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.

Times Log

Friday: I found a lot of the articles in the Times today very interesting. The story about Brennan Jackson setting out to raise enough money to attend college was the first one I looked at. I sincerely sympathize with Jackson and kids like him because since the recession competition to get into college and get financial aid has increased ten fold. I'm extremely happy that I'm already into college and don't have to worry about that. Second, I was intrigued by the article about a American military base in Afghanistan that trains Afghan soldiers. I find it incredibly heroic that American soldiers are putting their lives on the line everyday fighting a war that isn't even theirs to fight. Finally, I'm fascinated by the swine flu pandemic that continues to take the nation by storm. The article I read explained the precautionary measures some are taking to confirm their health. For instance, most of the hoards of people crowding doctors offices are not showing the symptoms of swine flu but insist on being checked none the less. It will be interesting to see how this pandemic unfolds, especially within the next month as colleges let out and millions of students board plans for home.

Times Log

Thursday: I was immediately drawn to the article that dubbed swine flu an official pandemic. I'm absolutely flabbergasted that over the course of four days, something that I hadn't even heard of has become a very real threat to the U.S. and the whole world. After the first person, a young boy, died of the new illness on U.S. soil yesterday, the warnings and cautions seem to have drastically increased. With the director of the World Health Organization telling all countries to "activate their pandemic preparedness plans," I'm wondering what the United States' plans are. The article went on to mention the future possibility of closing schools if more cases developed. While I would love to wrap up the school year a little sooner, I can't help but think that closing UNH would cause more headaches than joy. For instance, I have no idea how I would complete all the tests and assignments I still have to do if school was suddenly closed due to the swine flu.

Times Log

Wednesday: I really enjoyed the article about colleges doing away with trays in the dining halls. Although New Hampshire was specifically not mentioned, I felt pretty proud that I go to a university where this habit has been adopted for a while now. The article mentioned "trayless Tuesdays," which as any UNH student knows, occurs every Tuesday in the Holloway Commons Dining Hall. I knew that the trayless method cut down on food waste, however, I was unaware that it saved water as well. Of the schools mentioned in the article, it was interesting to read about their individual motives for going trayless. For instance, at Skidmore College and Williams College went trayless for the environmental benefits like wasting less food and water, however, Cornell University's strategy was to move away from the institutional look and feel of the trays and conveyor belt. Therefore, whether it's for aesthetic reasons or environmental reasons, nearly everyone benefits from the fast growing trend of going trayless.

Times Log

Tuesday: I found the article about race relations in the US very interesting. According to the article, "two thirds of Americans say that race relations are generally good, and the percentatge of blacks who say so has doubled since last July." The artcile attributes these new statistics to Barack Obama's time spent in office. First of all, I would really love to know how one can judge a nation on a scale of "generally good" versus "generally bad," especially dealing with such an all encompassing issue like race relations. I was specifically drawn to this article in particular becaus I'm currently in ENG 746 and this course has taught me to challenge the way society views and deals with race. While this article isn't a blatant example of white ignorance, it just got me thinking about how a nation as a whole can conclude that race relations are "generally good." Does this mean incidents of prejudice and racism only happen some of the time rather than most of the time?

Times Log

Monday: I felt really uninformed when I learned about the potential pandemic of the swine flu that is currently taking the world by storm. I guess that's what happens when you don't pick up a news paper over a weekend. In our group discussions today I found that I, like most people, was interested in the basics of the swine flu. For instance, how do you get it? what are the symptoms? where are the cases? what are my odds of getting it and surviving? what's the treatment? I found all of these questions could be answered by a simple Q and A. I think the Times did a good job of answering most of these questions and providing enough information as to not provoke a panic.

Recent death of young boy proves fears of shark attack

Alex Ferguson, 10, of Mayfair Court in Amity was killed today in what appeared to be a shark attack at Village Beach.

Ferguson was floating on a rubber raft amidst splashing friends when the attack occurred. His body has not been recovered but his raft floated ashore with what looked like a bite mark taken out of it.

Alex entered the water with about ten other children that continued to splash, scream, and horseplay in the water. The group was in the water for no more than five minutes before Alex's raft upturned and blood appeared near the kids.

Marian Ferguson, Alex's mother, was present at the beach when the attack occurred. After her son did not exit the water, she was taken to Amity Hospital to be treated for shock.

Witnesses at the beach all saw the incident and hustled kids out of the water. Among the onlookers was Chief of Police Martin Brody.

Brody, who discovered the mangled body of Wendy Watson this morning, believes that her attack can be linked to the possible shark activity. However, the investigation for Watson's death is still under investigation.

A press conference will be held by the mayor, Chief Brody, and the Amity Board of Selectmen at 5 p.m. today in Town Hall in which a request to close the beaches will be discussed along with an offer to hunt down and kill the shark alleged for the recent attacks.

Pending Investigation of local teen's mysterious death

The recent death of Wendy W. Watson is under investigation by the Amity Police Department after her mangled body washed up on the shore of South Beach on July 1.

Watson, a 16 year-old sophomore at Amity High School was last seen alive at 11 pm, leaving a beach party with an unidentified male. After she decided to go skinny dipping and didn't return, her companion notified police. Both teens had been drinking at the party.

Police shortly found Watson's severely mauled body on the beach. While a shark attack is a possibility, at this point in time the cause of her death is unknown. Watson's body has been transported to the Coroner's office for an autopsy.

Until further information is known, the beaches will remain open.

This blog will be updated as more information becomes available.

Times Log

Friday: I have no idea why, but I 'm still shocked to read about all of the suicide bombings, terrorist attacks, and other chaos in the middle east. Every day there is a new story about the lack of progress going on overseas. I feel like it's gotten to the point that people just glance over such stories because they're so commonplace. For example, in today's Times there was an article about not one, not two, but three suicide bombings in Iraq that claimed the lives of 80 individuals. These series of attacks are specifically notable because they boast the highest level of kills in one day since February 2008. With such violence still going on, I wonder if it will ever stop or even get better. I, like most of the world, look forward to the day that such stories no longer appear in the paper, not because of ignorance, but because of occurrence.

Times Log

Thursday: One of the articles on the front page of the times directly relates to the localized national story I wrote this week. The article is about the significantly lower amount of Americans that bought real estate this year. This decrease is no doubt a reflection of the recession and the negative effects it has had on the real estate market. The amount of citizens that changed residences in the past year are the lowest since 1962. Indeed, my article is about the discount Vail Resorts has recently offered to attract buyers. However, given the current state of the economy and the outlook, I don't think anyone is going to be shelling out big bucks for housing- no matter how irresistible the location and amenities might be.

Times Log

Wednesday: I found the article about the CIA's approval of the interrogation technique waterboarding very disturbing. I found it absolutely shocking that of all the people that were involved in this decision, none thought to research the origins of the brutal torture. For example, neither the aids to President Bush nor the leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees and not even the top two CIA agents pushing for the program did a background check on what they were approving. Had they done so, these individuals would have found that this technique was prosecuted by the United States in war crimes trials after WWII and was used by "despotic governments since the Spanish Inquisition." Naturally, when the heat turned to the government, the Bush administration relied on finger pointing as a means to an end.

