The swine flu has been terrorizing us all in the last few months; is a shot coming, when will it be coming and why should I even give my kid the shot to begin with? So many questions going around and being a college student I find myself wondering if I need to get myself a swine flu vaccine.
The CDC along with other public health authorities say that this new swine flue vaccine is safe and that everyone should get it especially if you are in one of the high risk groups. The government is now paying for anyone who wants the vaccine to get it but before this it was priority for pregnant woman, caregivers of young children (meaning 6 months and younger), people 6 months to 24 and then 25 to 64 year olds who have health issues.
The vaccine comes in 2 forms, a nasal spray and an actual injection. The problem comes in where most people are scared to get the vaccine because they don’t want to get the swine flu. Most people who get the normal flue vaccine do get a mild form of the flu and people are scared this will happen with this vaccine as well.
Honestly I am a little torn on this issue. I think it is beginning to get a little out of control and now with President Obama making the government pay for the vaccines people are freaking out prematurely. Also there was an article out last week about a girl who got the vaccine and is now paralyzed. To get the shot or not??
Monday, November 9, 2009
20 Dead Dogs in Long Island Backyard
My heart and every animal lover’s heart sank when the evening news last night flashed a picture across the screen of SPCA carrying 20 dead dogs in garbage bags. A Long Island woman is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty allegations even though officials found the bodies of 20 dead dogs.
Interviews with her son have come up saying that his mother will go out and buy dogs bring them home and after loving them for a few days would leave them in cages without food and water until she decided to kill them.
She is due in court on Tuesday and faces a year in prison for each animal, totaling 20 years behind bars if found guilty. The only good news coming out of the case so far is that 5 dogs and a cat were rescued from the house, one of which already has been adopted.
My heart breaks reading stories like this. I love all animals no matter what shape, size or color and I think people who hurt innocent animals are just as bad as murderers and rapists. They use force and strength to over power an innocent creature that cannot fend for itself. I really hope the state of New York throws her in jail for 20 years and keeps her there.
Interviews with her son have come up saying that his mother will go out and buy dogs bring them home and after loving them for a few days would leave them in cages without food and water until she decided to kill them.
She is due in court on Tuesday and faces a year in prison for each animal, totaling 20 years behind bars if found guilty. The only good news coming out of the case so far is that 5 dogs and a cat were rescued from the house, one of which already has been adopted.
My heart breaks reading stories like this. I love all animals no matter what shape, size or color and I think people who hurt innocent animals are just as bad as murderers and rapists. They use force and strength to over power an innocent creature that cannot fend for itself. I really hope the state of New York throws her in jail for 20 years and keeps her there.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Obama vs. Fox News
Last week President Obama banned Fox News from involvement in a press conference with the pay czar. After the other four major news stations found out about the news they freaked out and said that if Fox was not allowed to do the interview they would drop out. This of course would no go over well and Fox was allowed to be in the press conference.
Does President Obama have the right to try and ban a news station from going to a press conference? My answer is no especially considering that the only reason he did this was because Fox gave him some bad press, sorry buddy but what public figure hasn’t gotten bad press?
The Bill of Rights is there to protect us from this kind of situation, The 1st Amendment giving us the right to a free press. Or how about the fact that we’ve been trying to come to some kind of reform with health care for months but no decisions are being made? It seems that Obama would rather been seen in “good light” that deal with the big issues.
I’d also like to point out that I think it’s wonderful that the other news stations went against what was said and invited Fox into the press conference but I am skeptical about their reasons. My first thoughts were oh wow ethics in journalism still exists but after thinking the situation though I think it was done to cover their own butts. Next week CNN may run an article that makes Obama looks bad and in retaliation he will ban them from the next press conference.
Does the Constitution or Bill of Rights have no more meaning and wouldn’t it kill our founding fathers if they knew what they worked so hard for was being overlooked by the President himself?
Does President Obama have the right to try and ban a news station from going to a press conference? My answer is no especially considering that the only reason he did this was because Fox gave him some bad press, sorry buddy but what public figure hasn’t gotten bad press?
The Bill of Rights is there to protect us from this kind of situation, The 1st Amendment giving us the right to a free press. Or how about the fact that we’ve been trying to come to some kind of reform with health care for months but no decisions are being made? It seems that Obama would rather been seen in “good light” that deal with the big issues.
I’d also like to point out that I think it’s wonderful that the other news stations went against what was said and invited Fox into the press conference but I am skeptical about their reasons. My first thoughts were oh wow ethics in journalism still exists but after thinking the situation though I think it was done to cover their own butts. Next week CNN may run an article that makes Obama looks bad and in retaliation he will ban them from the next press conference.
