From Government, Military, Intelligence, and Law Enforcement
“I’m very impressed with John’s book if for no other reason than it forced me to re-look at my own sources of information and evaluate how I learn, retain, and express my personal views of domestic and international events. I had not realized just how mired I had become in a single, right-leaning perspective. The ROIL System is a motivator; a tool that pushes the reader, especially us Boomers, to explore a wider spectrum of information sources. As I write this endorsement I am living in Baghdad, working as a security advisor to a major U.S. contractor. Information in my line of work is essential to survival, literally. Linear or single track thinking is dangerous in my business. The ROIL System prevents that, if you’re willing to look at and listen to opposing views. After all, if you don’t understand what the other guy is saying, how can you counter what he’s doing?” Anthony Blondell, Jr. Major, US Army, retired, currently senior security coordinator; Kellogg, Brown and Root, Baghdad, Iraq
“The ROIL System gives the reader a readily available blueprint to track down and obtain the sources of information necessary for any American to be an informed citizen of both the US and the world. I know many professionals who will benefit from using the techniques John Daly identifies in ROIL.” Jim Handlin, former CIA case officer and author of Survivors of Predator Priests
“Between 24-hour cable news cycles, the Internet, and blogging, there is no end to how much information is available at our fingertips. The key is understanding how to get to the meat of the issue and get around all the bias and gossip. For those who follow John Daly’s ROIL System, the result is a better sense of how events and issues around the world are truly unfolding.” U.S. Senator John Ensign, Republican from Nevada
“In American politics today we have witnessed a disturbing decline in basic decorum. Anger, name-calling and unbridled animosity toward others that would have been shocking a generation ago have become commonplace today. I would urge every member of Congress, indeed every elected official, to read John Daly’s book. We live in a time in which people feel fervently about key issues and express their views with intensity. That is a good thing, but it is important to make sure that our views are shaped by a true understanding of the issues. We must learn to listen to others and truly understand. I am convinced that the ROIL System can make an important contribution not only to bringing about greater comity in American politics, but in helping us come together as a nation to solve many of our most pressing problems.” Retired U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini, Democrat from Arizona
“This book is a roadmap to becoming more informed and better educated about our daily events. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand both sides of the table and the purpose of each group’s positions. For me, I will use it to better prepare myself for the investigative interviews I routinely conduct. I also believe that it will help me in my day-to-day conversations, because your opinion is much more respected when you speak from what you know. Being evenly informed is a valuable tool.” Detective Jack Ballentine, Phoenix Police Department Homicide Unit
“Perhaps the most crucial skill to a law enforcement professional like me is the ability to quickly digest vast amounts of information from many biased sources and accurately assess it. Fortunately, the officer’s job in the field is always made easier by his ability to personally interact with human subjects—a benefit that is absent when assessing raw media data. John Daly provides not only a systematic method of effectively gathering and interpreting various forms of raw and biased media information; he educates the reader in the all-important techniques of developing contacts and exploiting information from human sources. Daly’s ROIL System was formed in the crucible of investigative reporting and media insight and it is conveyed in a manner that only a veteran and master journalist could achieve.” Michael H. Green, police sergeant, East Hampton, Connecticut
From Journalism and Education
“With the media bombarding us with information 24/7, and with so many agendas from left to right, John Daly offers an easy-to-understand and valuable way to find the news nuggets we need from among all the verbal and printed rubble. He demonstrates how to be informed, while keeping an open mind. That takes talent to explain and basic intelligence to execute. And unlike so many in the media, John does not insult his readers’ intelligence.” Gerry Brooks, news anchor, WVIT NBC 30, Hartford, Connecticut
“John Daly is a top-notch journalist. His book lets you in on the little-known secrets top-notch journalists use to keep abreast of the news. Buy it and use it to machete your way through the information jungle to a clearer understanding of what’s going on in the world, and why!” John Dancy, retired NBC News Correspondent, Professor of Journalism at Duke University
“For all of us who need to have a ‘big-picture’ view of the world to help us make good judgments on specific issues, this book efficiently gives solid advice on seeing all while avoiding information overload—an invaluable tool for the overworked!” Geoff Wardle, Acting Chair, Transportation Design Department, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California
