controversy

When it’s bigger than the story

On 07.26.10, In best practices, controversy, news, newspapers, By Jamie DeLoma

News raced around the world late Sunday into Monday about the publication of tens of thousands of secret military documents pertaining to the NATO-led war in Afghanistan.

The archives, posted collectively as the The Afghan War Diary on the donor-funded WikiLeaks’ website, offered a unique perspective on the war that is reportedly grimmer than how the Pentagon has often portrayed it.

WikiLeaks most recently garnered international attention when it published a controversial video three months ago that reportedly showed a 2007 American helicopter attack in Baghdad. A dozen people, including two Reuters journalists, were killed.

This time, however, the site gave the New York Times, the British newspaper The Guardian and the German magazine Der Spiegel access to the hundreds of thousands of pages of documents spanning six years several weeks ago on the condition they do not report on the materials before Sunday, the Times indicated in a story.

However, perhaps more important than what the documents included was how the whistle-blowing site, WikiLeaks, partnered with professional media partners to legitimize and analyze the pages of information.

The Times reports that the documents indicate “the Taliban are stronger than at any time since 2001” despite the nearly $300 billion spent on the war.

“The archive is a vivid reminder that the Afghan conflict until recently was a second-class war, with money, troops and attention lavished on Iraq while soldiers and Marines lamented that the Afghans they were training were not being paid,” the Times reported.

Through the partnership, the publications were able to offer perspective that raw data is unable to. For example, the Times reported that while the “documents do not contradict official accounts of the war,” they showed that the American military made misleading public statements in some cases.

The Times also was able to offer perspective on what the documents were lacking, specifically: “The archive is clearly an incomplete record of the war. It is missing many references to seminal events and does not include more highly classified information. The documents also do not cover events in 2010, when the influx of more troops into Afghanistan began and a new counterinsurgency strategy took hold.”

Not surprisingly, many governments, including the United States, criticized the release.

However, the way WikiLeaks opted to break the story is important and ground-breaking – in many ways.

In addition to further legitimizing the data, the site demonstrated how beneficial such a partnership could be when professional journalists and members of the public come together to share information.

As newsroom staffs continue to shrink, assistance from outside of news organizations are growing more critical – to both the survival of the practice of journalism and the very democracy on which this nation has been built. This story demonstrates that the public can – and should – contribute more than just photos of wild weather, but also of potential government failings. It is up to the press across America to encourage that.

Tagged with: afghan war diary • afghanistan • baghdad • controversial • der spiegel • guardian • nato • new york times • nyt • war • wikileaks

Palin has a problem

On 07.21.10, In best practices, controversy, grammar, media, news, social networking, By Jamie DeLoma

Ex-half-term Gov. Sarah Palin has a problem. She has a problem admitting that she does not know everything — and that will ultimately lead to her collapse.

Her unfounded arrogance has gotten her into more trouble and instead of simply acknowledging her mistake, she did what she always does — blame the media. And guess what — except for the dwindling percentage of her far right-wing supporters who hang on her every word. She got called out again and then predictably cried victim, again.

Last week, the former Republican vice presidential hopeful tweeted:

Ground Zero Mosque supporters: doesn’t it stab you in the heart, as it does ours throughout the heartland? Peaceful Muslims, pls refudiate

Unfortunately refudiate is not a word, despite the fact she said it on FOX’s “Hanity” as well as in the tweet she took down after folks began to criticize her.

She then reworked the same tweet three times, according to a report (complete with screen captures) published on Gawker until she arrived at a defensive tweet published on July 18:

“Refudiate,” “misunderestimate,” “wee-wee’d up.” English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it.”

If Palin had simply acknowledged her mistake, she would not have received the wide-scale attention that she did — and could have likely avoided the attention similar to what she suffered when she couldn’t define the Bush Doctrine, or offer the name of a newspaper she reads regularly during relatively easy interviews on the presidential campaign trail two years ago.

Perhaps, if the former governor was known for her linguistic abilities, or background in the language, she would have been able to explain her gaffe away as she did — but she’s just the opposite. The image that she created for herself is that of a rural soccer mom, not an English literary scholar.

