1.Shel and Neville,
it's nice to finally make FIR...I guess I had to do something drastic in order...
Neville, your passing comment about me making this post strategically in order to be link or traction "bait" was interesting. If only I were that clever...although I must admit the posts and comments for and against have been voluminous. Trust me...I'm "knackered."

I wanted to make a couple of points here. I respect both of you a great deal. Shel, yes it was Valley Forge. Neville, we've not yet had the pleasure. I appreciate the fact that you've discussed this on FIR. I think it's an important topic. Rather than it being an "irresponsible" discussion for students emerging into the world of PR and corporate communications, I felt it was an "essential" discussion. Neville commented that he read through the 30+ comments and felt that some were bemused? Perhaps relieved but not bemused. My email exchanges with Robert French support that. It's about balance and they've needed an experienced, contrarian view.

Was my post based on my opinions? You bet. Was it sweeping and generalistic? (or as Allan said: Faulkner-esque) Perhaps. Is that relevant? No. It's my opinion...I've been invited to share it with them...I've earned the right to share it...I have an experience base to draw from having worked with hundreds of corporations in implementing their online media strategies. Since when have blogs been about facts? They are inherently about opinion.

You mention my comments that blogging is a risk for C-level executives. It is...clearly. There are benefits...but enormous risks. Shel, you mention JetBlue. Surely the CEO posted on YouTube. I wasn't ranting about "social media" rather blogs. I believe wholeheartedly in social media and will continue to be an active listener and user of RSS, podcasts, wikis, CMS, YouTube, DIGG, etc. Surely he failed to respond correctly via his "pseudo-blog" or their website. One of my more salient points in the post we're discussing is that with today's CMS tools, the CC or PR dept. ought to have the ability to manage content in real time...whether that vehicle is a website, an online mediaroom, or a blog.

Here I am rambling about again as if I'm sharing a fireside rum and coke with Neville. I am tired of the sound of my own voice in the noisy blogosphere. I will be monitoring and contributing to the conversation, but with a little more privacy.

I've measured the blog post and comment temperature in response to my post as about 70/30 on the positive side. You guys are in the business of consulting, which I point out as one of the key ways you can "monetize" a quality blog effort. Carry on. For my business...nada...in fact I've been told to be quiet a few times. So there you have it.

BTW, as a former TV producer, I can point to the fact that your "swallowing" issue is simply an issue of the microphone. Put a foam condom on that bad boy. I just bought a Samson C01U Recording Pak...professional mike kit for computers. Nothing like quality equipment...pretty soon you'll sound like Casey Kasem.

Keep up the good work. I've spent far too long this evening on the Internet dammit...there's that sucking sound. As Butch Walker and The Let's-Go-Out-Tonites would suggest, I'm off to a hot girl in a good mood.

Cheers.