Tuesday, the New York TImes reported the difficulties in the trial of an alleged statutory rapist from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The TImes reported, "A year and a half after the state authorities raided a fundamentalist Mormon ranch here, the first of a half-dozen leaders of the sect has gone on trial on charges that he had sex with an under-age girl who state officials assert was one of several wives assigned to him by church elders."
The problem is that the case fundamentally lies on the evidence of DNA samples from both the girl and Jessop, rather than testimony of the actual girl involved in the case.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday the case rests on allegations that the girl, now 21, was married to Jessop at age 15 and gave birth at 16. "Church records that defense attorneys are fighting to keep out of the trial indicate the girl had previously been married to Jessop's brother before being reassigned to Jessop, who authorities allege has nine wives."
Forensic expert Amy Smuts had testified Monday that the probability of Jessop being the father of the alleged victim's daughter was 99.999998 percent.
The case is also using documents from the countless that were seized when the state raided the Yearning for Zion Ranch--the home of the group in El Dorado, Texas--last year.
According to the Times Jessop faces at least 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Lester Meyer, 92
Wednesday, the St. Cloud Times published the obituary of Lester Meyer.
Interestingly enough, the information is out of order from the traditional form of an obituary. While the individual is listed in the lead, his cause of death is mentioned and the funeral Mass and visitation schedule is listed immediately.
Following this information, the obit goes on to discuss Meyer's life: his marriage, his active membership in his home parish, and his involvement with local Knights of Columbus.
Though not quoted, family member have obviously been contacted to write this obituary. It is easy to deduce this from a paragraph toward the end:
"Over the years Lester farmed, worked in sales and was an entrepreneur.
Lester was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved to visit, tell stories and go for rides in the car. His family is grateful to him for allowing his story telling to live on through the various tapes of his life story that he made for his children."
Then, the piece goes on to list is precedents and survivors.
Though full of practical information and quite succinct, this obituary does the job of remembering this active member of the community.
Interestingly enough, the information is out of order from the traditional form of an obituary. While the individual is listed in the lead, his cause of death is mentioned and the funeral Mass and visitation schedule is listed immediately.
Following this information, the obit goes on to discuss Meyer's life: his marriage, his active membership in his home parish, and his involvement with local Knights of Columbus.
Though not quoted, family member have obviously been contacted to write this obituary. It is easy to deduce this from a paragraph toward the end:
"Over the years Lester farmed, worked in sales and was an entrepreneur.
Lester was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved to visit, tell stories and go for rides in the car. His family is grateful to him for allowing his story telling to live on through the various tapes of his life story that he made for his children."
Then, the piece goes on to list is precedents and survivors.
Though full of practical information and quite succinct, this obituary does the job of remembering this active member of the community.
Rybak secures third term in Tuesday's election
Both the Star Tribune and the Minnesota Daily were apt to report Tuesday's election result: the popular Minneapolis mayor will serve the city on a third term.
The Daily reported that Minneapolis's new system of instant run off voting pitted Rybak against 10 individuals, only one of which was endorsed by a major party.
According to the Star Tribune, "Rybak got almost three times more first-choice votes than his 10 challengers combined."
Rybak received more than 70 percent of the votes; his nearest rival only ten.
However, voter turnout, overall was low.
The Daily reported that Rybak spokesman Jeremy Hanson said the mayoral race lacked major competition, which likely contributed to the low turnout.
“You have to remind people that they still have to go vote,” Hanson said, adding Rybak can’t just float into the position for another term just because he’s well liked.
Voters also soundly rejected a charter proposal to revamp the BET by shifting its financial powers to the City Counci, reported the Star Tribune. Supporters of the the proposal said it would have increased accountability for taxing decisions.
The Daily reported that Minneapolis's new system of instant run off voting pitted Rybak against 10 individuals, only one of which was endorsed by a major party.
According to the Star Tribune, "Rybak got almost three times more first-choice votes than his 10 challengers combined."
Rybak received more than 70 percent of the votes; his nearest rival only ten.
However, voter turnout, overall was low.
The Daily reported that Rybak spokesman Jeremy Hanson said the mayoral race lacked major competition, which likely contributed to the low turnout.
“You have to remind people that they still have to go vote,” Hanson said, adding Rybak can’t just float into the position for another term just because he’s well liked.
