Okay, the "Writing for the Ear" class has done a great job writing short newscasts. I know...not very creative. Using someone else's words (in wire copy) to fashion a newscast gives us only a small sense of what broadcast writing is all about. Now, we've started to take our reporting outside the newsroom to find our own stories...focusing on the very important 2008 Presidential election.
We've done a series of interviews with people we've met on the street, and some "officials" about the issues that are most important to them. Now, we'll start to craft this information into longer, "feature" radio stories.
First things first: You've transcribed all of these interviews. Please post them as comments on this blog. That way, everyone can see everyone else's interviews. We'll share the info we've collected, and pick out soundbites that will best help us tell our story. So, what is our story, you may ask?
For a good example listen to the stories by NPR's Linda Wertheimer in the previous post. Her reporting uses some of the same voices we will:
1. The voice of a "real person" - meant to illustrate a trend or idea
We've done a series of interviews with people we've met on the street, and some "officials" about the issues that are most important to them. Now, we'll start to craft this information into longer, "feature" radio stories.
First things first: You've transcribed all of these interviews. Please post them as comments on this blog. That way, everyone can see everyone else's interviews. We'll share the info we've collected, and pick out soundbites that will best help us tell our story. So, what is our story, you may ask?
For a good example listen to the stories by NPR's Linda Wertheimer in the previous post. Her reporting uses some of the same voices we will:
1. The voice of a "real person" - meant to illustrate a trend or idea
2. The voice of a "stakeholder" - an official person whose work affects us all
3. The voice of an "expert" - meant to uncover truths, point to trends, debunk myths
The basic outline of the story will let us identify an idea: "Many people are talking about the 2008 election, but they aren't talking about the issues."
We'll get to solve a problem: "So, we wanted to find out what issues are important to people."
We'll ask for expert verification: "Political scientist X says that national polls are clear. ____ is on the minds of most voters."
3. The voice of an "expert" - meant to uncover truths, point to trends, debunk myths
The basic outline of the story will let us identify an idea: "Many people are talking about the 2008 election, but they aren't talking about the issues."
We'll get to solve a problem: "So, we wanted to find out what issues are important to people."
We'll ask for expert verification: "Political scientist X says that national polls are clear. ____ is on the minds of most voters."
We'll get real people to address this basic premise: "I agree that ___ is the big issue." Or, "What really matters to me and my family is ___."
The stakeholder might have a different take, based on her profession: "As a schoolteacher, I really thing the next President needs to address ________." You get the idea...
So, here's the assignment for next class (October 9):
1. Listen to the Wertheimer pieces.
2. Please make sure you post your transcribed interviews, along with the person's name, town and occupation (if important) as comments on this blog entry. Please post these soon, so that we can all have a chance to peruse the interviews for trends, ideas...and great soundbites. During our next class, we'll go over these, and start to come up with ideas.
3. We'll also have a special guest. Doug Schwartz of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute. He's an expert on political polling, and has a better idea of what voters are thinking than most voters. Given your previous interviews, and the transcriptions of others interviews, and the regular newspaper reading that you're doing, it will be easy to come up with some questions for Mr. Schwartz. Please prepare at least two questions pertaining to the 2008 elections. Try to focus your questions on the issues, not the "race." Example: "Do most Americans consider immigration to be a major issue in this upcoming election?" We'll record our interview with Doug, and use it in our story. Next week, another expert will join us, political scientist, Scott McLean.
10 comments:
Interview with Tim Coon 10-1-03 – Coon is a former member of the Glastonbury Board of Education, a candidate for Glastonbury Town Council, an Iraq War veteran who recently earned a Purple Heart and is currently on active reserve to return for a second tour to Iraq.
Portions of the interview have been edited.
How important is the 2008 election to you, who runs and ultimately who wins and becomes president?
It is extremely important, probably in my life time the most important election if for no other reason than to right the wrongs that were committed by the Bush administration. Having seen the folly of their ways up close and person and seen the lives wrecked, the property and the treasury ruined, as a result of their decisions...and seeing the shredding of the constitution here in the United States it is really important that the next president does whatever he or she can to do to straighten out the mess that the Bush administration has created. It is almost a visceral sense to me how important the presidency is.
What issues are most important to you?
