Agreeing to Disagree

In the article, Iran Vows to Expand its Nuclear Program by Thomas Erdbrink of The Post, reports Iran's intentions to build 10 more nuclear enrichment plants. Enrichment plants are used to increase to amount of radioactive material. Iran has never followed the rules of nuclear conduct laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the UN security council. Some Iranian parliamentary officials feel that Iran has been more than cooperative and should instead cut international discussions on the subject. However, this is unlikely. By increasing nuclear enrichment plants, there are growing fears that Iran will not use their uranium exclusively for nuclear energy. It could possibly be used for production of nuclear weapons. Even though President Ahmadinejad said he would dramatically increase nuclear power output, the claim is hard to believe. Iran has never been completely successful at developing their nuclear program. Construction for the Natanz nuclear program began eight years ago, but the plant has yet to be operational. All-in-all with Iran pushing for less restriction and Western powers pushing for more conformity, the two sides can only compromise at the moment.

The Article was very well reported and had an elegant flow that allowed the story to grow and progress. It was a nice touch by Erdbrink to end the story one compromise. It was a nice way to look at an alternate perspective to the story that was mainly focused on the disagreements of the two sides. The Lead was very clear and to-the-point; it also included the possible repercussions of this new development.

MJ Frenzy Spreading

In an earlier entry, I discussed an article about the booming California cannabis dispensaries. California is the leading state for legal Cannabis growth and distribution. In the article, At This School, It's Marijuana in Every Class by Tamar Lewin of the NY Times, marijuanna is seen as a possible solution to Michigan's economic depression. With distribution and growth now legal in the state, one developing school is taking full advantage of the situation. Of course there are limits to the state's flexibility. For example, one must be a certified recipient for medical marijuana and have designated provider. The school has been educating a very diverse group of people from various backgrounds on the science behind cannabis growth and preparation. This school is meant to produce a group of people who are capable of distributing Cannabis in a proper way. The school itself isn't any Harvard. In fact, it is limited to a few suburban houses, but the concept is intriguing to many people.

The article was decently written. The lead was catchy and entertaining while still fulfilling its informative purpose. The body contained sufficient detail about the school itself. However, there should have been more detail on the future of the school. How is enrollment? Will it be expanding? The ending was very rough. The last sentence was a quote by a student who said,"...And then I suddenly thought, hey, I really am going to grow medical marijuana.” Wow. Did the student give this statement stoned? The story wasn't very professional and the idea of the school didn't seem to be taken too seriously by the reporter.

Eye-opening story, but mediocre reporting

The article, Trying to Explain a Drop in Infant Mortality by Erik Eckholm of the NY Times, explains the very interesting distribution of infant mortality rates with respect to maternal happiness as the baby is developing. Eckholm gives us the story of Ta-Shai Pendleton's two unfortunate infant deaths while living in a very poor region of Madison, Wisconsin. The story then develops as she moves to a better community in Madison and finally gives birth to a healthy baby girl. Her story heartwarming, but it is not uncommon, especially in the poorer black counties that have a higher infant mortality rate per thousand compared to the white community. Doctors are not entirely sure what effect that environment has on the developing fetus, but they do believe it is connected to the happiness and well-being of the mother. There are greater physical stresses that pregnant mothers have to deal with in the poorer counties. This in turn affects the developing baby. Members of the community, like visiting nurses and supportive church groups, that help pregnant mothers in tough situations may be increasing the babies survivability by aiding the mother.

The article as a whole was okay. I found the topic interesting, not very surprising , but interesting. I think that Eckholm did not report the story as firmly as he should. I'm not saying that he should completely proclaim that babies are dying because mothers are in stressful situations, but he should recognize that there is a connection and there are statistics and examples to support the argument. Of course there are exceptions, but they shouldn't overpower the overall story.

Gun Violence Escalating?

Gun violence seems to be popping up in the news more and more. In an article out of the NY Times, four police officers were ambushed while eating at a coffee shop near Tacoma, Washington. This was very surprising in an area that is usually characterized by its low crime rate. In fact, the organized police squad in the area is only about a decade old. This development is still very new and the suspect(s) have not been taken into custody. Officially, the reason for the ambush hasn't been confirmed, but some officers are already saying that the attack was an act of revenge. No other comment was given as to what the suspects were avenging. Although the four officers were shot and killed, three men and a woman were also hit, but they survived the ordeal. After the attack, the suspect fled on foot and officers are continuing their search for him.

The article was very straightforward, but as I mentioned before, it did not include a reason for why anyone would need an act of revenge. I am going to assume that this information was not disclosed by the police as it pertains to an open investigation. The Lead was strong and catchy. Nothing grabs attention better than a good revenge/ambush story and it was a good move to include this motive in the opening statement. The reporters that covered the story, William Yardley and Joseph Berger, should have also mentioned something about the other instances of gun violence in recent history.

Umm...what's your point?

The European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN as it is more commonly known, is one of the most foremost scientific centers in the world. It is also the home to the largest piece of scientific equipment on the planet, the Large Hadron Collider. The purpose of the Collider is evident in its name. It sends protons through a 17-mile proton racetrack in the hopes that a pair will eventually collide. According to the article, A Blast at Last at Particle Collider in the NY Times, scientists finally were able to see the product of their investment. The particle collider actually collided protons. The Hadron Collider was always operational, but never before had scientists actually succeeded in colliding protons. The collisions occurred only three days after sending the protons through the Collider. Scientists toasted this speedy development with champagne. It was originally anticipated to take much longer than three days. Proton collisions occurred immediately following the Big Bang.

This article summarized a very scientific process excellently, but what it failed to mention is THE POINT. Why should people care about this study? The article did allude to the Big Bang and how particle collisions were an immediate product of the Big Bang, but it failed to mention the importance. Off the top of my head, I would assume that creationism would be a big issue. How do you make life? There is so much to know based on the products of this study and the article completely missed it.

Good Article, but why the specific focus?

