Elements of Journalism

I think one of the most important aspects of the second half of the Elements of Journalism lies in the sixth chapter. "They were putting new emphasis on the role of the press as activist, reformer, and exposer." This to me is the most important principal of journalism: Offering a voice to the voiceless, as the title of the chapter says.

Ever since the days of the pamphleteer in the colonies journalists have been integral in exposing injustices and righting wrongs of oppression. Stirring public opinion and even inciting revolt. While this is a responsibility that can and has been exploited by people the Hearst and Pulitzer, it can also be used, as it was in the days of the colonies, to escape tyranny. This principle is part of the reason why we have a first amendment. And how this chapter details how certain reporters are rewarded for their work and integrity of exposing wrongs and just giving the unheard a voice. The most famous and inspiring story of this nature has to be Woodward and Bernstein's exposition of the Nixon administration's illegal practices. They wrote something that needed to be written and shared and now have books published every couple years, and a movie made about them. I would kill to have Robert Redford play me even now, not to mention twenty five years ago! 

This book as a whole is very potent and offers many excellent guidelines to follow in being an ethical journalist, but I think this chapter is the most righteous and inspiring of the whole volume. It's very basic and pure and makes me proud to be in this class.

Person on the Street Revision

KING/Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo Electorate Discusses Hopes and Nerves 

by Colin King

KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- It seems the majority of people who frequent Kalamazoo College's Upjohn Library are nervous but hopeful about the upcoming 2008 presidential election. They focus on different individual issues and have different anxieties but the general sentiment is similar. 

"The biggest issue for me is alternative energy, and I believe that 'Drill, baby, drill' is disgustingly immature and I have much more confidence in the Democrats' plan for alternative fuel," said Joseph M. Malone, 19 from Grosse Ile, Mich. He said he was raised in a conservative household, but now is attending a very liberal college so he tries to e unbiased in his choice of a candidate. But not everybody shares his decisiveness.

I really don't like politics," said Haley M. Decker, 19 of Ann Arbor, Mich. "It's too much about personal gain and not about the greater good." This makes Decker skeptical of both parties and politicians in general.

"Right now the right and the far right are our two parties," Berkeley, Calif. native Kimberly H. Upstill, 20 said. While this is a common thought among students, the adults of the Upjohn Library seem far less concerned about the outcome and circumstance of this election.

"I'm not nervous. I know the polls aren't definitive but I don't think the Republicans can steal it this time," said Jeannie D. Sanders, 45, of Bangor, Mich. "Barack Obama represents the middle class. The majority needs to be heard."

This sort of optimism and idealism is not completely embraced by Sanders' contemporaries. Heather M. Garcia, 38 of Kalamazoo, Mich. maintained a healthy dose of skepticism of the political processes.

"I'm happy the polls look good, but I am nervous. In the past we have been sorely surprised."

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Crime Revision

KING/Arson

Suspects Responsible for Child's Death Apprehended in Mattawan

by Colin King

KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- Early Monday morning, a 3-year-old girl died of smoke inhalation from a fire started in her duplex that night. Two men carrying a canister were seen fleeing the burning building in the Oakwood neighborhood. Considering the rarity of fires in the area, police suspect foul play; the investigation was heightened when Smoky, the firedog, sniffed out an accelerant in the scorched edifice. The damage done is estimated by police to be about $25,000.

The two suspects were apprehended by Kalamazoo Police in Mattawan at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and found to be one Richard Blanchard, 32 and a 16-year-old, unidentified juvenile. Police believe Blanchard is the estranged boyfriend of LInda Galindo, the mother of the deceased and two other children who lived in the duplex. 

"We believe there is a nexus between him, her, and the fire," said Patricia Clarkson, a Lt. Detective of the Kalamazoo Police Department. Police referenced domestic disturbance calls concerning the couple.

The events of the fire are documented as follows: At the time of the fire, Galindo was outside the building, which was thought to be evacuated until screaming was heard from the second floor. Her children, who were trapped in the second story inferno were promptly rescued by firefighters Bryan Walshe of Company 2 and Edward Jones of Company 4. The dramatic rescue required their extracting the children through a hole they tore in the roof. When pressed about the children's condition, Fire Marshall Marty Myers said, "They looked O.K to me."

But at 2:30 a.m, the Galindo children arrived at Bronson Hospital. Terry, 8 and Julio, 5, were treated for abrasions and contusions, and were released at 10 a.m. 3-year-old Jessica died at 4:13 a.m. of complications due to smoke inhalation.

"We did all we could, but the damage had already been done," said Ramona Walla, Information Specialist at Bronson.

