Spot-On: Spotlight

A year ago, Christopher Allbritton wrote a smart and prescient piece about piracy, terrorism and the Somali Coast. Today, the international news, a little less worried about U.S. automakers and Obama's cabinet than the U.S. papers, has the capture of a Saudi oil taker on the front pages.

With that in mind, a look at Chris' post "Piracy 2.0: Deadly and Dangerous" is in order. And you bet there's a terror tie-in. What do you think they're going to do with all that oil anyway?

There's more, plenty more, where this came from. If you edit a news web site, produce a TV or radio show you might join us out here ahead of the news curve and think about adding any of our fine writers to your editorial mix. Our syndication fees are reasonable - free in some circumstances - our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. Interested? Drop Doug Page, Spot-on's syndication guru a line. He's got all the details about pricing, availability and delivery.

Our newsletter - it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - is also a nice way to stay in touch with what we're doing with all phases of our business. You can sign up here.

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Posted by Chris Nolan at 1:19 AM | Permalink

Every week, eVoter Institute president Karen Jagoda takes to the Internet to talk about technology and politics. The show "Digital Politics" looks at a broad range of issues. This week, it was Spot-on founder Chris Nolan's turn to talk with Jagoda about our recently launched Pinpoint Persuasion ad service.

The show - a breezy hour that also includes a talk with SunRun COO Nat Kraemer - is here. Lend an ear!

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Posted by Chris Nolan at 10:15 AM | Permalink

Like pretty much everyone else out there, Spot-on's writers have spent a bit of time thinking about what an Obama presidency would - could - look like.

So today, we'll give you a short review of who said what.

First up, Christopher Allbritton took a look at how Obama's Middle East policy was seen from that region. Presidential Picks in the Middle East.

Matthew Holt, ever the cynic, said that Obama wasn't serious about making changes in the health care system. Judge for yourself if his predictions are still accurate. President Obama's Health Care Head Fake.

Chris Nolan didn't get as excited as some in Silicon Valley when Obama first started talking about a Chief Technology Officer for the U.S. of A. Obama "Gets It".

Kevin Weeks added his voice to Berkeley writer Michael Pollan's insistence that food policy - that's right, food policy - be an action item for the new president. Eating Oil.

And while it's not exactly a column addressed at the new president, Jeanne Jackson had a few observations about how she'd like to see justice meted out for the current financial mess and the folks who caused it. Accountability.

Continue reading "PrezSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 12:47 AM | Permalink

Regular visitors here might notice something a little different about our masthead. It has a new tab "Ad service" that takes you to our Pinpoint Persuasion ad-buying website.

That's right. We're selling ads. Why? Well, because advertising and editorial go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Yeah, it looks funny. But it works great. Just ask Mr. Reese.

And just as Spot-on doesn't offer just any kind of writers, we're not selling just any kind of ads. We're set up to serve a specific market in a specific way. If you run a political campaign, do public affairs or crisis PR, place advocacy ad buys for unions, corporations or non-profits, Spot-on's Pinpoint Persuasion is should be your first stop to evaluate your on-line options.

The site's password protected. So not just anyone can take advantage of the powerful database we've collected. But if you do, you'll see that it includes a long list of established news outlets with demographic information and brief reviews of the sites' editorial and political orientation. Pinpoint Persuasion is THE site for evaluating and plan a campaign's on-line media buys so you can make sure your message is targeted at a receptive audience.

Pinpoint Persuasion goes public today. But we've been ad this ad stuff for a while and have a growing list of clients across the country. Drop us a line and we'll tell you how Spot-on's Pinpoint Persuasion can help you get your message to the right voters and readers.

The right ad, in the right place at the right time. Now that's Spot-on.

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Posted by Chris Nolan at 5:00 AM | Permalink

A string of bombings in India have everyone's nerves on edge. It's not Baghdad or Beirut, it's a situation - aptly described by Gopika Kaul's that simply unnerving.

Gopika has been writing about the bombings - and their effect on Indians and their relationships with one another - since the violence began. Today is yet another entry and it's a fine, chilling snapshot of life in today's India.

Her two earlier pieces, Living with Terror and It's Happened. Again. are fine examples of the kind of writing - timely and personal - that Spot-on prides itself on presenting.

Continue reading "GopikaSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 5:00 AM | Permalink

It's not every day that you have to ask someone to translate what you said so you can understand yourself.

But Spot-on editor and founder Chris Nolan is pretty much in that position today. Nolan sat down over the summer with Argentine journalist and blogger Ignacio Escribano to talk about the Internet, politics, journalism, the Internet, politics and Barack Obama. His interview with her was recently posted on his site, Igooh: expressión ciudadana.

