The (insert minority) vote

It’s wrong to assume that just because I’m black that I’d cast my presidential vote for Barack Obama, or just because I’m a woman I’m more likely to vote for Hillary Clinton. Or that because I fall into both minority categories, that I'm a Democrat.

However, that’s what it seems like the media is focusing on right now, especially with primary and caucus results coming in. And I guess that’s fine, considering the historic nature of the Democratic nomination.

BUT there’s one thing us media folks do all the time (in every election, not just presidential races) that literally makes my skin crawl: we overanalyze and make a hyperbole of the “black vote,” or “Hispanic voters” or “women voters.” Another one I’ve seen: “better-educated black voters.”

I've witnessed talk of reporters being instructed to get elections' race breakdowns and find someone to analyze them. I’ve even heard stories being called “black-voter turnout stories.”

During the Shreveport mayoral election how blacks voted seemed to be a very hot topic for folks inside and (especially) outside of the newsroom.

Last I checked there were more white men voting in all types of elections all over the country than any other minority group. And out of the relatively small population of blacks and Hispanics in the country there are a small number of people in those races who actually exercise their right to vote.

I’m not saying that race and gender in votes should be ignored. They shouldn’t. And sometimes it is very interesting to focus on. But I am saying that in the grand scheme of things, those minority groupings— especially black voters— aren’t really the determining factor in deciding elections. The real decision is made by the hordes of majority voters.

That said, the next time I see a story about “black-voter turnout,” I hope to see one about “white-voter turnout” too.

Stupidus Assidos

It’s a sad thing to admit, but I’ve generally come to expect that most guys just cannot keep it in their pants, particularly politicians.

Or maybe I should say particularly men in positions of power. And that stereotype was proven, yet again, with the latest sex scandal that had me and several other co-workers buzzing earlier today.

This time, the man at the center of the scandal is New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. In a strange twist of irony, the governor once known as “Mr. Clean” was accused of, and practically came clean about, paying for sex with a high-priced call girl.

Sure, it would be easy to call him just another lowdown, no good, so-and-so, but I’m convinced that Spitzer is just merely a victim of an epidemic that’s afflicted a disproportionate number of men that span across socio-economic lines, ethnicity, race, religion, Democrats, Republicans, Independents and even the average joe schmo.

I think the disease starts somewhere in the southern region of the male anatomy and moves to the brain, paralyzing the brain cells in its path. I believe the disease is called stupidus assidos, which of course is Latin for…well… I’m sure you can fill in the blank…

And is it me, or does it seem like, lately alot of these men are getting caught with their pants down, literally...I mean yeah we got Spitzer right now, but before that it was Louisiana's own U.S. Sen. David Vitter who was linked to a high-price escort service last year. And who can forget the 2004 scandal involving New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey who was caught in an adulterous affair with another man. What could cause all of these men and so many more to risk losing everything - their family, political career and dignity - for one moment (or moments) of infidelity? The explanation is simple: Stupidus assidos.

OK, in all seriousness though, what in the world is the deal? I mean what was Spitzer, this leader, husband and father of three teenage girls thinking when he agreed to meet up with a prostitute at a Washington hotel room?? On the fricking day before Valentine’s Day!

I guess it’s time to ask that age-old question: Is it really impossible for men to be faithful? But, I promise I’m not asking from a judgmental standpoint, I’m just very curious as to what happens in the thought process when men are in these situations.

Daylight Savings Time

Is anyone else still dragging after yesterday's morning "Spring ahead" time change? Or just me? The overcast skies probably didn't help, nor the lack of coffee. Hopefully tomorrow morning will be brighter and a little bit more caffeinated.

I know Daylight Saving time is supposed to save money in the economy and all that jazz, but does it really help? Or does it just mess up your sleeping cycle?

I found these articles End Daylight Saving Time and YouChoose.net: Keep Daylight Savings Time All Year doing a Google search for the correct phrase and such. Interesting.

