Sarah Palin Takes Elon

Noelle Clemente

With nineteen days to the election, the energetic Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin swept through Elon University in North Carolina. Accompanied by several North Carolina candidates and country music star, Hank Williams, Jr., Governor Palin came to Latham Park this hot Thursday afternoon.

Assistant Dean of Students, Jodean Schmiederer said, “Regardless of who you support, it is a rare opportunity.”

Evan Davis, sophomore from High Point, NC said, “Elon is a diverse community with out of state students as well as North Carolina voters.” Davis thinks that the Palin campaign chose North Carolina because it is traditionally a red state, but recently there are a great deal of undecided voters. Davis expected “an energizing speech that will play to the values of voters in North Carolina.”

Tucked in the middle of the North Carolina’s Piedmont traid, Elon University was a central location for the Road to Victory Rally in a recently questioned red state. John Hart, Republican Party volunteer said, “Alamance County is very conservative so they can expect a friendly audience.”

Furthermore, according to Vice President and Dean of Student Life, Dr. Smith Jackson said, “students were proud to have such a public figure take Elon.”

Indeed, the baseball field filled up well before the expected 3 p.m. start time with students and local citizens. Senior Jim Rampton claimed to be moderate still deciding who to vote for. Rampton said he was glad Governor Palin addressed her policy for special needs children as well as McCain’s military experience. However, most students said the economy was their first priority.

Alex Ciessau and Max Faneuff are freshmen who have already voted absentee for McCain Palin, said they came for the experience more than anything else.

Huge portions of the crowd were local citizens. Tony Terrell of Burlington said Governor Palin, “needs to come because support is eroding.” Alluding to a local radio morning show, he thinks that the liberal tone is part of the cause for erosion.

Governor Palin addressed the issues that have been in the forefront for the past few months. She reaffirmed her belief in the Republican ticket. Richard Burr of the North Carolina Senate introduced the Governor as “one of us.” She was quick to reference the University mascot, the Phoenix, connecting it to the hometown of her running mate, Phoenix, AZ.   

A mostly friendly and calm event, one protestor was escorted out to which Governor Palin said, “maybe he needs to stay,” to learn about her positions.

North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole spoke to the crowd before Governor Palin arrived. “I have had the opportunity to break some glass ceilings along the way,” Dole said connecting to the female base for Palin.

Allison Kutz, freshman from Ohio said that the Vice Presidential nomination sealed her vote for the Republican Party. “We need something new,” Kutz said, excited at the possibility of a female point of view.

However, Lauren Taylor, a junior from New Jersey stood outside of the park with a poster reading “Palin does not speak for this woman.” Taylor and Lauren Mottel from New York were upset that they were not allowed to protest closer to the event. The Vice President and Dean of Student Life, Dr. Smith Jackson, took the signs across the street to the designated protesting area during this interview.

Mottel said, “taking my sign away is like taking my free speech away.” They agreed that it is important to have different political parties, but they said did not want Elon University to appear to be supporting Governor Palin.

Assistant Dean of Students, Schmiederer, commented again that protesting is part of the political process, but the area was designated for safety and security. She thought that overall the event ran very well, “safety was the number one concern.”

Cameron Ball, freshman from NC, also stood with the protestors but did enter the park for part of the event. “It is important to hear what [the other party] has to say and not to be ignorant.”

Alyssa Vigneault, a junior from MA, said this is not something she would normally go to, “but it is in my community so I went.” Vigneault admitted to being intimidated in the park and left shortly after. “This is my home,” she responded to passers by leaving the event telling her to go home.

The democratic and political process is the backbone to the United States. Paul Chabai, junior from NC, wore a shirt reading “I support America.” He said that this meant supporting the point of view of mainstream America and the core issues that America was built on. 

As seen on ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=6056426&page=1 

Crime and Court Reporting

Crime and Courts Check List: 1.     Find the Story Beyond the Story 2.     Tell the facts—plain and simple 3.     Building Character

America’s Best Newspaper Writing sums up Crime and Courts writing as structured yet sensational. The sources of inspiration for many popular books and movies, crimes and court scenes have become a center point of entertainment both fictionally and in the news media.

