Fireballs and firestorms on a mid-April day

A lot of strange things are happening lately.

If you haven't seen the video of last night's fireball in the sky, check this out. The video shows a couple different perspectives of what lit up the sky over several Midwestern states. Watch video.

There have been several earthquakes, a few volcanic eruptions and a couple unexplained light shows in the sky in recent months.

I find this kind of stuff interesting. Or at least more interesting than the debate over whether the government should get involved with airlines charging passengers for baggage. What's up with that? Why are some politicians making a stand on that issue? Low-hanging fruit for the petty-minded vote seekers, I guess. But this still is a capitalist country, and private companies do have a right to charge for services. It appears to me that baggage fees are an issue that belongs with consumer rights agencies, not Congress. My advice to pissed off passengers: Fly another airline, take a train or drive. When airlines lose business, the fee will go away.

It also seems reasonable to think that if you can afford a $500 plane ticket, you can spring for another $30 for baggage transportation. Maybe that kind of thinking won't get me elected, but it also wouldn't distract me from the larger issues at hand.

Speaking of things that really shouldn't occupy elected officials time during a terrible recession, the Confederate History Month in Virginia debate has finally died down. Virginia took quite a hit in the national media for this brilliant idea that was recently renewed by Gov. Bob McDonnell. But before you come down on Virginia too hard, I did a little research that might interest you.

Did you know there are seven states that celebrate something called Confederate Memorial Day? Yup. And Virginia is not one of them.

I will probably take a glance up in the sky tonight, just in case a fireball streaks by the D.C. region -- before some desperate politician can take ownership of the heavens.

Are things looking up for newspapers?

I have been seeing some positive signs regarding the revitalization of the newspaper industry. That's certainly good news for seasoned guys like me who are looking for a way back into the business or related professions. There are thousands of unemployed journalists with a lot of talent out there -- victims of the recession -- so the competition for good jobs will be intense even if newspapers do rebound. But at least there are some signs of life and hope for those with ink (and pixels) in their veins. Too many good folks are either out of work or are pulling double and triple duty in newsrooms across America. A strong, credible media -- one that doesn't just run on fumes and interns -- is a must for this country. Read the latest from Editor & Publisher.

UPDATE: More good news.

Dolphins get a troubled but talented receiver

I am a little surprised by the Miami Dolphins acquiring Brandon Marshall, the wide receiver with a lot of off-the-field baggage during his days as a Denver Bronco.

Bill Parcells, Miami's general manager, usually hangs onto his draft picks. Today, however, he gave up two second rounders to get Marshall. Parcells, a legendary no-nonsense coach during his days in New York, New England and Dallas, is bringing in a guy who seems to define nonsense. South Florida is not a good place for players who have a knack for finding trouble.

Troubled or not, Marshall is a physical talent. He will upgrade the Dolphins. However, talent alone isn't always a reason to hire anyone. I thought Parcells knew that, but as he enters the twilight of his career, maybe the desire for another Super Bowl title was the blinding force that led to this trade. Read more.

Hoping Palin has the smarts not to run

This paragraph from a New York Times opinion piece is one of the better descriptions of Sarah Palin (and George W. Bush) that I have read. It refers to the possibility of Palin running for president and offers some hope for the future.

I think she’s too smart to even try — she is very smart, in an uncurious, intellectually lazy way. Sort of what George Bush would be like if he’d been sent to Wasilla High instead of prep school. In fact, let’s give Sarah some credit here. If George W. had her background, he’d be serving fast food and cursing the day he got fired from the overnight shift at the canning factory.

While there is some humor in this, I find very little to laugh about concerning Palin. Regardless of one's political leanings, can anyone deny Palin has significant intellectual shortcomings? Whenever I hear her speak, I am reminded of kids in seventh or eighth grade who didn't do their reading assignments and were trying to fake their way through oral exams. I find her as manipulative as a beauty pageant contestant and as hypocritical as a preacher who speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

Palin is a one-trick pony. And that trick is rather shallow. I haven't heard a new or interesting idea from her since she came onto the scene during her vice-presidential run. Her opinions are so thin that they aren't worth debating most of the time. There is just nothing to grab onto, unless you're debating her approval of acts like shooting wolves from helicopters.