Both of these articles Keeping Kids Healthy: End of Daylight Saving Time and Surviving the Change to Daylight Saving Time talk about making more gradual changes to your schedule over a few days.

How did you adjust?

What kind of words warrant a resignation?

Word got out today that Samantha Power, a Harvard professor who has been volunteering as a foreign policy adviser to Barack Obama, has resigned.

The reason: everybody found out she called Hillary Clinton "a monster" in an interview.

This story raises a couple interesting questions. Power apparently told a reporter for a Scottish paper that her name-calling was off the record. Not everyone agrees with what that little phrase means, but in an interview, the reporter is calling the shots. The reporter may have treated the comment differently if Power were not part of an extremely wealthy, high-profile presidential campaign. But I would be willing to guess this wasn't her first interview.

I interview people all the time, and they like to throw the "off the record" lingo out. I can be understanding with someone who is not media savvy, but not politicians or their advisers. Then again, I may have chosen not to insert the comment because it was kind silly.

Apparently Obama -- or at least more if his campaign advisers -- thought Power's comment was a bad move. Granted, that is not a very nice or grown-up thing to say, but was it really that bad? Should she have quit her job? This is politics, right? I never knew there was anything particularly sweet and kind in this game.

Got jokes?

I love playing jokes on my family and friends.
I think it’s something about the thrill of seeing their reactions and the complete shock on their faces when they realize what’s really going on.

My younger sister is always one of my biggest targets. I remember when we were younger. She’s always been a heavy sleeper, so sometimes I’d wait till she would get deep into one of her afternoon naps and right when she was in mid-snore, I’d frantically shake her awake like the house was on fire, yelling, “Hurry up! It’s time to get to school! You’re running late! Hurry!”

It would take everything to keep me from laughing as I’d watch her jump up, dazed and confused, blindly rushing to the bathroom to start the shower before I’d say “I’m just playing girl!” Boy, she would get so mad and chew my head off, but by then, I was usually falling on the floor laughing at the whole thing.

I thought about that and other such memories when I read about how Ashton Kutcher will take Punk’d to a whole ‘nother level with yet another reality show. However, this new show, Pop Fiction, will target another group celebs love to hate – the paparazzi.

On one hand, it sounds like a very clever way for celebs to poke fun at the very folks who scrutinize their every move. On the other hand, it seems kinda silly since some of these very celebs tend to use the media just to get public scrutiny and attention anyway. Thoughts anyone?
Meanwhile, what’s the best practical joke you’ve ever played on someone? Or what was the best practical joke ever played on you?

What's in a name?

The thing I hate most (besides being confused with Shreveport celebrity Donecia Pea) is for people to get my very simple name wrong.

I got called Ashley Northingham yesterday for the zillionth time. Ugh! Ham? It's NorthingTON, people. I gave the school secretary a break though, I just smiled and shrugged as if she pronounced it correctly.

She was very nice and professional, but I get tired of over-enunciating my last name, only for people to still get it mixed up with something else.

At least she didn't say Worthington. Or Washington. Or Nottingham. Or Northing. I get all those other last names a lot too.

The people who get it wrong the most are administrative assistants. I call them incessantly. And, just when I think we've built a friendly relationship someone always lets me down by saying, "OK, Ms. Worthington. I'll tell him to call you."

Ugh.

I get a ton of mail addressed to Ashley Northingham, Ashley Nottingham, Alisa Northington (I can only guess the first name mix up is due to the fact that my editor's name really is Alisa--at least they got the last name right.)

When people call to ask me for my email address I cringe: "It's A as in apple, D as in dog, N.O.R.T.H.I.N.G.T.O.N. at gannett.com. And that's G.A.N.N.E.T.T."

It's really a mouthful.

I understand my name is long. It's even too long for me to write the whole thing when I sign papers. But I will never change it. Not even if I marry. I think my last name is one of the things that makes me unique--aside from the other Ashley Northington, who is a teacher in Aiken, South Carolina. I bet people mix up her name a lot too.

