The Rake Magazine

What!?

I just got word from ZATZ Publishing that a top Mexican press person was caught stealing BlackBerries from the White House during a meeting between Bush and Canadian and Mexican leaders.

Today, Fox News reported that Rafael Quintero Curiel, lead press advance person for the Mexican Delegation was caught stealing six or seven BlackBerry devices belonging to White House staffers who were attending meetings between U.S. President George W. Bush and Canadian and Mexican leaders in New Orleans this week. Unfortunately, Quintero Curiel was caught after the devices had been in his possession for some time.

You've got to be kidding me!

I wonder what the going rate for a BlackBerry is in Mexico these days.

There is some concern, of course, as to the amount of information the BlackBerries may have contained.

"That's the equivalent in strategic U.S. government information of about 28,000 printed pages of data, or seven complete sets of all seven Harry Potter novels. And that's per BlackBerry. Given today's incident, that's seven times seven complete sets of all seven Harry Potter novels. Scared yet?"

 Great. Why couldn't it have been the Canadians?

I guess I find most reports on online media interesting, but I thought this MediaPost email was spot on:

by Kory Kredit, Thursday, April 24, 2008

What is the value of an established print media name? Let's take a simple test to find out. Which of these URLs do you recognize?

· www.desmoinesregister.com
· www.eastvalleytribune.com
· www.drudgereport.com
· www.perezhilton.com

For those of you who claim to recognize the first two, you are either lying, or you have lived in both Iowa and Arizona, as I have. While both the Des Moines Register and the East Valley Tribune are print newspaper companies that have been in existence for decades, you've probably never heard of them or visited their Web site unless you live in those metropolitan areas. Even if you do live in those regions, the chance that you've never visited one of these sites increases as your age bracket skews younger.

Ask any college-age or 20something man or woman where they get their news/information/gossip, and he or she is increasingly likely to cite a pure-play Internet site like DrudgeReport.com, PerezHilton.com, a favorite news aggregation site or RSS feeds before listing a local print media outlet.

While national newspapers like The New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today are growing, local newspaper sites are loosing market share to pure-play Internet sites like Google, Yahoo, AOL, and MSN, as well as aggregation sites like newsvine.com and topix.net, as reported in a 2007 study from The Shorenstein Center at Harvard University.

This raises a perplexing question for local newspapers, which are more and more reliant on their Web sites for advertising revenue to either supplement or replace decreasing revenues from their offline product. Does a traditional media brand name (i.e. Seattle Times, Kansas City Star, etc.) provide significant value to an online audience, or does its value get lost in translation somewhere between the printed word and the 19" flat-screen you're currently staring at?

As circulation rates and ad revenues drop across the board in the newspaper industry (ad revenues in 2007 plunged 9.4% to $42 billion compared to 2006), the brand recognition of the local newspaper drops along with it. It has also proven increasingly ineffective to try to apply the traditional offline business model to an online news site.

Gone are the days when the local newspaper was the self-appointed guardian and exclusive voice of news and information for the masses. In traditional media, the journalist and the media outlet handed down the news to the public and that was typically where the story ended, with the exception of the filtered and approved-for-print Letter to the Editor that might follow in a day or two.

In the Internet age, news is now a "shared enterprise between its producer and its consumer, according to Jonah Peretti, founding partner of The Huffington Post. To be successful, Internet news and media require an ongoing conversation, multiple methods of engagement, the addition of user-generated content and a wide variety of opinions and views.

Today's savvy online consumers also want control over what they read. They want to customize their entire experience for their personal preference. Not only do they want to choose the stories that are relevant to them, they want to modify the layout of the site and the navigation to suit their needs, as they can on sites like newsvine.com, topix.net and netvibes.com.

In an effort to recapture some of their local readers on the Web, newspapers might consider abandoning their traditional print brand online, reinventing an entirely new media brand for the Web. This allows a great deal of autonomy to operate -- much the same as an Internet company, not a newspaper company with a Web site.

The challenge that lies ahead is whether or not traditional newspaper companies can become agile enough to adapt to this new paradigm. Can they leverage their most important asset, which is their depth of news and information at the local level, and deliver it in a way that engages and interacts with readers, giving them more control over the experience?

