"Easy Numbers for ID Theft, Lightly Guarded by Military"
The article from the New York Times has a stellar lead: "The government warns Americans to closely guard their Social Security numbers. But it has done a poor job of protecting those same numbers for millions of people: the nation’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines." It is tight, interesting and informing.
At bases and outposts military personel use their Social Security Numbers very casually. They even write them on their laundry bags. This puts them at a heightened risk for identity theft.
A West Point professor said that the military needs to rids itself of this practice that they have had since the 1960's. Representatives from the military say they are aware of the problem and are taking steps to fix it. Now the SSN's will no longer appear on Military I.D. cards.
Last year SSN's were used in 32% of identity thefts. 3.3% of active military personnel had been victims of such fraud that year, slightly below the 3.7 percent in the public at large.
Officials said some of the soldiers had been singled out because they were stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan where they would be slow to catch on to the fraud. That is precisely the fear of military officials concerning the vulnerability of soldiers, the NY Times reported.
I really like this article, but it makes me realize why as a young reporter I need to keep my articles under a thousand words.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Times Reading Log
"Taking Sides in Divorce, Chasing Profit"
Maybe I'm just getting sick of reading the New York Times, but this was another mediocre article on their part. Maybe I would be more intrigued if I was divorced or getting a divorce-like most of America.
The article began describing the situation of a woman who built a million-dollar business with her husband and then got a divorce.
In the divorce, all the rights to the business went to her husband and she lost the little money she did have in the preceedings.
"Then a lawyer referred her to Balance Point Divorce Funding, a new Beverly Hills lender that offers to cover the cost of breaking up — paying a lawyer, searching for hidden assets, maintaining a lifestyle — in exchange for a share of the winnings," reported the NY Times.
This is happening in NY and is expanding throughout the U.S.
I'm not surprised - America is at it again, waging bets on the potential profit of an emotional divorce. Bravo!
Maybe I'm just getting sick of reading the New York Times, but this was another mediocre article on their part. Maybe I would be more intrigued if I was divorced or getting a divorce-like most of America.
The article began describing the situation of a woman who built a million-dollar business with her husband and then got a divorce.
In the divorce, all the rights to the business went to her husband and she lost the little money she did have in the preceedings.
"Then a lawyer referred her to Balance Point Divorce Funding, a new Beverly Hills lender that offers to cover the cost of breaking up — paying a lawyer, searching for hidden assets, maintaining a lifestyle — in exchange for a share of the winnings," reported the NY Times.
This is happening in NY and is expanding throughout the U.S.
I'm not surprised - America is at it again, waging bets on the potential profit of an emotional divorce. Bravo!
Times Reading Log
"The Country Can Learn a Lesson From These Students"
Zakiya Qualls talked about her senior-year science reaseach at Howard Universityh and her dream to find a cure for Parkinsons disease.
She plunged into the results of her experiments which showed that an ingredient found in turmeric, used in curries, might protect neurons from toxins.
From this point on the article disapoints me because I was lead to believe it was about students doing research and were finding cures for diseases in spices, but it ended up being about medical education, which limits the audience significantly!
Zakiya Qualls talked about her senior-year science reaseach at Howard Universityh and her dream to find a cure for Parkinsons disease.
She plunged into the results of her experiments which showed that an ingredient found in turmeric, used in curries, might protect neurons from toxins.
From this point on the article disapoints me because I was lead to believe it was about students doing research and were finding cures for diseases in spices, but it ended up being about medical education, which limits the audience significantly!
Times Reading Log
"Weight Watchers Upends Its Points System"
Weight Watchers, one of the biggest names in dieting is changing their point system. The biggest change is that all fruits and most vegetables are point free. Processed foods have higher point values and should be eaten less.
Oranges are free, but orange juice costs 3 points. The new system is more complicated, but it also allows more points. I thought the article was average, to be honest. It was a good story idea, and definately appealing to a large, national audience, but truly, it could have been for interesting and informing.
Weight Watchers, one of the biggest names in dieting is changing their point system. The biggest change is that all fruits and most vegetables are point free. Processed foods have higher point values and should be eaten less.
Oranges are free, but orange juice costs 3 points. The new system is more complicated, but it also allows more points. I thought the article was average, to be honest. It was a good story idea, and definately appealing to a large, national audience, but truly, it could have been for interesting and informing.
Times Reading Log
"As Bullies Go Digital, Parents Play Catch-Up"
Before I read this article I was engaged by the picture of a pretty young girl wearing a leg brace sitting at her computer with her father standing over her. The caption: saying that she was a victim of online bullying because of her leg brace.
This article is definately a trend piece. Online bullying is huge and almost everyone can relate now. The people who are too old to have been victims of online bullying growing up have children who are at risk and the young adults today were the first generation of kids who were bullied online. During their (my) time in junior high, the media didn't discuss online bullying and it was not often brought up in school. It was, however, an issue.
The article is engaging be cause it has a narrative lead, telling the story of a child who was a victim of online bullying with a twist.
The twist - this kid was framed to be an online bully himself, a phony facebook page was set up in his name, with sneering comments about peers he barely knew. Someone had used him as an alias to mask their own cyber bullying.
The article is extremely lengthy, but it empathsizes with parents who don't know how to tread the waters of cyber bullying. Its more crafty and psychologically savage than schoolyard bullying and parents just aren't as well acquainted with it as their children are. Its hard for parents to babysit their kids in cyberspace when the child is way more advanced in technology than they are.
This article was compelling and served as a great example of how to incorporate anonymous sources.
Before I read this article I was engaged by the picture of a pretty young girl wearing a leg brace sitting at her computer with her father standing over her. The caption: saying that she was a victim of online bullying because of her leg brace.
This article is definately a trend piece. Online bullying is huge and almost everyone can relate now. The people who are too old to have been victims of online bullying growing up have children who are at risk and the young adults today were the first generation of kids who were bullied online. During their (my) time in junior high, the media didn't discuss online bullying and it was not often brought up in school. It was, however, an issue.
The article is engaging be cause it has a narrative lead, telling the story of a child who was a victim of online bullying with a twist.
The twist - this kid was framed to be an online bully himself, a phony facebook page was set up in his name, with sneering comments about peers he barely knew. Someone had used him as an alias to mask their own cyber bullying.
The article is extremely lengthy, but it empathsizes with parents who don't know how to tread the waters of cyber bullying. Its more crafty and psychologically savage than schoolyard bullying and parents just aren't as well acquainted with it as their children are. Its hard for parents to babysit their kids in cyberspace when the child is way more advanced in technology than they are.
This article was compelling and served as a great example of how to incorporate anonymous sources.
Times Reading Log
"Web Site for Teenagers With Literary Leanings"
The Website "Figment" was created by a staff writer for The New Yorker who envisioned it to be a literary Facebook for teenagers.
The creators thought it would be a social network for young adult fiction, but early on they learned that people didn't want a new Facebook.