Nolan thinks she remembers what she said. And she can - sort of - follow along in the Spanish. But those of you with more fluency might find her interview interesting. So we're passing it along. After all, it's always nice to see yourself as others see you. Even if you can't quite get the lingo down.

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Posted by Chris Nolan at 12:03 AM | Permalink

You're not imagining things. Last week was a Palin-palooza here at Spot-on.com. And since we don't want you to miss anything, here's a recap.

First up, Scott Olin Schmidt who thinks that Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's VP is all about the boys - Republican men - not about women in "Suddenly, Sarah"

Jeanne Jackson looked at Palin and noted that many, many mothers like her will see something familiar - and like it. "Live From St. Paul, It's.....

Deborah Klosky's compared Palin and a female minister of defense for Spain's Socialist Party - the two women are more different than they are alike, she notes. And perhaps that's true of others as well in "And Still About Sarah"

Continue reading "PalinSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 5:00 AM | Permalink

Spot-on hereby sends its formal thanks to Mr. Ryan Tate, the hardworking websurfing maniac who works for Naughty Nick Denton over there at Gawker.

Seems Ryan has noticed that Spot-on's Christopher Brauchli doesn't like George W. Bush. To which we say - in this day of 30-percent (and that's a good day) presidential approval ratings, "Who does?"

But since Gawker has pointed out Chris' politics, we're duty bound to do our part and point you to his sardonic, often satirical take on all things Bush and American politics in general. Chris appears here every Friday.

He, of course, isn't our only critic. And Spot-on isn't just critical of the Bush Administration. We spread the love and criticism around. Which is good if you edit a newspaper or produce a TV or radio show.

Continue reading "BrauchliSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 10:32 PM | Permalink

The attention The New Yorker's Seymour Hersh is getting over his Iran invasion story reminds us to point you to Christopher Allbritton's work on that subject from last last year.

Allbritton took two weeks to look at the issue and provided Spot-on readers with a fine analysis, one, War without End, that dovetails nicely with Hersh's concerns and prediction. An earlier piece, Iranian Hegemony: What's Not To Like looked at a more peaceful U.S. relationship with Iran. Both are worth your time.

Continue reading "IranSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 10:44 PM | Permalink

Around here, it's Scott Olin Schmidt who usually soaks up all the attention on the gay marriage issue. But today it's Mike Spinney's turn.

He's on the San Francisco Chronicle's op-ed page taking the conservative point of view - in that nice way only Mike can - against the idea but in favor of letting the state's voters decide. His piece is here.

There's more. Mike did a very funny piece a few months ago about the holiday honoring Martin Luther King. If King were really an American icon, Spinney suggested in "He Had A Dream!", his image would be used in mattress and car sales.

Those of you watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Wednesday night (6/11/08) might have found the show's take on some recent presidential commercializations by a Dallas car deal oddly familiar. Here's the show.

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Posted by Chris Nolan at 7:50 PM | Permalink

The California Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry and our own Scott Olin Schmidt weighs in with "Goodbye, Mr. Tonight."

Since much of Spot-on's history as a site is tied up on SF Mayor Gavin Newsome's 2004 decision to grant the licenses the court ratified today, we'll use this opportunity to take you on a short walk down hyperlink lane. Here are some pieces from our archive:

"Free At Last" a look at how the politics of gay marriage affects women - all women.

"A Star is Born," the decision's effect on Gavin Newsome's political career.

"Orders, orders, orders" and "California's Gay Marriage Conundrum" looking at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's sometimes contradictory stance on the issue.

Continue reading "GayMarriage Spot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 8:06 PM | Permalink

Hey, congratulate Christopher Allbritton! He's having a pretty good year.

Chris was just named a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University. This fall, he'll be at The Farm as we say out here in Northern California working on finding a business model to support the work that journalists like him do: report from overseas.

We can't think of a better guy for that task. If you're not familiar with Chris' work, check out his bio here. He's been a pioneer in what Spot-on founder Chris Nolan calls 'stand alone journalism' and its great to see Stanford recognize his efforts.

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Posted by Chris Nolan at 8:25 PM | Permalink

Today's post by Christopher Allbritton - Iraq's Murky Battle for Basra - is another great example of his ability to get to the heart of Iraq politics in clear and insightful way. That's why we're calling it - and a piece from a few weeks ago predicting the very tensions that erupted last week - to your attention as a solid pieces of analysis and reporting.

A few weeks ago - just as he was settling into Dubai where he'll be writing from now on (fewer explosions) - Christopher filed Worries For Iraq spelling out the challenges the country and the U.S. face as the year moves on. It's a prescient piece that led much of last week's analysis and commentary.

