Marcus's Mumblings

My Not so Quiet Opinions on the News

Shooting News (FICTIONAL)

What started as a joyous occasion ended in horror. About thirty relatives and friends were present for the wedding and reception of Richard Brunson and Laurette Kenny Brunson, including Laurette’s three children. Richard shot Laurette after she threw a plate of macaroni salad at him. Neighbor Walter Corse had this to say; (Walter soundbite)

 

According to hospital officials, Laurette is in good condition despite being shot in the abdomen. Walter’s mother was able to give a statement, and was mainly worried for Laurette’s children; (Marilyn soundbite)

 

If you have any information on Richard’s whereabouts, please contact the authorities.

Leonardo DiCaprio on Climate Change

Climate change is a problem that is affecting the world, and Leonardo DiCaprio is stepping up to talk about it. Not only is DiCaprio a famous actor, he is a United Nations Messenger of Peace. He talked about how he has traveled the world, and seen different things that  are concerning. After talking about all these events that are historically bad, he said, “All that I have seen and learned on this journey has terrified me.”

He continued by saying that it’s clear that all of this is happening because of human activity, and that the changes will only get worse in the future. He said that climate change was like a runaway freight train, and that it was bringing disaster that would effect all living things.

His next concern was how future generations would see us. How they might look at us, knowing that we had the means to slow down or stop climate change, but didn’t. “We all know that reversing the course of climate change will not be easy, but the tools are in our hands — if we apply them before it’s too late,” DiCaprio said. He continued that while we are starting to take steps in the right direction, we aren’t doing enough quickly enough.

He then asked the UN Delegates which side of history they wanted to be on. It was time to take a stand. Time to stop doing what’s been happening in the climate change talk for the last few decades, and start taking action. He said that the planet is currently in our care, and that we are it’s last best hope.

 

 

Famous actor and United Nations Messenger of Peace, Leonardo DiCaprio talks to the UN about Climate change, and how he has seen it affect the world in his travels. He said, “All that I have seen and learned on this journey has terrified me.”

Why Does 50 Degrees Feel Different in Fall than it Does in Spring?

Have you gone from wearing a light jacket to wearing a parka recently? It’s most likely because your body isn’t used to the change in weather. But don’t worry, scientists say your body will get used to it. This belief sheds some light on how fifty degrees in October feels colder than fifty degrees in February.

People experience temperature differently, and several studies have helped to explain why. A difference in body type, fat percentage, age, psychology and behavior can all play a role in why you might feel temperatures differently at certain times, or differently than other people. After a difference in temperature is detected, the body takes actions to battle it, usually keeping blood from the extremities, or causing the body to shiver.

Over time though, the responses change. When people who routinely deal with cooler temperatures–like fishermen, slaughterhouse workers, and people who live in colder climates–they show signs of not being affected as much by the cold. As winter goes on, our body adapts after being exposed to colder temperatures. Dr. John Castellani said, “That’s why the cold October day feels much colder than that same day in February.”

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/science/human-bodies-cold-weather-adjustment.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront

 

Pastor Andy Nelson

Andy Nelson is the chaplain at Morningside.  He came to the Morningside area initially because of a position for his wife Dr. Jessica Pleuss. While she worked at Morningside, he went and worked at the University of South Dakota as their campus minister. When his predecessor Kathy Martin retired, the position of director of campus ministry was offered to him.

 

Pastor Nelson said that they reason he chose religion as his profession is because he grew up going to church, and being a person of faith. He ended up studying religion and political science at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Towards the end of his college career he still had questions about his faith, and about faith in general, so he went to seminary to help answer those questions, and use what he learned to help people. He said, “Christianity has something important to say to the world, something important to say to the world about our belief in humanity, something important to say about our place in helping people in the world.”

 

When asked about what his favorite part about helping campus ministries has been, he said talking to students. Students come in and think that they are interrupting something important, and he tries to convey that they are what’s important. For the most part, he talks to them about where they are going in life. “I’m somebody who, my job is to listen,” he said.

 

When asked if he would be in favor of mandatory convocation, Pastor Nelson laughed and said, “Yes! Bring it back!” He said that it would have to be different than it used to be. He said he’d probably try to make it more about service than worship. He likes Into the Streets, how Morningside goes out and paints an image of the college.

Scavenger Hunt

For this project, I had to go and get two different things from two different people. The first thing I got was a favorite motivational quote. I went to talk to pastor Andy Nelson, and he said that his favorite quote came from Lilla Watson, an artist and activist for Aboriginal Australians. The quote is “If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because you recognize your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” When asked why he chose this quote, he said, “It’s really tempting when trying to help others, to get caught up in a dynamic of ‘I’m helping, I have the power.’ This shows that it’s not really about that, but that we are all connected.”

