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So I stumbled across this article while looking at the newspaper.  This article is about the trouble deaf patients have been having at hospitals.  These patients have struggled to understand and communicate with doctors and the hospital staff.  Mary Ann and David Nelson, both deaf, frequently asked for an interpreter during their meetings with their doctor.  The request was never filled and the Nelson’s never knew that Mary Ann’s cancer was terminal.  Mary Ann Nelson lost her battle in May 2006.  “North Memorial Hospital agrees to pay $105,000 to settle charges that Nelson and another patient were not provided access to qualified sign language interpreters.”  The other part of this article talks about hospitals having to comply with new regulations about having interpreters and hospitals trying to solve the problem.

I think this article is important because it shines light on the flaws our systems still have.  I think the hospitals need to pay more attention to these small details becasue they are obviously not so small.  I think this article is important because it speaks to all hospitals and holds them responsible for the error they made.  It is also a lesson to other hospitals!  I think that author did a good job explaining and giving details that apply to us as readers.

This article also intrigues me because I think that I want to learn more sign language than I already know and be a interpreter on the side of whatever job that I get.  I think it would be helpful and interesting because of the people I would get to meet.

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So I just finished reading this book called Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright.  Now I’ll admit it is a predictable story but I think it sends a message everyone should hear.  This book is not just about giving money… no it’s about something much more than that.  It’s about giving of ourselves, our full selves.  Opening up and taking the time to see the people around us.  So many people are involved in their own lives that they miss the things that are right in front of them.  And sometimes it’s those things we need the most.

This story tells of a family that has a special tradition every Christmas of giving a jar of money away to people who need it.  And it is this tradition that changes the lives of so many people.  Giving the gift and not expecting anything in return and not telling people is selflessness.  I feels it shows the true heart of giving.  I think that this book demonstrates a concept that is hard to comprehend.  So many people want to be thanked for their gifts but is that truly giving?  What do you think?

I would recommend this book because it is a quick read.  I’ll admit that many people may find it predictable and cheesy, but they’ll also find it inspirational.  People may think I’m corny for liking an inspirational story but how many people go see and love movies like “Remember the Titians” or “The Blindside”?  I like a little dose of inspiration in my life because we hear so much about bombings and shootings, sometimes I just need a story that ends happily.  What are you’re opinions on the book?

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This story is about a man, Emery Henn, who’s car got stuck on some railroad tracks and a train was coming toward him.  Two men, John Zimmer and Justin Widell, came to his aid by pulling him out of the car before the train hit his vehicle and sent debris flying everywhere.  Henn was eighty seven and had recently had hip surgery which prevented his from getting out of the car.  Zimmer and Widell saw the car and made a split second decision.  They said it was a reaction: “We saw a guy in need…”  Zimmer who is a retired Marine claims he was only doing his civic duty.  He recalls when he flipped his boat on the Mississippi in 2002 and someone came to his aid. Henn will be spending Christmas with his family.

I believe this is definitely a newsworthy story!  It is well written.  The story gives us the highlights of the incident and informs us of what happened.  I like how the writer not only makes this story news but also makes it a feature story.  The writer brings you into the story and pulls at your feelings while still informing you of what happened.

On a more personal level I like  part of the story where the writer informs us of a past event.  It reminds me of the phrase or movie “Pay it Forward”.  Zimmer was just paying forward the gift that someone else had given him.  I have to say I am a person who loves a good feel good story so this story really touches me.  I know Henn won’t ever forget the gift he was given.

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This article is about a group of cheerleaders holding religious signs at football games in Georgia.  Ever since Sept. 11th 2001 the cheerleaders of Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High have been holding religious signs at football games to make the bible a bigger part of the games.  This was put to an end last month when a parent expressed concern that the signs could cause a lawsuit.  The school district agreed, so the signs had to come down.  So the signs went from being held by the cheerleaders to being held by the fans.  The town was disappointed by the district’s decision.  So they took up to cause of the cheerleaders.  The have held rallies and sold t-shirts.  They have a first amendment to do so.  The courts rules that the students were free to express their faith just not in school sponsored clubs.  Many of the Christians know they didn’t win the battle but the war is going their way.

