Nothing is created or conducted without a purpose, there has to be a motive to create or invent, simply put, there is no action without thought, likewise there is no doing without reason. This mode of thought is applicable to the creative world and logic would then state that all art, under this methodology, is meaningful and has a desired purpose or affect. Art is a form of communication, spiritual, emotional, static and encrypted, blunt and out right. The meaning that the artist buries into the art might be different from the perceived meaning of the viewer, in fact the meaning can change from individual to individual. This is because each person brings a new set of tools; experiences, internal references, societal codes, academic knowledge and a barrage of other attributes to decipher meaning. John Dewy, the author of Art as Experience (New York: Perigee, 1934) believed that art should serve as an instrument or a tool to achieve an end or a purpose. Therefore Dewy thought art had to serve a purpose. I believe that art in fact is wreathed in purpose from its inception, considering that it was in fact created under the specific pretenses and intentions of the artist to fulfill a notion or idea. This leads me to my main point, art does not need to serve a purpose, it does not have the sole responsibility of guiding, forcing, or persuading us to believe in something, art is purpose. It is the physical embodiment of the artist’s purpose, purpose is its DNA. Long after the color fades and the frame splinters and breaks, long after the marble erodes and the statuary falls to ruins, long after the film decays and the image is left unrecognizable, there was and still remains, a purpose in the canvas, a purpose in the stone and a purpose behind the negative, engraved by the artist. To answer the question directly, does art have to serve a purpose? I would say no, art is a purpose and by default this means all art has instilled in its very structure an intent, and therefore it is ripe with meaning and fluid with purpose. Whether the art is meant to be enlightening, moving, communicating a complex thought or a visual representation of history, the meaning is there from the first brush stroke, chisel, or frame. Art is not instrumental or beautiful & meaningful, there are no ultimatums, there is no reason to label or choose sides. Through its purpose can a differentiation be made. Is it meant to entertain, communicate ideals & beliefs, depict a story or just generate thought. In essence, all art in any form is, is a tool, an instrument to guide in some way, the viewer through or to a desired effect. So it can be said that art is both beautiful and deeply meaningful and also an instrument of change, institution, and beauty. It is in these ways that art constitutes as both an instrument and something as just understatedly simple as being beautiful and interesting.
Leonardo DA Vinci’s the “Mona Lisa” (1503 – 1505, page 461) is a prime example of art just being art. Like the similar saying “boys will be boys”, this implies a certain level of mischievousness, recklessness, and undertones of immaturity. When I say “art will be art” I mean it is displays purpose, communicative ideas and beauty & interest. It is what art fulfills, what art was intended to do. The “Mona Lisa” was created for a purpose, whether it is a commissioned portrait or a painting in which DA Vinci put in his own special context. I am not sure how the “Mona Lisa” helps us make sense of the world, but does intrigue us. Maybe that is it’s secret. This painting has a mystery behind it, published accounts say that the woman was Lisa di Antonio Maria Gherardini but her identity cannot be confirmed since the painting itself nor DA Vinci provide any record towards the women’s identity. So it is neither evident who the women is for sure or why the painting was conceived in the first place. This mystery has lead to many different theories and suspicions. But the fact remains; when we stare at the “Mona Lisa” we are looking directly at DA Vinci’s purpose and intent. We may not know what it means entirely but we can derive a meaning and appreciate for the portrait. The “Mona Lisa” is captivating, beautiful and moody. It’s historical origins may never be fully know, but maybe this is the lesson. The “Mona Lisa” shows us that even when the origins and meaning have faded to time or were never quite understood to begin with, we must take time to understand, to contemplate and confer, for this iconic painting was created for a reason but just because the reason has been lost, is it less significant?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tidal Power & The Gulf of Maine
Life; fragile and indestructible, eradicable and perseverant, it all began within the world’s oceans. Today in 2010, the ocean is viewed as a means of monetary value, no longer respected for allocating life but sustaining economies. Plundered and exploited for resources; it is only natural that when the entire human civilization faces an energy crisis, we turn to “mother ocean” to assuage our consumption and provide us with a feasible solution; tidal power.
The Gulf of Maine has the potential to provide the energy we so desperately desire but is this necessity for energy, fed by a blind need for consumption or the actual application of green energy, in the best interest for the Gulf of Maine itself, rather than the power grids of the United States.
The Gulf of Maine consists of 36,000 square miles of ocean and includes 7,500 miles of coastline, from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia. The Gulf is internationally renowned for its high bioproductivity, fishing industry, and the Bay of Fundy, which produces the highest tidal ranges in the world, aka the generator for a tidal industry.
Tidal power in The Bay of Fundy, located between Canada and the United States, is considered the region most economically feasible for tidal power production in the western hemisphere, due to its tidal range. The Bay of Fundy has the largest tides in the world, up to 16 meters, 53 feet, during a spring tide; this is due to the shape of the bay itself, the bay gets progressively narrower allowing for the extreme tides. The potential energy output of a tidally-driven facility in this area is projected at 17 billion Kilowatt hours with the capacity of 6 million Kilowatts, in terms of usage; this is roughly 22% of New England's energy consumption for 1978.
Tidal power is renewable and available locally; creating jobs and does not produce any green house gases or harmful environmental byproducts, such as CO2, which is emitted from the burning of fossil fuels, otherwise known as oil & coal, the basis for almost all energy produced.
Tidal power works through the use of a sluice, a floodgate or water channel, which allows the tide to flow into the tidal basin. The sluice is part of a tidal barrage, a dam or wall that crosses the opening of a tidal basin, such as the Bay of Fundy. The sluice is then closed and the sea level drops. Traditional hydropower technologies can then be used to generate electricity from the elevated water in the basin. The opening and closing of the sluice, sends water over the turbines, make them spin; creating electricity that will be carried to shore via underwater cables, and then used the power consumer goods.
The main benefit “no pollutants” says University of Maine’s David Townsend, Professor of Ocean Science. “It’s dumb not to take the tidal current, should we, I don’t know, when are we taking too much?
The Gulf of Maine has been the back bone of Maine’s local and commercial fishing industries for generations, providing in excess of millions of dollars to the state, via the direct harvesting and retail of fish and through the large amount of tourism that is partially generated by the industry. But Maine’s fishing industry has been in a state of slow decline for the past decade, overfishing and regulations have crippled the industry to its core.
