I'd heard a long time ago that people were coming out against sexually abusive Catholic priests, but after the headlines faded back into the middle of the newspaper or out of sight on news websites, I sort of forgot about it. I thought that they'd done something about it and that's why I hadn't heard anything recently. Not so, apparently. After reading the NYtimes, I realized that this problem is just as bad now as it was back when it first received media attention. I learned that this visit to the U.S. by the pope is the first since the sexual abuse scandal broke out, which was why he spent much of his visit offering up his empathy and sadness toward the events. As sad as he was, it seems that upon his departure, no new ground had been made to remedy the issue with the abusive priests. Abuse victims were saddened and outraged that the pope, the highest religious authority on earth, did not offer up a plan to help them and prevent future injustices.
I'm neither Catholic, nor all that religious, so excuse me if I offend anyone. It sounds to me as if the church as a whole would rather turn a blind eye to the thousands of sexual abuse victims than take the steps to a.) acknowledge that there is, in fact, a serious problem and b.) to fix the problem and help the victims. Religion and God are supposed to be there to help people through troubling times, when there's no where else to turn to, right? So what I don't understand (as an outsider looking in) is why they're ignoring such an outcry of innocent people for help. It's ridiculous. Maybe that's just how they roll as a religion, I don't pretend to know. It just seems strange that they're ignoring their basic principles as an organized religion. Lame.
Event piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/us/04pope.html?ref=nationalspecial2
Contextual piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/nyregion/16strike.html?ref=nationalspecial2
Predictive piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/us/29beliefs.html?ref=nationalspecial2
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Professor Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai is famous for starting the Green Belt Movement, a women's organization that plants new trees in order to both preserve the environment and improve quality of life. She has worked hard for environmental issues, human rights and democracy on an international scale and she won the Nobel Prize in 2004 "for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace" (Nobel Prize.org).
Info comes from Nobel Prize.org and greenbeltmovement.org
Info comes from Nobel Prize.org and greenbeltmovement.org
The Pope...a Nazi??
Okay, no, Pope Benedict is not a Nazi. He grew up in a town that was right in the middle of the whole Nazi Germany thing just a few miles away from Hitler. A lot of people around him in his town resisted, but his family stayed quiet. And, like all young men at the time, he joined Hitler youth. This didn't just happen to him, tons and tons of people went through the exact same thing...only they didn't go on to be pope, so it's not really that important in their lives.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Magazine Ad Response
Both of my ads were a little boring, so I'll just talk about the ads as a collective whole.
Argh, it really bothers me how sexed up and cracked out the women in ads look. I'm sick of seeing rail-thin women everywhere and I'm sick of feeling that my own self-esteem (which I worked hard to develop) isn't valid. I'm from a mostly German gene pool: I've got big bones, wide hips and a generally bigger build than a lot of the women I know, and I really don't mind being this way. Unfortunately, the women in magazines seem like they're trying to say that I shouldn't be okay with who I am and I think that's sort of sick. This sort of thing triggers eating disorders in even very young girls and I think it sends very harmful messages.
Women, big and small alike, can be beautiful and I don't understand why the media can't sell that idea just as well as they can anything else.
Argh, it really bothers me how sexed up and cracked out the women in ads look. I'm sick of seeing rail-thin women everywhere and I'm sick of feeling that my own self-esteem (which I worked hard to develop) isn't valid. I'm from a mostly German gene pool: I've got big bones, wide hips and a generally bigger build than a lot of the women I know, and I really don't mind being this way. Unfortunately, the women in magazines seem like they're trying to say that I shouldn't be okay with who I am and I think that's sort of sick. This sort of thing triggers eating disorders in even very young girls and I think it sends very harmful messages.
Women, big and small alike, can be beautiful and I don't understand why the media can't sell that idea just as well as they can anything else.
Movie Reflection
All the President's Men made me think about getting in touch with history a little more. It's never been my strong point, but everything that's ever happened is important in some way or another. It's sad that a lot of people in my generation don't know the details of Watergate.
It also made me realize the power of journalism. I think that unless you're a part of the medium of journalism that it tends to be taken for granted by the masses. Journalism is an incredibly powerful thing and I think people who are in its eye (in a negative sense) should shudder at the possibilities of what it can do. After all, if two men can take expose the unforgivable scandals of a president and get him canned, the power of journalism has no limits.
