Mike Cohen - At Large

The Gallop Poll the other day released figures showing-

" Only about 1 in 10 Americans say they are more likely to watch the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric in the anchor seat " -http://www.gallup.com/

So that means 30 million viewers more than they are getting now... Gallop looked at the survey figures and also noted that about the same number won't be watching- and missed the common math that means overall in the tight markets of 6pm newscasts in the US of A.

Any +30 million more people likely viewers mean a major boost for the old 6pm dinner time newscast.

They missed the point - an additional 30 million ten per cent figure in any market is more like a major boon to network news which has steadily been losing out to the Internet, Cable news channels and Cell phone based news services.

Looking at the figures there has been a rebound though in the overall numbers watching the news on network TV... Up from a low of just 36% in December of 2004; But still down from 1995 when 62 per cent said the watched the nightly newscasts of network TV.

At present at least in this survey ... 45% of household's get the news from network TV News at 6pm in the USA.

TV, Radio, Cell phone based subscription and free news updates , e-mail and web site based Data casting services and other forms of new media news services has severely cut into mainstream media- blogsites like this one- ok blogsites better than this one have also taken the toll on the numbers game making it harder and harder for the major news networks in the USA to get viewers to watch TV.

Also - syndication services that offer news feeds like RSS bring the latest wire service and news content directly to PDA's and Blackberry's and cell phones as well as web enabled PC's and Laptops have also cut into the numbers game.

So Thirty Million viewers? One per cent of the population in that tight numbers game is number CBS or any network would love to get their hands on.

CBS's Coup de main or "A sudden action undertaken to surprise..." has indeed caught the news worlds attention.

Closer to where I am.... in Manila.

Coups and counter coups - both De main and De grace are the norm.

When ever I hear comments by "Digs" Dinangalen; I think of the game Diggerman I always remember that game from working late night on the overnight desk of the newsroom it and others were always the only way to keep sane while staying up overnight at the newsdesk.

Diggerman is where in a miner has to evade pursuing ghosts to get to the jewels and fruits in a maze like game making tunnels and digging to cause rocks to fall on pursuing monsters.

Well to the powers that be the recent statement by the political opposition spokesman seems to be getting attention.

A proposal of a sort that is - coups de main (defined: A sudden action undertaken to surprise... )

Ignoring "honor propio" It was the first gentleman who critiqued an idea by the "Diggerman"
for snap elections. The often outspoken semi-retired, for now, by term limitations - ex-Maguindanao Representative Didagen Dilangalen broached the idea that Deposed former President Joseph Estrada Is still a viable alternative to President Arroyo,

Dilangalen see's Estrada as the one who could lead the fragmented opposition to victory in a election; The First gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo - noted however that- Estrada lacked the one factor that would enable his leadership- a constitutional ban on his further being elected.

But what was lost on Mr. Arroyo was the diggermans idea of another "people power" as the way to bring Estrada back to power. Hence term limits being meaningless in revolutionary government - The diggerman is correct.

But perhaps Dinangalen is forgetful of images and what brought down his mentor- People power itself! The mind often blocks out bad memories and traumatic events.

Ah, but here's something to think of - if the administration is so set on amending the constitution - people power could also be a means to that end. A popular uprising to bring in a new constitution... A coups de théâtre! (defined: An unexpected and sensational event, especially one that reverses or negates a prevailing situation.)

Wait - that's coup d' etat in the truest sense meaning a coup from the top....

A coup de main is what the other side wants...

But to others of a more radical set a Coup de grace- (defined: A finishing stroke or decisive event) they see as a better means to make sure change happens.

but with the most popular pastime in the Philippine after showbiz- politics coming back into season- election seasons all coups are cast aside and people get ready to pick to the next series of players who will for them run the affiars of thier towns, cities, and districts as well as senators to weed out the parachial from the national issues... all talk of coups are cast aside.

Now - if I am not mistaken - there is another thing the Government in its rush to amend the system to a parliamentary form of government has forgeten in the haste to avoid the popular vote choice by screening people in parliment.

One proposal was to make sure all elected attend a college or get a degree in governance or already have a degree. Not a problem is country of 17,000 colleges and Universites where even taxi drivers has masters degree's!

but trying to stay on track isn't it by having a parliament in place.

All popularly elected members choose the Prime Minister, So these people the popularly elected members; then ... chose - a socail filter to give the unpopular a chance?

The bottom line is anyone who can convince; if today's congressional districts are to be
a guideline - 400-500 MP's or members of parliament to vote one way or another;

Anyone could become PM who could "convince" the MP's for the vote. Right?

In my dreams ... I see MP's from Showbiz filling up the Batasan and... Willy "wowowie" Revilleme as PM! And who said politics is not entraining!
philippines news-and-politics