Since I’ve been gone.
Posing for a photo during our Moroccan Luncheon
Arabic 1 & 2
Since I have been gone, a LOT has happened. As I’m sure I don’t have to tell each of you, our lives take different paths than we may want. Sometimes for worse but sometimes for the better. As for me, it has been its been the latter, mostly.
Shall I add a foreign language into the mix? I believe the answer you are looking for is to your left. It is yes. I have taken up Arabic. I have just completed my second semester. Looking back now, I still find it hard to believe I was sitting in class listening to a completely foreign language in August of last year thinking to myself simultaneously, “I’ve got this– no problem (what did I get myself into and is it too late to back out?).” I have always been a fighter every step of my life. Ask anyone. I’m glad I didn’t give up within the first few weeks and walk out or choose a different language. That would have been too easy.
Let me back up and explain why I chose Arabic. In my earlier blog posts I describe how I studied journalism and political science. A few of my other posts are concentrated on topics in the Middle East. If you haven’t added 2+2 yet, they = “4″ in this scenario. I’m not a math person myself. C’mon, I did major in journalism. I have felt a connection to the Middle East since 2006 and 2007 while studying at Florida International University. However, that story is for another post.
The real reason behind my studying Arabic is to travel to the Middle East and cover the stories. The stories people are not getting a chance to see because reporters aren’t interviewing, cameras aren’t filming and stations aren’t interested. It’s time we give the news back to the people who are making it news: the people- US.
Court Reporting
I’ve recently been spending time in courtrooms for my law and politics paper. What I didn’t realize is how much I would enjoy this process. My task has been to observe different roles, actions, and various elements that go into our judicial system. As I was taking notes for my paper, I found I was starting to think more like a journalist while applying the legal terminology I’ve picked up along the way.
I have a meeting with Judge Nancy Lay in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Wednesday afternoon for some advice. If you have any advice for me, please share.
I think I may have found my next project during post graduation life– court reporting. A chance to apply both journalism and political science knowledge and skills.
2016 Presidential Candidate?
Jeb Bush: 2016 Presidential candidate?
BBC recently spoke with good ol’ Jeb about the 2012 presidential race. It’s not a race just yet. It will be. He claims he won’t be running this term but isn’t counting 2016 out.
Now don’t get me wrong– from I can remember I liked Jeb Bush as our governor. He did turn things around for us.
My question is: Why mess with something that doesn’t need fixing? It’s a motto I like to live by– don’t fix what’s not broken. My sister decided to try a new sandwich at the Angry Pepper yesterday instead of ordering what she knows she likes. Conclusion: She hated her food and couldn’t eat it. Too spicy. Why try something new when what you have going works perfectly fine? I understand wanting to try new things and be adventurous, but really?
His decision to potentially run for the next election is just that. Didn’t he see what happened to his father, and then brother? Some Americans are gung-ho Bush fans. Some Americans cannot stand the Bush family. I’ll keep my opinion to myself. His name may or may not work in his favor.
Maybe, just maybe, if he does run in 2016 he’ll have learned lessons from all parties involved.
What do you think about one of Florida’s governors running for President in the next election?
“Under…ehhmm” who?
While airing the US Open in our nation’s capitol this weekend, NBC left out part of the Pledge of Allegiance. Almost immediately after playing what they thought was a patriotic clip put together for the championship, the internet world made loud noise.
NBC issued an apology claiming it was an editing mistake and didn’t mean to offend anyone. I watched the clip a few times trying to figure out whether the network intentionally edited the specific part, or it was truly an accident. I’ve worked with editing programs in the past. Mind you, I’m not 100% familiar the program, but the clip does seem to flow nicely without the “Under God” segment.
Was NBC doing this in an effort to not upset anyone who doesn’t believe in what is viewed as a conventional God here in the US? Or, was it just a simple mistake? It seems like a rather large mistake to me. If it was intentional– how did NBC think nobody would miss that?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/19/nbc-us-open-under-god_n_880114.html
Mobile Privacy Bill
The Location Privacy Protection Act of 2011 was introduced June 16, 2011. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Al Franken and Richard Blumenthal. Lawmakers want to close loopholes allowing location information that is collected and shared by mobile devices and applications.
I’m not entirely sure how to feel about this. I have a smartphone. I have to give permission to the applications I download that require a GPS signal. I use my phone for driving directions also. Lastly, happens if you’re in trouble and need help? If nobody knows where you are and hasn’t heard from you, wouldn’t you want someone to make a call on your behalf?
I get that our privacy is important. I just feel that if you’re smart enough to use a tablet, smart phone or other device, you should hopefully be smart enough to understand what information is being given out. I think it’s too much overkill. That’s just me.
http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/15/technology/mobile_privacy_bill/index.htm?hpt=te_bn15
In response to recent Aljazeera blog post
I’m usually not one to comment negatively in reference to any blog posting. People have the right to say what they feel. That’s exactly what we’re doing while blogging for this class, or outside of class. There are a few sites I check on a regular basis for my news: CNN, BBC and Aljazeera. As you may know by now I have interest in the Middle East. I came across what I thought was an article and was actually a blog posting titled, “Leaked: Mainstream Media’s Dictionary, Letter A- Part 1.” Naturally, I was intrigued because I am studying journalism and had no clue what this could be in regard to. After reading, I found myself slightly enraged. If you’d like to know the way Western media is viewed by the East, you’ll want to read this.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/americas/2011/06/14/leaked-mainstream-medias-dictionary-letter-part-1-26
One more duel…
This applies to anyone who has ever used a computer. I’m a PC girl all the way. Always have been. I know after taking a few courses in the journalism department it’s a bit easier to be a Mac. Mac’s come equipped with most of the software programs PC’s have to download. According to an article from BBC, the PC is dead. We all know a little competition is healthy for business, like in sports. It forces other competitors to improve their game plan. Drum roll please… out comes Google’s Chromebook to go against the Apple iPad. Wonder who will win this one. Thoughts?
Cyber Attacks
Stemming from an earlier post, I was curious as to what your thoughts might be on this topic. The Pentagon will consider cyber attacks that originate in foreign countries as potential acts of war.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/31/pentagon-cyber-attack-act-of-war_n_869014.html
Is the government going too far? What do you think?
