Current event 5/31/11

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0607-court-tuition-20110607,0,4277083.story

This article is about the granting of illegal immigrants financial aid in California. It is considered a good thing necessary for the fair treatment of illegal children and their children. California passed a bill granting aid to illegals for college, but it was challenged in the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court refused to hear the challenge.

Who: The Supreme Court

What: The Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge

Where: California, DC

Why: the Supreme Court is very liberal this day and age.

When: June 6, 2011

This article is journalism because it is about the decline of intelligence in the US. During a time of national economic crisis, California is granting illegal immigrants, who are federal felons, in-state tuition. At the same time, California is trying to raise taxes.

The CBT of Humanity fits. God created all mankind equal, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. As such, illegal immigrants are not to be treated with disrespect. However, respect does not mean that they receive lawful citizens' tax dollars even though they are illegal.

Current Event 6/3/11

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/06/03/appeals-court-lifts-ban-on-texas-graduation-prayer/

This article details the case of prayer at graduation ceremonies in Texas. An agnostic family filed a lawsuit claiming the invocation at graduation ceremonies at a public school were unconstitutional. The courts issued a ban on prayer at graduation. But now, the Appeals court lifted the ban, allowing students to pray at graduation ceremonies.

Who: 5th Circuit Court of Appeals

What: declared prayer at graduation constitutional

Where: San Antonio, Texas, Medina County, a high school

Why: some agnostic family had a stick up their butts and wanted to make a stink

When: June 3, 2011

This article is journalism because it is about an important issue. Prayer at graduation is a tradition. Christian traditions are under attack all the time, and it is refreshing to find a time when the Christians win.

The CBT of sin fits. The agnostic family wasn't really offended by the prayers. They just wanted to make a stink, or maybe they really were offended and were just weird.

Current Event 5/23/11

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/22/72-year-old-florida-man-saves-pet-dog-alligator-attack/

A 72 year old man fought off a six foot long alligator in his backyard. It had snatched up his terrier, Doogie, in its jaws. The man tackled the alligator, beat it with his shoes, and rescued his dog. The man's home is right next to some marshes 80 miles north of Miami. The problem of alligator attacks are worse this time of year because it is mating season, so pet owners are suggested to keep animals on leashes.

Who: A 72-year-old man

What: the man rescued his dog from an alligator

Where: the man's yard, 80 miles north of Miami

Why: the alligator attacked the man's dog

When: Thursday evening

This is journalism because it is immensely amusing. The idea of an old man attacking an alligator that had attacked his dog is very funny, and I don't know why. It is journalism because it contains a warning: keep your dogs on leashes during the mating season of alligators in Florida. Also, don't live right on the marshes.

I have not the faintest idea of what CBT would be appropriate for this article. Maybe "Courage is fallen man's response to God's imprinted truth." ? The man knew that the animal was his responsibility so he defended his dog? Work with me on this.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/20110427/ts_yblog_theticket/birth-certificate-wont-end-race-related-attacks-on-the-president

This article is a tirade by a crazed liberal on the alleged racism of those who are suspicious of Obama's citizenship. The author compares Obama's citizenship challenge to McCain's, and then cites numerous arguments for Obama's citizenship. She also angrily dismisses opposition, and then pulls the ever-present and overused race card. She quite obviously thinks all criticism of Obama is motivated by racism, and cites radicals who support the claim. She quotes a man who claims that the birther issue is motivated by white supremacy. And all of this is under the category of fact.

Who: Obama, Trump, and lawyer Orley Taitz are the main people involved, though the author seems to be the focus of the piece.

What: The author is ranting over the racism of birthers.

Why: The author is a rabid Obama-supporter, and refuses to accept any criticism or suspicion of Obama's citizenship.

Where: The White House might be the main location?

When: Thursday morning was the time when Obama made his birth certificate public.

This article is not journalism because it is so absurdly biased in favor of Obama and against birthers. Had it been categorized as an editorial piece, it would have been fine; however, it is presented as fact rather than opinion. It makes offensive accusations, and provides no real proof for them. I am not a birther; I'm pretty sure Obama was born in the US, but I am still suspicious. For example, why did Obama wait so long? What about alleged discrepancies on the birth certificate? But such questions, though valid and legitimate, are brushed aside with an ad hominem attack of racism. For example, the author quotes

"There is a real deep-seated and vicious racism at work here in terms of trying to de-legitimate the president," Peniel Joseph, a professor of history at Tufts University, told The Ticket.