Times Log

Tuesday: I was shocked to read the article about a sophomore at Boston University's med school killing a woman and threatening another in Boston. Both these attacks occurred at hotels (the Marriott and the Westin) Copley Place. Instead of the scary and bizarre story, it was the location that really drew my attention to the story. First of all, I've been to Boston twice and on neither occasion did the city strike me as particularly dangerous, especially this populated corporate and tourist inhabited part. Also, I connected with the Westin at Copley Place on a more personal lever because this was where my parents met. I was also very dismayed to read the article about uninsured hospital patients. Given the current economic crisis, I would hate to be in jeopardy of bankruptcy as these families are due to illness and lack of insurance.

Times Log

Monday: I really enjoyed the cover story about Hungary's version of Seabiscuit. First of all, I had no idea that horse racing was even still going on, let alone an extremely popular sport in foreign countries. Also, I couldn't believe that such a Cinderella story was happening. In light of economic and political crises, Hungary has nearly hit rock bottom. Yet, the unexpected success of an underrated horse and unknown jockey has dramatically lifted people's spirits. The article alludes to the America's Great Depression when people latched all of their hope on the horse Seabiscuit. Like Seabiscuit, nobody expected anything from Overdose. Sold for a mere $3,500, the owner bought the horse on a whim simply because it was an outrageous price for a thoroughbred. Although Overdose's success is not yet as great as Seabiscuit's, he is only 4 years old and holds much potential.

Times Log

Thursday: The article about Afghan women protesting a law permitting marital rape definitely caught my attention. First of all, I was disgusted to learn that such a law even exists. However, once I got over this initial shock, I was interested to see the vast number of women protesting it. In such a dangerous country that is ruled by men, I admire their courage to stand up and demand their rights. After all, at the protest march a group of men attacked the women's bus, smashing out the tail lights and calling the women "whores." Articles like this make me appreciate the democracy and freedom that all of us take for granted everyday in the United States.

Wednesday: I found the article about 18 year old, Tiffany Clay, extremely disturbing. Clay is a senior at Newark High school in Ohio and the best violinist in the orchestra. While her band teacher claims she should be moving on to study music at a top college and should get a scholarship, the odds are stacked against her because of her financial situation. While the article briefly profiles Clay, it also takes a look at the decreasing graduation rate and employment rate in her town, along with the growing number of poverty stricken. The article made a very valid point about how people used to be able to get decent jobs enabling them to "pay the mortgage, get a new car, and take holiday trips- all without a high school diploma" (Barry 1)". However, those jobs are now gone, leaving handfuls of high school drop-outs jobless.

Looking at Clay's situation and the employment crisis in her town makes me very thankful for the education I'm able to recieve and the opportunities that are available to me both now and in the future.

Times Log

Tuesday: I found the article about Disney's "kid whisperer," Ms. Pena, very interesting. It explained that in recent years, the market for boys ages 6-14 has massively declined. In an effort to reassert its claim over youthful boys, the fieldwork of Pena and her team of researchers has produced successful results with their television channel, Disney XD. While this success is notable, Disney hopes to create a television show that rivals the success of the Hannah Montana and High School Musical phenomenons and gear it toward boys. Since boys from the ages of 6-14 make up $50 billion in spending worldwide, if Disney manages to capitalize on such a project, their competition, companies such as Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network will in turn have to raise the bar.

Times Log

Monday: I really enjoyed the article about toilet numbers of men vs. women. "Potty parity" as it is referred to has long been a problem that affects women more than men. This inconvenience is measured by the time an individual spends waiting for the restroom, not the number of toilets available. Since studies have shown that women spend at least twice as much time in the bathroom than men, new architectural projects, such as the new Yankees Stadium, are being built with more available toilets to reduce the potty parity that affects women. I was also interested in the article about multiracial students voicing their struggles through acting. In my ENG 746 class, I just read a story by a man that believes the dramas by minorities will be the plays that save Broadway because they offer perspectives that Broadways hasn't been known to display in the past.

Times Log

Tuesday: I found the article about abandoned horses and slaughter houses extremely interesting. While I knew that the current state of the economy affected everyone in the United States, I was somewhat surprised to learn that ranchers and farmers were abandoning their horses. Given the increase in abandoned horses, the debate to reopen slaughterhouses fired back up. Since the last slaughterhouse was closed just last year, this issue remains relatively controversial. I wonder what the alternative to slaughterhouses would be for these mistreated horses. For instance, aren't there farms or ranches in need of more horses? Coming from Colorado where ranching still exists, I wonder how local ranchers are dealing with this issue and their takes on the debate of slaughterhouses.

Times Log

Monday: The moment I saw the article about the Columbine shooting in the Arts section of the Times I flipped right to it. The article, written by Janet Maslin, was actually a review of Dave Cullen's recent book entitled Columbine on the tragic school shooting that occurred ten years ago on April 20. While Cullen, who considers himself the foremost authority on the two killers, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, has written other books documenting their massacre, his new release more closely dissects the minds of the troubled boys and examines what we as a society can learn about such devastating events. While still in high school, I did a project on Columbine and became extremely interested in the topic. I fully intend to read Cullen's book so I can draw my own conclusions from it.

Biddeford Airport's Fate yet to be Decided

The long standing debate between the Bidderford City Airport in Biddeford, Maine and the community might finally come to a head as a referendum to close the airport will appear on the ballot for June 4.

While the airport authorities and pilots argue that the airport serves as a convenient location for individuals to fly in and out of, the community argues that money has become the main issue.

"The money is the biggest thing," says Roland Pelletier, a citizen that has lived next to the airport for 25 years. "Times are tough in economy. We can't afford to support operations that don't support themselves."

Indeed, closing the small airport would result in around a 3 million dollar kickback.

Yet, the airport does manage to take in about 56,000 dollars annually on such things as gas sales, property taxes, and land grants and serves as a convenient plane base for business people and corporations to fly in and out of.

Phyllis Landry, a private pilot who keeps her single engine Cessna Sky Pilot 180 at the airport insists that its service remains beneficial.

"Maybe it's expensive to run the airport. But it's a great resource. I love this airport. If I couldn't fly out of here I'd have to go to Sanford or Portland."

While a brief blog featuring citizen responses has drawn further debate on the issue, the community will have to wait until June to hear the final verdict.

"The City Council hasn't come down on one side of the issue or the other," said John Bubier, the Biddeford city manager. "I think they'd prefer to have the voters settle this one."

New lead for Laconia Prison closing

Although the potential closing of the Lakes Region Prison in Laconia, NH will lead to a 1.7 million dollar decrease in the Department of Correction's budget, various layoffs and the unknown fates of several inmates remain unsolved problems.

Times Log

Thursday: I found the article about the detering use of voicemail very interesting. While my friends and I stopped leaving voice mails for each other a long time ago, it was interesting to learn that business workers and professional adults are veering away on the same path. As the article talks about, better ways of keeping in touch have simply replaced leaving a voicemail. For example, a voicemail requites a call back, which could haphazardly lead to a lengthy conversation that most individuals might not have time for. It is much easier, not to mention faster, to reply back to someone via text message, email, or even Facebook message. While my mom has already converted to texting, I pray she never gets a Facebook account.

