I’m Not The Only One

I recently learned that the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is in serious financial trouble, to the point that the 25-year old trade association isn’t sure whether or not they will exist next year.  No, this is not a plea to whip out your credit card and make a donation; this is simply my slightly apathetic reaction to the organization’s $300,000 budget deficit.  A desperate plea from NAHJ’s President to raise $300,000 by December 15, 2009.

A little background: Upon graduating from college in winter 2007, I joined NAHJ in hopes the membership would help me find a journalism job.  Needless to say, I was more than disappointed.  Now NAHJ is asking for increased donations, even going as far as sending unwanted emails to former members such as myself to join their “Count Me In” initiative, asking me to either donate myself and/or raise funds from my friends, family, colleagues and employer.

This is what happens when you don’t change with the times. Just as the newspaper industry has been dying a slow fiscal death for the last few decades, shouldn’t the same thing happen to a trade association for journalists? This is why I did not renew my NAHJ membership. I graduated college with a large amount of debt, couldn’t afford to become a member in the first place but did so in the hopes it would give me an edge in getting into the newspaper business. To my dismay I never really got any work due to my NAHJ membership. (more…)

Yes, this gringo said it.

Brazil totally deserves to host the Olympics.  In fact, I’m shocked they’ve never hosted it before.  Most Americans have no idea why I’m saying this, mostly because many non-Hispanic whites and blacks can’t even find Brazil on a world map. much less know enough about Brazil to understand why they should host this international event. (more…)

All I hear about in the news these days are health care, health care, and more health care.  As a result I really haven’t been keeping up on the news or blogging.

But I saw a reasonable health care proposal which while featuring a few major flaws, was far better than what’s being proposed in Congress right now.  The debate of comments following the post was so civil and the points were so rational (as opposed to the bullshit you hear from syndicated pundits and members of Congress) it inspired me to present my own proposal for healthcare reform.  It’s simple and can reduce administrative overhead in both the public and private sectors while encouraging free market competition. (more…)