"The young people on the site weren’t much interested in “friending” one another. What they did want, he said, “was to read and write and discover new content, but around the content itself,” The New York Times reported.
The website will be unveiled as an experiment in online literature. People can read and write fiction on both their computers and cell phones. The idea merged from a 21st century idea: The Cellphone Novel.
I feel as though this article followed the inverted pyramid format perfectly. Although I read the article to the end, the information grew less pertinent and engaging as it went on.
I did visit Figment.com and thought it was pretty cool.
The Website "Figment" was created by a staff writer for The New Yorker who envisioned it to be a literary Facebook for teenagers.
The creators thought it would be a social network for young adult fiction, but early on they learned that people didn't want a new Facebook.
"The young people on the site weren’t much interested in “friending” one another. What they did want, he said, “was to read and write and discover new content, but around the content itself,” The New York Times reported.
The website will be unveiled as an experiment in online literature. People can read and write fiction on both their computers and cell phones. The idea merged from a 21st century idea: The Cellphone Novel.
I feel as though this article followed the inverted pyramid format perfectly. Although I read the article to the end, the information grew less pertinent and engaging as it went on.
I did visit Figment.com and thought it was pretty cool.
Times Reading Log
"Let’s Not Make a Deal"
This was my first time reading Paul Krugman's column. Prior to reading, I had preconceptions that it would be over my head, given its highly political nature. Then I read the first paragraph and it was educating, entertaining, and understandable.
A criticism of George W. Bush and his "temporary" tax cuts for the rich, Krugar says,
"And so here we are, with 2010 almost over and nothing resolved."
Krugar tells Democrats to "just say no" to Republicans when when demand that the Bush cuts be extended and have the needs of the middle calss ignored. Letting the Bush cuts expire is the least of all evils he said.
Krugar refers to Republicans as successful blackmailers. :) They belive that President Obama, wouldn’t dare preside over a broad tax increase while the economy is this depressed.
Krugar infers that if Obama gives into their ploys for "temporary" tax cuts now, that he will respond the same way to their blackmail down the road.
"The only way to cut spending enough to pay for the Bush tax cuts in the long run would be to dismantle large parts of Social Security and Medicare."
So let me get this straight...Republicans want to take from the injured and elderly to give tax cuts to the rich?
The country would be better off with all around higher taxes than to cut from these programs, I believe.
The column is written to advocate Obama to take a stand and for Democrats to raise their voices.
This was my first time reading Paul Krugman's column. Prior to reading, I had preconceptions that it would be over my head, given its highly political nature. Then I read the first paragraph and it was educating, entertaining, and understandable.
A criticism of George W. Bush and his "temporary" tax cuts for the rich, Krugar says,
"And so here we are, with 2010 almost over and nothing resolved."
Krugar tells Democrats to "just say no" to Republicans when when demand that the Bush cuts be extended and have the needs of the middle calss ignored. Letting the Bush cuts expire is the least of all evils he said.
Krugar refers to Republicans as successful blackmailers. :) They belive that President Obama, wouldn’t dare preside over a broad tax increase while the economy is this depressed.
Krugar infers that if Obama gives into their ploys for "temporary" tax cuts now, that he will respond the same way to their blackmail down the road.
"The only way to cut spending enough to pay for the Bush tax cuts in the long run would be to dismantle large parts of Social Security and Medicare."
So let me get this straight...Republicans want to take from the injured and elderly to give tax cuts to the rich?
The country would be better off with all around higher taxes than to cut from these programs, I believe.
The column is written to advocate Obama to take a stand and for Democrats to raise their voices.
Times Reading Log
"Doctor Faces Suits Over Cardiac Stents"
Baltimore cardiologist, Dr. Mark Midei inserted 30 of Abbott Laboratories cardiac stents in a single day in August 2008.
Two days later, a sales representative spent over $2,000 on a dinner for him to celebrate. This was just part of the millions he was showered with in salary and perks for putting more stents in more patients than almost any other cardiologist in Baltimore.
"The Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Medicare started investigating Dr. Midei in February after a series of articles in The Baltimore Sun said that Dr. Midei at St. Joseph Medical Center, in Towson, Md., had inserted stents in patients who did not need them, reaping high reimbursements from Medicare and private insurance," The Times reported.
Dr. Midei implanted 585 stents which were medically unnecessary during a two year period!
Dr. Midei and St. Joseph have been sued by hundreds of patients who claim they received unnecessary implants.
Apparently, people are having unnecessary stents implanted in every city in America.
A lengthy article it was. I was engaged for the first half, but then lost interest. I think the reporter did a really great job on the investigation end, getting the documents from Senate, maybe it's his beat? He also spoke with the hospitals and medical companies and many lawyers. it was obvious he did his homework.
Baltimore cardiologist, Dr. Mark Midei inserted 30 of Abbott Laboratories cardiac stents in a single day in August 2008.
Two days later, a sales representative spent over $2,000 on a dinner for him to celebrate. This was just part of the millions he was showered with in salary and perks for putting more stents in more patients than almost any other cardiologist in Baltimore.
"The Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Medicare started investigating Dr. Midei in February after a series of articles in The Baltimore Sun said that Dr. Midei at St. Joseph Medical Center, in Towson, Md., had inserted stents in patients who did not need them, reaping high reimbursements from Medicare and private insurance," The Times reported.
Dr. Midei implanted 585 stents which were medically unnecessary during a two year period!
Dr. Midei and St. Joseph have been sued by hundreds of patients who claim they received unnecessary implants.
Apparently, people are having unnecessary stents implanted in every city in America.
A lengthy article it was. I was engaged for the first half, but then lost interest. I think the reporter did a really great job on the investigation end, getting the documents from Senate, maybe it's his beat? He also spoke with the hospitals and medical companies and many lawyers. it was obvious he did his homework.
Times Reading Log
"Leaked Cable Lists Sensitive Sites"
A cable released by Wikileaks could provide a target list for terrorists seeking to damage American interests overseas. Pipelines, chemical facilities, communications hubs and power plants are all on the list.
The leaked cable appeared certain to add to the growing criticism of WikiLeaks over its publication of confidential diplomatic cables. Critics say the exposure of the cables seems to have no purpose but to embarrass, confound and possibly materially harm a superpower.
A cable released by Wikileaks could provide a target list for terrorists seeking to damage American interests overseas. Pipelines, chemical facilities, communications hubs and power plants are all on the list.
The leaked cable appeared certain to add to the growing criticism of WikiLeaks over its publication of confidential diplomatic cables. Critics say the exposure of the cables seems to have no purpose but to embarrass, confound and possibly materially harm a superpower.
Third Life Taken By Man Eating Shark
James Parks, 30, of Oak Bluffs became the the third victim of a series of shark attacks in Amity at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
His small rowboat was attacked in The Pond and his body was torn apart by a vicous shark. His severed leg with a Keds sneaker attachd to the foot was the only remains of his body that have been found.