Times Log

Wednesday: I was particularly interested in the article concerning the closing of Guantanamo Bay prison facility. In order to close the facility, other countries must accept some 241 prisoners from the jail. These plans have recently been postponed due to the controversial issue of figuring out if some of the detainees are in fact innocent. After all, many of those unfortunate souls that find themselves in Guantanamo are only there under suspicion with no proof to help their case whatsoever. While I understand that several individuals can pose as threats to society, I simply can't believe that the government can take a man off the streets and throw him in a prison on the grounds that they "think" he "might" have done something wrong or was "planning" on doing so. The whole process just bewilders me.

Battle Mountain volleyball coach moves on to fry bigger fish

As Brian Doyon, the head coach of the Battle Mountain High School varsity women’s volleyball team takes his leave for the big league of collegiate volleyball, his impact on the program and the players will be remembered.

When Doyon first arrived at Battle Mountain the volleyball program didn’t have much to show for itself other than a slew of unsuccessful seasons resulting in standings at the bottom of the league. The team went winingless for the first two years in the league.

In six years, Doyon completely transformed the program, eventually capturing the state championship. During the 2006 season, the team boasted an amazing 30-1 record, leading to a complete sweep of the state competition. The Huskies didn’t lose a single game on their quest for Battle Mountain volleyball’s first and only state title.

While he agrees that this was one of his most impressive accomplishments, Doyon remains modest and thoughtful.

“I won’t remember the stats, but I’ll remember the kids and how hard they worked. It’s great to see [them] succeed, but it’s more important to see what [they’ve] become. The lasting memory is the kids.” He said.

Indeed, throughout his six seasons, Doyon has influenced countless players’ lives both on and off the court.

“Brian taught me to be responsible which led me to learn how to be a leader and captain for my team,” said former player and All-American Brittany Brown. Brown now plays for the Northeastern Huskies.

Looking back at his last six years, Doyon said there wasn’t anything he would have done differently.

“I wish we had won states every year,” he joked. “But I really don’t have any regrets for the program or the kids that came out of there.”

While he was offered a collegiate coaching position at the end of his 2007 season, Doyon turned it down and returned to the Huskies. Once again, Doyon found himself in the Denver Coliseum for states as his team took fifth.

Yet it wasn’t until after his 2008 season that Doyon received the offer he was waiting for. When Beth Launiere, the head coach of women’s volleyball at the University of Utah, called Doyon he was all but surprised.

I’ve known Beth for a while and she had mentioned last year that there might be a potential opening, said Doyon of his new opportunity. Doyon will serve Launiere as her right hand man and second assistant.
Rich Houghton, Director of Athletics at Battle Mountain, agrees that it Doyon is making the right decision.

“We wish him the best. It’s a good professional move, stepping into a college program,” said Houghton.

Doyon was especially excited to join such a successful program. Utah went 16-6 last year and finished their season in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA championships.

Doyon certainly isn’t looking back as he plans to continue climbing the ladder of success. He eventually wants to become a head college coach himself.
When asked if he had a dream school he’d like to work at, Doyon insisted that it wasn’t so much the school as much as the program. He aspires to work in a program that is supported by the school and students as well as the community.

As he is moves on to bigger and better things, the news of Battle Mountain’s gym no longer being Brian Doyon’s domain was bittersweet for his current players.

“I was shocked but I was proud of him for chasing his dreams and moving on,” said junior Hannah Ellison. Doyon had been Ellison’s coach since her freshman year.

“We’re all going to miss him. It’s going to be really strange not having him around.” She said.

Times Log

Tuesday: I really enjoyed the article about wealthier students being looked at more favorably by colleges. While colleges claim that admitting more students that can pay the full price, they can also admit more that need scholarships. However, "the inevitable result is that needier students will be shifted down to less expensive and less prestigious institutions." Given the current economic crisis, I wasn't surprised to see this article. It will be interesting to see how the statistics of admissions vary next year. For instance, although colleges will probably accept more students that can pay the full rate, how many students could this possibly be? I mean, more and more people are affected by the economy everyday so less and less families are going to be in that group of "wealthier students" that can pay a full college tuition. My guess is that next year each state will see a dramatically higher rate of in-state admissions versus out of state due to the faltering economy.

Times Log

Monday: Today's excercise in class made me realize that a fair amount of stories in the Times can be made local to relate to Durham and UNH. For instance, the article on guns potentially being allowed on campus, what GM dealers are doing considering the current state of the economy, the drug cartels in mexico- what drugs are most prevalent around UNH?, and of course any sports stories could be done.

Profile

After six years, three consecutive appearances at the state championship, and bringing home the state championship title, Brian Doyon is taking his leave from Battle Mountain High School in Vail, CO.

When Doyon first arrived at Battle Mountain, the volleyball program was little more than a faint blimp on the state's radar. For their first two seasons in the league, they had gone winingless.

But Doyon was about to change all that. He quickly whipped the program into shape, each season seeing more and more success and attracting more and more attention.

However, everyone was shell shocked when the Battle Mountain Huskies made it to the state championships in 2005. Everyone, except Doyon. People were even more blown away when the team snatched the third place title.

But the best was yet to come, the following year, the determined Huskies went undefeated, losing their only match all season to 5A Doherty. This loss only fired the team up further as they went on to completely sweep states, not dropping a single game despite their underrated ranking of fifth. This season was later dubed the "dream season" by a reporter for the local newspaper.

Indeed, after capturing Battle Mountain volleyball's first and only state title and recieving a college coaching job offer, Doyon returned to Battle Mountain. Although he didn't experience the same amount of success, his team did manage to make it back the the Denver Coliseum for the third time, claiming fifth place.

Alas, the time has come for Doyon to climb the next rung on the ladder of success. When the University of Utah offered him an assistant coaching position, Doyon simply couldn't resist.

"It just felt right- it's a good fit," Doyon says of his new opportunity.

While Doyon isn't looking back, he will surely be missed by the entire Battle Mountain community.

"We're all going to miss him, but we wish him the best," said Rich Houghton, Director of Athletics at Battle Mountain.

Undecided About Future of Journalism by Alexa Corcoran

Although some believe newspapers aren't going anywhere anytime soon, I'm not 100% sold. I'm also more interested in broadcast journalism vs print. Therefore, my commitment to journalism is going to be geared more towards the broadcast aspect. I definitely see myself working in this industry, but at this point I have no idea if it will be as a writer/ reporter, an editor, or an anchor. There's so many options I honestly have no idea how I'm going to narrow them down. Still, I plan to learn as much as I can about the industry and hopefully find a place in it that I can thrive in.