Because I am still serving probably the Iraq War is the largest single issue. I would say that some of the broader issues of great importance are Iraq...the constitutional issues that are being brought up certainly have some interest to me and my wife. We don't have a variable mortgage, we have a 30 year fixed so we are not worried about the sub prime issue but if the economy slows down and inflation speeds up then the economy will certainly be an issue. The Iraq issue is of the greatest concern to us immediately at a national level.
How important is the issue of illegal immigration and why?
Nobody I know talks about illegal immigration. None in my circle is it a concern to anybody, none that I can think of. Certainly I know a large number of immigrants and right now I am trying to get my Iraqi interpreter here to the United States. The United States government are making it difficult for these people who are putting their lives on the line and their family’s lives in jeopardy to help us. That's legal immigration and another topic but Illegal immigration is one of those hot button issues that appeals to certainly on the Republican side of the house, their base and on the Democratic side of the house it appeals to the minority segment of the population that the Democratic Party is courting. I think on the extremes of the right and the left it has some interest but to the vast middle it has no notice or effect. On a local level with increased illegal immigration it may have an impact on education system and that is something to keep in mind.
I interviewed Berita E. Rowe-Lewis who is a councilwoman in Hamden. I also interviewed a student at Quinnipiac University.
Berita E. Rowe-Lewis:
1.How is the 2008 election important in your life?
"It is important because of the fact that Barack Obama is such a strong candidate and being in the minority population, it is a blessing, it is an eye-opener, because of the fact that he’s gotten so much negativity for absolutely no reason. When someone is so talented, so brilliant, so insightful, as to first of all being a candidate for senate and decided not to hold for the war in Iraq. As a new person who’s coming in and to have that insight, is someone that excites me and someone who I know can think on their feet, would make an excellent President. So I’m excited to have already endorsed Barack. We’ve started a campaign here in Hamden, to basically {say} Barack for President, and we know he’s gonna do well."
2.What issues are most important to you? & What do you want to hear the candidates talking about?
"I want the candidates to address racism as it stands in this day and age, and it’s quite important, because until we address racism; unequality and inequality that exists, we as a country will be no where."
3.How important is the issue of illegal immigration?
"Illegal immigration to me, I can’t understand why individuals call it illegal, because of the simple fact; I think everyone is legal to be a human being. And if someone is coming from another country, to make a living, I don’t know why we should tend to call them illegals. We just tend to call them illegals, because we can’t no longer use them and abuse them, we have to make sure we pay them, and you know so I don’t think there are illegals anymore, and I just hope that the candidates that are up for the President of this country make a statement as it relates to that and making sure that those individuals are taken care of. Me as an immigrant, it is so important to me, so that everyone is looked at not as any illegals at all, but as basically citizens of the world."
Mega Greco (student)
1.How is the 2008 election important in your life?
"To be quite honest, I hadn’t really thought about the election at all before you just asked me that question. I mean I know what they say on the news, but I haven’t really been following like who’s running for what, or anything like that, but I mean now that I think about it, it is really important, because it’s gonna affect me a lot, especially because I’ll be starting working, while the new President is in office; so it affects me a lot."
2.What issues are most important to you? & What do you want to hear the candidates talking about?
"I think that right now, the most important issue to me is the student loan rate and the price of education, because I’m a student and everyone knows that the price of education is insanely high and student loan rates are insanely high and I think that they really need to do something about that. That’s an important issue to me. Obviously Iraq is a huge issue; it’s an issue for everyone, especially me; I think because it’s the people around my age that are actually fighting in the war and going off and being killed. And also taxes are a big deal, because I’m gonna be starting work, and so I want to know where my taxes are going to."
3.How important is the issue of illegal immigration?
"I feel very passionately about the issue, so I would love to hear candidates talk about it. Especially because of the whole George Bush, went through a lot with illegal immigration during his term, so I think it would be really interesting to see what the new candidates have to say about it."
My best two interviews were with Bridgeport school principal-Veronica Thomas & Edward White of New Haven, Conn. Here are their comments:
(Veronica Thomas said...)
1. How is the 2008 election important in your life?
This election is important mainly for young people because its effects on the economic and educational system. I fear for poor children because it’s going to be difficult for them if no one meets their needs.
There are two candidates who I feel can fill this position, mainly because they have been there.
Children need to be taken care of properly and young parents need to be taught now to be parents and how to care for children. I feel sorry for some of these kids.
In 2008, it is extremely important that every American go out and vote even seniors because it will carry something very valuable and will make a great impact on American society.