"This is more than just a conspiracy," Joseph added. "I think this is fundamentally connected to a conception of white supremacist democracy in this country."

This is su

This article fits the CBT of Sin for Social Sciences. Man is corrupt without repentance, as evidenced by this woman's wild vitriol. I don't know why she feels the need for such hate, or feels the need to express her anger in the form of accusations, but her tendencies are sinful, as are all's.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/04/14/obamas-5-billion-weatherizing-program-wastes-stimulus-funds-auditors/

This article was about a discovered wasting of stimulus funds on a weatherization program designed to improve and remodel poor houses in certain areas. The program, started by Jimmy Carter, was given 5 billion dollars by Obama's stimulus program. It has been riddled with cases of waste, mismanagement, and in some cases, fraud, and has been suspended in Delaware. However, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia have been affected, too. Critics of the program call it a "poster child" of government stimulus, while proponents say the problems are the exception rather than the rule.

Who: Leslie Paige, the vice president of Citizens Against Government Waste, is a main critic of the program.

What: A government-funded weatherization program has been accused of wasting stimulus money.

Where: The state of Delaware is the main state experiencing problems.

Why: Too much money was spent too fast with little thought or prudence.

When: The stimulus bill was passed in 2009.

This article was journalism because it alerts the public of their tax money's wasting, and they need to know and respond accordingly. It was very effective because it detailed the issue and cited both critics and proponents. However, the critics were more effective particularly because of Leslie Paige, who called the program a "cesspool of waste." This was a very effective visual. Bravo.

The CBT is the Social Science CBT for sin. The laws are meant to restrain the depravity of both the governed and the governors, and this situation is an example of such laws being enforced. The program has been suspended, and the people responsible are being punished.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-geology-earthquake-20110323,0,3750662,full.story

This article was an observation of a geologic study of the Salton Trough and the San Andreas Fault, two significant geographic features relating to California earthquake activity. The article was told as a narrative, with most of its length being a detailed account of the process of the study, interspersed with more general and broad data. The scientific study involved digging holes and planting explosives while monitoring the blast waves to paint a picture of the subsurface fault lines and landscape. The purpose of the study is to learn more about the "Big One"--the massive earthquake, presumed to be from the San Andreas Fault, due to strike California very soon.

Who: Gary Fuis, a geophysicist, is the main scientist of the study. The article is told around him.

What: Fuis and colleagues are planting meters and measuring devices around the Salton Trough to measure seismic activity.

Where: The study is being performed around the Salton Trough near the Salton Sea.

Why: Not very much is known about the particular physics of the San Andreas Fault, and with the recent Japanese earthquake, such data is more and more important.

When: The study was performed three days after the Japan earthquake.

This article is journalism because it relays important information about a subject on most Californians' minds: the Big One. Such an earthquake must be prepared for, and this article helps Californians prepare by informing them about the situation. It was effective in its data, but was a bit cheesy. It seemed more of a dramatic narrative with details not critical to the story such as Fuis' "animated hands."

The CBT for this article is a bit tough, but the CBT for Language Arts: Evangelism, is applicable. Just as with any natural disaster or crisis, floods of people will run to God in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we must be ready to guide them and bring them to faith to the best of our abilities. Because most geologists agree that the "Big One" is actually long overdue, Christians need to be as ready as ever to communicate our beliefs.

Current Event 3/11/11

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/charlie-sheen-sues-studio-show-creator-for-100-million/58172?nc

This article is about the latest of the Charlie Sheen saga. Sheen is currently suing Two and a Half Men producer Chuck Lorre for 100 million dollars, citing his cancelled shows and punitive damages on behalf of himself and the crew. Sheen has been making 1.2 million dollars per episode. His lawyer, Marty Singer, criticized Lorre for wielding power to feed his ego.

Who: Charlie Sheen and his attorney, Marty Singer, are suing Chuck Lorre.

What: Sheen is suing Chuck Lorre for backpay and punitive damages.

Where: The courts are the presumed venue for the story.

When: The specific timing of the story isn't specified, but the story was published on March 10, 2011.

Why: Sheen's show, Two and a Half Men, was cancelled. Singer alleges that Warner Brothers illegally fired Sheen when he was "sick."

