VOTE!

Today is Election Day in Texas.

Back in 1864 on this date, Abraham Lincoln was elected to his second term as President of the United States in an election that helped ensure the preservation of the Union. It was one of the only times in history that an election was held by a nation in the middle of a civil war. Another such event took place just a few weeks ago by the people of Iraq, voting on a new constitution for that war-wracked country.

In that election, more than 60% of the population voted, dipping their finger in purple ink to signify their participation in the process. Some were shot on their way to the polls. In Texas, today is the day for the Constitutional Amendment election.

It is estimated only 16% of registered voters will take part in today's polling. No one is shooting at voters.

Today we're deciding the fate of several constitutional amendments for Texas. Secretary of State Roger Williams is estimating only 16% of registered voters will participate in today's polling. No one is shooting at Voters here. No one leaves the polling booth with fingers stained purple.

One of the issues on today’s ballot is Proposition 2, the Marriage Amendment, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. This issue is being hotly contested by both sides. With a 16% turn out, this and other issues could easily be decided by a few voters.

Secretary Williams is encouraging voter turnout by a new campaign which will recognize two counties in Texas with the highest voter turnout as the Stephen F. Austin “Champions of the Republic.”

We at the BizRadio Network believe that voting is not only your right, but your responsibility. Take time today to place your vote on issues of importance to our state.

Copper Cache

Sometime over the weekend, Saturday night/Sunday morning, copper thieves sliced through a multi-strand cable at the point from which it emerges from the Trinity River Bank at the KMNY-AM (Dallas affiliate BizRadio1360) transmitter site in Hurst.

The copper crooks not only knocked the station off the air, but also severed phone service for many residents and businesses in the area. Cable repair crews are working frantically to restore service in the area.

We'll have the station back on the air as soon as possible. In the meantime, log onto the BizRadioNetwork website to listen to live streaming audio...which in some cases, is live steaming audio.

Too bad the cable wasn’t carrying a few thousand volts of electricity.

Does this Fit to a "T"?

Have you seen the latest fashion statements from Abercrombie & Fitch? That’s not a metaphor. A&F has a fresh line of slogan T-shirts for girls that are eliciting nervous chuckles from some and have hatched a “girl-cott” for the store by a group in Allegheny County, PA.

What could possibly be wrong with a t-shirt slogan?

Would you want your teenaged—or college-aged daughter prancing around in a t-shirt that sports this phrase across the chest: “Who Needs a Brain when you Have These?” Another one says, “I Had a Nightmare I was a Brunette,” and then there’s the T that reads “Available for Parties” across the front.

Yeah, great packaging.

Abercrombie is no stranger to criticism. There was the 2003 catalog with photos of topless women and bottomless men which provoked so much ire that the company pulled the publication. Remember last year's U.S. Olympic gymnastics team failing to win a gold medal? Right on cue, A&F sold T-shirts with the phrase "L is for loser" next to a picture of a gymnast on the rings. Those shirts were pulled from the racks after USA Gymnastics called for a boycott.

I think I'd have seen the Olympic Wrestling Team over for a little attitude adjustment at A&F.

While Abercrombie backed down then, it’s not now. Their defense: "Our clothing appeals to a wide variety of customers. These particular T-shirts have been very popular among adult women to whom they are marketed." In other words, if A&F prints them, girls will buy them.

The irony is this: with the controversy comes attention—media attention—and that’s what it’s all about for Abercrombie & Fitch. Controversial marketing. Packaging. Image: Concepts with personal applications that should be more fully developed before trying on such slogan shirts.

Young girls wishing to be trendy with an A&F slogan shirt that’s somewhat demeaning to the fairer sex might be initiating a trend they cannot reverse.