News Log #7

Alexa Holzberg

Journalism Period 1

5/29/09

 

Gay Male Voted Prom Queen in L.A.

National News/Weird News

http://news.aol.com/article/gay-male-teen-prom-queen/502830

 

In Los Angeles, California, an openly gay teen was voted prom queen at Los Angeles' Fairfax High School in a campaign. The campaign first began as a stunt but ended up igniting discussion on the campus about gender roles and teen popularity. Sergio Garcia, 18, was crowned queen Saturday night at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. A few days earlier Garcia said, “At one time, prom may have been a big popularity contest where the best-looking guy or girl were crowned king and queen. Things have changed and it's no longer just about who has the most friends or who wears the coolest clothes," Garcia told a gymnasium full of seniors. "I'm not your typical prom queen candidate. There's more to me than meets the eye." He also added, “"I will be wearing a suit," he said. "But don't be fooled, deep down I am a queen."

 

I think that what Garcia said was a really good statement. Prom queen/king really is so much more than who is the best-looking person. I think that it was very brave of him to accept this award, knowing that it would stir up a lot of conversation. I wonder how the kids at his school felt and if they were opposed to the idea, or supported it. 

News Log #6

Alexa Holzberg

May 28, 2009

Journalism Period 1

 

States: No smiling in license photos

By Matt Helms (Free Press)

http://www.freep.com/article/20090527/COL12/90527073/1081/States++No+smiling+in+license+photos

 

Some states are not allowing people to smile while they are getting their pictures taken for their licenses. USA reports that in Arkansas, Indiana, Nevada, and Virginia, this has become enacted. Every other state so far in the United States doesn’t have this law. It may sound silly, but it’s a matter of national security. USA Today says facial-recognition computer software used to stop one person from taking out multiple licenses works best if the facial expression is the same.

I think that this article is unusual. Everywhere else in the United States you are allowed to smile in your license picture. I wonder if they’re going to make this rule mandatory for all states. If it’s for a safety purpose then I think that it should apply to all states and not just those 4. Lastly, I don’t understand why somebody would want more than one license. I guess people can use it to accomplish bad things. 

News Log #4

Woman, 39, Was First to Die in Outbreak

www.new.aol.com/article/first-flu-death/454895

By Olga R. Rodriguez

39-year-old Adela Maria Gutierrez was the first person to die in the swine-flu outbreak in Oaxaca, Mexico. When she was rushed to the hospital with blue feet and hands (because of oxygen-starved blood), and gasping for air, doctors couldn't imagine what was wrong. The doctors tried to help in every way they could but Gutierrez just progressively got worse. The antibiotics distributed to her caused her to become more ill, and the ventilator that they later hooked her onto didn't help either. She was moved to an intensive care unit and a saliva sample was sent to a local private lab. The test results indicated it might be coronavirus — a highly contagious disease associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. A few days after the tests came back, she unfortunately died. Medical teams then did intensive studies and found that the cause of her death and sickness was a mutated swine flu. 

I think it's a shame that Gutierrez passed away. As I read more and more into the swine flu, I hear of more cases every day. At first, I thought that it was just an ordinary flu that people were getting out of season. But now that I'm hearing of all of these deaths that are occurring due to the disease, I'm convinced that it's a lot more serious. I'm actually very scared of the swine flu because I have a very weak immune system and I'm constantly catching every little thing that comes along. I really, REALLY hope that I don't get sick at all. I also hope that nobody in our district gets the swine flu either. I just hope as time goes on things only get better and not increasingly worse. 

News Log #3

Alexa Holzberg

Journalism Period 1

News Log #16

Three’s Company, Four’s a Crowd on ‘Idol’

www.aolnews.com

American Idol, TV News

 

The newest member to join the judging crew of American Idol, Kara DioGuardi, seems to not fit in with the rest of the judges. According to OK!, DioGuardi is disliked by fans and her fellow judges as well. Simon, Randy, and Paula have not accepted her as a judge and pretty much ignore her. Throughout the process, Simon, Randy and Paula would reference previous seasons, and Kara would have no idea what they were talking about. They would just say, 'You had to be there.' The fans as well do not accept her and feel as if she is an imposter on the show.

 

I feel that DioGuardi definitely does not belong on the show. I just don’t get why nothing can ever stay the same, and people always have to change things. I loved the show they way it originally was with Simon, Randy, and Paula. All three of them brought something charismatically different to the show and made it more interesting. I feel that DioGuardi was completely out of place. I feel bad for her that she is treated this way, but I definitely would enjoy watching American Idol more, without DioGuardi on the show. 

News Log #2

Well What are Friends For?

Tara Parker-Pope

The New York Times

Numerous studies show that people with a tight knit group of friends are more likely to be physically and emotionally more stable in life. Studies also show that people with close friends with healthy relationships are more likely to get less colds, because their stress levels are lower. The article shares a story of a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer. It showed that she got better because of the help of her friends supporting her and showing their love by sending gifts and visiting. The article mainly emphasized that it wasn't family or a spouse that was essential, it was the closeness and support of friends that was really key to different people's recoveries. 

I found this article to be very true. I know that whenever there is drama or problems going on with my friends, I get really upset and my equilibrium is thrown off. Things are just so much more relaxed and not tense when everything is going right with your friends. I think it's because you know that your family is always going to be your family, but your friends are the other special people in your lives that make room for you to care for and support. I really liked this article because it made me feel good to no that friends can have such a positive effect on people's lives.

News Log #15

-Boy in Cancer Medication Case Dies

-news.aol.com/article/cancer-medication-case/409340?icid=mainlmainld1llink3lhttp%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fcancer-medication-case%2F409340

-Health News

A 9-year-old little boy, Jeremy Fraser, had autism and in 2006, was later diagnosed with leukemia. His mother, Kristen Anne LaBrie, is accused of not giving her son his cancer medication. Fraser passed away in the hospital on Monday. LaBrie cancelled many chemotherapy appointments for her son along with not filling her sons prescriptions. LaBrie has pleaded not guilty to reckless child endangerment. However, LaBrie did not show up to a previously scheduled pretrial hearing in the endangerment case Monday. LaBrie's attorney, Kevin James, said that LaBrie had taken her son to Massachusetts General Hospital more than 100 times and has been "extensively involved in this child's care". 

I feel that this story is a little fishy. It doesn't make sense to me that Fraser's mother would take him countless times to the hospital, and then deny him of the treatment and medication that he needed. What was the point in taking him to the hospital in the first place if you weren't going to help your son out? The hospital may have told LaBrie what was necessary for her son's recovery, but she obviously did not take action. This really bothers me that a mother would do this to her helpless, suffering child. It just doesn't make any sense to me. I wonder what the court is going to decide. Do you think that LaBrie should be let off the hook? I certainly think she should pay for neglecting her son.