Cathy Frye Caught in the Web: Evil at the Door

Frame story formatting helps to keep the anticipation up for what could become a predictable story. Because crimes have become so popular among entertainment, the plot has become predictable. Frye’s story is very similar to that of the reality television show To Catch a Predator. Including the actual online conversations makes the relationship, age, and problems real. Frye realizes that there is nothing more poignant than real conversation especially among young people who simply say what they think.

Linnet Myers Humanity on Trial

Myers successfully tells the story of the trial while giving personality and background to the courtroom. Myers makes people out of criminals, “ ‘But when a person is accused of a bad act, that doesn’t sum up that person. I still believe very much in the innate worth of all human beings. If you ever lost that, you ought to hang it up. Even if they’ve don’t a bad thing, that’s a human being suffering there. …And the victims too are suffering. They’re hurt. They’re all hurt people.’ “This is the epitome of finding the story within the story, not just accepting this to be another courtroom case.

Anne Hull Metal to Bone, Day 1: Click

The perfect balance of specific details: time, names, places and generalized observations and analyses. Hull carefully unveils parts of the story in a strategic order, never getting too far ahead of the reader. The amount research and face time put in to this story are evident by the details and personal attention to the story. Hull has a connection to the story and to the characters and the time that she grapples with the story is evidenced in her attention to detail.

Angelo B. Henderson Crime Scene

http://www.pulitzer.org/works/1999,Feature+Writing

Attention grabbing lead and simple sentences keep the fast pace of this crime story. Starting with the height of the crime and moving backwards to more detailed, background, personal information. Henderson understands how the human mind keeps attention. Carefully chosen quotes filtered throughout keep the story alive. The short sentences two thirds of the way through the story bring the pace back to where it began. The story ends in a scene as it began, only with more personal information than it began. Making crime go full circle is satisfying.

Lisa Rein Cheltenham Youth Center: Report on Escapes Cites Multiple Failures

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/02/AR2008100203776.html

Rein makes a story about something that happened in August still relevant in October. Like most crimes, this was a part of a series, an epidemic, and Rein is able to make the story bigger than just the one incident.

Katherine Shaver Bethesda: 2 Trial Users Attacked Near Busy Retail Area

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/30/AR2008093001653.html

This is just another run-of-the-mill crime story, only occurring in a city where crime is not usually a focal point. Shaver delivers the facts, informs the reader and does not bore me. I am not particularly impressed, but I am incredibly aware of the importance of clearly delivering the facts of a crime story to the citizens of the area. It includes a link to a map showing exactly where the crime occurred, an aspect much appreciated by concerned readers.

The Associated Press Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Stabbing Father

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/01/AR2008100100763.html

This article highlights the importance for some crime reporting to be brief and simply informational. Some stories are not sensational, they are just simple news. This story does not affect many people but it is important that it is told, so it is written in general terms.

Melvin Claxton Police Bungle Evidence: Mistakes and Indifference Let Criminals Go Free

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/5758

Claxton establishes a relationship from the beginning of this story. More than the previous two informational articles, this is another crime story. Furthermore, Claxton connects this to other scenarios related to Barry. Readers love when they can draw connections from one thing to the present. Claxton tells the story, makes connections and therefore allows the reader to draw analysis and deeper understanding of the situation. 

Elon Speaks: Survey says Biden won Vice Presidential Debate

Noelle Clemente

In four and a half weeks, arguably the most important presidential election in decades will occur. In an informal survey of Elon students, faculty and staff the day after the vice presidential candidates’ debate found that 85 people supported Biden, 53 for Palin, 27 called it a tie and 65 people had no response or did not watch the debate.

A Reporting class of 18 students covered campus to obtain these results between 10:50 and 11:30 a.m. Friday morning. This debate, held at Washington University in St. Louis, generated a great deal of attention for the looming election. Experts are saying that it was a good debate with fairly even results, giving the edge to Biden.

