News Post #1- 7th cycle

Widow Of Texas Jogger Killed by Ex College Football Player Commits Suicide

Former Texas A&M player is being convicted as the murder of David Stevens.


http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/10/27/widow-texas-jogger-killed-by-ex-college-football-player-commits-suicide/?intcmp=hpbt2

Patti Stevens, 54, was found dead in her garage, just east of downtown Dallas. Her case is still being looked into but is currently being ruled as a suicide, in regards to her depression of her husband being killed. Her husband, David Stevens was killed with a machete on October 12th, just earlier this month. The ex Texas A&M football player, Thomas Johnson was arrested as being the potential suspect of David Stevens attack. She told Dallas Morning News, just a week after her husbands death that she wasn't sleeping, eating or even thinking clearly. Depression is a real disease, that should be taken seriously and people should be given help and being looked after. At the bottom of this news story was a message by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, I think this shows the severity of depression and of suicide. And how we need to make a change to get people help and to try to prevent this from happening.

Intro to Media

1. List as many types (example: TV) of media as you can think of.  

• books, magazines,newspapers, TV,internet, phones, music, cable,network, blogs
• Wire Services- News you can buy
• Social Media
• Periodicals

Why it matters?

• Different types of media
• Issue Framing and Agenda Setting
• Young People
• Limited Audience
• Issue Framing= Donald Trump- outrageous= MEDIA
• Agenda Setting= 
• NarrowCasting- "Intentional"
• limited perspective
• like minded viewers
• Internet- Intentional

• 3. .Investigate ownership of the media in the US. Find an article or chart that will allow you to identify the corporations that actually own mainstream media outlets like ESPN, Disney, FoxNews, CNN, NBC, Etc.,  Write down what you find.

• Walt Disney Company owns ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, SOAPnet, Lifetime,277 radio stations, music and book companies, film production companies, Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, 
• http://www.cjr.org/resources/?c=disney
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_Disney

3. Find a list that identifies universities with what are considered the top programs for journalism. Pick anyone you like, and then go to the website to investigate that school’s journalism program, as if you were a prospective student.  What can you learn about the professional values, standards, and practices associated with professional journalism?  (Write it down)

• University of Missouri - Columbia

  First journalism school in the U.S.

  School of Journalism
• "At all levels of study, the Missouri School of Journalism takes a multidisciplinary approach to its curriculum. Community-based news outlets and strategic communication agencies that serve an international-to-local base of clients add real-world experience to your education. Your professors are recognized experts in their fields. A strong focus on scholarship and innovation positions you to help create the future of journalism". 
• Sophomore year after completed 60 credits
• 
  

4. Historically, the media in the United States has often been viewed as playing the role of “watchdog.” Do research to understand the watchdog role of the media so that you can answer these questions:  Who is being watched?  Who is being protected?  And from what?

• Watch dog - when problem is detected
• government descion making
• illegal activity
• immorality
• consumer protection issues
• environmental degrading
• Role
• guardian= to supply the citizens with information they must has have to "prevent the abuse of power"
• Political corruption
• Personal Scandals
• Public Office Wrong doings

5. What have you heard about “liberal bias”? (Don’t do research for this one – just write down what you have heard about this phrase.  If you have never heard this phrase before, say so, and then explain what you think it might mean.)

• Changing the truth on political topics

blog #5- october

25 Year Old Man Hung From Major Mexico City Bridge

A man was found on Monday morning hung from a major overpass in Mexico City. 

A 25 year old man was found dangling on Monday morning, from a very major Mexico City Bridge. The man was describe as if he been tortured and hung to his death. He had bullets in his head, with bandages from his ankles and neck, he was hung by his wrist. Just yards away, was a warning sign, the warning or threat they found is disclosed. In the beginning people thought this was a halloween joke, very mistaken this was a threat and a warning. This is thought to be something having to do with gangs or cartels trying to threaten or get messages across. This is interesting to me, the crime and danger in Mexico, in the United States we are exposed to crime and danger as well, but this seems to be on a whole other level. It is even crazier that in 2013, nine bodies were found hanging, this shows how unsafe it must be and how gangs and drug cartels play such a major role on the crime.

