Well time has been flying by this last semester, with all of the time that classes were canceled a lot of things sneak up on a person. Some of the problems I have had to deal with is making deadlines for myself to get these projects done. With campus being closed it has been difficult because I don’t have internet at my house so I have to rely on other sources and places to use it.
For my crisis communication project I am going to be doing it on the city of valley city. We had a lot of good sources of communication set up to find out what was going on with the flood. They had daily meeting informing the public what was going on, the radio station broadcasted 24 hours a day, and the television had a few channels where you could get information. I have quite a bit of information and resources that I am going to be using in my project.
I thought Valley City did a pretty good job on informing the public and keeping us reassured that everything was going to be ok and we can beat this if we all work together. The community all did come together and worked hard and it paid off. The only bad thing that really happened is that the sanitary sewer system failed and I heard on the news that they will not be able to fix it fully until the river gets to 5 to 7 ft and that is going to be around September. We can finally put water down the drains again which is nice. I was discharging my washer outside for the last few weeks and my hose broke one day and I had water all over my basement floor. Thank god that it is a cement floor so all I had to do was suck it up with a shop vac.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Flooding at Valley City North Dakota
It has been a tough year for anyone attending Valley City State University. We have had a lot of days canceled this winter due to unusual amounts of snow and rain this winter. Now we are dealing with a flood, no water usage, and campus being closed for the rest of the semester. Classes are going to be continued online for the rest of this semester.
With about half of the city being evacuated the city has gotten the sewer line rerouted so it is not flowing into the river. However we are still under limited water usage. It has been tough on the whole community and business owners as well. As for the most part I think that the city and government officials have done a good job in saving this community.
It would just seem like we would get a handle on one thing, like getting contingency dikes in place and we would have a breach some other place. When they would get that under control another thing would happen, it just seemed like it was a fight that we could not overcome.
In the long run we fought and fought and did not give up. The community and VCSU helped tremendously with the help in filling and placing sand bags where the trucks and other heavy equipment could not get to, too raise the dikes to a safe level.
It is going to take some time and help from government agencies to help rebuild and get Valley City back to the way it was. The dikes are going to need some work and the streets are all tore up from all of the equipment and trucks running on them.
Let’s just be thankful that it wasn’t as bad as it was supposed to be and nobody got hurt during this time of crisis. I want to put a special thanks to all of the people that helped fight this fight and overcome it.
With about half of the city being evacuated the city has gotten the sewer line rerouted so it is not flowing into the river. However we are still under limited water usage. It has been tough on the whole community and business owners as well. As for the most part I think that the city and government officials have done a good job in saving this community.
It would just seem like we would get a handle on one thing, like getting contingency dikes in place and we would have a breach some other place. When they would get that under control another thing would happen, it just seemed like it was a fight that we could not overcome.
In the long run we fought and fought and did not give up. The community and VCSU helped tremendously with the help in filling and placing sand bags where the trucks and other heavy equipment could not get to, too raise the dikes to a safe level.
It is going to take some time and help from government agencies to help rebuild and get Valley City back to the way it was. The dikes are going to need some work and the streets are all tore up from all of the equipment and trucks running on them.
Let’s just be thankful that it wasn’t as bad as it was supposed to be and nobody got hurt during this time of crisis. I want to put a special thanks to all of the people that helped fight this fight and overcome it.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Critics say new Afghan law 'legalizes rape'
I think this is crazy! I have never heard of anything like this before. In the article it states that an Afghan man can have sex with his wife even if she does not want to and it is not considered rape. The new law states that a man can have sex with his wife every 4th day. The law makers that wrote the law state that this is an advancement for women because it is making sure that the men stay faithful to their wives. It does state that if a women is sick than it is against the law.
The only reason the Afghan President Hamid Karzai passed this law is to reinsure reelection. I don’t think that a very good PR moves on his point. Critics from all over still think it is rape. The definition of rape is the crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts, especially sexual intercourse. I consider it to be rape. I think it should be a consensual act in my words. I think this could promote a growth in population as well.
The Afghan women have come so far in the last 7 years. They used to be not able to do anything, now they are going to school and own businesses. They did pass a law that women’s faces cannot be seen they have to have them all covered up and have to be accompanied by a member of their family.
