Online Sales Make Hot Tickets Harder to Get

New York Times, April 1, 2009. U2's September 24th show in New Jersey was an "instantaneous sellout"online. Moments later tickets were available at inflated prices through various ticket brokers. This is being done by from major coorporations who have a Washington lobbyist and sophisticated computer technology.

Even some artists themselves are dismayed over the blatant practice which resulted in a $243 U2 ticket going for $10,000. Other performers may be scalping their own tickets.

Bruce Springsteen wrote a scathing public letter when this happened with his concert ticket sales. He redirected his fans to a different ticket broker.

Ticketing problems are under review by the Justice Department.

There's no character in this situation. Greed by corporations for money and greed by wealthy citizens for art pushes out the average concert goer.

Of course, this same situation has led to the downturn of Wall Street. Will justice prevail? Will character win out?

Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assault charges

Los Angeles Times, April 7, 2009. Chris Brown, better known for the alledged attack on singer Rihanna than for his own musical career, pleaded not guilty.

It must be pointed out that Brown's plea was to charges of felony assault and criminal threats.

A preliminary hearing date will be set. Meanwhile, plea negotiations between Brown and prosecutors are ongoing.

Perhaps someone else caused Rhianna to be bloodied and bruised on Grammy night last February 8, 2009.

Or, could it be Brown's actions fell short of a felony and criminal threats?

Otherwise, if Brown did it, character would dictate that he confess and accept the consequences.

He apologized and was saddened by the incident on February 16, 2009. On April 6, 2009, he's not guilty. What happened?

Character. It was thrown out the window. In the absence of an explanation in court, we're left to speculate.

What's the reason for the plea? Is he innocent? Did someone else commit this atrocity? Are the charges a little to harsh to accept for one so young?

We wait. It's never too late for character to emerge.

Michelle Obama's conquest of Europe

The Los Angeles Times, April 5, 2009, story listed the highlights of Ms. Obama'sEuropean trip last week.

Of particular note was her choice to continue hugging the girls at London's Elizabeth Garret Anderson Language School, where girls are encouraged to "learn without limits."

A local TV news station showed what the Times documented as Secret Service agents reaching down to the kneeling Ms. Obama to pull her away from the crush of girls reaching for her hug.

This was character in action.

The loving act could have been "staged." But, it showed that public displays of love despite personal safety are important.

More public displays of character by people in the news is needed. Sadly, it's hard to find.

California Jobs Go To Those With Connections

Some California lawmakers may be suspect in their hiring practices and some of those jobs may not require much work despite the highest rate of unemployment in California since 1983.

A Los Angeles Times article, dated March 27, 2009, cited Yolie Flores Aguilar as one of many examples. Aguilar, a longtime friend and political ally of some powerful California Democrats, earned $32,000 a year as a consultant assigned to a state Senate committee that, during her tenure, did not meet or release any reports.

Fabian Wesson, gets paid as a political consultant, first landed on the Assembly payroll after her husband, Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson, a former Assembly speaker, was criticized for providing legislative consulting jobs to political allies.

Marisela Villar, daughter of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, earns $68,000 a year as a field representative for Democrats. Villar was hired by one of her fathers friends, then-Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.

Gil Cedillo Jr., son of state Sen. Gill Cedillo, earns $80,900 as a district coordinator for state Sen. Ron Calderon.

This article shouldn't be a surprise for those with work-place experience. Many times those who get gravy jobs or promotions do so based more on politics than on ability.

Should we expect character in hiring by politicians?

Road Rage Sparked By Black South African Taxi Drivers-LA Times 3-25-09

Road-warrior taxi drivers in South Africa are engaged in battle for dominance against a government proposed public bus system system and the 2010 soccer World Cup is at stake.

Taxis transport daily millions of black commuters.  Their commando tactics of driving in the wrong lanes, ignoring red lights and playing chicken with other cars has caused a backlash of fury among citizens.  The absence of apartheid makes a government-sponsored public system possible.

The fight between taxi drivers and the government for jobs and independence versus safety and reliability bring questions of right and wrong.

The Democratic Alliance, an opposition party, said taxi drivers have to accept competition.  Independent transportation analyst Paul Browning said in a phone interview that the public system would benefit South Africa but should be phased in more gradually.

Can South African black taxi drivers demand job security, drive recklessly, endanger lives, and stage shut-downs and expect to stop a public transportation system?  Are they relying on post-apartheid sympathy?

Is this character?

Is character dead?  No, I don't mean a cartoon character.  I mean real character.  It's who you are when the lights are out and no one's looking.  Would you steal?  Would you lie?  Are you lustful, selfish and/or completely self-centered?  Great!  You'll get media coverage.

Lack of character is popular in the dead of daylight.  Media thrives on lack of character and bad behavior.  You too can be an overnight darling.  Simply do something outrageous.  

Nadia gave birth to eight children knowing there was no father or money for them.  AIG slipped and got bailed out because they are a "megaglomerate."  Bad girls videotape their intimate moments and  display their nether regions with abandon.  It's slowly becoming manly to rearrange others epidermis on something as innocent as relocating car keys.

Everyone's interested but is anyone protesting?  I am.  I'm coming from "over there."  I'm going "Martin Luther King" and taking a look at the content of the character in people in the news.  

Follow me and let me know if you agree or disagree.  We're all one people and one planet.  When one goes down we all fall a little.