“Who has the time? How many times have we used that question as an excuse for just about anything that could help improve our quality of life? Trying to balance my life as a national sportscaster, mother and wife, I never could find the time to tap into the ocean of information that was out there. I used to get caught up in the undertow, until John Daly’s ROIL System taught me how to swim!” Linda Cohn, ESPN
“John Daly’s ROIL System is the ‘how to’ guide to dealing with the media. From a screenwriter’s perspective, Daly has a library of knowledge that is both humorous and informative. It has shown me the intricacies into the so-called backstage elements of a media-based society. I highly recommend this read for writers of all genres.” Eric Snyder, screenwriter and sports journalist
“John Daly has provided me with my Bible. As a recent graduate entering into the current world of journalism, I was faced with a countless amount of questions and concerns. I can finally take a sigh of relief. The ROIL System has helped guide me towards ideas and thoughts that will help shape my career.” Meagan Farley, journalism student
“If we take John Daly’s ROIL System to heart, it will yank us out of the comfort zone that Walter Lippmann warned about a century ago in his book, Public Opinion: ‘For when a system of stereotypes is well fixed, our attention is called to those facts which support it, and diverted from those which contradict.’” Rev. Paul Seaver, OP, Providence College
From Business, Media, and Entertainment
“Biologist Stephen Jay Gould once said: ‘Nothing is more dangerous than a dogmatic worldview—nothing more constraining, more blinding to innovation, more destructive of openness to novelty.’ John’s book is a needed antidote to the era of news by doctrinaire hyperventilation. He invites us to use technology to expand our vision, thereby inviting fresh insight into our interpretation of national and world affairs. Thanks, John, you’ve supplied a valuable resource!” John Ray, president of Heritage Capital Advisors
“Daly has grabbed the ‘bull’ by the horns here. We desperately need to raise the level of public discourse in this land. With ROIL, he offers a practical first step that anyone can take.” Craig Miller, correspondent on California Connected on KCET-TV, Los Angeles
“John Daly’s straightforward, no-nonsense approaches will change the way you get your news. This is a smart, eye-opening tool that every journalist and non-journalist should absorb. Daly has done his footwork. Follow his lead and you won’t be duped by biased news ever again.” Alison Serene, publisher/editor, Newshound magazine
“Easy and recommended reading for aspiring journalists, the business community, and people wanting to stay a step ahead of the game. John Daly offers a clear, clever, and concise approach to understanding the news media.” Craig Hoffman, news director, WBKI-TV, Louisville, Kentucky
“As a broadcast news executive for nearly two decades, I agree with John’s assertion of media bias and the prostitution of local TV news in the past decade. The ROIL System is the best I’ve read for gathering, processing and using information in today’s age both for business and journalism.” Bob Walker, former executive news producer, WTRV-TV; and current broadcast journalism instructor at Alcorn State University
“Even serious news junkies can benefit from John’s reminders of how to streamline news-gathering techniques in a world of information overload.” Trina Virgo, founder and president of the US-Ireland Alliance and former foreign policy adviser to Senator Edward M. Kennedy
“A good, quick read that can make the difference between being an informed, thinking person and a tool of the media. The ROIL System succinctly describes how the quality people I know and trust take meaningful action to shape their world.” John Shulansky, president and CEO of Jetlantic
“This is terrific stuff. A wonderfully insightful, intelligent, and most of all, helpful way of learning how we can read, listen, think and interact more clearly. It’s a book I wish had been written long ago, but I’m certainly grateful it’s here now.” Matthew Laurance, actor
“I was at a point where I had to either shut all news sources out of my life, or make it a full-time job. I didn’t want to do the former and be an ignorant soul just strolling the planet, but I also can’t devote what seems like an eternity to gathering information, then having to reintroduce myself to my family. Through John’s book I learned how to gather news smarter, not harder. At first, as I guess most of us past forty do, I resisted having to learn something new. I did it years ago when computers were forcing their way into my life. But now, I can’t imagine going back to a typewriter! So change is good—sometimes daunting, but generally good. I had to face the fact that change was coming regardless of how I dealt with it. I might as well take charge. This book let me realize that I can live an informed life and have time for family, friends and work. It has empowered me to be in control of what goes into my personal computer…my brain. How to recognize baseless assertions from fact, and how to determine when I’ve reached the point of satisfaction on a subject, so that I can turn it all off and enjoy the silence. Of course take this testimony for what it’s worth; I’m just a ‘Democratic, moderate liberal sounding board.’ And proud of it. Thank you, John.” Bryan Cranston, actor/director