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/10/19/corpse-man-appears-hanging-from-mexico-city-bridge/?intcmp=hplnws

blog #4 october

Body Found in the Jones Valley Area




Friday evening, a dead body was identified as 27 year old Tanya Lynn Amerson. Her body was found behind the Carl T Jones shopping center. There is not much lead or information to her case but as of now it is being investigated as a homicide. Authorities are still under investigation on whether she died there or if her body was moved there. This case is fascinating to me because it is so close to us, we hear all the time cases like these but this one is literally a mile or so away from our school. 


http://whnt.com/2015/10/16/huntsville-police-investigate-body-found-in-jones-valley/ 

blog #3- october

6 month old thrown from NYC window



http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/10/16/new-york-mom-tosses-6-month-old-daughter-from-apartment-window/


A mother was caught dangling her 6 month old child from her apartment of the 6th floor, when she drops the baby to her death. Her other two children who were there, weren't injured but were taken to the hospital to be evaluated. The neighbors said that the women kept shouting " I am going to throw her, we are going to die" Neighbors said that when they caught onto what happening that they thought all three children were dead, but by time help got there, the baby was thrown but the other two children were okay. Child Services is evaluating the other children and there safety in the situation. Another baby was found in an apartment building, a newborn baby was found with an umbilical cord attached and found dead. Both women pleaded not guilty.

blog #2 october

Best Paying Part Time Jobs

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2015/10/06/best-paying-part-time-jobs-work-part-time-while-earning-decent-money/?intcmp=fbtopstories

Career Cast has created the ten most successful and most well paid part time jobs. Some of these jobs require experience and no degree, others require a full degree. These jobs are based on the median salaries of 2012 and outlooks through 2022. These part time jobs are as follows:

1. Accountant- Requires Degree/ Mostly Part time/ Full Time because demand on Seasons/ $30.55 an Hour
2. Computer Programmer- Trouble Shooting needs/ Not always a degree required/ $30.50 an hour
3. Driver- Delivery Driver/ Uber/ No degree. $13.23 an hour
4. Graphic Designer- NEED/ Some degree/ $21.22 an hour
5. Management Consultant- Degree/ Record Management/ Solving Company Management/ $37.79 an hour
6. Market Research Analyst- Degree/ $28.99 an hour
7. Mover- No degree/ $11.04 an hour
8. Network and System Administrator- Computer System/ Security issues/ $34.88 an hour
9. Editors- Newspapers/ Websites/ $25.90 an hour
10. Writer- Free lance basic/ $26.89 an hour

What is the best part time job? 

blog 1- oct

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/politics/99509/presidential-succession-speaker-house

In this Article, it talks about how the Speaker of the House should never try to run or be president because it would result in failure. It says that the speakers have limited skills and are amateurs on the world stage and unfit to become a president. The recent out break dealing with Boehner sums this up because of his failure to negotiate with Obama over payroll tax cuts. It is shown that since the Speaker is already at the top of the line of succession, it could potentially be a disaster of power as well. These lessons were clearly demonstrated of Newt Gingrichs attempt at a political campaign.

Speaker of the House

1.     What does the Constitution have to say about the job of Speaker of the House?

• Says that it must be filled by a vote of the House, at the start of the two year term. The speaker is also the leader of the majority party in the House and has chosen members. http://firstclass.rfsd.k12.co.us/~mschneiter/Fad/speaker.htm
• Doesnt say anything about ACTUAL political party
• Will elect leader, leaves it up to Congress

2.     The Constitution has nothing to say about parties – yet parties are the basis for organizing leadership in Congress.  Read about Congressional leadership here.  List the leadership roles that exist in each house of Congress – along with a brief description of each job.

HOUSE OF REP

• Speaker of the house
• rules over proceedings on floor
• influence bills
• influences committees for new members
• appoints party leaders
• rules on questions that Parliament says
• Majority Leader
• Party leader of the floor
• helps legislative program
• Minority Leader
• Helps organize the minority parity
• Influence is limited

SENATE

• Vice President
• only cast votes if a tie
• President Pro Tempore
• Since the vice president doesn't attend, he takes the place
• Floor Leaders
• Real leaders of the senate

3.     What would have to happen for the Speaker of the House to become the President?

• President= impeached or die= Vice President THEN
• If the vice president cannot serve, then it falls to speaker of the house.
• http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/27/us/succession-presidential-and-vice-presidential-fast-facts/

4.     Who was the longest-serving Speaker in history?

• Sam Rayburn
• 1882-1961
• Served for 17 years
• http://history.house.gov/Institution/Firsts-Milestones/Speaker-Fast-Facts/

