From wiseass.org via PR Thoughts, here’s the perfect way to deflect spin and punditry, no matter the source: your own BS Protector!

The story behind the BS Protector is here, and the free download is here.

Despite the source of this download, Media Orchard is NOT making a political statement! BS Protectors work equally well against Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Communists, Fascists, Terrorists, Neo-Cons, Neo-Isolationists, Neo-Nazis, Neo-Marxians, Whigs, Know-Nothings, Bull-Moosers, Fundamentalists, Secular Humanists, Zoroasterians, Socialists, Utopians, Cold War Nostalgists, Social Conservatives, Fiscal Conservatives, Segregationists, Northeastern Liberal Elitists, People Who Still Think Unions Work, Hollywood Liberals, Wild-Eyed Liberals, Bleeding Heart Liberals, Really Loud People, the FOX News Channel and Ralph Nader…

As well as bombastic flacks and pundits — of course.

Adweek reports that another interactive agency, Ripple Effects Interactive, has launched a “blog relations” practice.

“We’re trying to create buzz on the Internet for our clients,” said David Gong, head of the Ripple Effects group. “Given the explosive nature of blogs, message boards and social media, we feel this is a great time for agencies to leverage them.”

Of course, blog relations is a far more natural offering for public relations agencies — but blogs are hot, so everyone and his brother is trying to cash in. And public relations firms have not, to date, distinguished themselves with their efforts in this arena.

As Reuters reports, “He went to prison for fraud and was ordered by the U.S. government to stop touting health products on infomercials, but Kevin Trudeau’s book “Natural Cures ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About” is a bestseller.”

Why?

The reason has less to do with Trudeau’s credibility — he has none — and more to do with the rigid public posture that the medical establishment has often taken toward alternative, complementary and holistic approaches to maintaining health and curing disease.

The reality is, we’ve evolved a system where doctors prescribe pills and cut into our bodies to treat our symptoms rather than the underlying causes, and where preventative healthcare is not prioritized. The result: a 25 percent U.S. obesity rate, along with increases in the rates of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Statisticians predict that our expected lifespans will soon decrease for the first time in U.S. history because of this crisis.

Just as food companies like McDonald’s are gradually jumping on the healthy-food bandwagon under public pressure and the threat of lawsuits, so the medical establishment — from the FDA to individual healthcare practitioners — must recognize that a greater emphasis on diet and nutrition is more critical than any new drug or surgical remedy.

And that means doctors like New Hampshire’s Terry Bennett – who bluntly told his female patient that she was obese and needed to lose weight, and was censured as a result — should be considered heroes. Until that happens, the Kevin Trudeaus of the world will continue to rake in the bucks.

One organization’s PR disaster is another’s PR bonanza.

That’s what the Florida Marlins are learning after their ill-advised decision to suspend one of their batboys for six games after he agreed to drink a gallon of milk in less than an hour at the behest of pitcher Brad Penny.

The silly suspension has turned into a PR black eye for the Marlins on Florida talk radio and in the papers. And PR-savvy organizations have stepped in to pick up the pieces.

As ESPN.com reports, “The Milk Processor Education Program is offering the batboy $500, the original prize of (Penny’s) dare, along with any lost wages from the suspension as long as he promises to drink the recommended three glasses of milk a day (just not all in one sitting).

“In addition, the Fort Myers Miracle, the Minnesota Twins’ Single-A affiliate in the Florida State League, have offered him an honorary batboy position during their game Monday night against the Tampa Yankees. All kids 14 and under will receive a pint of milk upon entering the stadium. The Miracle will also have a cow at the front gates and literature will be passed out on the importance of drinking milk. Empty milk cartons will be placed around the ballpark, so fans can donate money to the out-of-work batboy.”

Marlins’ note to self: Oops.

In my post, “The Case Against Morally Superior Journalists,” I pointed out that some journalists look down at PR practitioners. I then attempted to make the case that all people, in all professions, have to make difficult moral and ethical choices from time to time — and that PR people are not, as a class, morally inferior to journalists.

In the course of my argument, I offended some journalists with my candor about a few of the common practices in journalism, and my discomfort with these practices. I did not add (because I did not think I needed to) that PR people have to make difficult choices of their own — and that there are many common practices in public relations that I am personally uncomfortable with. I write about these practices frequently in this blog.

In my own experience as a PR practitioner, I have quit assignments, and one job, because of ethical concerns. The PR world is far from perfect, and I have been forced to make difficult choices in this business any number of times. In the end, though, this profession suits me better.

Oh, yeah: Why I Love Journalists.

I love journalists because they do extremely important work. I have been addicted to newspapers since I was a child, I read a dozen magazines every month, and I watch news — even infuriating 24 hour cable news — more than anything on TV except my beloved Dallas Mavericks and Miami Dolphins.

I guess it’s worth pointing out (as if I needed to) that without the fourth estate of journalism, our democracy could not function.

I also love that journalists are extremely passionate about what they do — and about defending their profession from insult, real and perceived.

OK…are we even now?? Yeesh!