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Bernie Sanders for President 2016

2016-04-10T22:19:00.001-05:00

Composition Paper 1: Bernie Sanders for President 2016

Leonardo Brito

Communication Putting Theory Into Practice
Bellevue University

With an average donation to his campaign at $28.95, having an army of supporters and volunteers, differentiating himself from the rest of the Senate through financial reports. Bernie Sanders has proven to mathematically prove how improbable campaigns can blossom into an improbable career with even more improbable longevity (Fuller, 2014). Not only has Sanders initiated the idea of a single-payer health-care reform, free public college for everyone, $15-an-hour minimum wage nationwide, the fragmentation of conglomerate banks, and higher taxes for the rich; Sanders has allured young voters by contextualizing scientific proof for climate change. But, Sanders’ diplomacy-leaning foreign policy (Nation, 2016) has fired-up a so-called political revolution that has the media fabricating a superlative downplay of Sanders’ victories (Patrick, Curl. 2016).

It is strenuous and arduous to disengage ethics from politics, and the two are frequently characterized as “incompatible”. Given that the United States is going through cynical times; when scandals related to politics correspond to lobbyists, corporate campaign financing, deception, corruption, conflicts of interest, conspiracy, tax evasion, et al. (West & Turner, 2014). The Sanders’ campaign has taken this moment by intuitively riding a wave created by the anger and frustration of the biggest sector in the United States, the middle class.

Reintroducing -if not for the first time in the United States- democratic socialism as a political campaign. Sanders has beaten the odds of those who criticize Sanders’ views and link such views to those of Hitler’s, Castro’s (from Cuba) or Chavez’ (from Venezuela). Considering that socialism has been horribly viewed by especially those who relate images of the Cold War, nuclear threats, government domination of private industry and gulags. Democratic socialism means something else to Millennials, economic equality and social justice (Zaino, Jeanne. 2016).

In accordance with much of the stigma that socialism has evoked, notwithstanding Sanders’ overcoming of such negative views thereof. Bernie Sanders’ campaign has formed a process of bonding with voters -especially Democrat voters- by conjuring a relationship from superficial to intimate communication. The social penetration process has given Sanders’ the ability to gain momentum because the process in itself involves verbal and nonverbal behaviors, and environmentally oriented behaviors (West & Turner, 2014). Watching Sanders’ communication techniques on television in juxtaposition with other politicians, an audience can relate with much more significance.

It can be said that Sanders’ self-disclosure of the truth, the issues that prevail throughout the majority of the population has given relational development from non-intimate to intimate. Further, the campaign has an enormous reciprocity, breadth, and depth all across the nation of voters, from young to old. Sanders’ campaign has emerged with a voter relationship that has more rewards than costs by identifying orientation, affection, and promised stability (West & Turner, 2014).

Hereafter, Bernie Sanders has produced a dyadic uniqueness (distinctive relationship qualities) (West & Turner, 2014) over all other politicians running for president of the United States in 2016. This is seen when Sanders’ main competitor (Hillary Clinton) adopted all of Sanders’ main issues: trade, income inequality, national defense, and the environment, among others (Borowitz, Andy. 2015). This uniqueness is the purpose of analysis within the Social Penetration Theory and as a political campaign in general. To better understand democratic socialism for what it truly is and to help identify why Sanders could be a good president if elected in 2016.

References

West, R., & Turner, L.H. (2014). Introducing Communication Theory (5^th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Fuller, J. (2014). Bernie sanders for president? it's the longest of long shots, but that doesn't mean he won't do it. Washington: WP Company LLC d/b/a The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.bellevue.edu:80/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.bellevue.edu/docview/1552802702?accountid=28125

(2016, February 8). Bernie Sanders for President. (cover story). Nation. p. 3.

Patrick, Curl. (2016) Bernie Sanders Wins 7 out of 8 Last Contests By Landslide Victories. Retrieved from https://pivotamerica.com/bernie-sanders-wins-7-last-8-primaries-caucuses/

Zaino, Jeanne. (2016) What Bernie Sanders’ ‘Democratic socialism’ means to Millennials. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/03/01/what-bernie-sanders-democratic-socialism-means-to-millennials.html

Borowitz, Andy. (2015). Hillary Expected To Adopt All Of Sanders’s Positions By Noon. Retrieved from http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/hillary-expected-to-adopt-all-of-sanderss-positions-by-noon

The United States and Bolivia Intercultural Communication on Drug Enforcement

2011-09-22T20:39:00.000-05:00

Even though much of the tradition and cultural learning of the Inca Indigenous group was passed down orally and in a story-telling manner, it is inevitable to admire how much presence has been noted throughout the Machupichu or “Valle del Urubamba” in Peru and surrounding countries. Aside from other sites throughout South America, the Incas also spread across Bolivia, a nation of governmental systems like any other, intercultural communication exchange, and humanistic practices. First and foremost, within Inca territory, the coca leaf has been used for practices other than what recent humans have used it for.

“Coca leaves have (and still is) been chewed by South American” Incas, Inca descendants (Quechuans), Tiwanaku, Amyara, and other nomadic Andean cultures to satisfy a dietary allotment for calcium, iron, phosphorous, vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin E (Cocaine Rehab Treatment, 2010). Regarding with great respect and aside from dietary allowances, the Cocaine Rehab Treatment (2010) says that the Incas used the coca leaf for cultural practices such as magical ceremonies, initiation rites, divination and fertility rituals, and to heal physical and psychological woes other than altitude sickness. Regional citizens within Bolivian territory and those surrounding the geographical area still use coca paste as a currency exchange or as a trade value. Moreover, according to Cocaine Rehab Treatment (2010) Spanish conquistadors who conquered the Inca Empire in 1572 initially outlawed coca leaves however; after initiating native labor and slavery, the judgment over coca leaves drastically changed. Because silver-mine work is extremely arduous “and taking coca reduces appetite and increases physical stamina,” a great surge in coca-use was in demand for both cultural groups the conquistadors and the Incas.

Moving away from the Inca cultural tradition that have been present almost 2000 BC and moving forward 2,000 AC to Bolivia, a country of intercultural relevance neighboring countries among the entire American continent. Within the same continent, the United States of America traditionally believe in a respectively different cultural pattern other than the Inca tradition. On March 3, 2010 the ‘Assistant Administrator for Intelligence Drug Enforcement Administration’ (Anthony P. Placido) gave a statement on transnational drug enterprises, threats to global stability and U.S. policy responses. “Drug trafficking and abuse exacts a significant toll on the American public. More than 31,000 Americans – or approximately ten times the number of people killed on September 11, 2001, die each year as a direct result of drug abuse. Approximately seven million people who are classified as dependent on, or addicted to, controlled substances squander their productive potential. Many of these addicts abuse or neglect their children and commit a variety of crimes under the influence of, or in an attempt to obtain, illicit drugs. Tens of millions more suffer from this erstwhile “victimless” crime, as law-abiding citizens are forced to share the roads with drugged drivers, pay to clean up toxic waste from clandestine laboratories, rehabilitate addicts, and put together the pieces of shattered lives.” Placido also states that to calculate the actual cost and impact of how much transnational drug crime plays in corrupting government institutions, undermining public confidence in the rule of law, fostering violence, fueling regional instability, and funding terrorism.

Inevitably, the cultural core of Bolivia descends from indigenous backgrounds, mainly the Inca culture due to its extensive history. According to BBC News (2011) Evo Morales “an Aymara Indian, became the first president to come from the country’s indigenous majority.” After Evo Morales was chosen as Bolivia’s president through a democratic election in 2005 and decided to decriminalize coca plant and the consumption of it in its natural state in 2008, the Bush Administration sanctioned Bolivia in different areas of foreign policy. According to Jean Friedman-Rudovsky at TIME.com, the reason Evo Morales detached Bolivian policy from continuing to fight the same fight the United States on the War On Drugs was national security concerns. Morales claimed the United States were plotting against the country and in retrospect said, “We have the obligation to defend the dignity and the sovereignty of the Bolivian people. . . there have been DEA agents who, carrying out espionage, financed rogue groups with the intention of taking the lives of [Bolivian government] officials, though not the President’s.” Thereafter, the Bush Administration announced the upcoming suspension of legislation that has since 1991 offered Andean nation trade benefits in exchange for drug-war cooperation. That legislation currently allows about $150 million in Bolivian goods, primarily textiles, to enter the U.S. tariff-free – exports that help sustain about 20,000 Bolivian jobs.” Even though the senior State Department Official says these accusations are absurd and false, there is a cultural barrier of uncertainty that began to separate both nations which according to the same State Department Official have had a “35-year track record of working effectively and professionally with our Bolivian partners” (Friedman-Rudovsky, 2008) Hence, it is quite difficult to grasp that between a long history of effectively working together, a cultural difference is directly affecting foreign policy and international commerce.