The son of Amity Police Cief Martin Brody also had his boat capsized by the boat in The Pond and is now being treated for shock.
Beaches will remain closed until further notice.
His small rowboat was attacked in The Pond and his body was torn apart by a vicous shark. His severed leg with a Keds sneaker attachd to the foot was the only remains of his body that have been found.
The son of Amity Police Cief Martin Brody also had his boat capsized by the boat in The Pond and is now being treated for shock.
Beaches will remain closed until further notice.
Killer Shark blamed for Two Deaths Caught
The vicous shark that was blamed for the deaths of 10-year-old boy, Alex B. Kinter and 17-year-old girl, Christine W. Watson has been caught an killed as of 3 a.m. last night.
Prior to it's capture, Amity Village Police Chief Martin Brody closed the beaches in Amity, and planned to keeop them closed for the Fourth of July.
Local fishman, Ben Quint offerrred to kill the shark himself, however, it would cost the town $10,000, far less than the town would lose in the detriment of deterred tourism.
The fishmen who did in fact catch the shark in the waters one mile southwest of Amity will recieve a $3,000 reward for their heroic efforts.
The shark was determined to be a nurse shark by Matt Hooper. a marine biologist from the Woods Hole, Mass., Oceanographic Institute, who is one of the world's foremost experts on sharks.
Brody warns that islanders and guests should not be alarmed by the presence of shark spotters from the Coast Guard, the Marine Patrol, the Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Navy, Homeland Security, the FBI, and numerous local municipal and county police agencies in the waters off of our beaches. They are only for safety precaution.
While law enforcement officials urge vigilance on the part of all citizens but believe that the danger of further shark attacks has probably passed.
On the Fourth of July, the beaches were packed but there was no one in the water. The mayor od Amity, Bob Farley was concerned and urged locals to set a good example by entering the water.
Later on, beach goers became comfortable with the bay, this was evident in the sheer number of bathers.
Soon after, flocks of people fleed the bay screaming. Adults were terrified, flipping the floats of young children in an attempt to get out of the water. Shark spotters were even panicked by this sight of a shark fin.
By the time lifeguards had cleared the water it became evident that the alarm was just a hoax by two young boys with a cardboard cut out of a fin.
Brody urges that any true shark sightings should be reported to authorities to the toll-free shark hotline, 1-800-sharksee.
Prior to it's capture, Amity Village Police Chief Martin Brody closed the beaches in Amity, and planned to keeop them closed for the Fourth of July.
Local fishman, Ben Quint offerrred to kill the shark himself, however, it would cost the town $10,000, far less than the town would lose in the detriment of deterred tourism.
The fishmen who did in fact catch the shark in the waters one mile southwest of Amity will recieve a $3,000 reward for their heroic efforts.
The shark was determined to be a nurse shark by Matt Hooper. a marine biologist from the Woods Hole, Mass., Oceanographic Institute, who is one of the world's foremost experts on sharks.
Brody warns that islanders and guests should not be alarmed by the presence of shark spotters from the Coast Guard, the Marine Patrol, the Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Navy, Homeland Security, the FBI, and numerous local municipal and county police agencies in the waters off of our beaches. They are only for safety precaution.
While law enforcement officials urge vigilance on the part of all citizens but believe that the danger of further shark attacks has probably passed.
On the Fourth of July, the beaches were packed but there was no one in the water. The mayor od Amity, Bob Farley was concerned and urged locals to set a good example by entering the water.
Later on, beach goers became comfortable with the bay, this was evident in the sheer number of bathers.
Soon after, flocks of people fleed the bay screaming. Adults were terrified, flipping the floats of young children in an attempt to get out of the water. Shark spotters were even panicked by this sight of a shark fin.
By the time lifeguards had cleared the water it became evident that the alarm was just a hoax by two young boys with a cardboard cut out of a fin.
Brody urges that any true shark sightings should be reported to authorities to the toll-free shark hotline, 1-800-sharksee.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Another Shark Attack in Amity
The death of a 10-year-old boy, Alex B. Kinter marks the second tragic death in Amity this summer. Kinter, was killed in a vicious and unprovoked shark attack at 2 p.m. on Monday at Village Beach.
Witnesses and beachgoers flocked from the water. Parents gathered their children in horror as Kinter's mother, Mariob Kinter ran to the water's edge, only to find her son's raft, destroyed by a shark bite, washed into shore with her son's blood.
The boy's mother is currently being treated for shock at Amity General Hospital and is reported to be in fair condition.
Kinter's body has not been recovered, unlike the body of Christine Watson, which was found in the sand dunes Monday morning. The police are now considering that the deaths are linked, and the murderer in both cases - a shark.
Witnesses and beachgoers flocked from the water. Parents gathered their children in horror as Kinter's mother, Mariob Kinter ran to the water's edge, only to find her son's raft, destroyed by a shark bite, washed into shore with her son's blood.
The boy's mother is currently being treated for shock at Amity General Hospital and is reported to be in fair condition.
Kinter's body has not been recovered, unlike the body of Christine Watson, which was found in the sand dunes Monday morning. The police are now considering that the deaths are linked, and the murderer in both cases - a shark.
Tragic Death in Amity
The body of seventeen-year-old girl Christine W. Watson was found mangled, washed up on the beach early Monday morning in Amity.
She went missing Sunday night and currently the cause of her tragic death is unknown and under investigation by The Amity Village Police Department. Amity Village Police Chief Martin Brody found her,
"I thought she had been murdered," he said.
"How else would the body become so mangled?" Brody asked.
Watson, a senior at Amity High School was last seen alive around 11 p.m. leaving a beach party with another teen, a male identified as Christopher P. Hoggenbottam III, a former resident of the island.
Hoggenbottam told policethat Watson decided to go swimming and entered the water at a remote section of South Beach near South Beach Shoal bell buoy.
"The last time I saw her she was running into the water," Hoggenbottam said.
Hoggenbottam had only met Watson that night and remembers very little, but that she ran into the water naked.
Police report that she has been mauled by an attacker of unknown origin. There are currently no charges filed for the case and the possibility of murder is serious.
Amity Police have not ruled out the possibility that Watson's death may be the result of a shark attack, yet they are assured that residents and visitors of Amity are not in danger.
"I am afraid of the water," Brody said, before reassuring that it was simply due to his poor swimming ability.
Her body has been transported to the coroner's office for an autopsy that has yet to be completed.
She went missing Sunday night and currently the cause of her tragic death is unknown and under investigation by The Amity Village Police Department. Amity Village Police Chief Martin Brody found her,
"I thought she had been murdered," he said.
"How else would the body become so mangled?" Brody asked.
Watson, a senior at Amity High School was last seen alive around 11 p.m. leaving a beach party with another teen, a male identified as Christopher P. Hoggenbottam III, a former resident of the island.
