Author: opinionstogo

Muslim Image Issues

It sounded like a script from Comedy Central staples “The Daily Show” or the “Colbert Report.” In an effort to promote understanding about the Muslim faith, the Dalai Lama recently met with Muslim leaders in San Francisco.

Some summit outtakes:

*Although the Muslim leaders and scholars needed the help of the world’s most influential Buddhist, there was one technical fly in the good faith ointment. Islam doesn’tactually, well, recognize Buddhism. Maybe it’s the absence of menace. Or that Buddhists are too easy on apostates. Perhaps Muslims are just not wild about saffron.

*The Dalai Lama made the point that terrorists don’t embody the real meaning of Islam. In so doing, he reached new euphemistic depths. “Those few mischievous ones do not represent the whole Muslim community,” he intoned. “Mischievous?” As in the tomfoolery of suicide bombers? “Mischievous?” This isn’t the whoopee cushion crowd but homicidal zealots and the “martyrs” from hell.

*But finally Hamza Yusef Hanson, founder of the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, Calif., which is dedicated to reviving the sciences of classical Islam, nailed it. Islam, it would appear, needs serious PR help.

“Buddhism gets the best press of any religion in the world,” he pointedly noted. “Islam gets the worst press because it’s associated with war and belligerence.”

You never know when that light will go on.

No More Boors

The U.S. State Department is considering sending every U.S. passport holder a “World Citizens Guide” in hopes that those for whom the “Ugly American” stereotype fits all too well will finally get it. As in, like it or not, you are an extension of a country that needs serious worldwide image help. Don’t make it easier for those too readily disposed to dislike us. And don’t, of course, make it harder on yourself. The Guide is actually the work of the non-profit Business for Diplomatic Action Inc.

Some tips:

*”Familiarize yourself with the local geography to avoid making insulting mistakes.” Have a map and read it.

*When in doubt, dress up. “In some countries, casual dress is a sign of disrespect.”

*Watch your language. “Even casual profanity is unacceptable.”

*Even if you’re a captain of industry, try not to act like it. “Talking about wealth, power or status – corporate or personal – can create resentment.”

*Pace yourself. “We talk fast, eat fast, move fast, live fast. Many cultures do not.”

*Listen up. “Ask people you’re visiting about themselves and their way of life.”

*Tone it down. “A loud voice is often perceived as bragging.”

*Restrain yourself about religion and politics. In many countries, religion is “not a subject for public discussion.” As for politics: “Steer clear

Romney Already Running Hard For 2008

The signs have been more than manifest for more than a year: Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is running for president.

Rudy Giuliani, arguably, will never be conservative enough on social issues for primary-voting Republicans. John McCain, by virtue of his upcoming commencement address at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, has formally relinquished his maverick cache. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has been on a year-long, self-imploding bender of cheap political opportunism – from Terri Schiavo to immigration. Condi Rice could out-demographic Hillary Clinton or Colin Powell – but she has that Iraqi albatross.

Romney, 59, is very much in the hunt.

He’s run an Olympics and a venture capital firm before taking over as governor of “Taxachusetts.” He has both business and law degrees from Harvard. He was valedictorian of his undergraduate class at Brigham Young University. He looks good; speaks well; exhibits a sense of humor. He has well-scrubbed, bright kids and a wife who is more Laura than Hillary or Teresa.

*As chairman – and previously vice chairman – of the Republican Governors Association, Romney has been out and about working for GOP candidates and maxing out on his national forum. Just last week he honored the request of Michigan Congressman Pete Hoekstra to speak on behalf of that state’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, Dick DeVos. It’s one of many markers he can call in for 2008.

*He’s increasingly disinclined to compromise on gay marriage. And increasingly inclined to talk about it. Last summer he told MSNBC’s Chris Mathews: “Marriage is not ‘an evolving paradigm.’ It is deeply rooted in the history, culture and tradition of civil society. It predates our Constitution and our nation by millennia. The institute of marriage was not created by government, and it should not be redefined by government.”

A lot of people agree, and they’re not all fundamentalist Republicans.