At restaurants I don't even tell people my real name. Most of the time I give the hostess the last name of the other people I'm with: Rucker, Anderson, Ellis, Holland. Lately, I've taken to Hunter. I stole that from my editor Velda. I think her last name suits me well--at least for restaurant reservations.

But seriously, how hard can it be?

Really hard.

Just ask any school secretary.

Jewel's back!

You've probably already heard that Jewel is reinventing herself now as a country singer, but I didn't know when she would be finished with her newest songs.

Well, I heard Jewel on the country radio station Saturday. I like her song, "Stronger Woman" so I thought I'd share it with you:

Here's the "single" version with the lyrics embedded in it.


Here's the music video ...


What do you think about the song? What do you think about her twang? How does it measure up to, or fall less than, other country or any genre of songs about empowered women?

An interesting combination

We have a place in the newsroom we like to call The Usual Spot, or
TUS, for short. This is where we put food or any other kind of goodies
to share with our co-workers.

Today in TUS was an 11 pack of the new Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper. It came to me minus one can from my mother, who didn't like it. I didn't know how my taste buds would react, so I figured I shouldn't test it alone.

I guess the verdict is still out. I immediately got e-mails from people in the building who said they didn't want to try it. And some said it was gross. But another said she thought it tasted like a "cherry Tootsie Pop," which was a good thing to her.

I thought that was accurate, but I don't know if I would call it good. It is quite a juxtaposition of tastes. I like chocolate, cherries and Dr. Pepper separately, but I don't know if this will work for me. I think the cherry and chocolate does mask the diet taste, though. Diet flavor tastes nasty to me in any drink.

The stuff hasn't gotten a lot of good reviews outside of here, as evidenced by blogger Derek K. Miller in Canada.

Apparently it is only the third "flavor extension" Dr. Pepper's history. They've had a good run, so it seems like it's only good business for them to try to branch out and hook some more lovers of all things carbonated.

Got any opinions on the new drink out there? Zero calories and carbs, according to the nutrition facts.

And if you need a little... entertainment... on this rainy Monday, enjoy this Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper-inspired video from Tay Zonday featuring Mista Johnson. I'm not sure this helps or hurts.

Born-again... virgin?

The topic of reclaimed virginity is nothing new, but this MSNBC story I read about a single mother with two kids who decided she wanted to go that route was quite interesting, to say the least.

She chose to reclaim her virginity through prayer and supplication. Meanwhile others have taken the more drastic measure of actually having their hymen surgically replaced. (I must admit, I’m still scratching my head trying to figure exactly how that works.)

And apparently, this story says, “revirginization” is becoming more and more popular.
So, let’s get real for a second – if you could re-claim your virginity, would you? And furthermore, why?

Or, are you one of those folks who tossed it and never looked back?

I Heart Obama

Nope. Not Barack.

I’m talking about Michelle Obama.

She’s awesome. What I admire most is her ability – and determination – to balance her family and her career.

There are times when I struggle with how I want life to be. Do I want to be a devoted mother, with my family being the focus? Or do I want to put this $50,000+ degree in print journalism to use and accomplish all my career related goals? For some reason, in my mind, there’s no way the two can be meshed together.

Michelle Obama is an example of those two lives meshed. The Obama’s two daughters are her focus but she’s also a successful lawyer and executive.

Alone she’s interesting, but coupled with her husband, the Obamas display a type of love and partnership in their marriage that some – like me, the product of a single-parent household – find it hard to believe exists anymore.

The two have made it no secret that Michelle Obama was hesitant to support another campaign. She questioned how it would be run and how it would affect her family. Only after she got answers she was satisfied with, did she give the OK her husband was waiting on. Now, not only has she given her OK, she’s proved to be his biggest fan and supporter. She is even taking a hiatus from her job as V.P. for Community and External Affairs at University of Chicago Hospitals to participate on the campaign trail.