Hoggenbottam told policethat Watson decided to go swimming and entered the water at a remote section of South Beach near South Beach Shoal bell buoy.
"The last time I saw her she was running into the water," Hoggenbottam said.
Hoggenbottam had only met Watson that night and remembers very little, but that she ran into the water naked.
Police report that she has been mauled by an attacker of unknown origin. There are currently no charges filed for the case and the possibility of murder is serious.
Amity Police have not ruled out the possibility that Watson's death may be the result of a shark attack, yet they are assured that residents and visitors of Amity are not in danger.
"I am afraid of the water," Brody said, before reassuring that it was simply due to his poor swimming ability.
Her body has been transported to the coroner's office for an autopsy that has yet to be completed.
Monday, November 8, 2010
French Connection Article Draft Lead
Four people were shot and killed after a dramatic chase and train hijacking in New York City on Sunday.
New York City Police Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle shot and killed the assassin, Pierre Jeantot, 36, of Nice, France late that afternoon after he murdered four people in an attempt to kill Doyle himself.
Jeanot was allegedly working on behalf of a French drug kingpin whom Doyle and his partner, Buddy “Cloudy” Russo had been investigating.
Jeanot was sent after Doyle as a sniper in an effort to alleviate police presence in a a heroin exchange between France, Turkey, and the United States.
Doyle was working undercover in the Narcotics division, dressed in casual street clothes as he walked, patrolling the New York City streets at the time of the first gun shot.
Innocent people were everywhere, a child on a tricycle wheeled by before 63-year-old Betty B. Badluck of the Bronx took a bullet in the back and was shot dead.
Three shots were sounded. Doyle rolled to the ground and retrieved his gun while screaming at the pedestrians to leave the woman who had been shot alone.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Saturday mornings may no longer be for cartoons and cereal, but for an extra session at Portsmouth High School.
School Board member Tim Steele proposed a policy that would require students who have disciplinary problems to return to school for a special Saturday morning session.
The session would run from eight a.m. until noon several weekends during the year and according to Steele, would cost an additional $3,000 per year.
Peggy Bacon, a parent was against the idea and was concerned about the extra effort required to send her son to school on Saturday.
“Parents can whine all they want about this, but maybe it’s time parents in America were made to take a little responsibility for their kids,” said resident Bob Farley.
According to Steele this is an effort to reduce in-house suspensions which are now given to students caught smoking inside or outside of Portsmouth High School.
In-house suspensions do not allow students to make up the class work they missed during that day.
Steele said the new program would mean that that the student would miss no class time.
Steele also said smoking was the worst problem at Portsmouth High School.
“I just want to keep students from smoking in the high school bathrooms. There are other problems, but smoking is by far the biggest one,” Steele said.
Bacon offered another point of view.
“Parents are going to pay for it – in higher taxes as well as in ruined Saturdays,” said Bacon.
Lisa Gallagher, Portsmouth High School senior stood among four of her peers and spoke against the rule.
“I don’t like this idea. I think it’s just being done to make like easier for the faculty, so they don’t have to deal with the detentions during the week,” said Gallagher.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Times Reading Log for Friday, October 22, 2010
Now you can buy stress free chicken at the store! According to the New York Times article New Way to Help Chickens Cross to Other Side, two premium chicken producers, Bell & Evans in Pennsylvania and Mary’s Chickens in California, are preparing to switch to a system of killing their birds that they consider more humane.
They use carbon dioxide to gently gas the birds unconscious before they are slaughtered.
The article quote the owner of Bell & Evans reiterating the stress chickens undergo before they are killed.
This presents a marketing challenge to all chicken producers because the general public doesn't like to think about how their chickens are killed.
The goal of the new system is to ensure that the birds “not have any extra pain or discomfort in the last few minutes of their lives.
They use carbon dioxide to gently gas the birds unconscious before they are slaughtered.
The article quote the owner of Bell & Evans reiterating the stress chickens undergo before they are killed.
This presents a marketing challenge to all chicken producers because the general public doesn't like to think about how their chickens are killed.
The goal of the new system is to ensure that the birds “not have any extra pain or discomfort in the last few minutes of their lives.
Times Reading Log for Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Hormone treatment after menopause already known to increase the risk of breast cancer, also makes it more likely that the cancer will be advanced and deadly, a study finds, according to the New York Times Article, Breast Cancer Seen as Riskier with Hormone.
Women who took the hormones were more likely to die from breast cancer than women who never took them.
The hormones delayed tumor detection in mammograms, by increasing breast density.
The treatment studied was the most commonly prescribed hormone replacement pill, Prempro, which contains estrogens from horse urine and a synthetic relative of the hormone progesterone.
The article goes to quote doctors, like Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who said women should not take the hormones at all unless they really need them, for moderate to severe symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats that disrupt sleep and severely affect their quality of life.
Women who took the hormones were more likely to die from breast cancer than women who never took them.
The hormones delayed tumor detection in mammograms, by increasing breast density.
The treatment studied was the most commonly prescribed hormone replacement pill, Prempro, which contains estrogens from horse urine and a synthetic relative of the hormone progesterone.
The article goes to quote doctors, like Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who said women should not take the hormones at all unless they really need them, for moderate to severe symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats that disrupt sleep and severely affect their quality of life.
Times Reading Log for Monday, October 18, 2010
An editorial in Monday's paper, "In Climate Denial, Again" discusses how many people running on the republican ballot are in denial or are simply ignoring the fact that humans very much responsible for global warming.
According to the article "Mexico Closely Watches California's Vote on Legalizing Marijuana," in two weeks, Californians will decide whether to legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use, in a vote that polls say could be close.
America is worried about the drug spilling over the border to Mexico. America's decision could also influence Mexico's policy on not only marijuana use, but small amounts of hard drug use as well.
In California, advocates will vote for anyone over 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, and it will be taxed an regulated.
According to the article "Mexico Closely Watches California's Vote on Legalizing Marijuana," in two weeks, Californians will decide whether to legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use, in a vote that polls say could be close.
America is worried about the drug spilling over the border to Mexico. America's decision could also influence Mexico's policy on not only marijuana use, but small amounts of hard drug use as well.
In California, advocates will vote for anyone over 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, and it will be taxed an regulated.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Times Reading Log for Thursday, October 14, 2010
"Wal-Mart to Buy More Local Produce""
"Wal-Mart Stores announced a program on Thursday that focuses on sustainable agriculture among its suppliers as it tries to reduce its overall environmental impact," according to the New York Times.
Wal-Mart is expected to meet their goals by the end of 2015.
"In the United States, Wal-Mart plans to double the percentage of locally grown produce it sells to 9 percent. Wal-Mart defines local produce as that grown and sold in the same state."
While I can agree that this direction is great to be moving in, other countries are doing much better.
"In Canada, for instance, Wal-Mart expects to buy 30 percent of its produce locally by the end of 2013, and, when local produce is available, increase that to 100 percent."
