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What Does NASCAR Stand For?
To the non-fan, NASCAR stands for "Non Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks"....it's real meaning is "National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing". To corporate America it stands for "Big Business"
NASCAR and their premier division "Nextel Cup" is the second most watched sport in America, only the NFL tops it for attendance and television audiences. On any given weekend during the season, more race fans pack race tracks to capacity, than any major sporting event... All-star Game, Superbowl, or PGA Golf Tournament. The website 'NASCAR.com' gets over ONE BILLION hits a year
The Nextel Cup features 26 weekly races, plus a 10 race playoff type schedule. It's the only sport that has what's called "It's Superbowl" as the first race of the season. The Daytona 500 is viewed by over 30 million, over 180 thousand pack the grandstands and infield each year for that event.
This sport that many assume their fans to be white, male, and southern. Well, that assumption is just plain wrong. NASCAR's fan base is made up by 40% woman, in fact, NASCAR has more women watching, than the NFL or Major League Baseball. The minority fan base increases each week, making up about 10% at this point. The average income of a NASCAR Nextel Cup fan is 83,000 a year.
You see corporate sponsor names everywhere, on the cars, uniforms, tracks, and merchandise. NASCAR fans are the most "Brand Loyal" in the world. These sponsor names cash in on that loyalty...Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans drink Budweiser, you won't find a lot of Tony Stewart fans setting one foot inside a LOWE's, because Tony is sponsored by "Home Depot", Jeff Gordon fans paint with nothing but Dupont paint, etc. It cost 10 to 20 million per year for the top teams to be competitive and Corporate America is more than happy to cough up that kind of cash for what they get in return. It costs sponsor's around a million and a half dollars a season just to have their company name on the trunk lid of a top Nextel Cup car.
The drivers are the stars and they offer everything from: good looking, ugly, fat, tall, thin, smart, dumb, intelligent, stupid, macho, wimpy, young and old. You can't find another sport that offers the drama week in and week out that a NASCAR Nextel Cup race offers.
This is only a brief overview of America's second most watched sport, there is a lot more to uncover in future articles related to NASCAR, but you can not deny, that NASCAR is the best
reality show there is.
What Does NASCAR Stand For?
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
Tube. Duration : 1.22 Mins.
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
See Budweiser's 2013 Super Bowl ad featuring our famous Clydesdales horses — and introducing our newest foal, who was just 7 days old during the shoot. For more on the Clydesdales, visit www.budweiser.com, www.facebook.com/Budweiser and www.twitter.com/Budweiser. Song: "Landslide" Written by Stevie Nicks, performed by Fleetwood Mac Download on iTunes: bit.ly
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
No URL 2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
A Sign of the Times? Shoplifting and Employee Theft Are on the Rise - But What's Missing?
Shoplifting and employee theft are on the rise. Call it a sign of the times. Shoplifting seems to be rising at many retail chains, and experts are pointing to the economy as a prime cause.
"Wages aren't keeping up with inflation - especially the price of food and energy," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial. "It just leaves less money for everything else, and that breeds a lot of temptation."
"It's clear that both employee theft and shoplifting are up," said Richard Hollinger, professor of criminology at the University of Florida who compiles the annual National Retail Security Survey. "A lot of people are on the financial edge."
"Retailers can't afford to just eat that loss," Hollinger said. "Their margins aren't large enough. So this hits right on the bottom line."
Here are some other reasons the sluggish economy is thought to be contributing to the increase in shoplifting:
• Rising prices and debt.
• Fewer store clerks.
• Job turnover.
• Rise in organized retail crime.
I am encouraged any time I see an article sounding the alarm about shoplifting or employee theft. This article makes sense on a basic level: when the economy hiccups, many people have less money to buy essentials. But what the article fails to do, in my opinion, is more broadly address the scope of shoplifting and employee theft; instead, it seems to reduce people who steal into two main camps: those who steal out of greed and those who steal out of economic need. This is inaccurate. If more than 10% of American shoplift (various recent articles) and if 75% of employees steal from work (according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) it's safe to say that why people steal is more complex than we think.
First of all, I'd like to say that there's rarely an excuse for stealing. When times are tough, there's usually got to be other ways to make ends meet. Unfortunately, desperate times often bring out desperate behavior. We don't think our clearest under stress. That's not an excuse, it's just being realistic. We have to be careful to distinguish between "need to steal" and "perceived need to steal." It may be one thing to shoplift "life-saving medicine" or basic staple food; it's quite another to steal "discretionary" items which one has become accustomed to having but can no longer realistically afford. For many, keeping up with the Joneses is a full-time job!
But the biggest missing piece in this article is the total absence of mention that statistics and research show that most people shoplift or commit employee theft not out of economic need or greed but in response to life's stressors. In other words, "it's emotions, stupid!" Now, certainly a faltering economy brings up a multitude of strong emotions for many: fear, depression, anger, hopelessness, shock - just to name a few. It's an important distinction to make but is often missed: it's not the lack of money that makes someone steal - maybe not even the perceived lack of money - but, rather, it's the thoughts and feelings behind the circumstances which make certain people more vulnerable to "act out."