Times Log

Thursday: Not a lot grabbed my attention in today's Times. One article I did find interesting was the one about Fargo racing to build up sandbags as a river threatens to flood over the town. A couple of my friends found themselves in a similar situation last year in the town Newmarket, just down the street. While they spent about a week preparing the town for the ever rising river to flood, no real damage was done. While the flood hasn't come yet in Fargo, weather reporters issued a discouraging report that the river would continue rising to its highest point in history.

Times Log

Wednesday: I love how the word "crisis" appears in not one, but TWO headlines on the cover of today's Times. That definitely gives me a positive outlook on the nation. I liked the article about teacher's switching from As and Bs to 4s and 3s. While I've been graded on a number scale for certain projects throughout my educational career, letters have always shown up on my official report cards and transcripts, with the exception of my GPA. While this new number scale allows the teachers to evaluate a variety of skills, I agree with parents that say it's confusing and unnecessary. Seeing as how letter grades have sufficed just fine up until now, I really don't see any point in switching to a more complicated number system.

Times Log

Tuesday: I enjoyed two specific controversial articles in the Times today. The first regarding the strip searching of a 13 year old in middle school. Although the search occurred five years ago, the case is just now reaching the Supreme Court. The girl was an Honors student and the suspected prescription pills that she was supposedly carrying were nowhere to be found. Now, the Supreme Court must review exactly how far a school should be able to go to enforce a drug policy. The second article features Courtney Paris, an all-American center for the University of Oklahoma vowing that if Oklahoma doesn't win the national championship, she will pay back her scholarship. While some might view such a statement as cocky or arrogant, Paris simply meant it to be a reflection of the confidence she has in her teammates and the pride she has for herself. She claimed the university had given her so much that nothing less than a national title would make her feel likes she truly earned her scholarship.

Times Log

Monday: It was interesting coming back and reading the Times after not having done so for a week. Partly because some of the same stories were in the news. For instance the Mexican drug cartels and the effects of the stimulus. Also, it was neat to see all of the different stories that have developed such as the tragic and coincidental plane crash in a cemetery in Montana, the deaths of three police officers during a routine traffic stop, Obama's exit strategy from Afghanistan, and the story on Jane Goody. There was definitely a lot to keep me busy today.

Times Log

Tuesday: The Times today was ok; limited in articles that piqued my interest. The story on the slaying of the president and the general of West Africa particularly intrigued me. Normally stories about the killings of political and military figures are met with anguish and sorrow, yet this particular story offers hope. While the two men were enemies, they both had negative influences upon those surrounding them. After all, those that were interviewed were anything but depressed to see them removed from authority. This article made me question all of the corrupt governments and militaries around the world that I'm not even aware of. Definitely an intriguing and eye-opening concept to think about.

Times Log

Monday: I was horrified to read the article about secret Chinese jails. These "black houses" as they're called, are a means to scare and silence petitioners. What's more about these terrible establishments, is that they're set up and supported by the government. For instance, the government makes sure they're hidden and funds them. I was also interested to learn about the civil unrest in Northern Ireland after members of the Irish Republican Army gunned down a group of British soldiers. Usually it's military conflicts in the Middle East that we read about every day. It was enlightening and definitely disheartening to learn that problems are occurring in other places around the world, particularly Europe, as well.

Five percent increase to dining fee will hail lots of improvements

By Alexa Corcoran

The students of UNH can breathe easy knowing that the Wildcatessen will remain open until four in the morning on the weekends next year. This is just one of the positive results of the new Dining Fee increase.

In their weekly meeting two weeks ago, Student Senate ruled that a five percent increase in next year’s Dining Fee is crucial to keep the dining halls running efficiently in addition to making the necessary improvements for the following year. Some of the factors responsible for this increase include fuel and energy costs, salary increases, loan payments, property investments, equipment replacements, a significant credit increase, and essential repairs.

“We want to make sure the students love dining and we also want to stay competitive in the market,” said John Plodzik, director of dining at UNH.

While this increase does raise the prices for meal plans, it offers some benefits as well. For example, the price for block plans consisting of 50-75 visits to the dining halls significantly decreased. This is good news for commuters and faculty members that pay for a certain number of entrances to the dining halls. Also, all Gold Plan holders will receive an additional twenty five dining dollars. Furthermore, the five percent increase allows for longer hours of operation for retail locations such as Wildcatessen, Zeke’s Café, and the Dairy Bar.

“For students to reap the benefits of the things they appreciate, like the long hours of operation and things like the Mug Club, this increase is important,” said Harmony Abrams, Student Senate’s dining liaison.

As for the dining halls themselves, this increase means lots of improvements. For example, Stillings will be getting new glasses, countertops, sneeze guards, and a tray collector among several other additions. Holloway Commons is redoing the kitchen flooring, lighting, re-carpeting both the upstairs and downstairs eating areas, as well as rearranging the entire downstairs seating area. Booths will be incorporated into this seating arrangement, making it easier to move around in and not to mention making the dining hall more aesthetically pleasing.

However, the dining halls aren’t the only places getting makeovers. $170,000 is being spent to undergo repairs for the Dairy Bar, while $ 920,000 will be removed from the dining department’s reserves to fund all of the improvements that will be seen next year.

Plodzic is especially excited about this increase because it creates some slack in the dining department’s extremely tight budget. Although this year’s budget was the most challenging he has ever worked with, Plodzic managed the money well. According to Nick Wolfe, the speaker for Student Senate, the dining department does a good job of stretching their money.

“They get a lot for a little,” said Wolfe.

Indeed, the dining department made the decision to stick with the universities guidelines by only allotting for a five percent increase. Given all of the repairs and replacements needed around campus, the department could have easily requested more, said Abrams.

“I’m really not surprised the fee went up. School gets more and more expensive each year. But I mean, if these changes really need to happen and I’ll benefit from them then I guess I’ll pay the extra five percent,” said Dan Cox, a junior at UNH.

While many students will most likely not be thrilled about removing more money from their pockets, some understand that these improvements are for their interests.

“If Wildcatessen wasn’t open so late on the weekends I don’t know what I’d do,” said Jordan Pennels, a freshman at UNH. “Going there at two in the morning is like a weekend ritual.”

While all students probably won’t be as understanding as Pennels and Cox, most will hopefully realize that these improvements will save years of work in the upcoming years, benefiting future generations of students at UNH and avoiding costly future repairs.

Idea of Saturday School stirs up opinions

The threat of Saturday School for kids that break the rules was discussed by the Portsmouth School Board last night. Tim Steele, a member of the board, presented this controversial idea.
Saturday School would require students that break the rules during the week to attend a mandatory session from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Although this new program would result in a $3,000 allocation for staffing, Steele argued that Saturday School would benefit faculty members. Not only would it alleviate disciplinary measures during the school week, but it would hopefully decrease the need for such measures as well.

“I know this isn’t good news for parents, but I hope the threat of Saturday classes will make the students think twice before breaking the school rules,” said Steele.

In addition to affecting the school faculty, if approved, Saturday classes will greatly affect parents and students as well. Peggy Bacon, one parent at the meeting, disagreed with the proposal, arguing that it would place unnecessary time constraints on parents that already have trouble getting their kids to school as it is.