*He looked compassionately conservative when Massachusetts took in Katrina evacuees last August.

*He has taken on welfare overhaul in his state. And when your state is Massachusetts, that is noteworthy. It was a winning issue for Bill Clinton in 1992.

*His recent State of the Commonwealth speech was filled with bullet points that will make good hustings material. To wit:

-He can balance a budget and cut a tax.

-Massachusetts was ahead of the curve with its “Welcome Home Bill” that extended new benefits to returning soldiers.

-Massachusetts has “the most highly educated workforce in the country.” Its fourth and eight graders rank first in the country in English and Math skills. Romney is even pushing for mandatory parental preparation courses for those parents whose children are not succeeding.

-Massachusetts is now poised to provide private, market-based health insurance to all uninsured citizens.

*The health insurance issue – regardless of devil-in-the-details critics — and the subsequent Op-Ed piece he penned for the Wall Street Journal have upped his profile at a time when many other wannabes are mired in Washington’s political dreck.

*And speaking of the recently passed health-insurance bill, it was the reason why Romney was invited on “Hardball” last Tuesday. Host Chris Mathews, who can be combative, usually doesn’t fawn over his guests — but he did over Romney. “Congratulations, Governor,” gushed Mathews. “That sounds great. Sounds like something the country needs.” Sean Hannity couldn’t have treated Katherine Harris in a more ingratiating manner. Mathews may cringe, but we’ll see that exchange again.

*Romney’s web site speaks volumes about his likely appeal. For sale are the requisite “Mitt Romney For President ’08” mugs, T-shirts, bumper stickers, magnets, mouse pads, greeting cards, golf shirts, baseball jerseys, tote bags and toddler and pet T-shirts. And, of course, those family-values trucker hats.

Oh, and there’s also a “classic thong” ($12.99) for sale as well.

*Did we say he’s got the look?

Rays’ Reality

The good news is that nearly 53,000 fans saw the Devil Rays’ opening two games of the season against the Baltimore Orioles. The bad news is that less than 13,000 of them were on hand for the second game. Reality set in that fast.

The first night sellout was, in large part, a visceral response to all that has been done right by new ownership – from sprucing up the Trop, to overhauling attitudes to initiating free parking. (Last year’s opening night attendance was a paltry 26,000.)

The second night was a stark reminder. Banishing the ghosts of Naimolis past is not nearly enough. Nor should it be.

Lifestyle-wise, there’s a lot to compete with indoor baseball around here. And (the skewed) spring-training tradition notwithstanding, going out to (or into) the ballpark in the summer is not embedded into the local culture. This isn’t Pittsburgh, Cincinnati or St. Louis – let alone New York, Chicago, Philadelphia or Boston.

What it will take for a real Rays’ revival is what it took for Bucs’ and Lightning success. Proof positive that winning can be an expectation – not a bonus.

Now about that pitching staff

An Officer and a Critic

Now it’s Colin Powell’s turn at the Donald Rumsfeld piñata. He joins at least six other former generals in criticizing Rumsfeld and the flawed plans and rationales for the Iraqi war.

That obviously ratchets up the pressure a few more notches on the Secretary of Defense to step down. It also obviously won’t matter.

What might have mattered were active-duty generals speaking out when it could have made a difference. But they played by the rules and the honorable “good soldier” tradition – taking one for the team and not the country, as it turned out. They eventually channeled their gut criticism into second guessing and scapegoating for their memoirs and cable television’s chattering classes.

Better late than never. Barely.

And That’s The Way It Is

The hot media question has been: “Will Katie Couric revive the network nightly news?”

The obvious answer: No.

Not even Ed Murrow and Walter Cronkite could rebottle the genie of the internet, 24-7 cable and a demographic that didn’t grow up with the evening news ritual.

What’s truly intriguing, however, is CBS’s announced promise – as part of its Couric-wooing strategy – to significantly beef up its news budget, including a major upgrade of its roster of correspondents. It begs the obvious question: Why did it take Couric-courting to prompt CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves to finally make such a commitment?

It took “perky” to induce that?

Wal-Mart’s Public Relations

There’s PR and then there’s PR.

