05.00 Intro to the Writing Process

  Writing. I'm not quite sure I'm good at it but I know that I do enjoy it very much. Writing has never been a burden on me to do. When a teacher says to write about a certain topic, or says "your test with be a written response" I'm the one who gets all excited and can't wait to let all my thoughts out of a crisp, clean piece of wide ruled paper. Yes, I said wide ruled as elementary as it is. I know that I am not the best writer, I jump around from topic to topic, and start "rambling" on about things forever and ever. Like I am right now, sorry! In the back of my mind I've always thought about making writing a career. Working for a magazine, or appearing on Ellen to talk about my novel just sounds so appealing to me. 

Writing has always had such an effect on the world. It started with simple drawings on caves that were translated into words for the cavemen. It is how we declared war, when the Mexicans officials called President McKinley a weak, and unimportant leader. Everyday news is reported. The newspaper contains so much information that simply cannot all be said on the news. It is a way to express opinions, or not, and a place to elaborate more. Since everything cannot be said, and it all especially cannot be recorded, writing is an easy way to communicate. It is how teachers communicate with their student's parents, and how wills are recorded. It is also how some express their love to each other, because while words may last a minute, a nice letter will last forever.

I personally am a very opinionated person. Writing impartially, while it wouldn't be impossible, would be a very hard task for me to complete. I am always the one waiting to pipe in and give my opinion, whether they want to her it or not. I think it is a gift to be able to write while staying impartial and not giving your opinion. To me that is what makes a true journalist. I know, here I go sharing my opinion again. I would never be able to be able to be a news reporter or newspaper columnist because my opinions would be too swayed by life experiences and things I've learned. 

I give so much credit to journalists who remain unbiased in our daily news. Remaining unbiased is such a unique quality and anyone who can stay that way when reporting news where you are restraining yourself just to get through it, is such a hard task when all you would like to do is share our opinion. It's a tough, but rewarding career and one that not everyone can make, but those who do know how to rise to the top.

What are your thoughts on writing and staying impartial?

Until next time,

Chloe

03.02 First Amendment Freedoms

  The Supreme Court vs. Davis has just shook the media and the court systems. This case shows that you have freedom of speech even when you are locked up in prison waiting to be put to death. Not only did Davis express his freedom of speech but the people that supported him with organized protests in front of the prison and around the world.

   Troy Davis was an African American man that was accused and convicted of killing a police officer in Savannah, Georgia in 1989. There was substantial evidence from witnesses and was convicted to die a few days ago. Thanks to the news media we found that many people expressed there freedom of his innocence. We have also dealt with cases just like this. Also about the same time he was put to death a white supremacist accused and convicted of the dragging death of a black man had people rally for him for his innocence before his death. Both of these men had people supporting them with freedom of speech and they also practiced it themselves.

   The protesters of Troy Davis case were allowed to rally outside and protest with picket signs and had megaphones chanting his innocence.  The same was with the white supremacist that was put to death. They had an established buffer zone and couldn't go on prison property or they would stay on prison property for some time. It was peaceful and didn't cause any violence and was well within the law. I believe that as long as they are calm and within the law they should be allowed to do this at anytime. With Troy Davis he was proclaiming his innocence to his death and even convinced the supreme court to review his case by freedom of speech.

   This rights are great for people that are actually innocent. Any type of support from people during rough times is good especially with freedom of speech because in America you have a lot of power in your voice to be heard. I believe if this kind of freedom of speech was removed in this case Troy Davis he would have not be given a chance to reclaim in innocence before his death. But Davis killed a police officer and I believe that if you kill a police officer or anyone you else you deserve to be punished. I think a lot of this case was surrounded by the fact that he was an African American and he wasn't getting a fair trial. Based on evidence and eye witness accounts he did it and was given a fair trial. You can not use the racist argument every time.
 

  Even in the court house you are given your freedom of speech to defend your innocence. In this case he was given it during his trial and was even allowed to express his innocence a second time when he asked the supreme court to review his case. You had people protesting outside for his innocence and the evidence just overwhelmed them. Freedom of speech is a right we are given to express ourselves and views. But unfortunately sometimes it isn't good enough and it falls short, hurting people that are innocent but luckily based on the evidence it looked like a guilty person was rightly punished for their wrong doing.