CRASH

http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/21/source-9-killed-in-helicopter-crash-were-americans/-CNN
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38723377-MSNBC
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/21/nato-says-service-members-international-coalition-killed-helicopter-crash/-FOXNEWS

In an article that I was tracking over the three news sources, there was a terrible helicopter crash that occurred in the Southern region of Afghanistan. In the crash, 9 people were reported dead. In the FOXNEWS article, they had stated that the incident happened in the Southern region of Afghanistan. It also stated that a rather large number of Americans were involved. No reports of enemy fire were included to attribute to the crash, but it was stated that a Taliban spokeman had told the press over the phone that they were responsible for the crash, which, as was later followed up, was complete B.S. It was said that the Taliban often exaggerate things to give themselves credit for certain incidents. The total number of deaths that was reported by FOX was 524 U.S. and NATO soldiers compared to 504 killed last year, making this year the deadliest since the war started in 2001.
In the MSNBC article, the same bits of informantion were reported, just on a much smaller scale. The difference I found in the article before, FOXNEWS, was that on MSNBC they said the crash occurred in the Southeast region of Afghanistan. This website was, in my opinion, focused more on the political side of things that were going on that would later have an effect on the War in Afghanistan.
Finally, the CNN article was quite similar to that of the MSNBC and FOX. They, similar to FOX, said that the accident happened in the Southern region of Afghanistan, also differring from MSNBC. They, however, contradicting FOX, said that 517 troops had been killed in Afghanistan this year, compared to FOXNEWS' 524.
Overall, I found that the news sites were trying to report the same story, but many of them had their small differnces. I feel that they were trying their best to help signify the fact that the War in Afghanistan is still as dangerous as ever, and that however good some news might seem, there is still a lot of work left to do. I also feel that this story is important to society, because these people died fighting for their country and that many people need to hear of their great sacrifice. To some, it may not seem as important as many of the policy issues that effect the war, but I think it is rather important and is something that should be shared with anyone, and everyone.

STOLEN LAWNMOWER

http://www.thecoastalsource.com/mostpopular/story/Man-Arrested-Driving-Stolen-Lawnmower/ts_vlK_GWE-TPoanvfV-uA.cspx

For my free blog entry, I thought I would try to find a story that was rather funny, but yet was posted from a media source. The story I stumbled upon just so happened to involve an individual who I had gone to high school with. He always was in trouble for doing some of the dumbest things, so when I saw this, I thought this particular incident was probably a highlight of his criminal career. This particular individual was pulled over at 4 o'clock in the morning on Highway 17 (a pretty major highway in North Carolina). The officer said something had looked suspicious which is the reason he pulled him over. This reason makes perfectly good sense because the guy was driving a stolen lawnmower, on the interstate, at 4 in the morning, with a stolen television in his lap. The officer asked him some questions, and the suspect gave him false information. The officer later found out that the subject had 9 outstanding warrants in Virginia, was involved in several burglaries around the area he was apprehended, and was also carrying a hatchet (?) and brass knuckles. Needless to say, I am glad he didn't try to lead the police on a high speed chase, because I don't think he would have stood a chance.

SERIAL KILLER

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20013334-504083.html

I recently heard a terrifying story on the news of an alleged serial killer on the loose. The fact that is most striking is that 3 of his stabbings have been in Leesburg, VA. This particular individual is allegedly responsible for stabbing 16 individuals around Flint, Michigan, five of which ended up dying. This article, like many on serial killers, focuses merely on the serial killer himself. They say he is an individual carrying a knife who is a white male, in his late 20s or early 30s, 5 foot 11 inches tall to 6 foot 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 180 to 210 pounds. Some of his survivors have stated that, once again, he was a white male, muscular, with light colored hair, and that he was seen driving a green and gold SUV resembling a Chevy Blazer or a GMC Jimmy. The survivors also said that the individual approached them in desperate need of directions or in desperate need of help with his broken down car, where he then stabbed them and fled. The article also states that 7 different agencies, the Leesburg Police and the police of Flint, Michigan along with the FBI are trying to solve the cases. It also states that 14 investigators are going along to try and apprehend the suspect before he strikes again. As far as this crazy individuals victims, the attacks around Flint, Michigan targeted male subjects approximately 17 to 60 years of age in which all but two of the sixteen victims were African Americans. As far as the Leesburg, VA victims go, 2 were African American males while the third was a teen age Latino with a dark skin complexion. All of the victims in both places were said to have been alone at night. As far as the motivation for the crimes go, authorities are said to be unsure that the motif for this individuals activities are racially based. In my opinion, I think it is quite obvious that race is a determining factor in the predators mind of deciding on who he targets. The authorities are also liable to have already came to the conclusion, but at the time of the article they were unsure.