As mentioned earlier, the conquistadors were groups of people who were used to ordering and managing but never those who would do the hard work. On the other hand, the natives were slaved and used to work potentially dangerous and extremely difficult types of jobs. Even though the Incas already had a history with the coca leaf, so did the Americans with alcohol and tobacco as much as the Conquistadors. In relative perspective, every cultural group seems to have particular substances to utilize when it relates to cultural practices. For instance, the Incas used coca leaf for rituals the Incas considered sacred; the American people celebrate with alcohol, a refined substance that is also a great player in the deaths of many Americans every year.

Communication plays a very big role in each country, it is a matter of information and where it goes to. For instance, Mattia Cabitza at guardian.co.uk says Bolivia illegal coca becomes compost rather than cocaine. Further, “every year Bolivia confiscates almost 700 tons of illegal coca . . . government coca director, Luis Cutipa, believes that turning this excess into fertilizer will deprive criminals of their raw material for making cocaine, much of which goes to Brazil and on to Europe.” On the other hand, U.S. officials do not tend to acknowledge the cultural background of the Incas and only dictate according to a reactive mind set in regard to the drug crisis in the United States.

Communication devices include press conferences, telecommunications technology, wireless communications, voice recording, videotaping, picture cameras, and mass media vias. The devices work perfectly for both instances, when Evo Morales declared Bolivia would no longer be part of the War On Drugs and when the Bush Administration sanctioned Bolivia. In other instances, like that of knowing how bad coca is turning into an eco-friendly matter, helps communicate to masses a little cultural perspective and how Bolivia is reacting to cocaine. Thanks to these communication devices all humans can understand if Bolivia is in fact contributing to the drug trafficking or if it is truly fighting it.

I would enlist Hofstede to reduce the amount of uncertainty that has surged among these two nations and those surrounding them. According to Myron & Koester (2010), cultures are different to a certain extremity to which ambiguity is preferable and tolerable to coping with any substantive change among cultural lines. “Thus, all cultures differ in their perceived need to be changeable and adaptable. Hofstede refers to these variations as the uncertainty avoidance dimension,” the so-called extremity signals the culture as threatened by ambiguous, unclear, unsettled, and thereafter tries to avoid those dimensions by establishing more structure within that culture. Therefore, it is very easy to see how much uncertainty exists not only within the American culture but within the Bolivian culture. Bolivia has the capacity and ability to fight drug trafficking all on its own however, it is a benefit to the American culture that another country in the South American sub-continent fights the same War On Drugs. On the other hand, if Bolivia sees that the United States do not understand the cultural patterns that have played in that part of the world for over 4,500 years then, it will react in that manner. Particularly speaking about a president whose cultural background derives from those rituals and practices, in either way, Hofstede would consider a Cultural State Intermediary. An individual agency who would work independently in a transnational setting and subsidized by all of those who are willing to join. The point of the agency is to carry a balanced cultural resolution when foreign policy and international commerce begins to be affected by poor intercultural communication. In this case, uncertainty is reduced to a very low and potentially effective way or cooperating in between nations.

References

Lustig, M. W. & Koester, J. (2010). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

N.A. (2010). History of the Coca Plant. Retrieved September 22, 2011 from http://www.cocainerehabtreatment.com/history-of-the-coca-plant.

Cabitza, Mattia. (2011). Bolivia’s illegal coca becomes compost rather than cocaine. Retrieved September 22, 2011 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/30/bolivia-illegal-coca-compost-cocaine

Placido, P., Anthony. (2010) Transnational Drug Enterprises (Part II): Threats to Global Stability And U.S. Policy Responses. Retrieved September 22, 2011 from http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/cngrtest/ct030310.pdf

Friedman-Rudovsky, Jean. (2008) Why Bolivia Quit the U.S. War On Drugs. Retrieved September 22, 2011 from http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1856153,00.html

BBC News (2011) Profile: Bolivia’s President Evo Morales. Retrieved September 22, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12166905

Keystone pipeline will transport 16x more corrosive oil than traditional crude

2011-05-23T23:32:00.003-05:00

OMAHA– The 1,661-mile Keystone pipeline project intends to draw 1.1 million barrels of crude oil every day from Canada to the “hungry refineries” in the Midwest of the United States.

The name standing behind this project is TransCanada; they say distributing the million barrels per day is enough oil to replace 20% of the imports from Venezuela and the Middle East. They consider it “the most dependable way of transporting crude oil,” and an apparent asset to the economic stability of the states through which the pipeline runs through (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Illinois.)

Even though TransCanada implies operation specialists use advanced computerized leak detection systems, both satellite and fiber-optic which prevents major leakage and could stop the oil flow “at the push of a bottom.” BOLD Nebraska, the “progressive, moderate, populist, independent, and everything in between” organization has the notion and factual basis of impeding this process.

LB629

Legislative Bill 629 would implant the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Reclamation and Recovery Act or also known as the Oil Pipeline Reclamation Act. The act would ensure pipeline carriers (such as TransCanada) to provide proof of financial responsibility before constructing or operating. In sum, it assigns responsibility for all reclamation costs, allows any state agency, county board, and city council to engage replenishment costs to maintain and repair infrastructure caused by the construction of the pipeline.

Considering LB 629, BOLD Nebraska says, "This was a grasp for political cover. And several Senators admitted as much calling it a 'small step' and reiterating that we need to be doing more. If it was something else than political cover, we would have seen tougher, more common sense bills being debated and passed that actually protect our natural resources and landowners' rights."

16x more corrosive

BOLD Nebraska reminds Nebraskans it is possible to recall the original route line and impose new regulations. What’s more interesting, is TransCanada not mentioning the “crude oil” as ‘tarsands’ oil that is 16 times more corrosive than traditional oil.

According to Jane Kleed –editor of BOLD Nebraska– as compared to regular crude oil “the tarsands oil is mixed with diluted bitumen or 'DilBit’ which is a highly corrosive, acidic, and potentially unstable gas” that increases the risks of spills and damage to communities.

No business grounds

An investigative report by Vince Wade says, “The pipeline poses spill-threat” to the largest ‘subsurface/groundwater/drinking water’ reserve in the world (the Ogallala Aquifer). Nebraska’s topography, geology, and hydrology are at risk, and in between other dangers, Vince mentioned the “pipeline doesn’t make good business sense. A combination of the deep recession and improving vehicle fuel economy has resulted in” a surplus of U.S. refining capacity.

Therefore, in what way will the U.S. benefit from this earth and human threat as compared to a 20% import, when the material is more dangerous to our local communities?

No official stance thus far

Finally, the following organizations have yet to take a stance on this pipeline environmental issues: Nebraska Department on Environmental Quality and Nature Conservancy - Nebraska

Abortion in Nebraska faces equal punishment as MIP

2011-05-18T14:59:00.000-05:00

Abortion is a heated issue in relation to ethics, culture, and religion. Nebraska’s legislature approves of abortion in several grounds.

Women in Nebraska (whether or not she has reached the age of majority) may undergo abortion of pregnancy without the consent of parents by declaring victimization of abuse, sexual abuse, or child abuse or neglect. The abuse may have occurred months before deciding abortion (possibly leading to partial-birth abortion), and this declaration may be given to an agent performing the abortion. The physician or agent solely informs the pregnant woman to notify the proper authorities, even though the physicians can continue with abortion procedures without lawful record of the abuse mentioned.

According to Priestsforlife.org, “America will not reject abortion until America sees abortion.”

An abortion is performed when physical, psychological, or emotional complications affect the pregnant woman. This decision falls on the hands of physician’s “good faith” or if pregnancy endangers the life of the woman.

