The biggest story of the week was about the teachers' strike barring over one million students from attending class in England and Wales. A third of schools turned some pupils away and one in six closed entirely. This threat to students' education gave ministers and MPs reason to blame NUT, the National Union of Teachers, for being irrational and irresponsible. NUT countered by saying they wouldn't take a strike lightly. NUT insisted that pay is unfair because of current living costs. Increased wages will have had to compete with those current to graduate professors'. The wage now, 2.45% a day, beats the wage ten years ago by only 19%.
This story has, above all, timeliness. The issue is happening right now, and the crisis can only be fixed right now. It has extraordinary proximity, because all of England is affected--children are supposed to go to school. There is an element of service, because the public is informed of the wage issue teachers currently have. [The Guardian, pg. A1, 4/24/08].
The best story of the week was about Carter's agreements with Hamas on a two-state idea for Israel. This article was important, because it demonstrated the actions of a man who has peace as the forefront of his mission. He had no ulterior motives except to understand Hamas' woes, and attempt to lead the Islamist movement towards peace. Unfortunately, Hamas said it would not ceasefire in Gaza. But, as long as Palestinian approval was met, Hamas would agree to a two-state idea for Israel and Palestine. [The Guardian, 4/22/08].
Gordon Brown attempts to bring down tax budget. [The Guardian, pg. A1, 4/22/08]... Research shows that pregnant womens' diets affect the sex of their children. [The Guardian, pg. A1, 4/23/08]... Bush aides pushed for Guantanamo Bay prisoner torture. [The Guardian, pg. A1, 4/19/08]... Mugabe, Zimbabwe minister was accused of gun threats. [The Guardian, pg. A1, 4/21/08]... Chinese ship carried arms cargo to Mugabe, Zimbabwe regime. [The Guardian, pg. A1, 4/18/08]...