REGGIE BUSH STORY

I recently tracked the story of Reggie Bush and his Heisman being taken away on the day of September 7. On this particular day, there were several reports that the Heisman Trophy Trust had decided to take away his Heisman Trophy, and to leave his spot for the year vacant. The report, that was originally posted by Yahoo Sports, and which is what I had read on the LA Times website, later turned out to be false. As I read up on the situation on the FoxNews and CNN websites, they reported that a spokesman from the Trust had actually came out and said that the allegations made about the Trust having come to a conclusion were completely "FALSE." I thought it was quite amazing to have read these different major media companies and to see just how much their stories were different. I also made sure to read up on the matter on the same day to compare the stories that were coming out. The CNN website, along with that of FOXNews, both had the same bit of information because they had come into contact with the Chairman of the Heisman Trophy Trust and had, as far as I know, gotten it directly out of his mouth that no decision was made. The LA Times was different, however, in that they didn't research the information they had read and had basically posted it as it was stated on Yahoo Sports. This particular event is one that I thought really complied with what was asked for us to do on this particular blog.

DEVIANT WEBSITE

http://www.fartinginpublic.com/

When searching for a site that promotes a deviant activity, I was able to locate one devoted to farting in public. While the act of farting is not deviant to society, being that everyone does it, doing it in a public place with people around is against societies norms, because people don’t walk around passing gas in public. On this site, it appears to be something that a true amateur threw together. There is no color scheme or heading. All of the captions and writings that are on it are in no way, shape, or form classy. The purpose of the site is to jokingly hear people’s stories of different places where they expel their gases, and to also partake in a surve.  While the purpose is for telling stories about people pooting, there are also several other things that are available. Tips and techniques, related links, stories, and the survey tab are all things that are available. Overall, I think that this site is humorous in many different ways. I do, all jokes aside, think that people should have enough manners to know not to do such a thing as pass gas on certain people. Others have different views on certain activities such as the one this site promotes, and that is passing gas.

CENSORSHIP IN THE MEDIA

I got this from a New York Times online article.

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/on-screen-smoking-down-but-still-high/?scp=8&sq=censorship&st=cse

In an article I read on the New York Times website entitled, On Screen Smoking Down (But Still High) by Stephen J. Dubner, the one aspect of media is heavily criticizing the television medium and censorship in a positive way. In regards to television, it is in a way applauding the idea of censorship in that it has kept the number of smoking scenes seen in movies to a lower number than was reported in a 2005 study. Researchers are said to believe that by this reduction of tobacco incidents in many of the main movies that are presented each year, there will be a sharp reduction, or at least of some kind, in the number of adolescent smokers. In my opinion, I think that the people censoring the movies have their heads in the right place, but there are other factors that get children to begin smoking, such as parents. I believe that seeing someone smoking or using a tobacco product in a movie has little effect on what children decide to take part in. I do, however, think that by some kids seeing their parents use, they want to be more like them and see taking part in it as being okay. Overall, I think the ideas and the reduction in numbers is good, but I do not think it will have the impact, or affect, on preventing kids from smoking that many people think it will.  

Media Fast

I chose to do my media fast on Friday, September 3, because I was going to be traveling and would not have access to as many media opportunities as I would on any other day. As I woke up to begin the day, I spent all of my time packing and getting my things ready to go. While driving, I caught myself twice trying to listen to the radio and quickly cut it off. By driving with no radio, I was able to think about the school work that I have piling up and concentrate on my driving. I received one phone call, however, but it was from my boss asking me some questions. Upon my arrival to my destination, I talked with my friends for hours. We then left and went to the store where not much media was involved except the occasional store music, which I do not classify as music at all. Overall, I thought that by doing the media fast, my cellphone and television were the hardest to be without. I also thought that the fast made me feel as if I was a caveman living in a time with no modern day necessities.

Media in a Day

During the day of September 1, I experienced the Internet for several hours. The times for this went as follows, 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m.-3:45 p.m., and 8:25 p.m.-8:45 p.m. Also, I had to partake in my daily dosage of sports on television which ranged from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.  and 8:45 p.m.-10:20 p.m. When I was not watching television or on the internet, I was reading for classes and texting. I texted numerous people from the time I woke up to the time I fell asleep. I also listened to music while I was driving to a meeting at 4 o'clock that day and back that evening. In all, it totaled around 15 minutes.