With the Fort Hood Massacre still present in many people's minds, it almost seems like these deadly outbursts by individuals are spreading to the most remote regions of the country. In the article, Police Identify Gunman in Deadly Saipan Rampage in the NY Times, a Chinese national recently killed and injured men, women, and children on the small island of Saipan. The man has been identified as Li Zhongren, an immigrant that lived and worked in a shooting range. In the massacre, two adults and two children were killed, one girl was critically injured, and within the group of Korean tourists that he also fired at, eight were wounded. Zhongren then turned the gun on himself. He was found at a WWII memorial site, by the cliff line where Japanese soldiers committed suicide to evade capture by American soldiers. Police are still investigating, but they believe Zhongeren's outburst was due to personal and financial

difficulties.

The article was very straightforward. For a follow-up article, the lead was strong and concise. This article is a good example of the international cooperation required to attain a story like this. There were contributing reporters from Honolulu, Korea, and Saipan. All their information combined was necessary to get this story. However, I did have one problem with the article. Towards the end, the story seemed to focus on one particular person, but his story was thrown in after a good concluding statement. If it were up to me, I don't think I would include any portion about one particular person. Although he was critically injured, there were others hurt in the incident as well, and the people that were killed seemed to be lumped together.

Semi-Right, Semi-Wrong

Many economists gave the stimulus package wary looks. There was opposition from many republicans who questioned whether infusing the economy with a jolt of cash would spur it from its demise. Although the US economy isn't exactly the gold standard it once was, it is better off than it would have been had the stimulus package not been introduced. According to the article New Consensus Sees Stimulus Package as a Worthy Step by Jackie Calmes and Michael Cooper of the NY Times, unemployment still remains high, higher than the Obama administration originally predicted, but in the big picture the economy is growing. Many analysts actually believe that the package may have been too small. The Obama administration's biggest mistake was probably overestimating the extent of economic development. Their original optimism is probably the source of why so many cannot see the improvement. Nevertheless, it is working to an extent.

The article was very well written and excellently cited. It included sources by Harvard economists, contributors to financial magazines, and by the group responsible for announcing whether the recession is over or not. It was thorough, and gave insight for both sides of the story. Calmes and Cooper used the lead to ease into the story. It was a good way to present two sides of the story- the side for adding more money to the package and the side against the stimulus package altogether. However, it took time to get to the actual focus of the article- that the stimulus package is working. The focus is the important part; the rest we have all heard in countless other articles in countless other papers.

Drama on the UCs

The Board of Regents recently hiked student fees by 35% reports Larry Gordon and Amina Khan of the LA Times. In the article, the Board of Regents made the approval amidst student protests outside the building and around the UCLA campus. The Board of Regents urges the students to not be too downcast about the situation. They want them to turn to financial aid, but the students are far from satisfied. Many fear they will either have to drop out of school or transfer to a community college. Student protestors locked themselves inside a UCLA classroom during the Regent meeting. However, the decision passed with only one veto by a student representative on the board. Once the decision was made, students and UC employees alike began shouting, "Shame on you! Shame on you!" No arrests were made, but the situation is still developing.

The current US economy is weak and this is pouring over into education. I monitored this story all day and waited to see the reaction of the students. I feel that it is only a matter of time before something gets out of hand, because no one wants to quit and transfer out after giving hours to a school that now doesn't seem to reciprocate your dedication. I am obviously biased on this whole situation. As a reporter, I would have to spend a lot more time interviewing members of the board of regents if I wish to even come close to producing a neutral story. The article did seem weighted towards the students, but as the situation develops I expect there will be more formal statements by the board.

The Boy Shooter

In a world where even the mention of child soldiers is completely radical, there is Carvett Gentles. In the article, A Bullet takes a Toll in the Bronx by Al Baker of the NY Times, the 16-year old, baby-faced shooter took down Tyrone Creighton and Vada Vasquez in the Bronx, NY, in what is believed to be a revenge attack meant to target Creighton. Vasquez was just caught in the crossfire, but is now in a medically induced coma after being struck by a bullet in the head. Gentles was with a group of other young men, and it is suspected that he did the shooting, because he lacked any prior convictions. The reasons for the shooting are not entirely clear, but it is known that Creighton's two brothers are inmates at Riker's Island. The two were involved in a fight that left an unknown individual badly beaten. This may have been retaliation for that event.

The article was pretty straightforward. However, many important facts are missing from the story. Baker seemed to focus more on Vasquez than on Creighton. In fact, no specific names were mentioned in the Riker's island fight which was most likely the cause of this whole situation. The article was an excellent expose on gun violence and the effect that it could have on innocent bystanders.

Wanders a bit, but not bad

In today's technologically connected world, it is hard to find a newspaper that only covers local news. Journalism becomes rigid and stale if it only comes from one source. In order to connect the global community, international stories must be as available as local stories. In the article, In Sri Lankan Politics, not even an opposition astrologer is safe by Emily Wax of the Washington Post, Sri Lankan officials prosecuted an astrologer for predicting the death of the president. This may seem bizarre to Americans, but astrologers are regarded with high esteem in Sri Lanka. Not many important decisions are made without their consultation. Chandrasiri Bandara made the prediction and now predicts his own death approaching before the year 2012. Bandara is the nation's most popular astrologer and his prediction could be the equivalent of inciting a riot. The Sri Lankan government fears that bad things are more likely to happen because he has put the idea out there. Wax used this article to discuss Bandara, but also seemed to put heavy focus on Sri Lankan politics. After the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, a Sri Lankan terrorist group, President Rajapaksa has been accused of many things including: corruption, nepotism, and imposing a dictatorship. The only man right now capable of opposing Rajapaksa is Gen. Sarath Fonseka, who led the armies against the Tamil Tigers. The nation is split and every voice, especially those of astrologers, is heavily scrutinized by the Sri Lankan people and their government.

I like how Wax used the current state of the Sri Lankan government to supplement the astrologer story, but I do not like that the politics took away from the story. If Wax really wanted to talk about the sensitivity of the Sri Lankan government, she needed to portray that better in the lead. Wax then could have used the astrologer story to supplement the report. I suppose the title may not have been as catchy, but I think it is better than diverting half the article away from the highlighted story and into a seemingly separate issue.

Bringing the Law to the People

In the article, New Law to Bar Misuse of Genetic Testing By Employers by Steven Greenhouse of the NY Times, a law passed last year is going into effect this year. The law mandates that no employer or insurer is allowed to request a Genetic History report from its employees for risk of discrimination against that employee. Similar to the way you can't discriminate against a race or gender, this new law seeks to prevent employers and insurers from denying employment and/or coverage. There are of course exceptions to the law; for instance, if an employer accidentally finds out or if the employee has been missing work to tend to an ailing relative.