“In a world where we’re all asked to run faster than the fastest pace, the ROIL System has defined and organized my method of information upload. I’ve improved my active interaction with this system.” Jean Swift, director of corporate relations, Art Center College of Design Pasadena, California
“A book that can be read at the speed of today’s breaking news...offers a balanced information-gathering process lasting a lifetime!” Sal Mentesana, Division I College Basketball coach
“If Major League Umpires got rid of the Quest-Tech machine and adopted the ROIL System, we’d all see eye to eye.” Mike Maddux, former Major League Baseball player and current pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers
“The best short read … make that the best read I’ve had in months. Something so simple has had such a meaningful impact on my life. Miss this one at your own peril!” John McClain, Grammy winner, owner of The Dog and Pony Show Studio
“ROIL is a mind-opening primer for those who want to be truly in the know.” Patricia A. Trent, Esq., president of Trent, Tyrell and Associates, Las Vegas
“In this age of torrential information flow, John Daly finally reveals his secrets. Many people talk about many things; John has always been one of those who can actually comment intelligently on virtually any subject and now I know how—ROIL.” Hugh Anderson, certified financial planner, charted financial consultant, and certified investment management analyst
“This book is both entertaining and informative. It should be required reading in colleges throughout the country. I wish John Daly had written and I had read about the ROIL System 20 years ago! The depth of his media insight is impressive.” Steven B. Twitchell, chartered life underwriter, chartered financial consultant
“This is good stuff, informative and useful information.” Jim Rosetta, vice president and general manager, Canon, USA
“This book is a great guide for busy people to gather information in a short time. John has given us the ‘how to’ book to keep up or catch up on news from around the world. Even not so well read people can learn from this short book. The ROIL System and the references in this book will help busy business people have the knowledge of a well-schooled journalist.” Dick Conn, retired NFL player with the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, currently a sales representative for Jostens, Inc.
“It’s like one-stop shopping for people who want to REALLY know what’s happening in the world around them!” Trent Greenwell, concerned citizen
“May your book help people recognize the need to read, as well as hear with discerning ears, see with clarity, decide with intelligence. What a monumental undertaking, John.” Jeanne Corcoran, children’s multimedia writer/producer
“Knowledge is power. John Daly’s ROIL System is a must read for any entrepreneur seeking better results and greater success in today’s business environment. The book is informative and to the point, with great insight and examples of the tools needed to be well informed.” Virginia Martino, co-founder/president, Brand, Ltd. and The Odyssey Lifestyle
“Before reading John Daly’s book, I would only get my news from publications and outlets that shared my political views, but the ROIL System has provided me with the tools necessary to understand and elevate both sides of the story. It has taught me to look past the article to obtain the entire story and not get caught up in the journalist’s personal thoughts. If you are interested in becoming better informed on what is happening around you this is a must read.” Eric M. Ackman, president of Summit Event Management, Inc.
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November 20th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Great ideas discussed here John, but I think you under estimate the greed factor…what makes you think people will follow your ground rules and not run off to Vegas and put $100,000 on red???
November 20th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I hope my check is in the mail!
One problem I see is the auto industry. If it takes two years for them to go broke it will affect 2.5 million jobs. Everyone will have spent there money and unemployment skyrockets again. Our economy is imploding by industry and we haven’t figured out what to do to get unemployed retrained and back to work. I think the answer is a long term energy policy affecting all segments of energy and rebuilding infrastructure. These to things could provide millions of jobs.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
YJ,
As good a plan as any! I can just see it now:
Gov. Coupe D’val Patrick (D MA) “That’s right President Calderon, the bus for Boston will be leaving Juarez every Monday at 6:00AM. It should take them about 30 hours to get to Massachusetts.”
“No, no, don’t worry about passports or visas, we are a sanctuary state. Everyone is welcomed in Massachusetts.”
“Ha, ha, no don’t worry, Ted doesn’t drive any more.”
“Not a problem, all we’ll need when they get on the bus is some form of identification. By the time they get to boston, we’ll have the Quick Claim Deed, all of the paperwork, and the keys to their new home, waiting for them. Oh…, and their driver’s license, social security number…,”
“What…, no I don’t know who’s number it will be. Hopefully, it will belong to someone who’s dead already. It can get messy if it isn’t.”
“The $100K? Oh, we’ll handle that too. Figure that, after all of the handling charges, state taxes, local and county fees, and the donation to the Democratic National Committee, the State Democratic Committee and Weather Underground/ Save our Schools/ Hugo Chavez Re-election Committee, your people will have about $29.95 to pay next months mortgage payment.”
“No, Barney is taking care of that. Freddie and Fannie will be making up the difference.”
“Work? I don’t know…, hey maybe that guy on the Cape can use some Mexicans.”
“What’s that? Oh, you don’t want to cause an international incident with Brazil.”
Yup, as good an idea as any.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:00 am
Good idea, some will hide the $ or use it for investment. The average person might not want to pay their mortgage balance down as they fear the value will go lower & they will need to money to live if things get worse. We need to think about this a bit. On a chart we recently did, it shows that if home prices appreciated 4% since 1980 we are almost exactly where we should be today. That being said, are we really in a slump? Or did we just go through a boom & come back to reality? The challenge is the ones that bought a home after 2003 or did a cash out refinance on a home in the 05-06 time frame, they made a bad financial move. It is really no different that someone who bought a stock during the hay day & now it is worth much less. The challenge we have is the person that buys stock is usually buying it with money they have & the homeowner did a loan (money they did not have). Herein lies the challenge.
If the mtg banks or the govt were to start giving money out or forgiving UPB (unpaid principal balance) that homeowners have, they can not do it to just some. They do, as stated above, almost have to do it to everyone. The numbers just don’t work without repercussions bigger than we can fathom.
Another answer might be to give some serious tax relief to any homeowner for the next X years. Think about it, forget giving me the cash if you can say that I don’t pay any income taxes if I own a home for some time. It is the equivilent of giving the money out, but it would also spark a lot of people to go out & buy a home now if they can instead of being scared to. (I just thought of this as I am typing & this is good shit!)
The real question is “Is the answer really out there”. Let’s face it, things were as good as they have ever been in the last few years. The people that did well & were smart about things are going to be fine. The people that were not wise or lacked experience (most of us) & made decisions that put them in debt are not going to be as fine (for lack of a better definition). We are not going to die, it is just going to be difficult for many of us for a while.
For the time we spent in the good times, we are going to go through a time of recovery as the financial markets, housing market, & job market, etc. are going to have to go through a period of correction. We need to remember this did not happen overnight & the problem will not get fixed overnight. The reality is, there will be many people that will do well in this environment. Our goal is to figure out what area will do well & try to get there before the ball gets there.
I think our attitude needs to be that this time we are in now (& will most likely go through for a while longer than we want) might possibly go in the history books as one of the most difficult times since the early 1930’s. How do we want to behave & be remembered by everyone? As the person that rolled over & took the beating, or as the one that stepped up to the plate, worked harder, made wiser decisions, & perservered through this. It ain’t going to be easy, that is for sure. I choose door number 2. Let’s just be thankful that our job is not President of the US. That might now be the worst job in the entire country. We might want to say a prayer or two for the dude. He will need it but more importantly, we will all need it.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
The overall plan I think has a lot of merit.
My questions?
1. You had to make the assumption that the entreprenuers would lower the rent and the staples of living would go down. The greed factor in risk takers I believe would not allow that to happen because they put their money at risk earlier. They are still looking for a great return on their investments.
2. The politicians could see this as an extension of the giving more to the fortunate who are homeowners. Each politiican would have to look at his own situation and count the votes.
3. What does this do for a politician? Does this take away underlying power that the Congress and Senate have over the people?
I know this may sound negative but I like the plan. These are hurdles that first came to mind when I read you plan.
The good part is you are thinking outside the box. What a refreshing thought.
MARTON
November 21st, 2008 at 12:25 pm
John, I had to think about your plan for awhile. I just read a very informative (for me) article about understanding the current financial crisis and considering it’s historical context by Niall Ferguson, who teaches history at Harvard Univ. and economics at Harvard Business School. It was like going to a class on those subjects for me.
