Math & Reporting

Great column by Joel Stein in TIME. Math may defy many journalists, but it can be darned funny. See all the wonderful things Excel training in 202 can get you?

On and Off the Record

An Obama campaign supporter has stepped down after calling Hillary Clinton a "monster." Samantha Power also writes for TIME magazine.
She tried to take the comment off the record but the publication said it as clearly on. What do you think of the exchange? Should the comment have been used?
Should TIME respond? And if so, how?

Should news organizations endorse candidates?

TIME magazine's managing editor offers an intriguing question: why do newspapers endorse political candidates?
I'm curious what you think. You are the generation at issue here. What does it mean to you if the Wisconsin State Journal says it thinks you should pick, say, McCain over Huckabee. Take it closer to home. Does it matter who the Herald or Cardinal endorse as the best in the race? Does that kind of endorsement affect how you judge their objectivity or credibility?

Pakistan in Turmoil

Received this note from a 202er this morning:

Obviously you'll have gotten this link too or have read about this by now, but for formality's sake: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/world/asia/28pakistan.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

What's the deal with Pakistan? With all the crap surrounding Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan it seems like Pakistan has kind of flown under the radar for our nation's media (and possibly rightly so considering what we have invested in the other countries). I don't know much about Pakistan and how it fits into Middle East equation, but I remember reading about it for the 202 quiz questions when Bhutto arrived and the martial law imposed by Musharraf. It sounds like Pakistan is very unstable and might have revolutionary leanings given the controversy and dynamic there coupled with the death of this popular opposition leader. I unfortunately and unbearably don't have cable at home at my parents', so do you know of any good books or articles to get me up to speed on Pakistan? This country just keeps sounding more and more interesting and I can't see it not playing a big role the Middle East vs. United States Armageddon that's brewing.

Hope your break is going well,
~Al

Here are some story links that might help with background. You're welcome to use comments to add your own.
TIME magazine had a pretty good piece before Thanksgiving when the touchy deal between Bhutto and Musharraf went to hell
Bhutto herself had an op-ed in the Washington Post in that same time, gives a bit of background and shows her political strengths
The Post's roundup of Pakistan stories is comprehensive. I especially liked the image galleries when the lawyers erupted in protest.
Of all the pieces I read in the last three months or so, Newsweek's cover stands out the most. The lead is downright chilling, given today's events.
Hope that helps!

Top Magazine Covers

TIME magazine is out with its Top 10 Magazine Covers of 2007 (along with 49 other lists in pop culture, news, etc.). Personally, I think they got #1 and #2 backwards. The Ahmadinejad cover on the New Yorker stopped me in my tracks when it arrived in my mailbox. I've been unable to recycle it since.
What's the best thing you read in 2007? Best design you saw? Best marketing?

Interactive on the Surge

Today's New York Times online provides a cool multimedia feature on Iraq. If you're not up to speed on what's at issue as Petraeus and Crocker head to the hill to give their perspectives this week, this is a great place to start. Watch the video overview and then click through each of the neighborhoods to see a list of vital statistics and photo galleries. It's a good companion to the lead feature:
BAGHDAD, Sept. 8 — Seven months after the American-led troop “surge” began, Baghdad has experienced modest security gains that have neither reversed the city’s underlying sectarian dynamic nor created a unified and trusted national government.
If you're seeking a relatively short backgrounder on why these sects battle, TIME magazine had a great one. If you have more time to learn deep background, read Night Draws Near by Anthony Shadid (a Pulitzer Prize winner and graduate of our fine j-school).
One of the principle critiques of American news media (and the audiences that consume their content) centers on an inability to focus on the long ball, to cover complex and lasting stories well. Iraq is certainly in that arena. News organizations are accused of covering any particular battle with aplomb but losing sight of the war overall. Do you agree? As someone in whose name (and with whose money) this war was initiated and is fought, have the news media done enough to help you understand it? (Incidentally, Newsweek had an intriguing piece this week arguing that perhaps you also ought to be forced to fight it.)

TIME's case for national service

check this out

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1657570,00.html
TIME magazine ME Rick Stengel is trying to give backbone to the idea of structured (and rewarded) national service ... formalizing the volunteering lots of people do already. He sees it as the way to save the republic.

Personally, I've come to doubt just about anything that has a price tag attached to it because we seem unable to get through funding bottlenecks. But I love his ideas, especially the Summer of Service. What a concept. If it worked, we'd be the better for it.

What do you think? Do we need to refocus our efforts and serve more? And is it even appropriate for a news magazine editor to cough up his opinions like this? It's a call to action. Is that OK?

While you're at it, check out this response in his own publication:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1657256_1657317_1658698,00.html

Kinsley drills down to you guys. Do you think he has a point?