It was my pleasure to welcome BU mass communications professor and WBUR media analyst John Carroll to Pundit Review Radio for the first time last evening. Long overdue, but it was worth the wait. We had a fun, fast-paced hour in which we covered the unfolding Penn State disgrace, the current state of the media and some politics as well, including Sen. Scott Brown versus Elizabeth Warren and the GOP primary. John’s blog, Campaign Outsider, is excellent. I hope to have him back in again soon, especially as the senate campaign heats up.
The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.
What is Pundit Review Radio?
On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.
Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.
This week Bruce told us about PFC Steven J. Cornford.
From his Silver Star citation,
Private First Class Cornford stubbornly defended his position for several minutes, refusing to leave his stricken comrade. He continued to engage the enemy with small arms fire and apply pressure to his Platoon Leader’s wound until his Squad Leader arrived at his position. On his Platoon Leader’s final order, Private First Class Cornford and the Squad Leader engaged the enemy position with hand grenades, knocking it out of action. Private First Class Cornford and other squad members then rendered first aid to the Platoon Leader until additional forces and the MEDEVAC aircraft arrived. Private First Class Cornford’s bravery under fire in close contact was instrumental in his squad’s destruction of the enemy. His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Infantry and of military valor.
The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week. The SYSK archive can be found here and The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.
What is Pundit Review Radio?
On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.
Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.
This week Bruce told us about First Lieutenant Colin Cremin.
From his Silver Star citation,
His calm demeanor under extreme danger and ability to lead elements of a transportation company, three tank companies, a Headquarters company, and a scout section through a counter-attack to retrieve lost and endangered army equipment is a credit to his leadership and bravery in the face of heavy enemy fire. His strong leadership was a major factor in motivating the members of the convoy to fight fiercely in the face of such an organized attack. Had First Lieutenant Cremin not taken control of the situation once the convoy entered the ambush, there would most likely have been many more friendly casualties and destroyed or captured vehicles. First Lieutenant Cremin’s exceptional bravery while under intense fire during a three-hour attack is in the highest traditions of the 2d Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Armored Division and the United States Army.
The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week. The SYSK archive can be found here and The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.
What is Pundit Review Radio?
On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.
Cooking with the Troops is a 501(c)(3) charity that supports U.S. and Allied troops, their families, and caregivers worldwide. Their mission is to provide comfort, nutrition, and hope through four major programs
• Food Events provide a culinary change of pace — particularly for the wounded, injured, and ill — to help morale, and remind those taking part that their service and sacrifice is appreciated. Educational components are added where possible to add to the effectiveness of the events.
• Culinary Career Transition helps those interested in culinary careers — particularly those that have to leave service because of their injuries — explore options and find the right career choice as well as the best investment of their educational benefits to reach that goal
• Homefront Support focuses on teaching how to do good food fast rather than fast food via fun events that cover food safety basics, cooking basics, nutrition, and more.
• Frontline Support works to get the best possible culinary and nutritional care packages to the troops, and to make it possible for those at home to learn about life and nutrition at the front even as ways are found to do Food Events as close to the front as possible
To do this, they need your help and support. To donate, click here.
I’ve never felt so safe in my life, in a ballroom with 1500 Marines. Nor have I felt so humbled or blessed. What an amazing group of men and women. I have to thank Leland McDonough for inviting me again this year, what an honor to be there in the company of heroes.
This is wounded Marine Lance Cpl. Evan Reichenthal, who received the Lt. Col. William F. Degan Semper Fidelis Award. Natalie Sherman wrote a terrific piece about him in today’s Boston Herald
Medal of Honor recipient Harvey Barnum received the Ted Williams Globe & Anchor award
Learn more about Harvey Barmun here.
For me, the highlight of the event was a speech by Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly, the top military advisor to the Secretary of Defense
During his moving and emotional remarks, Lt. Gen. Kelly told the story of Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter and Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale. I was shocked to hear their names, because Bruce McQuain had told us about the incredibly bravery they showed while on watch, saving 50 fellow Marines, at the cost of their own lives. Bruce did this during our weekly tribute to the troops called Someone You Should Know back in May of this year. Their story is amazing, to say the least.
So Producer Rob just called me, as he did in 2008, to tell me that the Today Show is back with their Where in the World is Matt Lauer promotion. Back in 2008, NBC did the same stunt, during Green Week in fact. We had a great time tracking Matt around the world and speculating on how much damage he was doing to Mother Earth during Green Week. Nothing warms the heart more than eco-hypocrisy.
From the archives, APRIL 2008
If it’s spring sweeps period, the world needs to know, Where in the World is Matt Lauer?
This year, Matt started his week-long magical mystery tour in Patagonia, with a live shot from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Monday: NYC to Buenos Aires Argentina
Assuming three people are travelling with Lauer (a conservative estimate) the CarbonFootprint.com calculator, say this trip generates 3.928 tons of CO2.