These analyses mirror those of this Quick Poll of Elon University. A sampling of 230 is only a small percentage of over 5,000 students and over 200 full-time faculty members.

Universities are often criticized for being liberal institutions, slightly supported by this poll. Justin Hinote, sophomore from Charlotte, NC supported the conservative ticket and Palin’s performance in the debate.

Professor, Dr. Eke was not as impressed with Palin. “I think she did well,” he said but “wants to see someone who can think and articulate on her feet.” Dr. Eke felt she was very coached, and though she delivered the thoughts well, “America wants o see someone who can stand on her feet without advisors prepping her.”

Twenty eight percent of those polled did not watch the debate or did not care to respond. Sophomore Peter Cooper even said, “it was a waste of money.”

For more comprehensive coverage of this poll visit: Noelle Clemente

In four and a half weeks, arguably the most important presidential election in decades will occur. In an informal survey of Elon students, faculty and staff the day after the vice presidential candidates’ debate found that 85 people supported Biden, 53 for Palin, 27 called it a tie and 65 people had no response or did not watch the debate.

A Reporting class of 18 students covered campus to obtain these results between 10:50 and 11:30 a.m. Friday morning. This debate, held at Washington University in St. Louis, generated a great deal of attention for the looming election. Experts are saying that it was a good debate with fairly even results, giving the edge to Biden.

These analyses mirror those of this Quick Poll of Elon University. A sampling of 230 is only a small percentage of over 5,000 students and over 200 full-time faculty members.

Universities are often criticized for being liberal institutions, slightly supported by this poll. Justin Hinote, sophomore from Charlotte, NC supported the conservative ticket and Palin’s performance in the debate.

Professor, Dr. Eke was not as impressed with Palin. “I think she did well,” he said but “wants to see someone who can think and articulate on her feet.” Dr. Eke felt she was very coached, and though she delivered the thoughts well, “America wants o see someone who can stand on her feet without advisors prepping her.”

Twenty eight percent of those polled did not watch the debate or did not care to respond. Sophomore Peter Cooper even said, “it was a waste of money.”

For more comprehensive coverage of this poll visit Elon University’s Pendulum. 

Some students share on camera:

Justin Hinote

Andrew Maurin

Ryan Sweeney

Deadline Writing

Noelle Clemente

VonDrehle says, “Deadlines always make me shiver.” They are the best and worst part of the journalism industry. They are necessary to get publications out and get stories written, but if writers are not careful, deadlines can lead to messy writing. As a journalist, it is important to remember that deadlines exist and that writing is an art form. When writing becomes messy, a journalist is no longer distinguished from any other person writing. Journalism requires preparation and investigation. It takes time; the clock runs the business.

 

Richard Ben Cramer Report from the Mideast: Shiva for a Child Slain in a Palestinian Raid

 

Cramer hides the deadline in his eloquent writing. He integrates extremely poignant quotes while transitioning into important explanations of what Shiva is in order to effectively create a mood and explain a situation against the clock. Writing is a process. Cramer did not have the time to carefully choose every word for this article; so he allowed his subject to do some of the writing for him through his quotes. “I heard the shots and I heard someone fall down, and I heard crying,” is one of the many examples of quoting that make this article touching. It is very real; puts Shiva on a level attainable by all.

 

Leonora LaPeter Jury Sends Santa Claus Killer to Electric Chair

 

Short sentences composed with conviction. LaPeter draws his audience in with a creative headline, allowing himself some adjustment room in his lead and introduction. Leads must be carefully crafted and if time runs short, this is a creative alternative. However, LaPeter’s lead is effective. This is an exciting story and LaPeter tells it well. It is a wonderful example of talented writing. People underestimate the difficulty of stringing sentences together especially under a deadline, and LaPeter successfully does both.