I hope there is a way that they can reverse this law and help protect the women’s right there. I think the better thing is to not re-elect President Hamid Karzai and get someone that opposes some of his crazy stunts that he pulls just to be reelected as president.
The only reason the Afghan President Hamid Karzai passed this law is to reinsure reelection. I don’t think that a very good PR moves on his point. Critics from all over still think it is rape. The definition of rape is the crime of forcing another person to submit to sex acts, especially sexual intercourse. I consider it to be rape. I think it should be a consensual act in my words. I think this could promote a growth in population as well.
The Afghan women have come so far in the last 7 years. They used to be not able to do anything, now they are going to school and own businesses. They did pass a law that women’s faces cannot be seen they have to have them all covered up and have to be accompanied by a member of their family.
I hope there is a way that they can reverse this law and help protect the women’s right there. I think the better thing is to not re-elect President Hamid Karzai and get someone that opposes some of his crazy stunts that he pulls just to be reelected as president.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
NDSU moving to the NCAA!!!!
What an accomplishment for North Dakota!! The NDSU Bison were finally eligible for the NCAA national tournament. They would have to beat Oakland to win the Summit in Sioux Falls South Dakota. It was a tough match NDSU was down most of the game but in the final minutes they put it together and had to make a last second shot to win 66-64.
The team is stacked with 5 year seniors that ended up red shirting their first year to become eligible to play in the NCAA tournament if they would make it and guess what it paid off for them. NDSU is now going to be up against coaches that get paid millions of dollars and players that are just waiting for the NBA draft. Even though the odds are against NDSU for winning their first playoff game, this will be something that the players and coaches will always be able to remember that the first year eligible they get to play in the tournament.
I think that even though we will probably get stomped in the game it is a good PR for North Dakota. We aren’t just a bunch of farmers who live in cold weather and raise cattle. This is going to show that North Dakota is going to be a competitor in the future to come with basketball. I am guessing since we made it the first year that we were eligible we will have more money in the next few years to come so maybe we will be able to get some good drafts and maybe have a shot at the title some day.
I am glad that the team worked hard and glad that the seniors now like Woodstock who was Conference player of the year that they put as much time and effort to try and give North Dakota a name for another sport.
The team is stacked with 5 year seniors that ended up red shirting their first year to become eligible to play in the NCAA tournament if they would make it and guess what it paid off for them. NDSU is now going to be up against coaches that get paid millions of dollars and players that are just waiting for the NBA draft. Even though the odds are against NDSU for winning their first playoff game, this will be something that the players and coaches will always be able to remember that the first year eligible they get to play in the tournament.
I think that even though we will probably get stomped in the game it is a good PR for North Dakota. We aren’t just a bunch of farmers who live in cold weather and raise cattle. This is going to show that North Dakota is going to be a competitor in the future to come with basketball. I am guessing since we made it the first year that we were eligible we will have more money in the next few years to come so maybe we will be able to get some good drafts and maybe have a shot at the title some day.
I am glad that the team worked hard and glad that the seniors now like Woodstock who was Conference player of the year that they put as much time and effort to try and give North Dakota a name for another sport.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
7 tips in selling your home in a crowded market
With today’s economy people are having a hard time selling their homes in certain areas there are multiple homes on the same block that are for sale. There are 7 tips that could help sell your home in a crowded area. There are also new development areas that are being developed with several new homes that are for sale. According to bankrate.com this could actually help you sell your home. So what are the 7 tips that will help you sell your house in a crowded market. 1.) suggest a open house with your neighbors that are selling their house. 2.) Sell your entire neighborhood 3.) Give easy access to your home 4.) Price your home right 5.) use creativity to help boost buyer interest 6.) If your neighbor sells first celebrate 7.) Stage your home.
So what do these mean 1.) By doing a multiple open house you will get more potential buyers to come and look at several homes in a small area. 2.) Help promote that there is nothing wrong with the neighborhood, so show the positives of the neighborhood. 3.) Be able to show the home quickly, you don’t want to have them wait so they go to your neighbor’s house first. 7.) Decorate your home, make it look inviting and a comfortable place to live and raise a family. 4.) Make sure you are pricing your home with the current market in your neighborhood. Don’t over price. 5.) Make sure you continuously tweak your strategies in selling your home. 6.) Don’t get down that your neighbor’s house sold first, think of it this way now I am the next one on the market to sell.
