Journalism Current Event 2/25/11

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/02/24/mexico.migrant.kidnappings/index.html

Summary: This article is about the continuous kidnappings of migrants in Mexico. It tells the story of a man who tried to come to the United States illegally, who was kidnapped along the border, beaten and held captive for 17 days. In his story, the man recounts that the people who didn't pay the ransom were killed. The kidnappers also abused the women.There are over 10,000 migrants who have been kidnapped in a six month period. The article goes on to relay several incidents where 50 or more migrants were captured at a time.

This article is most definitely journalism as it relates to the people what is going on in Mexico. It is relevant mainly to the migrants in Mexico as they are now warned of the danger in trying to get into the United States illegal, but also applies to the United States. I'm not sure of our relationship with Mexico right now, but America needs to be aware of what the cartels are doing, and take measures to stop the kidnappings.

The Core Biblical truth that applies to this article is the one on Evangelism. It says, "God has specific directions (absolute law) concerning man's relationship to both Himself and fellow man". This applies because the kidnappers are obviously not following God's law concerning fellow man. Also, if the migrants were following God's law and submitting to the government, they would not be attempting to get into the United States illegally.

Current Event: 2/18/11: The Typical Celebrity's Life

http://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/201103/billy-ray-cyrus-mr-hannah-montana-miley?currentPage=1

Summary: This article is about Mr. Billy Ray Cyrus, the father of pop star Miley Cyrus (otherwise known as Hannah Montana) and his depression like state right now. Mr. Cyrus seems to be at his wits end concerning his 18 year old daughter, who has been making terrible decisions in the past year. The article continues with the telling of Billy Ray's whole story of when he picked up the guitar, how he became a country music star and so on. The article indicates how Billy Ray apologized to the world (through Twitter, of course) for his daughters actions and that it is beyond his control at the moment. Mr. Cyrus continues to talk about his life and the albums he has published. He seemed to be swerving from the topic at hand, his daughter.

This article is not journalism because it does not make the public more knowledgeable about anything of importance that they need to know. If the article had quoted Mr. Cyrus on how he could have prevented his daughter from making these bad decisions, then it might have led the public to make better decisions themselves. However, it only acknowledges the scandal of Miley Cyrus for a little while and then moves on to the life of Billy Ray. All this is interesting to read, but not qualified as journalism.

The Core Biblical Truth that applies to this is the one on Evangelism. It says, "God has specific directions (absolute law) concerning man's relationship to both Himself and his fellow man". This applies to the relationships between Mr. Cyrus and Miley, Miley and the public and Mr. Cyrus and the public. If both Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus had followed these specific directions from God, then they would not be in the situations they find themselves in now.

Congressman: Small withdrawal of U.S. forces in July: Current Event: 2/11/11

To view article, Congressman: Small withdrawal of U.S. forces in July, Click Here

Summary: 

This article is about a senior Congressman who just returned from Afghanistan and his analysis of the situation over there. The Congressman, Rep. Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, who is also the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee cannot see any large withdrawals of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in the near future. However, there is plan for a small withdrawal of troops in July. The Obama administration's goal is to have all US military personnel out in four years. McKeon observed that the area they were in, the Marjah district of southern Afghanistan, which once was known for its violence, has become upbeat and fairly safe again. The Congressman just had regular escorts, but no extra security detail on them.

This is journalism because it is relaying information to the people about the work their representatives are doing. Also, it indicates to the people the goals of the President and his administration, which helps them become better informed citizens. 

The Core Biblical Truth that applies to this is the Social Science one on Salvation. It says, "

Throughout history, God has partnered with people to further his mission of salvation and redemption of a fallen creation." This applies to this specific article because the whole reason we need troops in Afghanistan is because there is sin over there (as there is sin everywhere). Where there is sin, there is also a need for salvation. Our troops in Afghanistan are trying to protect the citizens over there which has potential for leading them to salvation in Christ.

A Speech of President Reagan's - Tear Down This Wall

Journalism Current Event: February 4, 2011

Ronald Reagan restored faith in America

by Ed Rollins, CNN Senior Political Contributor

February 2, 2011 12:39 p.m. EST

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• February 6 is the 100th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth
• Ed Rollins worked for Reagan; says he was humorous and showed respect for all
• Rollins says Reagan restored pride in the U.S. and rebuilt a declining military
• Reagan was smarter than given credit for, and was ultimately a loner, Rollins writes

Editor's note: Ed Rollins, a senior political contributor for CNN, is senior presidential fellow at the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency at Hofstra University. He is a principal with the Dilenschneider Group, a global public relations firm. He was White House political director for President Ronald Reagan and chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

(CNN) -- The 100th anniversary of the birth of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan, is Sunday. On that day and during the year ahead, there will be many celebrations of the life of a man who remains one of the most beloved and respected of our modern presidents.

Republicans adore him and even Democrats who opposed many of his views and policies look back kindly on him. Reagan died June 5, 2004. President Obama read his biography on his Christmas holiday, and many speculate the Obama White House might be looking to the Reagan model in how to deal successfully with a divided Congress and get re-elected.