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(Sea Turtle caught in a trawl net)Once Atlantic Cod and Halibut were the central fisheries on Georges Bank, overtime bottom trawlers became more efficient, catching a staggering amount of fish in a single day. Some accounts claim that with the invention of ocean trawlers, a single vessel could catch in one hour, what the traditional methods could catch in an entire season. Species in the bank flip-flop due to this kind of large scale fishing, large numbers of fish are removed in a relatively short period of time, allowing more fish to be harvested, causing species fluctuations on the bank. Major species fluctuations can alter entire marine ecosystems, changing the bioproductivity of a region. Thus a fishery could collapse, as has happened in the Gulf before.
Professor Townsend says, this is an example of what can happen when our natural resources are not managed, when we do in fact, take too much. He says that he is not so much concerned with the introduction of a tidal power facility, as he is with fishery management.
But there just so happens to be a downfall, tidal power effects the environment in extreme and unnatural ways. A result of a tidal barrage site is water stratification, which hinders the production of plankton, the key to life in the ocean as it is the base of the marine food chain. But this would only occur in the area between the shore and the facility. Tide pool communities could be affected, a microcosm of species could starve. Also birds that feed on the mud flats would have nowhere to feed.
Other benefits include protecting the coast against high powered storms, as the barrage is essentially a seawall, or the barrage itself could be constructed as a bridge, this technique has been used in Britain.
The bottom line is can we afford such extreme consequences that could potentially damage areas of productivity in the Gulf of Maine, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. Scientist readily admit, they themselves do not know the entire extent of the affects that would occur.
Professor Townsend states that the affects of tidal power would almost be immediate. The facilities would begin generating power as soon as they were installed and in regards to the unknown effects, within a year they could be determined. The race is on; Canada is currently working on developing a tidal power facility in the Bay of Fundy, in the Canadian region of the bay. Which leads to another question, what would happen if Maine does not move forward with a tidal facility but Canada does, will we inherit their side effects? As always, time will tell.
Monday, April 26, 2010
“Peril in the Gulf of Maine”
Life; fragile and indestructible, eradicable and perseverant, it all began within the worlds ocean’s. Today in 2010, the ocean is viewed as a means of monetary value, no longer respected for allocating life but sustaining economies. Exploited and in peril, the Gulf of Maine now exemplifies Man's disdain.
The Gulf of Maine has been the back bone of Maine’s local and commercial fishing industries for generations, providing in excess of millions of dollars to the state, via the direct harvesting and retail of fish and through the large amount of tourism that is partially generated by the industry. But Maine’s fishing industry has been in a state of slow decline for the past decade, overfishing and regulations have crippled the industry to its core.
The Gulf of Maine is delineated by Cape Cod at the eastern tip of Massachusetts in the southwest and Cape Sable at the southern tip of Nova Scotia in the northeast. It includes the entire coastlines of New Hampshire and Maine, as well as Massachusetts north of Cape Cod and the southern and western coastlines of the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The Gulf includes, The Bay of Fundy and Georges Bank, two geographical locations high bioproductivity due to tidal mixing and ocean currents.
Once Atlantic Cod and Halibut were the central fisheries on Georges Bank, overtime bottom trawlers became more efficient, catching a staggering amount of fish in a single day. Some accounts claim that with the invention of ocean trawlers, a single vessel could catch in one hour, what the traditional methods could catch in an entire season. Species in the bank flip-flop due to this kind of large scale fishing, large numbers of fish are removed in a relatively short period of time, allowing more fish to be harvested, causing species fluctuations on the bank. Major species fluctuations can alter entire marine ecosystems, changing the bioproductivity of a region. Thus a fishery could collapse, as has happened in the Gulf before.
The Gulf of Maine is also been identified as an energy resource, tidal power, wind farms and oil research have all been conducted and or proposed for the area. Tidal power in The Bay of Fundy, located between Canada and the United States, is considered the region most economically feasible for tidal power production in the western hemisphere, due to its tidal range. The Bay of Fundy has the largest tides in the world, up to 16 meters or 53 feet during a spring tide; this is due to the shape of the bay itself, the bay gets progressively narrower allowing for the extreme tides. The potential energy output of a tidally-driven facility in this area is projected at 17 billion Kilowatt hours with the capacity of 6 million Kilowatts, in terms of usage; this is roughly 22% of New England's energy consumption for 1978.
Tidal power is renewable and available locally; it creates jobs and does not produce any green house gas or harmful byproducts. But there just so happens to be a downfall, tidal power effects the environment in extreme and unnatural ways. A result of a tidal barrage site is water stratification, which hinders the production of plankton, the key to life in the ocean as it is the base of the marine food chain. The Gulf of Maine is famous for large spring blooms of plankton and algae. A tidal barrage facility could disrupt this massive accumulation of life, affecting not only the algae, but essentially every marine organism in the Gulf, as every marine organism is dependent on plankton either directly or indirectly. The collapse of the spring bloom could have effects on the Gulf of Maine in ways that cannot be predicted by computer models.
Tidal barrage facilities also reduce tidal oscillation periods and change tidal distances and direction slightly. While tidal oscillation periods are decreased, tidal amplitude increases. Research shows that substantial coastal flooding would submerge a narrow part of the Maine coast. A variety of other problems then follow suit, length of growing season, seasonal weather regimes and biodiversity are all affected by the barrage.
The bottom line is can we afford such extreme consequences that could potentially damage to productivity of the Gulf of Maine, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
UMaine Rugby Rumble
On Sunday April 18 the University of Maine Women’s Rugby Team took on the Portland Women’s Rugby Football Club, at the Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine; the kick off began at 1p.m. Outfitted in blue and white jerseys, the girls do not wear any form of safety equipment despite a plastic mouth guard; the UMaine team took to the field to face their considerably older opponents. The Portland Women’s Rugby Football Club consists of women varying in ages from their twenties to their forties, but there was no way that age was a handicap. The Ladies of the Portland club played a fierce and brutal first half; by halftime they had their younger counter parts beat 7 to 0.
As the second half of the game was underway UMaine rallied all their physical and technical skill to try and pull off the victory. It proved not to be the easiest of tasks, injuries were frequent and some of the most severe of the season.