Tagged with: deleting • gawker • hannity • making up • mosque • muslims • palin • refudiate • sara • sarah • sarah palin • shakespeare • tweet • tweets • twitter • words

Retailer under fire for selling clothes to a relevant audience

On 07.20.10, In controversy, stupid people, By Jamie DeLoma

A popular retailer has come under siege for essentially developing a logical and intelligent sales strategy.

Forever 21, the must-visit store for many teens and early 20-something girls, is being criticized for launching a line of maternity clothes called love21maternity in states with the highest pregnancy rates among young people. To that I say, bravo!

The clothing line, according to Syracuse.com, one of the many media outlets reporting the story, is said to be as “sophisticated, on-trend styles for moms-to-be at affordable prices.” What’s wrong with that? Should pregnant young people dress is rags and dirty linens? Give me a break. Why don’t we just sew a scarlet letter to pregnant girls’ tops?

The line was launched at the end of last month in Arizona, Alaska, California, Utah and Texas, according to Syracuse.com.

The Gloss, a fashion website, reported that Arizona, California and Texas are among the states with the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the United States. OK, so? Should Forever 21 market maternity clothes in states where there is not a lot of pregnancy? What kind of sense would that make?

People, we live in a capitalistic society. Stores need to make money — particularly as the economy struggles escape one of the worst recessions in this nation’s history.

An ABC affiliate, according to The Stir, quoted teen girls as saying they believe the clothes will inspire some of their friends to have sex and deliver a child. Hmmm… perhaps if girls are saying trendy maternity clothes would provoke a surge in teen pregnancy, there is something more wrong with the girls than the store? Perhaps better parenting is needed. Or perhaps the girls really just wanted to say something sensationalistic to get quoted on TV.

Regardless, just because a store markets a clothing line does not mean people will run out to purchase the products. No store would ever go bankrupt if that were the case.

I commend Forever 21, a store I have never shopped in or have any affiliation with, for making a smart business decision — and denounce the critics for being stupid and insinuating are stupid. Just because something is pretty does not mean one will get pregnant to wear it. Retailers ought to go where the money is within reason — and what Forever 21 did certainly falls within that purview.

Tagged with: 20-somethings • capitalism • critics • forever 21 • girls • love21maternity • maternity clothes • media outlets • scarlet letter • sensationalism • sex • syracuse • teen pregnancy • teens

TSA: Protecting public, or saving face?

On 12.26.09, In controversy, rationale, By Jamie DeLoma

A Nigerian man who reportedly told officials he had ties with the al Qaeda terrorist network and has been charged with attempting to carry out a bombing on a Northwest Airlines flight may have had a greater affect on international travel than he may have originally thought.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who American prosecutors have accused of trying to bring down a flight on its last leg from Amsterdam to Detroit, appears to have succeeded in his alleged mission to a certain degree.

In the aftermath of the alleged attempted bombing, the Department of Homeland Security is creating a travel nightmare for people attempting to fly through American airspace.

According to a report posted on the New York Times’ Web site Sunday evening:

The government was vague about the steps it was taking, saying it wanted the security experience to be “unpredictable” and that passengers would not find the same measures at every airport — a prospect that may upset airlines and travelers alike.

Among the steps taken, according to the Times:

Passengers on international flights coming to the U.S. will have to remain in their seats for the last hour of a flight without any personal items on their laps.
Overseas passengers will be restricted to only one carry-on item.
Domestic passengers will probably face longer security lines.
On at least one flight, attendants kept cabin lights on for the entire trip.
Mandatory screening of passengers at airport gates during the boarding process.
Passengers on flights of 90 minutes or less would most likely not be able to leave their seats at all.

As a result, airlines are warning passengers to expect delays and cancellations.

Of course, the question that needs to be asked is: Will the new security procedures make the public any safer? I have yet to be convinced.

It seems that the changes do little to reduce any potential terrorist threat to the flying public — and more to save the TSA face. It also doesn’t seem that any of the changes would have prevented Friday’s alleged attempted bombing.

If the charges are true and Abdulmutallab did attempt to bring down a commercial airliner outside of Detroit last week, then the failure was rooted at the airport and with the security personnel who allowed the self-described terrorist on the plane that traveled over one of the world’s most populated areas with 200-plus other people on board.

