This Week’s News

The most important news story of the week was the talk of a 700 Billion dollar bailout that the United States government would take on. There are many strong opinions on both sides of the argument from politicians. One of the reasons this new bailout is in theheadlines is because of the presidential election. This bailout is a problem and it is a problem now. Both McCain and Obama have their opinions on it and are creating plans to help the economy with it. The McCain and Obama campaigns do not want to take too strong a stand in these times for fear of losing votes. Some believe that the bailout will have the same affect that the bailout  did after the great depression when the government bought up many homes and then the real estate went up and the government made a profit. Others believe this bailout will weaken the economy even more and cause more taxes for many financially exhausted citizens. This bailout will affect the economy and the citizens who pay the taxes for a long time to come whether the bailout it happens or it not.

From Busboy to Influential Writer

Most people never get the opportunity to put their money where there mouth is, but Bill Burt, who is now the Executive Sports Editor of the Eagle-Tribune, got that chance when he went from busboy to journalist. Bill Burt works as the Executive Sports Editor of the Eagle-Tribune, which is a newspaper company on the North Shore of Massachusetts. When asked how Bill got his job, he said it happened mainly by chance. Bill was working at a restaurant in North Andover where he argued sports a couple times a week with the sports editor of a local newspaper. After Bill graduated college the sports editor asked Bill “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is” and it’s been seventeen years since that Bill has been working for the Eagle Tribune.

Mr. Burt has a lot of unconventional but useful advice for prospective journalists, “The only schooling/training I deem necessary in this business is knowledge 
of the language, ability to communicate, and ability to see a story that would interest people”. When asked about the touchy subject of the market decreasing more and more for print journalists Bill replied “The industry, sadly, is in the decline right now. The Internet has hurt us a bit because younger people, who haven’t been reading papers much over the last two decades, are reading us even less”. On the contrary, when asked Mr. Burt how technology has helped his field, “The Internet and computers have made this business so much easier and faster. I don’t think I’d be in this business if not for Internet or computers , our business could never go back to the old way”. Bill is very adamant when driving home the point that a good journalist doesn’t need college, a good journalist needs “the intangibles” and to have the right personality for the job. “The ability to identify a good story is the most important aspect of what a “good” journalist does and theyn communicating it on paper, the best journalists are usually the smartest people, and by that I mean they have not only intelligence but good street sense. As I noted before, the best writers get information other writers don’t”.

The advice Burt gives to all up and coming journalists are these three things, 

1. Don’t get into it for the money. You could make a nice living, but you’re friends, some who you think aren’t half as smart as you are, will probably driving better cars and live in bigger houses. But you will be happier with your job, trust me. 2. Be ready to work your butt off, especially the first six or seven years while you are single. Be ready to put in 50, 60 and even 70 hours. That’s what it takes, really. This is not a 9-to-5 job by any means. Be ready to give up weekends, too. Sports happen on weekends and night. 3. Be patient. This might be the most important trait you have.

One of the most rewarding experiences of Bill’s job is the creative aspect of it. Bill enjoys that everyday is different and that he works with people that love what they do, ‘ Honestly, everyday I look up at the clock wish it would slow down. Time flies because I’m having fun”. The competition fuels Burt to put out better articles faster, ”I like to win. And I am always trying to beat the bigger papers with look, content and stories”.

Burt’s daily basis starts at nine in the morning when he helps distribute the paper, next he prepares ideas for articles for the staff meeting at noon. After lunch Burt calls other sports writers and tries to get more stories for the next issue. Bill Burt ends the day by writing for his column, which comes out every Sunday in the Eagle-Tribune. In order for his day to go smoothly Burt needs everyone to work in a timely manner, “We have a lot of stories that need to be done in a timely fashion for deadlines. And if you’re slow, we are in trouble”. Asking the right questions during interviews is key for a good article to be written in the office. The right questions have to be asked, you can’t leave the interview leaving questions unanswered “You must be prepared and think quick, especially when dealing with professional athletes who usually don’t give you much time”.

When asked about what are the most rewarding things about his job Burt replied, “I’ve been to both Super Bowl wins for the Patriots. I’ve seen the Celtics win a championship. And I’ve been to about 50 local events that were as exciting as anything I’ve ever been to”. Above all the most rewarding thing for Bill Burt is his influence, “I love this job because I know I have an affect on others”.

