In Today's News...

I was reading the Toronto Star this morning, and as usual, all the rage is the H1N1 flu virus. Over the last few days, there have been reports of the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors all skipping the lineup to get vaccinated. As the old expression goes, where's there smoke there's fire and I have a feeling this one will be burning for a few days. The Star also reports that board members from SEVEN hospitals skipped the line to get the H1N1 flu shot.

From what I've learned in my PR classes, you never want to say the wrong thing that will draw the public's wrath and make them question what you're doing. Unfortunately, one doctor decided to try the proverbial stick-my-foot-in-my-mouth-and-see-what-happens trick. Mount Sinai's chief microbiologist, Dr. Ron Low, when asked why he skipped the line said "It seemed like the right thing to do." Excuse me? It seemed like the right thing to do? Why not just say no comment? He's apologized since but I think he should either be fired or face some serious punishment from the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). We also talked in class about how doctors are treated like gods by seniors. Even though it's wrong, some doctors try to take advantage of that status. These are the same people seniors and the rest of us put our trust in to keep us alive.

On a side note, maybe the sports teams I mentioned earlier also felt they were above the public and had the right to get ahead of everybody else.

Another thing that is making me cringe from a PR perspective is an exclusive interview that Sportsnet Hockeycentral reporter Nick Kypreos will be doing with recently paroled felon Mike Danton (formerly known as Mike Jefferson). He's the guy who played in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues and was arrested in St. Louis a few years go for trying to have David Frost killed. What gets me is not the fact that the interview is taking place but the date of the interview. Rogers Sportsnet, in all its mighty wisdom, decided to air the interview on November 11. Rememberance Day. This is the day we're supposed to honour our veterans and all the people who sacrified their lives so we could live in a free society, not hear why a convicted felon wanted to kill his former agent and "father figure."

While I hate the date they chose to run the interview, I'm looking forward to hearing what Mike Danton has to say. I'm also interested in how David Frost will respond once the interview is aired (if he does decide to respond). I can't wait to hear the public's reaction once Mike Danton rears his ugly head again. I wonder what dirt will be kicked up this time around.

In my usual fashion, I'm going to end this blog entry with a video. I've heard many remixes of this song but this one is by far the best. Also, watch the guy who dances in the video. This is proof that people with disabilities can do anything the rest of us can do.

Til next time...