Sniper unit leader tells of ordering shooting (International)
At a trial for one of his soldiers, the U.S. Army team leader says he ordered an Iraqi civilian killed 'to shut him up.'
U.S. soldier gets 10-year term in Iraqi's death (International)
The sniper, who was directed to kill the man by a superior, had faced a life sentence for the May 11 shooting.
All stories that are factual and sourced will often come down to black or white, true or false, right or wrong, I include personal opinions about where these stories fall in that spectrum and allow humor whenever possible to lighten the topics. Goto @twiggles4u for more.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Pacific Post
LAPD deeply shaken by nightlong siege in Winnetka (Local)
A smoldering controversy at UCLA (Local)
The school accepts money from tobacco giant Philip Morris in its three-year study of nicotine addiction. Teenagers and monkeys are part of the research.
A smoldering controversy at UCLA (Local)
The school accepts money from tobacco giant Philip Morris in its three-year study of nicotine addiction. Teenagers and monkeys are part of the research.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Media Spotlight I
San Francisco Chronicle
Deadly blasts rock Baghdad
2 women blamed for suicide bombs that killed 64 - worst attacks since U.S. surge peaked (International)
The Washington Post
After Months of Relative Calm, 2 Deadly Blasts Rock Baghdad (International)
The San Francisco Chronicle reports this article as straight news. The first paragraph includes the “what” and “where” immediately. They tell us that bombs tore through two popular pet markets on Friday, and killed at least 64 people.
In comparison, The Washington Post decided to report this story as a feature, so we learn most details about the story from an eye witness. The first paragraph here tells us the “when”, and the “what” is delayed until paragraph four when it was explained that, “the two bombings killed 58 people, according to Iraqi police, and wounded more than 170 others.”
The number of people killed and wounded is only one of many discrepancies found within the two stories. The Chronicle article tells us, “Since November, at least five women have been used to carry explosives that killed themselves and others.” However, the Post tells us, “there have been at least six female suicide bombers in different parts of Iraq.”
Although the sources were different, both newspapers agree that some witnesses and police said the two woman were mentally disabled, but neither had any proof that this was true.
The Chronicle was the only one that listed facts regarding the increased use of suicide vests according to the latest U.S. military statistics. They said, “In October, six were recorded. The number increased to eight in November, 10 in December and 15 in January.”
Other information seems to have been scaled down a bit. This occurs when the Chronicle mentions the Ghazel pet market is a favorite target of insurgents. They tell us, “This was the second bombing there since late November and the fifth since June 2006.” However, the Post tells us that the Ghazel market, “has been attacked at least four times in the past two years.”
The Post even makes things more confusing when it mentions that, “U.S. military officials said seven people were killed and 23 others wounded in the Ghazil market attack, while Iraqi police put the toll much higher: 45 killed and 105 wounded.”
Additionally, the Post said, “Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem Khalaf, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said he believed the bombings were a coordinated effort by the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq.” The Chronicle does not make any statement about who may have been behind the attacks.
Deadly blasts rock Baghdad
2 women blamed for suicide bombs that killed 64 - worst attacks since U.S. surge peaked (International)
The Washington Post
After Months of Relative Calm, 2 Deadly Blasts Rock Baghdad (International)
The San Francisco Chronicle reports this article as straight news. The first paragraph includes the “what” and “where” immediately. They tell us that bombs tore through two popular pet markets on Friday, and killed at least 64 people.
In comparison, The Washington Post decided to report this story as a feature, so we learn most details about the story from an eye witness. The first paragraph here tells us the “when”, and the “what” is delayed until paragraph four when it was explained that, “the two bombings killed 58 people, according to Iraqi police, and wounded more than 170 others.”
The number of people killed and wounded is only one of many discrepancies found within the two stories. The Chronicle article tells us, “Since November, at least five women have been used to carry explosives that killed themselves and others.” However, the Post tells us, “there have been at least six female suicide bombers in different parts of Iraq.”
Although the sources were different, both newspapers agree that some witnesses and police said the two woman were mentally disabled, but neither had any proof that this was true.
The Chronicle was the only one that listed facts regarding the increased use of suicide vests according to the latest U.S. military statistics. They said, “In October, six were recorded. The number increased to eight in November, 10 in December and 15 in January.”
Other information seems to have been scaled down a bit. This occurs when the Chronicle mentions the Ghazel pet market is a favorite target of insurgents. They tell us, “This was the second bombing there since late November and the fifth since June 2006.” However, the Post tells us that the Ghazel market, “has been attacked at least four times in the past two years.”
The Post even makes things more confusing when it mentions that, “U.S. military officials said seven people were killed and 23 others wounded in the Ghazil market attack, while Iraqi police put the toll much higher: 45 killed and 105 wounded.”
Additionally, the Post said, “Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem Khalaf, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said he believed the bombings were a coordinated effort by the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq.” The Chronicle does not make any statement about who may have been behind the attacks.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Media Spotlight II
Ron Paul's big chance for a modest splash (National)
I have been searching for news about the GOP Candidate, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, and I finally found this small article that made the Los Angeles Times Blog on their web-site. Andrew Malcolm, press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000, writes about Paul's campaign raising $20 million in donations in the last three months of 2007. According to Malcolm this makes Paul “the most successful GOP fundraiser then and the only one to increase his donations every quarter last year.”
Malcolm is the only one to point out that not only are Paul's supporters loyal and dedicated, but they are generous too. He even cites facts from Paul's website, www.ronpaul2008.com, that say supporters have given an additional $5 million-plus since Jan. 1.
It is very hard for supporters of Paul's campaign to find any news regarding their candidate without the use of the internet. Most mainstream media outlets act like he is not even there. Even Malcolm admits, “Paul typically gets the least speaking time during GOP debates, if he isn't barred from participating altogether.“
Malcolm does his best to give supporters some hope for “priceless free publicity” if he could take Maine during a “slow news weekend” because he has been the only Republican candidate to actually visit there.
The grass root supporters would see any publicity at all as a step in the right direction. Malcolm also recognizes that Paul has been “largely dissed and dismissed by party politicians and the media.” Despite the incredible support and donations his campaign has been bringing in consistently.
One of the fund-raising days supporters called a “money bomb” earned Paul over $6 million in 24 hours, and most donations were $150 or less.
It is hard to see how something that significant can go by with barely a mention from any news outlet, and then see all Hillary has to do is cry to receive a weeks worth of media attention on every channel.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
On the Bypass
After Months of Relative Calm, 2 Deadly Blasts Rock Baghdad (International)
Deadly blasts rock Baghdad
2 women blamed for suicide bombs that killed 64 - worst attacks since U.S. surge peaked (International)
Germany Rebuffs U.S. On Troops in Afghanistan (International)
Refusal to Shift Deployment A Setback for NATO Effort
Deadly blasts rock Baghdad
2 women blamed for suicide bombs that killed 64 - worst attacks since U.S. surge peaked (International)
Germany Rebuffs U.S. On Troops in Afghanistan (International)
Refusal to Shift Deployment A Setback for NATO Effort
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