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…is hard in these times. I have students who graduated a year ago who are still looking. My 18 year old daughter has been looking to no avail for five months.
So while waiting on the mezzanine of the Stockton Hilton today, I was nearly run over by several hundred folks who lined up to pick up applications for jobs in – Alaska. Seems an old tradition lives on. Back in the late 60′s many of my college mates did summer stints up in those northern waters, working the fishing boats and processing plants, making enough cash to tide them over through the school year.
The face of this era’s potential employees has changed – primarily Filipino, probably 70% male, young (18-30). They want jobs and are willing to travel to get them. And they’re from all over the state. Plus, a few (at least) are repeat customers who’ve already spent time up north. The others, youngsters with a sense of combined foreboding and adventure, are slowly completing their applications and turning them in.
What place does this have on a VJ blog? Well if you aren’t curious and you don’t ask questions, you will never find the story. I began grilling folks after I saw the first few dozen downstairs and continued until my curiousity was sated. If I didn’t have to watch a table full of tech gear and registration papers I’d be out wandering the crowd shooting tape (another rule of the road: never leave valuables unattended).
…and now the audience is being asked to participate more than ever. Al Tompkins with the Poynter Institute did a posting today about how The Center for Public Integrity is asking the public to monitor the upcoming elections.
How? Well, apparently all kinds of dirty tricks go on all over the country and it’s just way too much to cover without a massive team, which they are asking:
to detect in real time examples of political dirty tricks, corporate ads, persuasive “push” polls, pre-recorded phone messages — “robo calls,” and efforts to discourage voters from showing up at the polls.
Check it out…there are “Click Here” buttons to report
-a campaign ad on television or radio that was clearly paid by corporate or union backed group. This information is being compiled by the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation and will aid the Center’s reporting.
-to send us details on a robo call or campaign mailer you received.
-if you think you’ve witnessed a suspicious survey, an effort to scare voters away from the polls, or a campaign dirty trick:
You can also submit audio, video, or images of any ads you’ve seen or received by sending us an email: webmaster@publicintegrity.org. We’ll take YouTube uploads, scans of flyers/mailings, or any other links you find.
This will be a fun one to watch. And just in case, I’m keeping my answering machine ready to record those annoying robocalls.
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