The Wal-Marting of America has brought the retail behemoth its share of criticism – from unions to small, locally owned businesses. In its defense, the company has gone on the offensive. Its critics have cried “PR” gambit.But Wal-Mart has done more than issue press releases pointing out that it supports local charities and wouldn’t be nearly so successful if it weren’t responding to the marketplace by saving shoppers money.

Over the next two years, Wal-Mart will build more than 50 stores in some of the most challenging urban areas in the country. Areas where the crime and unemployment rates remain daunting. Areas dotted with contaminated sites and vacant buildings. Areas where the private sector has good, bottom-line reasons to stay away.

At least 10 of the stores will anchor “Wal-Mart Jobs and Opportunity Zones” that will help local businesses with free advertising, seminars and grants to local chambers of commerce. Wal-Mart estimates that between 15,000 and 25,000 jobs will be generated.

Sure, it’s PR. But it’s more than spin. It’s spend.

Gators Can Make More Than Hoops History

More than a week later, it still resonates – as cool as it is incongruous: Florida Gators, National Champions. In BASKETBALL.

Some perspective.

University of Florida head coach Billy Donovan didn’t sell his soul for this team, as good as it is. Athletics Director Jeremy Foley didn’t have to budget bail money for any of Donovan’s players. And Donovan didn’t have to scour the ranks of junior colleges looking for “student-athlete” itinerants. In 10 years, Donovan has brought the program to the level where he can choose attitude as well as recruit aptitude. Both were more than manifest at the Final Four.

The Gators also play a style that would be appreciated by James Naismith. This is no shuck-and-jive outfit, but a well-schooled squad that understands the art of the pass and the concept of the team. Call it the enlightened self-interest of unselfishness.

But the ultimate sports success begets a certain inevitability. There’s precious little time these days to actually savor the celebratory moment. After being feted by fans and the President of the United States, the Gators are now confronted with what they do for an encore.

Obvious questions are begged.

With no senior starters, how good can this team get? With all the variables of luck and parity, can it repeat?

Or will it dismantle itself? The professional ranks are beckoning to three Gator starters, Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer, all of whom are sophomores. None of whom are impoverished, notably Noah.

An ongoing storyline this season has been Noah, Horford and Brewer — plus sophomore starting point guard Taurean Green — sharing the same apartment as well as outlooks on life. They valued the campus experience. Chemistry on and off the court was their mantra.

That will now be tested, especially with Noah, who seems to be morphing from “colorful”, “exuberant” and “charismatic” into look-at-me boorishness.

The Gators have already made hoops history. Wouldn’t it be refreshing if they also made a statement?

As in a triplicate reply that the hip-hop lounge act known as the National Basketball Association would just have to wait. That there really was allure to a college diploma and remaining in Gainesville as national champions with the formidable challenge of repeating. And, most importantly, that it was too tempting to resist the opportunity to send a message to every budding athlete with professional dreams that a university was much more than a thinly veiled apprenticeship for the pros.

The ball is in their court.

St. Pete Revved Up

The biggest winner of the recent Indy Racing League’s Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was, quite arguably, the city of St. Petersburg. The crowd was estimated at nearly 100,000 and all the corporate suites sold out. Race sponsors quickly re-upped for 2007. It was better than last year, and last year was pretty good.

Moreover, chamber of commerce weather and postcard vistas were a prominent part of what a national TV audience saw on ESPN’s live telecast. And nobody identified the venue as “Tampa Bay.”

The downside? Downtown merchants and residents had to take one for the team.

Stop Sign

No, that notorious “Support Our Troops” sign standoff in Westchase has not quietly faded from the public eye. In fact, look for it to be prominently aired next week on “The Daily Show,” Comedy Central’s faux news program.

To recap, Stacey Kelley won’t take down her patriotic front-yard sign that’s at odds with her community’s deed restrictions. She rejected a good-faith compromise, told the neighborhood association to “bring it on,” agreed to representation by First Amendment/adult business specialist Luke Lirot and generally seemed to revel in the notoriety.

Now the last laugh may be Jon Stewart’s.

Some issues deserve better than that.