The Kalamazoo Bomb Squad and Arson Specialists are currently investigating the possibility of arson. "Arson is inconclusive at this point, but it's highly suspicious," said Clarkson. 

Police are also investigating a link between the Monroe fire and a fire on Adams Street last Tuesday. "As far as we know, there is no connection between the two fires," said Clarkson. The two suspects are being held at the courthouse awaiting arraignment at 8 a.m. on Ocotober 29.

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Article Analysis

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503EFDE123CF935A25753CIA96E9C8B63&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Again a very standard hard news lede, telling us how daring this Turkish writer was in condemning his country for its oppression of writers and journalists, as he has done in the past. The nut graf also tells us how big a deal it was considering who's company he was in when he blatantly denounced his government for its tyranny. The article goes on to say how the president followed his speech at the biggest event for writers, editors, and publishers of the year, and had nothing to say about the Nobel laureate's criticisms. 

The whole situation and outspokenness of this person is ridiculous. His stance is noble and he seems to get away with it due to the positive attention he brings to Turkish writers. He almost had criminal charges brought against him for "insulting Turkishness" in a 2005 interview when he criticized the government's history of genocide and human rights violations. Some people are still angry at him for this.

Really the article is kind of funny, seeing a high profile writer get in pseudo-trouble for criticizing his government that can't do anything to him that he's criticizing them for because he has too much attention and Turkey is trying to get into the EU. I thought it pertained to class as well. The kicker is a cop-out quote from the president ignoring all of the crap that he was talking right before him.

Obit Revision

KING/Navy

Navy Officer and Kalamazoo Resident Dies at 79.

by Colin King

KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- Jeffery R. Ahson, a decorated Navy officer, died in his home last night of complications involving emphysema. The 79-year-ld California native had lived in Kalamazoo for 62 years.

A Petty Officer on the USS Emory during the Battle of Midway in 1942, he dashed across the burning deck to rescue four injured comrades. He then took over as a gunner for the remainder of the battle, shooting down three enemy planes. For this he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart, and a promotion to Navy Ensign. After his recent death, Jeraldine Fyfe, Lieutenant Commander and Naval PR Officer acknowledged, "Ahson was a genuine American hero."

The war hero became a local hero when he moved to Kalamazoo in 1946 and became a 20-year firefighter. After retirement he became a car salesman at Don Seeley Ford on Stadium Drive. He remained a firefighting enthusiast, restoring an antique fire truck that is now on display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

Mr. Ahson was a member of the VFW post 4206, the American Legion post 702, the Elk's Lodge, the Checkers Association, Gideon's International, and was an unofficial usher at John Calvin Presbyterian.

Mr. Ahson leaves behind his wife Therese Alpert, three siblings: Henry Ahson of San Fransisco, Calif., Judith Eaker of Reidsville, N.C., and Shirley Solomon of Newark, N.J. Five grandchildren and five great grandchildren also survive him as well as his children Angela Molino of Omaha, Neb., Lela Stalling of Pike Creek, Texas, and Richard D. Ahson of Phillipsburg, Kan. 

The burial will take place after the service at Memorial Park Cemetary. Services will be held at LIttleton Mortuary at 10 a.m. on Saturday following two viewings, from 4-5:30 and from 7:30-9 p.m. on Friday. The family requests no flowers. 

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Article Analysis

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/science/eart/07mammal.html

The article starts out with a pretty standard lede, hard news, informative. Even though the quotes around 'extinction crisis' I think lessens the impact of what they are trying to convey: A sense of concern and remorse for these animals and their habitats. Especially that it focuses on mammals with which we can relate, and which we as humans find most cute and cuddly. 

The nut graf follows immediately in the second paragraph with a quote from the head of an international animal protection organization about humanity's direct impact on wildlife and their homes. The article goes on to detail the exact species that are most endangered including a cute wild kitty, and a bunny, even though certain elephants have been removed from the list.

It also talks about how new species have been found and some have been taken off the list, giving people who want to deny the declining animal count a way to refute it, which is obnoxious. Basically it is an article about something that we've been aware of for a long time, and it was buried past the international section and not many people will go out of their way to help raise the sloping amphibian numbers. It just makes us sad at this point and the kicker fizzles out just like our countries attention. 