 

David Von Drehle Men of Steel are Melting with Age

 

VonDrehle says that what guides his writing, regardless of the timeline, is the theme, “the storyteller’s compass.” This in mind, VonDrehle’s article is a clear roadmap. The reader can navigate easily from one part to the next, with anticipation still a part of the writing. With theme navigating the story, VonDrehle is able to format an article easily. It appears that he had a clear skeleton before writing, making the writing process easy.

 

Francis X. Clines In Belfast, Death, Too, Is Diminished by Death

 

I might have never known that a deadline pushed the completion of this article. It is evident that Clines prepared for this article far before his deadline approached so that he could craft a creative and effective article. His writing moves from one point to the next, he is clear and concise, and he says only what is necessary to carry the story. He does not waste time on unnecessary commentary or opinion and allows the readers to figure for themselves what to think.

 

Robert D. McFadden 296 Arrested as Police Raid Cockfight in Bronx

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/5908

 

Not necessarily the most desired image, McFadden paints a vivid image of the scene of the arrest and the format of the sport. This is the sort of event that must be written about immediately after it happens, or the story looses relevance. By inserting historical context with the current event, McFadden filled space that he may not have been able to fill with effective quotes or further description of the crime scene.

 

Bryan Gruley Nation Stands in Disbelief and Horror: Streets of Manhattan Resemble War Zone Amid Clouds of Ash

http://www.asne.org/index.cfm?ID=3426#Stands

 

This article was written after one of the most devastating events to happen on American soil. It is extremely difficult to focus after disaster strikes, but this article exemplifies a journalist at work. Regardless of emotion or a personal life, this article delivered the news with a clear understanding of the feelings of the American people.

 

Ian Shapira and Tom Jackman Gunman Kills 32 at Virginia Tech in Deadliest Shooting in U.S. History

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/7803

 

Work with what you have. These writers did not have all the information about the shooting, but they manage to share what they do have with the caveat that more is to follow. It is important when writing against a deadline to share what is known and not publish anything that is not confirmed. Deadlines exist to encourage writing but also because readers need stories, no matter how incomplete they are.

 

Daniel Temple Financial Crisis: Elon Responds

http://hobie2515.wordpress.com/

 

Though this article may have been edited after the deadline, with only an hour to interview and compose the article, Hobie does not appear to have been flustered by the time constraint. He used the information he was give to construct a clear article about a complicated topic.

 

It is difficult to find examples of “deadline writing” when it seems that everything is written against a deadline. Many college students claim “I work best under pressure,” but after reading some of these prize winning stories I can clearly see that should not be the case. Regardless of time constraints, words must be chosen with a theme in mind. Deadlines are necessary, but must be kept at an arm’s reach in order for writing to be truly successful. 

Fall Leadership Convocation Marks the Beginning of a Defining Year

Noelle Clemente

The Isabella Cannon Leadership Program began another year of “Thinking Globally and Acting Locally” on Sunday afternoon in Whitley Auditorium.

Distinguished visiting professor of leadership, John Alexander, joined members of all four phases of the program as well as select faculty members to celebrate leadership. Associate Dean of Students Rex Waters welcomed the crowd by recalling a personal account of the woman whose legacy runs the program, Isabella Cannon.

Introduced by the student director of the program, Patrick McCabe, Alexander gave a more modern view on leadership. “Good leadership has never been so important as now,” Alexander said. Claiming there is a leadership deficit in today’s world, Alexander challenged members of the program to fill the gaps in leadership and meet the world’s challenges head on.

“Leadership is a process in which a group of people come together to accomplish a common goal,” Alexander said. Here at Elon, in the ICLP, that common goal is found in the fourth year of the program with the Common Good project.

Student leaders from all four years of Elon University listened carefully as Alexander reflected on some of the world’s most honorable leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.

Alexander’s definition of leadership sounded simple, but as he parsed the pieces, it became clear how complex leadership really is.

“Process,” he said, means that leadership is a dynamic concept. Nowhere does Alexander say all leadership and all endeavors have to be successful. Furthermore, he does not name one specific leader in his definition.