Caitlin Losi of UMaine experienced a broken nose along with teammate Alex Snowe, who also endured a deviated septum and a concussion. Snowe was rushed to Maine Medical Center, where surgery was recommended to correct her septum. Teammate Krystal Amy also received a concussion during game play. The Portland Women’s Rugby Football Club experienced the worst injury of the game when a player’s arm was broken after a strong tackle by one of UMaine’s most aggressive player’s, Emily Bennett.
Despite the high number of injuries and intense physical exertion, UMaine managed to utilize the second half, scoring two try’s and two kicks, bringing the final score to 14 – 7; securing their victory. UMaine will no doubt ride on their victory when they face Colby College on Saturday April 24, at the Colby campus. Looking further ahead into the future, UMaine is preparing for their return to the Maine Cup, a tournament in which UMaine has claimed the top spot for the last two years. UMaine is and could very well be, Maine’s best Women’s Rugby Team.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Twitter & the Media
Micro blogging has become all the rage in the last few years, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and even Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia edited and maintained by the public, have all changed the way we interact and communicate with one another. This has never been more apparent than in times of disaster or conflict. Even the mainstream media has adopted this trend; companies such as CNN and Fox have twitter accounts and often use material from them on the air. Micro blogging is a new constant in our media driven lives but its popularity seems to correlate with unfortunate occurrences, such as the 2010 Haiti Earthquake.
On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred near Haiti’s capital city of Port-au-Prince. The damage was catastrophic, leveling Haiti’s poorly constructed buildings and infrastructure, injuring, killing and displacing hundreds of thousands. The media coverage of the quake was considerable, images of Haitians distraught and confused, injured and helpless filled the news and society responded to their cries; answering them with texts, and 140 character messages via twitter.
An elaborate effort to raise money to help the Haitian people was immediately underway. A revolutionary text to donate system helped the Red Cross collect over 1 billion dollars to date for Haiti relief. People organized over twitter, donating money, offering messages of hope and some people even took physical action, organizing groups of volunteers to go to Haiti and combat the disaster. The media also became a place to search for loved ones. The television and twitter were both the main resource used by the Haitian people to connect with family in the United States and abroad.
These micro blogs have created a network that is accessible to the public, a front not explored since the birth of the internet. But a revolution in technology over the last few years has advanced the field of communications itself, Twitter, Facebook and so on. These new outlets have connected the people, allowing them to interact in a manner that is completely new. It is unsure what the long term affects of such technologies are but the short term affects are evident.
The expansion of communication and the ways in which we, as a society, gather information have created a system of news in which its value has inflated. Anyone with a Facebook, Twitter, or internet connection for that matter, can create news in their image and how they see fit. Naturally this can led to a system that is based in unverifiable information. While the internet and its social devices have brought us together it also poses an inevitable threat to the value of our news.
On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred near Haiti’s capital city of Port-au-Prince. The damage was catastrophic, leveling Haiti’s poorly constructed buildings and infrastructure, injuring, killing and displacing hundreds of thousands. The media coverage of the quake was considerable, images of Haitians distraught and confused, injured and helpless filled the news and society responded to their cries; answering them with texts, and 140 character messages via twitter.
An elaborate effort to raise money to help the Haitian people was immediately underway. A revolutionary text to donate system helped the Red Cross collect over 1 billion dollars to date for Haiti relief. People organized over twitter, donating money, offering messages of hope and some people even took physical action, organizing groups of volunteers to go to Haiti and combat the disaster. The media also became a place to search for loved ones. The television and twitter were both the main resource used by the Haitian people to connect with family in the United States and abroad.
These micro blogs have created a network that is accessible to the public, a front not explored since the birth of the internet. But a revolution in technology over the last few years has advanced the field of communications itself, Twitter, Facebook and so on. These new outlets have connected the people, allowing them to interact in a manner that is completely new. It is unsure what the long term affects of such technologies are but the short term affects are evident.
The expansion of communication and the ways in which we, as a society, gather information have created a system of news in which its value has inflated. Anyone with a Facebook, Twitter, or internet connection for that matter, can create news in their image and how they see fit. Naturally this can led to a system that is based in unverifiable information. While the internet and its social devices have brought us together it also poses an inevitable threat to the value of our news.
Friday, April 2, 2010
TV Script
INTRO
“Our top story tonight, Dr. William J. Brennan, President-Select of the Maine Maritime Academy, spoke on behalf of SPIA, the School of Policy & International Affairs, at the University of Maine campus on Wednesday March 31. Dr. Brennan delivered a speech focusing on the consequences of mass climate change.”
SOUND-BYTE:
(Dr. Brennan:“Will it be affordable and practical to thwart climate change, I say can we afford not to. There are consequences to doing nothing”.”)
The next step to combat climate change is still uncertain, but it is not a debate that will disappear any time soon .
In other news…
All flights entering the United States will be subjected to a new level of security screening, officials will announce Friday, in order to maintain national security.
“Our top story tonight, Dr. William J. Brennan, President-Select of the Maine Maritime Academy, spoke on behalf of SPIA, the School of Policy & International Affairs, at the University of Maine campus on Wednesday March 31. Dr. Brennan delivered a speech focusing on the consequences of mass climate change.”
SOUND-BYTE:
(Dr. Brennan:“Will it be affordable and practical to thwart climate change, I say can we afford not to. There are consequences to doing nothing”.”)
The next step to combat climate change is still uncertain, but it is not a debate that will disappear any time soon .
In other news…
All flights entering the United States will be subjected to a new level of security screening, officials will announce Friday, in order to maintain national security.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Response to the “National Security Implications of Climate Change” Meeting.
ORONO, Maine –Dr. William J. Brennan, President-Select of the Maine Maritime Academy, spoke on behalf of SPIA, the School of Policy & International Affairs, at the University of Maine campus on Wednesday March 31, 2010 to deliver an address titled “National Security Implications of Climate Change”. UMaine President Robert Kennedy introduced Dr. Brennan, a graduate of the University, with a Ph.D. degree in Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Brennan, outfitted in a dark blue suit, took to the podium and addressed the crowd that had gathered in the McIntire Room.
Dr. Brennan began his speech with a slew of “thank you’s” and recognized a few of his colleagues in the audience.
Dr. Brennan then continued onwards, acknowledging the consequences of mass climate change; reduced water supply, mass migration, and hunger, all of which lead to reduced economic, industrial, national and human security. “Because of globalization”, Brennan began, “we are connected in ways our forefathers could never have imagined”. He stressed the human aspect of climate change, stating that “electricity exists for hair dryers and flat screen TVs”.