The second thing I had to get was a creatively bent red paper clip. I went to the admissions office and sat down with Steven Ricke, a new councilor for this year. He bent the paper clip into a double handle shape. I asked him why he bent it into that shape and he gave me a quote.

“I kinda get fidget-y sometimes. It gives me something to do.”

Lead Practice 3

A plane with 61 crew and passengers crashed south of Townsville on Friday. There are 42 confirmed deaths according the the Cook County Coroner, including Rep. George W. Collins, D-Ill. Of the 61 people aboard Divided Airlines flight 553, fifty-five were passengers, and six were crew members.

An eyewitness said, “I saw the plane coming lower and lower. I couldn’t  believe it. I thought surely it would go back up in the air. But (sic) it kept coming down. I knew it would never make it to the airport. I was scared.”

An investigative team was immediately sent to the site by the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington. This was made easier because of the fact that several board officials were already in Townsville due to a train crash earlier in the month.

Deputy fire marshall Curtis Vokamer said that his crew found most of the 55 passengers dead. “If hell has an address, this is the place.”

News Comment Week 4

Two hard rock bands have donated a combined 190 thousand dollars of their ticket proceeds from this summer to two charities of their choice. Five Finger Death Punch (FFDP) donated ninety-five thousand dollars to Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), a charity that helps families of officers killed in the line of duty. Breaking Benjamin, who has been co-headlining this summer with them, donated ninety-five thousand dollars to Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA), a charity that counteracts child abuse, and promotes services to to improve their well-being.

“We’ve had the privilege to work with veteran and police organizations for years,” Zoltan Bathory of FFDP said. The band has also worked closely with Wounded Warriors, and their song Wrong Side of Heaven helps to raise the awareness of homeless veterans, and veteran suicide in America.

“C.O.P.S. is grateful to be the recipient of such a generous donation from Five Finger Death Punch,” said Diane Bernhard, the C.O.P.S. executive director.

“We’re honored to be able to utilize the thing we love to do most as a tool to help children in need,” said Ben Burnley of Breaking Benjamin. “Organizations such as Prevent Child Abuse America remind us that we are the voice of the voiceless and positive change is possible in otherwise hopeless situations for these kids.”

“We are very grateful to the members of Breaking Benjamin, not only for this incredible donation, but for helping to spread the word that child abuse and neglect prevention is possible,” said Dan Duffy, president and CEO of PCAA.

 

This article hits a couple of news values. It’s timely, because it happened earlier this week. It has human interest, because they are donating to charities that help people throughout our nation.

 

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/five-finger-death-punch-and-breaking-benjamin-donate-190000-from-summer-tour-to-charity/

Broken but Alright

A firefighter broke his leg saving a cat. Firefighters went to 102 11th Ave after getting reports of a cat being stuck in a tree.

The firefighter, Bob Harwood climbed fifty feet to get the calico belonging to Charlie and Kim Decker’s twin children. A dead branch broke when Harwood had fifteen feet left, and he broke his leg when he landed. He’s in good condition at St. Luke’s, and the cat is also doing well.

Writing Practice #2

One dead, three injured in two vehicle collision. Moyer Quick, 65 of Townsville was killed in a car accident yesterday. According to Iowa Highway Patrolman Patrick Stewart, both vehicles were west bound on a two-lane highway when Quick passed the other vehicle driven by Randy Radin, 17 of Townsville. The rear end of Quick’s vehicle struck Radin’s, and both ended up in the ditch.

Quick’s two passengers and Radin were transported to Townsville Health Center to be treated. Quick’s wife Dorthy is reported to be in “good” condition, while the other passenger, Maxine Steurwald, 1019 7th Ave Lawton is in “fair” condition. Radin is in critical condition with a fractured skull and internal injuries.

The crash occurred under cloudy skies with a chance of rain in the forecast. At the time of the accident, the roads were clear and dry.

Radar Ban

Two months ago, three officers in Cedar Rapids filed for workman’s compensation, saying they developed cancer from using hand-held radar guns. Yesterday Adam Smith, a spokesman for the Iowa Highway Patrol, announced an ordered ban of hand-held radar guns.

“The feeling here is to err on the side of caution until more is known about the issue,” Smith said.

The ban will be put into place because of concerns that troopers could develop cancer due to long-term exposure to radiation emitted by the devices. The ban was put in place as a precaution, and studies are being done to see if there are possible links between cancer and the use of radar guns.

This ban will bring 70 radar guns out of service, and troopers will use units with transmitters mounted to the outside of their vehicles.

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