A World with out Oil?

Is it possible to get our oil thirty nation to become free from the gas pump? While the answer to that question may never be known, analysis from Frost & Sullivan say that the creation of hybrid electric vehicles(HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are taking a big step to a dominate over oil dependent vehicles. These HEVs and EVs would help with the current ecominc crisis with gas prices constantly on the rise and might put a smile on the faces of all those worried about global warming. I think that the HEVs and EVs are a great invention and want to know why it is now that they are finally making a big push toward consumers to purchase such vehicles. While I am not 100 percent sold that we will become completly independent of oil it is sure a giant step in the right direction to make our world around us better.

"If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which providesmanufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overviewof the world hybrid/electric vehicle battery markets, then send an e-mailto Johanna Haynes, Corporate Communications, at johanna.haynes@frost.com,with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mailaddress, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail." (PRNewswire.com)

Fire Safety Week

Fire saftey. Not really one of the most pressing worries on my mind througout the day. I guess that is why we have a week dedicated to eduacating those around us about how to be safe with a flame." 'Remembering Julie' is a Program to Make Students Safe From Fire on Ohio Campuses" from the online site PRNewswire.com talks about the efforts of the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women during fire saftey week. They have created the 'Remembering Julie' foundation to bring more awarness espically to students on campuses. Julie was a member of the fraternity before she passed away in a fire accident. The girls are selling flameless candles to raise money for the People's Burn Foundation. I think that this is a great opporrtunity for the foundation to raise money for a great cause. Many fire accidents start with a common house candle. I also know that it is important that campuses start bringing all buildings to fire code by checking all electrial wiring and boiler rooms. As I recall this would have prevented the fire that we experienced on our own campus at Utah State last year when a dorm building had to be evacuated do to a fire. So get out there and be smart about fire.

A Financial Pickle

With the current situation of the economy, many people are very uncertain as to what the future holds. This brings a very challenging task to the PR departments working in finance. On line in the PRWeek post, I read "Financial comms steady amid Wall Street turmoil." It talks about the finiancial uncertainties with different banks, including Washington Mutual being bought out by JP Morgan Chase. They consider this to be the biggest bank failure ever. This definatly brings worry to everyone around, espcially those dealing with Washington Mutual. I, myself being a customer of Washington Mutual, have become very concerned as to what the next steps will be. Those working for the PR departments are rapidly trying to assure customers that their money is safe and that the transition to JP Morgan Chase is going to go smooth and will be a benefit for the future. I certainly hope that this is correct.

Ethics with Politics

On September 10, 2008 PRSA came out with a post titled "Communications Professionals Challenge McCain and Obama on Ethics." The PRSA is challenging both compaings to sign an agreement to promise to act 100% ethically while running in the campaingn. I would have personally assumed that the practice of ethics would already be a given to any one who is thinking about running a country. Who wants to vote for someone who lies about themself and does not reprsent the whole truth to the people? Wait... we are talking about politicians here. So this being the case I think it is a great idea to have both parties sign the agreement so that the public gets the knowledge they need in the right mannor about each canidate.
The PRSA code of ethics clearly states how one should act ethically. I think everyone can benefit knowing that we are regulating those who we want to lead us. After all this is a nation for the people right?

Thoughts on Chapter 4

Chapter 4 from the Introduction to Public Relations is a very well written and informative chapter. While at times it seemed to drag on and my eyes seemd to drag down, I did review a lot that I have been taught before in the area of law and ethics. It is always good to be reminded that slander is spoken defamation and libel is published. I even made note of it in my book underlining the 's' in slander and spoken to try and help my memory keep that connection.

I do really appreciate the fact that the authors of this text use real life cases to put what I am reading into the real world. I absoluetly loved reading about the 1946 Supreme Court case of New York Times v. Sullivan because it rleates to the field of public relations that I planning on going into- non-profit. The quote " communicated information...on behalf of a movement whose existence and objectives are matters of the highest public intrest and concern (54)" got me really excited and strengthened my desire to go into public relations with the intent to help others.

I must admit that I still get confused with copyright and trademark laws. It tends to be that as long as the people with the most money are keeping their assets protected by the laws then everyone is happy. When the protection date seems to be creeping nearer those in power just throw more money at the right people and get the laws extended. Good example of this is Disney extending their date on the copyright to Mickey the Mouse.

Anyway, I feel that ethics should be second nature to everyone. Yet alas there are those few that do not have consciences and that is why ethics must enstilled in us all.