Monday, December 27, 2010

San Francisco 49ers Fired Mike Singletary - Advice For Jed York



YouTube, Metacafe, DailyMotion, Blip.tv, StupidVideos and Viddler

When it was announced that the San Francisco 49ers fired Head Coach Mike Singletary, my mother made a quizzical observation: "I wondered about that, because it seems like he's always arguing with somebody." That was telling.

My Mom doesn't know or pretend to know football, but she does know people, and Singletary's explosive exchange with Troy Smith didn't sit well with her. Now, for good measure, she didn't agree with Troy Smith "trying to show him up" as she put it, either.

But Singletary, as the head person, is expected to hold a more dignified position than he presented on the sidelines. "The 49ers need someone like Bill Walsh," she said.

They do.

That's what brings me to this portion of my blog post: the idea that the 49ers, and more to the point, Team President Jed York (in photo), need in a general manager, a person who embodies the style of the late, legendary head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.   And to find that person, York must first read one book cover-to-cover: Building A Champion.

That's the book on making a winning football franchise.  A book written by Coach Walsh, with Brian Billick, who was a Niners assistant under Walsh, then went on to earn a Super Bowl ring as Baltimore Ravens Head Coach, and is now an NFL Network Analyst.

In it, Walsh lays out a blueprint the 49ers once followed, and have gotten away from.  Just look at the coaches the Yorks have hired since the end of the Walsh / Eddie Debartolo era and the time when Denise Debartolo York took control in 2000:  John York, Ted's father, replaced Steve Mariucci with his first hire, Dennis Erickson in 2002.  In 2003, Erickson posted a 7 and 9 record.

Eventually, Erickson gave way to Mike Nolan, who's best year was 7 and 9 in 2006.  Nolan stepped down for Singletary mid-year 2008.  In total, Erickson, Nolan, and Singletary have a 45 win - 82 loss record, or roughly a 6-win, 10-loss average.

In total, the York's have produced a 6 and 10 organization.

By contrast, Bill Walsh, George Seifert, and Steve Mariucci posted a combined .656 record, and that includes Coach Mariucci's worst years with the Niners: 4 and 12 in 1999, and 6 and 10 in 2000.  Then Steve came out of his slump with 12 and 4 and 10 and 6 records.

And in its entirety, the 49ers under Walsh's approach and coaches set lofty standards for sports organizations to follow.  What Niners like legendary defensive back Ronnie Lott called "The 49ers Standard."

That's lost on this organization, and solely because it seems the Yorks as a whole are afraid to use the platform Coach Walsh left for them.   But it's there.  In books and on video tape.  It's there.

All Jed York has to do is study it until his eyes drop off.    He should do that before he even thinks about hiring a GM.

99ers Find Their Theme Song - Bon Jovi's "Work for the Working Man"


It has been a very tough year for the American long term unemployed, but the 99ers have found their Theme Song - Bon Jovi's "Work for the Working Man" [From the CD The Circle - Released November 10, 2009]

In a powerful and professional manner, YouTube member concernedinKY posted a video today called A tribute to the 99ers: We are not invisible that says it all and gave me the idea that perhaps we 99ers need to contact Bon Jovi and ask that band to be our celebrity spokesmen - even a benefactor - can you say Benefit Concert???

In their own words, concernedinKY describes the video as: "A tribute to the millions of Americans that have exhausted all of their unemployment benefits and have lost everything, some even their lives. They are not invisible. They are your brothers, your sisters, your mothers, your fathers, your grandparents, your cousins, your neighbors. They are your fellow Americans and they are suffering. They want jobs, but until there are jobs they need a lifeline to survive. Support extending UI benefits for all."

See it below for yourselves and be awed! Also PLEASE contact Bon Jovi via his
Foundation Website http://www.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org/about
Twitter @BonJovi
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BonJovi?v=wall
JONBONJOVISOULFOUNDATION:
1635 MARKET STREET, 17TH FLOOR
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103


215-636-0420


We need this working man working on our behalf!

"Work for the Working Man" (Full lyrics)




GO VIRAL BABY!!!!!!!

[Please use the donation button below to help Paladinette to KEEP FIGHTING for the 99ers! Thank you.]