While reading this article, it got me thinking about the importance of journalism. How would I have otherwise found out about this new law if I hadn't read the article? I most likely would not have known if an employer or insurer discriminated against my genetic background. Journalism is an advocate for the people. It educates people about the world around them so they are better able to see the injustices around them. The overall structure of the article was well put together and coming from someone who isn't particularly well versed in all things political, I actually understood the law and the reasons behind its implementation. It was an informative read and I am interested in knowing how employers/insurers will try to get around it and how employees will try to abuse it.

Very Informative, Insight into the difficulties of Foreign Relations

In the past few years, US foreign relations with Japan haven't exactly been great. In the article, Obama agrees to Talks on Location of Marine Base in Japan by Helene Cooper and Martin Fackler, Obama and Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan have re-opened the discussion to relocate the naval base in Okinawa to a less populated region or out of the country all together. The subject was a very sensitive issue after Robert M. Gates, US defense secretary, had closed off negotiations a month earlier. If the base is relocated, marines may be moved out of Japan as well. While running for prime minister, one of Hatoyama's campaign promises was to negotiate to have the base removed entirely. The base is not a popular Okinawan feature especially after 3 service men raped a 12-year old girl in 2005. The likeliness of the negotiations actually succeeding seem unlikely, but the underlying message to the article is that US/Japan relations are changing.

The article was a great analysis of the changing relationship between two countries that have a mutual dependence on each other. By highlighting one aspect that builds tension between the two, it gives way for analysis of the relationship as a whole. The lead wasn't too wordy and summarized the vital information of the story.

Stifle Journalism and Journalism will stifle you

You would think that someone who was appointed to uphold are constitutional rights would be more mindful of his actions. The article, From Justice Kennedy, a Lesson in Journalism by Adam Liptak of the NY Times, reports on the visit of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy to Dalton High School in Manhattan. This may seem innocent enough. It shows he's a man interested in educating the future generations on the importance of democracy and the law. However, the really shocking aspect of his visit is what came after it. He requested that he look over any article published about his visit so that it could be modified if needed. It was reported that his staff may have been to blame. No one, himself included, wanted anything published that would misinterpret his message. The school's officials didn't seem to be particularly concerned about the matter.

The article was well-written and covered all the basis with interesting input by members of the school administration. It was on an interesting topic that needs to be evaluated. Whenever a public official violates the freedoms of the people, It is the responsibility of the press to point it out, no matter how small the issue. However, the article needs commentary from Justice Kennedy and his staff. If there is an explanation for his actions, both sides of the story need to be covered.

Intriguing Article with Food for Thought

The article, Power Begins to Return After Blackout in Brazil by the associated press, recounts the blackout of a sizable chunk of Brazil and all of Paraguay. The cause of the blackout was never officially confirmed, but experts suggest that a storm may have caused a short circuit in an electrical station that controls power for the Itaipu hydro plant. The power in Parahuay was only knocked out for 20 minutes, but no notice was immediately given to the people of Brazil about when the power would return. Most citizens interviewed did not seem particularly concerned about the blackout. Many drank beers and waited it out. However, serious questions are being raised about Brazil which currently stands to host the world cup in 2010 and the 2012 Olympics.

The article was decent and it was interesting. It was bit anti-climactic, even the lead seemed to down-play the severity of the situation. It should not have mentioned the 20-minute blackout in Paraguay until later in the article. It also should have grouped the possible reasons for the blackout instead of scattering them between paragraphs. The article does succeed in generating reader questions. Will Brazil pull itself together in time for the World Cup, and even more importantly, for the Olympics? The article leaves us on a suspenseful note which foster interest in the subject.

Good Article but Wanders Toward the End

Leave it to a Wellesley woman to blog about all articles about female empowerment. In the article, Women Ascend to Iraq's Elite Police Officer Corps by John Leland of the NY Times, 50 women graduated from Iraq's elite officer police academy. This is a huge step for Iraqi women, who had only been able to secure low level police jobs in the past. The officers were said to be given equal treatment as the men. However, they did not train with them. They also were not given residence on the academy. Some had to commute as early as 4am to attend. Members of the class only had positive comments about their enrollment. No one seems to be to phased by the threats they occasionally received from members of the community who disapprove of female officers. The class was mostly men, totaling about 1,050, but Colonel Twitchell of the US army says that 100 more women will be enrolled in the upcoming class.

The article was fairly strong. The lead was captivating and almost emotional. There was adequate coverage on the conditions the women were subjected to as opposed to the men. However, I would have like to see a little more explanation as to why 1) they weren't given residence on the base 2) why they decided to allow women to enroll in the academy this year as opposed to previous years. The ending was also very weak. It seemed like Leland had run out of things to say and decided instead to stick-in the number of U.S. deaths over the past 3 years to fill the article. It was very random, especially since the article isn't even about the US army.

A Standard News Story

News doesn't have to be completely groundbreaking; sometimes it's just a matter of getting on the T. In the article, Woman Survives Fall into Train Pit at North Station by John M. Guilfoil of the Boston Globe the story basically described one woman's tumble onto the subway tracks at North Station. The woman was intoxicated after a Celtics game and she was about to board the T. She fell onto the tracks, somehow avoided the electric third rail, and was almost hit by the subway. Lucky for her, fellow passengers on the subway signaled the driver to stop before it entered the station. The train actually stopped right on top of her.

It may not be a story about Obama approving a health care bill or about a massive deployment of troops to Iraq, but it is a story nonetheless. It is only a local story and probably won't make it on CNN or Fox News, but it is raw and dramatic. The story also has a happy ending which I feel is a rare sight in today's world. The structure couldn't be simpler. Guilfoil told the reader exactly what happened in the lead and omitted minor details about the Celtics game and the third rail for later in the article. He sorted his details by importance and came out with a very straightforward article.

