Yet another stumble...

[mkirda]

You just have to wonder about the MAC some days...

During the IMAC conference, one of the most heated debates I had with David V. was about misinformation.

Specifically, I referred to two newspaper articles referred to in their 1st quarter 2003 Newsletter.

The first one was Linda Bolido's article that had quoted Chip Barber of saying that net-caught fish should cost 4-6 times what cyanide-caught fish do. Talk about Mixed-messages! (Chip Barber posted on this board that this was not something he said.)

The second article was Paul Spencer Sochaczewski's, in which he gave pricing information that was pure fiction, made up, a fabrication. Attempts to reach the author and his editors were unsuccessful. I previously have spoken about this author and how he misrepresented himself.

Maybe you can imagine my utter disappointment, followed by disgust, at seeing that these two articles (and only these two articles) could be downloaded in PDF form straight from the MAC web site.

http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/webmedia ... hatsnew=on

If these articles are to be posted, at the very least, (I told David) MAC should add a note pointing out these factual errors.

Sometimes, in the face of these sorts of missteps, I have to wonder why I even bother...

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[MaryHM]

You have to ask yourself, are they so desparate for good PR that they don't care if it's true or not?? INTENTIONALLLY putting up articles that you KNOW contain misleading or false statements without qualifying them as such certainly smells like vanilla to me. You'd think they'd stop making such blatant and ridiculous errors....

 

[mkirda]

You'd think they'd stop making such blatant and ridiculous errors....

In this case, they are not the ones making the errors- It is the reporters...
(I guess they must have learned at Jayson Blair's knee...)

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[MaryHM]

No, no, no- I'm talking about posting the articles on their website being the error. There are two things in this world I don't trust. Non-profit organizations and reporters. I don't doubt Chip at all when he says he never said what the reporter claims he did. Reporters do that all of the time. But when MAC puts it on their website, they are validating it as true.

 

[Anonymous]

Actually I think this is just another classic example of MAC's utter failure to understand PR and the business world. MAC is an NGO trying to interact and improve the product lines of businesses, however it does not perform or act like a (well run) business which it sorely needs to do if it plans on succeeding.

MAC should hire or find pro bono (though you get what you pay for) a PR firm to handle their affairs. They need to stop hiding and address issues head on. Even when Paul came to #reefs and gave a talk, and even posted additional answers on this board, he still dodged issues.

MAC wouldn't have one tenth the adversity if they would just be straight shooters.

 

[dizzy]

Tom,
I thought General Stonewall Brandt, the MAC Secretary of Defense, was doing an admirable job of public relations. :wink:

 

[mkirda]

Dizzy,

C'mon, play nice with the moderator...

 

[dizzy]

Mike,
I was just teasing John. He knew he would get a few friendly jabs when he accepted the job. Mary got the same treatment. It's all part of being an internet moderator.

 

[naesco]

But on the positive side and where it is important.
MAC came through on its committment to make CDT a priority.
MAC has committed to an implementation schedule faster and more comprehensive than I think most of us imagined.

Does MAC need more people to help them implement the schedule and deal with the other issues raised on this forum?
The answer is yes.

 

[mkirda]

But on the positive side and where it is important.
MAC came through on its committment to make CDT a priority.
MAC has committed to an implementation schedule faster and more comprehensive than I think most of us imagined.

Will not hold my breathe, Naesco.
While I hope they will implement testing, and will implement it in such a way that it cannot be easily circumvented, all we can do is wait and see if this will actually happen. When I see the action, I'll believe.

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[JennM]

But on the positive side and where it is important.
MAC came through on its committment to make CDT a priority.
MAC has committed to an implementation schedule faster and more comprehensive than I think most of us imagined.

Will not hold my breathe, Naesco.
While I hope they will implement testing, and will implement it in such a way that it cannot be easily circumvented, all we can do is wait and see if this will actually happen. When I see the action, I'll believe.

Regards.
Mike Kirda

What Mike said.

 

[mkirda]

The second article was Paul Spencer Sochaczewski's, in which he gave pricing information that was pure fiction, made up, a fabrication.

Interestingly, in heading to the MAC site, looking for anything relating to the CDT announcement, I realized that this article was no longer featured nor available for download.

Linda's still was however.

Regards.
Mike Kirda