Alexander clarifies that rather, it is a team or a group. He explains that this consists of leader(s), followers and a situation. The situation now, Alexander explained, is an election that is the most important since at least 1960.

“We are fighting two wars, faced a terrorist threat, and the economy is teetering on the brink,” Alexander said. This election will prove to be a defining moment in American history, and clearly in leadership.

To relate his definition of leadership to today’s situation, the leaders are the candidates and the followers are the voters. “We have to pay attention and be a part of the process,” Alexander said, much to the delight of Cannon’s legacy, a firm believer in voting and the democratic process.

Alexander encouraged the leadership students to take advantage of Elon’s opportunities and “apply what we are learning to our lives.” “Everyone has a role to play,” said Alexander, and college is about finding that role. 

A Real Expert Speaks: Jeffrey Toobin Relates with Law School Students in a Discussion of Law and Politics

Noelle Clemente

As we face one of the most important elections of our time, the Elon University Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series welcomed Jeffrey Toobin to discuss his most recent book, The Nine, and the upcoming election. An election that is sure to change the face of the country and the faces of the Supreme Court, faces that have a more long term affect on politics than one might recognize.

Toobin proved to be perhaps the most relevant speaker for today because of his arguments about the effect the next President will have on the Supreme Court. While the nation is currently arguing and digesting the economic rescue plan, gas prices, the war and other issues, Toobin presented a more long-term view of why the vote will be so important this year.

Presidential terms last eight years at the most; however, Supreme Court appointments can last decades. The court has evolved a great deal over the past eight years, and now, Toobin warns that we “face a critical election.”

The winner will most likely appoint three justices over the next four and certainly eight years. These appointments will play an intricate role in long-term decisions regarding issues like civil rights, decisions that have taken the backseat to those like the economy.

Obama and McCain Confront Appointments

Toobin predicts that Obama will appoint moderate liberals. McCain he is not as quick to lay claim on. Toobin confirms that based on just the issues, the democrats have the advantage; however, he validates McCain’s ability to keep the election close by being a compelling candidate who understands politics.

On May 6, Toobin said, McCain made a speech regarding his plans for the Supreme Court. This happened to be a big day for the Obama campaign, thus taking media attention away from McCain’s speech. Coincidence? No, McCain knew what he was doing.

The Republican Party is not aligned, McCain knows that, and in order to keep his supporters, he wants to remain compelling and within the reach and support of the broad range of republicans. Toobin reflected on two important parts of McCain’s speech.

First, McCain ever so subtlety confirms that he believes states should be allowed to democratically overturn Roe v. Wade. Second, McCain discusses the Roper v. Simmons case without ever clarifying the terms of the case.

Roper v. Simmons, Toobin explained, resulted in a 17 year old facing the death penalty. McCain, along with Justice Kennedy, firmly believe that the execution of children is wrong. Toobin qualifies that the United States is in little, and poor company of countries still allowing this.

Toobin says that McCain’s generalized treatments of these topics highlights how the Republican Party has changed on the substance of issues. “Has the Republican Party changed with [McCain]? Find out November 4^th,” Toobin said.

“Change” in the Republican Party

When did this change occur? With the Rehnquist Court: the inspiration for Toobin’s book. Despite some conflicting personalities of justices, Toobin discovered that Rehnquist “ran a very popular ship.” Rehnquist exemplified a type of leadership and understanding of people that should be shared at a “Leadership Lecture Series.”

Rehnquist understood that “people like less work rather than more work,” Toobin said. He lowered the caseload by nearly half. He controlled his justices so there would be discussion rather than argument, for all but one that is.

Justice Thomas does not participate in the oral arguments, according to Toobin. Another leadership style, he is not silent, just has a different style. Reaction, note taking, and passing notes prove his involvement, despite his lack of oral participation.

The Rehnquist court, though smooth, does have a dividing point. He was chief justice from 1986-2005, and 2000 marks the turn. Perhaps Toobin’s most enjoyable discussion topic, the Bush Gore decision in 2000 is the dividing point.

