Jaws Sidebar

In the wake of the tragic deaths of Amity, Massachusetts youths Chrissie Watson, 17, and Alex Kintner, 10, who were both killed in an unprecedented string of shark attacks, citizens of Portsmouth have become concerned with the safety of New Hampshire beaches.

            Statistics show, however, that shark attacks, especially fatal ones like these, are incredibly rare in this New England, and particularly so here in New Hampshire.

            “We have no documented history of shark attacks historically or otherwise [in New Hampshire],” said Renee Zobel, a marine biologist for the New Hampshire Marine Fisheries Division.

            According to Zobel, the species of sharks that commonly infest New Hampshire waters include several species that are historically non-aggressive such as the Blue Shark, the Mako Shark, the small Spiny Dogfish Shark, and the Basking Shark.

            Only occasionally, Zobel says, do we see the notoriously aggressive Great White Sharks, the species that has accounted for the most attacks and fatalities on humans, around New Hampshire.

            “The possibility of a Great White attack is unlikely,” said Jonathan Pennock, Director of the Marine Program at the University of New Hampshire.  “They tend to be warmer water fish,” he said.

            Prior to the fatal attacks on Watson and Kintner, Massachusetts had only recorded two shark attacks in the state’s history.  One of these attacks, which occurred in 1936, resulted in a fatality.

            Other than the now four attacks that have taken place in Massachusetts waters, New England has been home to very few shark attacks historically.  Only Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have recorded attacks, each with one in their history.

            According to the International Shark Attack File (or ISAF), compiled by Ichthyology Department at the Florida Museum of Natural History, there have been 1,085 shark attacks in the history of the United States.  Only 44 of these attacks resulted in fatalities.

            However, the United States has accounted for more than double the amount of shark attacks recorded on any other continent.  The next closest is Australia, which has recorded 488 shark attacks.  Worldwide, there have been 2,463 shark attacks in history, for which the US accounts for nearly half.  Last year, there were 75 confirmed unprovoked attacks worldwide.

            Of the recorded US attacks, nearly 78% have occurred in Florida, which has accounted for 637 attacks, California, and Hawaii, which have both accounted for just over 100 attacks apiece. 

            To put the odds of being attacked in perspective: According to Oceana, an international oceanic protection agency, 200 million people visit US beaches each year.  Of these people, only 36 will be attacked by sharks, placing the odds at 1 in 11.5 million.  (See graph below).  One is more likely to be struck by lightning, or killed by a dog than to be killed by a shark.  So, the odds are in your favor, beach-goers.

            Risk of Beach Injuries and Fatalities: (Courtesy of Oceana)

Drowning and other beach-related fatalities:	1 in 2 million
Drowning fatalities:	1 in 3.5 million
Shark attacks:	1 in 11.5 million
Shark attack fatalities:	0 in 264.1 million

New York Times Reading Log - 20 (Thursday's Paper)

Well, this is almost an emotional moment.  This is my last New York Times Reading Log of the year (I think) and the Times celebrated in style, putting out one of the thickest, most news dense issues I have seen in my brief tenure as a New york Times reader.  With a massive 30-page A-section, this is by far the biggest issue of the Times I have ever seen.  Holding the whole paper is a workout.  It has to weigh a pound.

A couple stories caught my eye in this one.  The most interesting, I thought, was the article (written by not one, not two but three writers.  Plus two more contributors. So basically 5 writers, which I thought was cool.) about the exit of Romney's gay foreign policy aide Richard Grenell. Evidently, Romney received some degree of public outcry from the far right and social conservatives about having a gay member of his staff.  This has to be the surprise of the century, right?  I can't help feeling frustrated about this story.  Of course, the Romney camp is saying/will say that it wasn't because he was gay, but we all know the real story.  It's a shame that fiscal conservatives have to subject themselves to the morals of a Christian-infiltrated political party.  But that's the way it goes I guess.  The Republican party's biggest problem, and the reason more people don't join their ranks is because they are stuck in the social dark ages.  But I guess they'd lose a lot of people if they distanced themselves from that too, wouldn't they?  So I don't know the solution.

Also, it is crazy and hard to believe that the US ranks so poorly in the world in terms of premature baby births.  This is something I cannot understand.  It's good that the information is out there, though.  At least we can move toward fixing the problem.

New York Times Reading Log - 19 (Wednesday's Paper)

The article in today's New York Times about conservative news mogul Rupert Murdoch's sticky situation was a particular article of interest.  The fact that Murdoch has been found to be "not a fit person" to run a huge international news company is very justified.  If the allegations of the hacking scandal are true, then it stands to the most basic, fundamental level of logic and journalistic ethical understanding that he should be disallowed to run a news organization.  It would be interesting to see how other news publications placed this story.  The liberal New York Times is pleased to plaster Murdoch's sorry story above the fold on the front page.  I wonder where more conservative papers ran the story, or where Fox News ran the story on their broadcasts.