“Despite talk of change from Washington last year”, Dr. Brennan said in-between graceful sips of water, “we have increased our dependency on oil”. A semi prophetic statement, since just hours earlier, reports began to surface that the Obama Administration was looking to pass legislation allowing off shore drilling on the east coast of the United States.
In the years prior to the current economic recession, climate change was an issue at the forefront of debate and discussion. Dr. Brennan points out that now it is an issue for only those concerned with the long term outlook, he says, the peoples main anxiety is money. That people are not willing to spend the money necessary to invest in renewable forms of energy, thus halting the overhaul of the energy industry. “Will it be affordable and practical to thwart climate change”, he elaborates, “I say can we afford not to. There are consequences to doing nothing”.
Dr. Brennan finished speaking rather quickly, admitting to writing his speech that morning. His tone was serious but his wit and sense of humor seized the moment. An audience member asked a question, confessing that he was not sure if there was an answer, Dr. Brennan responded “ I will make one up if there isn’t”; the crowd chuckled.
The audience, a mix of men in suits and students in cargo shorts, were attentive but frankly, seemed to expect more, since the event was supposed to last from 4:30- 6:30 but ended around 5:15 pm.
Dr. Brennan engaged the audience with an interesting argument. He raised key points, regarding mankind’s misuse of energy and what the potential effects could be; war, famine, possible extinction. Dr. Brennan’s speech was a success that left slightly more to be desired in terms of content, but what he did divulge was interesting and captivating.
Dr. Brennan began his speech with a slew of “thank you’s” and recognized a few of his colleagues in the audience.
Dr. Brennan then continued onwards, acknowledging the consequences of mass climate change; reduced water supply, mass migration, and hunger, all of which lead to reduced economic, industrial, national and human security. “Because of globalization”, Brennan began, “we are connected in ways our forefathers could never have imagined”. He stressed the human aspect of climate change, stating that “electricity exists for hair dryers and flat screen TVs”.
“Despite talk of change from Washington last year”, Dr. Brennan said in-between graceful sips of water, “we have increased our dependency on oil”. A semi prophetic statement, since just hours earlier, reports began to surface that the Obama Administration was looking to pass legislation allowing off shore drilling on the east coast of the United States.
In the years prior to the current economic recession, climate change was an issue at the forefront of debate and discussion. Dr. Brennan points out that now it is an issue for only those concerned with the long term outlook, he says, the peoples main anxiety is money. That people are not willing to spend the money necessary to invest in renewable forms of energy, thus halting the overhaul of the energy industry. “Will it be affordable and practical to thwart climate change”, he elaborates, “I say can we afford not to. There are consequences to doing nothing”.
Dr. Brennan finished speaking rather quickly, admitting to writing his speech that morning. His tone was serious but his wit and sense of humor seized the moment. An audience member asked a question, confessing that he was not sure if there was an answer, Dr. Brennan responded “ I will make one up if there isn’t”; the crowd chuckled.
The audience, a mix of men in suits and students in cargo shorts, were attentive but frankly, seemed to expect more, since the event was supposed to last from 4:30- 6:30 but ended around 5:15 pm.
Dr. Brennan engaged the audience with an interesting argument. He raised key points, regarding mankind’s misuse of energy and what the potential effects could be; war, famine, possible extinction. Dr. Brennan’s speech was a success that left slightly more to be desired in terms of content, but what he did divulge was interesting and captivating.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Downside to Wind Power
BANGOR, Maine-Renewable energy is clean and sustainable and has a laundry list of benefits compared to the latter; but Maine residents who live close to local wind farms say they have concerns.
Maine is known as a fall foliage Mecca and a state ripe with natural beauty, this is the reason why the state has refused the construction of billboards and other signage along its highways and major roadways. It is also a state at the forefront of wind technology, with several wind farms located around the state. Recently, some rural Maine communities have fired back at the wind power industry. Towns such as Mars Hill, Dixmont, Jackson, Oakfield, New Vineyard and Vinalhaven Island, all have issues with the 400 foot tall turbines.
In Mars Hill, locals criticize the windmills looks and say they’re too noisy. In context to the benefits of wind power these critiques seem trivial, but Maine is a state devoted to natural preservation and natural tourism, which generates an excess of millions of dollars. Their concerns become valid when these disturbances are put into context with Maine culture.
Appearance is also an issue for residents in Roxbury located near Rumford, where a proposal to build a wind farm along the ridgelines of five mountains in Highland Plantation in Somerset County has created an outpouring of disapproval. Residents say the areas scenery would be compromised, others say it would be marred.
Light reflection is also an issue for residents of Union, Maine. Preventative measures have already been taken at Fort Kent, where no wind farm plans are underway, yet an ordinance is under consideration that would limit wind farm noise.
The debate over wind power in Maine is so great that critics have appealed their case to the Supreme Court. Despite all the negative outcries, spokesmen for the wind industry say people should not lose sight of the benefits of wind power, including clean energy.
“If we want to advance towards a cleaner environment, sacrifices have to be made”, says Ryan Clancy a resident of Fort Kent, “appearance and other trivial characteristics are insignificant compared to tons of greenhouse gases”.
Ryan attends school in Southern Maine and notes that the coast around Portland is littered with massive oil drums. Portland is in fact the largest oil port on the east coast of the U.S., but it is equally important to note that Maine is also the most heavily forested state in the nation, with over 90% of its land mass covered with trees; 17.7 million acres to be exact.This, no doubt, reflects Maine’s priorities.
As the debate continues on, it has led many to wonder, how exactly the state will proceed? Will Mainers elect to save the environment through continued preservation efforts but still be dependent on oil for its power? Or will residents join the green revolution and allow the production of wind farms across the state, lessening their dependence on oil? In this debate one thing is certain. Mainer’s will no doubt stand firm, they understand that Maine’s scenic quality is an attribute that lays deep in the culture of the state and the hearts of its citizens.
Maine is known as a fall foliage Mecca and a state ripe with natural beauty, this is the reason why the state has refused the construction of billboards and other signage along its highways and major roadways. It is also a state at the forefront of wind technology, with several wind farms located around the state. Recently, some rural Maine communities have fired back at the wind power industry. Towns such as Mars Hill, Dixmont, Jackson, Oakfield, New Vineyard and Vinalhaven Island, all have issues with the 400 foot tall turbines.