I am not impressed by her parenting skills or governing abilities. She quit on the people of Alaska in order to cash in on FOX News and various speaking appearances. Where is that family while she is constantly parading around the lower 48?

We can't afford anymore dumb presidents. This is a complex world we live in. Issues aren't as black and white as Palin portrays them. America is at the crossroads, but not for the reasons Palin states.

We're going to need a lot more intellectual fire power in the White House and in all branches of government in the future. We need well-rounded leaders who are interested in things like math, science, philosophy and literature.

While book smarts alone shouldn't determine who leads, we can't turn the keys over to greedy pretenders who happen to look good on camera. We need more authenticity and less reality TV-type personalities -- leaders with open and fertile minds and introspective abilities, not just blind ambition and whitened teeth.

In a Jim Croce state of mind

But there never seems to be enough time to
do the things you want to do once you find them.

For a variety of reasons, these lyrics in the chorus of the Jim Croce song "Time in a Bottle" seem to be on my mind today. The singer-songwriter died in a plane crash in 1973. He was only 30 years old. His death shortly after releasing this song certainly gave new meaning to the words.

While I am not much of a Croce fan, I believe these simple words would match up favorably against any single line of lyrics in any song ever written. In fact, I think the song is even more relevant in today's distracted and often cluttered society.

If you've never heard this hauntingly melodic tune, it's worth a listen. It's not a rocker, but it does what music should do. It stirs something deep inside us. Like any good piece of art, it speaks to a part of us that can't be reached through other means. How much you relate to it depends largely on what you've experienced in life. Almost four decades ago, the song was just a sappy pop tune on the radio. There was plenty of time to do all the things that I wanted. Or so I thought.

My inbox: A portal into a criminal world

Ever since I increased my online presence through blogging, putting my resume in job-searching databases and joining social and professional networking sites, the amount of scam and spam e-mails that I receive on a daily basis has skyrocketed.

I get e-mails from "insurance companies" that offer me jobs. These bums try to capitalize on the vulnerability of unemployed folks and often hit them up for training fees and other expenses that don't lead to an income-producing job. I get e-mails that try to trick me into joining "free" job sites, only to find out after I am done filling out the forms that there is a fee to activate my account. It gets annoying. Just more technology-driven irritants in the course of a typical day. This sort of Internet lawlessness needs to be cleaned up.

I got the following e-mail this morning. It's a typical scam, and it's hard to believe that people would fall for this. The poor grammar and spelling alone should be huge red flags. I have not altered a single letter. I am amused by the pronouncements of affection for me and my family, like that's going to get me to turn over my bank account information. But this is no laughing matter. If it didn't occasionally work, and tragically wipe people out financially, this e-mail scam would not exist.

Dearest Beloved Friend,

How are you and your family? Hope Fine. I am Mrs. Cynthia bergLee from United states of America. And I am a deaf and Blood cancer patient. l Got your information in internet site through God direction after my prayers. I was married to Late Mr.Steve berg Lee who was a contractor with the government of Canada before he died after few months now in the hospital over injuries sustained from a bandictory attack suspected to be masterminded by his family for the acts of jealousy of his wealth.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $2,850,000.00 (Two Million,eight hundred and fifty thousand United States Dollars) with a bank which I will like you to contact them and ask for the fund to be transfered into your bank account for you to use it to help the the less privilaged people. I am earger to have you respond back to me imme diately due to my health condition hence medical examination results never give any positive empression. Therefore my Doctor told me that it is very likely I will die within the next 6 months due to A Blood cancer {LEUKAMIA}.

I have decided to donate the money for charity since I do not have a child to inherit it and it is better I do not die leaving the money here without it reaching the poor and the less privilaged ones in the society.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated here in. Hoping to receive your response immediately.(cynthia_berg.cantv.net)

Thanks and Remain blessed.
Mrs. Cynthia berg Lee.

The South rises again

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has proclaimed April as Confederate History Month. Boy, talk about an emotionally charged act at a time when the country is divided over a whole range of issues. But before anyone gets too bent out of shape, read the proclamation for yourself. It seems more about education than tribute.

Still, one has to wonder about the timing of this proclamation and whether the new governor would serve the state better by focusing on the future. There are plenty of memorials and Civil War battlefields all over the state. I am not sure I see a compelling need to open up this can of worms, which by the way has been resisted by previous governors. Instead, it would be nice if the man who campaigned as the "jobs candidate" would make news about getting people back to work.