Protocols and personnel should be evaluated, and what went wrong should fully explored. But actions should not be done for the sole sake of saving face — as appears to be the case with these extremely disruptive changes.

It was the passengers — not security personnel or procedures – that prevented a potential disaster. So why punish the heroes?

Tagged with: air travel • coverup • northwest airlines • terrorism • travel • tsa

Vatican: Christ’s birth not worth bother

On 12.24.09, In Christmas, Uncategorized, controversy, history, tradition, By Jamie DeLoma

The Gospel of St. Luke tells us that the birth of Christ was a momentous day in the history of the world. We now now recognize it as one of the most significant in the history of man.

According to Luke 2:9-14,

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.

Countless wars were waged in His name; and countless men, women and children sacrificed their lives as a result of their faith to the Lord over the past 2,000 years.

Some of our mankind’s most beautiful and significant artwork was crafted through the inspiration of His birth and subsequent life, death and resurrection.

Time as we now almost universally accept it in every corner of the globe reflects the passing seconds, minutes, hours and days since that unparalleled moment in history. And yet, the Roman Catholic Church — the very church established to praise, honor and remember His life is signaling to the world that celebrating His birth is, well, not really worth the bother.

Midnight Mass, which marks the beginning of the observance of Christmas, throughout history has been celebrated beginning at midnight. However, all that has come to change.

Beginning a few years ago at the church level, the grand celebration began starting earlier. First it was at 11 p.m., and then at 10 p.m.

I thought this was horrible at the time, but I disagreed with many of the changes the Church has made over the past few decades, including:

the shift from the traditional language of the Bible and prayers — like thee, thou and lo — so it is easier for this generation’s children to understand what the words mean. Clearly that makes sense as previous generations often spoke with those words. Oh, wait. They didn’t, and yet, they still managed the meaning of the 23rd psalm and the “Hail Mary.” Hmmm. Intriguing.
the shift from the Mass from Latin to the language of the people. Ugh. The Mass is supposed to praise the Lord. God is supposed to be holy, mighty and divine. Removing the pageantry and tradition that creates a more dynamic experience strips the experience away from the Mass. Our Jewish brothers and sisters still celebrate in traditional language. Why can’t Catholics? When I attend Mass in Latin, I still feel like I am in the presence of divinity; when it’s in English, it takes a lot more for me to feel like I am in the presence of something great — particularly when priests, our supposed spiritual leaders, mumble through downloaded sermons that lack any semblance of a personal touch. It is becoming strikingly more apparent that the Roman Catholic Church is suffering (read: suffering) a substantial priest shortage.

So compared to these more substantial changes in the Church, the shift of Midnight Mass from 12 a.m. to 10 p.m. is not as substantial of an issue. After all, I do try to pick my battles.

But since we are on the subject, shifting the beginning of this awe-inspiring Mass two hours earlier, or even 32 minutes earlier, erodes the significance of the celebration.

Christ our Savior was born. And yet, we need to accommodate ourselves rather than our God? What the heck?

How could the Church legitimately make an argument that it is the human representatives of the divinity if it is consistently making concessions to make it easier for mere mortals? It can’t.

According to Reuters, churches are celebrating this Mass earlier to “help families.”

Among the earliest services found in a snapshot survey by the Telegraph was St Teresa of the Child Jesus church in Liverpool, where Midnight Mass will take place at 6 p.m.

“It’s because people don’t like coming out late, and they want to bring their children,” said a spokesman for the church.

“It’s nice, some of the children wear their pyjamas.”

6 p.m.? 6 p.m.? Oh, man, yes, people are really making sacrifices for their Lord. And churches are really instilling their congregations with the significance of the day.

At many churches, there is a children’s pageant in the early evening so that families could attend ergo there is no need for Midnight Mass to be celebrated at 6 p.m. And hey, as long as the children are already in their pajamas at Mass, how about we put some bubble solution in the Baptismal Font and give our lil’ darlings a bath. Maybe it’ll attract more people.

So, as if all of these things occurring at more and more Catholic churches were not bad enough, the Vatican is now beginning to follow suit.

It has been announced that the Holy Father will celebrate Midnight Mass beginning at 10 p.m. for the FIRST TIME in history! For God’s sake, where does it end?

