Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Global News

The New York Times

Twitter and the Amendments?

The issue of American rights and the internet comes into play when Twitter is planning on expanding to London. The United States government enforces the fact that Twitter is responsible for blurring certain things that disobey the law. No one knows what will happen but the social media operating in countries with vastly different laws will create an uprise as to what will happen with the Twitterverse. “When you sign up to most sites, you agree to terms and conditions that say you won’t use them to break the law,” she said. “The problem is that it’s all so difficult to enforce. Where would you begin?”

(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/technology/23twitter.html?ref=world

National News

The New York Times

Tornado Death Count Booming

In Joplin, Missouri, a major tornado from last Monday leaves the town in ruins. The tornado tore through the area, killing at east 90 people. Officials say they expect the death toll to climb. On behalf of the president, Nixon said "personally extend his condolences and to tell all of the families of Joplin affected by the severe tornadoes that they are in his thoughts and prayers." The Red Cross and many other organizations have been sending their efforts towards helping victims of the horrendous disaster.

(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/us/24tornado.html?_r=1&hp)

Local News

The Bergen Record

Violent Car Accident in Hackensack

In Hackensack, New Jersey, a drunk driver drove and out-of-control car that broke a utility poke and plowed through a french with four other inside, leaving a passenger seriously injured. All four passengers were from Bergenfeild and were either 20 or 21 of age, Malvasia said. There were three passengers who went to the emergency room for immediate care and the other, in serious condition. No one can be charged for supplying the alcohol because they are unsure as to where they were coming from and where they were going.

(http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/bergen_news/052211_Fatal_accident_closes_parts_of_Hackensack_Avenue.html)

ASHTON KUTCHER IS ALIVE! (not)

          Christopher Ashton Kutcher, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa died last Monday, May 16th, 2010. He was 33. Christopher, who went by the name Ashton, experienced an attack of his fan at a premiere for his first episode of Two and A Half Men, in which he was replacing the role of Charlie Sheen. At the time of his death, he only had filmed one episode of the series.
          Ashton is survived by his wife, Demi Moore; fraternal twin brother Michael, and older sister Tausha. He attended the University of Iowa and was Ranked #17 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols" (2005).
          Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Celebrities Funeral Home. The service will be held at 4:00 May 20th, 2010 at Celebrities Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Demi and Ashton Foundation (DNA) - to eliminate child sex slavery worldwide.

Famous Photojournalists

James Nachtwey

Awards: Dan David Prize, Heinz Award, and TED Prize
Claim to fame: famous war photographer
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Education: Dartmouth College studied Art History and Political Science
Work: Time Magazine since 1984
The photo below is my favorite because it portrays the true emotions and struggles citizens in Israel face on a daily basis. It does not show catastrophe, however creates a sympathetic feeling.

David Burnett

Awards: 100 Most Important People in Photography, Magazine Photographer of the Year, and Best Cam-pain Picture
Claim to fame: people, news, and visual tempo of the age
Birthplace: Texas
Education: University of Colorado
Work: Time Magazine since 2003
The photo below depicts the mentality of many Iranian citizens without being biased. Although it seems as if the image was 'set up', it truly wasn't, making it all that much more beautiful.

Margaret Burke-White:

Awards: First woman to be accredited war correspondent with the U.S. troops and first Western photographer allowed in Russia
Claim to fame: the photojournalists that would take risks
Birthplace: New York
Education: Columbia University and Cornell
Work: Fortune Magazine and Life Magazine
The photo below is a portrayal of pure emotion. Words are not needed to describe the woman's emotions, the picture does it itself.

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Global News
Nazi Death Camps
The New York Times


Munich courts decided that a sentence of five years in prison was enough of a punishment for John Demjanjuk, who helped force about 28,000 Jews to their deaths during the Holocaust. Simon Wiesenthal Center says that his trial is among the last major hearings that involve Nazi war crimes (as for Germany.) The chief of Nazi head-hinting Efraim Zuroff, says that the decission made by the court “sends a very strong message that even many years after the crimes of the Holocaust, perpetrators can be held to account for their misdeeds." Although no prision time can make up for the lives lost during the Holocaust, this is a microchosim of how the Holocust will stay with society forever, not only the rememberance, but consequences too.