Additionally, in a related story the Times printed a scathing article about the editor of the Daily News, Colin Myler.  "Colin Myler has always shown a thirst for the eye-poppoing story and a willingness to take the heat to run something that will sell, sell, sell," write N.R Kleinfield and Jeremy W. Peters.  It's cool to see the Times flex their journalism muscles and crap all over the editor of a tabloid like this.  It just goes to show that the Times really is somewhat untouchable in the news world.     

Shark attack

An Amity child was killed on Monday in what appears to have been the second of two shark attacks in the Amity beach area.

Alex Kitner, 10, was floating on a rubber raft just off of crowded Village Beach, when he was killed in an apparent “vicious and unprovoked shark attack,” Police Chief Michael Brody said.

An unidentified attacker, possibly a shark, emerged from the water mauling the young boy.  Following the attack, Kintner disappeared into the ocean water. 

Kintner’s body has not been recovered, but his damaged raft did float to shore in the wake of the incident.  There were no other injuries reported.

Kintner’s death has been linked to last night’s death of Amity teenager Chrissie Watson. The mangled  body of the  17-year-old Watson, a senior at Amity High School, was found washed up on the beach by Deputy Jay Hendricks of the Amity Police Department earlier this morning.  

“We now believe that it may be possible that the Watson death could also maybe have possibly been linked to possible shark activities in the vicinity of Amity,” said Brody.

Watson was last seen alive around 11 PM last night, leaving a beach party with Christopher P. Hoggenbottam III, a sophomore at Trinity College.  Hoggenbottam claims to have last seen Watson when she decided to go swimming at a remote section of South Beach near the South Beach bell bouy.

Watson’s body has been transported to the coroner’s office for an autopsy, according to the Amity Police.  The autopsy report has yet to be released.   

“I join Amity Mayor Larry Vaughn in expressing the town’s deepest and most sincere condolences to the Kintner family,” Brody said in a press release.  “Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens do not just happen in the city,” he said.

Brody also offered his condolences for the Watson family.

“We send our best wishes to the family of young Chrissie Watson,” Brody said in a press conference on Monday. “We are truly devastated that such a tragedy would happen in our town.”

Kintner’s mother, Marion, has been taken to Amity General hospital to be treated for shock.

A special meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight, at which Mayor Vaughn, Chief Brod, and the Amity Board of Selectmen will be in attendance, to discuss plans to close the beaches on July Fourth.

New York Times Reading Log - 18 (Thursday's Paper)

Very very interesting article on the front page of today's times about the wiretapping going on between leaders in a China that is devoid of any interpersonal trust.  And that story had a big a big headline.  I love it when they break out the big headlines!  God, I'm so superficial.... Anyways, the article was definitely an interesting read.  It is crazy the level of paranoia and distrust going on in China.

In political news, Newt Gingrich is finally out of the running in the Republican primary!  Oh wait...that isn't news at all...he never had a shot did he?  Well, it is technically news that his campaign officially ended yesterday. It is hard to believe that Gingrich stayed in this race even longer that Rick Santorum, who seemed to have the least long shot of any of the long-shots in the Republican race.  This leaves just Ron Paul to vie for the Republican nomination against Romney, which means essentially only Romney is left.

Looks like Romney vs. Obama.  This should be interesting.  My prediction:  Obama wins 56% of the popular vote, taking office for a much more productive second term. I just don't see Obama going out as a one-termer.  That somehow just seems flat wrong.

New York Times Reading Log - 17 (Wednesday's Paper)

It was cool to see a photo taken in my hometown of Manchester, NH on the front page of the New York Times.  It somehow feels satisfying to get Manchester some glimpse of recognition.  Also interesting was the story that related to the photo, also written out of Manchester, about Mitt Romney winning another 5 states (albeit largely uncontested with the absence of Santorum) and inching closer to formally securing the Republican nomination.  

This article also has the interesting distinction of having the single longest paragraph I have ever seen in a New York Times article.   One paragraph was 6 sentences (in some cases, lengthy sentences.)  It is interesting to note stuff like this in journalism.  Before I took this class I probably would never have noticed a long paragraph, or any structural oddities like that.  Now it sticks out like a sore thumb.  I almost wonder if it could have been a typo or something.

I also would like to point out that I have never really noticed the Times alleged Leftist/Liberal bias.  The are supposed to be such a liberal publication, but I just don't necessarily see it.  That's not to say I think they are conservative, as much as it is to say that I just don't see a slant in many articles.  Sure the Op/Eds are liberal, but I don't see it as affecting the news reporting.

New York Times Reading Log - 16

I loved the picture of Obama on the front page of the New York Times today.  It was telling of what's to come for the president, and symbolic of the electoral fight that is ahead.  The president with his fists held up in front of a huge American flag is just such a cool image.  I feel like Teddy Roosevelt could have pulled off the same pose.  If Obama is able to win another term, and do useful something with it, this may become quite an iconic photo.

The comparison that writers Sabrina Tavernese and Jeff Zeleny make between opponents Obama and Romney and "liver and brussels sprouts" was a particularly funny quip on the front page.  It seems that many Americans really do see this election as a selection between two evils.  What else is new though?

What's the deal with all the stories being written by two writers lately?  I know it isn't uncommon for writers to collaborate on articles in the Times, but very single article above the fold on the front page today was written by two writers.  Just an observation I guess.

Amazing story about the Harlem police officer Eder Loor, who literally escaped death by inches.  He was stabbed in the brain, just inches from several vital parts of the brain which control vision, motor functions, and sensation.  In a year where the deaths of police officers seems to keep increasing, it's nice to see someone in the line of duty catch a lucky break.

New York Times Reading Log - 15

Today's New York Times had two great examples of delayed leads being used in hard news stories.  I found this to be interesting.  It goes to show that newswriting is truly becoming more liberated, and that writers are using more creative and artistic ways to deliver the news to the public.

The story "Details Emerge on U.S. Decisions in China Scandal" by Steven Lee Myers and Mark Landler made use of a delayed, storytelling style in its lead, leaving the "Who, What, When, Where and Why" to the following paragraphs.  This made for a reading experience that is more engaging than the inverted pyramid, albeit far less direct.

"U.S. Inquiries Trace Women in Colombia" by William Neuman and Michael S. Schmidt made use of a similar delayed lead technique.  The lead immediately catches the attention of the reader, as it talks about prostitutes waiting to be picked up by men.  The lead then ends in something of a cliffhanger. "But the next group of American visitors to walk in the door may not be customers at all" it says.  This makes the reader almost need to read on.  It's tempting and alluring.  Unlike the inverted pyramid lead, this structure makes it so that the reader not only wants to read on, but so they have to read on.

New York Times Reading Log - 14 (Thursday's Paper)

The front page in today's New York Times had a story about George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch coordinator in Florida who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, being charged with second-degree murder by a special prosecutor.  It is gratifying to see this case coming to some kind of a resolution.  It was nice to see the family of Martin on the front page, having received justice for the loss of their son.  This shooting was a true tragedy, and it is nice to see a resolution.  Additionally, this is a prime example of the power of Twitter, and online media, and the medium's role in news reporting, and social justice causes.  Martin's case received a great deal of attention on Twitter.  The power of the hashtag, and the rapid spreadability of news on Twitter is totally redefining news media.  Martin's case is an example of this great shift.

Additionally, the story about North Korea being poised to launch a long range missile, despite worldwide resistance from other nations continues to concern.  North Korea continues to pose a grave threat on a world scale.   If they continue to be as unresponsive to diplomacy from other world leaders as they have been, and with Kim Jong-un set to take over the helm after his father, that should be the case, this could become a real issue. 

New York Times Reading Log - 13

Awesome issue of the New York Times today.  There were a ton of interesting articles in today's paper.

One that I found particularly interesting was the front page article by Jenna Wortham about Facebook's billion dollar buyout of Instagram, an online photo sharing website that is used specifically on mobile devices.  This is cool because it demonstrates just how far we have moved in the technological world away from home computers and toward mobile devices.  Facebook is becoming quite the force to be reckoned with in the Internet world, as they demonstrated in this aggressive business move.  It's almost like Facebook is flexing it's muscles at the rest of the online world, but hey why shouldn't they?  With a net worth estimated at $100, they can afford to make billion dollar buyouts like this.

The Times made great use of diagrams, charts, and other visual stimuli in today's issue.  I loved the article in the Science Times section about the new findings surrounding the Titanic's sinking.  It was very interesting to find that causes other than the much maligned iceberg may have been to blame for the tragedy.  That article had several great visuals that really helped the article come to life.  Additionally, the article about Romney vs. Obama utilized some humorous caricatures of the soon-to-be Presidential candidates.  Also, the article in the Business section about the proposed increase in minimum wage used an illustrated map of the US, with figures showing each state's minimum wage to help drive home the point.

As someone who will probably be back to my menial job at the movie theater over the coming summer, this rise would be much appreciated.  

New York Times Reading Log - 12

The picture on the front page of today's Times is one of the most interesting and intense I have seen in a while.  The picture, which shows wounded American soldiers lying in the streets of Maimana following a fatal Afghan bombing, really demonstrates the violence and intensity of military action in the Middle East.  It is quite a shift from the usual front page cover, which is usually less intense.  I was immediately drawn to this picture when I picked up the paper.

I was interested in the article about the genetic mutations that have been proven to have a link in Autism.  What was particularly disturbing about this article, was the fact it stated, that 1 in 88 people are diagnosed with aspergers disease, or similar autism related social disorders.

I wouldn't say that I expected Deadmau5 to be on the front page of the New York Times.  As a huge music fan, I liked seeing the article below the fold on the front page about the enormous surge that electronic music has made in recent years.  I thought it was especially interesting that Wall Street is seeing the growing musical genre as a lucrative opportunity.        

New York TImes Reading Log - 11

I was interested in the front page article in today's New York Times about Mitt Romney winning 3 more states, with victories in Washington DC, Maryland, and Wisconsin.  It is certainly starting to look like it's curtains for Rick Santorum.  Romney seems to have taken a firm grip on the Republican primary now, (as if he hadn't already) and it looks as though Santorum's comeback bid has been all but quashed.

Romney seems pretty sure of this.  He's turned his attention toward Obama, blaming him for the economic strife of the past few years in a recent speech that he was to deliver.  Suddenly Santorum doesn't seem like such an important opponent.

I also found the article about China's pay-for-coverage system to be a very interesting read.  I had no idea that China's press was like this.  I had an inkling about the way in which they censor journalism, but I had never realized the extent to which their journalistic standards were corrupted.  

Additionally, I enjoyed the article about Kentucky University's starting 5 Basketball players, who are all expected to enter the NBA draft after winning a NCAA Title, after only a year (or in some cases 2) of college.  This just goes to show that the NBA's rule in place that requires players to attend college for a year before entering the league is counterintuitive and ridiculous.  What is the point?  So that players can slack off for a year before joining the NBA?  Yeah, that definitely makes them more well rounded.

Fluffy's Great Escape

A dangerous spotted leopard is suspected to have escaped from the Durham Zoo on last night and has still not been found.

When employees opened the zoo this morning, they found the cage of Fluffy, the zoo's Romanian spotted leopard, vacant.

"When we opened the zoo at 7:30 this morning and began feeding the animals, we immediately noticed that Fluffy was missing," said Gerry Durrell, the director of the Durham Zoo.  "We have no idea what time Fluffy escaped or where she went."

Durrell said that the last time Fluffy was seen, she was in her cage when the zoo closed at 9 p.m. last night.  He also pointed out that when the leopard's empty cage was discovered, nothing appeared to have been tampered with or broken.

"We love that cat, and we don't want to lose her," Durrell said, tearing up.

Kitty Smith, the Durham Zoo's chief biologist warned that Fluffy is "extremely dangerous" and will attack if provoked.  She also warned of the spotted leopard's appetite for young children.

"Fluffy is a wonderful, warm, gentle cat who has never hurt anyone," Smith said. "But if these cats are cornered -- or encountered on a dark night -- their defense is to kill, and to kill quickly."

Smith cautioned that Fluffy will instinctively "kill now, ask later," and advises anyone who encounters the leopard to lay still on the ground.  She said that this tactic should prevent any attack from the leopard, who is most likely to attack if she senses fear.

The Durham Police have begun a systematic search of the zoo, and will extend the search outward throughout Durham until Fluffy is recovered.  Police Chief William Blair said that their hope is to bring Fluffy back alive.

"If possible, Fluffy will be shot with a tranquilizer gun."  Blair said, "But if necessary, we will shoot to kill."

The police have teamed up with the National Guard, the New Hampshire State Police, and the State Wildlife Department in their search.  The National Guard has contributed helicopters equipped with infrared sensors. Chief Blair said that if Fluffy is not found before nightfall, their search will become much more difficult.

"These cats are nearly impossible to0 find in the dark,"Blair said.  "They can see everything and we are blind."

Zoo-goers were upset with the leopard's escape.

Patronkis quote... 

Possible Profile

For an upcoming article in Main Street Magazine, I am writing a profile piece about a UNH student named Max Auger who is the only male dance major on the UNH campus.  I think that this would be an interesting article to read because of the uncommon nature of his position as a male dancer.  The article will discuss Auger's path toward choosing dance as a major, as well as the way in which he has dealt with the social implications of being a man in a major that is predominately female.

What is also interesting about Auger's story is that he never even started in ballet until his Freshman year in college.  According to the girls he dances with, and his instructor, he has improved immensely since he first started, though he claims he still has a long way to go.  

I believe that this could be a very interesting and readable profile piece, given Auger's unique position. 

New York Times Reading Log - 10

One story that I found particularly interesting in today's New York Times was Justin Gillis and Joanna M. Foster's article about the insane weather the world has been experiencing over the last few weeks, or as the article calls it, "weather weirding."  Specifically, the aspect of the article that grabbed my attention was the part about the way in which trees that began to bloom early because of the warm weather may now be in danger because temperatures have dropped so far back down.

Last week, I wrote an article about the odd weather we have been receiving and one of the people I talked to as a source was Ron Christie, a Program Coordinator of UNH Agriculture Resources.  He warned of the weather fluctuation's negative effects on crop growth.  "All of this growth could be killed with a severe frost," Christie told me.  "The big danger is what could happen to fruit trees.  Fruit buds could be damaged or killed.  This could mean significantly lower fruit tree production this year," he said.  I found it very interesting, on a personal level, that my story and the research I did for the article, coincided with today's article in the Times. 

Another story that struck my interest was the front page article about the death of famous American poet Adrienne Rich.  I have read a few of Rich's poems in my literature classes here at UNH.  One that always stood out was her poem, Power.  It's sad to see the passing of such a literary great.

Lastly, I am an enormous fan of AMC's TV series Mad Men.  Like all other fans of the show, I am very excited that Don Draper and his crazy crew of Madison Avenue Ad men are back after a nearly 2 year hiatus.  I loved the season premiere, which aired this past Sunday, and in today's Times, there was an interesting article that appeared on page A20 that revolved around a particularly controversial scene from that episode.  

Evidently, the opening scene from the episode, which depicted a group of immature Madison Avenue employees dropping paper bags filled with water from their office in a high-rise building onto a group of African American protesters in the street, was taken directly from an article on the front page in a 1966 issue of the New York Times.  I thought that was really cool.  Even more interesting is that the reporter who wrote the story, John Kifner, doesn't even remember writing the article after all those years.  It's interesting what years of reporting will do to a person.

   

New York Times Reading Log - 9

More big news from the Supreme Court in today's Times.  It looks like Obama's health care law is on the route to being shut down by the Supreme Court justices.  This doesn't come as much surprise in my eyes, since this was a bill that was so controversial, and so roundly rejected by conservatives (despite the fat that it was modeled after a similar law that was instated in Massachusetts by Republican primary nominee Mitt Romney).  This could be a definite stumbling block for Obama entering campaign season, especially since the health care bill was one of his largest, if not most popular, accomplishments in office.  But hey, if he runs against Romney, I guess he could just blame it on him...it was kind of his idea, after all.

In other news: students cheat on the SATs and ACTs.  Wow.  That's a stunner.  So what's being done about it?  Photo verification for students is now a requirement to take the standardized tests.  That honestly does seem like an effective countermeasure, but I think the discussion needs to be made about moving away from standardized tests like these.  Colleges are already making moves toward not giving student's SAT or ACT scores as much weight as they once held in the application process, and I think that is the direction that we should be heading in more quickly.  What do these tests even prove anyways except for whether students can or cannot take tests effectively?  Not much. 

Another interesting story came on page A10 of today's paper:  Chloe Sang-Hun's article about North Korea's refusal to cancel plans to launch a satellite, even despite other world leaders' threats to withhold food aid and sanctions.  This just goes to show that North Korea is ready, willing, able, and committed to being the biggest pain in the ass to the rest of the world that it can be.  This should be an interesting storyline to follow.  Hopefully it doesn't end in some nuclear holocaust. I thought that maybe after Kim Jong-il died, that country would lay off on the craziness a little bit, but I guess not. 

  

  

Summer in March

The March of Summer

            Shorts, sun block, bathing suits, ice cream, Frisbees flying, and temperatures reaching the 80s.  Are the seasons confused?  After a winter that was much more like fall, spring is starting out like summer. 

Just three weeks removed from a snowstorm that gave UNH students their first snow day of the 2011-2012 school year, New Hampshire got an early taste of summer weather last week. Temperatures reached highs in the 70s and even in the 80s throughout most of the week, in an unusual burst of hot weather more reminiscent of mid-July than March.  UNH students took full advantage of the oddly warm weather, many donning summer clothes and taking to the outdoors.

            “I spent the gorgeous afternoon playing Frisbee with friends,” said UNH sophomore Jason Graham on Wednesday afternoon.

            “I took a walk in the woods, went fishing, and just enjoyed the outdoors,” said Jasmin Cesko, another sophomore.

            Students were not the only ones enjoying the change in weather.  The Dairy Bar, Durham’s popular ice cream restaurant, saw a sizable boost in business as customers flooded in for some cool treats.  Jane Calef, the supervisor at the Dairy Bar, said that she has never seen so much business this early in the year.

        “It’s been crazy,” Calef said, “Our numbers have almost doubled.  Usually it’s only like this if something’s going on at the [Whittemore Center].” 

            The unexpected heat affected student athletes as well.  In particular, the women’s cross-country team had to make changes to their normal practice routine to compensate for the high temperatures.

            “We had to go for a run in the woods today,” said sophomore Anne Twombly, a runner on the cross-country team, on Wednesday “It was too hot to run out on the pavement.”

            Although many students took joy from the unseasonable warmth, some couldn’t help feeling somewhat concerned with the strange weather.  UNH student David De La Rosa said that he believes the heat is a result of a long-term trend toward climate change, and that he is concerned about the weather to come.

            “I’m excited for hurricane season,” De La Rosa sneered, “The hurricanes are going to be crazy this year.  I think it’s all because of climate change.”

            Meteorologist Josh Judge of the New Hampshire news station WMUR was also surprised by the consistent hot weather that characterized last week.

            “I have never seen anything like it,” Judge said, “there is no precedent for it. We set six records [for temperature highs] on six days in a row, right back to back.” 

Judge said that although last week’s temperatures were highly unusual for March, a larger trend toward higher temperatures over several years would be necessary to prove that climate change was the cause.

“It is way to early to tell if it’s indicative of anything,” Judge said,  “Many of the records broken were set 50 to 100 years ago.  If it were to happen one or two more years in a row, then there would be a cause for concern.”

Judge also pointed out that the weather phenomenon known as La Niña was in effect during the past winter, and that that may have been the cause for the unseasonable weather. 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, “During a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the Southeast and cooler than normal in the Northwest.”  La Niña would indeed be a fitting explanation for the warm weather that has characterized both the winter and the early spring.

Mary Stampone, a New Hampshire State Climatologist, said that while she agrees that it is too early to determine if the weather is a result of climate change, it is indicative of a trend regionally.

“Weather patterns like these are short term responses to wider atmospheric circulation patterns,” Stampone said,  “You cannot directly relate the magnitude of one particular weather event to a long-term, global-scale pattern like climate change or the one specific part of climate change we refer to as global warming.  However, data indicates that over time, average March temperature has risen, and we have observed more extremes in weather patterns from year to year.  Therefore, this type of weather pattern is consistent with what many scientists have interpreted as the influence of regional climate changes on regional weather patterns.”

Whether climate change, La Niña, or pure luck was the cause of last week’s warm weather, UNH students shouldn’t plan too many trips to the beach just yet.  Forecasts call for a return of temperatures in the mid-40s and rain for the week to come.

New York TImes Reading Log - 8 (Thursday's paper),

Big Headline Alert!  I love it when the Times gets a little excited, and in today's paper, they had a larger headline than usual for the story about the Supreme Court's ruling that defendants have the Constitutional right to effective legal advice in plea negotiations.  This is definitely a story that warranted the increase in headline size, especially given that it was passed with the crossover vote of conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy.  It may cause a sticky situation in trying to determine the very subjective idea of "good legal advice," but it still marks an increase in rights for the accused.  And as a law professor is quoted as saying in the article, "[this decision] is the single greatest revolution in the criminal justice system since Gideon vs. Wainwright provided indigents the right to counsel."  So this is big news for sure.

I was also interested in the story about NFL coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints being suspended for a year without pay for his involvement in his team's "bounty scandal."  It is cool to see sports get on the front page for any reason, but I guess it's not so great to see the NFL marked by this controversy.  Payton deserves to be suspended, but it makes me wonder how many other teams in the league have a similar bounty, or "pay per injury" system in place.  Also, this makes Bill Bellichick look like a regular law abiding citizen.  All of a sudden spygate doesn't seem so bad.

In more news from the worst presidential primary of all time: Romney's campaign is an etch-a-sketch.  Of course it is...anything to keep Santorum's dying race alive.  It's annoying how everyone knows that politicians change their platforms between the primaries and the presidential election, yet everybody still gets infuriated if anybody admits it.

If Romney is an etch-a-sketch, Santorum is a crucifix.  And in a race of the "worse of two evils", I'd rather be able to shake and erase.

New York Times Reading Log - 7

A slow news day for the Times?  The A section only had 20 pages today.  Usually by Wednesday they're up to 24 or 26.  Am I crazy for noticing this? Maybe I should just stop trying to figure out a pattern in the way the Times prints their issues. 

I found the front page story about Mitt Romney sweeping the election in Illinois to be interesting, if not a little distressing.  It looks as though Mitt Romney is really picking up steam now.  After getting key victories in Ohio (by the slimmest of all margins) and Michigan, dominating Illinois seems to solidify him as the definite front-runner in my mind.

The article says that Romney's campaign has stressed that he is the best candidate to beat Barrack Obama in the Presidential Election.  I think I will have to agree with Romney, which is exactly why I wish he'd lose the primaries, and send Rick Santorum (whose hyper-conservative ideals make him somebody no social liberal would ever dream of voting for) to the chopping block against Obama. Romney poses a real threat to Obama in my mind.

What concerns me the most about a Republican candidate posing a threat to Obama's presidency is the current turmoil with Iran.  Obama, in my opinion is handling the situation with grace and tact by trying to put diplomacy before military action.  If a military and defense oriented Republican like Romney is to be our next president, it is my sincere fear that we will become involved in a war with Iran.

Republican President + Possible Nuclear threat in the Middle East = War

Sound familiar? 

New York Times Reading Log - 6

From a simple formatting perspective, it was interesting to see the larger font size and all capital lettering given to the "Wins in 2 Contests Help Romney Add to Delegate Lead" headline in today's New York Times.  Since I have started reading the Times, this is the largest headline I have seen, and I found it funny that it was warranted for a Super Tuesday that, despite adding to Romney's delegate lead, did not show decisively that Romney is now the definite front runner or winner.  

Newt Gingrich got an easy victory in Georgia, winning 76 delegates, and Rick Santorum won a pair of states, Oklahoma and Tennessee.  Notably, no candidate showed a clear enough majority in the prized state of Ohio.  

In a Primary Election that has been so very divisive and non-committal for the Republican party, it is clear the the media is scrounging for anything close to definitive.  When I first saw the emphatic headline, I thought that Romney had won the Primary, just as a first impression based on the size of the text.  When I read on, and learned that the news was much less decisive than that, I was perplexed.  I guess everyone has slow news days, even the immortal Times.

I also enjoyed the article by Abby Goodnough that was based in Leominster, Massachusetts.  It was humorous to see how underwhelmed many Republicans and Independents have been with Romney's performance in their own state.  What is perhaps more telling, is that many still voted for him.  American politics has indeed become a "best of 2 evils" game. 

New York Times Reading Log - 5

I found the article in today's New York Times by David M. Herszenhorn about Vladimir Putin's re-election in Russia to be interesting.  Although the article didn't have a "bias"per se, it was interesting to me how heavily it was being inferred in the article that the election was rigged.  I understand that Herszenhorn is not technically taking sides with this article, since all of the claims he mentions regarding the election's rigging are well documented by experts and by Russian politicians and citizens.  However, it is interesting how a writer can use evidence and perhaps a slightly slanted tone and really cast a negative pall over an event.

The negative vibes in this article even pervade the image that is on the front page, picturing Putin in front of an ominous looking, deep-red backdrop, pointing emphatically during what looks like a dramatic celebration speech.  I this picture, Putin looks like he just named himself evil emperor of the world or something.  The quotes that Herszenhorn attributes to Putin come across as ironic, especially given the heavy implications that the election was fraudulent.  

"We have gained a clean victory!" said Putin in his speech

This is not to sound as if I believe that Herszenhorn is wrong in his implications that the election was fraudulent.  In fact, I am inclined to totally agree with him.  Besides, it isn't really Herszenhorn making the claims after all, is it?  He simply chooses the angle with which to write it, and uses the evidence that supports it.  I think this article is so well written and  informative because it doesn't back down from speculation.  It just goes to show the persuasive power that journalism can have, even despite the practice's standards for avoiding bias.

Obama Speech in Nashua

In the face of escalating gas prices and criticism from Republican opponents, President Obama discussed the importance of diminishing the United States' dependence on foreign oil in a speech delivered to Nashua Community College on Thursday.

"Anybody that tells you we can drill our way out of this problem doesn't know what they're talking about or isn't telling you the truth," Obama told an applauding crowd, "We have to keep developing new technology new sources of energy."

Obama pointed out that during his Administration, America's dependence on foreign oil has decreased with each passing year.  The President even pulled out a chart that demonstrated this decline, and refered to it during his speech.

"Under my administration, America is producing more oil today that an any time in the last eight years," Obama said, "Under my Administration, we have a near-record number of oil rigs operating right now - more working oil and gas rigs than the rest of the world combined.  That's a fact."

Obama urged the audience to confront Congress, who he said has subsidized the oil industry with an  $4 billion in tax dollars annually.

"Let's put every single Member on record," he urged, "You can either stand up for the oil companies, or you can stand up for the American people.  You can keep subsidizing a fossil fuel that's been getting taxpayer dollars for a century, or you can place your bets on a clean energy future."

Obama placed emphasis throughout his speech on the progress his Administration has made in creating a renewable fuel economy in the United States.  He said that the use of clean, renewable energy has nearly doubled in the United States since he took office.

"We're taking every possible action to develop a near hundred-year supply of natural gas," Obama said, "something that experts believe will support more than 600,000 jobs by the end of the decade."

In a speech that was not given as a part of his impending campaign, Obama did take some jabs at the Republicans that are gunning for his job, showing that tensions between the incumbent and his Republican competitors is starting to mount.

"It's the easiest thing in the world to make phony election-year promises about lowering gas prices," he said,  "What's harder is to make a serious, sustained commitment to tackle a problem that may not be solved in one year or one term or even one decade."

 
  

New York Times Reading Log - 4

I was excited to see New Hampshire spotlighted in the A section of today's New York Times, although I wasn't so ecstatic about the subject matter.  A brief article surrounding a movement to repeal the legalization of gay marriage in New Hampshire by Abby Goodnough was featured in the National  news section on page A11 today.  Evidently, the movement for the law's repeal is starting to pick up some steam.  If legal same sex marriage was repealed, that would make New Hampshire the first state to repeal such a law according to the article.

With the coming end of Democrat John Lynch's lengthy gubernatorial run in New Hampshire, and Republicans apparently poised to take over his vacated spot, this repeal could very easily become a reality.  As a concerned New Hampshire resident, and a liberal in social matters, it is my sincerest hope that no such repeal should take place.  By becoming one of the first states to legalize gay and lesbian marriage, New Hampshire helped to get the ball rolling in the US with an issue that has been so controversial for so long.  Only time will tell what will come of this movement to repeal the law, but in a nation that is more and more speedily moving toward universal marriage equality, I would hate to see New Hampshire, the state perhaps most often associated with individual rights and liberties, be the first to back-pedal.    

 

New York Times Reading Log - 3

In today's issue of the New York Times, I particularly enjoyed the article by Michael Barbaro, "Rick Santorum Makes a Case For Religion in a Public Sphere."  As a social liberal, I am not the world's biggest fan of Santorum and his Bible toting, crusading approach to politics.  

"What kind of country do we live in that says that only people of nonfaith can come into a public square and make their case?" Santorum was quoted as saying, "That makes me throw up.  I don't believe in an America where separation of church and state is absolute."

Given these quotes, and Santorum's troublesome history of homophobia, a bigoted attitude that he is barely able to reign in even on a national stage,  I am forced to wonder: Is any one else as concerned as me that this man has a legitimate shot to run for president?   In my opinion, Santorum seems like just another far-right lunatic who is doing his best to move America as far backwards socially as he can.  I would be legitimately concerned for the rights of women, minority groups, and homosexuals if Santorum became President.  This article in the Times is eye-opening to just how unapologetically fanatical he is. 