In Mars Hill, locals criticize the windmills looks and say they’re too noisy. In context to the benefits of wind power these critiques seem trivial, but Maine is a state devoted to natural preservation and natural tourism, which generates an excess of millions of dollars. Their concerns become valid when these disturbances are put into context with Maine culture.
Appearance is also an issue for residents in Roxbury located near Rumford, where a proposal to build a wind farm along the ridgelines of five mountains in Highland Plantation in Somerset County has created an outpouring of disapproval. Residents say the areas scenery would be compromised, others say it would be marred.
Light reflection is also an issue for residents of Union, Maine. Preventative measures have already been taken at Fort Kent, where no wind farm plans are underway, yet an ordinance is under consideration that would limit wind farm noise.
The debate over wind power in Maine is so great that critics have appealed their case to the Supreme Court. Despite all the negative outcries, spokesmen for the wind industry say people should not lose sight of the benefits of wind power, including clean energy.
“If we want to advance towards a cleaner environment, sacrifices have to be made”, says Ryan Clancy a resident of Fort Kent, “appearance and other trivial characteristics are insignificant compared to tons of greenhouse gases”.
Ryan attends school in Southern Maine and notes that the coast around Portland is littered with massive oil drums. Portland is in fact the largest oil port on the east coast of the U.S., but it is equally important to note that Maine is also the most heavily forested state in the nation, with over 90% of its land mass covered with trees; 17.7 million acres to be exact.This, no doubt, reflects Maine’s priorities.
As the debate continues on, it has led many to wonder, how exactly the state will proceed? Will Mainers elect to save the environment through continued preservation efforts but still be dependent on oil for its power? Or will residents join the green revolution and allow the production of wind farms across the state, lessening their dependence on oil? In this debate one thing is certain. Mainer’s will no doubt stand firm, they understand that Maine’s scenic quality is an attribute that lays deep in the culture of the state and the hearts of its citizens.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Reader Script
“Our top story tonight….”
President Obama slams insurance companies and calls for a final congressional vote on his health care reform plan.
SOUND-BYTE:
(President Obama:
“"I don't know about the politics, but I know what's the right thing to do.”)
Toyota challenged a California driver's story of an out-of-control Prius at a press conference Monday afternoon in California.
In other news…
The Obama Administration plans to overhaul the No Child Left Behind law, the eight year old law was a signature policy of President Bush…
President Obama slams insurance companies and calls for a final congressional vote on his health care reform plan.
SOUND-BYTE:
(President Obama:
“"I don't know about the politics, but I know what's the right thing to do.”)
Toyota challenged a California driver's story of an out-of-control Prius at a press conference Monday afternoon in California.
In other news…
The Obama Administration plans to overhaul the No Child Left Behind law, the eight year old law was a signature policy of President Bush…
The Downside to Wind Power
“Going Green” is not an entirely new concept; pioneered by the mindset of the hippies of the 60’s and 70’s it was reborn in the early 2000’s due the public’s heightened awareness of global climate change and new advances in technology. In recent years, a wave of green products has swept the market but the green revolution has yet to fully transition into the mainstream. The overwhelming hurdle to cross is the mass transition from fossil fuels to green energy. Renewable energy is clean and sustainable and has a laundry list of benefits compared to the latter, but Maine residents who live close local wind farms say they have concerns.
Maine is known as a fall foliage Mecca and a state ripe with natural beauty, this is the reason why the state has refused the construction of billboards and other signage along its highways and major roadways. It is also a state at the forefront of wind technology, with several wind farms located around the state. Recently, some rural Maine communities have fired back at the wind power industry. Towns such as Mars Hill, Dixmont, Jackson, Oakfield, New Vineyard and Vinalhaven Island, all have issues with the 400 foot tall turbines.
In Mars Hill, locals criticize the windmill’s looks and say they’re too noisy. In context to the benefits of wind power these critiques seem trivial, but Maine is a state devoted to natural preservation and natural tourism, which generates an excess of millions of dollars. Their concerns become valid when these disturbances are put into context with Maine culture.
Appearance is also an issue for residents in Roxbury located near Rumford, where a proposal to build a wind farm along the ridgelines of five mountains in Highland Plantation in Somerset County has created an outpouring of disapproval. Residents say the areas scenery would be compromised, others say it would be marred.
Light reflection is also an issue for residents of Union, Maine. Preventative measures have already been taken at Fort Kent, where no wind farm plans are underway, yet an ordinance is under consideration that would limit wind farm noise.
The debate over wind power in Maine is so great that critics have appealed their case to the Supreme Court. Despite all the negative outcries, spokesmen for the wind industry say people should not lose sight of the benefits of wind power, including clean energy. But as the debate continues on, Mainer’s will no doubt stand firm, they understand that Maine’s scenic quality is an attribute that lays deep in the culture of the state and the hearts of its citizens.
Maine is known as a fall foliage Mecca and a state ripe with natural beauty, this is the reason why the state has refused the construction of billboards and other signage along its highways and major roadways. It is also a state at the forefront of wind technology, with several wind farms located around the state. Recently, some rural Maine communities have fired back at the wind power industry. Towns such as Mars Hill, Dixmont, Jackson, Oakfield, New Vineyard and Vinalhaven Island, all have issues with the 400 foot tall turbines.
In Mars Hill, locals criticize the windmill’s looks and say they’re too noisy. In context to the benefits of wind power these critiques seem trivial, but Maine is a state devoted to natural preservation and natural tourism, which generates an excess of millions of dollars. Their concerns become valid when these disturbances are put into context with Maine culture.
Appearance is also an issue for residents in Roxbury located near Rumford, where a proposal to build a wind farm along the ridgelines of five mountains in Highland Plantation in Somerset County has created an outpouring of disapproval. Residents say the areas scenery would be compromised, others say it would be marred.
Light reflection is also an issue for residents of Union, Maine. Preventative measures have already been taken at Fort Kent, where no wind farm plans are underway, yet an ordinance is under consideration that would limit wind farm noise.