I’ve read dozens of articles about her and what she’s doing (Check out Newsweek’s package) but what sealed the deal for me was listening to her talk about her husband. Her conversational manner was disarming and when she spoke, the mix of adoration for her husband and being able to intelligently speak about his platforms was entertaining, informative and refreshing. She wasn’t too soft or too harsh. To me, she was real.

Loved it. I could go on and on, but I won't. (You're welcome.)

My boyfriend once bought up the point that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also pretty awesome. While I give Rice her props, Michelle Obama is more real to me. Not to downplay Rice’s accomplishments, but it’s truly the successful balance of home and work lives that gives Obama the edge, in my book.

Decide for yourself and let me know what you think. Here’s part of an interview she did for CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Un-historic passion

Once again slightly piggybacking on the topic before me, I watched the movie Across the Universe over the weekend. In the opening few minutes, it shows some 1960s riot scenes. I said aloud, "People in our generation don't really riot." Then my friend said, "There's not as much to be passionate about -- not like there was in the '60s."

I realize that people do occasionally riot and protest and strike these days, but definitely not as often as what we saw in the news in the '60s. I agree with Adam that we still need to honor our individual and our collective historic past and learn from it. But is our generation passionless? Are we "Generation, Huh?" or "Generation Who Cares?" Look at how we sometimes get hyped up but then don't follow through -- look at our attempts to "Rock the Vote."

So -- what are you passionate about? What do you think about our generation? Are we passionate or far less than those who came before us?

A little bit of all of our history

PBS produced a really interesting series called "African American Lives 2" for black history month. I haven't actually been able to watch it on television, but I have caught up some through the Web site. You can read a little about the lives and genealogy of some famously successful blacks as well as others who didn't know they had much African ancestry.

Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. leads research into the lineage of Morgan Freeman, Tom Joyner and Maya Angelou, among others. He shares his discoveries with each one, and they find out something they didn't know about themselves.

But the best part is that it happens on camera. You can see snippets from the videos. My favorite part about this is seeing raw, unscripted emotion from people whose public images are the stuff of pop culture legend.

Aside from the fact that one of these gets quite a lot of coverage on this blog, the interviews with Tina Turner and Chris Rock are my favorites for one reason: We get to see them cry. That's right. Chris Rock, the smart-mouthed joker, and Tina Turner, the picture of a rock 'n' roll survivor, shed tears.

Turner finds out an ancestor sold land for a price far below its value in Tennessee to build a school for black students -- one she later attended. And Rock learns, among other things, that one of his relatives, who was a freed slave, signed up to be a solider for the Union during the Civil War.

These examples are reminders of how important the past is to the present. Emotional reactions alone show that. It certainly makes me want to pin down more about my families' not-so-distant past, especially when it comes to sacrifices my grandparents and their parents made.

We haven't talked much on this blog this year about black history month, but this series is a good reminder that this is American history. I haven't done great research into my genealogy, but I am fairly certain I don't have black roots. But I am still proud when I hear stories like these. This nation was built on the shoulders of many great people whose stories deserve to be told.

So listen and share.

Dinosaur times

I just realized that work can be done without the help (or interruption) of e-mail and the Internet.

We were without both early on Monday. At first, I was infuriated. I was expecting several e-mails and I knew I had to send out a bunch of electronic messages. I also expected to call a bunch of people--but how could I look them up without searching for numbers on the World Wide Web?

Since we couldn't work, the least we could do was party in the newsroom, right? Wrong.

Then I noticed Maggie Martin, a 43-year Times veteran, typing away on her computer.

I wondered what she could be doing. And by this time, a bunch of us were flipping out about the lack of technology in our room. One frustrated editor discovered a way to send instant, electronic messages through the system we use to write our stories. Our executive editor announced that we would find a work-around for posting online updates (of course we would).

Apparently, Maggie heard the commotion and she said, "You can still write your stories, Ashley. I'm typing my column and I don't need the Internet for that."

Oh, that's right...I could type up some notes for a story and type the stories for which I already obtained all the information needed. And there is a thing called a phone book--I could look up necessary numbers that way. And for those e-mails, I could just call people for the information I needed.