On Teena Marie and On Hugh Hefner Marrying Crystal Harris

Teena Marie's passing is shocking, but Hugh Hefner's marrying 24 year old Playboy Playmate and girlfriend Crystal Harris is par for Hef's course. First Teena Marie's passing.



Hats off to CNN's Roland Martin for breaking this story, reporting it via Twitter, and for overcoming claims that it wasn't true and pressing forward. Martin checked his sources and stayed with the news, sad as it is to consume. Teena Marie was well-loved by many who, especially during the racially-divided 70s, wanted to see a white person break into the black music scene and be accepted. Teena Marie, a protege of funkmaster Rick James, did just that.

Lady T was, in her 50s, still performing, and was set to go on more tours when her life was taken by a heart attack, after having suffered a seizure the month before.

Really sad. Folks. Please remember to listen to your body and drink a ton of water. If your body is saying stop, whatever your doing, stop it.

Whatever Hugh Hefner's doing, at 84, he's go no reason to stop doing it. Now, he's marrying his 24-year old girlfriend Crystal Harris (pictured).

Hey, stuff still works, I guess. And by "stuff," I mean MoJo, and whatever else it takes for him.

But I think, and this is my theory, that Hugh's lived so long because he surrounds himself with young college-aged women.  

He's still stuck in high dollar frat World, and given the great food, booze, sex, limos, parties, and hot chicks, why not?

Hef's made a business of having fun.

Let's see. Hugh was, what, 54, 64, 74, now 84, but his girlfriends and wives have always been somewhere around 24. It's like the fountain of youth for Hef!

Next, we'll read about 104-year-old Hugh Hefner marrying a 24-year old.

Think about it.

Meanwhile, I'll think about Teena Marie in Heaven.

Oakland News: Tiki Tom Davies Still Missing After Restaurant Fire

This Oakland News follow-up to this blogger's post about Tiki Tom's Restaurant and its owner Tom Davies in what turned out to be the last video of the restaurant and the only one with his boat in it: Tom Davies, AKA Tiki Tom, is still missing. Here's the video:



No one has, to this writing, seen Tiki Tom. The restaurant burned down in a fire that caused $750,000 worth of damage. In reading the Yelp reviews, Tiki Tom's reputation was marred by a large party that was describes as "attended by thugs." It seems that party marred Tiki Tom's already spotty rep, and led to the decline in patronage.

But Tom is missing.

This blogger had a great time at Tiki Tom's and is sorry to see the place go.  Running a business is hard, especially an eatery, where there are always thousands of critics.  But if you do one food dish well, and treat everyone nice, they'll come back.  Whatever happened at Tiki Tom's would seem to have been "fixable," but maybe Tom didn't think so.  

Something happened.  Just what, exactly is best known by Tom himself.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Trashy Tabloid Analysis: Star Sources




Star Magazine is the "trashy tabloid" that was first analyzed. Life & Style and in Touch Weekly were purchased at the same time (by a very brave man named Dennis Rose) in order to assist in the Trashy Tabloid Analysis that was previously explained.

It is very hard to get through a single tabloid from cover to cover due to the amount of analysis that needs to be done. There are many things than can be focused on, but from pages 1-39 (out of the 84 pages) the biggest thing noticed within this specific tabloid (this may be true of the others, but the analysis is going to be of each single tabloid and then at the end there can be comparisons)is that there are no sources to the stories.

The pages that have been analyzed thoroughly and read are pages 1-39, so this analysis is only for Star Magazine December 27, 2010 issue pages 1-39 with a focus on credibility of sources.

The magazine claims to have so many "Exclusive Interviews," but the only interview that falls under that category is the interview with Kristen StephensonPino. She tells the magazine all about how Johnny Depp is into her and all sorts of things. Of course, the only other sources credited within that article (titled "Johnny Hits On Teen Model") are anonymous sources. Unfortunately, the magazine mentions that she is a "full natural C-cup" before informing readers that Kristen is 19-years-old. So, the fact that she is a full natural C-cup is clearly more important than how old this "teen model" is. Maybe pages 39-84 will be more impressive.

