Week #3

National News:

Federal law barring lies about medals is tested

The federal courts are wrestling with a question of both liberty and patriotism: Does the First Amendment right to free speech protect people who lie about being war heroes? Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100206/ap_on_re_us/us_military_medals_impostors;_ylt=AhwUioszAV13IpYkAesUU9xvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTMxY2tjY2IwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMjA2L3VzX21pbGl0YXJ5X21lZGFsc19pbXBvc3RvcnMEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNmdWxsbmJzcHN0b3I-

Photo Caption: The Colorado Springs Police Department provided this June 4, 2009 photo of Rick Glen Strandlof, aka Rick Duncan, who claimed he was an ex-Marine wounded in Iraq and received the Purple Heart and Silver Star. He founded an organization in Colorado Springs that advocated for homeless veterans, and members of the group accused him of being an impostor. He pleaded not guilty and his case is still pending in federal court.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Colorado Springs Police

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, impact and conflict. The federal courts are not sure if the First Amendment right to free speech protect people who lie about being war heroes.  It is current since this has been an ongoing topic in the news as well as being timely since it keeps popping up.  Furthermore, the value of conflict is present since some people believe the First Amendment right to free speech doesn't protect such liars, while others think otherwise.  Plus, the decision that is made will impact the entire country!  The First Amendment right to free speech is in question due to people lying.

Judge wants Edwards sex tape 'under lock and key'

A judge wants to put a sex tape of two-time presidential candidate John Edwards "under lock and key," demanding Friday that a former aide to the pilloried politician turn over the video by next week. Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100206/ap_on_re_us/us_edwards_sex_tape;_ylt=AgfpO4CRNYDJ_2LPoWglvZ1vzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJwZ2xlYzg3BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMjA2L3VzX2Vkd2FyZHNfc2V4X3RhcGUEcG9zAzIxBHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDZnVsbG5ic3BzdG9y

Photo Caption: Former aide to John Edwards, Andrew Young, left, with his wife Cheri Youngm waits at the Chatham County courtroom in Pittsboro, N.C., Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 for a hearing over over a 'private' videotape authored by the candidate's mistress.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds

This story holds the news values of currency, timeliness, prominence and conflict.  John Edwards is a prominent figure in America and at the moment his character is being tarnished since a sex tape is out, but not to the public, yet anyway.  It is current and timely since it is all happening now.  Plus, there is so much conflict there.  A lot questions are being thrown around whether it was right for Young to make multiple copies of the sex tape as well as if Edwards used the campaign money to pay his mistress.  It is a very scandalous story!

Powerful blizzard paralyzes mid-Atlantic states

Storm could be the biggest for the nation's capital in modern history.  Full Story

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35237043/ns/weather/

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and proximity. The nation's capital is a winter wonderland; pun intended.  This blizzard just struck the mid-Atlantic states this weekend and currently most people are at a standstill since there is so much snow.  It is probably best that everyone is stuck in their homes since driving in these conditions could be dangerous.  Furthermore, the weather is greatly impacting all these mid-Atlantic state occupants.  Lastly, the nation's capital isn't too far away from where I currently am and neither are most of the other mid-Atlantic states that are dealing with the snow.

International News:

Haitian women become crime targets after quake

Bernice Chamblain keeps a machete under her frayed mattress to ward off sexual predators and one leg wrapped around a bag of rice to stop nighttime thieves from stealing her daughters' food. Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100207/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_haiti_earthquake;_ylt=AsVVJTYyiXZCE4Snbg9dfK9vaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJrN3Y5aDdmBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMjA3L2NiX2hhaXRpX2VhcnRocXVha2UEY3BvcwMxBHBvcwMzBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA2Z1bGxuYnNwc3Rvcg--

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and impact.  The Haiti tragedy happened a few weeks ago, but recovering is ongoing which leads to this story being timely and current.  Furthermore, the fact that women are being subjected to such treatment is impacting the world.  There are multiple organizations trying to help these women and protect them from harm while recovery continues.

