According to the LA Times, a fraction of the 1.6 billion dollars given as part of the bailout plan to a Chicago-based bank has been wrongfully used.
Northern Trust, who has recently laid off over 450 employees, recieved 1.6 billion dollars as part of President Obama's bailout plan. The money was intended to help the company keep from filing for bankruptcy. Its use was poorly distributed.
This past weekend, Northern Trust funded many extravagent events and accomodations ranging from golf tournaments and fancy hotel bills. The Northern Trust Open was held, and what surrounded the weekend was parties of all sorts and expenses.
More than 100 employees and clients were set up at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, another 100 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. More stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey, and others camped out at Casa del Mar in Santa Monica.
The House of Blues was reportedly shut down for almost $50,000 for one night to host a party. Sheryl Crowe and Chicago performed during the weekend, Chicago earning $100,000 and Crowe keeping her earnings confidential. Acording to TMZ.com, the PGA Open held cost nearly $6.3 million dollars.
I was shocked to hear about this. I'm glad the media has the access and privelege to announce this huge issue. Not only is our country going through a recession and millions are losing jobs, but people are spending money supposed to help out the country for stuff as ridiculous as mentioned.
I commend the government for finally noticing this chain of events and hope more action and punishment is given to not only Northern Trust, but all places that manipulate everyone. It is unfair to see people being laid off, and the money that the company recieved could possibly be given to those who have lost their job. But instead, corporations think they can get away with these things. I'm grateful the media posted this, for many more people can see and be aware of these issues and know that it's not right.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Slashing the Teenage Mind.
The average teenager spends their days watching television, listening to music, reading books. They have the need to always be doing something fun and exciting, daring and outrageous. But the media plays a huge role in this bold outlook of life.
The media produces television shows, movies and music that are accompanied with stereotypical activities. For slasher movies, the teenagers are always seen doing drugs, having sex, partying it up. In music, its the lyrics that not only rappers, but also teenage sensations, such as Taylor Swift.
The images of teenagers in the media circuit are bad representatives for teenagers in the real world to look up to. Teenagers feel like they must be like these "characters" and "live it up to the fullest." The message that the media provides to teens is negative and makes the hesitant teenagers think they must engage in certain behavior and habits to be seen as "cool."
I think the media should focus on the more important teenage images, and stay away from the images of sex, drugs, partying. The movies, especially horror/slasher films show teenagers at their worst, and may steer teenagers into the wrong direction. Music also plays a huge part, and lyrics of the same content sends a negative message out too.
Sure the movies, music and books may be entertaining, but the media circuit should focus more on other teenage habits, such as sports or academics. Healthier habits shown may be very beneficial to everyone.
The media produces television shows, movies and music that are accompanied with stereotypical activities. For slasher movies, the teenagers are always seen doing drugs, having sex, partying it up. In music, its the lyrics that not only rappers, but also teenage sensations, such as Taylor Swift.
The images of teenagers in the media circuit are bad representatives for teenagers in the real world to look up to. Teenagers feel like they must be like these "characters" and "live it up to the fullest." The message that the media provides to teens is negative and makes the hesitant teenagers think they must engage in certain behavior and habits to be seen as "cool."
I think the media should focus on the more important teenage images, and stay away from the images of sex, drugs, partying. The movies, especially horror/slasher films show teenagers at their worst, and may steer teenagers into the wrong direction. Music also plays a huge part, and lyrics of the same content sends a negative message out too.
Sure the movies, music and books may be entertaining, but the media circuit should focus more on other teenage habits, such as sports or academics. Healthier habits shown may be very beneficial to everyone.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
How much would you like to bid?
The former eBay chief executive, Meg Whitman, will be running for the governor of California, according to the NY Times.
She will be running for 2010 office, looking to take over as the "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger has ran his term limits. Whitman is a republican, and is not a fan how the economy has affected California.
“California is better than this, and I refuse to stand by and watch it,” said Whitman.