Continue reading "ChrisSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 7:45 PM | Permalink

Today's post by Scott Olin Schmidt on the financial crisis that's been created by the bursting of the housing bubble is one that will sound some familiar notes to long-time readers of this site. is a good example - and we're going to keep saying this - of the way our columnists lead, not follow, with their sharp analysis of current trends and events.

An earlier post from last fall, "Fool Me Once...Not Twice" is also worth a look. It's yet another way to look ahead by looking back.

Continue reading "ScottSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 8:35 PM | Permalink

For those of you who eat meat or have children in the public schools, recent headlines might have been a little scary. More than 140 million pounds of beef are being recalled by the Chino, CA., plant that processed it. Why? Because the plant, Hallmark Meat Processing, was found to use "downer" cows for its burgers and meatloaf.

Kevin Weeks noticed this little item two weeks ago and wrote about it. "USDA - 'D' is for Downer". This week, he's back with some sharp comments about how the USDA isn't as much protection as you might think: No Prevention, No Cure."

Continue reading "KevinSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 2:55 PM | Permalink

We've added another writer to our line-up. Starting today, please welcome Marisa Trevino, an experienced journalist and author of the blog Latina Lista.

Marisa's got a lot to say and she'll be writing regularly for us about immigration issues and pretty much anything else she thinks is important to the nation's Spanish-speaking community.

Her joining Spot-on.com is part of our effort to make sure that you hear new and different voices this election year.

Thanks, as always, for reading. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription to our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines. Our weekly newsletter - it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - is also a nice way to stay in touch. Sign up here.

Edit a newspaper, produce a TV or radio show? Want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix? Our syndication fees are reasonable, our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. And we're always adding writers - strong voices with lots to say and engaging and smart ways of saying it. Drop Doug Page, Spot-on's syndication sales guru, a line.

Doug's got all the details about pricing, availability and delivery.

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Posted by Chris Nolan at 5:36 PM | Permalink

For the past week or so Spot-on writers have been part of San Francisco TV station KRON's California primary coverage. The election has, in fact, already started, of course with absentee ballots making their way to election offices across the state but KRON's coverage promises to go beyond California.

Naturally, we'd be remiss if we didn't point out to you producers, editors and publishers that Spot-on's deal with KRON is just one example of how you can get our fine, high-quality editorial for your website. If you want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix, give us a shout. Not only are are folks smart, media-savvy and good on-air, we also have a selection of ad-free feeds and offer nightly budget updates to help you improve your editorial offerings and introduce you to our web-based editorial services.

Drop Doug Page, Spot-on's syndication sales guru, a line and he'll get you all the details about pricing, availability and delivery of any of our writers or feeds.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 5:02 PM | Permalink

You got Iowa New Hampshire on the brain. Spot-on's got answers to some of your questions. Hell, we even have answers to questions you're just starting to think about in preparation for the nail biter of an election on Tuesday. Here's the line-up:

Scott Olin Schmidt explains why Mike Huckabee won in Iowa in Hope for Huckabee.

He shouldn't win again says Mike Spinney in Pharisees and Tax Collectors (Part One).

Continue reading "IowaSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 9:45 PM | Permalink

Spot-on's New Year's resolutions are many and predictable (like you, we could be thinner, more industrious and a little better about meeting deadline). One thing we want to keep doing is offering you the same ahead-of-the-curve political commentary that's kept you better informed and yes, entertained in the past year.

So we'll start off the new year by reminding you what we did in the soon-to-be-old. Why? Well, most of the comments and observations included in these pieces were well ahead of the conventional wisdom touted on most editorial pages or blogs. We lead. They follow. That's why we're spot-on.

Our Libertarian, Mike Spinney's got the most jaundiced eye of all of us when it comes to the mainstream political candidates. Mike's backing Libertarian Ron Paul and it's not - as some would have it - a protest vote. Check out I'm a Domestic Terrorist.

Spot-on founder Chris Nolan, a cranky Liberal, looked at why Sen. Hillary Clinton isn't as popular as expected with "professional" women. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun says Nolan.

Scott Olin Schmidt, a business-oriented Republican, filed a solid piece on why former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is doing well and what that means for Republicans. Hope for Huckabee. Scott's also been very good on former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's faltering strategy to attract more conservative voters. Rudy Goes Right and Wrong.

Our health care writer, Matthew Holt noted that while headlines have been touting California's partial passage of a healthcare bill, it doesn't really amount to much of a solution to any of the problems plaguing the system. We think healthcare is going to play an increasingly important role in the election conversation. Read Matthew's Last of the Old Solutions for a look at why.