It also made me realize the power of journalism. I think that unless you're a part of the medium of journalism that it tends to be taken for granted by the masses. Journalism is an incredibly powerful thing and I think people who are in its eye (in a negative sense) should shudder at the possibilities of what it can do. After all, if two men can take expose the unforgivable scandals of a president and get him canned, the power of journalism has no limits.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Briefing Sheet # 4: Books and Magazine Articles
1.) Time Magazine: In Selma, McCain Praises Civil Rights Marchers
John McCain visited several poverty-stricken communities that he feels the other candidates have ignored. He recollected a 1965 Civil Rights march and commended the marchers for their bravery as he kicked off his tour. The crowd he spoke to in Selma was mostly white despite the fact that the city is 70% black. When asked about it, McCain acknowledged the fact that he does not have much of an African American following but will try nonetheless to encourage votes wherever he goes.
2.) Time Magazine: Time, Delegate Math Working Against Clinton
It's not looking good for Hillary Clinton. Formerly the front runner in the Democratic race for nomination, she has now fallen significantly behind Barack Obama in the number of delegates that support her. It seems as though time is running out, but Clinton is refusing to back down.
3.) Time Magazine: Obama and Clinton Woo the Coal Vote
In an interesting balancing act, both candidates have managed to emphasize the importance of Global Warming while still appealing to makers and distributors of coal. In states where the coal industry still remains strong and provides thousands of people with jobs as in the Virginias and Kentucky, it is vastly important for Obama and Clinton to sway the coal mining population. They are turning to the term "clean coal" which has many environmentalists screaming "oxymoron."
4.) Time Magazine: Obama is Flush, Clinton in Debt.
Because of Barack Obama's superior fund-raising, he is now ahead of Hillary Clinton by around 30 million dollars as of the beginning of April. Even John McCain is ahead of Clinton by a solid million dollars. Although Obama has been a heavier spender, even in the states that he lost super delegates in, he still is better off monetarily than debt-striken Clinton, who still has loans to pay off.
5.) Time Magazine: Clinton Headed for Keystone State Win
Despite the fact that Clinton has fallen significantly behind Obama in both funding and delegates, the numbers coming from the pollsters indicate that over half of the democratic voters are on Hillary's side. Interestingly enough, 20% of voters say that if their desired democratic candidate does not win nomination that they will be voting for McCain instead.
6.) U.S. News and World Report: Jewish Voters Still Have Questions About Obama
The Jewish community has been skeptical about Obama for many reasons, only a few of which being his relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his support of Israel. It is for this reason that the Jewish community questioned the reasons behind Obama's only recent denouncement of former president Jimmy Carter's visit to Hamas leaders in Egypt during this last week. They wonder why Obama didn't criticize the matter just after it happened. Obama continues to struggle for Jewish votes.
7.) U.S. News and World Report: Many Women Don't Feel Obligated to Vote for Clinton
While many assume that women are for Hillary Clinton, recent polls tell us that that isn't necessarily true. Only 22% of a group of women polled say they feel obligated to vote for Clinton because she is a woman but 17% of that original 22% say that it was only a small part of their decision. So far, Obama has won more female voters than Hillary Clinton in many of their head-to-head contests.
8.) Book: The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him and Why Independents Shouldn't by Cliff Schecter
Author Cliff Schecter critically examines the way John McCain is perceived in the media and how he is in reality. Using a variety of different sources, Schecter humorously illustrates McCain's flop-flopping, his temper and the way McCain apparently says or does anything to gain voters. This book is available on Amazon.com for just over $10.
9.) U.S. News and World Report: Clinton Sticks to Criticizing Bush in Speech to Members of the Press
Instead of attacking Obama or McCain, Clinton set her sights on President Bush. She managed to point out many of Bush's shortcomings over the life of his administration before taking several unscripted questions about various parts of her agenda.
10.) U.S. News and World Report: Candidates Speak About Their Religious Beliefs
Unlike past democratic presidential hopefuls like John Kerry and Al Gore, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have chosen to speak out about their own personal religious beliefs in light of the Pope's visit. Obama says that he turns to religion when all else is going badly and Clinton professes to have felt the presence of God all her life. These religious talks, though, fairly subtle, will reassure religious voters.
John McCain visited several poverty-stricken communities that he feels the other candidates have ignored. He recollected a 1965 Civil Rights march and commended the marchers for their bravery as he kicked off his tour. The crowd he spoke to in Selma was mostly white despite the fact that the city is 70% black. When asked about it, McCain acknowledged the fact that he does not have much of an African American following but will try nonetheless to encourage votes wherever he goes.
2.) Time Magazine: Time, Delegate Math Working Against Clinton
It's not looking good for Hillary Clinton. Formerly the front runner in the Democratic race for nomination, she has now fallen significantly behind Barack Obama in the number of delegates that support her. It seems as though time is running out, but Clinton is refusing to back down.
3.) Time Magazine: Obama and Clinton Woo the Coal Vote
In an interesting balancing act, both candidates have managed to emphasize the importance of Global Warming while still appealing to makers and distributors of coal. In states where the coal industry still remains strong and provides thousands of people with jobs as in the Virginias and Kentucky, it is vastly important for Obama and Clinton to sway the coal mining population. They are turning to the term "clean coal" which has many environmentalists screaming "oxymoron."
4.) Time Magazine: Obama is Flush, Clinton in Debt.
Because of Barack Obama's superior fund-raising, he is now ahead of Hillary Clinton by around 30 million dollars as of the beginning of April. Even John McCain is ahead of Clinton by a solid million dollars. Although Obama has been a heavier spender, even in the states that he lost super delegates in, he still is better off monetarily than debt-striken Clinton, who still has loans to pay off.
5.) Time Magazine: Clinton Headed for Keystone State Win
Despite the fact that Clinton has fallen significantly behind Obama in both funding and delegates, the numbers coming from the pollsters indicate that over half of the democratic voters are on Hillary's side. Interestingly enough, 20% of voters say that if their desired democratic candidate does not win nomination that they will be voting for McCain instead.
6.) U.S. News and World Report: Jewish Voters Still Have Questions About Obama
The Jewish community has been skeptical about Obama for many reasons, only a few of which being his relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his support of Israel. It is for this reason that the Jewish community questioned the reasons behind Obama's only recent denouncement of former president Jimmy Carter's visit to Hamas leaders in Egypt during this last week. They wonder why Obama didn't criticize the matter just after it happened. Obama continues to struggle for Jewish votes.
7.) U.S. News and World Report: Many Women Don't Feel Obligated to Vote for Clinton
While many assume that women are for Hillary Clinton, recent polls tell us that that isn't necessarily true. Only 22% of a group of women polled say they feel obligated to vote for Clinton because she is a woman but 17% of that original 22% say that it was only a small part of their decision. So far, Obama has won more female voters than Hillary Clinton in many of their head-to-head contests.
8.) Book: The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him and Why Independents Shouldn't by Cliff Schecter
Author Cliff Schecter critically examines the way John McCain is perceived in the media and how he is in reality. Using a variety of different sources, Schecter humorously illustrates McCain's flop-flopping, his temper and the way McCain apparently says or does anything to gain voters. This book is available on Amazon.com for just over $10.
9.) U.S. News and World Report: Clinton Sticks to Criticizing Bush in Speech to Members of the Press
Instead of attacking Obama or McCain, Clinton set her sights on President Bush. She managed to point out many of Bush's shortcomings over the life of his administration before taking several unscripted questions about various parts of her agenda.
10.) U.S. News and World Report: Candidates Speak About Their Religious Beliefs
Unlike past democratic presidential hopefuls like John Kerry and Al Gore, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have chosen to speak out about their own personal religious beliefs in light of the Pope's visit. Obama says that he turns to religion when all else is going badly and Clinton professes to have felt the presence of God all her life. These religious talks, though, fairly subtle, will reassure religious voters.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Briefing Sheet #3: Online Sources
1. Yahoo!News
Obama: Clinton using GOP Playbook
Barack Obama accused Hillary Clinton of dishing out criticism that seemed to be a leaf out of the GOP's playbook. Even in the face of such criticism, he is confident that he will win out over Clinton and McCain. In the same speech, he touched on issues in the news media and also stated his belief that we are already in a recession.
2. U.S. News and World Report
The Candidates and the Issues: Married Women vs. Unmarried Women
Pollsters found out that economic issues are important among both groups of women. However, unmarried women don't feel like their needs are being acknowledged, such as pay equity, higher minimum wage and family leave. Married women on the whole were shown as not as interested in voting as their unmarried counterparts. Luckily the unmarried female population is expected to close that voting gap.
3. MSNBC. com
Hillary Announces Anti-Crime Agenda
Senator Clinton, should she be elected, plans to put 100,000 new police officers on American streets in order to put a stop to the rising crime rate. This is expected to cut murder rates in half and she wants to create programs for crime-prone youth. She also plans to take initiative in gun control.
4. MSNBC.com
McCain: It's a Recession
McCain agrees with many economists in that America is indeed in a recession. He says that the American people are "hurting." In the same talk, he also discussed the matter of confidential news sources remaining confidential.
5. MSNBC.com
Biden Attacks McCain on Foreign policy
Joe Biden, a bank customer, is positive that there is no difference between the current Bush administration and the possible McCain administration in regards to the war in Iraq. He believes that there will be no change whatsoever in the way the war is being handled should McCain inherit Bush's legacy. He warns that we will only be hurting ourselves and everyone involved should we stay in Iraq.
