Thursday, November 15, 2007

Presidential Campaigns

I'll be honest. I hate hearing about the presidential campaigns and everything that goes with it. One thing that drives me crazy is the commercials. I think it is awful how they try to bash each other into the ground to make themselves look better. They dig up things from peoples' past and then exploit it all over television. I don't see how it makes them look better to put their opponents down like that. It's just a sick way to try and get to the top.
Along with the commercials, I also hate how the media constantly talks about it over and over again. I honestly don't keep up on the presidential campaign. And probably because of these reasons. By the time the election date rolls around, I'm so sick of hearing about it that I just want it to be over with.
The talk shows like the O'Reily Factor drive me nuts because they tend to be so opinionated and think that their candidate of choice is the only right way to go. This drives me crazy because I don't really care to constantly hear about everyone else's opinions on issues. Maybe once in awhile, but not all the time.
Basically, I already can't wait for it to be over with.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

What's really important to the media?

One thing that drives me crazy about the media is that it seems they focus more on the celebrities and what's going on in their screwed up lives than on the subjects that really need to be addressed. One celebrity in particular is Britney Spears. I am so sick of hearing about her and her latest public outcry for attention. She along with Lindsey Lohan are two figures that the public hear way too much about.
In my opinion, I think there should be less of a focus on the irresponsible figures for the young people in the world and more of a focus on the serious issues that need to be addressed. Issues like: third world countries and the problems they are facing, the environmental issues that need some attention (extinction of animals, etc.), lives still being lost from the war, and the millions of children who are starving because they don't have any food and don't even have a home.
These are the issues that the public needs to hear about. Maybe then, there would be more people awakened to what is really going on in the world. The TV is filled with shows about celebrities and gossip about their lives but is that really important? I mean what do people get out of that for their own lives-nothing.
Kids growing up today are so brainwashed with everything in the media, like what your supposed to look like or what your supposed to wear. These children are looking up to the wrong figures and are going to lack the realistic direction in their life because they think that they should act as their favorite celebrity and if they act out it's ok.
It just really irritates me that there is such a focus on things of unimportance these days. I mean is this really the kind of thing that needs to be blasted over the TV everyday? It's irrelevant to the everday Americans life. What is relevant are the issues that are truly affecting people around the world and the truth is that something can be done about it.
Instead of focusing on Britney, Paris, and Lindsey, why doesn't the media turn their attention to the celebrities who are truly trying to make a difference and doing good for the people?

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

The strength of a Reporter

In the wake of the wild fires of California, I have chosen to write about the reporter who's house was destroyed. I'm not sure of the man's name but I do know that the firefighters evacuated all of his neighborhood, including him because it was in the fire's path. Once the officials gave the ok for the residents to go see if their house was still standing, he still took to his job as a reporter and went in with a microphone in his hand.
It was heartbreaking to see his reaction to his destroyed home. He said, "On any other given day, I would say, "welcome to my home." Unfortunately this is all that is left".
I was amazed to see how strong he was during the whole ordeal. If it were me, I don't know that I would be able to remain composed and be able to still go on air. He basically saw what was left of his home in front of millions of people watching the news.
I feel that he probably knew that he had to show all of America how severe this fire truly is, however I think that it was one instance where I would draw the line. Once a story becomes personal, it takes on a whole other angle.
I give him a lot of respect for what he did. I'm not sure how others would have handled the situation if it where them.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

My Blog about Blogging

First of all, let me start out by saying that I am not a big fan of blogging--at all. I think that blogging is completely taking over every one's computers and Internet searches. I get so frustrated when I get on the computer to find out about a certain topic and then all of a sudden, I am overloaded with a ton of blogs that have nothing to do with what I'm searching about. The Blog may contain one word from my search and from that I am then bombarded by every ones opinions on the topic.
It's not like I didn't give blogging a chance, because I did. It took me a long time to even be able to obtain my own blog, which was highly frustrating. I can't tell you how many times I have forgotten my user name and password. Even through all of the frustration I thought maybe I would be able to get used to it. I am sorry to say that I haven't. I am now one of "them".
I feel that blogs are for people who are just dying to get their opinion out there. They feel that their voice has to be heard. I can somewhat understand this, however, I don't care to read others' opinions when all I'm trying to do is find legit information when doing an Internet search.
Now that I'm am part of the "blogoshere", I guess I have to just get used to it and realize that it does come in good use for certain aspects of the media. I think blogs are a good way for the media to get peoples opinions on certain issues (if they post it on their own website).
I guess I am now finished ranting about how much I dislike blogging for now.
Now, I hope I don't receive a ton of comments from the "pro blogging team" to inform me on how wrong I am.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Connecticut Post

My opinion on the Connecticut Post goes like this....
I feel very strongly that the names and details of the jurors should not have been released to the public. There could have been information released about them but their names should never have been released.
In a case so severe as this, it is very possible that the advocates on both sides could possibly retaliate on the jurors if the outcome doesn't turn out the way they would like to. I fear that the victims families could turn on the jurors if Mr. Peeler is not prosecuted and sentenced to death as they feel he should. On the other hand, if Mr. Peeler is convicted and put to death his family and friends wouldn't be satisfied and they too could retaliate.
This is such a strong subject for both familes so I feel that the jurors names should never have been released, especially with their occupations and area they are located. With this information, anyone could find out where they live and come after them. This is the type of information I personally, would never want to get out about myself because you become vulnerable to all the crazies in the world. In this case, there would be many people upset with the jurors no matter which conclusion they come to. Either way they go, someone is not going to be happy with their decision.
I can't believe they would list that type of information about the jurors just because I too, would never want that information released about me to anyone. The world has become too dangerous to give out everyone's personal information. Now I sound way too old but it's true. There is way to much violence and craziness going on.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

About Me

My name is Kelli Ives. I am currently a Senior at UC studying Journalism in the hopes of becoming a News Broadcaster. I have always dreamnt of being on the news but actually started out wanting to become a Meteorologist. Once I realized how much Science and Math went into that profession, I just chose to be a Broadcaster instead.
I would probably classify myself as a news-junkie. I love to watch the news and catch up on the current events whenever I get a chance. It's like an addiction to me. I have to know what is going on and all the details, except I focus mainly on the tri-state news.
When I have time away from school and work, I like to do many things. I love to go to the gym and get in a good work-out, (which I do almost everyday). I like to read, take pictures, go boating, travel around the world, and hang out with my family. Although I like to try to get time to do these things, it rarely happens-I'm way to busy. I did, however get a break from school this summer to travel to Norway and Sweden. That trip was life-changing and something I will never forget. I got to see so many beautiful things and seen how other cultures live compared to Americans. I took way too many picures just like a crazy tourist.
Some issues that are important to me and I think need more attention are the issues relating to animal abuse and bullying in the schools. I would like it if there were more harsh charges on animal abusers and more attention brought to it period so that maybe people could see how too frequent it occurs and maybe pull together to do something about it.
I feel the same way about bullying in schools. It happens on a regular basis and something needs to be done about it. There are children who live with the fear of going to school or being made fun of because of bullies. Children these days are so scared to go to school that they get depressed and withdrawn from society which can lead to some serious affects later in life. There are way too many cases where kids have committed suicide because of being made fun of and to me this is absolutely horrifying and needs to be stopped by bringing more attention to the issue.
This is just a little bit of info. about me. I hope this is a good start to a little insight about who I am.