Further, there's no mention of how shoplifting, employee theft and stealing in general can become addictive responses to life's stressors (including financial) and that, again, an increase in theft behaviors may be more attributable to strong emotional responses and perceived lack of choices that a drop in income, an increase in bills, or the economy's overall health. Research shows that all addictions increase during tough economic times: drinking, drugging, gambling, eating, shopping, sex, TV, work, Internet - you name 'em.
The article also perpetuates the myth of the typical shoplifter when the Massachusetts sergeant states "the shoplifter of the past was mostly trying to fuel a drug habit." My best estimation is that only 10-20% of shoplifters are drug addicts who steal to support their habit. The same is true for employees who steal from work.
When the economy falters, a cascade of events happen: more stress, more illness, more divorce, more death, loss of home, loss of lifestyle, loss of security, loss of identity, resurfacing of painful past memories or loss, and the traumatic loss of a sense or basic protection and fairness in life. When an employee knows he or she is about to lose a job after years of faithful service - sure, loss of income is on one's mind, but even greater feelings of betrayal and loss of control may be the primary motivation for stealing. When the typical shoplifter steals a nice purse or a blouse or a CD or DVD, those aren't necessity items per se but often the shoplifter can feel "entitled" to shoplift in the face of life's losses and injustices.
Again, this is not to excuse stealing but, rather, to better and more accurately understand it. It's also important to understand why people steal so we might better prevent or treat it. We still rarely even use the word "treat" when dealing with theft. There are either "plain thieves" who, assumedly, deserve harsh punishment, or "the impoverished or financially strapped" who may garner some sympathy but then what? Obviously, if we have a stronger economy, more job security, better benefits, lower cost of goods, and a more tightly-woven safety net, there would be less need to steal - real or perceived - not just because of finances but because of emotions. We would feel more at ease, more connected, more supported. When we feel all alone, the law of the jungle reigns: everyone for himself.
It is important for each of us to remember if or when times are tough that there are always other ways to survive besides stealing. Sometimes, drastic measures are the only way out such as letting a home fall into foreclosure, going without health insurance, selling prized possessions, or greatly down-scaling or lifestyles. We may also have to ask for help - despite our pride - from family, friends, governmental agencies, religious institutions, charities, or elsewhere. We may have to put on our thinking caps and find new and creative (and legal!) ways to earn income.
Do stores and employers have any role to play in all this besides cat and cop? Most reasonable persons could agree how short-sighted most corporations have been about overpaying their executives compared to their core staff or how nickel-and-diming employees out of raises, bonuses and benefit actually breeds resentment and theft. And what about the hypocrisy of the few at the top who skim and steal (The American Society of Employers estimates that 55% of employee theft is perpetrated my company owners, managers, and supervisors). It appears many stores treat the war on shoplifting like the war on drugs - and it's unwinnable. Rarely does a retailer or loss prevention worker wish to acknowledge that most shoplifting - any shoplifting - is other than plain thievery less they appear "soft on theft." Of course, most retailers and loss prevention personnel are focused on organized theft rings and most other theft is falling through the cracks.
When we get real about why people steal - aside from economic need and greed - we will see more progressive approaches, including treatment, to the growing problem of theft. For example, casinos acknowledge - to varying degrees - that a proportion of their clients are compulsive gamblers. Casinos post the Gamblers Anonymous hot line and chip in funds to assist with free counseling for those afflicted. Many casinos even have "self-exclusion" programs which allow gamblers to "ban themselves" by tagging their IDs if they try to re-enter. Could this be the future with retailers? Further, bartenders are trained to cut off problem drinkers. And in response to the growing problem of obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease, even many fast food restaurants stepped up to the plate and cut trans-fat use, eliminated "super-size" menu items, and increased "heart-smart" choices.
Things are not just black and white. Theft in America is rising for many complex and inter-related reasons. The sooner we take note, the quicker we can take actions that actually can help turn our economy around.
A Sign of the Times? Shoplifting and Employee Theft Are on the Rise - But What's Missing?
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
Video Clips. Duration : 1.22 Mins.
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
See Budweiser's 2013 Super Bowl ad featuring our famous Clydesdales horses — and introducing our newest foal, who was just 7 days old during the shoot. For more on the Clydesdales, visit www.budweiser.com, www.facebook.com/Budweiser and www.twitter.com/Budweiser. Song: "Landslide" Written by Stevie Nicks, performed by Fleetwood Mac Download on iTunes: bit.ly
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
No URL 2013 Budweiser Super Bowl Ad — The Clydesdales: "Brotherhood"
The Truth About Alcoholics and Alcoholism
There is a lot of information available on the web for, and about, alcoholics. Titles of articles range from "Alcoholism and Alcohol Addiction" to "Zen Meditation in Treating Alcoholism". Though these articles are all helpful in their own way few of them seem willing to speak the frank and candid truth about active alcoholics. This article outlines the simple truths about people who drink too much, too often and to excess.