Revisiting the 2000 Election

Toobin adamantly pursued an interview with Al Gore for his book Too Close to Call, but to his dismay Gore refused. Ironically, Toobin met Gore while working on The Nine. Toobin confessed to being “the biggest Bush v. Gore junkie,” to which Gore responded that he might be the second.

Though the election favored the Republican Party, the court became more liberal at the start of W. Bush’s first term. Toobin credit’s this change to Sandra Day O’Connor. Toobin had described her, as “Reagan’s kind of conservative; western.” O’Connor considered W. Bush a “country club conservative,” according to Toobin.

This analysis proves Toobin’s superior knowledge of the Supreme Court. An often forgotten case, the Terry Shiavo case, he says is what changed O’Connor and therefore the court.

O’Connor’s Long Term Resignation

O’Connor was facing the similar hardship as the Shiavo family: decision making for the critically ill at home. Her husband suffering from Alzheimer’s, O’Connor notified Rehnquist of her resignation in June of 2005.

To this, W. Bush named John Roberts to replace O’Connor. Upon Rehnquist’s death, Roberts is immediately appointed to chief justice. Therefore, O’Connor remains in her seat while W. Bush nominates what Toobin calls a “tragic comedy,” Harriet Miers. Finally, Samuel Alito replaces O’Connor, one year after her announced departure from the court.

During this time, O’Connor’s husband has forgotten her. Toobin reflects on O’Connor’s two tragic losses in one short year: her beloved husband and her treasured seat, a clear example of the interconnectivity of the branches of government.

Supreme Court Participates in the Politics

“There is no pristine law, it is intricately bound up with politics,” claimed Toobin. Most people do not consider this notion as they have a general understanding of the importance of the Supreme Court but no further understanding of how it works. The Supreme Court goes beyond the short term, top story issues.

The Nine, Toobin’s most recent of five books, chronicles the inner workings of the United States Supreme Court. Clearly a journalist above all, Toobin shared only a few of what I am sure are many of his colorful and informational stories about the Supreme Court justices.

Most importantly, Toobin related the court to the workings of politics. The government is three parts for a reason. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches all balance and therefore affect the other two.

Historical Context

The Republican Party has evolved due to the changes made within the court. “The court did not magically get more conservative,” says Toobin. After an extremely liberal (seven to two) run in the 1970s, The Reagan election of 1980 proved to be a real turning point.

Reagan’s conservative agenda for the courts began this movement, primarily with reversing the Roe v. Wade decision. Furthermore, the early 1980s marked the arrival of “young, talented, strong conservative lawyers,” in D.C. says Toobin.

At this point, the federalist society was also founded. Alluding to secrecy like that of the DaVinci Code, Toobin explained that this was intended to give a glimpse into how the Supreme Court really worked.

Further understanding of the branches of government proved that the Republican Party of Reagan is not the Republican Party today of George W. Bush. In 1987, Justice Powell (the swing justice) resigned to which Reagan appointed the ultra-conservative Robert Bork.

The previous year, democrats had taken over the senate and would not approve this appointment. In an action proving the power one branch of government has over another, Reagan followed his “streak of pragmatism” and appointed Anthony Kennedy, a more moderate conservative.

 

These changes and stories are only a glimpse of the knowledge Toobin has to offer regarding the upcoming election and the Supreme Court. Elon University and the Greensboro community were lucky to gain this insight in such a critical time of our country’s history.

Toobin’s depth of knowledge and sense of humor kept the young audience interested. A brief question and answer session followed his compelling speech, in which Toobin was an approachable expert; an open book.   

Some Video

The following is a clip of Toobin responding to a question about the recount in 2000:

Bailout Plan: Is it worth it?

Noelle Clemente 

“This is a scary situation,” says Ruth Bell, Twin Lakes Resident of Elon, NC. The recent financial crisis has taken the light away from the Presidential election for the first time in months.