The Vatican hopes the Mass will be over by Midnight, CNN reports. Why? Because of the pope is tired.

Yes, I understand he is an old man, but it would go a long way if the pope, Jesus’ representative on earth, showed what sacrifice really is. How could he preach from the pulpit that our society is becoming too lazy, if he can’t even stay up on one night?

And if he can’t do it, have a Cardinal celebrate Midnight Mass. Regardless, just show some respect.

If not you, Holy See, then who?

Tagged with: changes • Christmas • holy see • jesus • midnight mass • pope • prayers • tradition • traditional • vatican

Don’t do it!

On 12.10.09, In Uncategorized, controversy, news, stupid people, By Jamie DeLoma

The “heartbeat” of New Haven’s Union Station will soon stop — and with it yet another fiber of the state’s colorful history will be stripped away unnecessarily and ignorantly.

The state Department of Transportation will remove the Solari board (seen in action above) from the train station within the next year and replace it with LED screens, according to the New Haven Independent.

This is just ridiculous. It’s always easier to replace something than to preserve it. And once again, the state is opting to take the easy way out.

The reason for removing the historic and rare board? Kevin Nursick, a DOT spokesman, told the Independent that it is difficult to find parts and expertise to fix that style board anymore. Hmmm. Well, Mr. Nursick, what are the other cities with the boards doing? You know, like Philadelphia? They are finding a way to preserve their past.

And further, Mr. Nursick, I suggest that you LOOK HARDER — or maybe talk with Philadelphia officials. I hear they’re friendly in the city of brotherly love. Make an investment of time. Do it for your kids. Do it for your kids’ kids.

In the long-run I would think the state will get a bigger bang for its buck if it invests in performing regular maintenance on the sign than on purchasing LED screens. After all, LED screens don’t last long — certainly not as long as the Solari board did. Think about all the technology the Solari board has outlasted.

If you are Connecticut citizen, I implore you to take a stand. If you care about our state, and what made it so great — or even if you think your children or grandchildren might give a damn — I suggest voicing your opposition to this plan. Don’t forget, Mr. Nursick works for you — not the other way around.

While I am certainly a proponent of adapting to new technology, I strongly believe the state also has a responsibility to preserve our history. Considering that the board is the last one on the entire New Haven Line says something right there.

And beyond the historical reasons, it is easier to see such a board than a LED monitor. Have you ever tried reading such a monitor from the side or from an angle? It’s not easy. And the noise that the sign creates with each update is sure to capture your attention, something a stagnant, and eye-straining LED sign won’t accomplish.

Much too often the state’s most prized and beloved relics meet the wrecking ball unnecessarily and prematurely and thus stripping future generations of the opportunity to see what made our past tick — or, in this case, clicker-clack.

New Haven Urban Design League President Anstress Farwell described the Solari sign’s sound as the heartbeat of the grand waiting room in an e-mail to the Independent, and I agree.

We mustn’t let it flat line. Because once we do, it will be too late to come to our senses.

A Facebook group and a petition have already been established in hopes of saving this historic item — and I hope you will consider checking them out.

Tagged with: connecticut • history • new haven • solari • union station

Way to be, FAA

On 10.30.09, In controversy, stupid people, By Jamie DeLoma

If someone wanted to hijack a commercial airliner, the Federal Aviation Administration would be on top of it, right?

Apparently not.

In the closest real test of the system since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the FAA dropped the ball. Like woah. Seriously.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the FAA took more than 40 minutes to alert the military after losing communications with that Northwest Airlines flight last week. The Journal reported that officials are supposed to notified within 10 minutes of an incident.

Appropriately, the delay has ruffled more than a few feathers at the Pentagon, White House and FAA. However, more needs to be done.

According to the newspaper:

In the event of a hijacking, the military would order fighters into the air to intercept an aircraft and possibly shoot it down.

That, of course, could not happen if the military didn’t know about the hijacking.

It’s clear so many levels of the system broke down. But that can’t be overlooked. Remember, the system broke down on 9/11. We can’t afford for another 3,000 people to be murdered to realize that the system needs to be fixed — NOW.