The other articles all had quotes from "insiders" or "pals." How about going out and finding someone who will go on record so that the article can be credible. That's not journalism - that's laziness. Why should anyone trust what is being said by someone who won't even reveal the name publicly. For all we know the "inside source" is some random person on the street that the "reporter" found.

Then there's the cover story about Ashton Kutcher being involved in a "MURDER SCANDAL."
All right - his ex-girlfriend from many years ago had been murdered, and he will apparently be making statements in court regarding what he knew about her and the alleged killer. Also, the magazine calls the alleged killer a "cold-blooded serial killer" without ever saying "allegedly" or anything that could save face.

The entire article has not even a single interview with Ashton Kutcher. So, it's an article about Ashton Kutcher "being involved in a murder scandal," but the only interviews are a Detective and a "friend."

At least attempt to get an interview from someone credible and then put "*CREDIBLE PERSON* was unable to be reached for comment" or "*CREDIBLE PERSON* refused to comment." Something that shows that the reporter isn't just a lazy person who sits around listening to gossip and interviewing random people on the street. Seriously, I feel bad that Dennis had to pay money for this publication. I am glad that the analysis will be thorough, but honestly. This isn't journalism.

The quote from the friend is: "Ashton's worried sick about taking the witness stand."
That is according to "a friend."
Really? Why don't you go ask Ashton himself.
Why doesn't the friend have a name?

This drove me crazy throughout the entire analysis process - which is why I stopped on page 39. I haven't even gotten to the big Tom Cruise - Katie Holmes cover story yet. Fingers are crossed that there is an actual interview done with Tom or Katie and included within the article. Seriously.

If the only "sources" that your publication has are "friends," "pals," "insiders" and "guests" then either your reporters are lazy or no one wants to go on record - if no one wants to go on record and have their name associated with a quote then GO FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL. Go find someone who is willing to have their name printed in the magazine in attribution to the quote. It's understandable to have maybe one anonymous source every so often, but if the ONLY source in your article is an ANONYMOUS source - then you don't have an article. The blogs on the internet have more research and credible sources than that publication which has a paid staff and has a nice readership.

It would be nice to see demographics and statistics of the readership of Star. There is also an article within the first 39 pages regarding one of the stars of MTV's Teen Mom - something to do with her being pregnant again and not knowing who the father is - that didn't have any sources either...

Nikky Raney reading Star Magazine
That's all for pages 1-39.
This magazine was the most expensive of the three. This one was $3.99 and the other two were $2.99, but don't worry there's no sales tax in New Hampshire.

Is this publication trying to be a respected news source or is it content with being filled with gossip and unreliable information? It's sad that magazines like Newsweek are faced with tough times in publication - but magazines like Star are selling no problem. There's something wrong with this picture -- and the Future of Journalism needs to fix it.



Originally Posted at The Future of Journalism

Oakland's Tiki Tom's Restaurant - The Last Video - Part One



On October 7th, 2010, Oakland's Tiki Tom's Restaurant burned down in a blaze of fire that rang up an estimated $750,000 worth of building damage. There was, and still as of this writing, no known cause of the fire. According to several sources, the building was chain locked, and while the power had been turned off, PG&E reported it wasn't their doing.

The fire was officially labeled "suspicious."

Everything was burned, including the boat, a Tampa 66 Chris Craft according to Tom Davies AKA "Tiki Tom", docked on the Oakland Estuary, and in back of the eatery.

The restaurant that was located at 329 29th Avenue with the frog on top was at the center of what it's owner, "Tiki Tom" called "The Oakland Riviera" during a video tour.

This blogger was taken there the day before my 48th birthday on August 4th, and by long-time friends Bob and Barbara Schock, who are new Oakland District Four Councilmember Libby Schaaf's parents.

As I taken with the atmostphere, food, and cocktails of the place, I asked for the owner's permission to make a full video of Tiki Tom's, and out came Tiki Tom himself. (Who looks a lot like my long-time friend Lars Frykman, but without the beard.) The result was one of the wackiest tours I've ever taken of anyplace in my life.

The video - the last one of the entire restaurant and perhaps the only one that includes the boat in its interior - reflects that.