Congress is preparing to discuss a proposed $700 billion bailout plan to protect U.S. financial firms. Assistant Professor of Economics, Mark Kurt feels that because the government took action last week with the Lehman Brothers fall, they now need to consider regulation. “Only because they stepped in,” Kurt says, are we facing these questions.

“We have become complacent as American people,” says Michaelle Graybeal of All That Jas. Kurt says we “have lost sense of how risky assets really are.” Liberals and Conservatives alike are concerned about this proposal, but for different reasons. Graybeal  is disconcerted with the executives making millions and billions of dollars. “We owe it to ourselves to not have those people in office,” she said. “We cannot let the country go bankrupt if we can fix it.”

Katherine Neas, Assistant to the Director of Graduate Admissions has mixed feelings on the situation. “If government does not step in, we hurt investors; if they do not step in we hurt tax payers, all because some people made some bad business decisions.” She asked how much we are going to socialize government? “If we socialize financial aspects, we have to consider socializing healthcare etcetera,” says Neas.

This crisis did not come out of the blue. Meg Anderson, Senior Business Marketing major proposes that “the first tax cuts last year or so started this downward spiral.” So who does it affect? Frankly, everybody. Either decision that Congress makes will have a great impact on all parts of society.  

The real question is if this bailout is enough to help. Business owner Jeremiah Collins of Fort Worth, TX says “it is absolutely necessary and the government may make a large profit on the package if they buy the loans at the right price. Furthermore, the investment community needs the sovereign backstop of the government for confidence to continue doing business domestically and to attract foreign investors.”

The American people may be paying for this for a long time, but is it worth it if it will help?

“We are slowing down, not in recession,” says Kurt. Congress now must consider if every American is worth $2,333 in this bailout plan. Will it pass? Will it help?

Peaceful Parade

By Noelle Clemente

The WNC (Western North Carolina) Student Alliance for the U.S. Department of Peace visited the streets of Asheville in a humble parade on Saturday. Drums and bells accompanied calls to passers by to join their cause: peace. The woman holding up the end of the parade recited a quote that was written on the back of her shirt:

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” Martin Luther King, Jr. 

 

Local Reporting and Beats

By Noelle Clemente            

American society is complex. Major cities and countryside all have one thing in common: neighborhoods. Though the world is more interconnected than ever, it is important to remember that at the heart of the matter is your neighbor. Local Reporting and Beats allow insight into the complex, personal stories of the neighborhood.

 

            Rick Bragg tells stories that ignite the heart. Miss McCarty is an amazing woman with a story all should read. It is not easy to find these kinds of generous, loving, selfless people. Bragg did not just happen upon this. He searched; spoke to people, found the story. “She talked of that death matter-of-factly,” and so Bragg emulated. He tells of the amazing generosity of Miss McCarty quite bluntly. It is important in news today to have a story like Miss McCarty’s now and again, keep the reader hopeful for the future. If there is one Miss McCarty, there has to be another.

 

            Thomas Boswell taught me that good writing will not just fall on my lap(top). His composition is like that of Mozart, exciting, fluid, rhythmic. Any writer who can allude to Emily Dickinson while talking about baseball has clearly spent time putting the puzzle together. Boswell makes baseball and retirement for a nineteen year old who has no interest in athletics and no concept of retirement. His story brings perspective to a feeling many will never share. Society allows for stars to grow past the point of human, but now Boswell shows that they have all the same emotions.

 

            Compassion and curiosity drove Bor’s transplant story. He gracefully moves from facts to fascination in an experience most are blessed to never experience. Bor balances the weight of the story with data and statistics making it credible and incredible. The surgeons “hands moving with quick deliberation,” mirror those of Bor. Written so immediately after his experience, each word is evocative of emotion and exhaustion. Heart transplants, athletic retirement, and utter generosity all seem within reach now.

 

            Mitch Albom credits himself as a pianist. I am yet to hear him play, but his prose plays beautifully. Albom balances the eye-opening facts with the encouraging story. Hope remains. Carefully including dialogue, the story remains investigative reporting with individual focus. The final line “What’s our excuse?” is so poignant. Albom tells his story and makes his point. After long, complex ups and downs in a detailed story, just three words challenge the reader to reflect on their own lives.