The debate over wind power in Maine is so great that critics have appealed their case to the Supreme Court. Despite all the negative outcries, spokesmen for the wind industry say people should not lose sight of the benefits of wind power, including clean energy. But as the debate continues on, Mainer’s will no doubt stand firm, they understand that Maine’s scenic quality is an attribute that lays deep in the culture of the state and the hearts of its citizens.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2010
Contact: Anthony Chiamulera
University of Maine Orono
5783 - York Hall, Room 318
Orono, ME 04469-5711
Phone: 207-899-8514
Email: Anthony.Chiamulera@umit.maine.edu
"Men's Ice Hockey Hosts UMass Lowell"
ORONO, Maine-- The University of Maine Men ‘s Ice Hockey team is setting out to revamp their winning streak in a double face off against UMass Lowell this weekend , hosted by the UMaine Black Bears. With only three weeks remaining in the 2009-2010 season, teams are being to fight for a playoff position. Both teams hold a similar profile this season, Maine is 14-11-3 on the season and 11-8-2 in Hockey East play while UMass is 15-13-2 overall and 9-10-2 in Hockey East play.
UMaine is ranked 15th in both the latest USCHO.com Poll and the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine, which was announced on Monday, Feb. 15. It is the first time that Maine has been ranked since Nov. 14, 2007 when the Black Bears were 16th in the nation in the USCHO.com Poll. This is no doubt due to the amazing effort and output of the Black Bears this season.
UMaine’s Alfond Arena will host the Friday and Saturday games scheduled to start at 7 p.m. In honor of our nation’s military; Saturday’s game will be the Annual Operation Community Support Game. Throughout the night military members and their families will be recognized for their service. Tickets for the public are $19 and are still available while student tickets are, as always, free of admission.
We hope to see many of our fellow Black Bears at the ice this weekend,
GO BLUE!,
Anthony Chiamulera
Anthony A. Chiamulera
Public Relations Correspondent
February 19, 2010
Contact: Anthony Chiamulera
University of Maine Orono
5783 - York Hall, Room 318
Orono, ME 04469-5711
Phone: 207-899-8514
Email: Anthony.Chiamulera@umit.maine.edu
"Men's Ice Hockey Hosts UMass Lowell"
ORONO, Maine-- The University of Maine Men ‘s Ice Hockey team is setting out to revamp their winning streak in a double face off against UMass Lowell this weekend , hosted by the UMaine Black Bears. With only three weeks remaining in the 2009-2010 season, teams are being to fight for a playoff position. Both teams hold a similar profile this season, Maine is 14-11-3 on the season and 11-8-2 in Hockey East play while UMass is 15-13-2 overall and 9-10-2 in Hockey East play.
UMaine is ranked 15th in both the latest USCHO.com Poll and the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine, which was announced on Monday, Feb. 15. It is the first time that Maine has been ranked since Nov. 14, 2007 when the Black Bears were 16th in the nation in the USCHO.com Poll. This is no doubt due to the amazing effort and output of the Black Bears this season.
UMaine’s Alfond Arena will host the Friday and Saturday games scheduled to start at 7 p.m. In honor of our nation’s military; Saturday’s game will be the Annual Operation Community Support Game. Throughout the night military members and their families will be recognized for their service. Tickets for the public are $19 and are still available while student tickets are, as always, free of admission.
We hope to see many of our fellow Black Bears at the ice this weekend,
GO BLUE!,
Anthony Chiamulera
Anthony A. Chiamulera
Public Relations Correspondent
Monday, February 15, 2010
Profile Story
Art is theoretical and beautiful, abstract and elusive, an expression of self creativity and imagination. For many art is a language, a form of communicating consisting of many accents and dialects, scattered in hues of neon. To help navigate me through this chaotic decoupage of inspiration and invention, I have turned to my brother, Robert Chiamulera, an avid art theorist, and a senior art student at the University of Maine. It was my hope that he could enlighten me in regards to what exactly art is, and the methods and intentions behind its creation.
My journey to artistic enlightenment began in the basement of Carnegie Hall, long after traditional operating hours had ended. As I observed and inquired throughout the night, the basic principles of the artist began to unveil.
We sat at a metal table; Rob was shading in a sketch of two hands holding a coin. Curious, I asked him what exactly he was working on. “A cooper print, using an aqua tint”, he responded. A project he no doubt put off to the last minute, as he was still in the initial stages of sketching the print on paper, which would later be transferred and carved out of a copper plate. I began to wonder if procrastination was a driving force behind his inspiration and artistic work ethic. I soon found out procrastination is a symptom of restricted creativity, the inability to create and do as you please with your art; a response based on the constrictions of an art class. Basically you are being forced to complete a particular project, not always to your own aesthetic, resulting lackluster enthusiasm and effort. Two things that are essential for an artist’s creative spirit.
Sometime in-between pencil strokes he revealed his perspective on the art community. “The art world is very snooty, someone could paint a red dot and people would praise it”. This idea of a possible social hierarchy in the art community reminded me of a quote fashion designer Marc Jacobs said in his documentary “Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton”, “I have always felt intimidated by the art world”, Jacobs said “in the creative hierarchy, the art world is up at the top and fashion is down at the bottom”. When asked what he thought of this particular quote, Rob responded “This quote shows the snobbery and elitist effect some artist can portray. All art is as important as everyone else’s, whether it be a painting done by some famous dead guy, a comic book, or a coat, all art is self contained and meaningful”. As he elaborated further he began to get into his own art theory. He explained that “art is the ability to evoke emotion. Creativity and art comes naturally, it is the skills you have to work on. Creativity you can’t help, it is just there, as for the technical skills you have to work at them like any skill. Art isn’t being able to draw something realistically or perfect, it is more important to have your art fit the concept in your mind than to draw something pretty. It is more than just painting; you mix your materials with a concept to establish your vision”.
As I followed him throughout the night, he began the process of transferring the paper sketch to the copper plate using a strong acid. The dots began to connect and the picture began to take shape. Art is a form of self expression a medium in which a artist can directly or indirectly transcend his or her values into society. I found it interesting that it was actually more important for art to carry a meaning or purpose with it than to actually be visually appealing. This idea that concept and context is superior to visual interest is one that is often over looked by outsiders of the art community.
Inspiration is vast and can vary among all artist. I found that Rob is mostly inspired by people and their personality and moods. He will create characters in his own work based off of people he observes or knows firsthand. He can also be inspired by more abstract concepts such as light and configuration. He says that his definition of success if not necessarily fame or self-fulfillment exclusively but to have people view his work and become inspired.