According to the Journal, the delay was blamed on the local controllers’ focus on trying to re-establish contact with the airliner. Instead, they should have been contacting their supervisors. Ooops.

It’s good an investigation has been launched, but before it is over, the traffic controllers need to be terminated. There is no excuse for this mistake that could have cost thousands of American lives. This is not an issue America can take lightly.

Tagged with: airliners • airlines • faa • northwest • safety

Should age matter in sentencing?

On 10.09.09, In controversy, crime, laws, By Jamie DeLoma

Should one’s age play a significant role in how much time one does for a crime?

Once someone reaches a certain age, should they be spared prison?

A story in today’s New York Times addresses this very issue.

I was flabbergasted to learn that senior citizens are essentially sent a “get out of jail free card” with their Social Security check each month.

The article listed numerous examples where age played a significant role in one’s sentencing.

For instance:

“…this spring, an 85-year-old man who admitted providing sensitive military information to Israel was spared prison by a judge, who cited the man’s advanced age and said sending him to prison would ’serve no purpose.’ “

Really? A man was spared prison primarily because of his advanced age? That mightmake sense if the spy did not know how old he was, but my guess he is likely did when he compromised sensitive American security.

While I recognize that an extended prison sentence could conceivably be a life sentence for someone up there in years, the person should have considered that when they perpetrated their crime.

The reality is anyone behind bars will suffer — old or young.

If I were to be sentenced to jail time and a friend or family member were to die, or I be diagnosed with a terminal illness, I would suffer, too.

Hell, I would suffer just over the loss of my civil liberties and freedom. But isn’t that the point of prison?

While I believe an individual’s circumstances should be considered when sentenced, I don’t believe one’s age should play as large of a role as it apparently does.

Do the crime, and the do the time — especially if you are old enough to realize it is wrong.

Tagged with: age • prison • senior citizens • sentence

Shock following peace prize news

On 10.09.09, In best and worst, controversy, politics, By Jamie DeLoma

It was announced this morning that President Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize.

When I first read the news, courtesy of an NBC New York breaking news e-alert, I was shocked. I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn’t missing a word.

“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Committee, told the press.

Like many of Obama’s fans and foes both domestically and around the world, I was shocked. Love him or hate him, what has he done to earn this high honor?

According to a 1010 WINS/Associated Press report:

The Nobel Committee lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama’s calls for peace and cooperation but recognized initiatives that have yet to bear fruit: reducing the world stock of nuclear arms, easing American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthening the U.S. role in combating climate change.

But they were promises and visions that we haven’t had time to see results on yet, for better or worse.

In fact, the nomination had to be submitted by Feb. 1, which was less than two weeks into his presidency.

Even Obama senior aides were floored.

“Senior advisor David Axelrod expressed surprise that the award went to Obama,” Politico reported.

The president is only the third sitting American president to be awarded the honor.

Friends and allies around the world and across America are touting the honor as another sign of the president’s pontential to make the world a better place.

As I see it, the United States should celebrate this award. When our president, regardless of political party, is a winner, we are all a winner. America can only benefit from the increased clout and influence our chief executive will have on the international stage as a result of this honor. This is a reason to celebrate.

And even some of the folks who need help aid the most will benefit by the award. The president will give the prize money to charity, according to CBS News.

And yet, some conservatives are not. Instead they are slamming doors and pouting.

Rush Limbaugh, according to Politico, called the honor a “greater embarrassment” than losing the Olympics.

“This fully exposes the illusion that is Barack Obama,” Limbaugh told POLITICO in an e-mail. “And with this ‘award’ the elites of the world are urging Obama, THE MAN OF PEACE, to not do the surge in Afghanistan, not take action against Iran and its nuclear program and to basically continue his intentions to emasculate the United States.”

How is this possibily a bad thing? And further, how does it emasculate, or deprive this nation of strength or vigor? Come on, Rush, get real!

According to the same Politico report, the Republican National Committee chairman, Michael Steele, comes off like a jealous little boy:

“It is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. One thing is certain – President Obama won’t be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility or backing up rhetoric with concrete action.”

Really? You’re right, Mr. Steele, this is a bad thing and can only hurt us — and there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, too.

Tagged with: limbaugh • nobel • nobel peace prize • obama • peace • prize • shock

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