2. What issues are most important to you? & What do you want to hear the candidates talking about?
The most important issues in the coming election are higher wages for Americans, health care benefits for all, better retirement plans, and social security. My hope is that with the new election will also come more opportunities for people to buy homes, live comfortably and enjoy what America is suppose to be about.
(Edward White said...)
1.How is the 2008 election important in your life?
The coming election is very important to be me because it will be the first time I actually go to the polls and take action.
2.What issues are most important to you? & What do you want to hear the candidates talking about?
The most important issue to me is job opportunities. I think that whoever our future president is must be able to provide better job opportunities for those who are really need them.
3.How important is the issue of illegal immigration?
I think New Haven is serving as a great example of what this nation is all about-equal opportunity for everyone. By providing immigrants with i.d. cards, they are doing much more than just helping them get bank accounts…it’s about creating equal opportunities for everyone regardless of where they come from or what kind of background they may have.
My best two interviews were with Bridgeport school principal-Veronica Thomas & Edward White of New Haven, Conn. Here are their comments:
(Veronica Thomas said...)
1. How is the 2008 election important in your life?
This election is important mainly for young people because its effects on the economic and educational system. I fear for poor children because it�s going to be difficult for them if no one meets their needs.
There are two candidates who I feel can fill this position, mainly because they have been there.
Children need to be taken care of properly and young parents need to be taught now to be parents and how to care for children. I feel sorry for some of these kids.
In 2008, it is extremely important that every American go out and vote even seniors because it will carry something very valuable and will make a great impact on American society.
2. What issues are most important to you? & What do you want to hear the candidates talking about?
The most important issues in the coming election are higher wages for Americans, health care benefits for all, better retirement plans, and social security. My hope is that with the new election will also come more opportunities for people to buy homes, live comfortably and enjoy what America is suppose to be about.
(Edward White said...)
1.How is the 2008 election important in your life?
The coming election is very important to be me because it will be the first time I actually go to the polls and take action.
2.What issues are most important to you? & What do you want to hear the candidates talking about?
The most important issue to me is job opportunities. I think that whoever our future president is must be able to provide better job opportunities for those who are really need them.
3.How important is the issue of illegal immigration?
I think New Haven is serving as a great example of what this nation is all about-equal opportunity for everyone. By providing immigrants with identification cards, they are doing much more than just helping them get bank accounts�it�s about creating equal opportunities for everyone regardless of where they come from or what kind of background they may have.
My best interview was with Joan Channick, managing director of Long Wharf Theater.
Q: How is the 2008 election important in your life?
A: Well, it is important in that I am very unhappy with the direction the country has been heading in the last few years of the Bush administration, so I am anxious for a change and I actually have some hope that change is possible. Personally, I am still undecided about who I am going to support, but I think anyone other than Bush would be a big improvement.
Q: What issues are the most important to you?
A: I think like most people the big issues that are important to me are the war, the economy, and healthcare. But I think personally, as somebody who works in the arts, the other issues that matter to me are the government support or lack thereof for arts and culture in this society. Our government plays a very different role than governments in other countries do and I would hope that we could have a more enlightened approach in the future that could see the centrality of arts and culture to a civil society. I think tied to that is te notion of freedom of expression and that is something that we value in the arts and is threatened at times. I think we are at the forefront of preserving freedom of expression, preserving debate, preserving, creating really, community forums for discussions of important issues and so I think that is really on my mind. And then, frankly, as an individual, another issue of importance to me is same sex marriage and I don’t know if in my lifetime it will ever become a national standard. I am grateful that I live in a state like Connecticut which at least allows for civil unions, but I would like to see in my lifetime the opportunity for equal treatment of gay and lesbian citizens like myself.
Q: How important is the issue of illegal immigration to you?