(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/world/europe/13nazi.html?_r=1&ref=world)


National News
Prom for Adults
The New York Times


In Green Bay, Wisconsin, many adult's childhood dreams came true just this week. For some, it was their way of experiencing the American life style, and for others it was their opportunity to re-do that awkward prom where kids were trying to spike the punch. From pre-pictures to nominating king and queen, the valued prom traditions had been maintained. For a dollar each vote, everyone could vote for a queen and king. However, some things were a little different. For example, instead of sneaking home before the parents could smell each prom attendees breath for any trace of alcohol, they were returning home to their children. Also, since they were of appropriate drinking age, the punch did have alcohol. This was an experience for many who will treasure it for the rest of their lives.


(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/us/12prom.html?ref=us)


Local News
Stabbing at Young Age
The Bergen Record


In Passaic New Jersey, at 7:30am police were called to the outside of a Passaic Avenue apartment to find an 18 year old boy severely wounded from a stabbing. A fight had broke out between tree or four people, lead by the alleged attacker, a 16 year old. He was taken to Joseph's Regional Medical Center and underwent immediate surgery. In response to the stabbing, many parents took their students out of school for the day. According to the sticker with YDT on it, standing for Young Dominican Thugs, the alleged attacker was a part of the Mexican Dominican street gang. 




(http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime_courts/051211_Boy_in_critical_condition_after_being_stabbed_near_Passaic_high_school.html)

Photojournalism Response

A photojournalist is a hunter. "They hunt them (verbs), shoot them, and show them to their readers. Then, they hunt more." But what if the hunt is too dangerous? What if you, the hunter see a bear tackling a person? The contemplation whether to shoot the image or put down the lens and try to save the man hits. Other journalists may be so close to the bear that their life is being jeopardized, therefore having to make the decision as to run away and not take the picture, or put their life on the line and shoot the image. For many journalists, they face the problem whether or not the "game" is too harsh. Photojournalists today not only face the dillema as to being in dangerous situations, but defining what their "job" really is. Is it their job as a citizen to save the man or their job as a photojournalist to take the image, letting the bear rip the man to shreds? Personally, I am too weak to hunt. I would not be able to handle the internal agony of watching someone suffer without intervening. The game is too harsh for me, but for those who believe that standing by obeys their ethical beliefs, those people take the photos that become famous, the photos that are most powerful, the photos that both show and tell stories.

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

International News
Royal Couple Spends Time Together
The New York Post

Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly spending this weekend, following their royal wedding in Scotland at Balmoral Castle. Prince Willian, at the age of 28 is the Duke and Katherine is 29 as the Duchess. They partied on past the ceremony and party until fireworks ended the evening at around 3 a.m and those who could last continued until 5 a.m. There are rumors as to where William and Kate will settle, but due to security no one knows. Speculation of their futures and decisions as to Parliment has been from all different perspectives and people expect Kate to follow in the footsteps of the infamous Princess Diana.

(http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/royalwedding/well_thank_goodness_that_over_hqkaRywc4GpGg0KCSKUdZI)

National News
Homeless In Florida
The New York Times

In Orlando, Florida, the Fern Creek Elementary school's bus ride from the homeless shelter mirrors the lives of homeless children, difficult. In one say, a first grader and second grader got into a fist fight and someone else threw up - all within fifteen minutes. Fern Creek Elementary school is one of the few that is a mix of both homeless and not. The bus driver says that they have not seen many people go through all of their school years, that most either drop out or fail. In Colorado, the graduation percent is 72 percent, 59 percent of poor students, and 48 percent for homeless. Just as students can barley make it through a 15 minute bus ride, homeless students suffer to make it through their school years.


(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/education/02winerip.html?ref=us)

Local News
Earth Day Book Swap
Bergen Record

The Recycling Department of Ringwood, New Jersey sponsored a book swap in honor of Earth Day. It was at E.G. Hewitt and Robert Erskine schools on Tuesday, April 19th and Wednesday, April 20th. This took place during regular schools hours in order for more students to attend. Teachers and parents reviewed the books to ensure that they were appropriate for the students receiving them, of that grade level. If a student could not find a book they had interest in bringing home, they were permitted to choose a book to donate to either the school library/classroom, the Tomorrow's Children Institute, or the Salvation Army. This was not only to reduce, reuse, and recycle, but to motivate students, the leaders of tomorrow to be environmentally conscious.

(http://www.northjersey.com/news/121068253_Students_learn_to_reduce_reuse_recycle_their_books_.html)