1. All Alcoholics are Liars
There isn't one actively drinking alcoholic in the world who isn't a liar. They lie to themselves about their drinking and they lie to everyone else about everything. You can't accept one thing that comes out of their mouth as the truth. They come home late and say they were working late. They have seven drinks and say they had three. They tell you they got a promotion at work and they got fired. They say they are looking for work and they aren't. Their lies twist and deceive and make the people around them doubt their own reality. Their lies are poison to relationships, friendships and work colleagues.
2. All Alcoholics Are Manipulators
Alcoholics use people to meet their own ends. They make people angry and in the process prove to themselves that people are cruel to them. They convince their lives to ring up the workplace and tell the boss they are sick. The make promises to their children and don't keep them, then manage to make the children feel bad for putting their parent under pressure. Their manipulations extend to every part of their lives. They will pitch one person against another, telling stories to their parents to make them believe that a brother or sister is against them. They manipulate every event in life to their own advantage and in so doing cause people to never know who they can trust.
3. All Alcoholics Are In Love with Drink
Nothing has more sex appeal to the alcoholic than drink. Drink is the scantily clad woman becoming them from a window or the half dressed stud lifting weights in the gym. People are objects to the alcoholic, objects to be used as a reason to drink. If someone praises the alcoholic it becomes either a reason to rejoice in drink or bury the reality they do not deserve praise in drink. It they get a raise or job promotion it is a reason to drink; if they lose a job it is a reason to drink. If they see someone they fancy they need a drink in order to approach them. If they are rejected they drink to drown the sting. Their wives and husbands exist to them only as a way to get to a drink. Their children are a reason to drink. Sport is a reason to drink. Family celebrations are a reason to drink. Holidays are a reason to drink. Everything in the life of an alcoholic is used as a means of getting to their one true love-drink.
4. All Alcoholics Know the Truth about Themselves
Alcoholics know their behaviour is reprehensible, that they are liars and manipulators. In order to protect themselves from the terrible truth they create a false front of superiority and put others down as a means to look good. The alcoholic husband will tell their wife they are the reason there is food on the table. The alcoholic wife will tell her husband if it weren't for her he wouldn't have a social life. This inflated sense of self-esteem, which masks their inner sense of worthlessness. Hiding this horrible truth from others necessitates making others feel inferior, foolish and stupid on a regular basis.
5. There is No Such Things as a Functional Alcoholic
They myth of the functional alcoholic is deeply embedded in society. So many people addicted to alcohol believe that if they go to work, do a day's work, contribute to the family income and show up at important family events they are functional. The truth is they are not functional in any sense at all. The vast majority of them, men and women alike, are emotionally regressed, socially inhibited, psychological cripples individuals. They are unable to function without their daily fix of alcohol, unable to do a days work with the reward of a good drinking session at its end and unable to express any sincere emotion to those closest to them.
You and the Alcoholic
If you are the partner or spouse of an alcoholic it is time to realise these simple truths and not believe the lies, the promises never kept, the manipulations and the self-inflation. It is time to realise that any alcoholic who is actively drinking isn't worth staying with under any circumstances. What do you do? Deliver a simple truth of your own, "Stop drinking and I say; keep drinking and I leave or you leave. You have a month to show me what decision you have made."
The Truth About Alcoholics and Alcoholism
P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess
Video Clips. Duration : 4.05 Mins.
P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess
From the Grammy Nominated album The Truth About Love available now - smarturl.it Music video by P!nk featuring Nate Ruess performing Just Give Me A Reason. (C) 2012 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess
P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess
P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess
P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess
No URL P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate Ruess
From the Grammy Nominated album The Truth About Love available now - smarturl.it Music video by P!nk featuring Nate Ruess performing Just Give Me A Reason. (C) 2012 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Tags:
America Stupid
The Truth About Alcoholics and Alcoholism
America Stupid
See Budweiser's 2013 Super Bowl ad featuring our famous Clydesdales horses — and introducing our newest foal, who was just 7 days old during the shoot. For more on the Clydesdales, visit www.budweiser.com, www.facebook.com/Budweiser and www.twitter.com/Budweiser. Song: "Landslide" Written by Stevie Nicks, performed by Fleetwood Mac Download on iTunes: bit.ly
Tags:
America Stupid
A Sign of the Times? Shoplifting and Employee Theft Are on the Rise - But What's Missing?
A Sign of the Times? Shoplifting and Employee Theft Are on the Rise - But What's Missing?
A Sign of the Times? Shoplifting and Employee Theft Are on the Rise - But What's Missing?
See Budweiser's 2013 Super Bowl ad featuring our famous Clydesdales horses — and introducing our newest foal, who was just 7 days old during the shoot. For more on the Clydesdales, visit www.budweiser.com, www.facebook.com/Budweiser and www.twitter.com/Budweiser. Song: "Landslide" Written by Stevie Nicks, performed by Fleetwood Mac Download on iTunes: bit.ly
Keywords:
America Stupid
What Does NASCAR Stand For?
America Stupid
