Breed or Bred

Recently I caught on the news that there's been a growing trend of violent attacks by dogs, especially towards children, here in Oregon.

Although dog attacks would not be a very new thing, I did find some concern in the fact that it was discussed that Oregon may, like some other states already have, ban specific breeds. One breed being debated lately due to a number of attacks associated with the breed are pitbulls.

Although many recognize that people are the ones raising certain breeds of dogs to be violent, just as some are bred for hunting, or preferred for young children. However, they turn it around into a justification to ban certain breeds.

Honestly, I can see both sides. Deep down I feel there should be more regulation on pets and ownership. Too many pets in general go uncared for, neglected, or abused, and can lead to an early death.

Licenses are needed for breeders, and the same could be said for pet owners. It seems harsh on the surface, but when hearing that animals are often killed as a result of the way their owners use them, I can't say it's not fair to those who want pets. Too many people want animals, not pets, and want to create violence.

Whether or not these recent attacks on children are a matter of the breed, how they're raised, or some provoking, accidental or not, it does bring up a good issue to the ownership of animals. Abuse and mistreatment directly harms the animal, but it can extend to a neighborhood, and be used to manipulate an otherwise gentle and loving breed into a dangerous fighter.

Though pitbulls are one of the singled out breeds to be involved in violent attacks and labeled as "dangerous", one of the past winners of best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show was also a pitbull. I do think they are a strong and potentially aggressive breed. I also feel it's how their owner puts the obvious power of the dog to use.

Smaller dogs can be just as aggressive, their little bodies and teeth just don't pack the same punch, people don't label them dangerous, even if they're more likely to bite.

Further information can be read in this article about the pitbull breed and past talks of banning them and another about a recent attack on a 7-year old.

President of the World?

The year of children named Barack Obama. Much of the world is still buzzing over Barack Obama's win in the presidential election. There's special attention in the black communities all over the world the world and their reactions, seeing a black man take leadership of a world super power.

There's a pride sweeping, not just our nation, but many nations abroad as well. This election changed a lot of things, starting with the minds of the voters. More young voters turned out, more democrats turned out, and more black voters turned out. The numbers were in favor (obviously) for Obama almost across the nation. For the first time many are saying they care about politics and feel they matter in the electorial process.

Students in Britian even look to the future and hope that their own government can change and show more diversity.



After years of having one of our most unpopular presidents, days after the election results, polls have Obama with a tremendous amount of support, not just in the U.S., but all over the world, especially those displeased with the Bush administration. It brings new hope to deplomacy and international relations. There's almost a fanatical aspect to it all. "in Sierra Leone, six out of 10 male newborns in the capital's main maternity hospital were named Barack Obama Wednesday morning," said Domenico Montanaro.

I find great irony in the fact that so many were so nervous of Obama, especially based on his name, and now the name is becoming a sort of "Joe" or "Jack" around the world. I'm not surprised he's this popular. He in fact has about the same approval rating in some polls as Bush had disproval. I'm disappointed that a lot of it is due to the strong dislike of Bush, and the dramatic change he obviously brings. All I hear about his policies is that people are waiting, and they want a lot of different things delivered all at once as soon as he takes office.

Realistically it will take time, but I see Obama as a man of his word. I think he's earned the pride, respect, and excitement of people all around the world. Whether he delivers everything or not, there will be nay sayers. I know that his election brings me pride. Not because of race, but what he stands for, the people. Watching the whole election, he seemed there for me as a citizen of the United States.

It's So Decided, I'm So Excited

I can't help but be excited about the election. I don't pay close attention to the polls because most are either clearly in favor of a candidate, or sit there wobbling from one to the other when really the numbers are barely in.

I just feel the race is leading up to a new beginning, and I doubt many would disagree that we need one more than we ever have in a long time.

I found it funny that a reporter said his wife was still undecided this late when my latest story was just on that very topic (and I'll try to post it in the midst of everything sometime today). It seems to me that a person would need to weigh out the candidates at least the night before election day. Then again, I can't really see whats in their head.

From my story it seemed that some really didn't like either of the main candidates, and really didn't have a feel for the electoral process as a whole.

At least for those last minute voters (I even know a few personally) most lines aren't horribly long anymore, as many people across the nation have taken advantage of early votes. Maybe they'll call it before tomorrow morning for once.

Next Topic Crisis!

I may have an issue for my next story.

I was planning an interview with a couple of guys I know of that are starting up their own filming studio. They've even been working on a project to take to the Salem Film Festival.

Although it's the opinion of the individual on if they're successful, I feel they're doing a good job at one of the harder parts of the entertainment business; they get themselves noticed. There's apparently been mishaps and misunderstandings that make for some interesting side stories I might include.

However, my problem is that it may not happen for this week's story. It's all up to if they, or at least the director of the films, are able to schedule an interview with me this week on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Otherwise, I'm at a real stump as to what to do a story on. I think the other two types, other than a profile, I have to fill are a news and an election story. Both of which I could pull something, but I'd rather have had it in my mind-set and had more time to brainstorm. I start brainstorming around Wednesday for my next story. So I hope this all works out.

DAC

As some people on campus may have noticed, it is official, the Multicultural center is no longer, but now the Diversity Achievement Center (DAC).