On the first session of the 102^nd Legislature, two bills presented remarks contradicting levels of violations. According to LB690, a physician or any person who performs abortion with reckless disregard is guilty of a Class III Misdemeanor (up to three month imprisonment and/or up to $500 fine). A parent who forces a minor to have an abortion is also liable of the same Class III Misdemeanor.

In addition,(according to LB521) when the abortion is induced by any drugs, the physician or person acting on behalf of the physician who is not identified by name under the patient’s medical records is subject to a ‘Class I Misdemeanor’ (not more than one year imprisonment, or one thousand dollars fine, or both).

According to Nebraska law, a ‘Minor In Possession’ (MIP) of alcohol is guilty of a Class III Misdemeanor. Therefore, a minor who is in possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage faces the same charges as any person or physician who recklessly and unjustifiably kills an unborn child.

A minor charged with MIP faces court, probation, and treatment fees (if required by court). Nebraska does have systems that provide treatment for alcohol and substance abuse. However, there are not known entities that treat doctors (or any person running underground abortion clinics) in abortion malpractices.

Ultimately, an ethical dilemma originates. Should MIP violations be decriminalized? Or should reckless abortion be penalized with more severity? Either way, this, is an issue so sensitive to many that some people think abortion should be illegal under any circumstances due to everyone’s “right to life.”

Nebraska is no longer a 'forced-unionism' state

2011-05-14T17:35:00.000-05:00

OMAHA – Throughout history, forced-unionism have majorly ruled employers in the United States. Collective bargaining (negotiation between Unions and employers) has been top priority for Union organisms, except for the railway or airline industry.

On May 12, 2011 Neb. Senator Johanns announced he signed the ‘Job Protection Act’ in order to conserve and recoil right-to-work laws. Consequent from Boeings shift in 787 production plant from Washington’s forced-unionism to South Carolina, a right-to-work state; the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) determined Boeing violated these “forced-unionism” laws by moving out of state.

Johann announced the “NLRB’s actions threaten businesses and workers in right-to-work states like Nebraska,” because “It’s simply wrong for a federal agency to dictate to a private company in which states they can set up shop and where they can’t. This is exactly the kind of overreach that will drive employers to send their jobs overseas rather than create jobs in” states like Nebraska (a right-to-work state.)

In appreciation to Johanns, more companies can decide to move in Nebraska and produce significant employment figures. This is convenient to just about everyone because previously, at the time employers decided to flourish in a particular state, forced-unionism kept those companies in the same location for years.

In public education, Teacher unions have always strongly opposed performance-based pay. However, in concordance with NLRB, unions can also tell employers where they should do business.

Therefore, it is a step forward in our free-enterprise system that employment and labor is not driven abroad, rather internally.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Nebraska is no longer a 'forced-unionism' state - Omaha Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-omaha/nebraska-is-no-longer-a-forced-unionism-state#ixzz1MMw2Pob2

Legislation could prevent alcohol-related crashes in Omaha

2011-05-13T20:07:00.000-05:00

OMAHA – The amount of alcohol-related crashes in Nebraska is at an all-time low in over 10 years. The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) indicated 1,687 of these crashes in 2010.

It seems as though passed legislation is a better combat against these figures. In 1999 the NOHS reported 2,057 alcohol-related crashes and in August 28 of that year an ‘Open Container Law’ was adopted.

The following year, barely unchanged, the reported crashes stood at 2,051. Nonetheless, after 2000 when ‘.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration Law’ amended the ‘.02 BAC Zero Tolerance under 21 drivers,’ during 2001 the number of alcohol-related crashes dramatically dropped to 1,819.

Ten years later, and several passed bills down the road, Nebraska faces new legislation (LB693) asking to adopt the ‘Alcoholic Liquor Liability Act.’ The purpose of this Act is to counteract “intoxication-related traumatic injuries, deaths, and other damages, and to establish a legal basis for obtaining compensation” for those suffering damages resulting from negligent provision of alcohol.

A licensee (including an employee) who served alcohol ‘by the drink’ when the licensee knew or should have known the person was or would become intoxicated, is also liable just as much as the intoxicated person who caused direct injury, property damage, or any other cause of action available in tort.

LB693 was introduced Jan. 19, 2011by Senator Tom Carlson, who exclaimed “selling liquor by the drink to an obviously intoxicated person is not showing responsible service.”

Eventually, alike previous facts have shown the number of alcohol-related crashes could significantly drop if LB693 passes.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Legislation could prevent alcohol-related crashes in Omaha - Omaha Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-omaha/legislation-could-prevent-alcohol-related-crashes-omaha#ixzz1MHhjiZEK

Tougher alcohol violations bill advances

2011-05-11T18:58:00.000-05:00

Mike Flood –Speaker of the Legislature – introduced LB667 on January 19th, 2011. Adopted for advancement on May 10th, the Legislative Bill ‘667’ will amend a variety of laws including alcohol violations.

LB667 is an addition to the criminal code, changes provisions governing motor vehicle homicide, and creates new separate crime for the transportation while intoxicated of a child under 16 years old.

Individuals with an expired, revoked, or suspended driver’s license will be ineligible for ignition interlock. Additionally, those eligible for ignition interlock may receive financial assistance for installation and maintenance of device.

The bill empowers tougher penalties when procuring alcohol to a minor or a mentally incompetent person, and will enact penalties on operating boat provisions.

This legislation could ultimately have an effect on bail, administrative license revocation, and would require those convicted to complete substance abuse programs and fulfill probation curricula.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Tougher alcohol violations bill advances in Omaha - Omaha Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-omaha/tougher-alcohol-violations-bill-advances#ixzz1M5jdHtFI

Judicial Watch files lawsuit against CIA

2011-05-09T15:24:00.002-05:00

After discussing the violation of human rights, the world audience, in some way, fully neglected the lack of transperancy of Bin Laden’s documents after his death.

I had discussed and argued how there was lack of information throughout the release of Bin Laden’s operational process to obtain his death, and it is not just a violation of our human rights but a violation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Judicial Watch, a public concern congregation that researches and indicts government corruption have recently filed a lawsuit against the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on several grounds.

The congregation is asking for specific dates of briefed interrogations of suspected terrorists, briefing materials (such as photographs and conincidental points of history), records detailing names of all briefed Members of Congress, information on waterboarding detainees, and records specifying all instances when the CIA has provided briefings to Members of Congress under the provisions of the National Security Act from Sept. 11, 2011 to present.

Because Pelosi, along with the finest staff members of Pelosi’s office had alredy completed briefings with the CIA, a controversy began when on April, 2009 she denied any previous briefings. The Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton stated that “This FOIA lawsuit shows, yet again, that Obama’s promises of transparency were nothing more than empty rhetoric.”

According to law, the CIA had 20 days to respond however, they did not and thus a lawsuit was filed.

Effects of Mass Media in Public Education's Society

2011-05-07T21:46:00.000-05:00

This essay analyzes public education as an issue of how the mass media has both observed and influenced public opinion and policy. The different kinds of messages the mass media industry has produced over time and how and why the messages have changed. Also the report will touch basis with how public opinion and policy have changed over time because of the mass media’s messages.

Public Education

To find the presence of a large private education sector that benefits public schools in a broad-based democracy, there must be politicians responsive to low-income families but crowds out public education spending in a society politically dominated by the rich (De La Croix, 2009. 597-628.) Rich is the best describable term when referring to public education; according to Raffel Jeffrey (2007) even though public education accounts for one-quarter of the United States’ state and local government spending, employs one-third of all government employees, and consistently ranks as a high priority of citizens, public administration has neglected public education.

The mass media have had effect on influencing the public opinion and legislation by not making public the slow pace public administration has been progressing. According to Jeffrey (2007) the neglect of public education by public administration can be attributed to those scholars, researchers, and practitioners and documents ultimately developing sparse coverage of public education in textbooks, journals, books, professional association activities, and curricula. Also the lack of coverage by practitioners of the mass media has been the absence of messages; the neglect can be attributed to public administration’s federal focus on meeting standards, theoretical views about the connection among public education and politics that result in structural and organizational barriers.

Lack of Coverage

Directly deriving from the lack of coverage by the mass media, the message received by the public is indirect. Society believes public education and public administration are effectively meeting standards and constantly working side to side with culture, technology, and science.