The eco-options to make up the difference include,
Reforestation in Kenya
Your pledge funds the planting of native broad leaved trees in the Great Rift Valley. $82.63 to pledge 6 trees (about 4.380 tons)UK Tree Planting
Your pledge funds the planting of trees in the UK county of your choice. The project is managed by Tree Appeal and endorsed by Bill Oddie, the TV wildlife celebrity and conservationist.
from $138.72 to pledge 6 trees (about 4.380 tons)
Tuesday: Buenos Aires Argentina to Amsterdam
This trip generates 5.268 tons of CO2. The eco-options to make up the difference include,
Clean Energy Fund
Your funding supports VCS verified carbon reduction projects around the world which reduce carbon emissions through the displacement of fossil fuels through clean / renewable energy generation. $77.74 to offset 5.268 tonsReforestation in Kenya
Your pledge funds the planting of native broad leaved trees in the Great Rift Valley. The project is coordinated by ESCONET, and is also supported by the Red Cross.
from $110.18to pledge 8 trees (about 5.840 tons)
Where will Matt end up next? NBC has created a fun game to play,
Where in the World is Matt Lauer?
Guess!
Based on these clues, where do you think Matt’s going next?He started in Buenos Aires before heading to Amsterdam, and now Matt Lauer’s off to his third Where in the World destination. Do you think you know where he’s going? Below are two clues. Send in your guess and a question for Matt Lauer. If you’re correct (and quick!), we may ask Matt your question on Wednesday’s show.
Clue 1: This country is an anagram of a synonym of a homophone of an even prime number.
Clue 2: Where in the world is this photo from?
They make this annual carbon emitting tour so fun, don’t they? Given all the promotion, mystery and suspense of where Matt will turn up next, it is easy to understand if you loose track of Matt’s carbon footprint along the way. Don’t worry, I did it for you.
In the first two days of his five day tour, Matt has used up 9.196 tons of CO2. The average American emits 9.44 tons of CO2 PER YEAR.
If only Matt Lauer watched the Today Show, this unfolding environmental catastrophe might have been avoided!!
April. 20, 2008
NBC delivers ‘Green Week’ around Earth Day
Shows, news across network will focus on environmental issuesNEW YORK – NBC Universal isn’t painting its Rockefeller Center headquarters green — at least not yet — but the company is pushing all of its networks to deliver environmentally friendly programming this coming week.
“Dateline NBC” will report on melting snow on mountains in Bolivia, “Today” will have daily segments on renewable energy, Jim Cramer will talk about “green” stocks on CNBC’s “Mad Money” and NBC is encouraging its affiliates to report on environmental issues on local newscasts. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal)
Hat Tip to our great producer Rob, who called me at 7:25 this morning with the idea for this post.
UPDATE:
Wednesay, Amsterdam to Laos
Laos is not in the carbon calculator, so I used Cambodia. To offset a direct return flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Phnom Penh, Cambodia (19319 km) for 4 passengers, that generates 8.896 tons of CO2
Thursday, Laos to Turkey
A direct return flight from Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Istanbul, Turkey (16006 km) for 4 passengers, generates 7.368 tons of CO2.
With one day remaining, NBC’s annual Where in the World is Matt Lauer stunt has generated 25.46 tons of CO2. It would take the average American nearly three years to generate as much carbon emissions as Matt Lauer and NBC did in four days.
Thankfully for the planet, and viewers, the week is almost over. One more day to go.
Friday, Turkey to the Republic of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean
I think Matt is trying to throw me off because once again, Seychelles is not in the the CarbonFootprint.com calculator. I would estimate another 4000 miles for Matt, leading to about another 4 tons of CO2.
Thankfully, the earth has a full year to recover, and so do viewers, from the hypocrisy.
Last month, I made a point of visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s is London’s cathedral and embodies the spiritual life and heritage of the British people. Cathedrals serve a wide community. A cathedral houses the seat – or in Latin, cathedra – of the bishop, making it a centre for Christian worship and teaching, and the Christian mission.
The cathedral was incredibly beautiful on the outside. The inside, equally so. Unfortunately, I was only able to take a quick peak in before visiting hours started. Cameras are not allowed inside. Here are a few pics,
Here is what a fraction of 1% are doing under the guise of the Occupy movement.
St Paul’s staff have to clean up human waste INSIDE the cathedral as protestors ‘use it as a latrine’
Cleric: ‘This is desecration of a very holy place‘
Staff at St Paul’s have been forced to clear up human waste inside the cathedral, it emerged today.
They have made several trips with mops to remove the mess found on a carpet inside the church near the West Steps – just yards from the anti-capitalist protest camp.
One cleric furious at the use of the building ‘as a latrine’ said: ‘ This is desecration of a very holy place. it hurts me and it hurts the staff.’
Imagine supporting these people? I can’t. These two can,