On the day we visited, there was almost no one in the place.  Save for one guy at the bar and four of what turned out to be Tom's friends near the water-side and rear of the facility, and the wait staff, Tiki Tom's was empty.  They were happy to be able to serve us.

But once I turned on the Flip Video Camcorder (one the CNN iReport staff gave me for being an iReport beta contributor in 2007 and that Flip created especially for CNN) man his eyes lit up, and off we went, starting with a talk about the frog on the top of the building.  (I didn't say he was going to be on CNN, or anything like that, but hey having that specially-made camcorder works.)

I asked him about the frog, and he went into a hilarious wild-man rant, saying it's at the top of the place because "people can't find it without the frog. They go round-and-round like they're in Mexico, man!" Then Tom went on a rant about how he got it that was so fast and funny it was hard to understand.  What he was saying was that his buddy who owned it paid $10,000 for it, and he paid $500 worth of drinks for it, "now leave my frog alone!"

Too funny.

He recommended I order their signature dish, the coconut prawns.  I did, and they were excellent, along with the oysters and sanddabs.  Then the Tiki Tom tour started.

Tom said that Tiki Tom's has, or now had surfboards dating back as far as 1930 with the youngest one made in 2002, making his place the only West Coast, California, all exclusive surfboard collection, handcrafted and ridden by Tom himself at every beach along the California coast."   Tom even shared his scar from being bitten by an "albino alligator."

Then, with belly full of a lot of seafood, and Michael Jackson's Beat It blaring through the place, Tom took me on a quick tour that ended on his boat, the Tampa 66 Chris Craft.

We got on the boat via a ladder that's not directly connected to it, so you really have to watch your step.  But once you're on it, it's part time.  Or was.

Tom said he had a lot of parties on the boat; I got the impression that if the boat could talk, a best-selling book and movie would result.  At the very least.

Richard Branson's Surfboard?

On the way back to the table where I left Bob and Barbara, Tom pointed to a surfboard on the ceiling he said was once owned by Virgin Billionaire Richard Branson.   More on that, later.

Tiki Tom, The Oakland Character

Since the fire, Tom Davies has not been officially seen.  I don't know what happened to him.  But, given all that I've seen and heard, and nothing not online or in this video or blog, I think Tom may have been cash-strapped and figured that burning the place down was the only way to recover some money and help his staff.



Just a guess.

We asked the waitress where everyone was and she said they were a little lean on patrons, or words to that effect. It's no secret the weak economy has been hard on Oakland, as it's near 20 percent unemployment rate has shown.   But it's really, really sad that Tom lost his beloved business and boat.  It's also sad that Oakland's lost such a wonderful place.

From the video below, it looks like he had a lot of friends and had a lot of fun:



Stay tuned.

Niners Troy Smith Argument With Singletary Burns Up Twitter (Video)

The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in the wild position of being able to clinch the NFC West with a win while the NFC's 10 and 6 Green Bay Packers may miss the playoffs. This weird turn of events has Niners Head Coach Mike Singletary frantic, and pushing his quarterbacks, including the once-favored Troy Smith, who, when pulled, argued with the coach on the sidelines.

Here the video:



The exchange, where it seems Singletary would not back down and had to be "cooled" by Ted Ginn, Jr., burned up Twitter. As of this writing, "Niners" is a top Twitter Trend. Here's some tweets after the missed field goal:

Sunrise206 Lili
1 more quarter to go! Need to finish strong and get this win. This is it! #49ers #NINERS
4 minutes ago

creoledotcom Aisha Lavan
new field goal kicker new coach & new QB !! #niners but i stay a FAN till the END !!
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Patriarch Patriarch
Niners are breaking down mentally....it doesn't look good.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


Take a look at the video and share it now, because no telling how long it's going to last on YouTube (it's not my video, by the way).

This is news, so in a perfect World, a DMCA complaint should not be answered by YouTube. The reason is, we as the public should not have news hidden from us in this way. It's not right and YouTuber thebsoreport should issue a challenge if a DMCA complaint is filed.

Please, stop using DMCA's to block the reporting of news.

But I digress.

As of this writing, the Niners are down 14 to 15 as the 3rd Quarter comes to a close.

Stay tuned and check out Kevin Lynch's game updates at SFGate.com.