Does the Constitution or Bill of Rights have no more meaning and wouldn’t it kill our founding fathers if they knew what they worked so hard for was being overlooked by the President himself?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Salmonella...E. coli...Norovirus...Oh My!
Last year we were all told to stay away from spinach because of the E. Coli breakout that tainted thousands of spinach crops. This past summer there was the whole scare with tomatoes which had all of asking, “No tomatoes please!” The Center for Science in the Public Interest is doing its job and has put into print a list of the top 10 most “risky foods.”
Leafy greens, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries made this list. (Leafy greens being the most at risk.) The FDA compiled this list by looking at the number of people falling ill in association with the food since 1990. This top 10 list overall has caused more then 1,500 outbreaks and 50,000 reported illnesses. The Center also wants to make clear that most are not reported or treated so these numbers only show the amount of people who did seek medical attention.
The number one culprit, leafy greens, is responsible for 363 outbreaks and 13,568 illnesses while berries coming in at number ten had 25 outbreaks and 3,397 illnesses. E. coli, Norovirus and Salmonella are the three illnesses and the severity ranged from stomach pain to death.
Personally I am a fan of most of the foods on this list so you would see why I have a problem with all of this. So pretty much as consumers we have to find a way to eat all the foods we like but still be conscious on preparing them in a way that keeps up healthy.
1. Dairy - salmonella happens when things aren’t refrigerated so don’t leave things out on the counter once you’ve gone grocery shopping. Get everything in the cold as soon as possible.
2. Fish and Shellfish- need to be put on ice as soon as they are caught so you’re part is to get them in the freezer or refrigerator as soon as you get home.
3. Vegetables- although most vegetables are not at risk make sure when you are cooking them they are not coming in contact with raw meats or fish.
** These websites have information on how to cook without putting yourself at risk **
http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/06/news/companies/riskiest_foods/index.htm?postversion=2009100609
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/e-coli/DS01007/DSECTION=prevention
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/salmonella-eng.php
Leafy greens, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries made this list. (Leafy greens being the most at risk.) The FDA compiled this list by looking at the number of people falling ill in association with the food since 1990. This top 10 list overall has caused more then 1,500 outbreaks and 50,000 reported illnesses. The Center also wants to make clear that most are not reported or treated so these numbers only show the amount of people who did seek medical attention.
The number one culprit, leafy greens, is responsible for 363 outbreaks and 13,568 illnesses while berries coming in at number ten had 25 outbreaks and 3,397 illnesses. E. coli, Norovirus and Salmonella are the three illnesses and the severity ranged from stomach pain to death.
Personally I am a fan of most of the foods on this list so you would see why I have a problem with all of this. So pretty much as consumers we have to find a way to eat all the foods we like but still be conscious on preparing them in a way that keeps up healthy.
1. Dairy - salmonella happens when things aren’t refrigerated so don’t leave things out on the counter once you’ve gone grocery shopping. Get everything in the cold as soon as possible.
2. Fish and Shellfish- need to be put on ice as soon as they are caught so you’re part is to get them in the freezer or refrigerator as soon as you get home.
3. Vegetables- although most vegetables are not at risk make sure when you are cooking them they are not coming in contact with raw meats or fish.
** These websites have information on how to cook without putting yourself at risk **
http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/06/news/companies/riskiest_foods/index.htm?postversion=2009100609
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/e-coli/DS01007/DSECTION=prevention
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/salmonella-eng.php
Monday, October 5, 2009
She's coughing! She must have swine flu!
Sitting in class today I felt my throat get dry and in turn coughed two times. Sure it wasn’t the normal little cough but the reaction I got was out of control. Has our world become so paranoid that if the person next to you coughs we automatically assume they have the swine flu? Oh, it sure has!
Like hundreds of others I am plagued with seasonal allergies. The drastic change in weather from 70 degree days to the recent 45 degree nights has got me a congested mess. As if sniffling, coughing and blowing my nose aren’t embarrassing enough, how about someone yelling “Oh my God you have swine flu,” when you cough and everyone turning around to look at you.
Attention, attention! I do not have swine flu! I am just allergic to the rotting leaves outside and maybe even a little bit to your stupidity!
Ok so now that I’ve had my little rant lets get down to business. Swine flu has been in the media since last flu season but in recent weeks we cannot seem to hear anything but headlines of H1N1.
The nasal spray form of the H1N1 vaccine will be sent out to Washington, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles late this week and later to 21 other states. By tomorrow morning 600,000 doses will arrive in these locations. This first round contains live virus and will be given to people anywhere from 2 to 49 as long as they don’t have any kind of health problems.