Bomb Threat at CT Bank

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct/Press2008/20081016.html

I would like to interview the bank employees at the HSBC Bank on 101 Broad St. in Stamford, who were threatened by this person. Maybe the prosecutor Henry K. Kopel and defense Nora R. Dennehy to see if they think terrorist threats by a disgruntled white collar are worth all the trouble, even though I already know what their respective answers are.

crime article analysis

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-stabbing1021,0,3250720.story

This, like most local crime articles, is short and to the point. It gives us the blood we need to cleanse our daily palettes without any frilly moral or social contextualization. It is Baltimore, remember your alive while others were viciously killed on the same streets you walk, that's what this article tells us. We don't even know who this dude is! I think this is a very good example of the regular leading bleeding news. This is what happened, it's violent, feel how you like about it. 

Video Game as Learning Devices Ariticle Analysis

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/06/books/06games.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=using%20video%20games%20as%20bait%20to%20hook%20readers&st=cse&oref=slogin

This article pertains to the emerging phenomenon of using video games as teaching tools. It details how college professors, librarians, and high school teachers are using, or thinking about using, video games as a tool to more effectively teach reading, math, and even history.

This article is an example of hard news because it is reacting to a burgeoning educational practice, it is very pertinent and recent, and it's objective. The author, Motoko Rich, starts off with a lede about a writer who writes science fiction novels that seem to parallel video games in terms of structure and feeling. Rich then follows up with a nut graf about how this writer then made an online game that actually does parallel the story he was writing, thus finding a way to entice many teenage gamers in to reading. The body of the lengthy article is kind of in an ABAB format, inserting retorts against video games from professors of reading and even quotes from kids themselves that denote a disregard for reading no matter how infused with videogames it is. The ending doesn't particularly fizzle, it's a happy ending, in which video games do lead a child into reading Japanese graphic novels, so I guess that's a start.

VP Debates

Kalamazoo, Mich. -- The middle class or 'main street' viewers of the vice presidential debate last night were looked into the eyes, winked at, and otherwise implored to follow the particular candidate which was more in touch with the American majority. In spite of the artificial pandering to the bulk of voters, this debate was solid and revealed a clear winner. 

"This is the most important election you've ever voted on in your lifetime," said Joe Biden in his closing statement. This statement exemplifies the directness and encouragement that both candidates used to try to win over the middle class. Biden emphasized his ticket's plan to give the middle class tax relief. Palin did not answer the question she was asked in order to outline how much Biden's plan didn't help the middle class. He then defended his plan and the roles were reversed.

This was the structure of the debate, with the candidates going back and forth with accusations and defenses, wide smiles when one believed the other slipped up, and in between the bickering, they locked eyes with the camera and attempted to out-salt-of-the-earth each other. 

The debate over civil rights for homosexual couples was a high point, with Biden stressing his belief in freedom of religion and economic and civil equality. Palin retorted with the Biblical definition of marriage while emphasizing her diverse family and stating that she is, "Nothing but tolerant." After they had made their statements Gwen Ifill noticed certain similarities in what each candidate had said and she asked Governor Palin if she agreed with Senator Biden. Palin immediately responded with a yes.

Senator Biden was the victor this year, showing more knowledge of the questions and structure of the debate overall. Whereas Governor Palin spent most of the time backtracking and highlighting her outsider status.

Radar Guns Banned

Kalamazoo, Mich.-- Connecticut State Police have issued a ban on hand-held radar guns after evidence led officials to believe that the guns may cause cancer.

Two months before the ban three state policemen, after being diagnosed with cancer, filed worker's compensation suits citing radiation from the guns as the cause of their illness. As a result, 70 hand-held guns have been taken out of commission, although officers will still use radar guns mounted on their cars to catch speeders.

While a indisputable scientific link between radar guns and cancer is yet to be established, officials are confident with their decision on the ban. 

"The feeling here is to err on the side of caution until more is known about the issue," said state police official Adam Berluti. "The whole situation is under review."

Without Adjectives or Adverbs

In front of me is a plant. It is about five feet from where I sit on the couch. It sits in a pot made of clay that sits on a plate of the same material. The plate and the pot’s color is that of a brick that has aged somewhat, or a riverbed without the river.  In the pot is dirt whose color would camouflage itself in a night without the moon. The soil has rocks in it the size of an infant’s fingernail; they resemble pearls to an extent. The roots of the plant protrude from the soil, looking not unlike beef jerky if it was left underground for a day or two. The plant sprouts from the soil in five segments. Each segment’s base is about a nickel in diameter, each stands a good five inches in the air. Each segment divides into two or three stalks each supporting five or six leaves the size of the circle made by the thumb and index finger in an ‘A-OK’ gesture. Each leaf is similar in appearance to a silhouette of a cat’s face, with a whisker on each side, and points at the top for ears. 

Debate Lede

by Colin King

KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- After much speculation and uncertainty, Friday evening plays host to one of the most historic debates in presidential history, striking the spark that will spread into the 2008 presidential race.