Charmer

America has never seen a candidate like Barack Obama. Not only would he be the first African American president, but he also brings a unique presence to the 2008 election race. Every time he speaks, I myself, am captivated. He demands attention. Many argue that leadership skills alone don't make a great president. I agree. However, I also think these people fail to look beyond the surface.  He's youthful, energetic; something new and different for a country that's looking for change. After seeing Obama on the cover of Rolling Stone, I was enthralled. His status seems to be interchangeable between presidential candidate and highly intellectual celebrity. This, to me, is a bonus. People will not just see him as the President, but as someone they idolize, someone they admire. Well at least I will. For this reason, the young people of America have been charmed by Obama. While we cannot ignore his ideals and campaign goals, the above qualities are notable. He seems like a genuine, down to earth guy who wants what's best not only for himself, but for us all.

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." -Barack Obama

A look back at 9/11 coverage

Following a visit from E.W. Scripps Assistant Professor Yusuf Kalyango on 9/11, the ideas concerning that day couldn't escape my mind. Looking back on the tragedy I realize that I did not critically examine the actual correctness of the media coverage but rather tried to absorb it all. I was struck with disbelief and horror, along with the entire nation. Professor Kalyango put emphasis on the fact that today's journalists seem to have trouble presenting major media crisis without slipping in bias or emotion. It got me thinking about the extreme level of challenge it presents. It's hard for anyone, including journalists, to look at days like 9/11 and not feel sorrow, among other raging emotions. To then pen an article without letting these feelings seep into your writing seems nearly impossible. But it is our job as young journalists to take this challenge. The Professor also informed us that immediately following 9/11, CNN would not allow it's correspondents to interview anyone who was currently disagreeing with President Bush's ideals. Through one perspective, this move can be seen as sensible to keep America as one unit during time of crisis, but was this censorship anti-American in itself? Journalists certainly can set a mood for the world. That kind of power needs to be taken seriously. It's up to us as journalism students to make this world an even better, brighter place.