I don't understand why the U.S. can't compete with that. What does Canada have that we don't, apparently they just understand the slogan, "Think Global, Act Local" a little better than we do.
The article says they are able to do this in Canada because the food business with Wal-Mart is brand new.
The article used many great sources, and went on to address that while Wal-Mart isn't really doing anything to support small farmers, which is a huge part of the "Buy Local" movement.
As a monster corporation that shuts down small businesses all the time, how much can they really do?
"Wal-Mart Stores announced a program on Thursday that focuses on sustainable agriculture among its suppliers as it tries to reduce its overall environmental impact," according to the New York Times.
Wal-Mart is expected to meet their goals by the end of 2015.
"In the United States, Wal-Mart plans to double the percentage of locally grown produce it sells to 9 percent. Wal-Mart defines local produce as that grown and sold in the same state."
While I can agree that this direction is great to be moving in, other countries are doing much better.
"In Canada, for instance, Wal-Mart expects to buy 30 percent of its produce locally by the end of 2013, and, when local produce is available, increase that to 100 percent."
I don't understand why the U.S. can't compete with that. What does Canada have that we don't, apparently they just understand the slogan, "Think Global, Act Local" a little better than we do.
The article says they are able to do this in Canada because the food business with Wal-Mart is brand new.
The article used many great sources, and went on to address that while Wal-Mart isn't really doing anything to support small farmers, which is a huge part of the "Buy Local" movement.
As a monster corporation that shuts down small businesses all the time, how much can they really do?
Times Reading Log for Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Judge Orders U.S. Military to Stop ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' reads the top right hand side of today's New York Times cover.
I don't think I could summarize the gist of the article better than the author, John Schwartz did himself,
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the United States military to stop enforcing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law that prohibits openly gay men and women from serving.
She ordered the military to "suspend and discontinue" and investigations or proceedings to dismiss service members.
"While the decision is likely to be appealed by the government, the new ruling represents a significant milestone for gay rights in the United States," wrote Schwartz.
Across the U.S., Long Recovery Looks Like Recession is also an article that appealed to me whilst reading the Times.
The article is highlighting the fact that whether the country is called the stage we're in a recession or a recovery, we're still hurting.
This recession is the most severe since the Great Depression. The article describes all of the ways we are receding, in jobs, real estate, etc, in different regions of the U.S.
A Climate Proposal Beyond Cap and Trade from the Business section called out to me. I can't help but wonder, "What will they do to move forward next," in the high hopes that it will be an extremely effective step.
The article didn't get right to the point I was hoping it would make, but I was able to learn that the government, specifically the Clinton administration, is trying to lower the "cost of clean".
Rising Corn Prices Bring Fears of an Upswing in Food Costs, according to the article, extreme weather is making the price of grain rise. If the rise is prices for corn and even weight is only short lived, it should not effect consumers, but if this problem becomes drawn out, we, as consumers should expect to see the prices at the market increase.
The price of corn per bushel is expected to increase from $3.95 to $5. The government says we need to cut down on our usage, but where, in green energy, in human food consumption, or in feeding our livestock?
I don't think I could summarize the gist of the article better than the author, John Schwartz did himself,
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the United States military to stop enforcing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law that prohibits openly gay men and women from serving.
She ordered the military to "suspend and discontinue" and investigations or proceedings to dismiss service members.
"While the decision is likely to be appealed by the government, the new ruling represents a significant milestone for gay rights in the United States," wrote Schwartz.
Across the U.S., Long Recovery Looks Like Recession is also an article that appealed to me whilst reading the Times.
The article is highlighting the fact that whether the country is called the stage we're in a recession or a recovery, we're still hurting.
This recession is the most severe since the Great Depression. The article describes all of the ways we are receding, in jobs, real estate, etc, in different regions of the U.S.
A Climate Proposal Beyond Cap and Trade from the Business section called out to me. I can't help but wonder, "What will they do to move forward next," in the high hopes that it will be an extremely effective step.
The article didn't get right to the point I was hoping it would make, but I was able to learn that the government, specifically the Clinton administration, is trying to lower the "cost of clean".
Rising Corn Prices Bring Fears of an Upswing in Food Costs, according to the article, extreme weather is making the price of grain rise. If the rise is prices for corn and even weight is only short lived, it should not effect consumers, but if this problem becomes drawn out, we, as consumers should expect to see the prices at the market increase.
The price of corn per bushel is expected to increase from $3.95 to $5. The government says we need to cut down on our usage, but where, in green energy, in human food consumption, or in feeding our livestock?
Times Reading Log for Monday, October 11, 2010
The only story in this issue that I feel compelled to blog about was written by David Carr and titled "A Vanishing Journalistic Divide."
The article is about the fact that some journalists are losing their integrity and becoming individual brand names.
While it is "intoxicating" to the reporter, the business model for news is lacking.
This front page story was written in first person, despite the initial point it makes.
Carr said that in his experience as an online reporter, despite what his print friends might think, that the "Web is a remarkably effective journalism machine."
He then goes into the fact that online journalism is great however, right now, print is what brings in the money. He notes that the actual dichotomy between mainstream and digital media is virtually nonexistent.
"So if news is wherever the public finds it, what really is the value of creating a complicated, labor-intensive print product?" Carr put this simply, but really, he has a great point.
If salaries remain the same and the news is the news, why does it matter whether its printed on paper or not? The news should be printed wherever the public wants to read it.
The article is about the fact that some journalists are losing their integrity and becoming individual brand names.
While it is "intoxicating" to the reporter, the business model for news is lacking.
This front page story was written in first person, despite the initial point it makes.
Carr said that in his experience as an online reporter, despite what his print friends might think, that the "Web is a remarkably effective journalism machine."
He then goes into the fact that online journalism is great however, right now, print is what brings in the money. He notes that the actual dichotomy between mainstream and digital media is virtually nonexistent.
"So if news is wherever the public finds it, what really is the value of creating a complicated, labor-intensive print product?" Carr put this simply, but really, he has a great point.
If salaries remain the same and the news is the news, why does it matter whether its printed on paper or not? The news should be printed wherever the public wants to read it.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Times Reading Log for Friday, October 8, 2010
The picture on the front page of today's issue was an amazing, gripping photograph. It was of children who were smeared with blood. I left the issue on my desk for a few days and when guests would come in, they would always say,
"Julia, did you see this picture?"
The photograph was of children who were taken to the hospital in Karachi, Pakistan after bombs killed at least seven people on Thursday.
On a lighter note, the first all-electric car, the Nissan Leaf will arrive at dealerships in December! There are other perks as well, such as federal tax credit, cash rebates, and a 3.000 dollar home-charging unit courtesy of the Energy Department. This is all part of the government's effort to have cars with zero tailpipe emissions.