Well if you are trying to sell a home I hope these tips will help you sell a home or even help you buy a home if you are looking for one. Happy selling and Happy shopping!!
So what do these mean 1.) By doing a multiple open house you will get more potential buyers to come and look at several homes in a small area. 2.) Help promote that there is nothing wrong with the neighborhood, so show the positives of the neighborhood. 3.) Be able to show the home quickly, you don’t want to have them wait so they go to your neighbor’s house first. 7.) Decorate your home, make it look inviting and a comfortable place to live and raise a family. 4.) Make sure you are pricing your home with the current market in your neighborhood. Don’t over price. 5.) Make sure you continuously tweak your strategies in selling your home. 6.) Don’t get down that your neighbor’s house sold first, think of it this way now I am the next one on the market to sell.
Well if you are trying to sell a home I hope these tips will help you sell a home or even help you buy a home if you are looking for one. Happy selling and Happy shopping!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
"10 Things You Should Not Buy New"
I found an interesting article called the “10 things you should not buy new”. I find it very interesting because most of them I have bought new. I agree that if more people were to but things that are used we might be able to help the environment. For example just about everything that you buy has some sort of plastic on it so there is oil in it. If less people were to go and buy that product new and buy it used we could help in many ways. One we would have less waste because a lot of these items just get thrown away after so many years because nobody wants it anymore.
I also kind of disagree with some of them. For instance if I had the money or it was a great deal I would buy a new car. For many reasons, with newer technology it would probably be safe to say that a newer vehicle would be better on the environment because it would be giving off less CO2. Plus I am kind of picky on what I am going to drive.
Ok I will let you know what the 10 things you are not supposed to buy new are now that I have your attention: 1.) Books, 2.) DVD’s & CD’s, 3.) Little kids toys, 4.) Jewelry, 5.) sports equipment, 6.) Timeshares, 7.) Cars, 8.) Software and console games, 9.) Office furniture 10.)Hand tools
It does make sense if you wanted to save money especially with the economy the way it is right now more people are and should look into buying used goods to save money and help save the environment. I have never really been a “gamer” but I know a lot of my friends are and they would pay $70 or more for one game and about 8 months later a newer and better version of the game came out and you could buy the first one than for about half the price or less.
Well I hope everyone thinks about how much money they could save if they would just look a little and buy a few items used instead of new. Besides a lot of used items are just as good as new.
I also kind of disagree with some of them. For instance if I had the money or it was a great deal I would buy a new car. For many reasons, with newer technology it would probably be safe to say that a newer vehicle would be better on the environment because it would be giving off less CO2. Plus I am kind of picky on what I am going to drive.
Ok I will let you know what the 10 things you are not supposed to buy new are now that I have your attention: 1.) Books, 2.) DVD’s & CD’s, 3.) Little kids toys, 4.) Jewelry, 5.) sports equipment, 6.) Timeshares, 7.) Cars, 8.) Software and console games, 9.) Office furniture 10.)Hand tools
It does make sense if you wanted to save money especially with the economy the way it is right now more people are and should look into buying used goods to save money and help save the environment. I have never really been a “gamer” but I know a lot of my friends are and they would pay $70 or more for one game and about 8 months later a newer and better version of the game came out and you could buy the first one than for about half the price or less.
Well I hope everyone thinks about how much money they could save if they would just look a little and buy a few items used instead of new. Besides a lot of used items are just as good as new.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tigers Newborn Baby
Tiger s newborn baby
Tigers wife gave birth a baby boy on February 8th. Tiger announced that the family is doing well and everyone is excited. Tiger has had a bumpy road the last year since he has undergone knee surgery. His caddie states that he will make a full comeback and is hoping that he will perform in the match play this week. People are already talking about Tigers newborn boy “Charlie” they say that he only has 2 years until he can pick up a club like his dad did. Tiger was a prodigy since he has been a child. He went through some rough times because he and his father could not play on a lot of courses in California because they were black. Times have changed now and he is the number one golfer in the world and has been for a long time. He has broke many many records that will take a long time for someone if someone will ever be able to accomplish was he has.
