Homework

"A lot of times i feel like the media doesn't give enough coverage or praise to certain candidates because they disagree with their views.  For example last presidential election when Ron Paul was running and was second in the republican primaries he was given far less press than Rudy Giuliani.  This was mainly due to Ron's slightly radical views on certain topics.  Regardless however, because if a candidate is receiving popularity then he or she has as much right to press as any other candidate."

"I also think that the press doesn't take the extra effort to really portray political issues to the younger voters.  All that really happens is people go out and tell us to register to vote but never tell us what the pressing issues are that we should concentrate on.  A main argument is that we are too young to care and the fact is we are just ill-informed and have a lack of knowledge to base our votes."
-Daniel Kaner

I would find the second topic to be particularly hard to write on because i don't know think there is necessarily an issue hear.  Its more of an observation than a missing news story.  I could talk to some recently registered voters and see how they feel about upcoming elections and the issue that surround our county and state and see if they have any knowledge of current initiatives, candidates, etc.  That way if there appears to be a lacking of knowledge within that group of people than it could be worth writing about.

The first issue is difficult because it would be like ratting out another medium for being biased when bias appears in the media all the time.  Certain companies have certain biases and therefore want to portray the news in a way that sheds positive light on their candidates and the issues they handle.  This is something that is widely seen in news coverage especially during election time.

Picture captions

A Nurse fans a patient with a piece of a cardboard box in a trash ridden parking complex as her and many other elderly patients wait to be transported to another medical facility.

A woman and her family stranded on top of an apartment complex, waves an american flag with the word help written beneath her feet.

edit your peers

Our writing continues to improve. But let’s eliminate these stubborn errors.

1. Sen Patty Murray has raised $11.8 million, according to opensecrets.org.

2. “I am for state taxes,” said Alexa Mays, junior broadcast production major. “They pay for everything from firefighters to the Legislature.”

3. Pullman High School Principal Wes Smith said the state-run liquor stores have a monopoly on sales.

4. “I’m a big fan of the initiative," said Kevin Wilson the president of the Washington Restaurant Association. "It is all about the little guy trying to get bigger.”

5. Starting Nov. 14, 2011, 70 percent of the revenue would fund public education.

6. Last month, United States Army officials asked Congress to clarify its policy on homosexuals in the military.

7. Washington marks up hard alcohol by 51.9 percent.

8. Many WSU students travel 16 miles round-trip to Moscow, Idaho, to purchase cheaper alcohol.

9. Jennifer Sessions, a senior Spanish major, posted fliers in support of I-1098.

10. “I think it would have been cool to do something like that as a freshman," Bobson said. "I know my parents would have loved it”

homeless in washington

In Washington, it can be especially difficult for low-wage workers to find affordable housing. A full-time worker earning minimum wage ($8.07 per hour) in Washington would need to work close to 80 hours per week for 52 weeks a year in order to afford a two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent.

political story

The state of Washington has two initiatives on the November ballot concerning the state’s current outdated alcohol regulation system.

Washington is currently one of only seven other states that regulate liquor sales. It has been this way for over 70 years and this system is largely considered outdated and in need of revision.

Citizens of Washington have expressed interest for privatization of liquor sales by voting two initiatives onto the November ballot. Initiatives 1100 and 1105 would have state run liquor stores shut down and allow for private retailers that sell beer and wine to also sell hard liquor.

Oppositions for both initiatives argue that allowing the privatization of liquor sales would create a public safety issue. By making the sales of spirits more convenient police, schools, and parents are concerned about an increased rate in underage drinking and DUI incidents.

Pullman citizen and concerned mother Vicki Azose said she doesn’t like the idea of teenagers having greater accessibility to hard liquor. Azose said, “Underage drinking is already a huge issue and I feel like this can only lead to more drunk driving accidents and alcohol abuse.”

Both initiatives attempt to eliminate this concern. I-1105 states that if a retailer is caught selling alcohol to minors the retailer would lose its license and face potential fees. Or if selling to a minor lead to an incident then the retailer would be held financially responsible for property damage and injuries, a consequence currently held by the state and its taxpayers.

I-1100 instead suggests that since the state’s Liquor Control Board will be less concentrated on sales of hard liquor it can now concentrate its efforts on education of the public, combat abuse, and collect tax revenue.

WSU student Matt Wyatt said if kids want to get drunk they are going to find a way to drink. “It’s not very hard especially on a college campus to get booze underage," Wyatt said. "I don’t think it matters either way where the liquor is sold, kids will get their hands on it regardless”.

Initiative 1100 would allow for any retailer selling beer and wine could also sell spirits, which could drastically increase the amount of stores selling spirits.

While I-1105 would require retailers to pass state administered criteria in order to obtain a liquor license, possibly leading to a decline in retailers offering liquor.