 

 

 

 

 

Song Turned News Article

Allman Brothers

“One Way Out

Aint but one way out baby, lord I just cant go out the door.
Aint but one way out baby, and lord I just cant go out the door.
Cause theres a man down there, might be your man I dont know.

Lord you got me trapped woman, up on the second floor;
If I get by this time I wont be trapped no more.
So raise our window baby, I can ease out soft and slow.
And lord, your neighbors, no they wont be
Talking that stuff that they dont know.

Lord, Im foolish to be here in the first place,
I know some man gonna walk in and take my place.
Aint no way in the world, Im going out that front door
Cause theres a man down there, might be your man I dont know.
Cause theres a man down there, might be your man I dont know.
Cause theres a man down there,

Freely
Lord, it just might happen to be your man…
Lord, it just a might be your man,
Oh baby, I just dont know…

     Local Georgian Shot and Killed

    A local Georgian man was found dead last night in the woods off of the interstate thirty-nine. Greg Allman, 32, of Georgia was found dead late last night  after being shot and fatally wounded. Locals tipped off police to the whereabouts of the body. We have been told from a source that Allman was at a local bar with an unnamed woman who appeared to have a ring on her finger. The two were getting along all night and after a few drinks called a taxi and left the bar. The woman was later to be named Gail Sutherland, 28, also from Georgia. Neighbors heard a gunshot late last night shortly after her husband’s red Chevrolet pickup pulled into the driveway. It is believed that Sutherland was having an affair with Allman when her husband unexpectedly came home. Her Husband, Sam Sutherland is currently the number one suspect and has fled his home to escape the police. Sutherland was known by locals to be an alcoholic as well as quick tempered. As far as the whereabouts of Gail Sutherland, local deputy Steve WInston made a statement earlier, “We believe that Sam Sutherland has killed Greg Allman and possibly his wife Gail too, we have not located both of the Sutherlands but we have found Allman’s body and an autopsy is being done on the body”.

My Favorite Song

This is one of the few questions I have an answer to. I know that many people who are timid or just indecisive leave the common answer as “I can’t just pick one” for many questions, but that is not me. I almost answer all the questions directed at me with a straight answer however, this is one of the questions I cannot. There are too  variables to this question, such as my mood, who I am with, and all different forms of the situation. I could make a laundry lists of songs I really like but it just isn’t the same. I can name my favorite artist who is Eric Clapton, but I still can’t even narrow it down to my favorite Clapton song either. I’m not quite sure why this question is so difficult for me to answer.

Freewrite: Hurricane Ike

The media coverage I saw this weekend for hurricane Ike was minimal. I heard more about it from acquaintances and friends than I did on the news. I even made an effort to watch the news as well as read newspapers this weekend in order to stay current with my country. One of the most talked about topics amongst my friends and hurricane Ike is how it is going to affect us. It is said that oil prices in the nation will spike due to many oil refineries being shutdown because of the hurricane. I have not heard much about the victims of Ike and the aftermath except for the fact that there were at least twenty-two casualties. I would believe that the government has jumped on ship to provide aid very quickly for these victims because of the whole hurricane Katrina disaster some years ago. I also haven’t heard any news sources reporting on how well the government is handling hurricane Ike so i assume that they are doing a mediocre job at best. As for me I will hope my half a tank of gas will hold up for a little bit, or at least until this spike in oil prices starts to subside. I have noticed that gasoline is going up by the day and it hasn’t slowed down yet as well.

AP Style: 10 Interesting Tips

Here are ten interesting facts I learned from the AP style guide.

1. All state names spelled out when not paired with a city.

This is good to know because commonly I will write Mass instead os Massachusetts or just write the two letters of a state.

2. Only Ave. St. and Blvd. the others are spelled out.

This one makes sense because I find myself using these the most.

3. Streets from first to ninth are always spelled out.

This is a picky rule so it is good to know it.

4. You don’t abbreviate California as CA it’s Calif.

I would never have known this and I would have always wrote. CA.

5. For ages, the word is always spelled out unless it is an inanimate object.

Once again this is good to know.