“I know my son isn’t perfect, and I know he’ll probably wind up on the Saturday list at some point, but I’m not going to force him to go. I just don’t think it’s going to make any difference,” said Bacon.

As opposed to the current detention situation, this new proposal allows the students to not miss any class time. For instance, in house suspensions are now given to students who break the rules. In house suspension places a student under the supervision of a faculty member, alleviating them from a full day of schoolwork. However, Saturday school ensures that the student would not be missing class.

Lisa Gallagher, a senior at the high school, insisted that this was a measure to make things easier for the faculty.

“What if someone skips the session? What are they going to do, make them stay all weekend?” she asked.

Steele explained that any student who skipped a Saturday session would be banned from school until the detention was made up.

After about 30 minutes of discussion, the board voted 5-3, postponing the decision until next week. Steele will then present in-school detention figures from this year. With so many sides to the issue, it will be interesting to see how the concept of Saturday school plays out.

Times Log

Friday: The Times was decent today, I mean I didn't find any of the articles overwhelmingly boring. I was shocked to read the article about Ghandi's possessions being sold. The buyer, Vijay Mallya, who owns an Indian beer company, bought the simple belongings for 1.8 million. Among these belongings were his spectacles, sandals, a bowl, a plate and a pocketwatch. As one can imagine, India's reaction to this auction was not a positive one. After all, the sale of his accessories contradicts his philosphy against materialism. Apparently some things aren't considered priceless anymore.

Times Log

Thursday: I liked today's Times. I especially found the article about Mr. Obama's graying hair quite funny. I honestly don't know if there is a real difference, but according to experts on his pictures, over his past 44 days in presidency, some gray patches have sprouted up. I thought it was just really funny, given all the economic and political stories that are out there, the New York Times decided to write on the president's hair. It was a nice break from all the horribly terrible things happening around the world. I also read a follow up article about a terrorist attack on a Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan. Six police men and two bystanders were killed while members of the team were injured. The Pakistani police have 20 individuals in custody that are said to be linked with the ambush, however 12 are still at large.

Wednesday: While many of the articles in today's Times caught my eye, I really focused on the article that explained the terrorist attack on a Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan on Tuesday. The attack was considered an embarrassment for armed forces of Pakistan since the terrorists got to the scene of bustling Lahore carrying big bags. None of the gunmen were shot or caught. It is presumed that the gunmen were from Mumbai based on the characterisics of their training and their gear. Six police officers and two bystanders were killed while six members of the cricket team were injured. In a country that already has it's hand full with Al Queda and the Taliban the last thing Pakistan needs is more attacks.

Times Log

Tuesday: I found the article about Obama's secret letter extremely interesting. In this letter, Obama vowed to halt an intercepter system if Russia helped prevent Iraq from builing nuclear warheads. Moscow had yet to respond to the letter. This article is interesting to me because it's a reminder of how clueless US citizens can be of the government. For instnce, how many other secret letters are being sent out right now? Or how many secret meetings are being held right now? Just something to think about I guess.

Times Log Week 4

Friday: I checked the Times online today because I was unable to get a paper. I was happy to see the article detailing Obama's plans to withdraw troops from Iraq by the end of next summer. While 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq, instead of participating in combat, they will be training Iraqi security forces. I was also really surprised to see the article about the Rocky Mountain News closing. Rocky Mountain News was Colorado's oldest newspaper and had tried for three months to find a buyer. Unfortunately, given the current economic situation of the nation, no buyers came forward. The 150th and last issue was published today.

Times Log Week 4

Thursday: Todays Times reminded me how much of a difference pictures can make. Two particular articles caught my eye and made me more sympathetic to the article before I had even read one word. The first was the front page story about David Cameron, a British polititian, and the tragic story of his son. Born with cerebral palsy, little Ivan only made it to his sixth birthday. Although it's a sad subject, speaking about his son remains an effective way to highlight Cameron to the public. The second article I was drawn to because of its picture was the piece about a Turkish airline crashing in Amsterdam. No color is needed to emphasize the destruction of the crash. The plane seems to be sliced in half as emergency crews dash around the site trying to help. Since the crash was so sudden, a cause has yet to be determined. Stories like this always make me feel nervous and unsure about flying.

Times Log Week 4

Wednesday: I liked the Times today because it felt very optimistic. For instance, two of the front page articles described Obama's future plans to better America. The first was proposing a pull out of troops from Iraq around 2010. Although this decision is still being discussed, there's a promising light at the end of this six year long war. The other inspiring article highlighted Obama's address to a joint session of Congress regarding dragging the nation out of its daunting economic crisis. In this address, Obama mentioned several strategies to aid in the economic deficit, two of which being finding other energy resources besides oil and capping greenhouse gas emissions.

Times Log

Tuesday: I looked throught the whole Times today and really enjoyed the article about Slumdog Millionaire. The massive success of what was refered to as a "starless film" by the Times has blazed a trail for other small film makers. Upon seeing the film myself, I was shocked that I hadn't seen it advertised before. Indeed, I saw the first commercial for it just yesterday. Considering that it won eight Oscars, Slumdog will hopefully set a trend for other such eye-opening films about other cultures. I was also interested in the article about an Iraqi museum reopening after 6 years due to looting. Last semester I took an anthropology class that focused on archeology and learned about the repercussions of looting on the archeologist, the site, the country and the museum. It was neat to see this played out in real life.

On Campus Options for Anyone Struggling with Eating

Part two of a three part film and discussion series Weight: A Cultural Obsession took place in theater 1 of the MUB at 7 pm Tuesday night.

This session’s film entitled Having Your Cake: Goodbye to Bulimia, told how four young women realized they had bulimia and how they overcame this deadly disease.

Suzanne Sonneborn, a Nutrition Educator from Health Services, greeted the small audience of no more than ten females by announcing the numerous resources UNH offers for individuals who need to talk about issues such as eating disorders. In addition to informative events like this film and discussion series, there are more private options such as support groups and counselors, both adult and peer.

“This is the fourth film series we’ve done,” explained Sonneborn, who considers it “a good way to educate people about such a controversial topic.”

The final film of this particular series will be shown on February 24 at 7 pm in the MUB theater 1. For information on other film and discussion series as well as other support groups, check out the UNH Health Services website.

After the film, Sonneborn held a brief discussion with the audience by posing about five questions. Through this discussion, the audience learned that the most common eating disorder is compulsive eating, also known as binge eating. The audience also learned that because it is easier to conceal, bulimia is more common than anorexia nervosa.

Furthermore, research has shown that students learn better from their peers than they do from an adult source, Sonneborn claimed as she introduced two peer educators, sophomore Joanne Fitzgerald and freshman Eva-Molly Dunbar.

Every Thursday from 1-2:30 pm, Fitzgerald and Dunbar co-facilitate a peer support group that meets in the Batchellor House and discusses eating disorders along with any other nutritional issues. This group is open to all UNH students that are concerned or interested in anything related to body image.

While Dunbar joined the group so she could educate others about nutritional issues, Fitzgerald was interested in meeting people with similar interests, learning new things, and getting involved around campus.