If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription to our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines. And our weekly newsletter - it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - will also keep informed of what we're doing. You can subscribe here.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 12:08 PM | Permalink

Spot-on likes to pride itself - and why not, we say - on being ahead of the curve. Today, we bring you two great examples along with a preview of our holiday offerings for those of you still at the office.

Continue reading "AheadSpot" »

Posted by Chris Nolan at 10:26 AM | Permalink

We've told you - more than once - that Spot-on's Scott Olin Schmidt's got a good eye, a sharp pen and, like almost everyone on this site, a flair for voicing his opinions a bit ahead of everyone else.

Today we get a little validation. Scott's piece on O.J. Simpson - which you read here in September - appears on the op-ed pages of today's Los Angeles Times, which is also sporting a nice, new redesign.

If you're coming to Spot-on from the LATimes: Welcome. There's plenty more of Scott here. Of course, we hope you'll stay around for other writers. Can we suggest a little Mike Spinney? Or maybe some Jeanne Jackson?

Of course you readers - new and old - have our thanks for reading. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription to our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines. And our weekly newsletter - it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - will also keep informed of what we're doing. You can subscribe here.

Edit a newspaper, produce a TV or radio show? Want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix? Drop Doug Page, Spot-on's syndication sales guru, a line and he'll get you all the details about pricing, availability and delivery of any of our writers or feeds.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 9:58 AM | Permalink

Time to spend a little time reminding you of Spot-on's ability to get in front of the news. Well in front.

Christopher Allbritton's piece on Iran's place in the new Middle East could serve as a primer for those of you interested in Sen. Barack Obama's recent foreign policy pronouncements.

Today's coverage of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton centers on her strategy as a candidate. In August, Chris Nolan looked at how Sen. Clinton might win the race and noted Clinton's ability to manipulate the ambivalence so many feel toward her may well pay off.

Scott Olin Schmidt has been consistently ahead of the news in many respects. His last piece about the Southern California fires and suburban sprawl is a topic on the minds of many editorial writers theses days.

And while you may not enjoy the idea of shock jock Don Imus returning to the airwaves, Mike Spinney thinks it's a fine idea. A week or so before Imus announced his new deal to return to the air, Spinney explained why the I-man is so loved.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 11:17 AM | Permalink

We're adding yet another writer to Spot-on's line-up today. For those of you keeping score at home, that's 14 of us. And more coming, too!

Please welcome Wayne Dawkins who joins us from Hampton Roads, Va., a collection of small town in Eastern Virgnia, which as Wayne notes in his introduction, sits smack-dab in the middle of some of the more historic venues in this country. It also happens to be close by one Norfolk Naval Base, the nation's largest military base.

Wayne's portfolio for Spot-on is broad and his opening post offers a look at Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' new book and the accompanying media tour. Unlike the Sunday pundits, he doesn't dwell on Thomas' battle of words and intentions with Anita Hill. Instead he focuses on Thomas' behavior over the course of his career and provides, in the end, a more damning judgement.

Thanks, as always, for reading. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription to our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines. Our weekly newsletter - it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - is also a nice way to stay in touch. Sign up here.

Edit a newspaper, produce a TV or radio show? Want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix? Our syndication fees are reasonable, our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. And we're always adding writers - strong voices with lots to say and engaging and smart ways of saying it. Drop Doug Page, Spot-on's syndication sales guru, a line.

Doug's got all the details about pricing, availability and delivery.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 9:48 AM | Permalink

Last week, on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart mocked comedian Whoopi Goldberg for suggesting that dog fighting - a la Michael Vick - was a "southern tradition." You Spot-on reader might have found that familiar. Jeanne Jackson had made a similar suggestion earlier in the week.

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave a speech this week at Columbia University as was immediately denounced as a crack-pot. Spot-on readers know all about Ahmadinejad's nuttiness. Christopher Brauchli's been on to him for a while.

This week, Jeanne and Chris turned their attention to airport manners and morays. Given their track-records on wondering about the news - or the potential for satire - before it catches on elsewhere, we're calling both these fine bits of writing to your attention.

Jeanne's "Southwest Exposure" is here. And Chris' "Babies on Board" is here.

Thanks, as always, for reading. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription to our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines. And a subscription to our weekly newsletter - it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - is also a nice way to stay in touch. Sign up here.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 7:41 AM | Permalink

We don't expect all of Spot-on's writers to follow in the footsteps of our healthcare writer Matthew Holt's and launch a full-on conference (the month after his full-on wedding) out of their industry specific blog. But we're duty-bound to point you to the confab he organized next week here in San Francisco. He's been working hard.