6. You spell out Mount, and it is never Mt.

Even on cases like Mount Vernon.

7. No commas after number in an address.

This is a problem I make quite often.

8. Lowercase street and avenue when referring to two.

I had no idea this was a rule, but once again, good to know.

9. Streets from first to ninth are always spelled out.

It’s good to not have to spell out big street numbers.

10. Only S.C. may be used as an adjective.

I found this one a little weird, but nevertheless useful.

Freewrite: Parking Paradox

What is currently occupying my mind right now is the wonderful job Umaine does at solving the parking problems on campus. There has been high demand over the past couple years for the University of Maine to fix the parking situation. Instead of offering a solution to the problem, Umaine increases tuition prices, charges us students extra on fees and admits for freshmen than they can even hold. Not only are freshmen dorms over populated but they are allowed cars on campus as well and this takes up even more parking here at Umaine. There is talk about building a parking garage but I will never witness it. It is insane to have to either be late to classes or pay a ticket because of where you parked. The University figures over a million dollars into their budget from parking fines. Essentially the University is having a quota on how many tickets and how much money they can take out of the wallets of their students. As if a nine-percent tuition hike wasn’t enough, nor the one-hundred and ten dollar rec center fee as well as numerous other fees were not enough. For both families and students alike, it is a tough time now money-wise and the University does little to solve it.

Declaration of Independence Re-Write

July 4, 1776

Due to the way politics change it is necessary to break ties with another government and stand on our own as one. As one, we will be equal as the earth is, and because of respect to the opinions of all people we must declare ourselves as one and break ties with the tyrannical government.

The facts are, that all people are created equal and these people have human rights given to them at birth such as the right to live, the right to be free  and the right to pursue happiness. In order for us to obtain these rights, it is necessary for us to sever the links between us and the oppressing government. The government in order now is not allowing us to get the things we need, deeming it rightful for us to separate. This new government will be based on the principles of that which we believe. Our people have suffered, and have been exposed to evils that need to be abolished. After a great deal of time, when this oppressing forces causes our people abuse, then it is their right, and duty to throw off the government that is causing this, and set up a new blanket of security for themselves. These colonies have suffered enough, and now is the time to setup their own government as well as cut ties from previous governments. The king of Britain has been repeatedly abused these colonies in order to form a complete tyrannical rule over them. In order to prove this let us show the blind world.

Freewrite: Sandals

It turns out most of my freewrite’s turn into journal entries, but I found it easier and hopefully more interesting when I write about myself. My current living situation exists of three male room-mates and one playful nine-month old black lab. Sure the dog was fun at first, then it began to eat everything in sight. Lately it’s been playing this game where it grabs something of yours that you need just so you will chase it around the house all day. It was all fun and games until last week. I saw the puppy (Ari) holding my sandal in his mouth trying to start the “see if you can catch me” game. I snapped into angry mode and chased down the dog before he could ruin a pair of my fifty dollar sandals. Thankfully I retrieved the sandal from his mouth and it was not destroyed, only slobbery. Then Ari went into the other room and about ten seconds later returned with my other sandal, torn into three pieces. I was not impressed to say the least. The sole reason a dropped half a hundred on a pair of sandals was so they could take the wear and tear that they would normally get.

Freewrite: Rough Sunday

      What is currently occupying my mind is the recent injury of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. While watching the game yesterday, something which I was very excited all off-season for, I witnessed the worst thing a New England fan could have witnessed. The Injury did not look as serious as it turned out to be. During practice last night I was told by one of my fellow players that Brady would be out for the remainder of the season. This is very disheartning news because the Patriots organization has always famously said we do not need anybody, except Tom Brady. It’s almost hard to admit how much concern I have about New England sports teams, but I am from Massachusetts where it is known as a religion and I can use that for my excuse.

          I suppose I should be focusing on more important things aside from an NFL quarterback, but it is my lifestyle. I have always been a diehard sports fan every since I was born and raised in Massachusetts. Many people are aware of the intensity of sports fans from Massachusetts and the surrounding New England region. Many will scoff at living through professional sports, but I would argue the opposite. Professional sports has many benefits to a community and the culture of that community. It can bring a community together, uniting against a common enemy.