This is shaving thousands of of the $32,780 sticker price. There will even be free parking for them in some cities, and use of express lanes on some highways! In Tennessee, the vehicles will even be able to go to charging stations for free.
Overall, I thought the article was skillfully and clearly written and extremely accessible and informative.
"Julia, did you see this picture?"
The photograph was of children who were taken to the hospital in Karachi, Pakistan after bombs killed at least seven people on Thursday.
On a lighter note, the first all-electric car, the Nissan Leaf will arrive at dealerships in December! There are other perks as well, such as federal tax credit, cash rebates, and a 3.000 dollar home-charging unit courtesy of the Energy Department. This is all part of the government's effort to have cars with zero tailpipe emissions.
This is shaving thousands of of the $32,780 sticker price. There will even be free parking for them in some cities, and use of express lanes on some highways! In Tennessee, the vehicles will even be able to go to charging stations for free.
Overall, I thought the article was skillfully and clearly written and extremely accessible and informative.
Times Reading Log for Thursday, October 7, 2010
On the front page Thursday's paper the article "City Seeking to Wean Poor From Sodas," grabbed my attention.
Mayor Bloomberg sought federal permission to bar New York City's 1.7 million recipients of food stamps from using them to buy soda or other sugared drinks.
The request was made to the United States Department of Agriculture, which finances and sets the rules for the food stamp program. Its an anti-obesity push by the mayor which also includes stricter rules on food sold in schools and the unsuccessful attempt to put a tax on sugared drinks.
I, personally am pleased to read this. I'm hoping this is one step forward and that one day we will see the government subsidizing local produce.
The mayor is not completely supported in his actions, one person said, in the first quote of the article, which I'm not sure is the proper place to quote this person, that the government had no right to stigmatize people on food stamps.
The mayor requessted a two year ban for a study on whether it would have a positive impact on people's health. The mayor said that no sugary drinks would give people more money to spend on real nourishment.
The mayor had gotten a lot of negative feedback because so many believe believe that it is unfair to target the poor and that they can choose for themselves. The author was a little unclear about what drinks would be limited, milks, etc. but this was cleared up by an editorial on page A31.
Mayor Bloomberg sought federal permission to bar New York City's 1.7 million recipients of food stamps from using them to buy soda or other sugared drinks.
The request was made to the United States Department of Agriculture, which finances and sets the rules for the food stamp program. Its an anti-obesity push by the mayor which also includes stricter rules on food sold in schools and the unsuccessful attempt to put a tax on sugared drinks.
I, personally am pleased to read this. I'm hoping this is one step forward and that one day we will see the government subsidizing local produce.
The mayor is not completely supported in his actions, one person said, in the first quote of the article, which I'm not sure is the proper place to quote this person, that the government had no right to stigmatize people on food stamps.
The mayor requessted a two year ban for a study on whether it would have a positive impact on people's health. The mayor said that no sugary drinks would give people more money to spend on real nourishment.
The mayor had gotten a lot of negative feedback because so many believe believe that it is unfair to target the poor and that they can choose for themselves. The author was a little unclear about what drinks would be limited, milks, etc. but this was cleared up by an editorial on page A31.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Times Reading Log for Monday, October 4, 2010
On page B1 there is an article, Verizon Wireless to Pay Millions in Refunds for Data Charges. Verizon wrongfuly charged millions of people for internet or data use and now are refunding them for this mistake on their part. Customers have complained to Verizon, but were ignored, so they contacted the F.C.C. Verizon also frequently charges custumers when they accidently access their web browser. At the end on the article, Jeffrey Nelson, the spokesperson for Verizon neglected to comment on the range of payments Verizon would make in return. This article jumped out at me because I am a Verizon customer, and I have been wrongfully charged by them on several occasions. I believe it made the first page of the business section because millions of other people can relate to it in the same way.
In National News, California is cracking down on people living in vehicles, according to an article on A9. It is a feature that opens describing the days of a woman who lived in an R.V. in Venice Beach, CA. During the day she would run a business at the beach and during the night she would move inland to find somewhere to park and sleep. Thanks to new enforcements in California and Venice Beach, she may have to leave. Venice was known as the "slum of the sea." The weather used to welcome people that lived from their cars, and now in the recession, people who once lived in homes are being forced to live in their cars, making this worse. Now, new to a new ordinance, they are banned from parking in beach lots.
In National News, California is cracking down on people living in vehicles, according to an article on A9. It is a feature that opens describing the days of a woman who lived in an R.V. in Venice Beach, CA. During the day she would run a business at the beach and during the night she would move inland to find somewhere to park and sleep. Thanks to new enforcements in California and Venice Beach, she may have to leave. Venice was known as the "slum of the sea." The weather used to welcome people that lived from their cars, and now in the recession, people who once lived in homes are being forced to live in their cars, making this worse. Now, new to a new ordinance, they are banned from parking in beach lots.
Monday, October 4, 2010
17-Year-Old Boy Saves Life of Old Orchard Beach Tourist
A car was stalled on the Amtrak train tracks with an older unconscious man trapped inside in Old Orchard Beach yesterday.
The 80-year-old man was found slumped over the steering wheel of his car by James Laboke, a 17-year-old Orchard Beach resident while walking to work at six a.m. that morning.
According to the police report, Laboke pounded on the car window but the driver remained unconscious. Laboke, who does not own a cell phone, then immediately ran 100 yards to the police station on Pier Street to report the emergency.
Laboke said later, "I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn't let the man get crushed by a train."
Janet Paradiso, captain of the Old Orcahrd Beach Police was in her cruiser about a mile away from the railroad crossing when she heard the call on the radio about the stranded vehicle.
Paradiso arrived five minutes later hearing the train's whistle.
According to Brian Paul, Old Orchard Beach Chief of Police, Paradiso rammed her police cruiser into the unconscious man's car, pushing it off the tracks.
Paradiso said, "I knew there was no time, I had to do something."
Only thirty seconds later, the train pushed through the crossing at about 40 mph.
Times Reading Log for Friday, October 1, 2010
Page A4 has an interesting story about how an Indian Court Divides a holy site for Hindus and Muslims.
In New Delhi, religion crosses with politics creating history as they split the land between Muslims and Hindus. The author fails to acknowledge the location of this during his lead, which to me is an error because I feel lost reading it. I continued to read the article searching for the actually site, and was therefore distracted from everything else the article had to offer.
In New Delhi, religion crosses with politics creating history as they split the land between Muslims and Hindus. The author fails to acknowledge the location of this during his lead, which to me is an error because I feel lost reading it. I continued to read the article searching for the actually site, and was therefore distracted from everything else the article had to offer.
Times Reading Log for Wednesday, September 29th
I like how in the article "Ancient Italian Town Now Has Wind at Its Back," the writer orients the reader in an Italian setting. This method would be inappropriate if it was printed this way in an Italian newspaper.
The story is able to be comprehended fairly easily, not only to those versed in renewable energy.
Gravitating from Italy, I am both proud and embarrassed to admit that I noticed the World Briefing section for the first time today and was satisfied to learn that the Eiffel Tower was evacuated do to a bomb scare, that France's parliament is debating making immigration legislation tougher, men are admitting plotting to bomb a Danish newspaper, and that the U.N. is sending Peacekeepers to Africa, all in one tiny rectangle!
The story is able to be comprehended fairly easily, not only to those versed in renewable energy.
Prior to reading this, I was unaware that Italians previously coped with sky-high electricity rates.
The article does a nice job tying together the environmental and economical concerns of the average person.
The journalist who wrote this, Elisabeth Rosenthal, seems to be skilled in story telling. She creates an image for her reader while using brief and clear rhetoric.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Times Reading Log for Monday, September 27, 2010
U.S. is working to ease wiretaps on the Internet and consequently, losing capabilities to track criminal suspects.
The article refers to this as "going dark." Congress wants the government to have access to any communication that goes on over the Internet.
The Obama administration is for it, but this raises privacy issues. and the U.S. feels they need to set a good example for the rest of the world.
This would make the Internet function the same way telephones used to function. This is my paraphrasing a quotation that I thought summed up the article very well.
The article refers to this as "going dark." Congress wants the government to have access to any communication that goes on over the Internet.
The Obama administration is for it, but this raises privacy issues. and the U.S. feels they need to set a good example for the rest of the world.
This would make the Internet function the same way telephones used to function. This is my paraphrasing a quotation that I thought summed up the article very well.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Times Reading Log for Friday, September 24, 2010
Obama Presses China to Let Currency Rise - Obama is trying to change Beijing's economic or political calculus? I don't know whether I have issues in reading comprehension- I hope not! But I do not think the nut graph of this article is clear enough. Beijing lowered their currency artificially by 20 - 25%. Obama, according to his aides is threating with tariffs and new trade actions at the WTO to gain leverage over the Chinese. I have to on now to something a little less intellectual...hate to say it.
In both the United States and Europe, Avandia, the controversial diabetes medication, will no longer be widely available, according to the NY Times. It will be suspended completely in Europe, while people in the U.S. may take it with their doctor's approval if no other drug is effective. The FDA's decision shows that that Obama administration is taking a harder line on drug safety issues, according to the article. I'm really happy to read this, for the past few years, I have been really disappointed with many of the moves and decisions of the FDA.
The pull out quote used for the story on A15 was, "A study estimates 47,000 patients suffered from heart attacks over ten years." !!! It's scary that is has been on the market for this long! This amongst other things, makes me extremely skeptical in trusting the FDA, however, I guess this is a step in the right direction.
Before I work on other homework, I just want to point out quickly, an article on A14, Drugs in Medicine Cabinet Set Off a Wave of Crime. It talks about prescription drug abuse, and people hoarding their old pills, like Oxycodone or Vicodin, and how this is causing break ins and robberies. This is all very interesting, but the reason I feel that I need to bring it up in my blog is that it is focused out of New England, which makes it pretty local. And? You might be wondering. As a studunt at UNH, I feel this may also be a problem here, less so with pain pills, like those previously mentioned, but with drugs like Aderall or Ritalin.
In both the United States and Europe, Avandia, the controversial diabetes medication, will no longer be widely available, according to the NY Times. It will be suspended completely in Europe, while people in the U.S. may take it with their doctor's approval if no other drug is effective. The FDA's decision shows that that Obama administration is taking a harder line on drug safety issues, according to the article. I'm really happy to read this, for the past few years, I have been really disappointed with many of the moves and decisions of the FDA.
The pull out quote used for the story on A15 was, "A study estimates 47,000 patients suffered from heart attacks over ten years." !!! It's scary that is has been on the market for this long! This amongst other things, makes me extremely skeptical in trusting the FDA, however, I guess this is a step in the right direction.
Before I work on other homework, I just want to point out quickly, an article on A14, Drugs in Medicine Cabinet Set Off a Wave of Crime. It talks about prescription drug abuse, and people hoarding their old pills, like Oxycodone or Vicodin, and how this is causing break ins and robberies. This is all very interesting, but the reason I feel that I need to bring it up in my blog is that it is focused out of New England, which makes it pretty local. And? You might be wondering. As a studunt at UNH, I feel this may also be a problem here, less so with pain pills, like those previously mentioned, but with drugs like Aderall or Ritalin.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Times Reading Log for Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Aside from an aspiring journalist, I also would consider myself a foodie-and a bit of a health freak. That's why An Apple a Day? Just Make it Organic, from the dining section caught my eye. Initially, I had not, planned on reading on, until an attribution to a highly respected obgyn caught my eye.
Currently, the whole "organic" movement has been really done up-to the point where I'm no longer interested in reading, I thought it had all been done, but leave it to the times to bring the obgyn into it.
Katrina Heron, the author of this article said, "If there was ever a time when doctors need to be as handy with a peeling knife as they are with a scapel, this may be it."
I thought this quote both witty and honest.
Having finished the article, I'm disapointed. Heron hooked me, and left me hanging. She started fresh and ended stale. I was really hoping she would take the article into a discussion about organic, healthy eating and reproductive health/fertility issues.
Currently, the whole "organic" movement has been really done up-to the point where I'm no longer interested in reading, I thought it had all been done, but leave it to the times to bring the obgyn into it.
Katrina Heron, the author of this article said, "If there was ever a time when doctors need to be as handy with a peeling knife as they are with a scapel, this may be it."
I thought this quote both witty and honest.
Having finished the article, I'm disapointed. Heron hooked me, and left me hanging. She started fresh and ended stale. I was really hoping she would take the article into a discussion about organic, healthy eating and reproductive health/fertility issues.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Over One-Hundred Local Swimmers Stung by Jellyfish
Over one-hundred swimmers reported being stung by a jellyfish yesterday in the sixy-three degree water at Wallace Sands State Beach in Rye, N.H.
At 2 p.m. emergency crews responded to the incident. Five children were taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital by ambulance. Hospital officials reported no serious injuries.
Robert Royer, an aquarist at the Seacoast Science Center said it was likely a Lion's Mane Jellyfish, a common creature in New England waters that can sting even after it has been killed and broken up.
Victims were treated in the beach bathhouse for stings that felt like bee stings, according to rescue officials.
Park Manager, Ken Loughlin,v who has worked at the beach for thirty years said medical responders feared severe allegic reactions.
The beach was immediately closed after lifeguards spotted this large jellyfish in the water.
"It was as big as a turkey platter. The thing was probably fifty pounds."
Lifeguards removed the dead jellyfish with a pitchfork just before fifty children ran to shore screaming and complaining of stings on their legs.
"I've never seen such a thing," Loughlin said.
Hampstead resident, Alysia Bennet took her three children to the beach Wednesday. Before she new it, all three of her children came running from the water crying.