Every mass media tool that distributes messages have a purpose; whereas textbooks indicate which topics a professional field considers significant for all students to learn to become practitioners, journals reflect the latest research and theoretical thinking of the field.

The five leading journals in the public administration field were examined to define the range and attributes of public education coverage. “From January 1, 2000, to August 23, 2003, only 17 articles focusing on public education were published in these journals – an average of one article per journal per year.”

The need for coverage appoints for means to an end for the traditional public administration and a new beginning for those willing to take issues head-on. Additionally, the mass media is the key point in allowing society to know public education’s standpoint. Recently, a published documentary in which President Barack Obama called it “powerful” even though Oscar Academy Awards categorized it as “not good/accurate enough to be selected.” According to Valerie Strauss (2011) “Waiting for Superman” is a documentary-film from director Davis Guggenheim that by starring five students analyzed the failures of American public education.

Public Reaction

Even though “Waiting for Superman” uncovers a vast field of neglect toward public education, it was the first big documentary to reach millions. Some people portray it as not developing much any impact for instance, “Educators and experts who study education are not entirely convinced that Guggenheim’s film will be any more successful at effecting change than all the other documentaries that have become before it; in fact, film-makers have been wringing hands over public schools for decades, especially on public television.” Even though the articles do not give specific examples about what coverage has been given over public television, it solely shows a disoriented professional. According to Puente, Maria (2010) Rick Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute says, “I can imagine more people feeling the need to do better by kids, but I’m not sure how that gets channeled.”

One can say that if previous documentaries had an effect on the public, on any level, “Waiting for Superman” could, too. The mass media, instead of acquiring the necessary information to move forward on the mission, which is supposed to be better public education; the mass media criticizes on the particular areas the documentary lacked information on.

Because the message given depicts the change of teachers’ unions and how no longer will the Unions be able to specify member’s wages, extension of membership, increase in the share of public school labor force the Union represent, precluding pay based on performance and aptitude, and minimizing competition. The reaction of the public has been more than that of average documentaries however, not all the credit can be given to a simple documentary.

Michelle Rhee has been the message mass media never told and the reaction never expected. Studentsfirst.org is an entity that for the first time opens their horizons to any opposition in regulating the broken school system and how society can transform it. According to studentsfirst.org Michelle Rhee discloses messages by taking action in such form as, “adding instructional time after school and visiting students’ homes as a third grade teacher in Baltimore, to hosting hundreds of community meetings and creating a Youth Cabinet to bring students’ voices into reforming the DC Public Schools, she has always been guided by one core principle: put students first.”

Putting students first is the message. The reaction may be almost immeasurable however, as time passes, society will analyze how the new techniques of transforming schools across America will either help or deteriorate the public. So far, the subsidized public education system has not educated Americans as far as it concerns to be qualified for the demand of jobs there are. Therefore, it cannot be guaranteed that the same system will work; a new system in place can help to transform some areas of the system that throughout history has never been able to improve.

Public Change

The public is starting to look at changes in the public school system. Beginning from legislative action to change policies, budget cuts are the easiest way of seeing how mass media messages manifest on social entities. When Congress only communicated with the biggest teacher organ of the nation, the issues at stake were primordially those of the Union without giving students the possibility of speaking out opinions. With the new messages on the mass media, students are growing up to distinguish between the Union’s practices and the new practice that puts students first.

In several states the message is heard, and clearly. According to studentsfirst.org when teacher layoffs are necessary, the best teachers will get to stay. By performing fair and robust evaluations, teachers and principals will be judged based on how much academic progress the students have made.

Salary is second from first in importance; according to studentsfirst.org teachers deserve professional-level salaries, and the more effective the teachers are, the more pay teachers will receive. In addition, job security should not come before the interests of students, and parents should have quality information and multiple options to choose the best school for the children.

Teacher unions worldwide have always strongly opposed performance-based pay. According to the CATO Journal, Unions view wage differentiation lie on the basis of subject taught as well as any subjective evaluation of teachers, as threats to their collective bargaining strategies and therefore reject them outright.

Since the 1950s schoolteachers’ salaries have increased impressively, so much that private schoolteachers received an average base salary of $38,200 in 2007-08, whereas the comparable figure for teachers in traditional public schools was $52,100 (CATO Journal, 2010.) “This understates the difference in compensation between the sectors, however, due to the superior retirement benefits enjoyed by public sector teachers.

The Teachers’ Union has had major impact on public opinion and policy nationwide, even worldwide however; because the Unions have always sent out the same message while constantly asking to increase collective bargaining, the public overcame these issues and began to change the mass media messages were being distributed. Michelle Rhee, along with other mass media messages such as “Waiting for Superman,” all have made the public change the view on how important public education genuinely is by representing the past, present, and the future, too.

Conclusion

The different types of messages mass media have publicized begin with the Teachers’ Union perspective. If it were not for the impact the Unions had on American society, public opinion on public education would differ. In fact, once the mass media started to make public other influences on public education other than that of the Teachers Unions, society also began to see persons like Michelle Rhee applying full-throttle experience with a different mass media message. It reflects on how saving and rewarding “great” and effective teachers, empowering parents, fair and robust evaluations, reform tenure, classroom techniques, etc. is now making a new mass media message, students first. Ultimately, how the new dilemma of public education is means to an end and how the public reaction is helping the change.

Legislators Approve Truancy Bill

2011-05-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

The new-sprung bill (LB 463) introduced January 14th, and approved May 5^th, impacts students, parents, school districts, even county attorneys across Nebraska.

A student is considered a truant at the time of exceeding five days of absences per quarter, and in accordance with policy provision including handling excessive absence cases. Within the first five days, the parents are required by law, to report problem to school district.

Ten days of absence require schools to retrieve and inform public and private entities such as, The Department of Health and Human Services, and probation officers on information linked to the student.

Reaching the 20 day absent limit, the school shall file a report with the County Attorney. Subsequently, the County Attorney may file a complaint before a judge files charges against the juvenile. After problem is identified, school councils evaluate and research reduction of excessive absenteeism by closing academic achievement gaps and increasing counseling, evaluation, and investigation approaches.

The Millard Parent Society (MPS) in Omaha announced on February that “to be certain schools are respectful of parental choices . . . parents would need to be sure they actively participate in policy discussions at the school board level.”

WOWThe Most Dishonest Network in Omaha

2011-05-05T20:32:00.002-05:00

The local news channel WOWT has allegedly copied my editorial idea.

Approximately 12 hours after the death of Bin Laden, our blog published a story on a dilemma interestingly important to locals and what could be the most scandalous controversy for years. “Should the picture of Osama Bin Laden’s corpse be published?”

I have received around 20 votes on a poll I added, additionally, over 3,000 viewers have seen the articles. With over 50 comments, including those on facebook.com, we created a public law of opinion.

This public law of opinion gives me the right of copy and creation of the fundamental idea.

At around 7:00pm May 4^th, after their first news section of the early evening, I decided to visit their news page as I regularly do. I noticed a section “Report Breaking News Section” on the top of their homepage.

I thought they were my local news channel so I decided to send them the commotion my blog has created on a local label and worldwide.

Today, a day after I gave them the idea, they did not have the courtesy to include me as a local member nor as an author of my editorial work. Worse yet, they created a blog with the question to my poll and structure of my stories.

WOWT uses a double-meaning message the “Report Breaking News Section” but, they forgot to add the “We Will Not Give You Credit For It Either Section.”

Picture provided by: Livingston Academy

IF THESE PICTURES MADE NEWS, OSAMA'S CAN, TOO!

2011-05-04T23:38:00.006-05:00

Jay Carney, White House press secretary told reporters on May 4^th, “it is not in our national security interest . . . to allow these images to become icons to rally opinion against the United States,”

The unknown bloody faces of the men who collaborated with Osama are O.K. to be published however, I must add, if a child happens to see these pictures a parent wouldn’t be able to explain who and why that man was shot. Even though Bin Laden’s face (the most wanted man by several U.S. and international intelligence agencies) was not allowed to be public.

If the command was to find OBL dead or alive, and the U.S. knew how much commotion his published dead face would cause, don’t you think it would be worse they showed him alive in a U.S. prison? Wouldn't that bring even worse attacks on our shores? Therefore, the plan has been vague since the beginning.