I think there are going to be a lot of people talking in a couple of years and now if Tiger will push his son the way that his dad pushed him. If he does will he be able to accomplish was his dad has. I am a Tiger Woods fan and I think he is going to come back this year and kick butt. Better watch out he will have many winning streaks this season if he is truly 100%.
Tigers wife gave birth a baby boy on February 8th. Tiger announced that the family is doing well and everyone is excited. Tiger has had a bumpy road the last year since he has undergone knee surgery. His caddie states that he will make a full comeback and is hoping that he will perform in the match play this week. People are already talking about Tigers newborn boy “Charlie” they say that he only has 2 years until he can pick up a club like his dad did. Tiger was a prodigy since he has been a child. He went through some rough times because he and his father could not play on a lot of courses in California because they were black. Times have changed now and he is the number one golfer in the world and has been for a long time. He has broke many many records that will take a long time for someone if someone will ever be able to accomplish was he has.
I think there are going to be a lot of people talking in a couple of years and now if Tiger will push his son the way that his dad pushed him. If he does will he be able to accomplish was his dad has. I am a Tiger Woods fan and I think he is going to come back this year and kick butt. Better watch out he will have many winning streaks this season if he is truly 100%.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Bye Bye Favre
Favre informs Jets that he’s retiring
By: Jay Glazer
Brett Favre has announced his retirement from the NY Jets after 18 seasons in the league. He has set a lot of records throughout his football career, the 18 seasons being one of them. We will have to see if he is actually going to retire this time or not. I think last year he just used it as a publicity act to get more rating. I do agree that he is one of the best QB in the league, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying that he is the best ever. People argue well just look at the stats, but yea when you have played for 18 you are going to have a lot of the records, if I am not mistaking he has every record for interceptions: most thrown in a game, season, and career.
I think he is going to be done for good now. I really think he should have retired about 4 years ago, but the media kept pushing and pushing and saying that he is the best and he still has it he can still play. I think that got to his head and he thinks he can play as good as he used to but really cannot compete with the athletes today.
Some people say that this year’s season with the Jets was one of his Best, I really don’t think so, when I watched the games I thought he was struggling getting down the field, just didn’t feel all that comfortable. But, what do I know.
In the long run he had some really good years and some not so hot. The thing that I think he was looking for was one more super bowl attempt. He came close a couple years ago and that is why I think that encouraged him to keep playing. It is time to hang the towel up and move on Brett.
By: Jay Glazer
Brett Favre has announced his retirement from the NY Jets after 18 seasons in the league. He has set a lot of records throughout his football career, the 18 seasons being one of them. We will have to see if he is actually going to retire this time or not. I think last year he just used it as a publicity act to get more rating. I do agree that he is one of the best QB in the league, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying that he is the best ever. People argue well just look at the stats, but yea when you have played for 18 you are going to have a lot of the records, if I am not mistaking he has every record for interceptions: most thrown in a game, season, and career.
I think he is going to be done for good now. I really think he should have retired about 4 years ago, but the media kept pushing and pushing and saying that he is the best and he still has it he can still play. I think that got to his head and he thinks he can play as good as he used to but really cannot compete with the athletes today.
Some people say that this year’s season with the Jets was one of his Best, I really don’t think so, when I watched the games I thought he was struggling getting down the field, just didn’t feel all that comfortable. But, what do I know.
In the long run he had some really good years and some not so hot. The thing that I think he was looking for was one more super bowl attempt. He came close a couple years ago and that is why I think that encouraged him to keep playing. It is time to hang the towel up and move on Brett.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tucson AZ sees porn during Super bowl 2009
I was talking to a friend the other day and he asked me if I had heard anything about a porn clip that interrupted super bowl 2009. I said I have not heard anything about it. He told me that you can view it on you tube. Well I thought this would be interesting so I did some research on this.
If you watched the super bowl in 2004, you might have caught a glimpse of Janet Jacksons wardrobe malfunction when Justin Timberlake tore her top. Well this year Comcast in Tucson AZ area somehow aired a 15 sec to 30 sec clip of porn. It happened shortly after 7:30 when the Cardinals scored their last touchdown to take the lead.
The channel starts to get fuzzy and you see a woman unzipping a man’s pants, to make him fully nude and then some graphic material after words. They are saying it is a clip from Club Jenna. Which, is an adult TV channel featuring one of the world’s top porn stars Jenna Jameson. Some people might have thought it was just another commercial until they saw him nude. There were a lot of people that took it very offensive and want answers of how this could happen on the super bowl. One of the most viewed programs for the whole year. They are doing investigations to find out how this happened and Comcast did make an apology stating we will give you answers.
I would say that this is a big PR issue for Comcast they are going to have to inform all of their customers of how something like this could happen. I guess I am thinking that someone hit the wrong switch to go to commercial or something. NOTE: if you want to watch it, there is no nudity in it on you tube they have it blacked out.
If you watched the super bowl in 2004, you might have caught a glimpse of Janet Jacksons wardrobe malfunction when Justin Timberlake tore her top. Well this year Comcast in Tucson AZ area somehow aired a 15 sec to 30 sec clip of porn. It happened shortly after 7:30 when the Cardinals scored their last touchdown to take the lead.
The channel starts to get fuzzy and you see a woman unzipping a man’s pants, to make him fully nude and then some graphic material after words. They are saying it is a clip from Club Jenna. Which, is an adult TV channel featuring one of the world’s top porn stars Jenna Jameson. Some people might have thought it was just another commercial until they saw him nude. There were a lot of people that took it very offensive and want answers of how this could happen on the super bowl. One of the most viewed programs for the whole year. They are doing investigations to find out how this happened and Comcast did make an apology stating we will give you answers.
I would say that this is a big PR issue for Comcast they are going to have to inform all of their customers of how something like this could happen. I guess I am thinking that someone hit the wrong switch to go to commercial or something. NOTE: if you want to watch it, there is no nudity in it on you tube they have it blacked out.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Has Patrick Swayze given up hope?
Patrick Swayze has been in the spot light his whole life for acting. He has come out with some of the best movies of all times, like Dirty Dancing, Road House, and has starred in TV series as well. About a year ago he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He had had it for awhile and didn’t even know about it. When they finally figured out what it was it was too late it had already spread to his lungs. He tried to keep it as quiet as he could but the word got out and it hit the headlines. Most of the headlines were saying that Swayze only has a few months to live. He said that he is stubborn and is not ready to die. Well after proving the News and Doctors wrong going strong for over a year fighting this vigorous cancer he decided to go back to acting being the star in “The Beast”. There were a lot of people who thought he would not have the strength to do acting again with all of the treatments he has been going through, but than again he proved them wrong. Patrick and his wife finally went public about a month ago they did an interview on TV telling the World about his fears of fighting this cancer. It seemed pretty hard for him to talk about it.
The latest in the headlines is that Patrick quit treatment because he was being hospitalized for pneumonia a few weeks ago. But his publicist is denying that and states he is still in treatment. Everyone is saying that they cant believe how long Swayze has lasted with his cancer. Doctors say that with stage 4 pancreatic cancers you usually only live a few months. Well I hope he fights it as long as he can and does not give up hope.
The latest in the headlines is that Patrick quit treatment because he was being hospitalized for pneumonia a few weeks ago. But his publicist is denying that and states he is still in treatment. Everyone is saying that they cant believe how long Swayze has lasted with his cancer. Doctors say that with stage 4 pancreatic cancers you usually only live a few months. Well I hope he fights it as long as he can and does not give up hope.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Chapter One and assignments
I guess I really didn’t even know what Public Relations was before reading this chapter. All I knew is that I needed to take this class in order to graduate. So I found it very interesting and helpful with this chapter in Public Relations Writing. I don’t think that there is one definition of what public relations is..The book did mention the most common definition was founded in Mexico City in the 70’s. I like the way they state what and how to become a PR. They say you have to be educated and honest. I guess I didn’t realize how far in depth that they go and what they have to do. That brings me to the other part of the assignment that we had to do. We had to go to the PRSA website and read the America Code of Ethics 2000. In this assignment we had to write about what we agreed with and what we did not agree with.
Likes
Well first of all I would have to say the thing that I like the most is that they say that they are responsible for their actions. The reason I like this is because if they do screw up than they will let the public know that they miss informed them and make everything right. Honesty is another one that I like because than you are going to know up front what they are talking about and you know that the information that they come up with is going to be creditable.
I also like that the intent is to build trust with the clients and to keep them informed of what is going on. They also act in the best of interest with the clients, so if they know it is going to be something that will hurt them in the long run than it is probably better that they just don’t do it at all.
One of the best things that I like about PRSA is that they are supposed to “keep informed and educated about the practices in the profession to ensure ethical conduct.” I think that is awesome because if they don’t than they might be giving out information that is old or the client might have new or better things that they want to present to the people.
Dislikes
I guess I don’t agree that you cannot take gifts from the clients because it might influence your opinion on what you are writing about. What happens if the writer really does think that it is very good equipment I think he should be able to state what he thinks about it.
The conflicts of interest part I really don’t agree on because if you think something is bad and don’t believe in it how are you going to promote it? That is my question.
Other than that I would have to say for the most part I agree with just about all of their provisions and thoughts on who something should be written and how the clients are supposed to be treated. They seem to be a very well organized and professional company to do business with if you were looking for a PR person.
Likes
Well first of all I would have to say the thing that I like the most is that they say that they are responsible for their actions. The reason I like this is because if they do screw up than they will let the public know that they miss informed them and make everything right. Honesty is another one that I like because than you are going to know up front what they are talking about and you know that the information that they come up with is going to be creditable.
I also like that the intent is to build trust with the clients and to keep them informed of what is going on. They also act in the best of interest with the clients, so if they know it is going to be something that will hurt them in the long run than it is probably better that they just don’t do it at all.
One of the best things that I like about PRSA is that they are supposed to “keep informed and educated about the practices in the profession to ensure ethical conduct.” I think that is awesome because if they don’t than they might be giving out information that is old or the client might have new or better things that they want to present to the people.
Dislikes
I guess I don’t agree that you cannot take gifts from the clients because it might influence your opinion on what you are writing about. What happens if the writer really does think that it is very good equipment I think he should be able to state what he thinks about it.
The conflicts of interest part I really don’t agree on because if you think something is bad and don’t believe in it how are you going to promote it? That is my question.
Other than that I would have to say for the most part I agree with just about all of their provisions and thoughts on who something should be written and how the clients are supposed to be treated. They seem to be a very well organized and professional company to do business with if you were looking for a PR person.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Start and President Bush
Well once again the vacation has come to an end and another year of school begins. I am talking a Public Relations course and so far we have had to set up this blog. I haven't really ever been blogging before so this is new to me, but it seems fun so far. I have also made a web page on blackboard and did a scavenger hunt so i know where everything is and how everything works. I guess i did not realize that there were that many people out there blogging.
George Bush is now currently ranked as the worst president ever. They say for many reasons some of them are war on terror, invading Iraqi, and the massive financial crisis. Well since he is ranked as the worst president in history right now he only has one way to go and that is up. I think we don't know the reasons on why he did what he did yet but someday maybe we will figure them out and realize he really isn't as bad as he is. The article also states the only thing Bush has done is kept everything hidden with his cabinet for 8 years and i do agree on that. I think he has done an alright job but do not agree with all of his decisions he has made as being president. It always seems that the media only points out the negatives of what a president does and not any of the positive things he has done since he has been in office for 8 years.
George Bush is now currently ranked as the worst president ever. They say for many reasons some of them are war on terror, invading Iraqi, and the massive financial crisis. Well since he is ranked as the worst president in history right now he only has one way to go and that is up. I think we don't know the reasons on why he did what he did yet but someday maybe we will figure them out and realize he really isn't as bad as he is. The article also states the only thing Bush has done is kept everything hidden with his cabinet for 8 years and i do agree on that. I think he has done an alright job but do not agree with all of his decisions he has made as being president. It always seems that the media only points out the negatives of what a president does and not any of the positive things he has done since he has been in office for 8 years.
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