Photos I would print

Out of the four photographs taken of the Jan. 22, 1987 suicide of Pennsylvania treasurer R. Budd Dwyer, I would rather print picture 1a.
This picture shows Dwyer with the gun in his hand, but the photo remains tasteful to multiple audiences. I would not print photos 3a. or 4a. because they potentially take away Dwyer's dignity during his suicide.

I would consider printing picture 2a. because it illustrates his unstable emotions and determination to end his life in front of others. Although his eyes are slightly unfocused, his almost military grasp on the gun shows his decision is final.

Out of the graphic pictures to choose from, I would print photos #1, boy grieving for his dog; #4, boy is stuck on fence by his jaw; and #5, woman is overtaken by mardi gras mob.

I would print the picture of the boy grieving for his dog only if the incident was not local. I have a strong feeling for animals who have suffered or are suffering, and I would not want the boy to easily access a photo of this moment. I understand that the relevance of the photo would decrease if I did not print it locally, but I would most likely accompany the photo with an article or asf about animals struck by vehicles or something of that nature. I would print this picture on the front page, but only accompanied by a story or facts and figures to lessen the gut-wrenching feeling that comes from seeing the boy's face. I would want to convey the effect of striking animals, but I would not want to overplay such a strong moment of grief.

I could not print the picture of the family grieving for the drowned boy. I could never exploit that moment without their complete consent.


I would print the picture of the boy below only because he did not die. I would specify in the headlines that he lived through this ordeal. I would print the photo and story as a warning against playing near or on dangerous, sharp objects.

The last picture I would print was a particularly difficult decision. I would only print the picture if the woman's face was obscured. Her dignity was taken by the men groping her; I would not want to contribute to her loss by printing her face. I think it is important to get her story out as a warning to women celebrating 'Fat Tuesday'. Her plight may show the dangers of traveling alone in large crowds of stangers. There are many angles I could take on the story, focusing on a larger picture of festival saftey aside from her experience. The image may disturb women and men alike, but I think it carries a strong advisory message with it.

The Hartford Courant's new look

My fiance sends me copies of the Hartford Courant every week - yes,he lives in Connecticut.

After reading the first headline on the first page of the first newspapaper he sent me, I called him and asked, "Is the Courant having budget problems?" - He didn't know.

The layout of my first Courant, dated Feb. 8, seemed odd to say the least. Firstly, the nameplate is positioned vertically on the left hand side of the paper. Next, only three stories adorn the front page. The picture in the middle was showed a distinguished, older couple standing in front of a white wall.

The issues on the page that pointed to budget problems were the grammatical errors and awkward placing.

The main story, beginning slightly below the cutline, began as follows:
"Meet the Madoffs - of West Hartford."
The dash seems unnecessary. The reporter tried to create a sense of surprise, but the dash looks awkward. The author used several more dashes in the story - the most I've seen in one article.

The last story's headline was "Another Jobs Jolt". It seems like it should be either 'Another job jolt', or 'Another job's jolt'. The story was written by reporters from the Los Angeles Times, but the Courant most likely changed the headline.

The paper's inside also contained mistakes: A photo from China was left without a caption or cutline and ellipses were used out place.


I searched online for anyone's thoughts on the paper's problems and came across an 'Eyewitness News 3' Blog. The title of the blog is "Courant's Parent Co. Files For Bankruptcy Readers Hope Paper Can Be Saved". This blog, written in Dec. last year,gives more insight into the paper's current problems.

The author writes that the Hartford Courant's parent company filed for bankruptcy.

The blog can be found at http://www.wfsb.com/money/18239031/detail.html

What do you think about the new layout? Does it scream "budget problems"?

Txting killed it!

Hello my fellow classmates; I know you guys are the only ones viewing my blog right now.

The original post I'm forced to critique is called You Don't Say by John E. McIntyre on what he thinks about texting. Is it destroying the human language? Is it increasing literary laziness in the younger generation? Frankly, this man doesn't care one way or the other.

He said that the texting language is a fad that will pass. Do you think it's a fad, or something that's here to stay?

I say it's global short-hand; a fast form of communication that generations X to Y are perfecting. Yes, it may make us comfortable with sliced and diced forms of whatever language we're using, but that's a small sacrifice to make when u dnt hve enouf tme to wrte evryting dwn.

What say you?

Check out the original Blog!








Txt Messaging Vs. Morse Code