Freelancing: Schofield Auditorium rededicated with ceremony, includes musical performances

Generally, this blog is kept separate from various efforts made in reporting elsewhere. However, because a) it has not been updated in a while, and b) this is in relation to an article already posted, it might as well be enjoyed in accompaniment to other media.

UW-Eau Claire auditorium re-dedication: musical performances

Smells like holiday spirit

As the days advance further toward the holidays, specifically Christmas and Hanukkah, there are more and more advertisements directed toward all of those shoppers out there in search of the perfect gift for loved ones.

A main focus that has seemed to suddenly clog the television screen is perfumes and colognes. The amount of skin shown in these ads is astounding. One must ask themselves, “why does there need to be half-naked people on a commercial in order to sell fragrances?”

Over and over again, the allure of sexual encounters on tropical paradises with half-naked bodies is the central focus of selling perfume. They are overdone and completely overused. Also, many are outdated.

Whether it is a Britney Spears commercial peddling products that debuted in 2005 or the many, many sexualized Calvin Klein ads, it is quite enough. Sex appeal has been overused in media, and as we see the objectification of women is often used in this field. However, it seems as though “holiday spirit” has driven this phenomenon to a new level.

While these commercials are definitely creative and have original aspects to them, the abundant and unoriginal ads splaying out naked body parts as though they are something to continually gawk at is not necessary to sell something that merely makes people smell better. Yes, I understand it is about allure and yes, I get that to some people perfume is about attracting people. But what happened to an independent self-satisfaction at smelling nice; to feel as though appearing nice is a sole purpose attained for no one else?

Sexualized images are not needed, and every time the media tells its audience that sexy is what should be on the television, it only further undermines the intelligence of its consumers.

Denying Civil Liberties

In honor of National Coming Out Day, this post highlights the struggles of LGBTQ individuals and how far the community has come as a minority searching for equal rights.

Recently, the Seattle Times released a poll regarding the viewpoint of gay marriage in the state of Washington. It showed that voters who supported same-sex marriage just slightly outnumbered those who opposed it. Could this possibly reflect more of the nation, and their opinion toward the subject?

This particular issue is largely debated, and has been, for some time. It seems for every person who is opposed, there is another for LGBTQ rights. Advocates for the minority fight to legalize marriage, to allow domestic partners the privilege of sitting by their loved ones’ hospital beds when they’re sick, and to be granted equal opportunities to have, adopt, and/or raise children. Some of the more affluent members of society are even going as far as to perform legal bribery for change.

In all fifty states, this has raised outcry and opposition. Civil liberties are only given to those most worthy, and if you happen to be one who loves someone of the same gender, you are, to these people, less of a person.

On Tuesday, a historic member of the LGBTQ community died. The death of Frank Kameny marks the day when many people open up about their lives, and his advocacy is remembered by those who fight the same battle he did in life; to be accepted as a human being.

In recognition of equality, and fair treatment to everyone, acknowledge this day by remembering that being opposed to gay rights is not only oppressive, but teaches hate.

Missing in action

Given that this blog has not been updated in quite a while, the theme applies to multiple facets of this writing, including the current topic: our government.

Not necessarily absent, but definitely maintaining a steady record loss in making decisions. There is no action. President Obama, his staff and their GOP counterparts are “stuck in action.” There is nothing but one step forward, two steps back. Constant, never-changing vigilance that puts our nation at a veritable stand still. Laws have passed and been debated, even pushed into a system that deliberates for months, halting progress. Social norms have changed but continue to be protested; the country seems very much split in their anger over what our representatives should be doing. Outcry expressed in recall elections demonstrated the turmoil and indecision many people have been facing since the economy took a turn for the worse.

And now, the frustration mounts, adding to the total every time a representative votes against common sense, every time the president is kicked down and does not fight back; all of this adds to conflict. To quote former President Bill Clinton, "conflict seems to be better politics; cooperation is better economics."

It seems that many politicians are playing with  fifth grade policies in which you have to “side with your friends” if you want to stay in the group. “If you’re nice to Kelly, I won’t hang out with you anymore” is now equivalent to “vote with them, forget about your support later.” With all of the people watching, it appears to be more important to be oriented toward polling numbers than it is effective government.

America does not need more chaos or to be given more options, it needs results.

BuzzNet Tags: U.S. Government,Journalism Blog,Journalism America,Missing in Action

Journalism In America

The need for people to pay attention is becoming increasingly relevant. Journalists are the watch dogs of diplomacy. They are the ones who keep the public informed whenever something happens. True, there is discretion on what will make the headlines versus the events that will end up on the cutting room floor, but think for a second about what life would be like without the unbiased reporters tracking down information and presenting it to the general public.

This blogosphere would not exist. Watergate would not have been revealed; neither would former President Clinton's infidelities which the general public still tends to have an admiration for making jokes about. There are so many occurrences that would not have been revealed had reporters not been there to break the story.

It seems that people have forgotten their peers. People they used to revere for unbiasedness and professionalism are now simply mean-spirited fools who need to be tossed away before they share another thought which goes against the idea of what they believe is right and fair.

Nothing is fair, first of all. We must all remember this if we are to survive in the world. The fact is, no one wants to upset the natural balance of things. And while the one side of political ideals stands by their members, no matter the amount of crazy and "un-pc" things they say, the other attacks the people they claim to stand by. Like hungry wolves needing press coverage, they circle and loom near while simultaneously claiming no ties to the once strong comrade. The member of their pack has served the purpose of giving the group a more powerful hold over the country and should now be thrown off of a cliff.

The problem is not those who stand together in agreeable ignorance, but those who willingly dispose of a different opinion.

Electronic News Medium

The end is near; peer-to-peer gathering and presenting of information will make all things currently known about news into extinction. It will leave behind only the debris of bad language and a forgotten memory of the well-educated and properly trained individuals who thought that reporting would give them a career.

The citizen is not a journalist. The pre-pubescent children who write opinions on their Facebook are not a reliable source. The random man who tweets should not be taken seriously. Unless, of course, 75 others report the same thought. Then, naturally the provided idea should be flung out to the masses represented as fact.

Where is the accountability? Information should be credible, not accessed by speaking to your neighbors; that is defined as gossip.

Trusted publications are what the people should rely on for the truth and the fact that these news sources are now turning to the average person for the story makes them lazy and unfit to be employed. If anyone can gather a news story, why bother paying someone to go out and find one? Seems as if it would be a waste of money.

Electronic news is fine, as long as everyone leaves the informing to the professionals. Those teenagers out to spread sensationalism can now spend their free time photo-shopping their profile pictures instead.