Corporations can do what??

I am an American, I have free speech as a individual, and this very blog is an enactment of that inherent right. Last week however, the Supreme Court overturned an age old policy, eliminating the different between individuals and corporations in regards to free speech. Corporations may now act the same as individuals in the political arena.

Citizens United, a non-profit organization of conservative advocacy attempted to release a movie in anticipation of the 2008 election entitled "Hillary: The Movie." Though the people within this agency have free speech individually, as a corporation this freedom (prior to the new ruling) was very different. The group did not release the documentary, that bashed Clinton's character, her qualifications for president, and her value as a human being in general, and this was likely a smart decision. However today, they would have every right to do so.

Politics has never been remotely ethical, and this is not new information. However, it is fascinating how much this new ruling changes things. At one point in time (years before Obama, the brand) people waited on the edge of their seats to merely see who the New York Times and the Washington Post were going to endorse politically. Now we have corporations (in theory the same power houses, and good decision-makers like AIG) with the ability to endorse political entities and buy the president of their choice.

In my opinion, this is the kiss of death for democracy as we know it. Why contribute my 100 campaign donation, when Citigroup can donate $300,000 and more? Despite which side you are on politically the new law lessens the value and worth of your freedom of speech as an individual. In this country don't we pride ourselves on freedom of speech and power of the individual after all?

My grandmas on twitter?!

As we come to the end of this blogging journey I would like to reflect on this social media overload I have been immersed in within the past two weeks. I have to admit, the blogging (the two previous posts on my blog) were very fun to write. I enjoyed writing them and it made me feel sort of oddly powerful, my written words on the World Wide Web! Twitter on the other hand, was a different story.

I understand that twitter can be a highly useful tool in many ways. It is a great, fast, easy, free way for companies to disseminate information to customers or potential customers. From that standpoint, I totally get it. Yours truly, however, had nothing to say! Every time I "tweeted" I have to say I felt entirely ridiculous. Who honestly cares that I had a long day, that I, like everyone else, has noticed that its snowing, or that I had a turkey sandwich for lunch?! I think companies and other organizations getting the word out there is a great publicity tool for them to utilize, on the hand, prior to following the required organizations, I was far too busy looking at Kim Kardashians tweet pics of her new shoes.

By reading "Twitter for College Students" I learned that you can actually have your blog posts show up on your twitter page. Call me old-fashioned but this was news to me. I think it is absolutely fascinating how all of these social media outlets are so interconnected, and use their intertwined nature to create loyal users. When reading the "Basic Guide To Twitter" (which the link on my d2l actually wasn't working so I looked it up online) I read that businesses are the most recent twitter users to jump on because of the direct connection they can create with customers and more specifically the instantaneous feedback they receive is unlike anything before.

All in all though the most gratifying moment of the past two weeks was getting a notification that my grandma kitty is following me on twitter. At 78, the woman is jumping on the social media train like everyone else. I think that is the most amazing thing about all if this, that anyone can engage in it, connections are formed, and literally anything becomes within your reach. That is the awesome part of the social media. Just watch though, next week grandma kitty will be friending me on facebook!

Mama said, "Think before speaking"

For a guy who held a press conference outside his NYC apt when he broke up with Jennifer Aniston, it comes as no surprise that yet again class act John Mayer is yapping about something. Earlier this week the singer used the N word in reference to his eternal acceptance amongst the rapping community (wonder what your boys Jay Z and Kayne have to say now?). The musician continued to ramble in another interview about his steamy relationship with Jessica Simpson, objectifying his need for her, like that of a drug.

Yes John, your stupid mouth has got you in trouble once again.

Though the artist apologized via twitter and during a concert in Nashville, why is it that John Mayer can thoughtlessly run his mouth and get away with it? Is he really that great of a singer? As a nation do we simply acknowledge this injustice, accept it and even laugh? I guess there is nothing an apologetic tweet can't fix.

Cheap shots at women seemed to be a theme these week however, the Super Bowl ads are proof. From Betty White being tackled, to Megan Fox's sex appeal debilitating men around the world, what is the media doing to women? When Danica Patrick, the highest women's finisher in the Indy 500 is reduced to a minimally dressed Go Daddy girl something is wrong.

In his apology, Mayer says he plans on "quitting the media games." But I say why would you do that Johnny boy, you can talk to us all day long about the wonderland that is Jessica Simpson's body and we will still go to your over-priced shows and give you the 2 minutes of publicity you so desperately desire.

It's time we stop glorifying degrading statements like these and hold advertisers to a higher standard than merely throwing a Golden Girl is a pile of mud.

What do you think bloggerville, am I overreacting or are you offended as well?

All things blogging

Greetings blogger world,

My name is Katie Thelen and I am a Junior in the College of Communications at Marquette University. My major is Corporate Communications. As a new-be to the blogger-sphere I'd like to share a little bit about my hopes for my blog.

Unless you have been living under a rock, free from all things pop culture, you've likely already figured out that the title of my blog, "Get in loser, we're going shopping," are the infamous words of Regina George from none other than "Mean Girls." Though not a woman of poise, elegance or grace, the girl's free-spirited, eternally cool, queen of the social world attitude is something all of us admire, just a little bit, even if we aren't willing to readily admit it.

Though she and her friends never talked politics, religion, science or health care, they also never failed to say exactly what was on their minds at all times. I intend to do the same. I will talk about the government and the environment but then again a little celebrity gossip here and there never hurt anyone. Whether its Obama, the weather, Haiti, the stock market, Lady Ga Ga or an argument with a friend, I'll talk about it without holding back, and I encourage you to post and do the same.

So get in losers, we're going shopping and we can talk about anything you want.