The bloodshed of carcasses represents the death of OBL. Why can’t we see a picture of the man who loved nothing better than murdering bystanders?

Pentagon briefer announced on May 4^th, “I’m not going to provide those operational details,” also communicating, “If the point of this discussion is to try to go into operational details of this mission,” he said, “It’s going to be a very short discussion.” Without falling into details, the photograph is the piece of the puzzle that will stop second-guesses, questions, and concerns from the global community.

Under his twitter account, Anderson Cooper, CNN Journalist says, “New info on the super secret, hi tech helicopters used in the OBL –Osama Bin Laden –raid. Really cool technology." Ironic how those operational details cannot be provided because it causes a boost in national security but in addition, the team who killed Bin Laden leaves one of the most sophisticated helicopters behind at the risk of falling in the hands of enemies.”

U.N. DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

In reference to Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and idea through any media and regardless of frontiers.” In accretion, these rights in a certain way are violated by providing us with decrepit pictures and giving away our most valued technology.

These pictures show the disastrous encounter at the compound, separately from the high-tech helicopter left behind, a new source (Reuters, 2011) publishes overwhelmingly graphic photos of the raid executed by NAVY Seals. Reuters’ photographs that our U.S. officials would also specify as unbearable to the public, will reach every corner of the world. From the most conservatives to the most extremists.

The photographs capture terror and depict horror; acknowledging the fact the entire world has asked for the photos of Bin Laden, it is an insult for the U.S. Government and intelligence agencies to allow for these photos to be publicized over the mass media. A new dilemma arises, “If these photos made news, so can Osama’s.”

According to CNN -Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-California, also said Obama made the wrong choice about the photos.

"I want to see them, personally," he said. "I did three tours. I'm not talking as a member of the Armed Services Committee -- (but) as a Marine who did three tours because of 9/11. As Americans we deserve to see them."

It is time to raise our voices and demand clarity and credibility on what so far has been one of the most vague stories in U.S. history; allowing Pakistan to join the drive of misinforming about the most notorious terrorist of the world, propelling Obama’s points on the 2012 presidential elections, and among maintaining extremists outrage.

The photographs were provided by Reuters

WE ANNOUNCED IT FIRST!

2011-05-04T11:26:00.003-05:00

Obama said, “I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war was not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.” So how can this man’s body be “handled in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition” (CNN) if two of our presidents stated before and after his death, he was not Muslim.

Why don’t we start going to Guantanamo and practice performing rituals on former terrorists who die in that prison? Even better, let’s go to our local prisons and ask Muslim prisoners what their last wish would be. In retrospect it lets you know that Osama did not tell anyone about his last wishes or how he wanted to be buried. The world clearly knows, as appointed by Obama and Bush that Bin Laden is not a Muslim, rather a mass murderer and persecutor of Muslims. How did the U.S. army know how to dispose of his body? Are there Muslims in the army who can provide Islamic ceremonies whenever a terrorist die?

WHY BIN LADEN’S CEREMONY?

The dilemma exists on the grounds that if the body were kept, which ever place it was, it would turn into a place of pilgrimage. Even though this did not happen with any other terrorist killed previously, why would it happen now? Why haven’t the U.S. army practiced this same method toward any other Muslim killed?

Whether it was the U.S. who captured his mortal remains or it was pure luck that killed him, we are left with unanswered questions. “For over two decades Bin Laden has been Al Qaeda leader and symbol; and has continued to plot attacks against our countries and our friends and allies” Obama mentioned during the special report announcing Osama’s death. The Arab world will ask for specific prove of his death, pictures, videos, etc. and if they don’t receive the answer necessary to know beyond a reasonable doubt that Bin Laden is in fact, dead. When the Arab world receives the same unanswered questions us Americans are left with, violence could erupt among many nations.

“Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11; that we have never forgotten your loss nor waivered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.” I have to question if killing Bin Laden will prevent another attack on our shores, worse yet, not showing pictures nor reliable prove of his death.

AMERICAN FAMILY WANTS PROOF

According to Obama, “On that day – September 11 – no matter where we came from, what god we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.” Let us remind the president that there is still an American family. The same family is asking for the right justice, not a cover-up of his death. We want pictures and we want them now. We want to know under what circumstances the U.S. army believed they needed to commemorate a ceremony to the world’s most notorious terrorists. Let alone the fact they would cast out a body they were looking for so long, spent effort, time and money on, after such a short amount of time of his death?

This is not justice; this is decrepit.

Copyright 2011© Bizzare Bloggin'. All rights reserved.

UPDATE: BIN LADEN'S DEATH MAY BE A FAKE!!

2011-05-03T13:31:00.004-05:00

On May 1^st, 2011, President Obama divulged during an unusual report to the nation that “a terrorist who is responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children” is now dead; even though extra-official entities also confirmed. The day after proclaiming Osama Bin Laden’s death, rumors and doubts emerged questioning to unfold the absolute truth of Al Qaeda leader’s death.

During Saddam Hussein’s capture, the media clearly showed a picture of the United States soldiers all around Iraq’s ex-leader. Also, a live video of his execution was streamed through the Internet. In this segment, the question rises from the lack of transparency among the information provided.

Picture Controversy

The dilemma of not reporting pictures of Bin Laden’s carcass is creating controversy on whether the death of Bin Laden is fictitious, thus it could create significant reasonable doubts so let’s examine.

Unanswered Questions

After watching on the media citizens of New York chanting and celebrating of merriment in Times Square and Ground Zero, there is a time of transitioning from cheerfulness to reflection. In between other questions any citizens may ask themselves, through these times of uncertainty (although the media reproduced the statement “Osama Is Dead”) the American Government should fundamentally respond to the questions of the international conglomerate:

1- Why hasn’t U.S. officials released a photo of Bin Laden’s corpse like there were with Hussein? What makes a character different from the other to obtain the privilege of preventing the world from seeing even a budge of his face after dead?

2- Why aren’t there specific names of the wounded, detained, and/or casualties on that day, besides Osama’s? Why was the most notorious terrorist of the world living in an ally country? Should we imagine and reconstruct this story into a legend? Why is transparency lacking in regards to the burial? Was it possible for such an apparent powerful and wealthy leader to be short-guarded with three armed men and three unarmed, helpless women?

3- Who was the woman Bin Laden used as a human shield? Does this woman have a name? Age? Face?

4- Strangely, the most wanted terrorist on the planet has been offered a Muslim ceremony on deep waters before casting out the corpse. Who offered that ceremony? What was the specific ceremony offered? Were there only soldiers performing the ritual or a Muslim leader? Was there an Imam present? What was his name? Age?

Let’s ask ourselves what type of ceremony do fallen U.S. soldiers receive during combat? Have the soldiers - of different religions - been treated with the same consideration and reverence as Bin Laden?

According to CNN, U.S. officials "says the challenge is that the picture that includes the most recognizable image of OBLs face - from the hangar in Afghanistan - is so gruesome and mangled it’s not appropriate for say the front page of the newspaper. On the other hand, this is the one that is most identifiable as him." Does this mean that even U.S. officials are not sure of the person in the picture? Or is it because is the "most identifiable as him?"

The Heretic World

Radical Muslims across the world consider they should attack the Western world because they don’t believe in “Allah.” They consider heretic actions as a mortal sin however, they must execute this belief. Moreover, aside from religious views, there are societal factors implying how radicalism views the heretic world. Considering Bin Laden’s death, I suppose, he wouldn’t want to be buried by the “Heretic” populace who “persecuted” and ambushed him.

The only photos the public received thus far has been the completely trashed room, bloody sheets lying on rugs (supposedly bloodshed on the floor) and the video of a house in flames. Aside from this uncertain photo, many more questions continue without an answer from the moment of summarizing this post however, if any one of our readers has any other questions about this topic, you’re welcomed to announce it here.

Purpose of Article

These questions do not have the purpose of satisfying some gruesome curiosity, but for the legitimate necessity of millions and millions of people who have been affected by terrorism created by Al Qaeda during the last 10 years.

BIN LADEN'S DEATH MAY BE A FAKE

2011-05-02T18:32:00.007-05:00

The day after proclaiming Osama Bin Laden’s death, rumors, and doubts emerged questioning to unfold the true death of the leader of Al Qaeda; According to Obama, “a terrorist who is responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children” is now dead.