"They were terrified," Bennet said.
According to Royer, it was the largest jellyfish in the area. He had never heard of them reaching fifty pounds in the past. The Lion's Mane Jellyfish have barbed tentacles up to one-hundred feet long.
Towns that responded to the emergency include Stratham, Porsmouth, Greenland, New Hampton, Newington, and Rye.
The beach reopened today.
At 2 p.m. emergency crews responded to the incident. Five children were taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital by ambulance. Hospital officials reported no serious injuries.
Robert Royer, an aquarist at the Seacoast Science Center said it was likely a Lion's Mane Jellyfish, a common creature in New England waters that can sting even after it has been killed and broken up.
Victims were treated in the beach bathhouse for stings that felt like bee stings, according to rescue officials.
Park Manager, Ken Loughlin,v who has worked at the beach for thirty years said medical responders feared severe allegic reactions.
The beach was immediately closed after lifeguards spotted this large jellyfish in the water.
"It was as big as a turkey platter. The thing was probably fifty pounds."
Lifeguards removed the dead jellyfish with a pitchfork just before fifty children ran to shore screaming and complaining of stings on their legs.
"I've never seen such a thing," Loughlin said.
Hampstead resident, Alysia Bennet took her three children to the beach Wednesday. Before she new it, all three of her children came running from the water crying.
"They were terrified," Bennet said.
According to Royer, it was the largest jellyfish in the area. He had never heard of them reaching fifty pounds in the past. The Lion's Mane Jellyfish have barbed tentacles up to one-hundred feet long.
Towns that responded to the emergency include Stratham, Porsmouth, Greenland, New Hampton, Newington, and Rye.
The beach reopened today.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Times Reading Log for Sunday, September 19, 2010
Before I say anything else, let me just say that I smile everytime I see the top left corner of the times that says " All the News That's Fit to Print".
I'm gonna skip the hard news front pager stuff real quick and come back to it so I can read an article in Business.
F.D.A Panel Urges Denial of Diet Drug, i guess denying diet drugs is a setback in the efforts to develop treatments for the nation's obesity epidemic. I have to say, we shouldn't have diet pills at all, they're a dangerous money making tool.
Basically the FDA is saying that the risks of this new drug, lorcaserin, outweigh it's benefits...duh. If the FDA thinks aspertame is safe, then this drug is probably really backwards.
Had it passed, it would have been the first new weight loss drug in more than a decade. They shot down even more effective drugs in July for safety reasons, a doctor from the FDA said lorcaserin just wasn't "efficacious". They just split 8 and 8 on a drug that's already been removed from the market in Europe...cool. (sense my sarcasm).
They aren't holding the first drug for the sake of the people, but more the sake of the market. Enough said, front page news pahlease!
RECESSION raises U.S. poverty rate to a 15-year high! ...and it's going to get worse! The country is in it's worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, 44 million Americans in counting are living in poverty.
Americans are getting by by sharing homes with siblings, relatives, and even nonrelatives.
Unemployment remains at 10%. 1/7 US adults are on food stamps.
I'm gonna skip the hard news front pager stuff real quick and come back to it so I can read an article in Business.
F.D.A Panel Urges Denial of Diet Drug, i guess denying diet drugs is a setback in the efforts to develop treatments for the nation's obesity epidemic. I have to say, we shouldn't have diet pills at all, they're a dangerous money making tool.
Basically the FDA is saying that the risks of this new drug, lorcaserin, outweigh it's benefits...duh. If the FDA thinks aspertame is safe, then this drug is probably really backwards.
Had it passed, it would have been the first new weight loss drug in more than a decade. They shot down even more effective drugs in July for safety reasons, a doctor from the FDA said lorcaserin just wasn't "efficacious". They just split 8 and 8 on a drug that's already been removed from the market in Europe...cool. (sense my sarcasm).
They aren't holding the first drug for the sake of the people, but more the sake of the market. Enough said, front page news pahlease!
RECESSION raises U.S. poverty rate to a 15-year high! ...and it's going to get worse! The country is in it's worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, 44 million Americans in counting are living in poverty.
Americans are getting by by sharing homes with siblings, relatives, and even nonrelatives.
Unemployment remains at 10%. 1/7 US adults are on food stamps.
Times Reading Log For Monday, September 13, 2010
So I'm a hard news kind of girl. I read the newspaper in the same way the paper sets it up. Basically, I spend the most time on the cover stories, because I trust they are the best, and then continue on as time allows.
According to the cover of Monday's paper, the G.O.P. leader says he's compromise on tax-cut bill! Democrats might pass a measure but lose a campaign issue. Obama and democrats insist on ending tax cuts for welathier Americans (thank you!) and maintain lower rates for families earning less than $250,000 (thanks again!). But here's the kicker, so does the House Republican Leaer, Mr. Boehner. So how will the Democrats continue to paint Republicans as obstructionists favoring the rich over the middle class?
My eye is drawn to an ad for an article on page A19, Little Money For Gulf Research. I'm a sucker for environmental articles.
Scientists say lack of cash is hindering research on environmental impact! Oh no! Before I read any further let me just say, if BP has the time and money to ruin the gulf, they sure as hell have the time and money to fix it...and then some!
Scientists are doing research on the gulf and don't have anywhere to turn. Not only is this important to the health of the gulf now, but for the sake of the oceans in the future. HELLO oil companies, get out your wallets!
The Natural Science and Environmental Science foundations don't have enough money to support this, they don't reap the kind of profit oil does, and that's a fact!
This work is urgent, aka, it must be done now, and BP is helping but they're deciding where to spend money...um..who died and made them environmentalists! (Lots of fish and sea life, apparently).
According to the cover of Monday's paper, the G.O.P. leader says he's compromise on tax-cut bill! Democrats might pass a measure but lose a campaign issue. Obama and democrats insist on ending tax cuts for welathier Americans (thank you!) and maintain lower rates for families earning less than $250,000 (thanks again!). But here's the kicker, so does the House Republican Leaer, Mr. Boehner. So how will the Democrats continue to paint Republicans as obstructionists favoring the rich over the middle class?
My eye is drawn to an ad for an article on page A19, Little Money For Gulf Research. I'm a sucker for environmental articles.
Scientists say lack of cash is hindering research on environmental impact! Oh no! Before I read any further let me just say, if BP has the time and money to ruin the gulf, they sure as hell have the time and money to fix it...and then some!
Scientists are doing research on the gulf and don't have anywhere to turn. Not only is this important to the health of the gulf now, but for the sake of the oceans in the future. HELLO oil companies, get out your wallets!
The Natural Science and Environmental Science foundations don't have enough money to support this, they don't reap the kind of profit oil does, and that's a fact!
This work is urgent, aka, it must be done now, and BP is helping but they're deciding where to spend money...um..who died and made them environmentalists! (Lots of fish and sea life, apparently).
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