Whalers, activists clash again off Antarctica

Anti-whaling ship the Bob Barker and a Japanese harpoon boat collided in icy Antarctic waters in the second major clash this year in increasingly aggressive confrontations between conservationists and the whaling fleet. Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100207/ap_on_re_as/as_antarctica_whaling;_ylt=ArsjsvlFxKl6sHziEw6hKp9vaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJxNDhwcTRjBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMjA3L2FzX2FudGFyY3RpY2Ffd2hhbGluZwRwb3MDNARzZWMDeW5fYXJ0aWNsZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA3doYWxlcnNhY3Rpdg--

Photo Caption: 

In this photo released by Sea Shepherd, anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd's ship the Bob Barker, left, and Japanese harpoon boat the Yushin Maru 3 collide in the waters off Antarctica Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. It was the second major clash this year in the increasingly aggressive confrontations between the two sides. No one was reportedly injured in the latest strike.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Sea Shepherd, Glenn Lockitch

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and conflict.  This event recently occurred making it timely and current.  It possesses the values of impact and conflict too since there is an ongoing irritation between whalers and activists and it is impacting many activists at that.  Plus, the fact that these ships clashed out at sea doesn't lighten the situation either.

Haiti's Baby Lift: Don't Just Take the Children, Save Them

While the missionaries who took Haitian kids may have meant well, they may have been doing the children and the country a disservice -- as well as breaking the law.  Full Story

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100205/wl_time/08599196041700;_ylt=AkOxb35cy6YopTV1enyxqxFvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJtcGUwZmZmBGFzc2V0A3RpbWUvMjAxMDAyMDUvMDg1OTkxOTYwNDE3MDAEcG9zAzM3BHNlYwN5bl9hcnRpY2xlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDZnVsbG5ic3BzdG9y

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and impact.  The Haiti tragedy happened a few weeks ago, but recovering is ongoing which leads to this story being timely and current.  Furthermore, the fact that children are being subjected to such treatment is impacting the world.  There are multiple organizations trying to help these children and protect them from harm while recovery continues.  Just like Haitian women are at risk all the children are as well.  Haiti is in a very dark place lately.

Local News:

Why the classic Noo Yawk accent is fading away

The first thing theatergoers will notice about the revival of "A View of the Bridge," Arthur Miller's 1950s drama about a working-class Italian-American family in Red Hook, is that the characters are speaking a different language: Brooklynese. You got a problem with that!? You can hear the mellifluous — some...  Full Story

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/why_the_classic_noo_yawk_accent_yy2b2mA08qsg4sRxUDLVOL

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, bizarreness and proximity.  Currently there is a NYU graduate student writing her dissertation on New York City English.  Since she is doing this now the story is also timely.  I also believe this story holds the value of bizarreness since the information in the article is so interesting.  Not that is actually bizarre, but it is so intriguing to find out why New Yorker's drop and add the sound of a "r," so randomly.  Furthermore, this story holds the value of proximity since New York City is only a train ride away from me in Dix Hills.

Love, Wine and Chocolate

For Valentine’s Day, Millbrook Vineyards and Winery has a gift called Passion for Pinot Noir, a selection of three ruby-red pinot noirs in a festive red box.  Full Story

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency and proximity.  It is the month of love since Valentine's Day is not that far away.  Wine and chocolate are big gifts during this holiday.  Since this holiday is not that far away this story is timely and current.  People are always searching for the perfect gift for their sweetheart.  Furthermore, Millbrook Vineyards is fairly close since it is in the state of New York.

NJ Airports Not Affected By Storm

The major winter storm that's hitting New Jersey has not caused many problems so far at the region's airports.  Full Story

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/new_jersey/nj-airports-not-affected-by-storm-100206

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and proximity.  The blizzard that hit most of New Jersey late last night and has continued today has surprisingly not ruined the departure or arrival of the flights at Newark Liberty and Atlantic City airports.  There have been a few delays and a few cancelations, yet most flights remained on schedule with no problems.  Since the blizzard is ongoing this story is timely and current.  It is happening a state away making it hold the value of proximity and it is impacting many people that are flying in and out of the state of New Jersey.

Other News:

Nick Jonas honoured to sing on 'We Are the World'

Even for Nick Jonas, there comes a time to heed a certain call.  Full Story

http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2010/02/04/12738236.html

Photo Caption: Nick Jonas

Photo Credit: Nick Jonas

This story holds the news values of timeliness, currency, impact and prominence.  In recent weeks it was decided that a remake of "We Are the World" was much needed to help those in Haiti.  This is what gives the story its timely and current values.  Furthermore, all of these artists, especially Nicholas, are prominent figures in pop culture.  He is 17 and has been able to do so much and this is by far one of the biggest things he has gotten to be part of.  Lastly, this story holds the value of impact since not only are the artists impacting their fans lives by doing this project, but they are impacting the lives of the Haitians they are trying to help.