Slightly manic and pressed for time, Rob runs his cooper plate and places it in a airbrush station. This piece he is working on now may not be his shining achievement in his portfolio, but the heart of an artist cannot be fooled. Clearly he has what is most important; a drive and knowledge of his craft, theoretically and technically. I believe I have found the answer to my original inquires. Art is more than color and texture, feel and approach; it is the essence of the artist himself. It is his visual interpretation of a everything he stands for or stands against.
My journey to artistic enlightenment began in the basement of Carnegie Hall, long after traditional operating hours had ended. As I observed and inquired throughout the night, the basic principles of the artist began to unveil.
We sat at a metal table; Rob was shading in a sketch of two hands holding a coin. Curious, I asked him what exactly he was working on. “A cooper print, using an aqua tint”, he responded. A project he no doubt put off to the last minute, as he was still in the initial stages of sketching the print on paper, which would later be transferred and carved out of a copper plate. I began to wonder if procrastination was a driving force behind his inspiration and artistic work ethic. I soon found out procrastination is a symptom of restricted creativity, the inability to create and do as you please with your art; a response based on the constrictions of an art class. Basically you are being forced to complete a particular project, not always to your own aesthetic, resulting lackluster enthusiasm and effort. Two things that are essential for an artist’s creative spirit.
Sometime in-between pencil strokes he revealed his perspective on the art community. “The art world is very snooty, someone could paint a red dot and people would praise it”. This idea of a possible social hierarchy in the art community reminded me of a quote fashion designer Marc Jacobs said in his documentary “Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton”, “I have always felt intimidated by the art world”, Jacobs said “in the creative hierarchy, the art world is up at the top and fashion is down at the bottom”. When asked what he thought of this particular quote, Rob responded “This quote shows the snobbery and elitist effect some artist can portray. All art is as important as everyone else’s, whether it be a painting done by some famous dead guy, a comic book, or a coat, all art is self contained and meaningful”. As he elaborated further he began to get into his own art theory. He explained that “art is the ability to evoke emotion. Creativity and art comes naturally, it is the skills you have to work on. Creativity you can’t help, it is just there, as for the technical skills you have to work at them like any skill. Art isn’t being able to draw something realistically or perfect, it is more important to have your art fit the concept in your mind than to draw something pretty. It is more than just painting; you mix your materials with a concept to establish your vision”.
As I followed him throughout the night, he began the process of transferring the paper sketch to the copper plate using a strong acid. The dots began to connect and the picture began to take shape. Art is a form of self expression a medium in which a artist can directly or indirectly transcend his or her values into society. I found it interesting that it was actually more important for art to carry a meaning or purpose with it than to actually be visually appealing. This idea that concept and context is superior to visual interest is one that is often over looked by outsiders of the art community.
Inspiration is vast and can vary among all artist. I found that Rob is mostly inspired by people and their personality and moods. He will create characters in his own work based off of people he observes or knows firsthand. He can also be inspired by more abstract concepts such as light and configuration. He says that his definition of success if not necessarily fame or self-fulfillment exclusively but to have people view his work and become inspired.
Slightly manic and pressed for time, Rob runs his cooper plate and places it in a airbrush station. This piece he is working on now may not be his shining achievement in his portfolio, but the heart of an artist cannot be fooled. Clearly he has what is most important; a drive and knowledge of his craft, theoretically and technically. I believe I have found the answer to my original inquires. Art is more than color and texture, feel and approach; it is the essence of the artist himself. It is his visual interpretation of a everything he stands for or stands against.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Local Newscast
The newscast I have selected focuses on Sarah Palin’s visit to Bangor, Maine in 2008. I feel that the only way to truly critique this newscast is to be extremely nitpicky; otherwise the newscast is satisfactory. I would alter the first sentence slightly by rearranging the order of the words in the sentence; I think this would improve the flow and sound of the newscast. The first sentence reads as follows, As anxious Mainer’s who had come from all over the state, held signs and screamed at Bangor’s international airport, governor Sarah Palin finally took to the stage with senator Olympia Snow. I think it may just be a matter of personal preference but for some reason this first line always leaves me confused. My sentence would read, Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Olympia Snow, finally took to the stage at Bangor’s international airport, as anxious Mainer’s who had come from all over the state, held signs and screamed. I think this sentence is more organized and more direct. When Cindy Michaels, the reporter, says the first line she is talking over a screaming crowd, this distracts the viewer from actually listening to what she is saying. I would run the first sentence clear of any background noise and then cut to it after the line was delivered, to ensure the focus of the audience. I also would cut the bit about the local country singer; I don’t think it offers anything to the overall story of the newscast. I appreciated how the newscast told the story, the actual footage from the event fills most of the body of the newscast, and no actual opinion on the event was given by the narrator, just the facts.
(See the newscast here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMTw83uj_c8)
(See the newscast here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMTw83uj_c8)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Media Consolidation & Convergence
Media juggernauts are buying other media outlets, a process known as media consolidation; this consolidation and convergence of the media is creating a mass movement among our media driven lifestyle. This process is affecting how we receive and interpret the news and may even effect the news itself, in regards to what is being reported on and the amount of coverage a particular topic is granted. Today, six companies and a handful of CEO’s are in control of the news. The big six includes names such as The Walt Disney Company, General Electric, News Corporation, Time Warner, Viacom and the CBS Corporation. All of these companies turn over billions of dollars in profit each year, allowing them the funds to purchase a large amount of media sources. The largest profit is turned by General Electric, who in 2008, grossed $183 billion dollars. General Electric holds control over “television networks NBC and Telemundo, Universal Pictures, Focus Features, 26 television stations in the United States and cable networks MSNBC, Bravo and the Sci-Fi Channel. General Electric also owns 80 percent of NBC Universal (Freepress.net)”. But the most impressive in terms of directly influencing the news is News Corp. News Corp controls the Fox Broadcasting Company, television and cable networks such as Fox, Fox Business Channel, National Geographic and FX, and print publications including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, TV Guide, the magazines Barron’s, SmartMoney and The Weekly Standard, book publisher HarperCollins, film production companies 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Blue Sky Studios, and numerous Web sites including MarketWatch.com(Freepress.net)”. It is the staggering amount of media that is controlled by these companies and corporations that make others feel nervous or uneasy, simply because these corporations themselves are being the media.