Indeed, their group is responsible for rec tables, cooking classes, programs for sororities and dorms, as well as promoting fruits and veggies with posters around campus.

When asked if they feel like they are truly making a difference, both girls immediately answered yes.

“We’ve had people come up to us and ask us about our posters and we have different people coming to the group all the time,” said Fitzgerald.

Support groups like the one Fitzgerald and Dunbar are involved in are a fantastic resource for college students, especially considering that eating disorders are way more prevalent on college campuses than at any other level of schooling. Sonneborn attributes this influx to the additional stress and peer pressure that is introduced with the new climate of college.

While Fitzgerald and Dunbar both agreed that it’s difficult to make healthy choices given the overwhelming options in the dining halls, they also agreed that the more awareness about nutrition the better.

So why then, would these two peer educators of nutrition be against the new nutrition table present in Philbrook Dining Hall?

“It would be better if they just marked the healthy options rather than displaying all the numbers,” said Fitzgerald.

“It shouldn’t be in your face,” agreed Sonneborn. “It can be a risk to those who suffer with food and eating.”

While the dining halls explain that it has become a national trend to display nutrition information, Sonneborn argues that a college campus is made up of a very different audience than the average American.

Sonneborn is meeting with the Dining subcommittee to discuss this issue and perhaps develop a compromise later this week.

In the meantime, Fitzgerald has some advice for the college student worrying about what he or she eats: “Listen to what you’re hungry for and if you’re craving it, eat it!”

Times Log Week 3

Friday: I really wasn't pleased with the Times today. While I was relieved to not see a bunch of articles reporting casualties from the wars in the Middle East, nearly none of the articles grabbed my attention. I was partly interested in the article that claimed a tamer version of the Broadway production 'Rent' was still considered too wild for some schools. Although I haven't seen the play myself, I'm familiar with the story line and believe the issues in the play should be discussed, not banned. My interest was also piqued with the article about Jane Goody, a reality star that is dying from cervical cancer and might make a reality show out of her last months or years on Earth. While I imagine many people will tune in to watch such a controversial show, I have better things to do than watch Ms. Goody die on camera.

Times Log Week 3

Thursday: I really didn't like the Times today. It seemed every article was about either politics or economics. Although I know it is important to learn about these subjects- both national and international- they bore me to death. However, an article about a Colorado home immediately caught my eye. I was really confused as to why an article about my home state would be in the New York Times. Turns out, the article was about designing homes to accommodate the needs of the elderly while remaining affordable as well as fashionable. Both houses that were featured in the article were extremely glamorous and impressive.

Times Log Week 3

Wednesday: I was very surprised to learn in today's Times that president Obama has decided to send more troops to Afganistan. This definitely presents a problem because Mr. Obama has also promised to bring home troops from Iraq. It seems that as one problem might be improving, the other is taking a turn for the worst. After denouncing the war in Afganistan for so long I wonder what made Mr. Obama change his mind to send more troops. While some can say that perhaps that situation has to get better before it gets worse, I would argue how much worse can it actually get?

Times Log Week 3

Tuesday: Now that president Obama is finally signing the much anticipated stimulus bill, we're bound to see even more articles about it in the paper. Indeed, how that money will be distributed throughout the country is now at the forefront of everyone's minds. I was especially interested in the article about the head of the Education Department will distribute the money. I wonder how this will affect the school in NH and UNH specifically. I was also extremely interested in the article about the arson suspect in Australia. Not only is this man being held for the suspicion of setting deadly fires, but he also possessed child pornography. The fires he is said to have started killed at least 10 people and ruined 200 homes. Within hours of his arrest threats on Facebook were already sprouting up in mass. However, these groups were quickly shut down by Facebook as well as the police. Interested to see how that story plays out.

Times Log Week 3

Monday: I was very interested in the technology based stories today. I found the story about librarians adapting to use the Internet to be a neat sign of the times. It's good that librarians aren't just being fired, but are embracing the Internet and incorporating it into their professions. Also, I can't believe that smartphones are being brought into the classroom by teachers. The thought of using my phone to do schoolwork is extremely strange to me. I definitely think the issue of technology, phones specifically, in school needs to be addressed because it's something that is not going away. At the same time, I'm not sure if this will cause more trouble than it's worth. Maybe we should just stick with good old fashioned computers for now.

Philly: Your Friendly Neighborhood Dining Hall

If you walked into Philbrook Dining Hall this past weekend, odds are you saw the pink, red and white decorations and savored some chocolate kisses or candy hearts, without a second thought as to all the work that went into making that happen.

Although a trivial holiday, the staff at Philly went all out to celebrate the day dedicated to lovebirds. As with any holiday, decorations were put up, special food was prepared, the music was themed, and the staff even dressed up for the event, most sporting the color red.

“We want it to be special and show the students that it’s not just like every other day,” says assistant manager of Philbrook, Beverly Nemetz.

While all three of the dining halls on campus celebrate holidays in a similar fashion, Philbrook sets itself apart by maintaining a homey atmosphere. Nemetz, who worked at the campus Dairy Bar for three years, attributes this ambiance to the varied selection of rooms at Philly. No matter how busy it gets you can always find a seat, says Nemetz. Which is more than any student can say about eating at HoCo during peak lunch hours.

However, the variety at Philbrook doesn’t stop at the rooms. The assortment of food provides an impressive range of options as well. Not only does the menu vary from day to day, but the food gets switched out a scheduled three times a day! The menu items at Philbrook undergo a weekly rotation to mix it up and keep things interesting for the students. One thing most students might not know about their friendly neighborhood dining hall is that all the food is cooked daily.

The cooks do what is called “batch cooking,” which is basically the process of making food at intervals so none of it gets cold. For example, based on the flow of students coming through the door, the chefs adjust by preparing more or less food. That way the food remains fresh for longer.

Philly is also known for the hilarious napkin notes located on the right before exiting the dining hall. According to Nemetz, all the napkin notes that are received get answered, whether they are pleasant or not. While a fair share of the napkin notes are negative, Nemetz was happy to report that most of them are complimentary and appreciative.

With all of the meal changes, dish washing, container refilling, and cleaning that must be done, Philly has to have a stocked staff. In addition to the forty odd regular or “adult” employees that work at the dining hall, about one hundred and twenty students make up a hefty work force.

At any given time there are about twenty two people on the floor, working where students can see them and another thirty doing backstage work such as dishes, cleaning, or prepping.

A new addition to Philbrook is the nutrition table. Complete with a computer, this table offers brochures and packets with nutritional information about every item available at Philbrook. For those worried about allergies, calories and carbs, or those who are simply curious about the nutritional value of a specific dish, this table is stocked with plenty of data to sift through. The nutrition table is located right in front of the turntables of Philbrook’s entrance.

If those aren’t enough reasons to pay a visit to Philly, the dining hall has recently integrated new ideas to satisfy the students of UNH. Beginning this week, Philly is offering make-your-own crepes from 4:30-7 every Monday and Wednesday nights. Also, fresh fruit smoothies will be available at the same time on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Nemetz, along with the rest of the Philbrook staff, are constantly looking for ways to better the service at Philbrook and appreciate any feedback they can get from students. When asked what the student population could do to make their jobs easier, Nemetz said to just be patient.

