In the last debate between Barrack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton before the Texas and Ohio primaries, things definitely heated up, making it the most important news story of the week. It was quite a showdown at Cleveland State University, where the debate was held. The candidates argued back and forth about which of their health-care plans were preeminent, who had been right all along about the war in Iraq, and who would be best fit to rethink the trade policy as the new president. The candidates were courteous for the most part, but by no means was either party laid-back, especially Hillary Rodham Clinton. Having not won a single primary since the Super Tuesday primaries on February 5, Hillary was quite aware that it was now time to step it up. These next two primaries are going to be the most important for both Clinton and Obama, winning is crucial.
The timeliness of this story is a key element. I have found numerous news articles about these events almost every day in multiple papers. The primaries are current and with these next two being the most important, it is essential that a story be written about them. These primaries will have a major impact on everyone, making proximity another key element. The significance of these primaries is at an all time high. (Washington Post, 2/27/08, p. A1)
This week, the trial began for the three undercover male detectives from New York; Detectives Michael Oliver and Gescard Isnora both face charges of manslaughter and if convicted could face up to 25 years in prison. The third male, on the other hand, Detective Marc Cooper is being charged with reckless endangerment . The first aspect of this story that caught my eye was its headline: “N.Y. Police on Trial in Wedding Day Killing.” Furthermore, the article stated, “50 Shots Fired at Unarmed Man.” Instantly, after reading the headline, I saw this story as the most interesting one of the week. The victim, Sean Bell, was out celebrating his bachelor party with his two friends Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield. According to the defense attorney, when the three men were leaving Club Kalua, located in the Jamaica section of Queens, they began to argue with another man. They had reason to believe the men went to their car to retrieve a gun. This is why the detectives followed Bell and his friends to the car. Later however, it was established that there was no gun. In argument, Assistant District Attorney Charles Testagrossa mentioned that these detectives might have been eager to make an arrest that morning because they had gotten word that their ranks in the unit devoted to making drug and prostitution arrests in clubs were possibly going to be reduced. The fiancé, whom was high school sweethearts with bell, burst into tears as she described her visit to the hospital on what was to be her wedding day.
(Washington Post, 2/26/08, p. A2)
Several hundred Serbs, infuriated by the U.S. acknowledgement of Kosovo’s independence, protested and burnt part of the American Embassy located in Serbian capital of Belgrade Thursday. (Washington Post, 2/22/08, p. A1)... Nearly two decades after the incident occurred, new statistics are continuing to be added to the Exxon oil spill case. (Washington Post, 2/24/08, p. A1)... A countless number of “dark films” won Oscars, all of which were said to be based on looming issues besides the cheerful film “Juno.” (Washington Post, 2/25/08, p. A1)… Federal authorities are constantly being criticized on their lack of effort to deport illegal immigrants convicted of crimes. Recently however, authorities have taken steps in order to fix these problems and expect to see a significant increase in deportation within the next year. (Washington Post, 2/27/08, p. A1)… Over 50 million employees celebrated a huge success after being granted the right by the Supreme Court to sue over the wrongdoing of their 401(k) retirement accounts. (Washington Post, 2/21/08, p. A1)
