Forcing the Flu Shot -- Was it all for Wall Street?

I've been closely watching the response to Health Commissioner Daine's mandated flu vaccinations for State healthcare workers. Since it was first announced there's been a lot of controversy, and a lot of protest.  My brother even went up and protested the mandated vaccinations on the steps of the State Capital building a few weeks ago in Albany.  Kudos to him (he's not a healthcare worker) and the other 300 plus people who set out that day to send a message to the Governor and the Commissioner.  A message that was heard across the nation.  What's important here is that a small group of people set out that day to be heard; and they were. 

Now, it seems as though the tide has changed.  After Daine's abrupt interview with Ali Skinner on WGY out of Albany, just one of many instances where he, the Governor, and local legislators have been put on the hot seat to answer questions about the mandate, it seems the Governor has now suspended the vaccinations.

In the Skinner interview the Commissioner cut the interview right in the middle of Skinner's question regarding Daine's wife's work for Goldman Sachs and the apparent conflict of interest that it might present.  Does Daine's have a conflict of interest here?  That's all Skinner was trying to ask.  I think Daine's should have answered the question and that would have avoided some of this controversy.  If you're wondering if Goldman Sach's could have an interest in the mandate -- check out this story Reuter's ran in 2007 that showed that investment firms like Goldman Sachs  do have vested interest in pharmacueticals [read here].

 Lo-and-behold the Governor now has suspended the vaccinations.  All-be-it because he deems it's in short supply and should be given to those who need it most first.  That's true and that has been most important from the start for Americans, but has it been that way for the Governor and the Commissioner?  As altruistic as the explanation might seem on the part of the Governor, does he think the American public can't read between the lines?  Who really benefits from the mandated half-million vaccines for New York State healthcare workers?   Yes, vaccines are important, but the line between making money and what's best for an individual is becoming more blurred every day.

Check out Al Roney (weekdays 9 am to noon 810am) and the WGY website to find more information on this interesting ongoing controversy [click here].  Then weigh in.  Middle class Americans need to be heard whether it's on the steps of the Capital, calling into a radio show like Al Roney's, writing a letter to your Congressmen, or just writing to your fellow American's on the Internet.  Start here by telling me what you think.  It's time to start asking the tough questions and if our legislators can't answer them, then let's vote them out and find people who can!

Accuracy Needs to be a Priority When Reporting the News

The news is an ongoing issue for me.  I was taught in college journalism class (many years ago) that the press was to report the news, and that it was not their job to set the agenda in this country, but to reflect it.  Certainly, 24-7 news has changed all that.  You'd think at a time when the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press is reporting that 63 percent of Americans believe news stories are often inaccurate — the worst report card it has ever seen, that the press would take notice. 

I urge you to read the story out this evening by David Bauder with the Associated Press -- "Season of false start for news organizations." Check it out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33472698/ns/entertainment-television/

Do you think your news is accurate?  I'd love to hear it.

Public Relations in the Hudson Valley

Times are a changin' fast, and so are the options for sending press releases in the Hudson Valley region. This past spring a lot of newspapers in the region either downsized or closed all together leaving many businesses and non-profits wondering how to get their message out. Well, on the upside new media has popped up including the Northern Dutchess News and the Hudson Valley News. For these to be successful in our area you need to send them your news tips and your press releases. So, if you don't already have their emails here they are:

Hudson Valley News: jimlangan@thehudsonvalleynews.com or weekend@thehudsonvalleynews.com

The Northern Dutchess News: Kate Goldsmith northerndutchess@sdutchessnews.com or creativeliving@sdutchessnews.com