Voters also soundly rejected a charter proposal to revamp the BET by shifting its financial powers to the City Counci, reported the Star Tribune. Supporters of the the proposal said it would have increased accountability for taxing decisions.
China approves Disney theme park
Tuesday the New York TImes reported that the construction of a new Disney theme park has been approved in Shanghai.
The L.A. times reported the approval was a, "major milestone in the more than decade-long effort by Walt Disney Co. to dramatically expand its reach into China."
The New York Times disputes this number, noting the bid was nearly two decades long.
The park, which is to be Disney's fourth outside the United States will cost$3.59-billion park and open as early as 2014.
The L.A. Times noted the importance of China as a location for Disney: "China is one of the most dynamic, exciting and important countries in the world, and this approval marks a very significant milestone for the Walt Disney Co. in mainland China," Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said in a statement."
Not to mention the park would give access to 300 million people who live in the area and more who would travel to see the park itself.
The park is to hold a mix of shopping areas, hotels and a Magic Kingdom-style theme park, and will stretch across 1,000 acres of the city’s Pudong district — with the theme park occupying about 100 of those acres. It would be a little bigger than Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and on par with the parks in Paris and Tokyo.
Both reports note that the plans must now be approved by the government, which could be an even longer battle and bigger feat.
The L.A. times reported the approval was a, "major milestone in the more than decade-long effort by Walt Disney Co. to dramatically expand its reach into China."
The New York Times disputes this number, noting the bid was nearly two decades long.
The park, which is to be Disney's fourth outside the United States will cost$3.59-billion park and open as early as 2014.
The L.A. Times noted the importance of China as a location for Disney: "China is one of the most dynamic, exciting and important countries in the world, and this approval marks a very significant milestone for the Walt Disney Co. in mainland China," Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said in a statement."
Not to mention the park would give access to 300 million people who live in the area and more who would travel to see the park itself.
The park is to hold a mix of shopping areas, hotels and a Magic Kingdom-style theme park, and will stretch across 1,000 acres of the city’s Pudong district — with the theme park occupying about 100 of those acres. It would be a little bigger than Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and on par with the parks in Paris and Tokyo.
Both reports note that the plans must now be approved by the government, which could be an even longer battle and bigger feat.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
"Women in their own words."
The New York Times published a slideshow detailing quotes from eight women interviewed about their tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each slide portrayed a photograph of the woman on duty and her quote. The script on the side described that individual woman's position in the military, her time and duration on tour, and the largest cause for her PTSD.
While the quotes in themselves are powerful, I am not sure the layout of the show was entirely effective. To utilize these quotes only in a slideshow when they are so powerful on their own, seems almost a sensory overload. The Times would have been better standing alone with a attribution and photo. The background information on the speakers merely complicates the quote, which is the largest focus of the show.
In this case, less would be more. Placing a photo next to the quote and leaving out the back story might be more effective because we, as readers, are always trying to draw conclusions and connections between characters and text in a story. It's natural for us to do so, and would probably engage us to think more clearly about the powerful and pertinent focus that this particular slideshow really entails. With the background information, I get stuck swimming around in it and forget to focus on the theme and intent of the story itself.
While the quotes in themselves are powerful, I am not sure the layout of the show was entirely effective. To utilize these quotes only in a slideshow when they are so powerful on their own, seems almost a sensory overload. The Times would have been better standing alone with a attribution and photo. The background information on the speakers merely complicates the quote, which is the largest focus of the show.
In this case, less would be more. Placing a photo next to the quote and leaving out the back story might be more effective because we, as readers, are always trying to draw conclusions and connections between characters and text in a story. It's natural for us to do so, and would probably engage us to think more clearly about the powerful and pertinent focus that this particular slideshow really entails. With the background information, I get stuck swimming around in it and forget to focus on the theme and intent of the story itself.
Search for individuals missing in crash turns to recovery effort in San Diego
Sunday the New York TImes reported that a search for military victims of a coast guard crash has now turned into a recovery mission for both pieces of the craft and for the individuals missing.
According to the AFP, the nine missing airmen crashed mid-air; the collision happened Thursday between a Marine Corps helicopter and a coast guard plane and ended in fiery heat.
""We no longer believe there is any chance anybody could be alive. We are moving into a salvage, recovery and investigative phase," said Coast Guard Rear Admiral Joseph Castillo for the AFP Sunday. "The wreckage of the C-130 and the Cobra helicopter were found on Saturday, but no signs of crash victims. A Pentagon spokesman on Friday said it was "likely" the missing airmen had all perished," reported the AFP.