Others argue that these initiatives would reduce revenue for the state, Pushing Washington further into a financial deficit at a time when it can least afford it. Both initiatives eliminate liquor profits to the state but I-1100 would maintain the state’s 10% liquor tax.

Initiative 1105 however would create fees regarding the license itself which could potentially bring in revenue depending on how many licenses the state sells.

State representative Brian Smith said he doesn’t think either of these initiatives will benefit the state as far as revenue but it is obvious that the citizens are unhappy with the current condition of liquor regulation run by the state.

The outcome of either of these initiatives is not certain although both claim an ability to fill the void of millions of dollars the state would normally receive annually from liquor sales.

Outline:

I. The issue
a. outdated liquor regulation practices by the state
b. expressed interest
c. the basic function of upcoming initiatives 1100 and 1105
II. Opposition of initiatives
a. possible negative outcomes
b. concerned citizen
III.Possible solution for concerns
a. possible positive outcomes combating concerns
b. student opinion
IV. Further conditions of the initiatives
a. who can sell liquor, why and how?
V. Possible deficits to the state
a. state liquor board representative
VI. Conclusion
a. uncertainty

Sources:

Brian Smith:
360-664-1774
besmi@liq.wa.gov

Vicki Azose:
ssAzose@comcast.net

Matt Wyatt:
509-432-4339
wyatt@email.wsu.edu

To publish or not?

I would publish the story because it is such a controversial and interesting topic. A senator that has constantly voted against gay rights turns out having had homosexual encounters has tremendous news value.  Despite the possible source validity issues if the accusations are false the senator should have no issues proving his innocence to this accusation.  Presenting both sides of the story would be critical in order to present an unbiased informational piece about a possible scandal brewing in the senator's life.

comma drama

 

Correct the following sentences. If the sentence is already correct, write “correct.”

1. He looked through the door, but he did not see anyone inside the church.

2. "We could wait to see if anyone else came or we could go back home," she said.3. Reed, a graduate of Washington State University, was elected Secretary of State in 2000.
4. The organization paid the speaker $1,000, but its officers were unable to attend the event.

5. According to Washington state law, bars will become smoke-free on Feb. 15.

6. He saw Karen and they had coffee.

7. The bales are then sold to a processing center in Tacoma Wash., which ships them to Moscow, Idaho.8. It was raining so we stayed home.

9. Later he phoned again. correct

10. This will end up having an effect on consumers, she said.

11. He introduced the speaker to Floyd, Moos and Wulff.

Appositions, hyperbatons and non-restrictive relative clauses: We don't need to remember the names of these grammar tools. But let's look at how they can help us form shorter descriptive phrases. In other words, squish these two sentences into one.

1. Sam Reed spoke at the Honors College on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Reed is a graduate of Washington State University.
Sam Reed, a graduate of Washington State University, spoke at the Honors College on Wednesday, Sept. 22.

2. The concert will be held on Friday night. The concert is part of WSU's Homecoming Weekend.
There will be a concert Friday night as a part of WSU's Homecoming Weekend.
3. President Elson S. Floyd promised he would lobby legislators in Olympia. Floyd is frustrated by cuts to higher education.
Frustrated

-------------------------------------------------

Commas. Ugh.

These little fellas often appear at random in stories.

* So here’s a basic rule to commit to memory: When a conjunction (and, but, or, or for) links two clauses that could stand alone, use a comma before the conjunction.

a.              We are visiting Washington, and we also plan a trip to Williamsburg.

b.              We are visiting Washington and plan a trip to Williamsburg.

Think of it this way: The subject of sentence b. is “We.” The verbs are “are visiting” and “plan.” We don’t want to separate the subject from the second verb – so no comma.

Exception: Very short phrases (three words or less) do not require a comma, even with two independent clauses and a conjunction.

contributions

5a. King County $8,172,252
5b. $539
5c. $150
6a. $1,356,401
6b. $16,000,177
6c. $3,400
6d. $50
Senate races
1a. Democrats- $14.6 million
1b. Republicans- $9.5 million
2a. Cathy Mcmorris- $1,342,995
2b. Clyde Cordero- $18,397
2c. Bankers Association of America
American crystal sugar
Every Republican is crucial
2d. Kemper Freeman, Hoyt Larrison, Anne Alsaker
3a. Advertising-Marsh Copsey&associates, inc., Polling-Moore Information, Fundraising-Polis Political services
3b. $12,000 political donation- dues
3c. Money tree inc. $19,200
Retired $63,570

three questions

1. How do you define truth in a field where deception seems to be ever present?
2. When you find something news worthy within the political system how do you convey its importance to your audience?
3. Do you find it difficult to obtain detailed information from politicians?

For richer or poorer.

I feel that it only makes sense to have a higher income tax on those that make more money because odds are if you are making a lot of money you can spare more of it.  If you are  making less income and you get more of it taken away from taxes then it further decreases that person's quality of life.