Archive for January, 2008

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

The Time for Change Is Now

The campaign for the White House is speeding up and there are just a few more days left before the February 5th primaries. As most of you know, I’ve been a big supporter of Barack Obama’s campaign over the past year or so — making phone calls, attending events and harassing good friends like you.

A lot of people have asked me why I support Sen. Obama in what is certainly a crowded Democratic field. I’ve given a laundry list of answers — his ability to unify people from all different walks of life, his oratorical skill and ability to inspire, and his focus on grassroots support, among others.

This morning I spent a few minutes watching Sen. Obama’s victory speech from the South Carolina Primary, a contest in which he received a majority of all votes cast and more than twice as many as Sen. Clinton. More importantly, the coalition that supported Obama at the polls was tremendously diverse — rich and poor, white, black and Latino, Democrats, Republicans and independents.

If you have a few minutes, I’d strongly suggest you check out the speech and see what you think.

With just nine days to go before Feb. 5, and with so many of those contest being in big states, the need to fundraise remains. Sen. Obama does not accept money from federal lobbyists or PACs, so every donation–from $20 to $2000–is critical.

If you think you might be able to support the campaign at any level, please click on this link to my personal fundraising page.

This campaign for the presidency is unparalleled in history. Our need for an honest, fresh-thinking leader could not be more urgent. Americans are hungry for change and Barack Obama will bring that change when he is elected.

Thanks.

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Wednesday, January 16th, 2008

Apple TV Almost Killed the Cable Star

So I finally got around to watching the keynote from this year’s Macworld Expo (I’m not going to wander around until Thursday). While I’m sure I’ll have more to say later about the MacBook Air and other fun stuff I run into at the expo, I wanted to touch on one announcement that has the potential to be earth-shattering–Apple TV Take 2.

The small box was first introduced about a year ago, but met with subpar success in the marketplace, primarily because it required a standalone computer to function. Apple finally eliminated this requirement to allow the Apple TV to stand on its own with the new version.

The keynote demo of the Apple TV looked tremendous. Combined with the announcement of movie rentals via iTunes, Apple may finally be able to knock the big-time cable companies back a bit in the rollout of on-demand services. All the major studios are on board and the technology appears exceedingly simple to use.

I’ve been contemplating picking up an Apple TV for some time, but was really waiting on the rental market to open up (if I’m going to purchase a movie, I really want a DVD). Meeting that requirement and coupled with a price cut to $229, I’m surprised I remain contemplative.

In thinking about the Apple TV, my concerns come down to two missing features:

1. DVD Player — I have enough equipment below my television. Apple is used to DVD players in its computer, but does not include one in the Apple TV. Not a huge problem, but something I’d put in the “it’d be nice” category.
2. TV Tuner — This is the big one. If the Apple TV included this, I’d have one already. I hate the interface on my Comcast DVR (and long after my old TiVo) and think combining Apple’s UI with the rest of the Apple TV package would be a truly disruptive technology. I’d even be willing to pay for it from a third-party (EyeTV, for example) if it was able to integrate with the Apple TV and DVR software.

Will I take the jump? Maybe, but if I do it will be under protest. Finally, a company I really respect (Apple) has an opportunity to obliterate a company I really hate (any cable company, currently Comcast). But they missed it, and Comcast lives to fight again.

I hope that Apple gets into some serious discussions with the TV studios and finds a solution that allows Take 3 to roll out a year or two from now with these critical features, freeing me from the tyranny of cable TV once and for all.

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Tuesday, January 8th, 2008

Students Want Better Teachers, More Funding

As part of my work with YouthNoise, I direct a program called Right To Learn, which works to engage young people in education reform in the state of California.

After hearing from more than 750 young people throughout the state of California, Right To Learn today announced the release of a report summarizing what youth had to say. “Our Schools. Our Stories.” clearly outlines the reasons young people identified that California’s education system so desperately needs to be fixed.

At the top of the list? Students were most concerned about quality of teaching in their schools and the harmful effects of inadequate funding.

They also spoke about schools that don’t care, threats to your safety, unhealthy conditions, inadequate information about graduation and college entrance requirements and poor access to books, computers, college advice and preparation.

In addition to the printed report, we created a video that captures some of the most compelling stories. Take a look at it below:

This report is only the first step. Right To Learn will continue this spring by organizing students statewide to work hold Day of Action rallies on their school campuses this spring.

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