5.     Who was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House?  (Provide dates and party)

• Nancy Pelosi- California
• Youngest to be elected as a woman
• !st Californian to be elected Speaker of the House
• Served through 2011 when Democrats controlled the house after 2010.
• http://www.makers.com/nancy-pelosi

6.     When did Newt Gingrich serve as Speaker?  For what is he

• First Republican Speaker in 40 years
• 1994-1999
• Contract on or FOR America
• Ethic Isssues- $$$$conflict of issues
• Head of Anti Clinton Republican wave in 1994
• http://www.biography.com/people/newt-gingrich-9311969#elected-to-congress

7.     Who just resigned as Speaker of the House?  How long had he been serving as Speaker, and why is he quitting now?  (Find a news article that analyzes this question.)

• John Boehner
• Battle with Conservatives
• Caught in issue to defund planned parenthood
• No longer lead the Republicans in Congress
• January 5,2011
• http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/25/house-speaker-john-boehner-to-resign
• http://www.biography.com/people/john-boehner-20656041#speaker-of-the-house

8.     Who was considered to be a likely successor?  Why is that no longer the case?

• Kevin McCarthy
• knew he did not have enough support
• http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/10/08/mccarthy-withdraws/

9.     Why do many Republicans in Congress hope Paul Ryan will enter the race for speaker?  What is the latest news on whether or not he is likely to do so?

• http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/10/why-republicans-need-paul-ryan-as-house-speaker.html
• only eligible candidate
• National Standing and Conservative credentials
• Good Reputation w/ Conservatives
• Has reasons to stay away, already the president of Republican America

10.  What committee does Paul Ryan currently chair?  What is this committee responsibility?  Visit it’s website to learn about it.

• Powerful ways and Means Committee
• Chief Tax Writing Committee in the House of Rep. jurisdiction comes from Article 1, Section VII of the Constitution
• http://waysandmeans.house.gov/

11.  What is a congressional committee? How many are there?

• Legislative sub organization in US Congress
• enables members to specialize in matters under jurisdiction
• Takes 200 committees and subcommittees
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_congressional_committee

12.  What are some of the reasons he may choose NOT to take the job?

• Not planning to run
• Considering

13.  What would you do if you were in his position?  What would be the best reasons for taking the job?  Or for avoiding it?

• Shot at Presidency
• Conservative Attention and hes already got there approval.

14.  The Speaker of the House is an important position – but is it a stepping stone to the White House?  Has a former Speaker ever risen to the presidency?

• James K Polk
• Only speaker to become president
• Being speaker doesn't guarantee
• 3rd in line

15.  What is a congressional caucus?  How many are there?  How are caucuses different from committees?

• Group of members of the US Congress that meets about the same common legislative problems
• 4
• Study groups, coalitions, tasks forces
• Governed under rule of chamber

16.  What is the House Freedom Caucus?  What role is it playing in the current struggle over leadership?  What kind of speaker do they want?

• Consists of Conservative Republican members of hose of rep.
• Gives a voice to the average American, whom they feel like Washington can't support them
• Like the Tea Party Movement
• Formally was small group of Congressman
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Caucus
• 
  

17.  Add a current articles summary to your blog, based on one or more of the articles you’ve read today.  

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/politics/99509/presidential-succession-speaker-house

In this Article, it talks about how the Speaker of the House should never try to run or be president because it would result in failure. It says that the speakers have limited skills and are amateurs on the world stage and unfit to become a president. The recent out break dealing with Boehner sums this up because of his failure to negotiate with Obama over payroll tax cuts.

First Quarter Reflection

This Quarter, I feel like I have learned more in one quarter than I have all year long in years passed. Mainly because we move at a faster pace than I am used too. Before in my other classes, we never had tests which I liked but I wasn't forced to retain the material, I would just learn it to write the paper and that was that. I have learned that I cant wait till the night before or even two nights before to start studying or for the projects. For the project on the Constitution, it forced me to have to plan in advance and use my time wisely because there were many aspects to the project either in class or outside of class. The two test that we have had I don't feel like I do as well as I would have thought, mainly because tests really stress me out because I know the material but I go back and second guess myself. I think as the year progresses I will get to where I know the right ways to study for Gov and the time it will take me to prepare for a test.