During Saddam Hussein’s capture, the media clearly showed a picture of the United States soldiers all around his living body. Osama’s death is considered as “some minor triumph”; he was the leader of a corrupt and vicious oligarchy that ran a failed and rogue state (Hitchens, 2011).

The dilemma of reporting pictures of his carcass is creating controversy on whether the death of Bin Laden is fictitious.

At the time of reporting Bin Laden’s death on Television, Commander in Chief – Obama – fashionably late announced that “we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world.” And now we ask you Mr. President, there are no images of his dead body. There are not any videos that show the ship’s name or the soldiers’ names that dumped his body. There weren’t any circumstances of belief that allows Bin Laden to deserve an Islamic oriented ceremony; the people don’t know who performed the ceremony either.

Bin Laden was found, as compared to Hussein’s earth hole, in a mansion full of women and another three men (CNN). If the United States tracked Bin Laden with the same technology as Hussein, the Army had more chances of capturing him alive because the fight was mainly against women, right? What does not fit in the story is how Bin Laden’s wives were the only “shield” he had, other than the gun Bin Laden used against the soldiers. Even though Bin Laden was the last person to be killed in the last five to ten minutes of combat, or in other words; if there was a woman left among Osama, and they killed that woman first, didn’t they know it was Bin Laden who was there? At this time, it was a combat in between several U.S. soldiers and Bin Laden alone.

If you notice how enforcement handles hostage situations or pursuit encounters, there is always a strategy and a backup plan that may bring the criminal alive into the arms of justice. In some cases, hostage situations go on for days; on the other hand, Osama was not in the mountains of a battlefield, he was inside his own room. Therefore, if the army had the location on lock down, how could he have the chance to escape when the only option he had was to fight back? Couldn’t they wait for his ammunition to run out or did he have a room full of guns and armor?

Moving on to a similar topic; Adolf Eichmann, official in charge of deporting European Jewry, responsible for millions of deaths was finally brought to justice by the same people he killed. Law enforcement could track specifically what buses he took, where he worked, how he escaped Germany and what country he was located. At the time of his capture, technology was a limited field, unlike the U.S. today – 2011 –.

And just like Israeli people and Iraqi citizens, the U.S. should follow their footsteps. The Jewish were killed, the innocent Iraqi people suffered, and Osama murdered innocent Americans; we must demand to show his body instead of a fairy tale of an apparent Muslim ritual performed by Christians to dump his body on the ocean.

According to Obama, “On that day – September 11 – no matter where we came from, what god we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.” Let us remind the president that there is still an American family. The same family is asking for the right justice, not a cover-up of his death. We want pictures and we want them now. We want to know under what circumstances the U.S. army believed they needed to commemorate a ceremony to the world’s most notorious terrorists. Let alone the fact they would dump a body they were looking for so long, spent effort, time and money on, after such a short amount of time of his death?

This is not justice; this is decrepit.

References

CNN. (2011). How U.S. forces killed Osama Bin Laden. Retrieved May 2, 2011 from www.cnn.com

Vashem, Yad. (2009) Adolf Eichmann His Escape and Capture in Argentina. Retrieved May 2, 2011 from www.holocaustresearchpoject.org

AP. (2011). “Justice Has Been Done” Bin Laden Killed By U.S. Forces. Retrieved May 2, 2011 from www.wowt.com

Hitchens, C. (2011). Osama, like Saddam, was tracked to a shrunken domain. Retrieved May 2, 2011 from www.nationalpost.com

Frank Zappa vs the FCC

2011-04-29T18:30:00.001-05:00

American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer, and film director Frank Zappa composed the song “Jewish Princess.” After reviewing the lyrics, this song enacts stereotypical factors that misrepresent a religious and sex group.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is commissioning this event as obscene under respective standards. Herein, an average citizen has applied contemporary community standards to find this material is imprudent and it describes in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct; it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, and scientific value.

I classified it as obscene after reading the lyrics; at first the name of the song does not seem too offensive even though without conducting much research, the song itself will independently communicate the prejudice and bias mentality towards a particular group of women whom are Jewish. Although there is an urban meaning or slang definition to “Jewish Princess” there is more than one area in which the song directly subordinates a stereotype.

There is the question on whether the material is profane or indecent however, the networks know that if they play this material they are broadcasting profanity and indecency. On the other hand, the author was obscene by creating the song and directly judging and disrespecting a sex and religious group. Within the song, Zappa relates to Yemenite in a very disrespectful way therefore, it is at this point that beyond classifying it as obscene it is considered as racist, too.

The only stipulation is applying contemporary community standards. If someone is a different generation then as long as he/she is contemporized as to how profane and indecent is regulated then it either can be regulated or if past those lines, then considered obscene. There is FCC staff that reviews the material and condemns it or declines the request. The reason any one can come to an agreement is because there is a neutral agency that takes in consideration the effect it had on that part of the community.

How Crashes Show More About Child Restraint

2011-04-28T18:43:00.004-05:00

Child restraint laws have come to our attention one way or another, dramatically or peacefully, the law has convicted those who broke the law. The law varies depending on the state but, here in Nebraska car seat and seat belt restraint laws are very simple. Children zero to six years of age must sit in a car seat restraint. When the child turns seven years old, he/she will switch the backseat solely wearing a seat belt restraint. Lastly, the law requires every person in the back and front seat of the vehicle to wear a seat belt.

As citizens of Omaha, child restraint usage rate have dramatically improved since 1999 when only 56.1% of the children riding a motor vehicle were restrained. The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS) released the figures that allow us to know where Nebraska stands as compared to the national level.

NEBRASKA'S STAND ON CHILD RESTRAINT

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, 2006) said that an average of 93.5% of infants and children continued to be restrained with some type of child safety seat or seat belt. According to NOHS, Nebraska fell behind with an average of 88.6% during 2006. While regions of the country performed differently than others such as the West with a 93%, the Midwest at 82%. Northeast 81%, and 80% for the South. Furthermore, Nebraska improved since 2006 to an outstanding 96.8% in 2008 and finally lowering to 91.5% in 2010.

CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD RESTRAINT

Unauthorized use of child restraint has several consequences, to what is worth not using one at all is merely immeasurable however, if you apply authorized practices on child restraint, safety measures. According to NOHS motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children of every age from 3 to 14 years old. In the United States, an average of 4 children 0-14 years old were killed and 490 were injured every day in the United States in motor vehicle crashes during 2009. In that same year there were 627 reported Nebraska children 0-15 years old in all motor vehicle crashes. There were 219 of the total reported who were not wearing safety restraint as compared to 408 who did. Over half of the crashes involved a child without proper safety restraint.

CONVICTIONS

There were 1,628 child restraint convictions in 2009 and 95.1% child restraint use according to a survey conducted by the NOHS. Before convictions or surveys, parents have the chance to prevent the observant of safety from receiving the complete truthful information. Convictions do not mean every one without child restraint were caught, it’s simply a figure. A survey is conducted by asking these parents questions however, when they are involved in car accidents, there is no time to react or try to sneak in a seat belt click before the officer reaches the vehicle.

The NHTSA has proposed to conduct surveys evaluating drivers on “the levels of child restraint system use and misuse for children riding in passenger vehicles, and to examine whether the levels of use and/or misuse are related to any specific characteristics of the drivers, their passengers, the child restraints, and/or the vehicles. Previous studies have shown that there is a gap between recommended child restraint use and observed use.“

THE GAP

Even though legislative actions have been taken to narrow the gap, since the Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) final rule in March, 1999 was established as a uniform child restraint attachment system that provides another, easier method of attaching a child restraint to the vehicle, the rate at which Nebraska improved since, was significant. We can thank this ruling for the increase in child restraint use rate since that same year. Hereby, the answer to achieve a perfect 100% child restraint use may lie in efficiency attaching or detaching the car seat ultimately easier for the driver to carry it in and out of the vehicle.

The restraint spectrum tells us about other chances than that of the driver’s characteristics as part of the gap, through history the release of motor vehicle injury and death information made available to our legislators have helped amend and specify laws. According to the American Journal of Public Health “Injury information made available to legislators in a useful format can influence the content of child restraint laws. For example, in 1979 Baker’ analyzed the age-specific death rates for child motor vehicle passengers under the age of 12. This information was useful in determining the age range to be covered by states’ laws.” The Department of Motor Vehicle should test citizens on driving, the laws that pertain to it, and techniques on how to contact legislators. Let this be another characteristic that shines upon every driver.

