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.