UPDATE: McDonnell has now issued an apology to go along with his proclamation. Read more.

Much pain in a neighboring state

West Virginia is a neighboring state. Yet, it might as well be on another planet. The lifestyle in West Virginia is almost entirely rural. There are no major cities -- not even any medium cities. Unlike Virginia, education has never been a priority in West Virginia. Most people work with their hands. And a lot of people work in coal mines. It's a brutal way to make a living. A trip through a mining town is a journey back into a different era. It's hard to believe men still do this type of dangerous, back-breaking labor.

Yesterday, the worst U.S. coal-mining accident in 25 years occurred in our neighboring state. Events like this have a way of putting things in perspective. As I look out at another spectacular day in Sterling, Va., I know there is a lot of pain one state over. There is pain and fear everywhere lately, but there is nothing uncertain or abstract about what happened in that mine. Read more.

McNabb tops the news in D.C. today

The talk in Washington today isn't about health care, unemployment, opening day at Nationals Park or the NCAA championship game. Nor is it about Tiger Woods or the Masters.

D.C. is abuzz about the trade for quarterback Donovan McNabb. With this one transaction it appears the Washington Redskins have gone from NFC East doormat to contender. Yes, the Redskins have also added a coaching staff, two Pro Bowl running running backs and a true general manager in this off-season. But the NFL is about quarterbacking. The Redskins now have a good, experienced one.

However, don't make Super Bowl travel plans quite yet. Other NFL stars have come to Washington late in their careers and fizzled out. Among the future Hall of Fame players who didn't get it done as Redskins: Jason Taylor, Deion Sanders and Bruce Smith. Even a coaching legend, Joe Gibbs, couldn't turn around this franchise on his second tour of duty.

The Redskins still lack an offensive line and have a sketchy secondary. McNabb will not have the caliber receivers to throw to here that he had in Philadelphia. He will, however, provide some leadership. That is something that has been missing for years at Redskins Park. If he stays healthy, McNabb could be embraced in D.C. like he never was in Philly.

E-media slow to react to California quake

I got an early report of the earthquake near the Mexico-California border today via an e-mail from a friend who lives in San Diego. When I turned on the television to check the cable news stations, there was virtually no information about the quake except on CNN where the downsized B-team was evidently working the Easter holiday shift. Not exactly stuff that would make Walter Cronkite proud.

The latest trend in the media is to let average citizens do the journalistic legwork while allowing most journalists to have the weekend off. That strategy, however, is no substitute for getting images from professional photographers and eye-witness accounts from trained observers/journalists. I saw none of that in the first few hours after today's quake. What I did see was amateur video taken by housewives and children that failed to accurately depict the event and a CNN anchorman who didn't seem to have a grasp of basic geography. It was frustrating to watch a newscast that lacked the most basic information.

As the aftershocks were mounting, FOX News continued to ignore the story entirely, leaving me to think that newscast was prerecorded. When the smiling anchor on FOX finally acknowledged the quake, she didn't seem to comprehend the potential newsworthiness of it and quickly returned to other news that was nothing more than scripted fluff and rehashed stories from the previous week. She didn't appear nimble enough to switch gears. But she had a great smile. And through the aftershocks, the mainstream Web sites weren't on top of the story anymore than TV talking heads.

You would think that after some catastrophic earthquakes lately, a quake near a major U.S. city would draw a greater sense of urgency from the electronic media. This should be when e-media is at its best. I've heard a lot about newsrooms allegedly being 24/7 operations in this new technology age -- about media companies being more competitive than ever. Yet, I saw little evidence of that today. The news out of Southern California trickled to the East Coast today like back in the days of old teletype wire machines. Where was the immediacy and journalistic credibility in the early hours? Tomorrow's traditional newspapers will probably have it covered, particularly in places like San Diego and Los Angeles, but the electronic media was slow to react today, leading me to wonder about the staffing and leadership at these news outlets.

This wasn't a Haiti-type earthquake. Maybe there was no need to call in Brian Williams to man the desk at NBC or get the webmaster out of bed to redesign the home page. But it was another indication that while the storytelling tools of journalism improve, the actual timeliness, professionalism and accuracy of electronic media leaves much to be desired.