I am the author of this story. I write a syndicated space news column for the Examiner. I truly would like to know how the educated readers and reviewers at NewsTrust think I'm doing with this column, as it's fairly new.

The "shading" of the words and the actual stacking of the elements in the story betray bias.

The Chronicle does a good job in this story. It includes multiple sources and provides information within the frame of a larger picture.

This is a good overview of how "big pharmacy's" marketing and drug representatives get in to see the doctor when you can't, and how their marketing sways what medicines you may get. From trinkets to lunches to free samples, the pharmacuetical companies have found a way to "advise" doctors that, in reality, leads to drug company's getting in the middle of your doctor's choice in your medications. Although this article has already been noted as having only one source, it is actually about a new documentary. As such, this can stand as a good story providing information about the documentary and the background of this pervasive problem.

A good, concise overview of the major oil companies' new increase in Alaska oil pipeline shipping charges and the controversy surrounding them.

While facing the worst drought in more than 100 years, some areas in Australia face rising costs for staples as well as restrictions. Although the story has some basic facts, the true lead of the worst drought in "more than 100 years" is buried within the story. The context, and the overall implications, needed to be higher in the story and more well-developed in terms of local impact as well as global warming.

Anne Flaherty does a good job in her lead graf, easing readers into the developing Congressional war over the war in Iraq. She does a good and even-handed job of supplying quotes from both Republicans and Democrats. The story also provides information about President George W. Bush's choices as military commanders for the war in Iraq.

This AP story does a good job of presenting one of the upcoming crucial Congressional fights: to support the Bush White House in opening up Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling or to provide long-term protection for the ecologically and environmentally-sensitive area.

This story is a must-read.The issue of civil liberties has rapidly exploded into one of the most important in Americans' daily lives and futures. Not since the McCarthy hearings and Hoover's domestic spying programs have Americans become more aware of the rapid encroachment of rights normally taken for granted. This article zeroes in on Bush's Presidential claim that the government has the right, despite laws to the contrary, to open any mail it deems necessary without benefit of court order. The article shows that Bush makes it clear that he intends to use his office to intrude into personal privacy as he or "advisors" personally deem suitable to them.

As usual, Salon provides stylistically good writing that skillfully interweaves both facts and the reviewer's opinion and synopsis. Because one of my favorite uncles worked for "Wild Bill" Donovan and was part of the original OSS, my reading in and attention to this topic is especially keen. My own background in government security has provided me, I think, with insight that allows me to, on the whole, separate conjecture and hyperbole from reality. Even though any "I was a secret agent" books--many of which could not have been published 10 or 20 years ago--of necessity can not contain "the rest of the story," Laura Miller makes it clear: this is a must-read book with meat on its bones. Her careful placing of the author's ... More »

Although the statistics are impressive, the story would have profited by a true "big picture" overview, easily obtainable by folding in predictions and commentary from U.S. scientific sources. Apparently, the article is focused on only the U.K. statistics, but it could have added more. The writing is a bit jumbled, and the statistics are slapped in without providing a deeper context.

The issue of having not only a "public editor," but an effective one as well, is a large one for the New York Times. Battered by its own internal problems and outside criticism, the venerable "Grey Lady" is obviously in a transition as old and new media find their niches and relationships. The Observer's article aptly picks up on the possiblity that the editorial slot may not continue, or may be re-staffed, but it does not fully explore the depth and meaning of the position and its power, or lack thereof. Although I rated the story highly on information, fairness, sourcing, and "big picture," the article itself actually is more of a postcard than a story. I hope that they expand on this topic at a later date--and that the Times ... More »

This is a good factual, albeit dry, overview of the Congressional and White House scandals that erupted during 2006. However, they pulled their punch in the somewhat-wimpy headline "A Year of Ethics Lapses in Congress." You have to get into the story to get the real headline and key for this story: the "year of dishonor." The cobbling together of various sound clips adds texture and human depth, but the overall presentation could have added some vigor and, along the way, some transitions that provide a pithy guide to an upcoming section. In summary: good material, but presented in a "school marmish" sort of dry lecture that may lose many listeners.