The Post vs. The Times Round 2: Army Base Rampage

Fort Hood near Killen, Texas came under fire yesterday afternoon, but not by any foreign enemy or terrorism group. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, opened fire on base, killed 12, and wounded 31. A female police officer was the first to exchange fire with Hasan, who was shot four times. The officer was shot herself, but both survived and are in stable condition. Hasan was apparently angry that he was being deployed to the middle east; he holds strong objections to US presence in Iraq. Obama extended his condolences to the families of those killed. People lined up outside of the hospital to donate blood to the victims of the rampage. Both papers felt it necessary to mention that Hasan hails from Virginia, but only the Post mentioned he graduated from Virginia Tech. I'm not too sure that move was in the best taste. The Post also mentioned the incredible pressure that soldiers are under and mentioned suicide statistics for Fort Hood.

Overall, I believe the Post covered the story much better than the Times. The Times seemed to be focused on tugging at people's heart strings rather than reporting the news. A lot of attention was paid to the condolences extended by the president and it reported more on the background of Hasan. This was a nice move, because it allowed the Muslim community to express their opinion on the subject which helps to some what alleviate the tension on this very sensitive situation.

I wonder how he got this story...

In the article, Nation is Facing Vaccine Shortage for Seasonal Flu by Donald G. McNeil of the NY Times, McNeil reports on the shortage of vaccines in the midst of this flu scare. Drug manufacturers have been growing vaccines and more are expected to be shipped in November. However, the amount of flu vaccines administered have increased by more than 33% compared with the amount distributed last year. There is a serious risk of running out and in places like New York, some clinics and hospitals are actually not administering vaccines to healthy people 65 and younger. The American people are being vaccinated for both swine flu and the seasonal flu, but supplies still need to be distributed globally. It is likely that poor countries will only get about 10% of the vaccine stock. Manufacturing flu vaccines have always been a debatable topic for drug manufacturers. The vaccines are not only more expensive to produce but they are also harder to make than other drugs. Vaccines also expire after shorter periods of time. All in all, the problems with continually producing vaccines out-weigh the benefits.

The article was a good starting point for more articles. I want to see how charitable drug companies are being to countries that can't afford to pay for the vaccines. I have been thinking of ways that McNeil could have stumbled upon this story. I would like to think that maybe he was one of those denied a vaccine in NY. This brings me to the topic of finding stories to write about. Its difficult to find an original story that people want to read, because reporters could be fishing for a story that doesn't exist. Overall, the lead was strong and the sources were credible enough to spark my concern.

Gave some of the Facts

The article, With Karzai, U.S. Faces Weak Partner in Time of War in the NY Times, was an interesting article that not only reported on the recent drop-out of Abdullah Abdullah in Afghanistan's run-off election, but also tied in important facts about the progress of the war in Afghanistan. The election was a crucial component in establishing a legitimate government in Afghanistan that the people respect. A respected government faces a smaller chance of its citizen's rebelling or turning over to the Taliban. However, Karzai, the victor of the election, did not always demonstrate the best campaign etiquette which gets his presidency off to a bad start. Now, America has to some how work with Karzai, because the election really was a product of making Afghanistan a democratic state. The Obama administration hopes that Karzai finds a way to rally his people behind him. If he is able to do this, maybe some day soon the Afghan army will be strong enough to handle the Taliban without U.S. help and corruption will cease to be so commonplace in the government.

The article does do a lot of speculation. It makes me hopeful that the US will one day come out of this war because the overall plan of the Obama administration does sound convincing. The article should have discussed the process required to reducing corruption and increasing the Afghan government's standing. The article supplied me with necessary facts about the current state of the US occupation and it did sort of mention the change in leadership style expected of Karzai, but once again no real details were given. The facts were there, but the whole story wasn't nearly close to complete.

Caught in the Middle

"Life is very difficult," said one Indian villager, and indeed it does seem like the country has been divided into two parts according to the article Maoist Rebels Widen Deadly Reach Across India by Jim Yardley of the NY Times. What started out as a minor nuisance to the Indian government has grown into an organization that now controls hundreds of miles of 'liberated' land within the borders of India. Maoist separatists have become displeased with some of the government's actions. They believe that they are overlooking the people of the less developed rural area and only have eyes for the regions rich iron deposits. The government views the Maoist uprising as a radical group that is murderous. There have been talks of a peace negotiation, but with pressure to develop Maoist land and mounting attacks on police officers near the 'liberated' land, things will most likely get worse before they get better.

This article was captivating and informative. It really did convey a caught-in-the-middle attitude and this strengthened the story. The story did not just report from the Indian government's point of view; in fact, I actually felt sympathy for the Maoists at times. I did like the fact that villager commentary on the incident was included. These individual opinions emphasized the underlying message of the article: that innocent civilians are once again caught in the middle of a dispute and once again can do nothing about it other than wait and see who comes out  on top.

A Must-Read Story with Decent Reporting

In a world where age may or may not be a factor in intimate relationships, society is forced to ask themselves how old is too old and how young is too young. BBC news recently reported the story, Somali man,'112', weds girl, 17. With hundreds in attendance, the question of age was the hot topic at the wedding. There were mixed feelings about the unlikely couple even in an Islamic state where it is customary to take multiple wives of various ages. Ahmed Muhamed Dore is 112 and has married 5 women before. Three of these wives are deceased. His eldest son is 80 and Safia Abdulleh is young enough to be his great great grandchild. However, none of this seems to matter to the couple and all these factors don't seem to be a serious enough reason for the two not to wed. Neither of their families has publicly opposed the marriage and the brides family insists that Safia is "happy with her new husband."

The story was excellent. The title alone was a jaw-dropper, but the reporting was barely good enough. There should have been more statements by the bride, her family and the groom's family. No specific names were given, which made it difficult to fully assess the situation. It would have also been nice to know the details of the courtship. It was mentioned in passing but no details were given. In addition, the reporter never verified Mr. Dore's age. The only real evidence of his age is a birth certificate written on a piece of goat skin.

Good Reporting, but it seems Ironic

In the article, U.S. Quietly Speeds Aid for Pakistani Drives on Taliban by Eric Schmitt of the NY Times, basically shines a light on the true Pakistan/US military relationship. The US has made no secret of its military aid for the Pakistani military, but the real spin on the story is that the Pakistani government would rather not publicize the US aid it receives. Pakistani sentiments have been generally sour towards the US and the heads of the Pakistani military would like the army to be viewed as a formidable force rather than a child in the shadow of the US military. Schmitt noted that the US has been supplying the Pakistani government with a wide range of military equipment. The Pakistanis asked that the military equipment be delivered with a little more speed which Obama felt obliged to do.