It is kind of strange to see public figures such as actors, athletes, and chairman of popular websites running for governor. I think their popularity helps their election, and not their thoughts and ideas. The media runs up their candidates with silly stuff such as nicknames and quips to their old profession and find their campaign as a way to get back into a spotlight.
I am unsure whether she has been in the media for anything negative, but hopefully she can be a great asset to California and not just another person trying to gain more popularity. To add to this, I think her qualifications should overshadow anything related to the media. She is successful, so hopefully she brings more to the table.
She will be running for 2010 office, looking to take over as the "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger has ran his term limits. Whitman is a republican, and is not a fan how the economy has affected California.
“California is better than this, and I refuse to stand by and watch it,” said Whitman.
It is kind of strange to see public figures such as actors, athletes, and chairman of popular websites running for governor. I think their popularity helps their election, and not their thoughts and ideas. The media runs up their candidates with silly stuff such as nicknames and quips to their old profession and find their campaign as a way to get back into a spotlight.
I am unsure whether she has been in the media for anything negative, but hopefully she can be a great asset to California and not just another person trying to gain more popularity. To add to this, I think her qualifications should overshadow anything related to the media. She is successful, so hopefully she brings more to the table.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Who's Knocking On Your Page?
Nearly 100,000 registered sex offenders were found and removed from the popular social page "MySpace.com" after a subpoena for security standards for social networking sites were criticized.
According to The New York Times, the sex offenders found on MySpace total to about 90,000 users. It is a serious issue to address in the media due to the fact that children and teenagers are less likely to know about these situations. Kids and teenagers are less likely to read the dangers of social sites.
The more shocking and scary news is that although 90,000 profiles of sex offenders were removed and banned, those were only a fraction of nearly 700,000 sex offenders in the United States alone.
"These are just the convicted sex offenders who used their real names," said John A. Phillips, chief executive of Aristotle.
With the increase of 10 percent of new additions to the MySpace community, the technology used to find these sex offenders has caused the registration of profiles by sex offenders to drop 35 percent.
Facebook.com, another popular social networking site has set other high priority decisions to keep the danger away from online use. They only provide a small thumbnail and name when a person is searched on the site. When the request is sent to the user, they are given information about the request, such as mutual friends, school networks, and age.
I am grateful for the increase in security for online networking. It is unfortunate to read about violence and sexual abuse caused online. I have younger siblings who use MySpace and I think this really helps provide a safer environment for them by removing these profiles. I also now look with better attitude the way Facebook runs. I understand better that it is safer to only provide the minimum information to these people sending friend requests.
I only hope that with this technology, it will be able to help stop the fake profiles that abuse users online.
According to The New York Times, the sex offenders found on MySpace total to about 90,000 users. It is a serious issue to address in the media due to the fact that children and teenagers are less likely to know about these situations. Kids and teenagers are less likely to read the dangers of social sites.
The more shocking and scary news is that although 90,000 profiles of sex offenders were removed and banned, those were only a fraction of nearly 700,000 sex offenders in the United States alone.
"These are just the convicted sex offenders who used their real names," said John A. Phillips, chief executive of Aristotle.
With the increase of 10 percent of new additions to the MySpace community, the technology used to find these sex offenders has caused the registration of profiles by sex offenders to drop 35 percent.
Facebook.com, another popular social networking site has set other high priority decisions to keep the danger away from online use. They only provide a small thumbnail and name when a person is searched on the site. When the request is sent to the user, they are given information about the request, such as mutual friends, school networks, and age.
I am grateful for the increase in security for online networking. It is unfortunate to read about violence and sexual abuse caused online. I have younger siblings who use MySpace and I think this really helps provide a safer environment for them by removing these profiles. I also now look with better attitude the way Facebook runs. I understand better that it is safer to only provide the minimum information to these people sending friend requests.
I only hope that with this technology, it will be able to help stop the fake profiles that abuse users online.
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