Matthew's corralled pretty much everybody's who's anybody in the "user-generated" healthcare space into attending his sold-out Health2.0 conference. Those of you with a particular interest in how technology - of all kinds - is interacting and changing the health care system might want to take advantage of the on-line offers or, perhaps, make a note for next year's conference. Or, maybe with some begging and pleading, you can get an admit this year as Matthew parses through the waiting list.

And yes, this is by way of explaining why Matthew's been scarce around here lately.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 10:25 AM | Permalink

Last year, to mark the 5th Anniversary of the World Trade Center attack, Spot-on's writers filed their memories of that sad day and the aftermath. They are still worth reading, some more so now than a year ago Here they are.

Jeanne Jackson 9/11: The Love

Jonathan Ansfield: 9/11 Beijing: Baoying

Deborah Klosky: 9/11: Close to Home

Matthew Holt: 9/11 San Francisco: "Wars"

Scott Olin Schmidt: 9/11 L.A.: All About Us

Mike Spinney: 9/11: The Letdown

Nicole Martinelli: 9/11 Milan: The Key Test

Marshall Zeringue: 9/11: "American Ground"

Posted by Chris Nolan at 5:46 AM | Permalink

Came to Spot-on for Christopher Allbritton's fine piece on George Bush "Did He Really Just Say That?" Or Scott Olin Schmidt's smart work on "Gays for Giuliani"? Or Jonathan Ansfield's insights on Milwaukee Bucks recruit Yi Jianlian? Well then, hang around for all the other fine political writing. We got plenty.

Scott's most recent piece is a great example of his smart, ahead-of-curve commentary. Here's another: His piece on the Iowa Caucuses and their ridiculous effect on corn prices, echoed, nicely by his friends at the National Review.

He's not alone in seeing what's coming. Spot-on founder Chris Nolan has spend some of the summer wondering about the use of the Internet for dirty tricks campaigning. And Mike Spinney's writing on Republicans in action is well, timeless. Mike's work on the role of religion in politics is also compelling. And Matthew Holt's the only health care pundit we know who makes sense. Really. Read his review of Michael Moore's Sicko and you'll see what we mean.

Thanks, as always, for reading. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription to our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines. Our weekly newsletter - it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - is also a nice way to stay in touch. Sign up here.

Edit a newspaper, produce a TV or radio show? Want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix? Our syndication fees are reasonable, our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. And we're always adding writers - strong voices with lots to say and engaging and smart ways of saying it. Write Spot-on founder editor Chris Nolan for all the details about pricing, availability and delivery.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 9:24 AM | Permalink

Thank God this media frenzy is over. Finally, San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds is the Home Run King Of All Time having hit the ball out of the park 756 times in his career. Like any ball fan, Spot-on's Mike Spinney has been watching Bonds but unlike every fan he's had a different take on what's going on. So we want to take this opportunity to direct your attention to his post on steroids, Bonds and baseball Brewers' owner Bug Selig. The observations - complete with Monty Python reference - are as sharp today as they were when Mike made them in May.

That, of course, gives Spot-on yet another reason to shout our favorite slogan: We say it here first, you read it there later.

We have a few other recent examples to support our cheer. Just for kicks - cause, well, we can't resist - we'll pull them from the National Newspaper of Record, The New York Times.

Spot-on founder Chris Nolan has been writing about "fear of fear" and the Bush Administration since 2004. The Times just caught up to that idea today with this editorial: "The Fear of Fear Itself. " Smart of them, eh?

Earlier this week, looking at the Times' front page, Spot-on readers were reminded of Nicole Martinelli's piece on "virtual" locks and the now-famed Roman bridge the Ponte Milvio. Unlike the Times, Nicole had some insight - and her usual smart remarks - on the "virtual" alternative to getting a padlock, inscribing your lover's name and journeying to Rome to throw the key in the river. Nicole's reports about on-line behavior weren't included in the Times' report. And you know why, don't you? That's right. We say it here first, you can read it there later.

So, if you edit a newspaper, produce a TV or radio show and want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix, give us a shout. Our syndication fees are reasonable, our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. And we're always adding strong voices with lots to say and engaging and smart ways of saying it. Write Spot-on founder and editor Chris Nolan for all the details about pricing, availability and delivery.

In the meantime, have at the freebies. They include a subscription to our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines. We've also got a smart little weekly newsletter (it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - promise). Sign up here.

Thanks for reading. Now that Barry's done, we'll get back to something serious. Like, oh, whatthehell, television. Or politics.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 9:18 PM | Permalink

For an editor, there's nothing more entertaining than hearing two opinionated writers go at it. Today, you can join in on the fun.

