Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

          Throughout the nation, March 30, 2011 is observed as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
          On March 30, 1973, the United States withdrew all of its troops from Vietnam where more than 58,000 members of the armed forces were killed and more than 300,000 others were wounded. (In 1961 the U.S. began an advisory role to South Vietnam and four years later, U.S. ground combat troops were sent there.)
          Do you think the "Welcome Home" events scheduled in Jonesboro and throughout the nation are: welcomed events; should be ignored; too little, too late; totally unnecessary because the observances are opening old wounds; events that should become an annual event; or what?   Support your position.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Underage drinking parties

Based on the definition of News and the 16 News Values discussed in this News Writing class, the "E-mail tells sorority party guests to bring fake IDs" story is a legitimate news story. (The email was leaked to the independent student newspaper.)

 It was published online and in print in The (ASU) Herald on March 17, 2011.

What should be the repercussions, if any, to those involved and the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority? What should be included in a follow-up story? What questions do you think still need to be answered?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Guns on campuses

Legislators in the state of Arkansas are considering passing a bill that would allow faculty and staff members on the college and university campuses to carry guns. Those gun-totting employees must have passed a concealed weapons class and have an up-to-date concealed weapons permit.
Is this a good idea?
Nearby Texas is considering a law that would allow faculty, staff and students to carry weapons on the college and university campuses.
Is this a good idea for Arkansas?
Do you want your professor or department secretary packing heat?