The names of the victims were released Saturday. According to the Times they are: The Coast Guard plane’s commander, Lt. Cmdr. Che Barnes, 35, is from Capay, Calif., and his co-pilot, Lt. Adam Bryant, 28, is from Crewe, Va. Also on the plane were Chief Petty Officer John Seidman, 43, of Carmichael, Calif., a flight engineer; Petty Officer Second Class Carl P. Grigonis, 35, of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, a navigator; Petty Officer Second Class Monica L. Beacham, 29, of Decaturville, Tenn., a radio operator; Petty Officer Second Class Jason S. Moletzsky, 26, of Norristown, Pa; and Petty Officer Third Class Danny R. Kreder II, 22, of Elm Mott, Tex.
The crew members aboard the Marine helicopter were Maj. Samuel Leigh, 35, of Belgrade, Me., and First Lt. Thomas Claiborne, 26, of Douglas, Colo.
According to the AFP, the nine missing airmen crashed mid-air; the collision happened Thursday between a Marine Corps helicopter and a coast guard plane and ended in fiery heat.
""We no longer believe there is any chance anybody could be alive. We are moving into a salvage, recovery and investigative phase," said Coast Guard Rear Admiral Joseph Castillo for the AFP Sunday. "The wreckage of the C-130 and the Cobra helicopter were found on Saturday, but no signs of crash victims. A Pentagon spokesman on Friday said it was "likely" the missing airmen had all perished," reported the AFP.
The names of the victims were released Saturday. According to the Times they are: The Coast Guard plane’s commander, Lt. Cmdr. Che Barnes, 35, is from Capay, Calif., and his co-pilot, Lt. Adam Bryant, 28, is from Crewe, Va. Also on the plane were Chief Petty Officer John Seidman, 43, of Carmichael, Calif., a flight engineer; Petty Officer Second Class Carl P. Grigonis, 35, of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, a navigator; Petty Officer Second Class Monica L. Beacham, 29, of Decaturville, Tenn., a radio operator; Petty Officer Second Class Jason S. Moletzsky, 26, of Norristown, Pa; and Petty Officer Third Class Danny R. Kreder II, 22, of Elm Mott, Tex.
The crew members aboard the Marine helicopter were Maj. Samuel Leigh, 35, of Belgrade, Me., and First Lt. Thomas Claiborne, 26, of Douglas, Colo.
Vikings defeat Packers
Sunday, the Star Tribune reported the Viking's win over the Packers on Sunday afternoon.
While the spin on all sides was, of course, the fact that Brett Favre was facing his former team on the field today, the fact that the coverage at the Star Tribune as well as the Pioneer Press, emphasizes the new expectations for news that has happened with the Internet. Within minutes of the game, stories had already been posted online, which only emphasizes the demand for convenient news.
This news, naturally was the Viking's 38-26 win over Green Bay.
An entrance to booing fans greeted Favre. The Star Tribune reported, "Despite being jeered repeatedly by Packers fans who once cheered his every move, Favre completed 17 of 28 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns without an interception." The piece continues to focus on Favre's performance.
Contrastingly, though the Pioneer Press includes the quarterback in its headline, the lead rallies around the team's entire effort by noting that Favre's four touchdown passes could not have happened without the entire effort of the Vikings as a whole.
Both pieces then offer the highlights and the low lights of the game's four quarters.
While the spin on all sides was, of course, the fact that Brett Favre was facing his former team on the field today, the fact that the coverage at the Star Tribune as well as the Pioneer Press, emphasizes the new expectations for news that has happened with the Internet. Within minutes of the game, stories had already been posted online, which only emphasizes the demand for convenient news.
This news, naturally was the Viking's 38-26 win over Green Bay.
An entrance to booing fans greeted Favre. The Star Tribune reported, "Despite being jeered repeatedly by Packers fans who once cheered his every move, Favre completed 17 of 28 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns without an interception." The piece continues to focus on Favre's performance.
Contrastingly, though the Pioneer Press includes the quarterback in its headline, the lead rallies around the team's entire effort by noting that Favre's four touchdown passes could not have happened without the entire effort of the Vikings as a whole.
Both pieces then offer the highlights and the low lights of the game's four quarters.
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