A: Um, well I am actually someone who believes that immigration has been critical to this country throughout its history. I am the grandchild of immigrants. Legal immigrants, not illegal immigrants, but my grandparents left an oppressive regime in Russia in the early part of the century where as Jews they were discriminated against. My partner is a refugee from the Nazi’s who left Germany in te 1930’s and our entire country which is not very old is compromised entirely of immigrants, so I am actually someone who believes that we should be opening the doors and that can be uh, I understand the idea that there are limits to how much our society can provide, so I am not sure I know the answer to the question, but I think we are unduly restrictive today. Again, I have some perspective as someone who works in the arts. As a matter of fact, before I came to work at the Long Wharf I worked for a national theater service organization and I was also the director of the International Theater Institute which was an arm of UNESCO which was devoted to fostering artistic exchange and the philosophy of the International Theater Institute was that artists should collaborate and talk to one another and work together regardless of what their governments were doing and one of my good friends who was very involved in ITI for many years used to say that if you get to know people you are less likely to kill them. I’ve seen the difficulties we have in the arts world of getting foreign artists in, the visa restrictions are very cumbersome so there are lots of voices we would like to have heard in this country that we have trouble getting in. I’d like to see freer exchange among artists heading both directions, heading into this country and out of this country and I think all of that can only help to achieve better understanding among countries, so I think that gets back to the freedom of expression issue I talked about earlier that there is a great value in having a freer exchange of ideas and that includes a free flow of people across borders.
Interviewees:
Gigi Petway
DSL Shelter Councilor
Operation Hope Homeless Shelter
Fairfield, CT
“I think it’s very important on who we’re gonna put – for the presidency – so we can get this war ended and get our guys back home. Someone who’s gonna be or the people—really there for the people.”
“Health insurance [is the most important topic] -- ya know, health insurance. We need a better system in place. The insurance we have now is really bad and doesn’t cover much. We’re spending more money but not getting enough coverage.”
“Allowing them into the country, they get more privileges than citizens who were born and raised here. It should be a more stricter policy – say like 10 years before they get the funds and stuff like that in the states…”
Stephanie Andre
Milford, CT
“A time for change…new ideas and more possibilities…”
“In 200r8 I’m looking at issues such as health care and cost. It is getting out of hand. Even middle class Americans are finding it hard to afford balanced health care. As well as finding an end to the conflict and our participation in the Middle East.”
“I don’t feel I’m knowledgeable enough at this time [to speak about illegal immigration”
Greg Morehead, Alderman for the 22nd Ward of New Haven, CT:
"I feel it's very important. For the past three years we've seen the world, how it's transitioned from troops being sent to Iraq and the importance of having a leader that can effectively demonstrate leadership. So I feel that this election is definitely something that everyone's going to be watching. It's going to be bigger than American Idol."
"The first issue, because my father is a Vietnam veteran, so it's something that affects me, is the troops being over in Iraq. And hopefully the next person that comes into office will be successful in bringing them home and not thinking about the hidden agenda of the real reason why they're out there."
"I feel that [illegal immigration] is a huge issue. You know even with New Haven being the first to start the municipal ID cards. I feel that's something that the government, well, the state and the government should enact. Because we have a lot of illegal immigrants that are living not just in Connecticut, but throughout the world. So that legislation needs to be enacted quick."
Matt Fealey, Grad Student, Originally from Queens, NY, lived in New Haven for 6 years:
"I think obviously the upcoming elecition is going to be one of the most important in history, just because so many things are changing, you know. There's a woman running now, there's a black man running now. It's a big time change for the world, really. And especially with the whole war and everything going on, I think it's important that everyone kind of knows all the issues, because there are so many going on. So it's definitely a big election."
"To me I think border control is the most important issue. I think we have to come up with a better system of monitoring who's in our country and who can come into our country. I don't exactly know what it is, but I definitely think it should be our number one priority, especially in light of all the new terrorist stuff going on."
"Like I said, the borders are a way, not only for illegals to get in and possibly commit crimes, but also, as I said, terrorists. All it takes really is a fake ID for a terrorist to get into the country and cause a really horrible, horrible incident. So, it's definitely an important issue and it's the most important to me."
Michael Dudis, Rocky Hill high school teacher, Rocky Hill, CT:
How is the 2008 Election important in your life?
If you don’t vote, you don’t get an input on what happens. It is really important to me because I would like to keep a republican in office. Therefore to do that I have to go out there and vote. I feel that a lot of issues McCain supports are important and if he doesn’t win, I can’t complain if I didn’t vote.
What issues are most important to you?
Right now, the issue that is most important is obviously Iraq. Despite the fact that I was a firm supporter of the war originally, now I feel it is time to get the troops out of there. I think the first thing the new president has to do is have a plan to get the troops out of there.
How important is the issue of illegal immigration and why?
