I have been a news junkie since I was a child watching the Huntley-Brinkley report with my Uncle. As a teenager I became fascinated with history and economics. As an adult I have remained interested in world events, and have become increasingly dismayed by how polarized and distrustful of one another we are becoming as a society.
Never before has it been so convenient for people to simply go to the news sources that tell them what they want to hear. I am hoping my involvement with News Trust will in some small way help honest journalism win the day.
A short article with enough information to provide those who follow politics on the Hill regularly with everything they need to know about the current status of the DISCLOSE Act. It could provide more context, but for its length it offers insight into the continued efforts by the Dems to try to counter the impact of Citizen's United with information about donors, and the Republican's continued stonewalling on this issue.
This is a strong opinion piece with plenty of links to back up its assertions. It is transparent in that it doesn't try to hide the agenda of the writer - to put today's deficit in perspective, to highlight overspending in the military, to provide context for the health care debate, to clarify the impact the ACA will have on the deficit and to suggest we focus like a laser beam on job creation.
Financial hardship facing millions of Americans ought to be our top concern. Between 2007 and 2010, the median family lost nearly 40% of its net worth. Neither steep ... More »
As the calls for Romney to release more tax returns come in from all fronts, his position that releasing two years of returns is the standard is blown out of the water by this report that provides links back to Roosevelt. This is relevant, insightful journalism and important fact checking for those who care about the facts on this.
A simplistic opinion piece with an overly simplistic conclusion. We have ten years worth of killing of innocent civilians to be ashamed of and trillions of dollars of debt to be ashamed of. I'm surely in the minority, but getting Osama doesn't erase make everything hunky dory.
Concise yet filled with hyperlinks to allow for in depth exploration of the reasoning, or lack thereof, behind this situation. The social fabric of and safety net within our system is not of concern to those with conservative political ideologies and an eye for political opportunism over what's best for our national fiscal recovery, and their own constituencies.
Appalachia provided much of what fueled American growth, but remains practically in ruins. This story of Americana is worthy of the day: Superbowl Sunday. America, the fate of Appalachia is a foreshadowing of our country unless, in my opinion, sincere efforts are not made to stop infighting and gear up to compete on the world stage. Portsmouth may still come back, but it isn't likely to be a steel, rail or football hub. Let's consider this story as we hurl political bombs at one another and take target at political opponents. End the hate. Go Steelers or Packers...both industries are basically in the ironic tank.
This story provides unbiased insight into political posturing in Washington following the midterm elections.
Mr. Obama tried to put a positive spin on the day’s developments, saying he did not think Mr. McConnell’s threat broke the spirit of bipartisanship that the president ... More »
This report lampoons the State Department, diplomats in general, the ties between the business world and politics and without taking an overt stand on the WikiLeaks "situation" provides levity with a dose of reality. The truth is a bitter pill to swallow - thank you Andy Borowitz for making it go down a bit more easily.
I find it interesting that mainstream media is apparently starting to take on an element of crowd sourcing in its approach. I've signed up, and look forward to participating in this project.
Lacking in expert opinion, this article actually contains a link to the draft memo. It provides enough information from both sides to see the points that are being made. This article is concise and makes it obvious that this is simple partisan grandstanding.
This points to the obvious Catch-22 the Obama Administration finds itself in. The immigration issue is one about which it can't even have staff discussions in the form of a DRAFT memo, without the Republicans trying to make political hay. Literally, the Republicans are forcing this issue into a stalemate during the campaign as they see it as a way for them to score points. It's not about immigration at all or they would have addressed the problem when they were in power.
Was there no link to the memo available? The catch-all use of "Republicans denounced" (when only Grassley is referenced) left me wondering which other Republicans the author is talking about - or is it just assumed that "Republicans" think as a block? Lacking depth, this story leaves me feeling as though it's just another example of partisan sniping during a political season - yet the author fails to draw any such conclusion.
I've supported comprehensive reform for years. Living in Miami, I see the disparity between the open borders policy extended to Cubans (wet foot/dry foot - if they touch soil their automatically in!) and other Latins who are trying to escape governmental oppression that isn't rooted in the politics of Castro. It's odd though being on the same side as the evangelicals who oppose most progressive ideas I embrace wholeheartedly, and worrisome to see President Obama getting too close ... More »
This is basic coverage of a story that has been on the media's radar for some time now. There is really no new information provided. The story offers far more space to those who support the Arizona law and only a nod to those who oppose it which may reflect public sentiment, but is not balanced.