This article is newsworthy because it discusses the difficulty of Church and State.   The separation between Chruch and State has always been a big controversy.  Many people have argued over this and they all have opinions.  I think this article did a good with providing all the detail that I needed.  I wasn’t left wondering what was happening.  It gives different perspectives.  Anything to do with the First Amendment also is important.  I really enjoyed this article.  It kept my interest.  The lede was captivating.

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This article is about how the city of Anoka put a windmill on Anoka High School. Anoka is one of 11 cities in the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency.   Many people are happy with this construction.  Officials and students are happy this is happening.  This windmill will generate enough power for 40 homes and 25% of Anoka High School’s power needs.

I think this is an interesting article because you hear of windmills by farms and in the country but you never really hear about them being in the city.  This windmill is not the only one in the city.  There are supposedly 11 cities that will have windmills.  I think this is newsworthy because it is different to see a windmill in the city.  I think the newspaper could have expanded more on this topic.  I’m left wondering why these 11 cities are a part of this group?  What is the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency?  How much will this change energy cost in Anoka?  And who and how was it decided that 40 homes would get to benefit from this?  I think the paper should have looked farther into the topic.

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This article is about an Alabama woman who was driving around with her daughter in a box on the roof of the car.  The women told police that the box was too big to fit in the car so she put it on the roof.  Her daughter was in the box to hold it down.  She didn’t think that her daughter would be hurt because the box was secure by a coat hanger.  The child was unhurt.

This article is newsworthy because a child was endangered.  People tend to pay attention when a child is endangered.  Another reason it is newsworthy is because the mother made a stupid judgment call.  Many people find stupidity humorous.  I know the reason I looked at this article was because the title was “Ala. women lets daughter ride in ox on top of van.”  It’s not something you hear about everyday.  It’s a shock. People like the unexpected.  And that’s what this article offers.  I would have liked some more infor on the mom and what was in the box.  That may not have been possible because it may not have been released.

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The splashing sound of the fountain off in the distance.  Conversation between professor and secretary.  Discussions on God, Trinity, and wisdom of the monks.  Interjection about China and a former leader Mao.  The crackling of a bag as it enters the garbage can.  Keys jingle as a professor walks by.  There is a picture of John M. Poorbaugh on the wall.  Door clicks as it opens and bangs closed as Professors walk in to get paperwork.  The tap tap tap of computer keys.  Bahrum, Bahrum, Bahrum of a scroller on a computer mouse.  I feel passionate when I come here.  I can talk about anything with the Professor.  Sherry always has a smile on her face when I walk in.  Dropping off of paperwork from print shop.  Many things happen in this place but it is still a calming place to be in.

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I read an article about a how 11 years ago a mother killed her seven children and their graves now, finally, have tombstones.  The mother killed her children one by one and then tried to hang herself.  She is now serving a 50 year sentence.  The week after the children were killed there were flowers and markers but after a while those things started to fade away.  So for the past 10 years or so these graves have been unmarked.  On the 10 year anniversary of the killings an article was written by the Pioneer Press about the family and in it a mention of how there were no grave markers or tombstones on the children’s graves. So the article inspired many people in the community of St. Paul to pitch in and raise money to help purchase tombstones for these children.

I thought that this story was newsworthy.  This story is about something that in many people’s opinions was long overdue.  Anytime something happens to a child, it is significant because children are a huge part of the future. This story was about so much more than just about gravestones, it was about community and remembrance.  It was like a conclusion to a story that you always envisioned but could never fully grasp.  I think that it was covered appropriately  because it was a tragedy and they started with the conclusion, brought us back to the beginning, and then brought us full circle again.  I think that the story shouldn’t be picked up by other media.  I think that it is something that is personal to Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

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I just read an article about Former Rep. Joseph Kennedy II will not be running for Senate.  This seat was vacated by his uncle and has been a Kennedy seat for the past 50 years.  Joseph Kennedy II believes that the best way that he can help Massachusetts is by staying in his position at Citizens Energy Corp.  There are other congressmen weighing their options about running for the seat.  The article mentioned one person who has declared running for the seat and she is Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.  It will definitely be an interesting race.

I think that this story is newsworthy.  A seat that has been in the Kennedy family for years is now up for grabs.  This could be a big change for Massachusetts.  I think that the story was good, although I would have liked to hear a little bit more about what the political parties are thinking about.  I would have liked to hear some of their thoughts.  I think that the story was important because it was covered by CNN as well as many other small state papers.

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