Nick's Comm 303 Blog

Photo courtesy of Flickr user p i c a.

Two birch trees stand alone, yet together, battling the dark sky and the tormenting wind. The birch trees stand as a symbol to the havoc that the recent snowstorms across the U.S. have caused. A tiny, stripped bush stands next to one of the trees offering little resistance. Small mounds of snow scattered across the landscape illustrate how the wind can make almost anything temporary in its place. The birch trees seem to be reaching out to connect to each other, to hold on and stay rooted in their home. Many trees sit in the background huddled together for warmth and support, while the bare birch trees stand alone. In the distance, to the right, tall trees can be seen standing straight indicating that the wind will soon quit.

The thin clouds above are drifting away, possibly indicating that the storm will subside soon. With the end of the storm in sight, the trees must hold on just a little while longer for everything to return to normal.

Looking at that headline you’re probably thinking “What!!!?!!” It’s not a mistake. Joshua Tabor, 27, tortured and bruised his daughter because she refused to recite the alphabet. Tabor’s excuse for waterboarding his daughter was because he was “frustrated” and he felt she was “behind mentally for where she should be for her age.”

I’ve seen some crazy stories in the media but never have I seen something like this. Obviously there is no justifiable reason for a father to do this to his flesh and blood. Tabor should be punished with the harshest punishment due to his unforgivable actions.

1. The United States comprises 50 states.

2. A.D. 33.

3. Czar

4. QE2

5. Court-martials

6. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

7. Navy ROTC

8. Liberal

9. Pour

10. Atlanta, GA.

Steven Pearlstein brought up an interesting idea in his February 10 column in regards to how the recent snowstorms have derailed many people’s lives.  Pearlstein proposes snow insurance. Basically taxes and fees are raised for households and businesses and in return, this money would fund the manpower and equipment necessary to clear the amount of snow we have had in a reasonable amount of time. Businesses have lost money because they have had to shut down and some of them still have to pay their employees even when they’re not working. Not only are businesses losing money, but citizens are losing money because of not being able to go to work.

This column was interesting because Pearlstein looked at what the recent snowstorms have done from an economical standpoint. The only problem I have with this column is that this area does not get this amount of snow often to necessarily warrant the raise in taxes and fees. Most seasons we’re lucky to get four inches of snow.This is the first article in the media that I have seen in regards to the economic impact of the snow. Most media outlets are focusing on the roads, schools, which roads haven’t been plowed, etc. But Pearlstein focuses on something that is a concern to a lot of common people. While some people are glad to not have to work, myself included, there are some people that need to work because they need the money. The news values present in this column are impact, proximity and currency.

I chose the story “Jury Recommends Death for 69-year old Grandmother.”

1. Prominence, proximity, conflict and the unusual are all present in the story.

2. Who: Faye Copeland, the 69-year-old woman, Circuit Judge E. Richard Webber, the public defender David Miller and Ray Copeland, Faye Copeland’s husband.

What: A 69-year-old woman was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder for killing and burying four farm workers.

When: The murders happened a year ago.

Where: Chillicothe, Mo.

Why and How: The only explanation given for why the murders occurred is the claim that Faye Copeland suffered from battered-wife syndrome.

3. Observation, stored records and interviewing are the types of sources used.

4. The reporter interviewed the public defender, David Miller. Judging from the article most of information pertaining to the case was accessed through court records.

5.  I would ask the reporter to try to interview the convicted woman to get her take on the sentencing and why she allegedly committed the case. I would question why Faye Copeland was charged with five counts of first-degree murder when there were only four people murdered.

There was no doubt that Hannah would soon become a famous jazz singer recognized internationally.

Midville is a small town with a small atmosphere that offers  safety and security to its residents and citizens.

Erin saw no point in continuing to pay tuition where she was convinced that she was not receiving the best education.

During most of February, Laura stayed in her room to fight off the effects of a debilitating cold.