Friday, January 30, 2009

Top News #1

The news story that caught my eye this week is from CNN.com; Seen here.

I chose this one because this tragedy helps illustrate the state of the economy. Everyday you hear about how things are getting worse for America; stocks tumble, unemployment rises, and people are losing money left and right. Everywhere people are wondering what to do and where to turn. The job market is so flooded right now that it is difficult to even get an interview with all of the applicants out there.

So, this man, after losing his job and faced with the uncertain future decided it was "better to end our lives."

Lupoe wrote in the fax, "after a horrendous ordeal my wife felt it better to end our lives and why leave our children in someone else's hands ... we have no job and 5 children under 8 years with no place to go. So here we are."

The bleak outlook that Lupoe was faced with was reason enough to end the lives of his children, the life of his wife and the life of himself. I believe that many Americans will be faced with similar outlooks in the days to come. Nobody knows how long this will last, but we do know that there is no solution on the horizon. I believe, though, that most of America is stronger than this and will be able to persevere. I too find myself a victim of the sluggish economy. I know that it would be a greater challenge with a wife and kids to support. But I could never imagine it coming to this. Unfortunately, this has been the solution that people have to come to for years. Even after the stock market crash of 1929. I can't imaging getting to the point that you would think that this is the right decision; and to not only end your life but also the life of your kids. How would you get to that point?! How could this be better?! I don't understand it, but this is the reality that we are living in today.

This is a tragic moment in our current history and I can only hope that people faced with similar situations will be able to find other options.

Lead #2 Plane Crash - (revised)

In what officials are describing as the worst air related disaster in the United States in the past three years, a US Air passenger jet killed all 131 passengers when it crashed in an empty field outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania yesterday afternoon. The crash occurred as the plane, that was traveling from Chicago O'hare, was preparing it's final decent to land at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Leads Exercise #1

Lead #1

Yesterday, in a Butte County courtroom, the judge awarded $150,000 in damages to a local couple for injuries they suffered in a March traffic accident.

Lead #2

Forecasters say that a snowstorm, that could be followed by many more, is expected to hit the Sierras today.

Lead #3

According to police reports, 3 firefighters were injured today evacuating 41 families as a fire roared through the six-story building at 204 Union Ave. They are expected to recover from the injuries and all 41 families made it out safely.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Getting Started

Hi, my name is Reed and though I am currently wait listed I hope to eventually find a seat in this class. I am taking this class because I have always been interested in writing. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit into my major guidelines, but I am going to take it anyway.

I love sports and I am going to write about them every chance that I get. I am a huge Giants fan, Sharks fan, niners fan, and Sacramento Kings fan. I look forward to this semester and all that it may bring.