According to the Society of Professional Journalism’s code of ethics “the duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.” During this election year journalists have been doing just that, reporting on the every move of the presidential candidates. When asked if it was ethically correct to pry into the personal lives of the presidential candidates’ four out of six Quinnipiac students said yes.
When the New York Times published a story back in February 2008 about Senator McCain and his alleged affair with a lobbyist some saw this as nothing more than political gossip. Junior Anthony Mauti said “What the Senator does in his personal life is his own business everyone has a right to some privacy.” Others felt that the personal lives of the candidates should be further explored. Junior Jennifer Higgins said “As a potential president we have the right to know about his personal life. His actions reflect on his integrity. Even though we should focus more on the issues at hand, his personal choices do affect the American public and should be taken into account when voting.”
As the American people we have a right to know about the actions of a future president. Their personal lives and choices reflect heavily on their character. Junior Sam Bastoni said “It is morally wrong to pry into someone’s personal life. However, when you are running for president your life becomes public knowledge and your actions affect the country as a whole. If you make poor decisions in your own personal life, who is to say you won’t make poor choices as president. Ethically, we have the right to know.”
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
W
If you’re a fan of George W. Bush, then the movie W is not for you. Writer Stanley Weiser hit the nail on the head when describing our 43rd president. Weiser accurately portrays the Commander in Chief embodying his inconsistent work ethic all the way to the infamous pretzel that almost took his life. The script is witty and satirical appealing to those who feel Bush and his administration are more like a comedic team of errors rather than our nation’s leaders.
Josh Brolin, who plays Bush in the film, has imitating our dear leader down to an art. Brolin personifies Bush’s mannerisms in way that makes it seem as if they were his own. Lines like “latte sipping lefty’s” and “any kind of government will do as long as its democracy” seem almost as if they were taken straight from the horse’s mouth.
The film is not all fun and games in fact most of the two hour and nine minute film is quite serious. While Weiser pokes fun at junior’s antics back when he is a frat boy at Yale he also opens the door to Bush’s prior problem with alcohol. Some may believe that guzzling Jack Daniels in the basement of the fraternity house causes one to develop alcoholism, rather Bush’s love for the juice derived from his constant failure in the eyes of his father.
By the end of the film Weiser has you almost feeling sorry for the man who has sullied our country’s good name for the past eight years. Triumphing over alcoholism and winning the election, twice no less, shows Mr. President in a positive light, only to shoot him back down to where he belongs when he realizes that his term in its entirety has been nothing but an utter failure.
Josh Brolin, who plays Bush in the film, has imitating our dear leader down to an art. Brolin personifies Bush’s mannerisms in way that makes it seem as if they were his own. Lines like “latte sipping lefty’s” and “any kind of government will do as long as its democracy” seem almost as if they were taken straight from the horse’s mouth.
The film is not all fun and games in fact most of the two hour and nine minute film is quite serious. While Weiser pokes fun at junior’s antics back when he is a frat boy at Yale he also opens the door to Bush’s prior problem with alcohol. Some may believe that guzzling Jack Daniels in the basement of the fraternity house causes one to develop alcoholism, rather Bush’s love for the juice derived from his constant failure in the eyes of his father.
By the end of the film Weiser has you almost feeling sorry for the man who has sullied our country’s good name for the past eight years. Triumphing over alcoholism and winning the election, twice no less, shows Mr. President in a positive light, only to shoot him back down to where he belongs when he realizes that his term in its entirety has been nothing but an utter failure.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Slacker Uprising
What does it take to get over 21 million college students to vote? The answer is clean underwear and Ramen noodles. In 2004 documenter Michael Moore campaigned around the country to 62 college campuses located in swing states, handing out these items in return for the students’ promise to vote in the election that year. Moore, with his trusty camera crew only a few steps behind, compiled his findings to create “Slacker Uprising” a documentary so mind-blowing he released it for free on the internet.
Understanding the promise of clean clothing and food is enticing for college students, it seemed as though the students may have attended Moore's rally for more than just free dinner, or the chance to put off their laundry for just one more day. Some of these slackers actually felt strongly about the message Moore was trying to portray, while others were quick to protest his presence on their campus. While students opinions on the filmmaker were split, those most opposed to Michael Moore were republican supports trying to bribe the student event coordinators with up to $100,000 to cancel Moore’s appearance . All but one college campus showed they could not be bought out by rejecting the hefty offer. With the exception of California State University- San Marcos, who cancelled the event on campus, and moved it to a bigger arena close by, as a way of “sticking it” to their administration.
Moore’s campaigning swayed 54 out of the 62 college campuses to vote against public enemy number one the Bush Administration. It did him no good seeing as they are still in power today. Maybe next time Moore should spend less time focusing on the slackers, who will attend anything for a free meal, and focus on persuading his own generation.
Understanding the promise of clean clothing and food is enticing for college students, it seemed as though the students may have attended Moore's rally for more than just free dinner, or the chance to put off their laundry for just one more day. Some of these slackers actually felt strongly about the message Moore was trying to portray, while others were quick to protest his presence on their campus. While students opinions on the filmmaker were split, those most opposed to Michael Moore were republican supports trying to bribe the student event coordinators with up to $100,000 to cancel Moore’s appearance . All but one college campus showed they could not be bought out by rejecting the hefty offer. With the exception of California State University- San Marcos, who cancelled the event on campus, and moved it to a bigger arena close by, as a way of “sticking it” to their administration.
Moore’s campaigning swayed 54 out of the 62 college campuses to vote against public enemy number one the Bush Administration. It did him no good seeing as they are still in power today. Maybe next time Moore should spend less time focusing on the slackers, who will attend anything for a free meal, and focus on persuading his own generation.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Online Journalism Review-- Blogs/Website for College Students
I chose this article because it relates to what we are doing in our own class. Before our class, very few of us had blogs, and those who did barely used them. After serveral weeks we have come to learn the importance of blogs and their place within advancing technology. It was a comfort for me to learn that it is not only our school that is behind on blogging and personal websites. After reading this article (and listening in class) I have learned the importance of blogging and the options that it opens up. Blogs/personal websites extend possibilities for careers after college, and also give students oppertunities to make money. I feel this article is very informative for students and stresses the importance of blogging to further your future.
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