Commentary

Battered, And Operating On Batteries

by Joe Mandese , October 30, 2012

Apologies if today's Red, White &Blog Blog isn't 100% about the political media scene, but filing this via my smartphone, with no electricity and diminishing battery. The reason, of course, is the effects of Hurrican Sandy, which has knocked a good portion of some of America's biggest media markets off the commmunications grid. No electricity means no broadband, no TV, and throw us back into the stone age of battery operated transistor radio, candle light, and neighbors walking door-to-door to survey damage and exchange news updates. So what's the political connection? Well, it struck me a year ago after Hurricane Irene had a similar effect on our communications grid that we may need to update and overhaul our national communications infrastructure, and I haven't heard either candidate address that. Yes, I know the economy and national security are the big issues hanging over this election, but from where I sit now in the devestated Northeast, i can tell you that communications access is a vital part of both our economy and national security. I already saw newws reports today indicating that the hurricane will be a boon to local economies due to capital expenditures for rebuilding and repairing infrastructure. Along with that, we should consider overhauling our national emergency alert system in the age of broadband and wireless dependancy. Yes, we are connected more than ever, but as the red battery bar on my Droid indicates, only so long as we have juice. So before I lose it, let me post this, and turn on my transistor radio. https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/157781/grid-and-bear-it-why-irene-was-the-perfect-media.htm

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5 comments about "Battered, And Operating On Batteries".

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Anne Peterson from Idaho Public Televsion, October 30, 2012 at 12:36 p.m.
With a son in New York City, I have been thinking along those lines this week. We do so need a national conversation on this.
Reply

Barbara Lippert from mediapost.com, October 30, 2012 at 1:35 p.m.

Excellent point, Joe. And thank you for expending precious battery power to make it! Hope you and your family are doing okay.

Gary Kreissman from Group PRM, October 30, 2012 at 2:55 p.m.

I completely agree. Even in countries that have gone overboard on austerity, contemporary infrastructure is a priority. US politics has to stop looking back to 20th century issues and solutions

Ian Straus from VIA Metropolitan Transit, October 30, 2012 at 2:58 p.m.

Why, Joe, are you one of those socialists who believes in Planning?

If you had true faith in the free enterprise system you would know that the owners of the communications and power infrastructure always provide the optimum system at the optimum price. In other words, we already live in the best of all possible worlds. Government interference can only degrade the performance of the market, which is in essence divine providence.

Have faith! And pray to the Market that you have enough candles, and that you have no emergencies that would cause you to phone for help. Above all don't betray God by hoping for help from the government.

Pamela Horovitz from Internet Video Archive, October 31, 2012 at 10:07 a.m.

Here's a toast to Joe's thumbs from a Jersey girl.