The article did seem a little weighted in US favor. The Pakistanis came off more as hypocritical. Schmitt did include the facts, but he should have emphasized the reasons for not wanting US aid to be publicized. These reasons seem far more significant than how fast they want their delivery, because Pakistan was portrayed as a needy child. Schmitt did excellent reporting, but it was clearly weighted in favor of America.

But he's so lovable...

In the article Janitor Arrested in Killing of Priest in New Jersey by Nate Schweber of the NY Times, a church janitor stabbed Rev. Edward Hinds to death in the kitchen of the church's rectory. The janitor and the catholic priest were apparently having an argument until the janitor, Jose Feliciano, 64, pulled a knife of the priest. After killing him, Feliciano cleaned up the scene and took the priest's phone that Hinds used to call 911 before he died. The Emergency call center returned the call after it was disconnected, but unfortunately it was Feliciano who answered. The phone was later tracked by the police to Feliciano's residence. The interesting thing about this article is that it was constructed from a very interesting angle. People and journalists tend to lean and report to the side that generates the most sympathy, but Schweber chose to include a lot of statements that described Feliciano as a 'kind man.'

I'm pretty sure that Schweber meant to describe a scene where the most unsuspecting figure was the bad guy, but it didn't really come off like that at times. In fact, I actually felt sorry for Feliciano at certain points. I say 'at certain points,' because when Schweber describes Feliciano during the cover-up, he sounds maniacal. This is quickly overshadowed by ideas of a mentally ill Feliciano which was never confirmed yet Schweber decided to include it anyway.

Seems similar to Hearst

Warren Buffett is one of the most infamous investors in the history of US finance. The article, From U.S. to Africa, With a Fortune and a Tractor by Celia W. Dugger of the NY Times, delves into the life of one of the heir's to the Buffett fortune, Howard G. Buffett. His story is unlike William Hearst in that he has yet to completely step out from his father's immense shadow. He is known mainly by his philanthropy, which his parents have fostered since his youth. Howard Buffett's generosity transcends borders; he has donated generously to animal conservation, in particular with the rehabilitation of the cheetah population. He now plans to switch his focus to the rehabilitation of the human population in Africa by selling his animal reserve in South Africa.

Dugger's article does not exactly glorify Howard Buffett, but it definitely plays on the casual style of life that Buffett chooses to live. The casual conversation that Dugger's includes in the article highlights this Buffett's nonchalant attitude. A lot of detail was included about Buffett's tractor that he seems so proud of, and this only further reinforces the image that Dugger wishes to portray. Dugger's lead was very interestingly constructed; it began with one of Buffett's down-to-earth comments and by including the details about Buffett's old Land Cruiser, it painted a very interesting portrait of this rich philanthropist.

What should he do?!

In the article, NATO Defense Ministers Endorse Wider Afghan Effort by Thom Shanker of the NY Times, NATO is pushing toward increasing troop presence in Afghanistan. This recent development is due in large part to General McChrystal's proposal to the President Obama. McChrystal has been advising the president on matters pertaining to Afghanistan and he suggests that greater troop presence is needed to combat the resilient insurgencies. If Obama acts on this suggestion, he will be labeled as a liar and a hypocrite in the eyes of skeptics who always doubted his proclamations that he would pull America out of the war in the middle east, but more lives could be lost if he does not head the General's advise. NATO has stated that in no way should Obama feel pressured to increase US presence in Afghanistan just because they choose to do so, but it is far too late for censors on the matter. In the next coming weeks, Obama will be making one of the most defining decisions in his presidential career and NATO's actions aren't making his decision any easier.

The article was informative and very straightforward. It was a far from dry though. There was plenty of drama in the story itself. Once Shanker had compiled his research, he used a clean format not weighted with disruptive quotes which allowed the story to tell itself. The ending is especially captivating with its wait-and-see suspense which was a nice touch to this still open story.

A Fantastic Read! Part II

David Rohde has compiled a detailed account of his exploits in Afghanistan and Pakistan as a Taliban hostage. His story is filled with so many twists and turns that you doubt its validity at times. He is shuttled from house to house and goes deeper into the lives of the Taliban than he EVER planned on going. I began to discuss this piece in an earlier blog after reading the first part of his five part series titled Held by the Taliban: A Times Reporter's Account, but after finishing Parts II-IV, I can say that this article is amazingly captivating. In one portion, he discovers that the Taliban commander that kidnapped him is actually the same one who had agreed to be interviewed by him and in another segment, they had him watch previously recorded videos of suicide bombers preparing for their attacks and the ritual beheading of a previous hostage.

The article was enlightening and Rohde's deserves credit for being able to recall the details of his exploits. Rohde's story is not written like a normal news article which sets it apart form the regular news. It is a feature article and we were instructed to steer clear of feature articles, but the fact that so much firsthand detail was included in this article makes it irresistible. The overall pull of the article is the suspense. From the first part in the series, we are told they escaped but we have yet to be given details on the means to that escape. It's like Rohde's has lit a firecracker and we are just waiting for it to go off.

Weak Lead, but Great Content

Modern Japan has been a marvel of the developed world ever since it emerged from the ashes of WWII. Since then, Japan has built a shining city with a well developed infrastructure, but now it seems that there expenditures have come back to haunt them. In the article, Rising Debt a Threat to Japanese Economy by Hiroko Tabuchi of the NY Times, the economy is stripped to its bare bones and the reality of the situation is revealed. Post-war Japan cost a lot of money that now needs to be paid. Other factors that are pushing Japan further into their economic hole include the cost of healthcare and the cost of educating youth. However, it was clearly stated that Japan isn't in nearly as dire a situation as the US; the US has actually been lending money from Japan. Nonetheless, Japan needs to act quickly in order to keep themselves from sinking too far into debt and the people shouldn't be disillusioned by Japan's advertised success.

Today in class, we exercised lead formation in an article. Tabuchi's lead wasn't entirely to the point. He actually began with a question which is a bit odd for an article. The lead did not properly summarize the content of the article and it did not mention the important facts early enough in the article. Tabuchi did include many credible sources and was able to capture the main points-of-view. I especially enjoyed the comparison of the Japanese and US economy, because it was a good gauge of the Japanese economy for American readers. The photo illustration of half a Japanese flag ,included by the Times, was an interesting addition that complemented the article very well.