 

            On the other hand, Russell Eshleman Jr. uses this brief form throughout. Whether talking about trees or pizza, Eshleman weeds through the unnecessary ingredients to find what really makes the story. He carefully organizes his points, only using what really enhances the story. It is nice to see this brief writing honored, because it is much more difficult that most would imagine. Most anyone can fill pages with words, but very few can say so much with so few words. Eshleman does this and remains creative.

 

            Dan Neil sees no boundaries. He will do whatever it takes to relate a car to all readers. This beat is so clever, so thorough, I feel as though I am in the car with Frank Sinatra by my side. Neil takes automotive review to a new level. Whether it be cars, trees, pizza, hearts, guns, money, or retirement, local reporting relates to everyone. People are craving stories they can hold in their hands, and that is what these writers have given us.

 

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/7161 Debbie Cenziper digs to find the real story in “House of Lie$: In the nation’s least affordable city, the Miami-Dade Housing Agency.” A multi-faceted story, Cenziper leaves nothing to guess. We often take for granted what the government says and believe it all to be true. This story reminds us that some matters need to be taken into our own hands. Cenziper taught me the importance of local, investigative reporting. My words really can make a difference, if I chose them carefully enough.

 

 

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/6525 Unfortunately it is very easy to lie. Gretchen Morgenson reminds readers that trading is not full proof. It is impossible to predict the future. We are often encouraged to just take a leap of faith and trust life, but when you are dealing with people who also have financial interest or otherwise, you must have a life vest. Say one thing and do another is an all to common cautionary tale that Morgenson reminds readers of again.

 

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/6342 Mark Schoofs makes AIDS personal. An issue so often overpowered by numbers, he takes eight issues to remind the reader how it changes (or ends) lives, not just statistics. Local reporting does not need to be local to the reader necessarily. It is the stories about people who have a story that will impact a community. Schoofs touches hearts and minds with emotion and details about this epidemic. It is in the news, but Schoofs puts new perspective.

 

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/6193 For most people, the Grammys are one night followed by a few days of fashion criticism of praise. Chuck Philips and Michael A. Hlitzik find that there is much more to the story. This beat takes a great deal of research and “shoe-leather” moments. Local reporting and beats seem simple, just go outside and get them, but when you find a story, if you do your work, you will uncover more than you ever thought possible.

 

http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/6156 Even the small town of Dayton, can follow the military and uncover a story that all should hear. Russell Carollo and Jeff Nesmith highlight the importance of journalistic integrity. Some stories must be told, regardless of who has passed on them before. The public has a right to know about these medical shortcomings and journalists are the means of letting that happen. Local papers can find stories that would be overlooked by larger papers, and that is why we have a complex news system. 

Experiential Learning Requirement Bursts Elon’s Bubble

Noelle Clemente

First Semester Junior Year it seems half of Elon University’s junior class is abroad. My friends and I have found our own way to celebrate culture while our friends are overseas or below the border. Each week we host dinner at our respective homes tuning into one particular culture.

Elon encourages students to complete an Experiential Learning Requirement, the most popular of which is study abroad. We boast that more than 70% of students graduate having spent time overseas.

On the other hand, Elon often is criticized for being a “bubble.” How can this be possible with over 70% of our students spending time abroad? In fact, one might argue that for the size the university is, Elon spans more of the world than most campuses. The Isabella Cannon Center for International Studies offers over 60 programs.

Study abroad is a privilege According to Dean Rex Waters, “Having participated in one of Elon’s Winter Term study abroad programs, I highly support and advocate for all students who chose to find a way to study abroad. Semester’s are far more significant experiences; however, winter term and summer programs are a great introduction to other areas of the world.”

Life is all about opportunities. Elon encourages students to take all the opportunities presented to them. My friends and I have not found our way to study abroad this semester, but we are looking to expand our worldview.

Isabella Cannon for International Studies, Elon University