It is really important. If you look at it right now there are a lot of Americans out of work and a big reason for that is immigration. They are taking jobs away from American people. I am also worried that these immigrants come over here and do not get assimilated with American culture. Right now I believe 20 percent of people in America speak Spanish as their first language. We need that lower to avoid future communication issues.
Michael Zaniewski- Economics Graduate, Hartford, CT
How is the 2008 Election important in your life?
The actually election isn’t that important to me. Being a republican and living in Connecticut, this state normally goes 70-30 democrat. So I would say the most important thing is the primaries. It is more important to me to vote for the candidate I want to represent the republicans for the national election. This is a very important election coming up.
What issues are most important to you?
The War in Iraq, foreign policy and immigration are pretty important. But the most overlooked policy we need to reform is national health care.
How important is the issue of illegal immigration and why?
It is very important because we need illegal immigration. The cheap labor that comes with it, is very important, as for keeping the prices of stuff down, like a gallon of milk, or a loaf of bread. If we had no illegal immigration, people would see how much more expensive those things we take for granted really are. At the same time, what we can’t have is illegal immigrants coming over and using our social programs that are taxes pay for. We can’t have an illegal family here going on welfare because are tax payers are paying for it.
I asked the three questions in chronlogiacal order how the professor read them in order.
JoAnn Andress, Superintendent of West Haven Public Schools. West Haven, CT
1."Very important in my life. More than just that it impacts education but when I look at Supreme Court justice system might be important in this next xyxle I'm very concerned in about the direction the Supreme Court will take so that personally impacts me and the rest of the country so that's the piece that's important to me as to who gets elected as president in this next election."
2."I love for them I think to pursue issues as it relates to education, to health and warfare of, of the citizens of, of this country. Surely that of safety. Safety is very important. I think you know trying to create a world that is uh, the where we could continue to be in a stage in a more collaborative model as opposed to when we tend to maybe we doing more dictorial kinds of interactionswith other countries. And I think one where we'll able to be brought back and seen as a world power that we are and began to bring respect back to a country as great as ours and I think to begin to look at the kinds of issues that's going to help to restoresome of the erosions that have occured in uh, in the political front that have impacted the citizens of this country during the last admininstration."
3."I think its uh as I look at this from an educational point of view, all of us have come here from somewhere and I think that needs to be a mechanism to make this, this whole process work for, for all who are involved and I think uh what we sometimes fail to, to talk about is we recgonize that many of immigrants that are here make it possible for a lot of the services that we receive that we're able to continue to receive a lot of migrant workers and different kinds of jobs that many of the US citizens aren't willing to do must be done so somehow do we make this so that uh, it becomes a way it can be controlled and it can be uh, advantageous to both the people who wanted to come and those who are already here. Uh, you know, many of us all came here from some place else and its a new day and I can not believe with the great minds we have in this country and this world that we can't work out a way to make this work cause people will continue to come to this country. That's not going to stop. But how do we put measures in places and help us to make it so that out children and their parents particularly from my advantage point are, their educations aren't interrupted and their fear of living here is not interrupted because I'm impacted because of my children and impacted by, by illegal uh, uh, undocumented uh, uh, uh a person's who are here that make it hard for us, the educational of the children who we try to educate. So, I'm surely hoping that this is able to be an issue that is addressed and is accompanied and worked out or, a plans to come into place that can really have an impact and I do believe there's enough intelligent people out there to make this happen if we really wanted to make it happen."
Gloria Ramsay; West Haven,CT
1."Very important. Well, we need a change. We need a big change in the White House. Now hopefully we'll get that change."
2."Bringing the soliders home from Afghanistan."
3."Well I feel that, the laws shold be stricter. These are too wide open, there too wide open and they should be a little more stricter with the laws."
Michelle;West Haven,CT
1."Very important, it seems as though when there are Republican presidents the country seems to go into a recession. And I think with the cost of the war over in Iraq, its, its very important to bring some stability back."
2."Ending that war in Iraq. Lowering the price of oil. Gas for heating and traveling amongst other things and talking about how people are going umm, get jobs,so they can look you know towards their futures."
3."Not to sound prejudice. We have to start implementing some rules aas other countries do. You know its nothing wrong with opening your borders but at some point and time you have to you know wait a minute and start caring about who, its just like running your household. You gotta take care of your house before you take care of your guest. And there's nothing wrong with helping your fellow man but you gotta get your house in order before you help your fellow man because if you bring too, with too many guests then your house begins to crumble."
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