Ironic...

In these times of financial uncertainty, there are few businesses that can boast of a sizable profit or a reduction in layoffs. The NY times is no exception, Times says it will cut 100 Newsroom Jobs by Richard Perez-Pena spotlights the people behind the reporting. The newsroom as well as other branches of the Times plan to lay off up to 100 people that is unless some people are willing to accept a buy out given by the Times and leave voluntarily.
Personally, I was struck by the irony of this article; I rarely see a paper report on itself, probably because there is always the aspect of bias that muddies the waters of an impartial article. Perez-Pena may have been held back by the fact that he is a reporter for the times and any mention of failures within the company would steer contributors away. So, I guess I can see why the article was kept short and included as much praise about the paper as possible: "The Times’s news department peaked at more than 1,330 employees before the last round of cuts. The current headcount is about 1,250; no other American newspaper has more than about 750." Overall, It was reported fairly well but it could have been reported with a little more detail. It's an article about the NY TIMES! They should have every possible detail imaginable. Eyebrows are raised when phrases like "The Times would not disclose.." start popping up.

Needs a Flow of Dialogue

Marijuana has always been a controversial subject. During the time of William Randolph Hearst, propaganda against marijuana was used to shift the demand towards lumber. In the article, Los Angeles Prepares for Clash Over California by Solomon Moore of the NY Times, the state of California, Los Angeles in particular, is now working to regulate the sale of marijuana. One key change involves turning all dispensaries into non-profit businesses. The subject has a wide range of advocates and enemies, particularly among people in office and law enforcement officials. Those strongly for marijuana use believe that regulation would cripple any business from selling medical marijuana at all which was deemed legal in 1996. Those who strongly oppose marijuana would still rather see the practice outlawed entirely. Then there are those who straddle the line, these people believe marijuana should be used for medicinal purposes and can be regulated to a reasonable extent. Ultimately, the courts will make the decision.

The article was decently written from an unbiased standpoint. By collecting statements from two extremes of the argument and then including the 3^rd argument that is based on a compromise between the two sides, Moore covered the subject as completely as possible. The article includes interesting facts that drew readers in, but it was slow to get to the point. The article’s title emphasizes the ‘clash’ between opposing sides. It would have been nice if Moore included some flow of indirect dialogue between the different perspectives on the matter. Instead, Moore chose to break up the opinions into the anti-Marijuana party, the pro-Marijuana party, and those that straddle the line. Moore’s method is organized but it isn’t engaging.

A Fantastic Read!

This article is a page turner (actually more like a web-page turner), but the bottom-line is that the article, Held by the Taliban: 7 months, 10 days in captivity- Part I by David Rohde, is absolutely captivating. The article centers around Rohde's time as a Taliban hostage in Afghanistan. Rohde's was doing research on the Taliban for a book he was writing on the people of Afghanistan; He believed that an interview with the Taliban would make the book as impartial as possible. So, he had an interview scheduled with a Taliban commander, but much to his dismay, the commander is not who he met. While driving to the meeting site, Rohde's and his two colleagues were captured and held. The Taliban would constantly move them from location to location for 'security purposes.' Then on one night, they moved deep into the mountains and as the sun rose to greet the new day, they realized they were heading for a major Taliban headquarters. This was only the first part in a five part series, but I can honestly say that I am excited to read the rest.

Rohde's reporting was very detailed considering the fact that he had neither paper or pen to document his time. He fully acknowledged the likeliness of error in his reporting, but I felt that throughout the article, the characters were diverse enough that each had a memorable attribute about them. Rohde's article felt very unbiased. He was able to see the good as well as the bad that existed in some of his captors, and his time with them allowed a better understanding of their purpose. There was an abrupt transition when he abruptly moved from the moment of his escape to a recap of how he came to be in his current situation, but the article was captivating. I even caught myself holding my breath, because Rohde's tied in so much suspense and drama. There were tears and laughter, and it was an emotional bath in the guise of a newspaper article.

Desperately In Need of a Dash of Hearst Journalism

I think we can all agree that technology has forever changed the word we live in and within this world of skype, iphones, and automated parking meters, there are the tech giants that seem to thrive even in the midst of this recession. The world of technology is so lucrative that the leaders blazing the way for innovation are constantly at each other's throats; one always seeking to outdo the other some new handheld brain. In the article, Acer Eclipses Dell and Apple by Ashlee Vance of the NY Times, The Taiwan based PC producer, Acer, has recently moved up in the ranks, surpassing Dell, and settling in to a comfortable 2nd place spot behind Hewlett Packard. Acer has recently released the popular netbook which provided the final push to getting beyond Dell. Much to Dell's dismay, Acer sales have been steadily increasing and Dell can hardly boast the same success.

I will give Vance this much credit; the research behind this story is perfect. There were a lot of numbers and statistics that compared the sales for the past year. I would have liked to seen more statements from ranking members of Dell, Acer, and HP, but the numbers do speak for themselves. The article overall was very dry and lacked any captivating fact. If you are going to report news, you might as well report a story in a way so that it stimulates the audience's interest. This may have been on-purpose. This article was taken from the technology section and it is possible that Vance is aiming the story at the more business-minded audience that want figures so that they can feel free to interpret the data themselves.

Touching and Sweet

Have you ever heard of the old saying 'you have to face your fear to overcome it?' In the article, Wounded Soldiers Return to Iraq, Seeking Solace by Rod Nordland of the NY Times, a small group named, Troops First, alongside the USO are working to help traumatized soldiers overcome their fear by taking them back to the scene of their nightmares, the battlefield. This may sound very standard for any veteran of the Vietnam War or WWII, but for the first time, soldiers are returning while the war is still in progress. The method, code named Operation Proper Exit, has been approved by the army surgeon general, Dr. John Olsen, however there has been no real research into the benefits that the program has to the psychological well-being of the soldiers. Although there has been no formal evidence, it was reported that many of the soldier's nightmares have ceased following their return visit.