The liquid dose, Tamiflu, is being sent out in 300,000 doses and will end up in Texas and Colorado on Thursday. The FDA has said that many of these doses have expired but should be ignored because after careful testing have been deemed still ok to take.
Since August 28 pregnant women have died of H1N1 and another 100 have been hospitalized and for this reason I do think that the swine flu is very serious but at the same time is the media sensationalizing it to the extent that anyone who coughs around us we immediately self diagnose with swine flu?
Yes, I definitely believe that prevention is key and I am a firm believer in always covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. We all have to play this game correctly and do what is necessary to keep each other health. Cover your mouth when you cough, use a tissue or cover your nose when you sneeze and especially wash your hands!
Happy Flu Season! :)
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/01/flu.vaccine/index.html
Like hundreds of others I am plagued with seasonal allergies. The drastic change in weather from 70 degree days to the recent 45 degree nights has got me a congested mess. As if sniffling, coughing and blowing my nose aren’t embarrassing enough, how about someone yelling “Oh my God you have swine flu,” when you cough and everyone turning around to look at you.
Attention, attention! I do not have swine flu! I am just allergic to the rotting leaves outside and maybe even a little bit to your stupidity!
Ok so now that I’ve had my little rant lets get down to business. Swine flu has been in the media since last flu season but in recent weeks we cannot seem to hear anything but headlines of H1N1.
The nasal spray form of the H1N1 vaccine will be sent out to Washington, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles late this week and later to 21 other states. By tomorrow morning 600,000 doses will arrive in these locations. This first round contains live virus and will be given to people anywhere from 2 to 49 as long as they don’t have any kind of health problems.
The liquid dose, Tamiflu, is being sent out in 300,000 doses and will end up in Texas and Colorado on Thursday. The FDA has said that many of these doses have expired but should be ignored because after careful testing have been deemed still ok to take.
Since August 28 pregnant women have died of H1N1 and another 100 have been hospitalized and for this reason I do think that the swine flu is very serious but at the same time is the media sensationalizing it to the extent that anyone who coughs around us we immediately self diagnose with swine flu?
Yes, I definitely believe that prevention is key and I am a firm believer in always covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. We all have to play this game correctly and do what is necessary to keep each other health. Cover your mouth when you cough, use a tissue or cover your nose when you sneeze and especially wash your hands!
Happy Flu Season! :)
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/01/flu.vaccine/index.html
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
When did bath time become pornography?
Let’s face it, most of our parents have pictures of us and our siblings as little kids in the bathtub with bubbles piled high and hair spiked high with shampoo. But when did these innocent little pictures become child pornography?
A family of five just found themselves asking this question when their three daughters, 18 months, 4 and 8 were taken away for a month. The couple took a few pictures of their daughters in the bath tub and then in towels after they got out. The film was then dropped off at a local Walmart where the employee who developed the photos reported them to the police.
The police showed up at there door on a normal Saturday afternoon and after ransacking the house took the kids away for a month. Both parents’ names were put on the national sex offender’s registry and the mother was even suspended from her job as a teacher.
An interview was done with the grandparents of the three girls where they showed a few of the pictures that were “suspicious.” In these pictures the girls had towel wrapped around them but still called inappropriate. They also went on to say that only gave these pictures fearing that if they showed the pictures of the girls naked in the tub they would be arrested as well. One picture is with one of the girls wrapped in a towel smiling away with her father hugging her and the police ruled that “child erotica.”
The girls are now back with their parents after they sued Walmart, the state and court system. A supreme court ruled that the pictures were completely innocent and got the kids back where they belonged with their parents.
When I see things like this I really do get worried. When did a father holding his child wrapped in a towel, both of them smiling away, become porn? There are pictures in my home of me and my brother as kids splashing away in the bath tub and shaping each others hair into mohawks with bubbles; does that make my parents pedophiles for taking those pictures? Absolutely not. It’s actually quite ridiculous because the police were so busy tearing that family apart that they miss things where kids are actually being abused.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2009/09/22/pn.bathtime.photos.cnn
A family of five just found themselves asking this question when their three daughters, 18 months, 4 and 8 were taken away for a month. The couple took a few pictures of their daughters in the bath tub and then in towels after they got out. The film was then dropped off at a local Walmart where the employee who developed the photos reported them to the police.
The police showed up at there door on a normal Saturday afternoon and after ransacking the house took the kids away for a month. Both parents’ names were put on the national sex offender’s registry and the mother was even suspended from her job as a teacher.