The overwhelming question is, how much influence in the media do we consider to be too much and at what point does this influence become hazardous to the media itself and detrimental to our overall media lifestyle? The answer is not a clear cut one, the lines are still blurry, but we know through our own experiences that when too much power is put in the hands of a select few, it can easily be abused. Surely the idea of consolidation isn’t a negative one; the concept of combining media houses should make the news more reliable, more easily accessible, and more accurate but the same powers can be used for more sinister purposes. These media giants have more leeway to skew the facts, neglect certain stories and topics and over all just narrow the scope of the news covered by eating up more and more sources for the news, this kills media diversity. When the media is less diverse and all major news networks and publications are owned by one of the companies above, the likely hood of deception is more easily executed. In upcoming elections these companies & corporations could potentially poor millions of dollars into add campaigns, through this political saturation spread throughout various outlets, these companies could have an usual amount of influence over our public elections in the future. The problems of media consolidation will become ever clearer in the coming decade, when more and more media is converged into each other, creating a one way news flow.
The overwhelming question is, how much influence in the media do we consider to be too much and at what point does this influence become hazardous to the media itself and detrimental to our overall media lifestyle? The answer is not a clear cut one, the lines are still blurry, but we know through our own experiences that when too much power is put in the hands of a select few, it can easily be abused. Surely the idea of consolidation isn’t a negative one; the concept of combining media houses should make the news more reliable, more easily accessible, and more accurate but the same powers can be used for more sinister purposes. These media giants have more leeway to skew the facts, neglect certain stories and topics and over all just narrow the scope of the news covered by eating up more and more sources for the news, this kills media diversity. When the media is less diverse and all major news networks and publications are owned by one of the companies above, the likely hood of deception is more easily executed. In upcoming elections these companies & corporations could potentially poor millions of dollars into add campaigns, through this political saturation spread throughout various outlets, these companies could have an usual amount of influence over our public elections in the future. The problems of media consolidation will become ever clearer in the coming decade, when more and more media is converged into each other, creating a one way news flow.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Article Critique
Fox News has a reputation that I will not start to delve into, but for this assignment I figured I would step out of my normal news circuit, CNN and the New York Times, and critique the infamous Fox News and see exactly what all the fuss is about. I choose this particular article because the headline 'Blame Bush' Strategy Wears Thin as Obama Enters Second Year’,caught my eye and my interest. I like reading about politics so I figured why not.
First I must give kudos to the headline because upon first glance it causes one of two reactions; either you are instantly enraged by it because you support President Obama and you believe he is not making an excuse or you feel proud that Fox News is calling for real action instead of allowing this excuse to suffice. Either way it doesn’t really matter what you believe as long as the headline roped you in. Frankly, opinions change from news outlet to news outlet, what seems to matter most is the audience, and the headline is the first device a journalist can employ to catch one. It’s not the most glittery or provocative headline but I think it accomplishes what it needs too.
Now with all that said, I do think the article was a bit bias against President Obama. The article quotes two Republicans, and both make strong statements against the President. The article quotes former Rep. Tom Davis former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, who goes on the say "What you have the last two cycles is the angry voters, the ones most motivated to turn out, were Democrats, who did not like Bush. They didn't like his policies ... You saw it, what we call the surge voters, Bush is gone now -- they're all asleep." This quote implies a lot, first it implies that President Obama was just elected because people didn’t like Bush, which to some degree is true but I don’t think it would be fair to say this as an all encompassing statement. President Obama was elected because the people supported him not because we hated bush. This, in turn, connects to the theme of this article itself. Fox News is trying to criticize President Obama for blaming his problems on former president bush but they are similarly blaming his election on the former President as well. The connection may not be a direct one but I just found it interesting that Fox News would criticize President Obama for blaming bush when they themselves blamed Bush for President Obama’s election. It seems a little hypocritical that they condemn the “blame Bush” excuse and then they themselves use a quote as evidence but it implies that they are blaming bush as well.
I thought the flow of the article was consistent and the whole story meshed together quite well. There is definitely a sense of voice but I found it to be somewhat bogged down at times, like you felt what the author was trying to convey but at times it just felt like empty words strung together to form a sentence. I guess my problem is that this piece is not based in fact but more opinion based. All in all the article is interesting to read, even though it feels somewhat unbalanced in regards to accuracy and opinion.
Full Article Found at.....
(http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/25/obama-administration-blaming-bush-president-enters-second-year/)
First I must give kudos to the headline because upon first glance it causes one of two reactions; either you are instantly enraged by it because you support President Obama and you believe he is not making an excuse or you feel proud that Fox News is calling for real action instead of allowing this excuse to suffice. Either way it doesn’t really matter what you believe as long as the headline roped you in. Frankly, opinions change from news outlet to news outlet, what seems to matter most is the audience, and the headline is the first device a journalist can employ to catch one. It’s not the most glittery or provocative headline but I think it accomplishes what it needs too.
Now with all that said, I do think the article was a bit bias against President Obama. The article quotes two Republicans, and both make strong statements against the President. The article quotes former Rep. Tom Davis former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, who goes on the say "What you have the last two cycles is the angry voters, the ones most motivated to turn out, were Democrats, who did not like Bush. They didn't like his policies ... You saw it, what we call the surge voters, Bush is gone now -- they're all asleep." This quote implies a lot, first it implies that President Obama was just elected because people didn’t like Bush, which to some degree is true but I don’t think it would be fair to say this as an all encompassing statement. President Obama was elected because the people supported him not because we hated bush. This, in turn, connects to the theme of this article itself. Fox News is trying to criticize President Obama for blaming his problems on former president bush but they are similarly blaming his election on the former President as well. The connection may not be a direct one but I just found it interesting that Fox News would criticize President Obama for blaming bush when they themselves blamed Bush for President Obama’s election. It seems a little hypocritical that they condemn the “blame Bush” excuse and then they themselves use a quote as evidence but it implies that they are blaming bush as well.
I thought the flow of the article was consistent and the whole story meshed together quite well. There is definitely a sense of voice but I found it to be somewhat bogged down at times, like you felt what the author was trying to convey but at times it just felt like empty words strung together to form a sentence. I guess my problem is that this piece is not based in fact but more opinion based. All in all the article is interesting to read, even though it feels somewhat unbalanced in regards to accuracy and opinion.
Full Article Found at.....
(http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/25/obama-administration-blaming-bush-president-enters-second-year/)
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