I recently attended an open forum discussing the change, to find many were at a disagreement with many of the decisions. Most people are upset by the removal or relocating of the artifacts that were on display. I decided I wanted my next news story to be on this.

The intentions seem well meaning, broadening services, the sense of community and who makes up that community at LBCC. However, a lot of people, especially those who made some sort of use of the space, feel a bit of loss.

One person suggested that the space could have stayed the same, but simply tracked use and needs by those using the space, or the lack there of by those not, to expand the center as it was.

There were statements of some people or groups feeling they didn't belong in the center. That some groups had seemed to stake claim to the space and they didn't feel welcomed. But as many of the people I've asked about it have expressed, not everyone is going to feel comfortable everywhere they go, and if it had to do with a difference in culture or ethnicity in the center, then all the more reason to maintain it, and make sure those differences, that are growing on campus, continue to be represented.

That does seem to be the center of the problems people have. There seems to be some displacement of the culture and personal touch brought by the students. Some think to expand services other areas on campus already work to help with.

In the end I'm not sure what to think, seeing as its been explained that the center was always open for everyone, that the artifacts were to simply share and educate others about different cultures. I feel the main change is the removal of the artifacts and a renaming. Turning it almost into a center for aid, sholarships, and transfer options, with cultural education on the side.

Presidential Debate in Nashville

I, like quite a few I'm sure, watched the presidential debate last night.

Of course the first question out was the economy. I have to admit, this is a topic I'm stomped on a solution. I know whats not helping, but I'm not confident on what will help or fix it either. The only thing that strikes me as off is the fact that the topic of taxes seems like such a sensitive subject, and canidates step around it like glass.

I feel that when we hear one area, like education, getting it's funds cut, that that is because people aren't putting money into the government through taxes to cover it. The richest 1% of our population, with about 80%+ of the country's money, are constantly receiving tax cuts.

But in the first part of the debate I have linked, McCain still states he wants everyone to have lowered taxes. But I've only heard tax cuts applied to the upper class. Then the question is, where does the money for street repair, public schools, and other human services come from if we're constantly taking taxes out of the picture?

"Blindness" Makes Me Go "Hmm" and "Huh?" and "Ugh!"

This weekend I went to the theater and saw Blindness. I went in thinking the movie was going to show some great adaptation of human life after the population is suddenly overcome with blindness, and how many of those in power are determined to hide this development any way they find necessary.

Well, the second part was somewhat accurate. However, it was more about the corruption, panicked, and inhuman behaviors that develop after those that become blind are quarantined and left to care and fend for themselves. One of the first scenes we see a man that becomes blind while driving. People offer their assistance, and one even offers to drive him home. My first thought was that was a bad idea. This man was a complete stranger, and being left with a suddenly blinded man. In fact it does turn out to be a bad idea, as he eventually steals the blind man's car.

This is only the beginning. Throughout the entire movie people are being horribly treated, left vulnerable, killed, starved, and so on. All because of this mysterious, sweeping blindness. It became difficult to watch the screen several times. The only hope is the main character, a wife to a doctor, who pretends to be blind and ends up in quarantine with him and about a hundred others. But even she creates an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, as she cares for all the rest.

There was a lot of unanswered questions, like why they became blind? There's a lot that just left me feeling horrible, even sick at times. But still, there were elements of the story that were touching and compelling.

This Story Business Can Be Tough

I don't really find writing that difficult. I've been told by some I even have a talent for it. But despite that, I over-analyze assignments, and probably make the choice of what to write more difficult.

I've been juggling around with several different ideas for stories. The roadblock I kept meeting, "what would my sources be?" Too many of my ideas were coming off more opinion based than something to gather actual facts on. I could go around, ask staff and students, but the only thing factual would be how they feel, and not in the "how do you feel about the campus" way, more so in the "how do you feel about this...?" and running into a roadblock for getting the other side of the story, or enough people with information of the other side. Maybe I'm starting off viewing our assignments wrong. But I want to keep things closer to the school and community as well.

I ended up rethinking things, looked over the school calendar and people I know or have met around campus, and things I think a. I think I actually have a good line-up of about 3-4 stories, and may struggle putting a good 5th together. But I do figure that this is an election year, which only comes around every 4, so I might as well have a story related to that, if I have no other ideas. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

My Return

I find it really hard to get myself situated this term. It's like my brain won't register that it's no longer summer and that a new term has begun. Looking back, I think my summer was so chaotic, filled with the most I think I've ever done in the past 20 summers of my life combined.

I'm slowly attempting to adjust, although I realize I need to be quicker about it. I do feel like an old, tired vet here on campus with a large group of fresh, confused, and anxious cadets. I overhear all these questions and concerns people have about their first year and their new experiences here on campus, and I find myself the seasoned student, knowing the campus almost top to bottom.

I was starting to think it was just from my time being here and getting to know how things functioned. However, spending some time with friends on campus, I realized it's not just that. Some have been here as long as I have, and are just now seeing certain things like the new Learning Center, or haven't learned the importance of getting their required text within the first week.

Something that seems to be continuous through courses this term is the fact that the subjects are things Ienjoy and have an interest in, but am not entirely confident in when a grade is applied. I look forward to this News Reporting and Writing course, as well as my other courses, and hope that I can perform to the best of my abilities, improve on some things, and be happy with the turnout.