6. Yahoo!News
Pa. Voters Divided Over Obama Remarks
When trying to gain support among the blue collar citizens of Pennsylvania, Obama said that many of the lower class "cling to guns or religion" during the so-called recession, much to the dismay of many Pennsylvanian Democrats who took offense. This remark kicked off another volley of insults between the two Democratic candidates and many of the Democrats now feel conflicted over Obama's less than tactful word choice.
7. U.S. News and World Report
Huckabee Back on the Campaign Trail
Although he's dropped out of the presidential race, Mike Huckabee is now back in the eye of the media for contributing to fellow conservatives in the House and the Senate. He has launched a website, www.huckpac.com in order to support conservatism and those that are running for president under its umbrella.
8. U.S. News
Look for the Media to Attack McCain Tax Plan
Online columnist and blogger, James Pethokoukis, says to watch out for future attacks by the media towards McCain's tax plan due to the fact that it will most likely worsen the budget deficit. One of the biggest complaints is that under McCain's plan, wealthier people will benefit more from a larger exemption even though they don't necessarily need it.
9. Al Jazeera (English website)
Obama warns China over currency
Barack Obama warns China that if he is elected president, he will restrict access to the U.S. markets if Beijing continues to manipulate "the value of its currency." Hillary Clinton agrees and both candidates are willing to deal firmly with China in order to create a more positive economic situation.
10. MSNBC
Clinton would fix husband's NAFTA mistakes
Senator Clinton acknowledged the fact that her husband made several mistakes in regards to the North American Free Trade Agreement and that she plans to fix them. Such fixes would address the issues concerning job losses and the possible retraction of trade with Canada and Mexico.
Obama: Clinton using GOP Playbook
Barack Obama accused Hillary Clinton of dishing out criticism that seemed to be a leaf out of the GOP's playbook. Even in the face of such criticism, he is confident that he will win out over Clinton and McCain. In the same speech, he touched on issues in the news media and also stated his belief that we are already in a recession.
2. U.S. News and World Report
The Candidates and the Issues: Married Women vs. Unmarried Women
Pollsters found out that economic issues are important among both groups of women. However, unmarried women don't feel like their needs are being acknowledged, such as pay equity, higher minimum wage and family leave. Married women on the whole were shown as not as interested in voting as their unmarried counterparts. Luckily the unmarried female population is expected to close that voting gap.
3. MSNBC. com
Hillary Announces Anti-Crime Agenda
Senator Clinton, should she be elected, plans to put 100,000 new police officers on American streets in order to put a stop to the rising crime rate. This is expected to cut murder rates in half and she wants to create programs for crime-prone youth. She also plans to take initiative in gun control.
4. MSNBC.com
McCain: It's a Recession
McCain agrees with many economists in that America is indeed in a recession. He says that the American people are "hurting." In the same talk, he also discussed the matter of confidential news sources remaining confidential.
5. MSNBC.com
Biden Attacks McCain on Foreign policy
Joe Biden, a bank customer, is positive that there is no difference between the current Bush administration and the possible McCain administration in regards to the war in Iraq. He believes that there will be no change whatsoever in the way the war is being handled should McCain inherit Bush's legacy. He warns that we will only be hurting ourselves and everyone involved should we stay in Iraq.
6. Yahoo!News
Pa. Voters Divided Over Obama Remarks
When trying to gain support among the blue collar citizens of Pennsylvania, Obama said that many of the lower class "cling to guns or religion" during the so-called recession, much to the dismay of many Pennsylvanian Democrats who took offense. This remark kicked off another volley of insults between the two Democratic candidates and many of the Democrats now feel conflicted over Obama's less than tactful word choice.
7. U.S. News and World Report
Huckabee Back on the Campaign Trail
Although he's dropped out of the presidential race, Mike Huckabee is now back in the eye of the media for contributing to fellow conservatives in the House and the Senate. He has launched a website, www.huckpac.com in order to support conservatism and those that are running for president under its umbrella.
8. U.S. News
Look for the Media to Attack McCain Tax Plan
Online columnist and blogger, James Pethokoukis, says to watch out for future attacks by the media towards McCain's tax plan due to the fact that it will most likely worsen the budget deficit. One of the biggest complaints is that under McCain's plan, wealthier people will benefit more from a larger exemption even though they don't necessarily need it.
9. Al Jazeera (English website)
Obama warns China over currency
Barack Obama warns China that if he is elected president, he will restrict access to the U.S. markets if Beijing continues to manipulate "the value of its currency." Hillary Clinton agrees and both candidates are willing to deal firmly with China in order to create a more positive economic situation.
10. MSNBC
Clinton would fix husband's NAFTA mistakes
Senator Clinton acknowledged the fact that her husband made several mistakes in regards to the North American Free Trade Agreement and that she plans to fix them. Such fixes would address the issues concerning job losses and the possible retraction of trade with Canada and Mexico.
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