It's a bit like comparing apples and oranges: $33 billion deficit in CN (3%of GDP) vs 1.35 TRILLION (9.2% of GDP) in the US. The article focuses on spending and immigration but doesn't address taxes, health care costs and military spending.
This is a fascinating story that absolutely provides sufficient context to understand its scope and to support the concern it voices for our democracy. Reviewers who found it otherwise may want to give it another read. Perhaps the facts in this story somehow challenge some reviewers personal beliefs, compelling them to find fault with what seems to me to be a very well reasoned and straight forward article. Then again, that might just make them more entrenched in their position!
"You are entitled to your own opinions but you are not entitled to your own facts." - attributed to Daniel Patrick Moynihan This has always been a favorite quote. I've generally pulled it out when confronted with those, clearly described in this article, who hold tight to their political beliefs even when the facts on which their beliefs are based have been proven completely false. While this reaction makes no sense to me, this article at least provides evidence that it is in fact ... More »
This article appears on the front page (right column below the fold) of the WSJ. The online version provides an excellent supplemental video and an interactive graphic (click the tabs at the top of the story) that round out weaknesses in context and initiative making the online version vastly superior to its print Cousin.
It's encouraging to see the WSJ give this story such prominent coverage. The story does a great job of providing accessible information for the general reader while not adding, as stories about new research often do, to the sense that AIDS is no longer a major problem - or that a solution is at hand. The story provides important information about how this research provides hope for vaccines in general to fight influenza and perhaps even cancer, which may spark interest among ... More »
Full disclosure: I am an editor for NewsTrust and participated in sourcing and reviewing stories reviewed as part of this project. I believe this is crucial journalism. It takes a look not only at a fundamental issue (energy) and looks at it from a variety of perspectives, but it provides an important analysis of how such issues are being handled by the media today.
Am I biased? Yes. Do I believe this blog post and the related sourcing (254 stories!) and reviews that support it deserve 5 stars across the board? Absolutely! I've seen nothing else out there that even begins to approach the depth of this project. I believe this blog post deserves special attention from as many people as we can direct to it. Bravo NewsTrust! I have posted this without consulting the NT Executive Director or staff. I hope their humility will not lead to its ... More »
If true, the information provided in this op-ed piece provides a stark comparison between US and EU energy consumption, policy and perhaps their futures.
The author paints a utopian vision that I want to believe, which is half the battle in opinion writing, right?
This is an extremely well written appeal for leadership over partisanship for the sake of our nation's future.
The Economist hits the bullseye. Obama and the Democratic leadership has not delivered in many areas where moderates from both parties could certainly agree. Unfortunately, moderation is short supply it seems - as extremism seems to be the fashion - so the nation suffers, as its political parties call into question the future of our national experiment.
Senator Alexander puts forward the republican dogma on energy policy with a few variations, and a bit of illogic.
Why do republicans resort to behaving like Jerry the playground bully from third grade when they talk politics? "An Energy Strategy for Grown-ups" is a snarky title that reads "anyone who doesn't agree with my point of view is a baby." This attitude needs a rest, republican friends. It may serve your cause with some constituents, but for many adults it's a turn off so we don't bother to even read past the title. Alexander makes some good (if obvious, and not very concrete) ... More »
This story provides context, information and differing perspectives. It offers quotes from senators on both sides of the aisle who support the legislation (if that's not news I don't know what is!) as well as those who oppose it.
I've added a couple of interesting related links. Hopefully one or the other will appeal to you depending on your political point of view.
While the title has been changed on the site, I am posting this story with the original title "Leave BP Alone" that came with today's online publication as the top story on FORBES.com today. The authors make the laissez-faire argument for BP, and relates the possible impact of the current oil spill on the future of oil drilling to the Three Mile Island's impact on nuclear energy - but I don't believe they make a convincing case at all.
I suppose the question is this: Opinion journalism can take a biased position and still be good journalism if it causes the reader to think. Right? But does this article measure up? I don't think it does. There are accidents, as the author points out, and then there are ACCIDENTS! The authors make their points for capitalism and against socialism (freedom's foe), but fail to acknowledge that not only economic forces are up for consideration when you walk down that road - ... More »
Provides insight into political, economic and environmental issues faced by new large scale technology. Sourcing is adequate, but could be stronger.
This news report is based entirely on the analysis of one professor with no corroborating references or quotes from other experts provided. The author offers absolutely no challenges to his assumptions or additional perspective.
While there are some links provided for context, this article relies far too heavily on one industry connected source. The claim made by the title doesn't seem to be verifiable from the information provided.
Leaves it to the reader to judge who among the players is working to engage on a bi-partisan basis, who is really serious about cutting the deficit and who is engaging in political theater.