Organized Diva

Note to The Big 3: Sometimes Image Is Everything

What would we have said if the CEOs of General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford had shown up to the congressional hearings wearing gold crowns? Arriving in private jets to a meeting with Congressmen to beg for an exorbitant amount of money is even more ostentatious and arrogant.

The big 3 are crumbling. Their stocks are tumbling. And, all they have left, barring ruin, are some self-indulgent executives to represent them in front of Congress, the American taxpayers, and the world.

This is the prime example of how image can often be everything. You are there to represent not only your company but also yourself at any given moment. To that end, you have to pick the image you would like others to take away. That image has to fit the message you are conveying and the audience you are addressing.

This type of embarrassing miscalculation, openly worn for all to see, will be their downfall. No longer will people see either the big 3 or their executives in the same light.

I suggest that if taxpayers are made to lend the big 3 the funds they seek, that any executive severance packages be voided before they are thrown out on their overpaid backsides.

Presidential Transition Information Resources on the Internet

There is no question that transitioning from the outgoing president, who has served 8 long years, to the new President, who has pledged many changes, will be complex. Luckily for us, we now have the internet to turn to in addition to more traditional sources.  

Because I'm eagerly awaiting the new administration that will come into office in 74 days, I have spent quite a bit of time researching some of the whos, whats, whens, wheres, and huhs. What exactly occurs during a transition? What decisions are under consideration or being made? Who are the key players? And, how may these changes affect my family, my career, my business, my community, my finances, and my nation?

Government Transition Websites

Change.gov - Official website of the Office of the President-Elect. This is also a site where you can leave your ideas and opinions.

Whitehousetransitionproject.org - Official White House Transition Project website.

Senate United States Presidential Transition Website - A Website of the United States Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs

GAO 2009 Congressional and Presidential Transition - Website of the U.S. Government Accountability Office

Top Internet Election Day News Sources

Hitwise listed the top internet news sources for accessed on election day. As reported in TechCrunch, here are the top 15:

1. Yahoo News
2. CNN
3. MSNBC
4. Google News
5. FOXNews
6. Drudge Report
7. The New York Times
8. FOXNews.com Elections
9. USA Today
10. ABCnews.com
11. The Huffington Post
12. AOL News
13. Real Clear Politics
14. The Washington Post
15. CNN Political Ticker

Web 2.0 Transition Sources

There was a very interesting post Government 2.0: The Presidential Transition at mashable.com about the key role web 2.0 technology will play during this transition. Some of the main sites that were mentioned include:

Policypitch.com - Get yourself and other involved in your policy ideas.

Govloop.com - Social Network for Government 2.0.

Squidoo.com/transitioningthepresidency- A comprehensive page of information on the presidential transition. Squidoo.com itself consists of member-built pages that are rated by others.

Some Further Reading:

The Presidential Transition - A weblog by the IBM Center for the Business of Government

The Presidential Transition FAQ
Does the president-elect get to ride around in Air Force One-elect? And other questions …

GAO Presidential Transition Site Flags 13 Urgent Issues

Heidi Klum and I Have Much in Common

It was surprising to see how much I have in common with Heidi Klum. When I say this, I am going beyond the superficial. Sure, we both have blonde hair and we are both women, but that is the case with many women. I am tall, but probably not as tall as Heidi. I have a comfortable life, but definitely not as comfortable as Heidi's. So, what do I have in common with Heidi that makes it worth a headline?

Heidi Klum and I are both German and, more significantly, we both just became American citizens this summer.

Next week, in 7 days, it will be our turn to shine. It is a right that so many Americans have, or at least should have, enjoyed for so many years. But, now it is also my right. Hence, I will shine. The light illuminating from me may not be evident to others, but I will feel like the sun on the inside.

I am already planning what could be the best time to go, what I should wear, and how I can possibly sleep the night before. I have done my research on everything that I will be voting on and believe I have already made up my mind in all choices. I follow the election news on the internet and TV. I am insatiable.

I would never give up this right and I would be very sad to see any other voters out there not take advantage of their right. It is tremendously glorious to have this power on society, the world, and the future.

How Sarah Palin Made Me See the Importance of Preparation

The interview of Sarah Palin by Katie Couric is a prime example of how valuable good preparation is. Couric's questions are concise and clear. In comparison, Sarah Palin stammers through her answers. I've posted the interview below: