Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Feb 8, 2012, 6:19 am
Fast food giant McDonald’s pulled a radio commercial and has apologized for what it now calls an “insensitive” ad. The commercial, spotlighting the restaurants new Chicken McBites, claimed that eating one was “less risky than petting a stray pit bull, shaving your head, naming your son Sue...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Feb 7, 2012, 11:02 pm
It was supposed to be the war to end all wars. And Florence Green was just 17 when she joined the Women’s Royal Air Force in the war’s final year, 1918. With her passing on Saturday just weeks away from her 111th birthday, the world has lost the last-known veteran of World War I. “I would wo...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Feb 7, 2012, 4:00 am
It was on this date eight years ago that this little blog began. I’ve talked a good bit lately about how it came into being. I was looking for an outlet where I could post a few short columns every now and then, something Andy Rooneyesque, but on a schedule that I could completely control. That ...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Feb 6, 2012, 1:07 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. I’ve worked in television now for more than twenty years, and it’s hard not to ...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Feb 5, 2012, 4:31 am
Thank you, Yahoo! Just when I was scrambling to come up with a decent topic for this week’s Sunday Seven, you came through with a feature on 8 Elevators You Have to See to Believe. Combine those offerings with the non-repeated ones in a list of The World’s Coolest Elevators, and you have plenty...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Feb 4, 2012, 2:00 pm
Two high profile stories have sparked an age-old debate about how to handle the topic of suicide. The first occurred on Wednesday — of all days, the first day of Black History Month — when news broke that Don Cornelius, creator of the legendary Soul Train, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Feb 4, 2012, 11:45 am
With tomorrow being Super Bowl Sunday, I figured I’d do a football-themed edition of the Saturday Six, which should be quite a challenge for me, since I’m not the biggest football fan in the world. But keep your fingers crossed, and we’ll get through it together! Be sure to check back this w...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Feb 1, 2012, 6:30 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. Nearing the end of a month’s worth of exercises to build a better blog, it’s t...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 31, 2012, 6:45 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. Should you be writing reviews on your blog? Today’s reading says they’re a grea...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 30, 2012, 11:07 pm
CBS Sports has terminated the sports writer who tweeted an erroneous story about the death of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. The organization was criticized after it reported Paterno’s death on the evening of January 22nd, based on a report published by Penn State’s student-run p...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 30, 2012, 7:00 am
UPDATE: Because this was still annoying me, I called the restaurant’s manager and asked about their pricing.  She gave me some interesting information, which I’ve added below. The other day, I dropped by a local Burger King for lunch. No, I realize that it isn’t exactly ideal diet food, than...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 30, 2012, 5:00 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. This blog began on the AOL Journals platform, which means that its address was comp...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 29, 2012, 3:30 pm
Back in the summer of 2010, I asked a question about dog breeds:  I wanted you to list the seven breeds of dogs you found easiest to identify.  For me, there’s no mistaking certain breeds of dogs:  a Collie, a German Shepherd, a Bulldog, a Cocker Spaniel. But even though some dog breeds are ea...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 28, 2012, 4:13 pm
This is going up a little later than expected, but I hope you’re all having a great weekend. This week, there’s no single theme, just a random set of questions. Maybe, in that case, the theme is “Potpourri.” In any case, thanks for dropping by and playing another edition! Be sure to chec...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 26, 2012, 6:33 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. Have you ever written a guest post? Or given blogging advice to a blogger who wan...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 25, 2012, 6:00 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. We’re now starting the last week of daily readings on improving your blog and I h...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 24, 2012, 6:45 am
Mitt Romney released tax information showing he will pay a total of $6.2 million on a total income of $45.2 million in 2010 and 2011. Math majors (and those who are quick on a calculator) who take the time to crunch all of the numbers will no doubt deduce that this amounts to 13.9% in taxes in 2010...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 24, 2012, 6:00 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. Years ago, one of the first television directors I worked with told a story about a...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 23, 2012, 1:18 am
The managing editor of a student-run online news organization serving Penn State, the professional home of retired football coach Joe Paterno, resigned Saturday night while apologizing for an erroneous report that Paterno had died earlier that evening. OnwardState.com reported the death of 85-year-...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 22, 2012, 3:53 pm
... ! THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Name seven movies you own whose titles begin with the same letter. Either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. Have an idea for a future question? Click “Contact” in the top nav-bar and email it to me...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 21, 2012, 4:06 pm
I realize that the economy is rough, and that for many, cutting corners has become a way of life. Today, when I voted in the South Carolina presidential primary, I received quite a surprise after casting my ballot, and that surprised served as a laughable reminder of cost-cutting. Normally, when y...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 21, 2012, 9:24 am
Here in South Carolina, this Saturday is Republican Primary day. It would be nice if there were real choices to select from, but I hear people on both sides saying that. But you can always count on the Saturday Six for the necessary diversion. This week, SOPA and PIPA, two proposed internet piracy...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 20, 2012, 9:40 pm
... the internet. Frankly, I was quickly turned off from the controversy because of all of ... many internet users: the authority to cut off these sites at the knees by ... opponents will come up with that are better than what the now-defeated laws ... to do. Protesting something without pro...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 19, 2012, 8:15 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. The next reading focuses on the importance of promoting each other in this vast blo...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 17, 2012, 8:34 am
In America’s ongoing effort to fatten herself up beyond description, we find an interesting story out of our nation’s capital, where the new mantra might be, “If you can’t come to the Whopper, the Whopper will come to you.” Burger King is experimenting with a home delivery service for cus...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 16, 2012, 11:00 am
There’s a new Cheerios coming to store shelves but some parents are worried about what it’ll mean to their children’s health. Some are so worried, in fact, that they’re suggesting a vow to not purchase any Cheerios product. So what’s the issue? Peanut butter. Peanut Butter Cheerios is t...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 16, 2012, 7:15 am
This post is part of my ongoing series based upon the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. To read all of my other posts on the subject, check out the 31DBBB category. For more on the book itself, visit ProBlogger. Yes, when I read “policy review,” my eyes immediately glazed over. But upon thi...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Jan 16, 2012, 4:46 am
This summer will mark five years since I’ve had to wear eyeglasses. I know what you’re thinking: “You must have had that Lasik thing, right?” Nope. Never gonna happen. There is no way I could possibly sit still — unless they completely put me under — knowing that a laser beam was cutti...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Nov 2, 2011, 11:09 pm
A California scientist says he can turn brown eyes blue. The experimental procedure involves a laser that destroys the natural brown pigment melanin in the iris, the ring-shaped, colored part of the eye. The color change then occurs gradually over a few weeks after the 20-second treatment. At leas...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Nov 2, 2011, 10:47 pm
There’s a sobering headline for you. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants pediatricians testing all teens routinely for the virus that causes AIDS in areas where a certain percentage of the population is HIV+. Of the million Americans living with HIV in 2006, apparently the last year that we...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Nov 1, 2011, 8:00 pm
Bank of America, recently listed among the 18 Most Hated Companies in America, has scrapped a planned $5 monthly fee for customers who wanted to use their debit cards for purchases. The banking giant says the decision was the result of listening to its customers “very closely over the last few we...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 30, 2011, 3:53 pm
Recently, several of my readers accused me of missing the point of the Occupy Wall Street movement. If they’re right, I can at least say that I’m not alone. Apparently some people who are directly involved with the movement seem to be missing at least one point of the movement themselves. Part...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 30, 2011, 12:26 pm
BusinessInsider.com recently published a list of the 18 Most Hated Companies in America. I don’t know why they chose a number like 18: as negative as people are these days, there were surely at least 20 that people really don’t like. But 18 is what they gave us, so 18 is what we’ll work with....
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 29, 2011, 7:33 pm
Not that I’m trying to connect this week’s set of questions to Halloween or anything, but death is the topic. What can I say? Every week can’t be all fun and cheery, right? Thanks for stopping by and playing along. And I hope you have a long, healthy life for your participation! Be sure t...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 28, 2011, 3:42 pm
The September 11th of the animal world. That’s how legendary animal lover and Columbus Zoo Director Emeritus Jack Hanna describes the massacre of dozens of exotic animals in Zanesville, Ohio. I had the honor of meeting Hanna when he stopped by my station’s newsroom to do live interviews via sa...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 26, 2011, 11:50 pm
Former 60 Minutes essayist Andy Rooney was hospitalized earlier this week for “serious complications” that developed following “minor surgery.” When I saw the mention of “minor surgery,” I chuckled. Even Rooney, if he was still doing his weekly commentaries, would scoff at anyone who ...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 25, 2011, 2:37 am
It’s a good thing that the murdered dictator of Libya will be buried in a secret location somewhere in the desert. There’s a good chance that will mean there’ll be no need for a headstone, so there’ll be no need to argue over the spelling of his name. Of course, I’m talking about Moammar ...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 24, 2011, 7:55 pm
Last week, I noticed a comment on the website of a Christian morning radio program, The Wally Show, that I listen to on my way to work. Here’s the comment: Wally, I love your show! 
I wanted it to ask you something about halloween. I hear you are promoting a contest for the cuties or best cost...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 23, 2011, 7:30 am
If you’re like me, you have a reasonable DVD collection. (Note that I said DVD, and not Blu-Ray. Sorry to disappoint all of the HD enthusiasts, but I don’t have an HD set in my house. All SD, all the time.) And I have no plans to go through the expense of swapping everything out for the “next...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 22, 2011, 2:49 am
Here’s a confession: I have posted the quiz that appears in this week’s set before. But it was way back in 2008, and most of you haven’t seen it before…so I am recycling it for this one occasion. Imitation being the highest form of flattery, I think it’s important to take the time to fl...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 20, 2011, 6:00 am
The CBS Eye made its debut sixty years ago today, becoming one of the world’s most recognized symbols and a case study in simple, yet powerful graphic design. On October 20, 1951, America saw the giant round eye for the first time on the CBS Television Network. Its designer, William Golden, a sta...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 19, 2011, 10:11 pm
They lived more than seven decades of their lives side by side. And they died the same way. Some stories are just so incredible and speak to such a strong power of love between two people that they are just meant to be shared. This is one of them. An Iowa couple married since 1939 — that’s 7...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 18, 2011, 6:00 pm
The print industry has it rough. The economy is forcing some people to cut subscriptions to save money. Production and transportation costs — not to mention postage — has been rising. The cost of doing business increases, while revenue and profit margin decreases. It doesn’t take a busine...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 17, 2011, 7:40 pm
I’ve been accused of missing the point of this whole “Occupy Wall Street” thing. And maybe I am. I posted on my Facebook page that something told me that if the people who were spending all their time at the tent city in protest of Corporate America would spend as much effort looking for a j...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 16, 2011, 5:00 am
Let’s say you and I were to meet up for dinner. I think it’s a safe bet that almost everyone who plays this, with the exception of only one or two people, have never had dinner with me, so this will have to be hypothetical. Could you think of seven questions you’d like to ask me? That’s the...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 15, 2011, 9:42 pm
It may be one of the most well-known charity marketing campaigns of all time, but not all patient advocates are thrilled with splashes of pink everywhere every October. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as you surely know by now. Patient advocates complain that Susan G. Komen For ...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 15, 2011, 5:31 pm
It’s time — actually, it’s a little past time — for a new round of questions. Scotty really wanted to go to the dog park today, so he hopes you’ll understand that this week’s set of questions are being posted a bit later in the day than normal! Thanks for playing! Be sure to check bac...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 14, 2011, 8:47 am
Did a television anchor use a form of the “N-word” in a report about Tiger Woods and a hot-dog wielding fan this past Monday? One angry viewer insists that she did. And a video of the alleged incident spawned a debate resulting in an on-air apology the following day, despite the fact that the a...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 13, 2011, 8:12 am
My pastor was talking about the biblical concept of tithing the other day and he said something I’ve never heard another church pastor say. It was so shocking in terms of how much sense it made, and it so embodied the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ that I felt the need to share it. Most of my li...
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Patrick Phillips posted an article on Patrick's Place - Oct 11, 2011, 6:52 pm
Gary Garcia says his son, former USC Quarterback Stephen Garcia, was thrown off the team for “having a couple of beers.” It sounds like an almost frivolous thing to say, but to his credit, he’s quick to point out the more important part of the story: his son violated an agreement he agreed no...
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