Simply relying on their offline brand recognition to draw readers to their Web site will prove to be a losing strategy as readers continue to gravitate towards pure-play Internet sites that cater to the preference of an ever-savvier online audience.

Can newspapers adapt quickly enough to remain relevant -- or are they doomed to become this century's version of the telegraph machine?

 

Replacement fans, look out! Rhino Records has reissued deluxe editions of Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash; Stink; Hootenanny; and Let it Be — available as of yesterday. Listen to a sampling here.

Here's the lowdown from Rhino.

This is where the legend of The Replacements begins. Rhino retraces the shambolic swath the influential Minneapolis quartet cut across the American Underground, reissuing deluxe editions of the band's Twin/Tone releases: Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash, Stink, Hootenanny, and Let it Be. All have been exquisitely remastered and generously embellished with rare and previously unreleased tracks. Each will be available at all physical retail outlets and at www.rhino.com on April 22 for a suggested list price of $18.98, except STINK, which will have a suggested list price of $11.98. These releases will be followed later this year with similar deluxe versions of The Replacements' Sire albums including Tim, Pleased To Meet Me, Don't Tell A Soul, and All Shook Down.

Capturing the early years of the band's acclaimed 11-year run, these three albums and EP spotlight founding members Paul Westerberg, brothers Bob and Tommy Stinson and Chris Mars. The deluxe editions were produced by longtime Replacements manger Peter Jesperson, who also co-produced the original albums. The band was instrumental in selecting the bonus songs, many of which have never been heard -- even among the band's most ardent followers.

Released in 1981, Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash was The Replacements' audacious debut. Songs such as "Takin A Ride," "Shiftless When Idle," "Customer" and "Johnny's Gonna Die" herald the band's competing tendencies toward indelible genius and bleary, drunken repugnance. The 13 bonus tracks open appropriately with the four songs Westerberg gave to Jesperson in 1980 that brought the band to Twin/Tone's attention. Also included among the previously unreleased songs is an alternate take of "Customer," plus studio demos and outtakes. The deluxe version ends with "If Only You Were Lonely," which was previously released as the B-side of "I'm In Trouble."

Shortly after its debut, The Replacements issued the EP Stink in June 1982. The band was fast becoming Minneapolis' most exciting new group when this 15-minute adrenaline masterpiece hit the streets. In the deluxe edition liner notes, Terry Katzman writes, "Here, the band began to merge its ragged sense of honesty with true rock 'n' roll power. In essence, they had created the perfect monster -- a rock band with real guts, humor, and humility." All previously unreleased, the four bonus tracks featured here include a trio of session outtakes -- "Staples In Her Stomach" and covers of "Hey, Good Lookin'" and "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" -- plus Westerberg's solo home demo for "You're Getting Married."

Bursting at the seams with ideas and inspiration, Hootenanny found the band heading in several new directions. Released in April 1983, the album included two enduring classics, "Color Me Impressed" and "Within Your Reach," along with the pseudo-surf rock of "Buck Hill," the brooding "Willpower" and "Mr. Whirly," a paean to alcohol-induced bed spins. The six previously unreleased bonus tracks include an alternate version of "Treatment Bound" and a solo home demo of the lost classic "Bad Worker."

Also featured among the bonus material is "Lookin' For Ya." The song was originally issued on Trackin' Up The North, a talent search contest compilation released by radio station KQDS.

Let it Be rounds out the deluxe reissues. Released in 1984, the 33-minute masterpiece was recently named the #3 Greatest Indie-Rock Album Ever by Blender Magazine. The album presents some of the band's strongest songs, including the album opener "I Will Dare," "Androgynous," "Sixteen Blue" and the poignant "Unsatisfied." The five unreleased bonus tracks include a home demo for "Answering Machine," a cover of The Grass Roots' "Temptation Eyes" and an alternate "Sixteen Blue" with the same instrumental track as the album but with an early vocal take and different lyrics. The bonus material also includes a cover of T. Rex's "20th Century Boy," which was originally issued on the 12" maxi-single for "I Will Dare."

