I have been posting on YouTube's copyright issues and the company's aggressive drive in seeking out legitimate content. No doubt, YouTube must be feeling extremely pressured and vulnerable based on the actions of well-established players like Viacom. For those not in the know, YouTube was recently ordered by Viacom to remove 100,000 video clips of copyrighted material from its site.

Since then, announcements of content deals have been frequent with the latest report suggesting that Google and YouTube have now signed content deals with over 1,000 providers (large and small). Some of the larger providers I posted are  Wind-up Records, the NBA, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, CBS Corp., Warner Music Group Corp., NBC, the National Hockey League and the BBC.                           .

While it is hard to believe, YouTube's move to secure more professional legitimate content is drawing criticism of over-commercialization and alienation of the original users of the company's website. Do you agree with this assertion and how do you think the company's new model will affect the number of users who view and share videos on the its website on a daily basis? Please provide feedback to the Poll questions below.

I wrote a Blog piece recently suggesting that President George Bush would make a comeback before the end of his term in office. This is the article. I posted on Helium.com to see how the piece would fare.

Let's just say that there was overwhelming disagreement with my position. So much so, I have decided to do a Poll.

Here is my summarised take:

George Bush and the Republican Administration, without question, have some very challenging times ahead. The President's approval rating is way down and I don't think anyone could imagine the situation in Iraq being any worse.

However, I believe good leadership is about moments of crisis and the effectiveness of response. In this regard, no one, in my opinion, can question the effectiveness of the response and the quality of the leadership of George Bush and the Administration just after 9/11.

The big question today, however, has to do with how effectively the ongoing crisis, especially in Iraq, is being managed? I do believe, despite the “lame duck” status of Mr. Bush's Presidency and Democratic control of both Houses, that there is enough time left to implement meaningful strategies and for the Presidency to make a comeback.

Also, let us not forget the hate-filled terrorists who are plotting and scheming with great determination to heighten this crisis unlike we could ever imagine. George Bush and the Republicans demonstrated great resolve after 9/11 and despite the current unease, I don't think the world would expect any less should the unthinkable happen again.