Mark Knows It All

I go away for a week and all hell breaks loose. Of course, it’s the silly political season…but c’mon. Here I go: 1) I was literally driving past NPR in Washington when I heard about the Juan Williams/NPR firing scandal on the radio. I can’t believe that they are getting away with this. Everyone knows that NPR is a liberal bastion funded by public money, but was quiet about it. Now, it is front and center. I predict that public funding for NPR will be terminated within a year. The initial justification for public radio and television is rooted back in the day when the three major networks gave short shrift to intellectual and cultural programming. The argument was that type of programming was inherently unprofitable and needed government assistance. Not the case anymore!!! Cable and satellite television is loaded with it…all making money…and all doing it better. You can turn on the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, A & E, Oxygen, the Learning Channel…and for liberal news comme...

Money is the mother’s milk of politics. You can hate it. You can disagree with it. You can spout a thousand platitudes about the virtues of “grass roots" campaigns. You can scream for reform. You can limit campaign contributions. But at the end of the day, one political mailing in Mahoning County can cost in excess of $15,000.00. One 30 second television ad on the WFMJ evening news costs $1200.00. The post office won’t deliver the mail without being paid. WFMJ won't run the ad without being paid, in advance!!! Somebody has to pay the freight. So it’s a dirty business, but that is the nature of the beast. How much money have you contributed to your favorite candidate this year? I bet the answer from most of you is nothing. (Alright...I can hear you snickering what favorite candidate!!!) You run the other way when you see the fundraiser coming. You don’t answer the phone. You throw away the mail. And then complain when the candidate you don’t want wins, or when the candidates re...

Macy's Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio Business Week magazine had an interesting article this week about Macy’s Department Store. Apparently the powers that be have decided that their stores need to be more “local” in character. Its regional managers now have increased autonomy to sell goods tailored to a store’s specific geographic location. For example, you can buy old fashioned coffee percolators on Long Island; boy’s formal wear in Utah; and specific types of candy in Chicago. Gee, isn’t that how it worked before Macy’s took all of the previously local branded department stores national? Well, not exactly. But the evolution of Macy’s, Inc. is a fascinating story traveling two roads; one of which began in New York City; the other in Columbus, Ohio…and even crossed roads here in Youngstown. There is ALWAYS a Youngstown connection. The Miracle on 34th Street Macy’s was founded in New York City in 1858 by Rowland Macy. The star in the logo goes back to a tattoo Mr. Macy had on hi...