Nordland really knows how to play on the emotions of his readers. From the beginning, he pulls you in by adding a quick little introduction before stating the purpose of the article. This may seem odd in a newspaper article, but the introduction builds the story in favor of Operation Proper Exit. This actually leads into my only critique of the article. It is clearly weighted in favor of Operation Proper Exit. This is unsurprising as it is evident that Nordland tagged along on the project, but he failed to report on the possible risks of the program. I will admit that I easily overlooked this as I became so engaged as Nordland excellently reported the details of the visit. There were tears and motivating words- the perfect formula for a touching article.

International News: Singapore

Looking back at all my past blogs, I've noticed that none have really ventured outside of the perspective of US papers. So in the spirit of keeping things interesting, I chose an article from the singapore paper (translated into English), The Straits Times. The article, New Stoning Law is 'Torture,' is an enlightening piece that gave me valuable insight into Indonesia's justice system. The new law that was heavily backed by human right's activists outlawed stoning as torture on the provincial level but this verdict could possibly overturned on the national level if the government finds that the law conflicts with the doctrine of the already established laws. This is actually quite possible in a government heavily reliant on Islamic doctrine.

This Newspaper probably hasn't won any international merits, but I will say that the article contained all the content you would find in any other adequately researched article and that's not even considering that this came out of a Singapore newspaper; Singapore is notorious for its authoritarian-esque government. The general article structure of the inverse pyramid gave the story its general shape and it was backed by several very credible sources including the head of the Human Right's Watch and the Governor of Aceh. The part that stuck out the most for me is when the reporter listed all other legitimate forms of punishment ranging from the death penalty for adultery to 100 lashes for homosexual acts.

Nice Article!

In the article, China Sets Sentences in Brawl Tied to Riot by David Barboza of the New York Times, the aftermath of a brutal riot in a toy factory left two Uighur men dead and many more injured. The riot involved a clash between a Uighur group and a Han Chinese group. The two groups were feuding over an inaccurate rumor about the rape of Chinese women by Uighur men. The two Han men who were responsible for organizing the riot were recently charged in a Chinese court; one was sentenced to death and the other was sentenced to life in prison.
This article was very well researched by Barboza who completely covered the story including the validity of the rumor that incited the brawl. However, Barboza did not back up his story with very many quotations from sources. Because his article reads like it is so well researched it makes you question why he chose not to include any quotes. The initial riot has now lead to a full scale rivalry between the Uighurs and the Hans and because the conflict has become so large more detail should have been included about the current tension between the two groups.

Not a Bad Start

In the spirit of our most recent class, I chose an article that should have a similar format to the news article we worked on in class. In the article, Virus discovery called breakthrough in fight against chronic fatigue by Thomas H. Maugh II of the LA Times, Maugh reports on the recent discovery of a Virus that could possibly be a biochemical marker for identifying whether or not a patient has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. People who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may suffer from "debilitating fatigue, chronic pain and depression, as well as other symptoms," but doctor's have always struggled with diagnosing their patients because there has been no real, standard indicator for the disease. As of now, the information gathered on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is minimal, but the hope is that researchers can build on their findings so far.

This was my first time reading the LA Times and I wasn't thoroughly impressed by their main articles which included 2 national stories, an entertainment section, a bookstore merger story, and a Red Sox vs. Angels game. Now the article I chose had more redeeming features. It was very well put together and had very credible sources that supplied the story with necessary information such as the current extent of their research, its significance, and any additional comments on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I do think more information should have been included on the 'major flaw' of the study that was mentioned but never fully addressed in the last sentence of the article.

OK. Get to the Point!

With a title like "After six years, We're Worthless,'" you would think that there would be a bit more explanation in the first two sentences or in the first two paragraphs for that matter. The Post's Ernesto Londono put together a very interesting piece about the recent withdrawal of US troops from Baghdad. After nearly six years of conflict, the US is finally moving out, leaving Iraqi troops to maintain the peace, but in the words of Hassan Shama, the head of the Sadr City District Council, "We're Worthless." It is true that there will still be some troops who will stay behind to train soldiers, but the numbers aren't nearly as high as when the US began the Iraqi invasion. Fearing the impending departure of soldiers, some community leaders are afraid of those who will do anything to seize power without the watchful eye of the Americans.

Londono did a decent job of reporting, but I feel that there is plenty of room for improvement. For starters, he could actually tell his audience what he's talking about before they all die of anticipation. He described the history of the situation before we even new what the situation was. He should have led with his third paragraph: "As U.S. troops have sharply disengaged from Baghdad in recent months, local representatives say they are feeling powerless and abandoned..." Then he should have sourced this statement with the quote by Hassan Shama.

Londono did include very compelling statements from a decent number of sources, but he also should have gotten statements from people who weren't happy with US troop presence. Their opinion would have given another perspective to the story.

Battle of the books?

Have you ever heard the expression 'you learn from your mistakes?' As it turns out, the oval office is actually making an attempt to understand the war in Afghanistan by looking at the war's of the past. This is where are two contenders come in. Up first is the heavy-hitting, troop-increasing book "Lessons in Disaster" and the other is the more passive, bow-out-while-we-can book entitled "A Better War." According to the article Behind Afghan War Debate, a Battle of Two Books Rages by Peter Spiegel and Jonathan Weisman of the Wall Street Journal, these two books have been circulating around the White House faster than H1N1 can infect a campus and for good reason. President Obama is about to make one of the most important decisions of his political career; his reputation and integrity are now under the most intense scrutiny. It is amazing to think that the information within two relatively unknown books could possibly change the course of history.

Spiegel and Weisman exposed a side to politics that is rarely seen. Everybody hears about the big political decisions that our nation's leaders make, but it is always after they have set it in stone. This article is refreshing because it grants us a brief glimpse into the thought process behind the big decisions. Spiegel and Weisman had excellent inverse-pyramid structure; within the first three paragraphs I was given a very clear summation of the importance of these two books and their general content. Spiegel and Weisman did not include the names of the books as early on as I would have thought, but I don't see this as a fault. Only the most prominent facts were mentioned and although the titles of the books are important, they are not nearly as important as their content or their effect on capitol hill.

Powerful and Distrubing

Every so often a good story comes along that touches your spirit; this story went above and beyond touching. The article In a Guinea Seized by Violence, Women as Prey, by Adam Nossiter, is captivating, disturbing, infuriating, and a whole mess of other descriptive verbs.