Thursday, Scott Olin Schmidt wrote about health care policy saying that putting the government in charge of the nation's medical system was downright foolish. Look, he said, at Walter Reed. Scott, a pro-business Republican prefer the market-based solution.

Today, Matthew Holt, who make his living thinking about the U.S. health care system takes Scott to task. We're too polite to use the word "smack down" but you can if you like.

And in reading both posts, you'll get a good look at the arguments in play as America's health care system - its successes and short-comings - heads for center stage in the 2008 Election.

Thanks, as always, for reading. If you want to keep up on all our intra-site arguments, please consider a subscription to our newsletter (it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone). Daily updates are available through our RSS feed which is carried by MyYahoo and Bloglines.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 7:26 AM | Permalink

Everyone loves to eat but, well, not everything you eat is good for you. And three of Spot-on's writers, coming at this from three different perspectives, offered their thoughts on this topic recently.

Jonathan Ansfield chimes in today with a look at what's going on in China. It's not all good, some of it's downright dangerous but in that, says Ansfield, there may be a real chance for real change in many aspects of how China does business, with its own people and outside its borders.

Kevin Weeks takes the first of a series of looks at the Farm Bill making its way through Congress. Same general idea - reform - some very different intentions.

P.J. Rodriguez writes, with some dismay, about the folks who think they know what they're cooking until they make fools of themselves on TV. His piece is a nice companion to an earlier Food Network post that Kevin did, "White Jacket, Blue Collar."

Thanks, as always, for reading. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, you might try a subscription to our newsletter. More frequent updates (nice as we grow) are available on our RSS feed which you can get via MyYahoo and Bloglines.

Do you edit a newspaper, produce a TV or radio show? Want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix? Our syndication fees are reasonable, our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. And we're always adding writers - strong voices with lots to say and engaging and smart ways of saying it. Write Spot-on founder and editor Chris Nolan for all the details about pricing, availability and delivery.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We like to brag here - quietly, of course - about how Spot-on helps keep you ahead of the news. We say it here first, you read it over there later.

A few weeks ago, Gopika Kaul worried that the Taj Mahal wouldn't make it into a contest for the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. She worried for naught. This weekend, India's monument to love made the cut.

Mike Spinney said he was bored of presidential politics and predicted we'd all catch up soon. But then he went off to watch the debates in New Hampshire. On Sunday, the New York Times agreed: It's love-hate.

Jeanne Jackson's contemplation of the iPhone might strike you as more sensible now that they're predicted to cost half as much by Christmas.

Matthew Holt's initial take on Michael Moore's Sicko - predicting that it would get everyone thinking about health care in a new way - appears to be coming true. To fill out that thought, take a look at Nicole Martinelli's report from the (Italian) trenches.

Christopher Brauchli's "defense" of Dick Cheney and P.J. Rodriguez's defense (more heartfelt) of Paris Hilton appear to be getting traction as well. Dick's less and less popular every day while Paris sold more copies of People than almost anyone else.

All in all, a good few weeks. Thanks, as always, for reading. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription to our newsletter (it's free, it's fun and we won't sell you name to anyone). For daily updates, try our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines.

And since summer beach-reading season is up on us, we'd be remiss if we didn't remind you that our Amazon stores are open for business with more recommendations from our writers - the very ones who are ahead of events. The "What We're Reading" buttons around the site will take you where you want to go.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 2:39 PM | Permalink

It's a great pleasure to add writers to Spot-on.com. It's a joy to add an experienced journalist like Christopher Allbritton who joins us today from Beirut, Lebanon, and writes his debut column with three of our favorite things, humor, style and insight.

You may know Chris' name from his popular war blog, Back-To-Iraq.com, detailing his adventures in Iraq in 2003, before and during the U.S. invasion. This was real war blogging - going to the conflict - not sitting at home to engage in the debate. And uh, he walked some of the way. No kidding.

Chris is living in Beirut now for the uh, peace and quiet. He'll be writing for us weekly, on Thursdays. Please stop by to see what he has to say.

And yes, we know we have too many "Chris" bylines. We're trying to fix that.

And, of course, you have our thanks for reading Chris' posts and the other fine writers here. Those of you who aren't regular subscribers to our newsletter might think about a free trial. It's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone. Daily updates are carried on our RSS feed which is available via MyYahoo and Bloglines.

Also remember our Amazon stores are open for business with more recommendations from our writers. The "What We're Reading" buttons around the site will take you where you want to go.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 12:43 PM | Permalink

More milestones!