I love the concept of your plan but I wish it was that simple. It sure brought some interesting comments from your readers.
November 21st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Okay John, time to get serious!
What’s that…, oh sorry Teri. Give him a glass of water and a moment to recover.
Any time you give people money, they’ll spend it foolishly. Want to cure what’s ailing the economy, and do it quickly?
1) 18% Flat Tax - On every working tax payer. NO deductions for anyone. The lone exemption, (maybe 5%) would be for your having a certifiably handicapped individual living in your home.
2) 23% Flat Tax - On every business. No deductions for anyone. The lone exemption would be for companies that pay 100% of their employees’ Health Care Coverage.
This tax plan would exempt all retirees and their Social Security benefits. However, if they continued to work, their earnings would be subject to the same taxes.
3) Henry VI Rule - “The first thing we do, we kill all the lawyers!” What Shakespeare wrote 400 years ago still resonates today. We don’t, in fact, really need to kill anyone. What we need to do is cut off their oxygen supply. Lawyers do not produce anything, except paperwork. If Al Gore wanted to save the planet, he should be leading the charge on this one. Think of all the trees we’d save if we took lawyers out of the paperwork production business. Health Care costs could be reduced by 40% minimum. The price of every product made in this country could be reduced by 20 to 30%. You cannot save people from themselves. But lawyers advertise everyday, in the print media, on the airwaves, and on the internet, that they can. It has to stop. We need to implement the Canadian Tort System, where everyone is free to sue anyone. However, if I bring an action against you, and I lose, I get to pay your legal bill. Ever notice how many trees there are in Canada?
No $100 large per Home Owner. No $500,000,000,000 bailouts. No need for bigger and better governmental agencies, no need for more lawyers. The IRS can collect the tax money. If you get caught cheating, you get to take a vacation at Danbury, and I don’t mean the high school.
Simple!
And…, wait until you hear my plan for energy independence.
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:20 am
Jake, I like the plan. Steve Forbes would be proud. I think this has a chance to pass because it leads us to more simplicity and transparency. But this should happen only after we’ve gotten the system back on track. A stimulus package comes first, then the flat tax. JD
November 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 am
Very thoughtful and creative approach, John. Question is whether or not the average consumer is too scared to spend the money now? The spending behavior of the vast majority is greatly influenced by the pervasive doom and gloom that dominates the media.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:48 am
[…] 24, 2008) – I’ve proposed an infusion of government money to the nation’s homeowners in a previous post. Sure, it’s fraught with problems. What plan isn’t? Doing nothing would be criminal. Doing […]
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Hmmm…quite the opinionated peopole, arent’ we?
While I see some merit in John’s stimulus package, (I’ve hearsd of similar proposals to give those 18+ $250,000 each) I also see the greed in most people who would spend their new windfall foolishly. What kind of regulatory language would need to be addded to the mix in order to get people to invest in the real estate market by either buying a home or attempting to reduce their monthly mortgage? Or will the the $100,000 be a carte blanche gift? Will people be allowed to spend the money as they see fit? What about taxes? Surely the IRS will want their cut…so in reality, people might only get $70,000 to spend.
Here’s what I propose. Since most Americans are in some kind of financial distress…I’ve read the average household debt is anywhere between $35,000 and $50,000…why don’t we cut back on interest payments on credit cards and mortgages?
I propose that credit card companies reduce their interest rates, across the board, to 8% and keep them there for five years. What hurts most borrowers is the 23-30% interest on some cards, charged because they missed a payment or two or were late getting the payments in. People would be able to afford to make their payments with this lower rate and not just pay down the interst.
Secondly, the mortgage companies should allow mortgagees to skip their monthly payments for four months…in most cases that would be about $12,000 saved, thereby allowing people to pay down their credit card debt. Also allow for the refinancing of loans where people don’t have to come up with closing costs (as a realtor I know most people I’ve talked to balk at refinancing because they don’t have the 3% needed for closing costs…often $10,000-$14,000)). Money saved on the mortgage-less payments could conceveibly be used to help offset closing costs.
There really is no easy fix…but as Americans we must stand behind the new President, regardless of party affiliation, and give him our full support. What other options are there? Matters certainly could become worse if we didn’t!