CONCLUSION

At last, the bottom line is reaching out for information. Know the laws in your city and state; acknowledge the different types of child restraint applicable to the different ages and body weight. Every parent should find out exactly what car seat is appropriate for their child. The life of our children lies beneath child restraint and the NHTSA provides helpful information that could save lives.

The Standard Gravure Shooting Spree

2011-04-25T01:31:00.002-05:00

The news media uses photographs to strengthen the emotional message of articles. Sometimes, the stories are too aggressive or violent to use photos as an expressive way to reach audiences. There’s an ethical dilemma that makes it immoral to have photographs of murder scenes or criminal scenarios as a vivid reminder of the previous day’s events in the next morning papers. Whether society agrees or disagrees with this ethical issue, a journalist will be the one deciding on what material will be published. In this report, I will analyze the Standard Gravure issue, the choices the journalist had when reporting and why. I agree with this issue but, I will discuss the effect of the decision on the individuals involved and on the community in general. Finally, relevant laws may apply if it was a different situation and how legal implications affected the journalist’s decision.

During the Standard Gravure shooting, a disgruntled former pressman on disability for mental illness walked into a printing plant with an AK-47 wounding 13 and killing 7 before turning the gun on him. When reporting an issue like this, C. Thomas Hardin, the photo and graphics editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal had a choice of portraying the horror captured with an image of a “dead victim lying on his back at the bottom of the stairs, his arms spread out and his body partially resting on a track used to move large rolls of paper.” Hardin also had the choice of capturing other segments of the shooting spree like photographing bystanders’ grieving and personal witnesses’ facial expressions however, there was no other way of directly expressing the horrific distress caused at the murder scene. It was Hardin’s responsibility to carry out on to the public the story of what really happened in the plant; some of the closest relatives to victims of such issues disagree with the media publishing photographs directly resembling a chaotic murder scene.

I agree with the journalist’s decision on publishing that specific photograph because the public must know with detail how and why these situations occur in real life. In order to educate the public on how terrifying and socially immoral a 30 minute shooting spree can be, the news media cannot simply misrepresent the core meaning of a bloody scenery by demonstrating a photo of two victims’ relatives sobbing and crying. The photo of the two victims’ relatives crying only shows the grievance and emotional position of distress however, it does not show how the massacre really turned out to be. Once a photograph like this reaches the public, the viewer is able to distinguish how horrific it is; so emotionally touching that it can make a difference on how much more importance the public gives to such issue. According to Robin Hughes (2011) Hardin clarified that the picture was published because it awakens the public as to why legislation on automatic weapons is so relevant to society. Hardin said, “Coupled with national debate on automatic weapons, the use of the photo was validated.” Therefore, in order to make public the outcome of legally allowing the public possession of automatic weapons, photographs of wraths like these open eyes anywhere in the world.

The effect of the decision on the individuals involved and on the community in general could be measured by the 500 complaints the news media received along with one lawsuit filed against Louisville Courier-Journal which was won by this same newspaper company. There was no doubt the community was upset because it was a very vividly reminder of what took place in the plant during the shooting spree. How else the public would have been aware of such shocking images if it was not for that photograph? If Hardin would have opted to address this ethical decision with a different choice of photograph, per say a photo that depicts a bloody wounded victim receiving paramedic help. Then the message of horrifying situations and legal automatic weapons for the public would have been almost as shocking but, with the same intention.

According to Hanusch, F. (2008) the debate on how media represent death has been at the heart of the argument that death in Western societies has, in the late twentieth century, been absent from public discourse and only present in private form. This is a controversial issue that the public will address according to cultural and ethical beliefs depending on the location in the planet however; in the Standard Gravure case it is very obvious that the public rather maintain death in a private form. On a different note, 500 complaints can only represent a group of people that were reached by the victims but are not representing the mentality of how a major part of society should truly be in regards to being aware of availability of automatic weapons and the awful act of murder.

Moreover, according to Joyce, D. (2008) the use made of photography by non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) alongside with courts and tribunals is highly ideological to boost the legitimacy of public justice initiatives and assist in any public relations. “At times professional photographers have collaborated in such forms of advocacy, but they remain bound by their own professional codes of conduct and independent forms of practice.” In many cases, independent forms of practice and professional codes of conduct collide in the way that any public law of justice is reprehended from knowing the issue’s realm. In the case of Hardin, there was an ultimate decision to communicate emotions captured so there could be some sort of social awakening in many areas of the spectrum that allow for so many controversial discussions to arise. In other words, the bottom line decision of publishing such a horrific photograph came from the public role of managing ethical standards throughout society and in fact, it had such effect.

There are relevant and primordial laws that influenced the Hardin’s decision of publishing the photo. According to Joyce, D. there could be a situation where an image’s production is itself a human rights abuse, rather than an act of human rights witnessing and testimony. Hardin was not producing an image to abuse human rights in fact, Hardin was defending human rights. According to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people. The photograph’s publishing is not a discouragement but a responsibility as an organ of society. The Universal Declaration also explains that every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the people of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

The only legal implication was the lawsuit against Louisville Courier-Journal; the family of the victim whose photo was taken once dead, is alleging that the newspaper intentionally and recklessly inflicted mental distress on the family and that publication of the photo was an invasion of their privacy. On the other hand, the photo did what it was intended to, showing the reality of what assault weapons are capable of and adding on, if a less graphic photograph would have been shown instead, then it would not have been as effective. As community members, the family must accept this was a very tragic situation as much as it was public and, even though death could be a private topic, the person inflicted was affected by a public issue which is gun violence. If it would have been a suicide situation, the photographer had no right to show a man hanging by the neck then, it would have been a violation of privacy and the news media would have deliberately and intentionally inflicted mental distress. Finally, because this is a public issue that affected the public in general, a piece of reality must be shown to have society react to gun violence, not the photographers publishing for social justice awakening.

At last, the dilemma of illustrating articles with photos that create such controversy was discussed. If the photo captures the true meaning of the outcome of the criminal intent that links it to another public issue then, it is up to the newspaper’s notion to make a decision on whether publishing it or not. The journalist took the right choice of, by publishing with a photo, make gun violence so important even among those who were not directly affected. The legal implications allowed understanding how human rights were protecting the news media entity and how it ultimately had a responsibility on carrying out that message.

References

Hanusch, F. (2008). Graphic death in the news media: present or absent?. Mortality, 13(4), 301-317. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Joyce, D. (2010). Photography and the Image-Making of International Justice. Law & Humanities, 4(2), 229-249. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Hughes, Robin. (2011) “A photo that had to be used” Anatomy of a newspaper’s decision. Retrieved April 25, 2011 from Indiana University.

N.A. (2011) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved April 25, 2011 from www.un.org

Transocean continues to spill

2011-04-04T19:43:00.001-05:00

If any but Better would define the name of an organization which petroleum has spilled, killed, and thrilled the world.

Apparently, the rig that exploded killing 11 workers and injuring another 17 on the Gulf of Mexico was not enough. According to their safety standards, Transocean continued by declaring 2010 "the best year in safety performance in our company's history." Due to apparent successful improvement in performing quality safety the CEO is increasing the six figure $900,000 salary to a humble raise that would set Steven L. Newman at a comfortable $1,100,000 on top of the $374,062 bonus and a $5.4 million compensation.

Well, even though according to CNN - "Notwithstanding the tragic loss of life in the Gulf of Mexico, we achieved an exemplary statistical safety as measured by our total recordable incident rate and total potential severity rate," the SEC statement reads. "As measured by these standards, we recorded the best year in safety performance in our Company's history." There has been another spill in the South Atlantic on an island located between Africa and Argentina.

Enough this year so far? Expectations say more spills are to occur. Nonetheless, Newman apologized after calling it the best year so far.

Wait a minute, there is a huge operation to save penguins, an inevitable destruction to mother Earth and long-term health effects on the ocean life and specifically the penguins.

Regardless of who is spilling, humanity is responsible for the consequences. It is time we all acknowledge the retrospect and create a newer generation that slowly fixes the environment, little by little.