Spot-on Mom Jeanne Jackson, our Liberal commentator Christopher Brauchli and our Hollywood Republican Scott Olin Schmidt all crosssed the "100 posts" mark this week.

Their entries are worth your time and attention: Jeanne's post on her continuing love-hate relationship with technology, Chris' piece on China's Uighurs and Scott's entry today on California Republicans' in-house disputes on gays and immigration are all solid pieces of writing.

As we noted earlier when Nicole Martinelli cross this line, 100 episodes in television is considered a big deal since it means a show has syndication potential. And since Spot-on's in the syndication business, we like to think the basic idea - building an audience steadily over a period of time - transfers over to the Internet. Our growing audience bears this out.

So, thanks, as always, for reading. And for coming back. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription our newsletter (it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone). Our RSS feed is a good way to get daily updates and it's available via MyYahoo and Bloglines.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 9:54 AM | Permalink

Every once in a while, we like to remind you that Spot-on's writers participate in or run other sites.

Kevin Weeks appears here on Mondays but you can check out what's cooking with Kevin - recipes included - at Seriously Good.

Matthew Holt wonks out on health care on alternating Thursdays here - and we're talking serious details with lots of acronyms - and at TheHealthCareBlog.

Scott Olin Schmidt who writes for Spot-on on Wednesday, goes on about football - particularly the University of Southern California's Trojans - as well as Los Angeles politics, gay rights and politics and other stuff at BoiFromTroy.

P.J. Rodriguez does pop culture for us on Fridays but the rest of the time at ThePopView.

Mike Spinney talks about religion and politics here on Tuesday but you can read his thoughts on privacy issues at Private Communications.

And last - but not least - Nicole Martinelli can be seen and read regularly here on Tuesday but also at Zoomata as well as Wired.com other days of the week.

Go visit!

Posted by Chris Nolan at 6:19 AM | Permalink

Over the weekend, the Uighurs of China were in the news - front page of the New York Times. Those of you who are regular readers might have found the points made in that piece to be slightly familiar.

That's because you remember this piece from Christopher Brauchli which ran last summer as the Uighurs were sent to Albania from Guantanamo Bay.

And those of you who are watching the California headlines see that there's a threat of another E. coli outbreak. Regular readers may remember this post, predicting as much, from Kevin Weeks.

Spot-on.com: We lead. They follow.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 11:15 AM | Permalink

Stem cells are back in the news offering a good excuse to point you to our archive.

California debated the issue three years ago when a $3 billion bond initiative was overwhelmingly approved by the state's votes. Other states have since followed. The issues, however, remain pretty constant and the arguments consistent. So here's a round up.

Scott Olin Schmidt on the politics in the Republican Party.

Chris Nolan on the economics and why embryonic stem cell research is a good idea.

Josh Trevino on the ethics and why embryonic stem cell research is a bad idea.

Christopher Brauchli on the Vatican and the White House.

As always thanks for reading. If you'd like to keep in touch more regularly, please consider a subscription to our RSS feed. Updates via RSS are also available via MyYahoo and Bloglines. Our weekly newsletter - it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone - is also a nice way to stay in touch. Sign up here.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 12:45 PM | Permalink

Regular visitors to this site know that Spot-on's in the syndication business. And today, we're especially happy to tell you about our new distribution deal with WashingtonPost.NewsweekInteractive (yes, it's their real name) which owns washingtonpost.com, Slate and Newsweek.com. If you visit those sites - and chances are that you do - you'll see Spot-on's writers, maybe even our logo, from time to time.

Here's the press release. And here's a brief history of Spot-on.

A few of our favorite writers are named in the release. Here's a handy-dandy guide to their latest posts:

Deborah Klosky on the "greening" of the wedding

Gopika Kaul on the contrast created by India's new wealth and its long-standing poverty (a nice companion to this piece in today's WSJ)

Scott Olin Schmidt on the dilemma faced by Los Angeles Mayor - and rumored Clinton running mate - Antonio Villaraigosa as he tries to run a city separated (as more and more American cities are) by language

And Jonathan Ansfield writing from Beijing about money, power, sex and feminism.

We have eight other writers here at Spot-on; their most recent posts are in the column at the right and each has a rich, deep archive of commentary, analysis and, well, just plain good writing.

Like what you see? Consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter (it's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone!). Daily updates are available through our RSS feed or MyYahoo and Bloglines.

If you edit a newspaper or produce a TV or radio show and want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix, please know that our syndication fees are reasonable, our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. And we're always adding writers - strong voices with lots to say and engaging and smart ways of saying it. Write Spot-on founder and editor Chris Nolan for all the details about pricing, availability and delivery.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 5:53 PM | Permalink

Hello there, you fabulous Mochila members. Welcome to Spot-on.com.