I was astounded by all the work I learned to complete without my editor, PR representatives, sources and friends constantly sending me messages. It was easy for me to work without the temptation of breaking to search the web for latest celebrity gossip. I actually got a LOT done.

Us Generation Y-ers are used to technology. In fact, we crave it (at least I do). When we are without it, we often find ourselves lost and frustrated--like I was on Monday. But I guess that's the difference between the awesome and amazing Maggie Martins of the world and me.

What do you think?

More text message tips

I could hardly watch the Democratic presidential debate earlier tonight for all the texting and phone calling I was making and receiving throughout the whole thing.

But it did remind me of this interesting story I recently ran across about text messaging privacy, written in light of the controversy surrounding Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his chief of staff Christine Beatty.

Of course, I’ve already talked about that on here. However, this story gave some interesting, useful information that even I wasn’t aware of.

Like the fact that basically anyone out there can easily intercept your text messages using an inexpensive radio kit or even creating their own similar devise.

As for the tips, they gave some of the no-brainers, like “Don’t ever text personal information such as your PIN number, password or banking info to anyone.” (Gee, you think?)

But, then there were some tips that were new to me, like this one: “Those concerned about privacy can send anonymous text messages with services like AnonTxt.com.”

Anyway, you can check out all the tips for yourself. Or do you even care? Is text messaging privacy something you ever think about?

Catch the eclipse?

It was a little overcast tonight, but if you were patient the clouds would blow by in time for you to catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse.

To my naked eye it looked white with a shadow creeping over. But my camera gave it a reddish tent, which was a lot cooler.

Here is an example of my somewhat lame attempts at catching it in a photo. I don’t have a tripod and was trying to hold my breath and prop my elbows on top of my car. I also tried to use a long exposure. You can see I moved a little bit with that second moon sort of forming on the right side.

Plus I was standing, say, 240,000 miles away from the object in view.

Did anyone get a good view or shots of the moon?

Did you ponder Presidents Day?

Yesterday was Presidents Day. I worked, but most of my friends, especially those who are military, were off from work.

Now that we're all back into work, did anyone actually dwell on the meaning of Presidents Day? Whether you worked or you were off having fun, what did you do to celebrate the occasion? Did you think -- at all -- about the current president or past presidents?

Speaking of presidents, I saw this (Former President Bush endorses McCain) on TV this weekend. I'm pretty sure we all know where former President Clinton stands on the campaign trail. What do you think of former presidents giving their political endorsement? Does it say, or weigh, any more than other organizations who endorse a candidate?

Or do we even care what anyone else thinks of the candidates?

When you fall, get back up and try again

Want a fun way to exercise, a lesson in determination and a reminder of how old you are?
I have two words for you.
Hot. Wheels.

Co-workers Tarah Holland, Nishia Livingston, Ashley Northington and I headed to Hot Wheels skating rink in Bossier City in search of something new to do Saturday afternoon.

What we got was a good workout, some good laughs and some believe a few bruises.

It had been years since most of us dared to get out on the hardwood on four wheels…and it showed.

I’m not sure if I ever stood completely up, always bracing myself for a fall and Ashley spent quite a bit of time looking up from the floor.

I will say Nishia was a pro, skating around the rink clapping and dancing and I never saw Tarah hit the floor (not to say it didn't happen).

In the end we may have spent more time sitting on the bench than skating on the floor, but it was there that the dozens of kids in the rink – on their skates and on their butts – reminded me of a valuable lesson.

When you fall, get back up and try again.

Those kids out there didn’t have a care in the world. They didn’t care if they collided with another kid or got tripped by someone else’s skate. They simply laughed it off and got right back up.

We were too consumed by the fear of falling (and possibly hurting ourselves) and too busy trying to look like pros.

Those kids were just busy having a good time.

Be it skating, a task at work or a personal goal, one fall shouldn’t stop us from completing what we set out to do.

In my search of new things to do, this had to have been the most fun. I highly recommend it.

Next up: bowling and kite flying.

Take two of these and keep it moving...

I basically spent Valentine’s Day in misery suffering from what I later found out was bronchitis.
At least, that’s what the doctor said it was. And I should accept that coming from a licensed medical professional. I realize that.

But it’s the way he arrived at this diagnosis that's got me scratching my head. In fact, I’m still scratching my head about several doctors’ visits I’ve had in the last year or two.
With each visit, lately I’m feeling more and more like I’m going through a drive-thru window at a fast food restaurant more than I am seeking medical attention, check ups or whatever.

First, let me clarify: This is in no way an attack on the medical community at all because Lord knows we need them. They work as hard as, if not harder, than many other professionals out here.

And really, maybe it’s my fault for watching too much “Grey’s Anatomy” or “ER” through the years, but I coulda sworn a standard doctor’s visit entailed some level of warmth, hospitality and at LEAST a question-and-answer period.
(For the sake of anonymity, I’m not going to name the place or anything like that.)

But my recent experience all started when I tried really hard to go to my primary doctor just to find out what the heck was going on with me.
Unfortunately, that office was completely booked with patients, probably suffering with the same thing I have or the flu or whatever other “heebie jeebie” out there, because God knows it’s all going around everywhere.

So I was put on a waiting list, but I didn’t want to take a chance on not getting to a doctor before the day’s end, so I went to another facility that handles this kinda stuff.
After waiting forever just to see the doctor, when I got in there he basically listened to my heartbeat, looked down my throat with the light thingy and promptly diagnosed me with bronchitis.

I was amazed. I coulda sworn I thought they would have had to take some blood, swab my tongue, take some DNA or something before arriving to a conclusion like that.
My eyes widened, reflecting my shock and he mistook it for alarm: “Don’t worry, it’s pretty common this time of year. I will have the nurse bring you the information for your prescription. Thank you and have a nice day,” he said.

This entire process took all of 5 minutes and I tried as hard as I could to ask as many questions as I could quickly think of in that brief time frame, but by the time he completed that sentence, his hand was on the knob and he was on his way out.
So I finally managed a “Wow, that was pretty quick!” And he smiled and said “Yes.” And that was that. He was outta there, while my mouth hung open with “But, but...”

And I’m still scratching my head trying to figure this whole thing out.
I know in these hard times of lay-offs, strenuous work hours, cutbacks and everything else that, just like journalism and many other industries, even healthcare has to struggle to keep afloat, but is this really what I should expect now when it comes to a doctor’s visit? Is this the norm or did I just pick the wrong time of day or place to go?

My medical peeps, will you help me out on this one?

Oh yeah, Happy Valentine's Day.

You love birds and or relationship haters should feel free to chime right in. What did you get? Did you spend the day alone (like 8 of our 17 poll responders say they did)? Or were you sitting at your desk blogging?

Let's talk blackberries/BlackBerries

What do you think when you hear or read the word blackberry?

I had a funny realization this week when I got an e-mail with the word blackberry in the subject line.

A press release from the LSU AgCenter said there would be a lunch talk about Blackberries. I thought it was timely considering the service outage this week.

But it wasn’t a BlackBerry you plug into the electrical socket. It was the blackberries you pull off a vine.

I may seem a little dumb for not putting that together immediately. I know the AgCenter focuses on, well, agriculture. (I was in 4-H from fifth-12th grades.) But when you’re glancing at your inbox you have to process a lot of information quickly. Read. Save. Delete. (Especially when you get an e-mail every day saying you’re reaching the maximum storage space Outlook allows.)

Still, it’s funny the images some words paint in our mind because of the way we use them now. My BlackBerry Curve has cost me plenty of money, so I can blame that mental slip on that. But four or five years ago, I probably would’ve thought about juicy, reddish berries growing on the side of a country road.

Here are some other words that name something different today than they did years ago: Mouse, diva, gay.

Who’s got more examples like those? (Yes, this post is definitely a writer/geek/nerd post.)