An interview was done with the grandparents of the three girls where they showed a few of the pictures that were “suspicious.” In these pictures the girls had towel wrapped around them but still called inappropriate. They also went on to say that only gave these pictures fearing that if they showed the pictures of the girls naked in the tub they would be arrested as well. One picture is with one of the girls wrapped in a towel smiling away with her father hugging her and the police ruled that “child erotica.”
The girls are now back with their parents after they sued Walmart, the state and court system. A supreme court ruled that the pictures were completely innocent and got the kids back where they belonged with their parents.
When I see things like this I really do get worried. When did a father holding his child wrapped in a towel, both of them smiling away, become porn? There are pictures in my home of me and my brother as kids splashing away in the bath tub and shaping each others hair into mohawks with bubbles; does that make my parents pedophiles for taking those pictures? Absolutely not. It’s actually quite ridiculous because the police were so busy tearing that family apart that they miss things where kids are actually being abused.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2009/09/22/pn.bathtime.photos.cnn
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Paul Steinmetz
Paul Steinmetz is Director of University Relations (PR) here at WCSU. A typical day for Steinmetz is spent talking up the university and just getting the word out that we are not just another lame state university. Parents are his main focus along with seventeen and eighteen year olds who will soon be looking into college. Getting WCSU out on the map with businesses also gets donations for the university which are always welcome! Steinmetz also does a lot of damage and image control for the university. Just last week we had our first H1N1 (swine flu) case here on campus and his job was to "make parents feel safe sending you guys here." Emails were sent out immediatly, followed by letters to students homes.
Steinmetz started out at a community college in California, where he grew up and a newswriting class was what he first fell in love with. Steinmetz knew this is what he wanted to do and after graduation found himself working the midnight shift at a local paper. A few months passed and when the oportunity to move to daytime shifts he took it! After three years it was time to send out his resume and one of them just so happend to find its way to The News Times here in Danbury, CT. So Paul filled the car his parents gave him with all his belongings and made the LONG drive to Connecticut.
Paul started as a reporter for The News Times and throughout his 24 year career made his way up to Editor. Paul went on to talk about journalism being a very on demand job but he didnt realize this until after he was fired and "the adrenaline was gone." A month later he found himself here at WCSU first as a part time gig which later turned into a full time position as the Director.
What I really liked about our talk with Paul Steinmetz is all the advise he gave us. Our class has all different grade levels but we are all going to graduate one day (lets hope!) and he had some very usefull things to say. "Emerge yourself into the online," said Steinmetz, "because thats where all the jobs will be."
I did get a lot out of our little meet and greet and actually had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Steinmetz speak twice, the other time being in my Editorial Environment class. I think it is very important to talk to people who were and are in the business. They know whats going on and how to really make a name for yourself.
Steinmetz started out at a community college in California, where he grew up and a newswriting class was what he first fell in love with. Steinmetz knew this is what he wanted to do and after graduation found himself working the midnight shift at a local paper. A few months passed and when the oportunity to move to daytime shifts he took it! After three years it was time to send out his resume and one of them just so happend to find its way to The News Times here in Danbury, CT. So Paul filled the car his parents gave him with all his belongings and made the LONG drive to Connecticut.
Paul started as a reporter for The News Times and throughout his 24 year career made his way up to Editor. Paul went on to talk about journalism being a very on demand job but he didnt realize this until after he was fired and "the adrenaline was gone." A month later he found himself here at WCSU first as a part time gig which later turned into a full time position as the Director.
What I really liked about our talk with Paul Steinmetz is all the advise he gave us. Our class has all different grade levels but we are all going to graduate one day (lets hope!) and he had some very usefull things to say. "Emerge yourself into the online," said Steinmetz, "because thats where all the jobs will be."
I did get a lot out of our little meet and greet and actually had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Steinmetz speak twice, the other time being in my Editorial Environment class. I think it is very important to talk to people who were and are in the business. They know whats going on and how to really make a name for yourself.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Yale harboring a murderer??
It’s pretty safe to say we’ve all been following the news stories about Annie Le, the grad student at Yale University. Le went missing after entering a key card only entry lab only to be found five days later in the basement, ironically enough on the day that was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.
Cnn.com ran a few really good articles that sparked my interest and really made me think. Annie was missing four days and the New Haven police didn’t make her a missing person case even though video security from the building showed her entering the building and not leaving. Police even found her cell phone, keys and purse in her office and still thought that she might have been a “run away bride” case.
Why exactly was the FBI called in if Le wasn’t considered a missing person and no one really seemed to think she was dead until the body was found? Does no one else think it is just a little fishy that the FBI came to look for a missing person in a small building? Comments on the articles show I’m not the only one with questions but even now after her body was found questions are not being answered.