So, next time you’re in Philbrook take the time to listen to the music, appreciate the plasma TVs and thank the staff members you see. It takes a lot of work to keep 11,000 plus stomachs full and Philly is up to the challenge.

Times Log Week 2

Friday: I really liked the Times today. I found a bunch of articles I was interested in. For instance, there was a follow up article regarding the horrifying accident in which Guido Carabajo's body was dragged 20 miles under a car after he'd been walking home from celebrating his 26th birthday. Also, the story about the plane that crashed into a house, killing 49 people in Buffalo was outrageous. An article about the potential cure for the common cold was caught my attention as well. Although the research is promising, the cost of developing a new drug amounts to a startling $700 million, keeping such a cure off the shelves for a while.

Times Log Week 2

Thursday: Recently there has been a ton of buzz surrounding the unbelievable story about the octuplets that were born. This peculiar case was briefly brought up in my Making Babies class so I was interested to read about it in the Times today. This article; however, wasn't solely about Nadya Suleman's octuplets, rather the negative effects such multiple births have on the medical industry and economy. For example, multiple births can result in low birth weights, long term disabilities, and thousands of dollars worth of medical care. I also found the story about a driver who towed a body under his car for 20 miles without noticing. The story was absolutely unbelievable.

Times Log Week 2

Wednesday: Nothing really grabbed my interest in the Times today. I can't believe the whole peanut ordeal is still going on. For example, there was an article explaining that a peanut plant in Texas was closed. Makes me question the sanitariness of the peanut products being sold around campus and in the dining halls. While peanut butter was absent from the dining halls for a brief period, it returned rather quickly. Which leaves me wondering: do I dare eat the peanut butter?

Times Log Week 2

Tuesday: I was pretty disapointed with the Times today. The front page stories were the same generic headlines as usual. A story on Obama and his plan for US economics, a story on the Taliban, a story on the Iraqi elections and so on and so forth. However, once I got past the front page, I found some stories that interested me. For example, I was shocked to learn that one of Australia's deadly fires was set by an arsonist! Also, I was horrified to learn about the suicide bombing that killed 28 people in Sri Lanka along with the suicide bombing in Iraq that killed four Americans. Although it's somewhat sad that I have to pick up a paper to learn these things, I'm glad I don't witness them and that they don't necessarily effect me personally, as selfish as that is to admit.

Times Log

Monday: I really liked the Times today. Several articles grabbed my attention due to catchy headlines and intriguing photos. For instance, the picture of the fire devastation in Australia drew me into the article. Also, the headlines "Effort to Track Sex Offenders Draws Resistance From States," "Amazon Plane Crash Kills 24; 4 Swim to Safety From Wreck," and "Iraqis Say U.S. Patrol Killed Girl, 8, in Crowd" all commanded my attention. Finally, the "Send R.O.T.C. Back to School" article particularly piqued my interest because my roommate used to do R.O.T.C.

Quick thinking saves the day (not to mention a life)

Janet Paradiso barely had time to think before she rammed her police cruiser into Francois Truffaut’s 1987 Cadillac, forcing it off the train tracks thirty seconds before a train streaked by Monday morning. Truffaut was found unconscious in his car, with the engine still running on the tracks by 17-year-old James Leboke.
After pounding on the window of the locked car with no response, Leboke ran the 100 yards to the nearest police station. Thankfully, Paradiso, the chief of police of Old Orchard Beach, ME was merely a mile away from the scene and got there just in time to hear the train’s whistle.

“I knew there was no time. I had to do something.” said Paradiso.
Other than some amnesia, Truffaut suffered minor injuries from his narrow escape from death. “I don’t remember anything,” claimed the 80-year-old diabetic from his hospital bed at Southern Maine Medical Center.

Truffaunt had been vacationing to Old Orchard Beach since he was a child. According to the police report, Truffaut might have gone into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.

Leboke had just been walking the four miles to his work when he saw what looked like a stranded vehicle on the tracks and acted instinctively.

“I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that man get crushed by a train.” He later explained to police.

Thanks to Captain Paradiso and Leboke’s quick thinking, Truffaut has the luxury of being able to vacation to Old Orchard Beach, ME again in the future.

Dirty Talk at UNH

If the UNH students that attended the debate on pornography between feminist author Susan Cole and feminist porn star Nina Hartley showed up expecting a catfight, they certainly didn’t get what they wanted. Upon taking the stage, Cole set things straight by swearing that all she wanted was an honest, civil conversation. Indeed, this is definitely what transpired Wednesday night in the Granite State Room of the MUB.

Although the two women disagreed on a couple of issues, it was surprising how much they had in common.

“We are both wearing Tiffany’s jewelry,” Cole discovered as they took the stage together in front of a packed audience. Students started lining up for the much anticipated debate an hour before the doors opened and many kids had to be turned away.

Apart from the jewelry, both women had similar goals in mind for women. Both being feminists, they commented on the significant progress the feminist movement has made since it began in the 1970s. After all, society has come a long way since the days when the use of birth control was considered a crime. Furthermore, both women want to see sexuality more greatly portrayed in society. For instance, both Cole and Hartley would like gay sexuality more widely seen and presented to the public.

Cole started off the evening’s festivities by posing an array of questions for Hartley and explaining her concerns with the pornography industry. She was particularly insistent about the use of pain and violence in porn. Even though she admits that not all porn demonstrates forcefulness and dominance, she would like to see the violence component completely removed from the industry.

“An orgasm shouldn’t come at the expense of bruises,” Cole said.

Cole would also like to see equality eroticized, as well as older people and condom use.

The main question Cole posed to Hartley questioned Hartley’s typicality in the pornography industry. To this, Hartley confirmed that she is not typical to the industry, because she has a college education, is bisexual, and is older than the average porn star, among other reasons.

Hartley went on to address Cole’s other questions and make points of her own. In response to Cole’s complaint regarding the lack of condom use in porn, Hartley explained that overuse of condoms causes abrasions in the vagina, making the woman more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases.

Hartley also commented on the new developments in the pornography industry. For instance, a health clinic is provided for the participants, which tests them for HIV and other STDs weekly. In addition to medical aid, peer counseling and referrals to self help clinics are now offered for anyone in need of such.

While Hartley repeatedly claimed to be kinky and very much into dirty, hot sex, she did offer one very serious statement to her college audience: “Don’t have sex when you’re drunk.”

Hartley insisted that sex is already complicated enough without adding a factor that fogs one’s rationality and decision making abilities.

The debate between Cole and Hartley offered eye opening perspectives, outspoken opinions, civil argumentation, valuable advice and, at times, some witty humor. While the mediators of the debate, two hall directors from various dorms at UNH, warned the audience that some promiscuous topics were going to be touched upon, the entire audience was shocked as Cole and Hartley didn’t hesitate to discuss masturbation, sexual positions, and bisexuality.