In this anniversary year, I will leave it to others to judge his place in history and praise or criticize his polices. I want to tell you what he was like personally. I had the privilege of working for him as the assistant to the president for political affairs during both of his terms, and managed his re-election campaign in 1983 and 1984.

In the course of those jobs, I got to see the man up close and personal. I got to study how he made his decisions and most important, how much he treated people with respect, from the person cleaning the White House grounds or offices to the most powerful leaders in the world.

I never saw him lose his temper, even when many of us deserved our butts kicked for some screwup.
--Ed Rollins

RELATED TOPICS

• Ronald Reagan
• U.S. Presidents
• History

He always had a kind word or a "hello" and a "thank you" to those who served him. He never gave orders or raised his voice, but inspired us to to do the best we could. I never saw him lose his temper or mistreat staff members, even when many of us deserved our butts kicked for some screw-up.

The first time he saluted a military aide as he got off the presidential helicopter Marine One, someone told him he couldn't do that because he was a civilian. He retorted that somebody better get over to the Pentagon and get that rule changed, because as the commander in chief, he wanted to salute out of respect for his military. And every man, woman, officer, enlisted man or academy cadet; Marine, soldier, airman or sailor whom he saluted lit up with great pride.

A large number of military members assigned to tasks around the White House, and many Vietnam veterans, have told me they were going to retire but changed their minds and re-enlisted because of President Reagan. He totally rebuilt a post-Vietnam demoralized military.

When he came into office, we had ships that couldn't sail, planes that couldn't fly and soldiers and sailors on food stamps. By the end of his term, we again had the finest military in the world, one that has been tested in three major conflicts since his exit from the world stage.

I got to see him work under enormous pressure. He never faltered or failed to make those tough decisions that every president makes each day. Even when he was recovering from an assassination attempt, when he had been close to death, he never lost his spirit or his quest for life.

Ronald Reagan loved the United States with a deep passion and without apology. He believed in the American dream because he had lived it. He was a man of great common sense and much smarter than most presidential observers would give him credit for. He had a near-photographic memory, and was a good student of the complex issues a president must learn.

He also liked to have fun and had an extraordinary sense of humor. Shortly after he got a hearing aid, I teasingly remarked, "I now know why you weren't following my good advice," pointing to his bad ear. Without missing a beat he responded, "Now you know why you're still here."

Ronald Reagan wasn't perfect. He would be the first to tell you that. He had less ego than any politician I have ever dealt with and was a humble man. He had a philosophy that he had developed over many years and his belief system was unbending. There was a toughness to him, but always touched with compassion. He was strong enough to be gentle.

That didn't mean he wouldn't compromise around the edges to get a deal with Congress -- but he never gave up on the things he truly believed in. And he could communicate. It wasn't great speech writers, it was him explaining his beliefs.

He was the friendliest of men, but also the ultimate loner. His true confidante and love was his Nancy. He would not have been president without her, nor would his life have been as full if she hadn't shared it.

People often ask me what was he really like. He was exactly what he appeared to be. A man who loved his country passionately and believed he had an obligation to make it better for the generations to come.

Even though he ran for president twice before he was elected in 1980, he had not spent his entire life wanting to be president. He told me once it was sort of a destiny thing. After nearly losing his life in the infancy of his presidency, he thought he had a special role in being a good leader for an extraordinary country. He certainly was.

People also ask me what was the most important thing Reagan accomplished as president. My answer is that he made the presidency work again. After the tragic assassination of President Kennedy, President Johnson being driven from office, President Nixon impeached, and Presidents Ford and Carter defeated running for re-election, Americans thought the presidency was too big and that no man could fill the role. Reagan filled it and made it work again.

Whatever the historians write, Ronald Reagan made the world and our country a better place. He restored pride in our nation and made Americans believe in the slogan from his 1984 campaign: "Prouder, stronger, better."

The opinions in this commentary are solely those of Ed Rollins.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/02/rollins.reagan/index.html

Summary: 

This article discusses the life and accomplishments of President Ronald Reagan. The author, Ed Rollins, worked as President Reagan's political director and was chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Rollins discusses the demeanor and character of Mr. Reagan as well as the general public's view of him. The timing of the article falls four days before the 100th anniversary of President Reagan's birthday. Rollins describes Reagan as the friendliest man whose speeches communicated his beliefs. 

Analysis: 

Although I consider this article to be well written and laudable, I cannot evaluate it as a piece of journalism. This article describes a great man of the past, one who led our country with perseverance and strength. However, nothing in this article reveals to the public anything about themselves. If the author had painted the picture that America needs another Ronald Reagan in order to escape the throes of recession or the grasp of war, then that might be considered journalism because it would have shown the people what is necessary to save their country. However, since Mr. Rollins did not write the article in this manner, it cannot be considered journalism.

Core Biblical Truth:

The CBT that relates to this article is that of revelation. It says, "In society, TRUTH is NOT relative to the individual, but rather is absolute and its source is solely god.  Tolerance understands others’  ideas, but does not require surrender of your worldview." This is demonstrated through the analysis of President Ronald Reagan. Rollins describes him as a man who "communicated his beliefs" in his speeches. He did not surrender his worldview when he stepped into the Oval office. On the contrary, he stuck to what he believed to be true. 

*See video of one of President Reagan's speeches on the next post*