Times Log

Friday: I was extremely disturbed by the article about Stephan Morgan and Johanna Justin-Jinich. The two attended NYU together, where Morgan first sent Justin-Jinich threatening emails. The police were notified and Morgan fled the state. It wasn't until two years later that Morgan walked back into Justin-Jinich's life and ended it. Morgan simply walked into her work brandishing a gun and shot Justin-Jinich at point blank range. While the world is no closer to figuring out why these things happen, I'm terrified to think that anything like this could happen to me or to anyone I know. Thankfully, Morgan turned himself in shortly after the murder. Although one killer is behind bars, it's extremely unsettling to think of how many more there are like Morgan out there. Indeed, a very depressing story to read.

Times Log

Thursday: I was really interested to read about the deal that was reached to keep the Boston Globe in print. While the Globes problems certainly aren't solved, this recent deal reached by the Boston Newspaper Guild has provided some optimism. The Guild will vote on the deal at a date that is to be announced. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Globe because it will pay an enormous price if it stays in print. For instance, layoffs, budget cuts and millions of dollars in debt will all be involved. As I don't read newspapers, I wonder if this would be worth it.

Times Log

Wednesday: I was interested to learn about the dire situation Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger finds himself in. With California facing imminent budget cuts, swine flu creeping at the border, and his party's abandonment of him, Schwarzenegger has a lot on his plate as his term in office comes to an end. Although it was rumored that he would run for the United States Senate, Schwarzenegger squashed such ideal at a recent press conference stating "I'm not going to do that! No." It is also rumored that he might support a democratic candidate in the 2010 campaign to succeed him. In retirement, Schwarzenegger plans on continuing to do environmental work as well as body build and perhaps even jump back on to the silver screen. It will be interesting to see how his political career pans out and how California deals with the future strains of their economy.

Times Log

Tuesday: I really liked the article about the stigma surrounding Mexican citizens regarding the swine flu. Several individuals attested to being viewed as disease carrying threats, especially in China where officials demanded the searching of hotels where seemingly healthy Mexicans were staying. While such measures might seem extremely invasive, they are somewhat understandable when coming from the nation that was forced to deal with the terrible backlash of SARS not so long ago. I also drew a parallel between this article and how people initially reacted to the HIV/ AIDS epidemic towards black and gay individuals. When AIDS was first discovered, it was first considered a "gay disease," however, as more knowledge spread, it was realized that anyone can contract the deadly disease. As the threat of the swine flu seems to dampen, hopefully the unjust alienation of Mexicans will cease as well.

Killer Shark Caught and Killed!

The townspeople of Amity can rest assured and enjoy the holiday weekend now that the shark suspected of killing Wendy Watson and Alex Kitner has been caught and killed.

The fishermen responsible for killing the shark will recieve the $3000 reward from Marian Kitner, the mother of late Alex Kitner who was killed by the shark July 3.

Police Chief Martin Brody was so confident that there are no other sharks in the region, he immediately announced the reopening of the beach.

"The chance that there are any more sharks is so remote that it would be an insult to my intelligence," said Brody.

The shark responsible for the recent attacks was inspected by marine biologist Matt Hooper from the Oceanographic Institute in Woods Hole, MA who identified it as a nurse shark, one of the most dangerous species of sharks.

If that doesn't convince the locals and tourists that the beach is safe, the prescense of shark spotters from the Coast Guard, Maring Patrol, the Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Navy, Homeland Security, the FBI, and several other local police forces should do the job.

These forces can be seen buzzing around the enormous crowds of people that have already gathered. A hoax of two boys with a cardboard dorsal fin just proved the effective results this extra security yeilds.

After this dorsal fin was spotted, it took no more than five minutes for people to start exiting the water in mass. Lifeguards immediately started blowing their wistles and using microphones to get people out as fast as possible. The shark spotters in the water quickly cornered the two boys and radioed the ok to Cheif Brody who was on the beach trying to calm the panicked crowd of beachgoers.

While this hoax did cause a mass choas as everyone tried to exit the water, it also showed the effectiveness of the personnel on hand to get everyone to safety as quickly as possible.

Times Log

Monday: I was really interested to read the article about the supercomputers being used by universities to track the spread of swine flu. Two teams, one at Northwestern University and one at Indiana University have predicted the future spread of the flu by using supercomputers that track dollar bills. Why dollar bills? After establishing the Internet site "Where's George?," Hank Eskin realized that this face-to-face contact was an innovative way to track influenza virus. Interestingly enough, both universities arrived at similar results: if left completely unchecked, the swine flu will only result in 2000-2500 cases within the next month. These cases are predicted to be found in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston. Thankfully, it seems we've caught a break.

On the eve of 4th of July beach will be closed

Police Cheif Martin Brody announced that the beaches would be closed for 24 hours in light of the recent shark attacks in Amity at last night's Town Meeting.

After the body of Wendy Watson, a local teen, was found brutally mauled on the beach on July 1, rumors of a shark attack began circuiting throughout Amity.

These rumors were found to indeed be true as 10-year-old Alex Kitner was killed two days later by an unprovoked shark while playing in the water with friends.

Marian Kitner, the boy's mother, is offering a $3000 reward for anyone who catches the shark. This is an issue Mayor Farley deemed "is between the fishermen and Ms. Kitner."

Upon hearing that the beach will be closed, the townspeople at the meeting erupted with objections and questions. One disgruntled citizen even shouted "24 hours is like three weeks!"

After seeing the crowd react in this way, Mayor Bob Farley was quick to attempt to soothe the disatisfied citizens, ensuring that the beach would only be closed for 24 hours.

Apparently this was not what Cheif Brody had intended as he stated "I didn't authorize that."

It seems that a conflict of interest is fraying the relations between Amity's police force and the local government. While Cheif Brody fears for the safety of the townspeople, Mayor Farley worries about the imminent financial blow closing the beach on the eve of the 4th of July will invoke.

In addition to calling on extra summer officers, Chief Brody assured that shark spotters will be placed on the beach to help lifeguards look for any signs of shark activity. Experts on oceanography will also be brought in to contribute any useful information they might have about the shark.

Not everyone was willing to take such a level headed and time-consuming approach. Ben Quint, a local fisherman at the meeting, offered to catch and kill the shark himself for $10,000.

"I value my life way more than $3000," said Quint referring to the reward Ms. Kitner has posted.

While no decision was reached on whether the town is willing to finance Quint's solo venture, Mayor Farley insisted the town officials would discuss it.