While the debate itself remained calm and professional, things definitely heated up once the reigns were handed to the audience. Several members of the audience asked a variety of rude, surprising, and downright absurd questions. Still, the debaters didn’t seem shaken by these questions and offered thoughtful answers as best they could.

One of the more outrageous questions was directed at Cole from a male student. He wondered that since she claimed to be ok with masturbation, yet against porn, would she be against him if he masturbated to porn.

After wondering aloud if this young man had even been listening for the past hour, Cole summed up her thoughts by saying she still remains curious how a sexual visual aid or even just a random thought can cause a man to have an erection.

“If an erection is speech I wanna know what it’s saying,” Cole concluded.

Friday: Today's Times really didn't do much for me. While flipping through, most of the articles I saw were the usual critiques of President Obama's plans for the future, the worsening economy and other political topics I'm not particularly interested in. Of course, the ongoing saga of Michael Phelp's drug photo continues to deliver a buzz. I really feel bad for the guy, one wrong move and BAM- suspended for 3 months. I guess that's the price he pays for being a glorified Olympian.

Thursday: The first thing I noticed about the Times today was the picture of comedian and actor Will Ferrell. I immediately read the article describing Ferrell's premiere on Broadway impersonating George W. Bush in "You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush." I had no idea that Ferrell had made the jump from screen to stage so now I'm very interested to see how this play is received by the public. So far, it's been extremely popular, selling out even the preview showings. I also noticed a follow up article about the death of Nazi doctor, Aribert Heim. This article simply presented more information that the man known as Dr. Death during the Holocaust died in Egypt in 1992.

Wednesday: I really enjoyed two specific articles in today's Times and ironically enough they are both somewhat related. The first was about the search for the most wanted Nazi doctor of the Holocaust. Details about his whereabouts weren't discovered until after his death in Egypt, where he'd been living for a while under a false name. The second article I liked explained that the Vatican was forcing a Bishop to take back the statements he had made about denying the Holocaust. Indeed, this Bishop denied the existence of gas chambers! The Vatican threatened to fire him if he didn't take back what he'd said, yet there was no response from the Bishop.

Tuesday: The Times really didn't catch my attention at all today. Most of the stories were about politicians and other wordly figures I've never heard of. However, I found the article about Obama showing favoritism to ex journalists quite interesting. I had no idea that a signifigant number of journalists from prominent organizations had recently gained government jobs.

Monday: A couple of stories caught my eye in the Times today. Perhaps this is because all of them involved disater in some way. For instance, there was a story on drug caravans crossing the border from Mexico into the US, a story on a fire killing five people in China, and a horrifying story on a gasoline explosion in Africa. The gasoline story was especially gruesome due to the heartwrenching picture of a kid suffering from severe burns as a result of the burning gasoline. The picture just draws you in, forcing you to read the piece.

Angela Davis on just how far we haven't come

The variety of faces peering up at Angela Davis as she takes the stage Thursday morning in the Strafford Room of the Memorial Union Building attests to how far society has come since she became a political and social activist in the 1970s. Members of the packed audience range in gender, age, ethnicity, and, most notably, race. After a twenty-one year stint, Davis returns to the University of New Hampshire to deliver the annual MLK Commemorative Address. Entitled Education or Incarceration: The Future of Democracy, her speech focuses on the abolition of the prison system in the United States and touches on other contemporary racial issues. The main topic of today is pinpointing exactly how far the nation has come with the ever present controversy of race.

In response to this question, Davis answers in a way a politician might by rewording the question to fit her answer.

“I would rephrase the question to: how far have we come to make a society where social justice prevails … We’ve come a long way and haven’t come far at all.”

This contradictory response set the tone for the remainder of the conversation. While Davis acknowledges the changes that have transpired over the past couple of decades, she is quick to remind us that there is still much to be done.

Growing up in Alabama during the 60s, Davis is no stranger to racism. She recalls returning to her childhood city as an adult and being surprised by all of the places she’d never seen before due to the segregation of the past. While separate water fountains, restaurants, and schools have long since disappeared, Davis now awaits economic equality.

Prison abolishment remains her primary campaign. Not only has Davis done time behind bars herself, but she also appeared on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List in 1970, making her somewhat of an authority on the subject. Davis argues that “to put people in prison means we are willing to accept the horrors of the world.” In other words, rather than figuring out what drives people to do such horrible things, it’s easier to toss them in jail. Davis explained that there are more people behind bars in the United States than ever, a statistic that doesn’t reflect highly upon the nation that prides itself on its institution of democracy.

Yet, how should the United States deal with crime if prisons are abolished? How are criminals to be punished? To this, Davis simply asks the audience to consider how many people that have committed crimes are behind bars versus those who are not.

“Who are the ones that end up going to prison?” she questions. “The ones who are most subject to surveillance.”

Although Davis doesn’t supply a completed game plan with strategies to abolish prisons, she does offer ways to lessen the need for them. The most noteworthy of which being education. Davis believes that if the government puts more funds towards education and less to the prison industry, there will be a fewer criminals. After all, according to Davis, most criminals become educated while doing time. Had these individuals possessed such knowledge earlier in their lives, they wouldn’t find themselves caught in the black hole of the United States legal system now.
After observing the changes that have encompassed the nation during her lifetime, including the recent election of the first African American president, Barrack Hussein Obama, Davis believes anything can be accomplished with organizational movement.

“This is the perfect time for organizational movement,” she proclaims. “Think of yourself as an activist wherever you are.”

Davis went on to declare that she is most inspired by the work that young people do. As the times continue changing, she believes elders have just as much to learn from youths as youths do from elders. Although she is always hesitant to give advice, Davis left the audience with two key statements. As she tells her students at the University of California Santa Cruz, “always question that which has never been interrogated.” Finally, Davis states that young people need “not be afraid to speak out, to be bold, creative, and imaginative, and take risks.” Indeed, there’s no telling how far the nation will be in a few short years if the younger generations of America heed this valuable advice.

Careless driving puts two young girls in hospital

Seventeen year old Jamie Peterson was able to crawl out of his car on his own after he swerved and flipped off Mile High Rd in Belmont Massachusetts late Monday night.
The other passengers, two young females whose names have not yet been released, had to be pulled from the wreckage using the jaws of life. The girls were transported to Memorial Hospital in Belmont. One was in stable condition, while the other was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston.
Tom Carroll Jr. was the first on the scene. The seventeen year old had been driving behind Perterson’s white Mustang when he saw it speed ahead around a bend. Upon turning the corner, he saw the car on its roof.
“I thought the worst.” He said. “They were flying. It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this.”
Josie M. Crandall, a resident of Mile High Rd, reported seeing the accident outside her window around 9 pm and immediately notified the police.
“I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road. It’s a dirt road, and it’s really easy to lose control,” said Crandall.
This road was the site of a fatal car accident nearly a decade ago in which two people were killed. Although some might attribute these accidents to the lack of streetlights on the dirt road, such doesn’t appear to be the case for young Peterson.
Upon reaching the upturned car, Carroll told police that he saw at least three empty Budweiser cans on the ground.
“You realize when you see it what could happen, especially on this road.” He said.