The article is a follow-up story on another one of Nossiter's articles that was published September 29- Guinea's Capital Fades into Ghost Town after Soldier's Rampage. The article was focused on a opposition rally that went bad in the city of Conakry. The rally was held to oppose the government's authoritarian regime under Capt. Moussa Padis Camara. However, soldier's broke up the rally using extreme violence that left many dead and many more injured and traumatized by the experience. Among the traumatized were the women who attended the rally. Many women became victims of rape and harassment by the soldiers who broke-up the rally.

Right from the start, Nossiter pulled his audience in with a very disturbing opening paragraph that cut right to the truth of the matter. Nossiter continued to pull his audience in by then reinforcing his story by including the statement of one of the rape victims. Nossiter continued to bombard us with very...detailed imagery of the events; it actually became difficult to read. Nossiter used these multiple stories to emphasize how large-scale the assaults were. However detailed Nossiter may have been, he failed to mention the 'why' of the story. Why were Guinean soldiers doing this, especially in a predominantly Muslim country where these acts are (if it even can be) considered very disgraceful. Nossiter mentioned that it was to humiliate the women, but there were so many rapes in such a short period of time (during the day) that it seems like there may have been some other unseen motive.

God's Will According to Humans

In the 18th century, Europe was imprisoned by small pox, forcing thousands of people to retreat to the sanctuary of their homes. Now in the 21st century, H1N1 has seized the public's attention by infecting millions and killing thousands. Many believe that disease is apart of God's plan for the human race, but regardless of what you might believe, we can all agree that human's have struggled for their existence. In the article Epidemics, Inoculations and God's Will, by Diane Winston of the New York Times, Winston describes the clash between God and medicine. Where does medicine begin and god end? The statement may be blasphemous but it is the truth in the world of modern science and technology.

Winston did an excellent job of reporting the important portions of the subject- H1N1. However when it comes to understanding the true conflict between past and present, Winston has only scratched the surface. She has successfully documented the past, but the present and the future occupies the majority of the public's attention. Being a religion correspondent, it is not hard to see why Winston would gravitate to the religious aspect of the situation, but the story in its entirety did not address the major issues. At what point can religion and medicine compromise? This article did although well-written did not lead its readers to any significant conclusions on the conflict between God and Medicine.

It provoked my thoughts.

The article A Detainee's Case Shows the Hurdles that a release poses, by Scott Shane of the New York Times, gave me something to think about even after I finished reading the story. In the article, Shane described the situation of a recently released Guantanamo Bay detainee, Alla Ali Bin Ali Ahmed. Ahmed is a Yemen citizen who spent seven years in Guantanamo only to be acquitted by a Judge's ruling less than a year ago. The judge ruled that the government did not have the necessary evidence to tie Ahmed to any crime. It should be easy now, right? The government should just let him go and anyone else who was wrongfully accused, but no. After spending years in prison, detainees, especially from unstable countries such as Yemen, are walking away with a new found hatred for America. So, the government is trying to place soon-to-be-released detainees into integration programs, but there have been mixed reviews whether the programs would actually work.

The greatest part of this story is that it is capable of describing this no-win situation and leaves the reader with this question, 'what do we do now?' This question isn't the product of an under-researched story; it is the product of a story that was written to bring the reader into the story . Shane was very through with his reporting by gathering the important facts on Ahmed's release and by linking his story to other detainees that have already been released. The structure of Shane's article has become my favorite was of organizing a story; it opens with a story and then goes into all the details. I don't think any other way would have worked for this story, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

Good Information but HORRIBLY WRITTEN

The Saipan Tribune never fails its readers to deliver the biggest island stories, but the only problem I have with the articles is how they are delivered. For example, The article NMI braces for Melor's wrath by Ferdie de la Torre explains the local reaction to a typhoon that is on a war path to the Northern Marianas Islands (NMI). De la Torre included the Typhoon's statistics and status, regions where shelter's could be found, and even commentary from locals and businesses. It was thorough research on how the island was responding to the impending crisis. The article also assured the people of the NMI that professionals of the Federal Emergency Management Agency who specialize in natural disaster precautions were on-hand to assist during and after the typhoon. However, the tribune failed to get any significant comment from these FEMA officials.

I was interested in each bit of information the tribune dished out but the story was rough and very poorly put together. Towards the end (after all the hullabaloo about Melor turning into a super typhoon), De la torre says it begins to drizzle. This should have been announced in the first paragraph to inform the people about the typhoons current progress. Secondly, the grammar was just awful. It was obviously written in such a rush that no attention was paid to detail. For example, this opening paragraph that introduces the readers to the story is actually one, large run-on sentence.

"The CNMI battened down the hatches yesterday as it braced for Typhoon Melor, which gained strength as it whirled closer to the Northern Marianas, its 140 miles per hour winds expected to become a super typhoon today, Saturday."

De la Torre shoud have broken it up and made it more comprehensive and fluid. This entire story is filled with little grammatical quirks, but there was valuable information that somewhat made up for the poor compilation.

See ya Lucy, I Love Ardi!

If a reporter is capable of turning a story that is unbelievably complex into something that is comprehensive, it truly speaks to their skill as a writer and a reporter. In the Article Fossil Skeleton From Africa Predates Lucy by John Noble Wilford, Wilford announces the discovery of the oldest and most complete set of skeletal remains in hominid evolution. The female skeleton was affectionately named Ardi- "short for Ardipithecus ramidus" - by her discoverers. Apparently, those involved in the discovery, like Tim D. White of the University of California Berkeley, discovered Ardi years ago and have been keeping her under wraps (no pun intended) ever since in order to analyze her thoroughly. Ardi has so far been surprising many scientists and now based on her bones, our view on the evolution of hominids will never be the same.

I loved this article! It was catchy and interesting. From the beginning, Wilford draws us in with his first three words, "Lucy, meet Ardi." It was a nice touch on a story that many people would probably not give a second thought to, but because he wrote the article with so much conviction, that energy was transferred to his readers. Ardi's discovery was groundbreaking and he did an excellent job of getting this message across to the non-scientific community. However, my only critique would have to be the ending. I don't believe an article should end with 'he said,'Especially if you're concluding with a strong quote (which is what happened). It is weak and easily avoidable. Wilford could just as easily have written "he said...'quote.'"