Those of you looking for our two Spot-on Moms, Deborah Klosky and Jeanne Jackson, can click on their names and - presto! - read their smart, funny and rueful takes on modern family life. It's not your house but it'll feel like home. And just to round out the picture, here's Jeanne's bio. Deb's too.

Jeanne and Deb are just the beginning, of course. There are 11 Spot-on writers, so put your feet up and have a gander at the About Us page for our history and a full list of Spot-on's independent, intelligent and insightful voices.

After that, you'll want regular reminders of what we're doing, won't you? Our newsletter is a great way to earmark Spot-on's future Mochila offerings. You can sign up here for Spot-on's Weekly Spotlight (which goes out tonight). It's free, it's fun and we won't sell your name to anyone. Of course, our RSS feed offers a similar - daily - service.

And if you edit a newspaper or produce a TV or radio show and want to add any of our fine writers to your editorial mix on a regular basis, our direct-to-you syndication fees are reasonable, our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. Write Spot-on editor Chris Nolan for all the details about how we can help you expand and deepen your coverage and commentary of political, social and current events.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 8:01 AM | Permalink

In the TV business, the 100th episode is a celebrated event. Why? Well, it's an indication of popularity and staying power. But also because it marks a point where the show can be easily sold - or syndicated - to smaller networks.

Here at Spot-on, we're engaged in the reverse process. We're small and we syndicate - sell - to larger entities. But 100 is still a milestone.

So today, help Nicole Martinelli - our girl on the go in Milan - celebrate her 100th entry on our site as she takes a look at the wackiness that is Italian television.

We have other anniversaries coming up; we'll be sure to keep you posted.

Oh, and if you're a newspaper or produce a TV or radio show, give us a call. Spot-on's fine writers can spice up your editorial mix. Our syndication fees are reasonable, our writers responsible and our editorial as sticky as fly-paper. Write Spot-on founder and editor Chris Nolan for all the details.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 10:37 AM | Permalink

Now for a little bit of feminism. Yes, we know, old-fashioned word. Revolutionary concept.

Spot-on editor and founder Chris Nolan has an essay on where this thing called "blogging" - ugly word, somewhat revolutionary concept - might be headed. The piece, "Blogging Was Just the Beginning: Women's Voices are Louder Online" is in the latest issue of the The Scholar and Feminist Online which appears today. It's somewhat familiar territory for you long-time readers. Folks new to this spot will find, however, a look at where Nolan thinks the on-line editorial business, particularly political and social commentary, is headed.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 9:21 AM | Permalink

Our newest writer, P.J. Rodriguez certainly has good timing. He joined Spot-on just in time for two great pop culture blame-fests.

The rehash of Don Imus' crude remarks continues. As does the attempt to find some meaning, motive or explanation for the Virginia Tech shootings. You New York Times' readers know what we're talking about.

P.J. nicely foresaw a lot of the comments that have been made since he sat down to write. Here he is on Hip-hop (along with a primer). Here he is again on video games, Goth and other suspect behavior on the part of young persons. If you haven't seen these posts before but are following the general commentary out there, you might welcome P.J.'s contrarian's point of view.

You know what we say, don't you? We say it here first, you can read it there later.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 3:05 PM | Permalink

Hey, two items Spot-on writers have called to your attention have gotten even better notices.

First up, check out Marshal Zeringue's review of Cormac McCarthy's The Road. It just won a Pulitzer Prize.

And our February HotSpot - HRH Media's Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop - a charming documentary about traveling cross-country without McDonald's, Starbucks or Holiday Inn, has been acquired by the Sundance Channel and will premier on July 4, 2007.

As we like to say: We lead, they follow.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 7:57 AM | Permalink

Late last summer, Jeanne Jackson - a resident of the bucolic Shenadoah Valley, close by Virginia Tech - noticed something interesting about her community. It's no longer all-white, all southern. "You can’t help but notice the change in the population mix that has taken place over the last year," she wrote. "Hence the battle lines are subtly being drawn."

That post, "Signs of Conscience," is worth visiting again today in the shadow of the Virginia Tech shootings. Much about rural Virginia - and the schools and other institutions that once served the state's "farm boys" - has changed and much will be written about those changes in the days and weeks to come. So we point you to her earlier reflections.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 1:53 PM | Permalink

This week, we're going to indulge ourselves in our favorite game: "We say it here first, you read it there later." Or as Scott Olin Schmidt, the PR guy among us says, "We lead, they follow."

First up, 'cause we know you'll hear this again and again: