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  If legal same sex marriage was repealed, that would make New Hampshire the first state to repeal such a law according to the article.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.    

Mile Hill Road Crash

Two passengers were injured on Tuesday evening when a car swerved off the road, possibly speeding.   The three riding in the car went off of Mile Hill Road in Belmont, Mass.

The injured riders, both local teens, were taken to Memorial Hospital in Belmont.  One was in stable condition, the other was airlifted to Mass. General to be treated for a brain injury, according to a hospital spokesman.

The accident occurred on a dark stretch of Mile Hill Road, the same spot where a fatal accident took place on Christmas Eve, 2005.  A witness claimed that the white Mustang was speeding just before the crash.

“I have never seen a car going so fast on this road,” said Josie M. Crandall, a resident of 27 Mile Hill road, “It’s a dirt road, and it’s really easy to lose control.”

Jamie Peterson, 17, of Elm Street in Belmont was the driver of the vehicle.  He was able to escape the wreckage under his own power.  However, rescuers on-scene had to resort to using the Jaws of Life, in a 45-minute operation, that ultimately freed the 2 passengers from the wreck.

Tom Carroll Jr., 17, was driving on Mile Hill Road at the time of the accident, and was the first witness on the scene.  Carroll told police that he had been driving behind the Mustang, when the car suddenly sped up around a curve out of sight.  He soon after saw the car off the road and on its roof.

                “I thought the worst,” Carroll said, “They were flying.  It’s hard to see kids your age do something like this. You realize when you see it what could happen, especially on this road.”

                The two passengers have not been identified.  Lt. Judith Berkus of the Belmont Police Department identified the passengers as young females.

Lack of Involvement in Student Senate

Underrepresentation in UNH Student Senate - Jake DeSchuiteneer
 

            Student senate has seen minimal student involvement this year, with 88 senatorial spots unfilled.  Several residence halls are underrepresented in student government, some having no representation at all.  Senate members are looking to find ways to promote increased student involvement.

            Of the 117 available spots in Student Senate, 29 are currently occupied, only 24 percent. Williamson, Stoke, SERC A, Mills, Hunter, Jessie Doe, Gibbs, Hetzel, and Christensen are all unrepresented in senate.  The Gables apartments have filled only 2 of their 10 available senate spots.

            “We’re dealing with issues that pertain directly to student life,” said Peter Geyer, Public Relations Manager on Student Senate. “With only a certain amount of people representing the students, the people that can affect change look at it and go… ‘Who cares?’” 

            Geyer disagrees with the theory that the problem is cultural, and that people simply don’t care.  “People do care.” he said, “We’re trying to explore where the disconnect is.  It is an issue of that people just don’t know about what we do.”

            Geyer, specifically, has been put in charge of the job of reaching out to students.  He hopes that through a multi-faceted approach, more students will become interested in involving themselves.  Approaches being considered include advertisements in The New Hampshire and posters around campus. 

According to Geyer, a strong Internet presence is among the best ways to expand involvement. “We’ve really increased our social media outreach between Facebook and Twiter,” he said.

Ashley Kysor is Hall Director in Mills hall, one of the several unrepresented on-campus housing buildings.  She says that the problem goes beyond students’ lack of knowledge regarding senate’s purpose.  “I think the reason a lot of halls are underrepresented has to do with the time commitments to the organization” Kysor said.

Mills had a representative in senate last semester, who was “active in attending Senate meetings,” said Kysor.  However, due to the organization’s strenuous time constraints, the student was forced to leave senate.  Thus far this semester, no one has filled the hall’s senate spots.

Many residence halls have fallen victim to similar problems with involvement.  However, some have found ways to get their residents involved.  The Upper Quad has managed to fill all 5 of their senate seats this semester.

“As the advisor for Hall Council there is a huge emphasis on representation in Senate,” said Samantha Wheeler, Assistant Hall Director in the Upper Quad.  “We have also had RA’s involved in senate which may have encouraged residents’ participation,” she said. 

According to Wheeler, the best recruitment tool for the Upper Quad has been word of mouth.  “…one person goes to senate, really likes it, tells all their friends about it and then some of their friends join…” she noted.

Although some residence halls have had success, the problem extends beyond on-campus involvement.  Forty-five empty spots in senate are those that should be occupied by commuters.  Of the 47 spots available to commuters, only 2 are currently taken.

Despite the current issues within senate, Geyer remains optimistic about the potential for the future.  “I think everyone should be joining to voice their opinions,” he said “If we had a sizable force, we could advocate more change.”