I don't think there are many people who truly oppose the benefits of separation of church and state.  If Rick Santorum were elected, he will do his damnedest to revert America to the social norms of the dark ages.  

Saturday Detention

Saturday morning detentions are being considered as a possible disciplinary measure for students in the Portsmouth School district.

A time for students that is normally reserved for sleeping late, Saturday morning may become an object of dread if a new policy is passed that would require disciplined students to return to school for an early morning detention session.

The rule was proposed Monday evening at a meeting of the Portsmouth School board.  Tim Steele, the member who proposed the measure, says that he believes it will make students stop and think before acting up.

"I hope the threat of Saturday classes will make the students think twice before breaking the rules," Steele said.

The rule would require parents to deliver their children to school at 8 AM on Saturdays, for a detention that would last until noon.  It would also demand increased budget allocation of $3,000 for staffing.  Some, including Peggy Bacon, a parent of a student in the Portsmouth school system, voiced opposition to the proposed rule.

"I work six days a week -- including Saturday morning," she said, "and its bad enough to get my son off to school Monday through Friday.  I just don't think it will make any difference, and the parents are going to pay for it -- in higher taxes as well as in ruined Saturdays."

Resident Bob Farley was among those in favor of the proposed Saturday classes.

"Parents can whine all they want about this," Farley said, "but maybe its time parents in America were made to take a little responsibility for their kids.  Maybe if [students] have to miss a few Saturday morning cartoons, they'll start wising up."

Steele claimed that among the leading issues that prompted his new proposal is kids smoking in bathrooms.

New York Times Reading Log - 2 (2/22/2012)

Today's New York Times has one of the most exciting front page photographs that I have seen since I started reading the Times for this class.  The picture (accompanying Sangar Rahmani and Alissa J. Rubin's article "Koran Burning In NATO Error Incites Afghans") that depicts the Afghans in revolt of NATO personnel's burning of Korans captures perfectly the amount of anger and violence that was incited by this foolish gaff. The image I think is most interesting was the man, holding a slingshot, just about to release the taut elastics of the weapon.  The photo catches an act of protest right from right in the middle of the action.

Another article of note in today's issue is Scott Shane's News Analysis piece about Iran.  Given the recent developments between Israel and Iran, and the failure of nuclear inspectors to inspect Irani sites that are believed to be possible locations for tests involving nuclear weapons (also reported in today's Times) it seems that Iran is certainly becoming more and more of an issue.  Shane's comparison's between the situation in Iran and the situation in Iraq that 10 years ago led the US to military involvement in the Middle East is astute and important.  The similarities are uncanny. If no resolution is to come to soon, it seems likely that the US may again become involved in a dispute regarding WMDs in the Middle East. 

New York Times Reading Log - 1 (2/20/2012)

New York Times Reading Log – Entry #1

            Elisabeth Bumiller’s article “Iran Raid Seen as a Huge Task For Israeli Jets” is, to me, the epitome of interesting, well-executed journalism.   I found this article to be enlightening, but entertaining to read at the same time.  Within the first paragraph, Bumiller skillfully walks the line between a simple summary lead, and the more artful delayed lead.  I found this interesting, especially given our discussion and in class activities regarding the difference between the two lead styles today in class.

            Bumiller’s lead is closer to the style of a summary lead, as she doesn’t seem to really be trying to delay the article’s ultimate point, rather she is laying the basic facts out on the table to begin with just as any good summary lead should do.  However, she composes the lead with a fast paced, exciting opening sentence, that tells the reader the Five W’s that are so vital to any article, without coming across as a simple, formulaic summary lead. 

            From the lead alone, the reader can tell just how impossible it would be for Israel to pull off an aerial attack on Iran with their modest military presence in the air.  The remainder of the article remains interesting and compelling, providing a great deal of insight, including meaningful quotes from U.S. military intelligence.  The article even provided a map with possible airstrikes plotted out that Israel could use, should they decide to make such an attack.  This helped me to understand the situation in a much more tangible way.

            I found this article to be engaging and an all around good read.  

Jellyfish Attack!

Summary Lead

Five children were hospitalized Wednesday to be treated for stings from what rescue officials believe may have been a lion’s mane jellyfish.  The jellyfish reportedly stung more than 100 people at Wallis Sands State Beach, in Rye NH.

Delayed Lead

Ah, the sounds of the beach: Seagulls cawing, waves crashing, and the anguished cries of children in pain. Wait a minute; something seems out of place here.  For visitors of Wallis Sands State Beach, however, this odd scene became a reality on Wednesday.  

Crowds of children hysterically rushed out of the water and back to the shore, complaining to their parents of stings on their legs.  Meanwhile, armed with a pitchfork, lifeguards struggled to remove the monstrous creature that had stung over 100 beach-goers from the water.

“The thing was probably 50 pounds,” said Ken Loughlin, manager of Wallis Sands, “I’ve never seen such a thing.”

The creature responsible for all the chaos was a jellyfish, a creature that is probably foreign to many New Englanders.