This story is not journalism because it serves no purpose other than mindless gossip and the resulting amusement. It was not effective for a few reasons, among which are the misspellings (series spelled "seriest") and the awkward phrasing of a few lines ("criticism of him"). However, the author did provide a photograph of Sheen that made him seem thoroughly deranged, so if that was the purpose, the article was effective.

The CBT of Social Science: Salvation fits this article. The most relevant part is the phrase, "[God] redeems a fallen creation." Charlie Sheen is a prime illustration of Mankind's fallen state: Sheen was recently found with a panicked hooker and a suitcase of cocaine, and has apparently gone mad. He is ranting and raving on television over money and a career, and is an obnoxious person. All Mankind needs to be rescued, but Charlie Sheen is the poster child.

Current Event 2/25/11

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/23/lawmakers-consider-proposal-arming-agents-mexico-ice-attack/

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are considering options to allow US agents in Mexico to carry weapons, which has been banned since 1990. The death of US agent Jaime Zapata and the wounding of another agent in an ambush by drug cartels prompted this deliberation. US agents are more at risk now that Mexican president Calderon has declared war on the drug cartels, and lawmakers don't like the idea of US agents being "sitting ducks." The ambush was called a "game changer" as the US operational assumption has been that US agents would not be targeted.

Who: US ICE agent Jaime Zapata was killed less than two weeks ago by drug gangs. His death has prompted arming measures.

What: lawmakers are considering how to arm US agents in Mexico.

When: Zapata was killed February 15, 2011, and Congress is discussing measures now.

Where: The Capitol is the likely site of most hearings and considerations.

Why: There is concern that the US agents in Mexico are sitting ducks because they are not allowed to carry weapons.

This article was journalism because it described the current state of American agents in Mexico and detailed their difficulties, something the American public should know. It is effective because it uses logic, current events, and relevant facts to support its main push, which is apparently for the arming of US agents. The article is a bit biased towards the arming of US agents.

The CBT of Sin: Social Science most applies to this article. Mankind is corrupt without repentance, and the murder of the ICE agent proves so. Zapata was murdered in cold blood, and he was not armed. Murder is a clear example of Man's corruption.

Current Event 2/18/11

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gibson-extortion-20110217,0,6507720.story

This article is an adult version of middle school girls' arguments and gossip. Mel Gibson's attorney was informed that Gibson's girlfriend had recorded his racist rants and verbal abuse and was asking for 20 million dollars. However, the girlfriend's lawyers wanted the couple to solve their issues privately and not publicize the tapes. The focus of the article is whether or not Gibson's girlfriend is guilty of extortion; meanwhile, Gibson is being investigated for domestic violence charges.

Who: Mel Gibson and his girlfriend, and their lawyers, are the main figures.

What: Gibson's girlfriend is suspected of extorting Gibson with the tapes as blackmail.

Where: The story took place in LA County, but the courts are the eventual locations.

When: Gibson's lawyers were informed 11 months ago of the tapes' existence, and Wednesday the detectives presented their findings to the district attorney's office.

Why: The purpose of the article is gossip, and the cause of the story is romantic trouble between Gibson and his girlfriend.

This article is not journalism. Its only effects on me were irritation and eye-rolling, as the article begs the question, "who cares?" It is sad that Gibson and his girlfriend are fighting, but what business of the public is it? This article does not qualify as journalism because it does not help the reader become more self-governing.

The CBT of this article is the CBT for Social Science: Sin. Mankind is totally depraved without repentance, and this article shows several examples of it. First, Gibson and his girlfriend are fighting, verbally abusing and blackmailing each other. Secondly, the girlfriend publicized Gibson's rants to hurt Gibson. Thirdly, the public gossips and snoops about the celebrities' private business.

Current Event 2/11/11

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/10/brewer-countersue-federal-government-immigration-enforcement/

Arizona governor Jan Brewer announced Thursday, February 11, 2011, that Arizona will be filing a counter-suing lawsuit against the federal government because the feds have not secured the Arizona border. This is a response to the Obama administration's lawsuit against Arizona's SB 1070. Brewer's complaint is that the feds have given her no other choice because they have failed to secure the border and Arizona is picking up the tab. The feds have not reimbursed Arizona as they are obligated to do.

According to Brewer, it is ridiculous for the feds to sue Arizona for enforcing federal laws. She expressed her desire to push the law to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Who: The main "character"of the article is Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who was the mastermind behind the SB1070.