SORRY MA, FORGOT TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH
1. "Takin A Ride"
2. "Careless"
3. "Customer"
4. "Hangin Downtown"
5. "Kick Your Door Down"
6. "Otto"
7. "I Bought A Headache"
8. "Rattlesnake"
9. "I Hate Music"
10. "Johnny's Gonna Die"
11. "Shiftless When Idle"
12. "More Cigarettes"
13. "Don't Ask Why"
14. "Somethin To Dü"
15. "I'm In Trouble"
16. "Love You Till Friday"
17. "Shutup"
18. "Raised In The City"
Bonus Material
19. "Raised In The City" Live, 1980 - Demo*
20. "Shutup" Live, 1980 - Demo*
21. "Don't Turn Me Down" Live, 1980 - Demo*
22. "Shape Up" Live, 1980 - Demo*
23. "You Ain't Gotta Dance" Studio Demo*
24. "Get On The Stick" Studio Demo*
25. "Oh Baby" Studio Demo*
26. "Like You" Outtake*
27. "Get Lost" Outtake*
28. "A Toe Needs A Shoe" Outtake*
29. "Customer" Alternate Take*
30. "Basement Jam" Rehearsal*
31. "If Only You Were Lonely"

STINK
1. "Kids Don't Follow"
2. "Fuck School"
3. "Stuck In The Middle"
4. "God Damn Job"
5. "White And Lazy"
6. "Dope Smokin Moron"
7. "Go"
8. "Gimme Noise"
Bonus Material
9. "Staples In Her Stomach" Outtake*
10. "Hey, Good Lookin'" Outtake*
11. "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" Outtake*
12. "You're Getting Married" Solo Home Demo*

HOOTENANNY
1. "Hootenanny"
2. "Run It"
3. "Color Me Impressed"
4. "Willpower"
5. "Take Me Down To The Hospital"
6. "Mr. Whirly"
7. "Within Your Reach"
8. "Buck Hill"
9. "Lovelines"
10. "You Lose"
11. "Hayday"
12. "Treatment Bound"
Bonus Material
13. "Lookin' For Ya"
14. "Junior's Got A Gun" Outtake - Rough Mix*
15. "Ain't No Crime" Outtake*
16. "Johnny Fast" Outtake - Rough Mix*
17. "Treatment Bound" Alternate Version*
18. "Lovelines" Alternate Vocal*
19. "Bad Worker" Solo Home Demo*

LET IT BE
1. "I Will Dare"
2. "Favorite Thing"
3. "We're Comin' Out"
4. "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out"
5. "Androgynous"
6. "Black Diamond"
7. "Unsatisfied"
8. "Seen Your Video"
9. "Gary's Got A Boner"
10. "Sixteen Blue"
11. "Answering Machine"
Bonus Material
12. "20th Century Boy"
13. "Perfectly Lethal" Outtake*
14. "Temptation Eyes" Outtake*
15. "Answering Machine" Solo Home Demo*
16. "Heartbeat It's A Lovebeat" Outtake, Rough Mix*
17. "Sixteen Blue" Outtake - Alternate Vocal*

* previously unissued recording

Yesterday was Earth Day, and somehow (and even unfortunately) it seems to have passed all too quietly. Is our Earth in such good shape now? I think not. And yet — despite the lack of attention — much is being done to try to remedy that. Recently, the Minnesota Legislature overturned Governor Pawlenty's veto for funding to relieve traffic congestion, expand transit, and improve Minnesota’s roads. The governor himself approved long-term funding for land conservation. The House passed a bill that would pave the way for the adoption of a regional cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and an omnibus energy policy bill that would boost solar and wind power and tighten greenhouse gas regulations. And the Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment will now be on the November 4, 2008 voting ballot. Here's an email I received from Vote Yes Minnesota, a campaign promoting the amendment.

Dear Friend,

It was 38 years ago yesterday that a small band of concerned citizens joined together to create Earth Day to bring attention to the degradation of our plant. Over the years, interest in our environment has surged and waned. However, our continual decline in natural resources has not.

It is fitting then with all the discussion this week around the environment that the Vote Yes Minnesota Campaign launches its website.

Vote Yes Minnesota is the campaign to support the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. This amendment will fund the protection of our drinking water sources, enhance and restore our wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game and wildlife habitat, preserve our arts and cultural resources, support our parks and trails, and shelter, enhance, and restore our lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater.