Gov. Kasich's Cracks Down on Public Education

2011-04-02T15:57:00.000-05:00

Ohio’s Governor John Kasich unveiled the 2012-13 state budget with an eight billion dollar shortcut. 3.1 billion dollars taken from the public school system, falling 11.5% from 2010, this year’s setback affects students by diminishing extracurricular activities and fewer jobs for teachers.

Defendpubliceducation.org explained “the massive budget deficits states have faced over the past few years were caused by decades of tax breaks for the rich, attacks on students and workers, the continuation of wars and occupation overseas. “

The Ohio Education Association (OEA) expressed Ohio needs to invest in high quality public education that develops an educated workforce to help the economy grow. The release included SB 5’s attack on collective bargaining, endorsed by the Governor, and would leave school employees very little say in the quality of public education of Ohio’s students on how to make Ohio’s schools the best.

The shortcut is viewed as a social issue in all areas, with public education being one of them. The mass media not prioritizing but, providing same urgency to other entities affected.

There are 1,840,390 students in the Ohio public system (educationbug.com.) Studentsfirst.org sent out newsletters communicating one in five teachers will be dismissed from classrooms.

Journalistically, the purpose is to inform every side affected; political purpose is to govern democratically and societal purposes include leading society in a successful manner.

The press release mitigated the public by informing how it affects that particular area however, not informing on whether the shortcut of budget is a result of a crisis or not. Other nations’ populations rather privatize K-12 and subsidize post-secondary education therefore, the release is directed to the group of individuals who are affected by the shortcut.

Press releases inform the same to all media as legitimate resources. Press releases maintain mass media corporations and the public informed.

Hinduism

2011-04-01T20:17:00.000-05:00

Hinduism

Leonardo Brito

Axia College of University of Phoenix

Within the Asian continent and south of the Himalayas, there is a large section which is considered as the Indian subcontinent (Living Religions, p. 69). Ever since the Vedic age, this area of the continent has encountered anything from practices and rituals, to political and regional separations, to disciplines and religions, some extremist and some polytheistic practices; there are a series of religions or philosophical systems such as, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism that make up a distinct tradition, Hinduism. This name was first introduced by the British community during the 19^th century as a consensus or a head-count to categorize that specific group of individuals. Nowadays, the Hinduism tradition was renamed Sanatana Dharma as a substitute characterization; Dharma meaning “religion” and Sanatana meaning “ageless” or “illimitable” (Living Religions, p. 69). This new label encloses essential living laws, public abundance, morality, mental wellness, and spiritual realization.

The specific origin of Hinduism may never be known because of different theories that derive from different places of the world. Some say that the Hindu tradition was adopted from another part of the world, or that it was brought by some foreigners into the Indian subcontinent; others specify and argue that the theory of Hinduism being born from somewhere else rather than India itself is a false claim, therefore the belief of a native born tradition -in this case India- is based off two different elements, philosophical and metaphysical elements; the philosophical element bases the Hindu tradition into a scientifically proven origin of a set of established or supposed principles to explain or organize a specific series of acts. This part of the Hindu tradition is caused or based on the existence of the universe, the man and the society, in this case the existence of Hinduism itself. For example, the Aryans which were, according to Living Religions, Indo-European tribes that were thought to reside on the southern parts of Russia, and then later migrated towards Indian land. This migration set the material part of the Aryan culture into the Santana Dharma; same occurrence of migration also came from the Brahmanas, Upanishads and other tribes or groups which gave Hinduism the practice of personal transformation within the spirit. This transformation may occur from the belief of reincarnation, which is the belief of the soul re-birthing into unlimited and different bodies or form of life; Karma is also another belief of transformation of the spiritual state that follows the consequences of actions, whether the actions were taken in the present life or past lives, the present actions will shape the future of the being.

On the other hand the metaphysical element of the Sanatana Dharma is composed of general and abstract theories that practice the principles, properties and causes of the most elevated thoughts of the human being. In this case, the Hinduism tradition reflects the metaphysical element by the representation of Samkhya, Advaita Vedanta, and yoga (Living Religions, p. 76). The Samkhya system is based off two frames of mind, the Purusha or the Self, and the Prakriti, the reason of this material universe; this also implicates the belief of the “Self” being part of, or in fact, god itself. The Advaita Vedanta is a non-dualistic single reality that incorporates the false belief of a bodily life. Lastly, yoga is a spiritual discipline that has been practiced by several different groups within the Indian subcontinent. The discipline enables a clear, undisturbed or calm state of mind, and disconnected alertness (Living Religions, p. 77); so the practice of finally reaching this calm, clear, undisturbed state of mind is considered as a sattvic quality, which is transformed into the discipline of yoga.

There are cultural and societal influences that has made Hinduism vital to the Indian subcontinent; starting with rituals which have been practiced over 16 different ways to purify and sanctify the being’s life, that according to Living Religions (page 95) they consist of ceremonies during spiritual realization, the braiding of the pregnant mother’s hair, birth, setting a name, beginning of solid foods, education, giving children a piece of clothing, leaving the family house for the first time, the study of Vedas, marriage, and death. Another important influence is that one of society working in an orderly matter, divided into four different castes or groups; the Brahmins or priests, kshatriyas or aristocrats, Vaishyas or economists, and the shudra caste or the blue-collar workers. There are also Home Pujas or leaders within the families that take the role of knowing the Dharma. Continuing on, the Guru, which reaches a spiritual rank that many desire, becomes a guide over the spiritual belief towards realization; once a guru is found then the followers adore and honor him or her, this being a key function of how society seeks spiritual realization. Between these influences and others, pilgrimages and festivals have involved the society as a vital element by making individuals travel to holy places and co-exist with other people.

Ultimately, the desire for liberation from earthly existence is that one of releasing the body from the flesh and mental burdens. This release ends the material life and then the start of the new after life experience. So, the most important element is the detachment of the soul from the body, which to Hinduism tradition, life and the body is an illusion; this illusion would be finally over for the soul, meaning that the spiritual realization has being thoroughly achieved. Therefore, spiritual realization is the biggest desire from the liberation of earthly existence.

References

Fisher, Mary Pat. (2005). Living Religions (6^th ed.). Hinduism [

Ch.

3 (p. 69-106)]. Prentice-Hall.

4th Wave of Democracy

2011-03-31T23:23:00.000-05:00

As we move forward in historical uprisings and movements, we are knowing that even more Middle Eastern countries are engaging themselves in revolutions that are cracking down on long-lasting dictatorships.

We all are entirely aware of the thousands of years the religious wars have been going on for right?

Besides the two countries that have reached the mass media on a crisis level (Egypt and Libya) we are looking at other nations like Algeria, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.

Syria, one of the most extremist countries in the world are now encountering back to back uprisings, such as those in Libya.

Incredibly, we are looking at a step in human kind. A huge step that allows everyone to move forward and make changes in society. In this particular society; the United States of America.

Trees Talk

2011-03-27T17:16:00.000-05:00

Growing up in a metropolis, trees were the only thing besides our concrete jungle that stood out. Funny, huh? How nature is still the few lingering elements left in our concentrated communities.

So I bought a camera and decided to just start taking pictures; I knew the ultimate purpose was for blogging purposes but, how?

If you see closely.

You will see that the tree has peculiar face features. Unlike humans, trees can't move but we can manipulate our skin and muscles to show physical gestures.

This tree shows the anticipation of warmth to come.

I see a tree that is cold, a tree that decided it needed to start looking like part of society.

Its physical features can be related more like humans than animals.

What do you see in those pictures?

Omaha's Nature Wonderland

2011-03-27T16:42:00.000-05:00

More of a hobby, it could be an obsession. My picture taking, in fact, takes me to another world; endless possibilities and natural architecture, the colorful landscapes and imposing imagery will also take you to another world.

Tricky part is, you are going to see your own world, too.

Spring WildFires, Have You Seen Any?

2011-03-23T16:52:00.000-05:00

There are approximately 75,000 wildfires in the United States yearly.

We saw this one coming from Kansas City after Tiesto's presentation the night before. We were lucky enough to get a hotel room for FREE however, when driving back we saw plenty of those fires.

Besides being wildfires, are there any other techniques farmers use to burn off certain materials off their crops that anyone know of?

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