Times are getting harder.

I read through the news about California’s outrageous proposal for a 32 percent tuition hike for colleges. That is a ridiculous amount. California is already expensive as it is, but raising tuition by 1/3 of its amount right now? RIDIC!! And I thought Utah’s colleges were bad. It’s not even close. Some students are taking on third jobs to make ends meet. This economy keeps looking more and more bleak. This tuition hike will force many students out of school. I couldn’t imagine being out of school because college is that important to me. I hope the California Board of Regents and their state legislature can find someway to lessen the impact or somewhere else to cut in state funds.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/19/california.tuition.protests/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

Ummm, watcha say?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBI3lc18k8Q

What are we doing right? Wrong?

I think many of the times inexperienced journalists think about having the greatest photo first before they think of the well being of the people they are shooting in their photograph. Journalists need to be “human” first before being a photographer. Doing this means giving special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Failing to do so is extremely rude and heartless.

I once spoke with a co-worker about my dream career in journalism and he scuffed at me. I was appalled at his reaction and so I asked him why he reacted the way he did. He replied saying that journalists have no hearts these days and only care about how good a story is and that they don’t care about the circumstances, tragedies and heartaches people have been put through. He said he watched the news once when a reporter came up to tsunami victim who had lost his wife, children, and home and the first thing the reporter said to the man was, “So how do you feel?” Yeah. Huge mistake. This reporter didn’t have a heart. I don’t know if he was thinking, or if he was thinking at all.

I think one of the most important attributes reporters need to possess is compassion, sympathy and empathy. If none of these attributes are possessed, reporters will have a hard time doing their job the best they can.

On the front page of the Salt Lake Tribune of Saturday’s paper, the photographer Leah Hogsten shot a photo of a University of Utah professor still suffering injuries from a biking accident he was involved in a year ago. The photo showed him lying in bed in anguish over the pain. Was this ethical to do so? Shoot a photo of someone in pain? They have to have it ok’ed with the family too; let them know what your goal of the picture and story is. I believe if it tells the story and informs the audience of the trauma and hardships people must go through, people will act upon this. They will want to help others because it is in our human nature to do so. Readers will act upon what they see. I would approach the family as a human first then as a photojournalist. It’s the only way to do it. These are the issues that photojournalists may run into all the time and I think that is what needs to be regulated in how the media do their job.

The future of media role lies in the hands of photojournalists. I believe that because we live in a democracy and a world of evolving technology, photojournalists must first take responsibility to their readers. The rules of ethics are still the same and with advanced technology it will be more accessible to manipulate photographs but photojournalists must first remember they are human first and that is the number one important rule to keep in mind.

What’s made my week :)

“Candice Sandness!!!!! I love your guts! Where have you been and what have you been up to lately?”

“I miss you dear!  How is SUU?  what’s new?  hows school? your ward?  have they put you to work?    I loved our logan roommates last year and am glad I got to know you better.  You are such an amazing girl.  Thanks for your example.  Seriously, you’re awesome, so I hope you don’t forget that!  Love ya Candice!  talk to ya soon.”

 

Hey for all you SUU peeps: Apartment contract for sale in Stadium Way!

Hey guys! My roommate is leaving on a mission and needs to sell her apartment contract ASAP. It is a Spring 2010 contract and it goes from January to early May. She needs to sell it way bad because it would be pointless to pay for it when she will not be living here. She is offering $200 discount because she is desperate to sell it and it’s a WAYYY good deal so look into this if you are interested! It can be for either a male or female college student. If you’re a female student, then I would end up as your roommate, I like to think I’m a pretty cool person. Just read my blog to get a feel for who I am and what I do. Male students who buy her contract will be placed in a male apartment.

 If you need a place to live or know someone who does, tell them about me and how I would make an awesome roommate here is the link to the apartment contract info:

http://letsshakethingsup.blogspot.com/2009/11/apartment-contract-for-sale.html

He.

I commonly use letters as bookmarks for books I’m reading. I came across this one. It fell out as I was flipping through Grown Up Marriage. This is from March 13, 2009.

Hello Candice or is it Jenny? JK! (inside joke)

I gotta tell ya! That tie you have me is Amazing! Every Elder here wants it and tries to trade two or more ties just for that one! It’s awesome, especially with my green suit! I look like a watermelon

Well I gotta go we are rocking out to the single’s ward soundtrack, haha.

P.S. Thanks for your prayers. and tell Crystal I say Hi and to keep working her “Crystalceps” and I’ll beef up my “Mattoid.”  ;)

Thoughts on Afghanistan.

We have 65,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama is considering sending 40,000 more troops as requested by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan to stabilize the Afghani government and prevent the country from falling into the hands of the Taliban, which would be devastating and disastrous.

I support our troops fighting in Afghanistan and sending more troops, as requested by Obama will secure stability in Afghanistan.

Let me list the reasons why.

Radical political rival groups are killing innocent Afghanis, rival party members or innocent people who stand in their way. We must remember what happened at Sept.11, the terrorists’ attack from al Qaida, who is also present in Afghanistan. If we were to pull out, we are risking Afghanistan into becoming “another Vietnam.”

That is what we are fighting for. We are fighting for freedom and the threat of these two groups are too high for the U.S. to not have taken action. Are we policing the world? Yes but because we have the strongest military in the world, we have an obligation to those who cannot protect themselves and do not have anyway out of the constant fear they are forced to live in.

I feel that it is in our human nature to do so.

The Afghani people want democracy but they are powerless to stop the political, radical groups trying to overthrow the Afghani government. Security and order would not be in Afghanistan if our troops weren’t there.

Can you see what kind of consequences there would be if either the Taliban or al Qaida took over the country? That would be a stepping-stone for al Qaida’s door to terrorism and into a successful global jihad and would mean Afghanistan would be a totalitarian state run by the Taliban.

The Taliban’s harsh rule needs to be put to an end. Innocent civilians are beaten in the streets and are killed for violating the Shariah, Islamic code of Law. What are we doing there? We are stamping out terrorism and we are putting an end to inhuman execution of innocent civilians carried out in Afghanistan. What are we to do, stand back and watch? No, we have an obligation to protect others and prevent the state from being taken over by those who are a threat and a danger to our world. It’s going to be a long fight but freedom comes at a cost.

Share the passion.

Hello Phoenix.

You have been selected to participate in the Campus Coverage Project. Competition for the available slots was tight and we would like to congratulate you on this accomplishment.

You will also be able to take part in online programming throughout 2010. Additionally, you will be asked to use the skills you learn through the workshop and follow-up training, to produce news stories at your campus. Those stories should be shared with program organizers and in many cases will be highlighted, exposing your work to a larger audience.

We’re excited to have you involved and looking forward to meeting you in Phoenix.

Nice to meet you.

Why did you  migrate from?

Tehran, Iran. 5 years ago. (She is now 23)

I had to flee from my country. My family and I were refugees.

What were you fleeing from?

Religious persecution.

What religion are you?

Bahai.

What was it like in Tehran?

We have no voice. We have no chance to defend ourselves. We are ridiculed and mocked and given no opportunities.

Were you going to attend college there?

No, people who are part of the Bahai religion cannot attend college or get good jobs.

I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.

I’m glad you’re here. It’s a great country.

Yes, I’m glad too. I can live my life freely here.