What: Jan Brewer is filing a counter lawsuit against the federal government for not securing the borders and not reimbursing Arizona for its efforts to do so.

Where: The area in question is the southern border of Arizona with Mexico, but the courts will be the literal locations of the article's topic.

When: Jan Brewer announced Thursday, February 11, 2011 her plans to sue the federal government.

Why: The federal government has not secured the southern border, and Arizona wants it to be secured on the fed's tab.

This article is effective because it is not biased, and it reports the facts and the reasoning behind Jan Brewer's motion. It does not provide alternate viewpoints, nor should it. The article is on Jan Brewer's reasoning and lawsuit, not the topic of illegal immigration. It covers the necessities of such an article: why Jan Brewer is suing the feds, her resolve, and the history of SB1070.

The CBT of Social Science: Sin: is applicable to this article. This CBT states that the purpose of laws is to restrain the depravity of man, both the governors and the governed. This article handles the governors, and Jan Brewer's Arizona is suing the federal government for not enforcing the laws. The law system is keeping the feds in check, at least theoretically, by providing Arizona with the ability to sue the federal government for not enforcing its laws.

Current Event 2/4/2011

Western wolverines threatened by climate change

-pi

This article details the "plight" of the western wolverine, a species that could be extinct in the continental US by the end of the 21st century. According to Synte Peacock, a scientist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, rising global temperatures could soon melt the snow that is critical to the wolverine's survival. This model is based on an extrapolation of existing data, projecting future temperatures and weather patterns. The Fish and Wildlife Service has decided that climate change's threat to the wolverine merits its addition to the endangered species list.

Who: The author is Nicholas Riccardi from the Greenspace blog. The article's main focus, though, is on the theories of NCAR's Synte Peacock, a climate scientist.

What: According to Peacock, the western wolverine is in danger from the rising temperatures that threaten the snow it depends on.

When: There was no particular date, but the article was posted February 3, 2011, and the article focused on the latter half of the century.

Where: The western wolverine is a boreal carnivore/scavenger of the forests of North America, the main locality of interest.

Why: The motive for the article seems to be the addition of the western wolverine to the endangered species list.

This article is not journalism, nor is it effective. It is flagrantly biased, and quotes only the pro-climate change view. It does not affect me to any degree, though it might affect a reader with less solidified opinions. Its bias is what makes it ineffective, and it is this bias coupled with its presentation as news that makes it not journalism. Technically, it may be journalism in the sense that it uses "facts" to back up its claims. However, it only quotes a scientist's climate model's extrapolation and seeks to base policy on it. No mention is made of the controversial nature of the climate debate.

The CBT of Revelation for Social Science asserts that truth is not relative, and is relevant to this article because of the article's controversy. Either climate change is real or it is not; if it is, either it is man-caused or natural. Truth is not relative, and both sides cannot be right.

Current Event 1/21/11

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/19/welfare-tab-children-illegal-immigrants-estimated-m-la-county/

The essence of this article is as follows: LA county has spent 600 million dollars on welfare benefits for the children of illegal immigrants over the course of 2010. This brings the total cost of illegals and their children in LA County to 1.6 billion dollars, according to LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich. Though some protest the inclusion of the technically US citizen status of the children of illegal immigrants in estimated costs, others point out that the illegal parents are the recipients of the welfare benefits. The estimated cost, though, did not include the massive cost of education for the children of illegals. Nationwide, illegals costed taxpayers 113 billion dollars over 2010, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform. Antonovich called for the cutting of benefits for illegals and their children, citing that illegals and their children accounted for 22% of food stamp and CalWORKS spending.

This article is journalism: it presented facts with minimal opinion, it cited its references, and quoted government officials.

Considering the current budget crisis of California and the poor job climate, it seems inappropriate to be feeding and educating foreigners on the taxpayers' tab, especially when higher taxes are on the table. Although the CBT of Creation (Language Arts) that all men are created equal is true, and illegals deserve all the respect due to any human, America simply cannot afford to act as a charity any more. California is on the brink of bankruptcy, and though its budget system and bloated pension structure needs overhauling, the first step should be the suspension of social benefits for illegals and their children. This will require an amendment to the US Constitution repealing the 14 Amendment, which was only meant to guarantee the citizenship of former slaves and their children but has now been twisted to cover myriad issues that don't have anything to do with its original subject.