So here’s an even bigger question for you guys…the New Haven police department claims to have interviewed over 200 people in the case so far but somehow no details have been released. The department openly said that the building was key card only entry and that only specific people have access to the basement. Just from my own knowledge I know that here at WCSU every time we swipe our key cards a computer somewhere knows who is trying to open that specific door. So with that being said why don’t we know who the killer is or is something being covered?
Personally I find this whole story very sad. Annie Le was a beautiful girl with her whole life ahead of her. She was supposed to be married this past weekend and would have graduated in three years. New reports say that DNA is being looked for and tested in New Haven from a staff member at the University. I’m not usually the kind of person who believes in the whole “an eye for an eye” but whoever did this deserves what is coming to them, I just hope it’s not too late and the killer is found. No one deserves to have their life cut short especially in the hands of another human being.
Cnn.com ran a few really good articles that sparked my interest and really made me think. Annie was missing four days and the New Haven police didn’t make her a missing person case even though video security from the building showed her entering the building and not leaving. Police even found her cell phone, keys and purse in her office and still thought that she might have been a “run away bride” case.
Why exactly was the FBI called in if Le wasn’t considered a missing person and no one really seemed to think she was dead until the body was found? Does no one else think it is just a little fishy that the FBI came to look for a missing person in a small building? Comments on the articles show I’m not the only one with questions but even now after her body was found questions are not being answered.
So here’s an even bigger question for you guys…the New Haven police department claims to have interviewed over 200 people in the case so far but somehow no details have been released. The department openly said that the building was key card only entry and that only specific people have access to the basement. Just from my own knowledge I know that here at WCSU every time we swipe our key cards a computer somewhere knows who is trying to open that specific door. So with that being said why don’t we know who the killer is or is something being covered?
Personally I find this whole story very sad. Annie Le was a beautiful girl with her whole life ahead of her. She was supposed to be married this past weekend and would have graduated in three years. New reports say that DNA is being looked for and tested in New Haven from a staff member at the University. I’m not usually the kind of person who believes in the whole “an eye for an eye” but whoever did this deserves what is coming to them, I just hope it’s not too late and the killer is found. No one deserves to have their life cut short especially in the hands of another human being.
Also knowing that this wasn’t just a random killing, as all the stories are reporting, as a student at Yale or a student in general how can you feel safe? Living in a building where card keys are needed to enter the building, the elevator and even my room has always made me feel safe but hearing this kind of news makes you think twice about how safe you are.
For anyone interested in this case here are a few of the links:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/15/connecticut.missing.yale.student/index.html
http://www.wfsb.com/news/20904003/detail.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/11/connecticut.missing.yale.student/index.html
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/new_haven_cty/news_wtnh_newhaven_yale_student_gone_missing_200909081621_rev1
Eugene Discoll
Self described "cynical" and "disgruntal newspaper writer" Eugene Discoll is the editor of Valleyindy.com. The online publication has been open three months but in its first month had over 60,000 hits, a big deal for a small online publication, he bosted with a smile. The whole idea of the website is to cover the community and more or less give the people in that area what they want to hear.
Valleyindy.com is a two person job. Eugene and one reporter run the site with five other freelance writers. A question from the class was about how Eugene is constantly updating the site and he went on to comment that this is "the greatest job..." and how the freedom is what makes it so great. He has the freedom to write what he wants and cover what stories he want to.
Another good question from the class was about web writing vs. print in a paper. Eugene explaned that with writing for a paper he would write articles that he thought were so great but then people would read them and not have the same reaction. Writing on the internet people can blog or post comments which gives you, the author both positive and negative feedback.
I took some time after class to check out the site and even though I am not from the valley area Eugene and his six person staff have some good stuff up there. Im attaching the link at the bottom...check it out!
http://valley.newhavenindependent.org/
Valleyindy.com is a two person job. Eugene and one reporter run the site with five other freelance writers. A question from the class was about how Eugene is constantly updating the site and he went on to comment that this is "the greatest job..." and how the freedom is what makes it so great. He has the freedom to write what he wants and cover what stories he want to.
Another good question from the class was about web writing vs. print in a paper. Eugene explaned that with writing for a paper he would write articles that he thought were so great but then people would read them and not have the same reaction. Writing on the internet people can blog or post comments which gives you, the author both positive and negative feedback.
I took some time after class to check out the site and even though I am not from the valley area Eugene and his six person staff have some good stuff up there. Im attaching the link at the bottom...check it out!
http://valley.newhavenindependent.org/
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