Take action now by joining our growing campaign at www.Yesfor MN.org.

Right now Minnesota needs your help. Because while we have much to treasure, we also have much to lose. Minnesota's natural and cultural resources are both critical to maintaining our states high quality of life. Unfortunately, they are also both among the first areas to be cut in times of budget crisis. Funding for our natural resources is at an all time low. There is an urgent need that is not being met and we must act now before the things we love about Minnesota are gone forever.

We can do something to protect the Minnesota we love. The legislature put the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment on the ballot this fall for citizens to vote on. It is up to us to protect our drinking water and provide funding for the cleanup of our rivers, lakes and streams. This amendment, the largest in our nations' history, gives us a chance to act now by providing dedicated funding for the next 25 years to preserve our natural resources before they are lost forever.

We need your help in this campaign, please join us in this historic effort at www.YesforMN.org.

To paraphrase Margaret Mead, never underestimate that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world, indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Many years ago a small group created Earth Day, and now we stand here with an historic opportunity to make sure the things we love about Minnesota are protected and passed on to future generations.

Our campaign looks forward to joining with you and other Minnesotans in this important effort.

Sincerely,

Ken Martin
Campaign Manager
Vote Yes MN

Ok. This is just too funny to pass up. We just received a press release from the Minnesota Zoo, with some exciting — though strangely vague — news. The email reads as follows:

For Immediate Release
04.23.08

Rare Chinese Animal Born at the Minnesota Zoo

News release & photo attached.

Great, but what the heck animal is it? Is this not important enough to include in the email? Seems a bit odd.

My sources, however — better known as Google and Wikipedia — tell me it's a Takin, "a goat-antelope found in of the Eastern Himalayas." I wonder if it's not also a rare Nepali animal, or a rare Afghani animal. Perhaps a rare Pakistani animal. Perhaps not.

OK. To be fair, the email was supposed to have come with a press release, as stated, which was later sent to me. It has all the missing information and more. Here it is:

Apple Valley, MN - April 23, 2008:  A rare Sichuan takin calf was born on exhibit this morning at the Minnesota Zoo.

The calf, whose gender is unknown at this time, is currently on exhibit with its mother, father, and two other takin. (The calf will likely be off exhibit on Thursday and Friday to ensure its health and safety, and also to undergo a neonatal exam).

Considered national treasures by the Chinese, takin are rare in North American zoos: only 50 takin are found in 12 zoos in North America. Tim Hill, a zookeeper on the Minnesota Zoo's Northern Trail, manages the North American Regional Studbook for the takin. Studbooks help zoos manage a small captive population of animals. Listed as "protected" by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), takin are mysterious animals. Found in forest mountainsides in China, the Sichuan takin prefers mid-altitude mountains, dense undergrowth, and rocky hillsides. They also share the same ranges as pandas and golden monkeys. "Little is known about their numbers in the wild due to their inaccessible habitat," says Hill. "Illegal hunting and habitat destruction, due to an increase in human population, threaten these animals," he says.

The Chinese refer to the takin as "Ling Niu" or "antelope cow." This unusual-looking relative of the musk ox looks like a small moose, climbs like a mountain goat, has short curved horns like a gnu, and snorts. Takin, who stand 3-4 feet high, eat shrubs, grasses, and leaves. They are even able to stand on their hind legs and reach branches 10 feet off the ground.

There are three subspecies of takin: Mishmi, Golden, and Sichuan. The Mishmi takin, found in India, Bhutan, and Burma, can be recognized by its chocolate-brown coat. The Golden takin - named for its golden color - is found in China, as is the Sichuan takin, whose appearance can be considered a "mix" the other two subspecies: a golden face with a dark-colored body.

The Minnesota Zoo participates in a breeding loan agreement with other zoos, a valuable tool allowing zoos to breed unrelated animals. All takin are managed cooperatively between the zoos.

The Minnesota Zoo is located on 500 acres in Apple Valley, only minutes south of the Mall of America. For more information on the Zoo, call 952.431.9200 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.

Congrats to the Minnesota Zoo. Be sure to stop in and say hello to our new Minnesota baby!