be what the LPGA is truly searching and reaching for; to broaden the marketability of their game, and the beauty of the game by the acceptance cross-cultural communication.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Has the LPGA crossed the line in mandating an English speaking rule for it's international players? Is a suspension for a failed test or lack of adherence the proper action against players? Is the language argument really relevant?
Jonathan
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