Mu Pleasure Reding. The Thorn Birds pp. 148-260

The next part of the book begins with the conversation between Mary Carson and Ralph, she didn’t conceal her passion towards him and being refused, promised him to wreak her anger on the young priest. Meanwhile there was a grief in the Cleary’s home caused with Hal’s death and with it   Meggie clings to Ralph more than ever. As Meggie was already 15, some began to question their relationship, especially for an old widow Mary Carson who hater a young Cleary because her youth and mutual love with Ralph (as a girl and a priest – how everybody, except her thought). Meanwhile, Palph became more and more attached with Meggie, discovering the great difference between all spoiled women and this innocent “flower”. A little time later it was Mary’s birthday, where 35 year old priest saw a proof that Meggie ripens into womanhood(her appearance, her manners), and being afraid of unnecessary gossips about their relationship, he persistenly disregarded her, hurting not only Meggie’s feelings but also his ones, because at that time he clearly understood his love to this girl. The next day everyone was shocked with Mary Carson’s death (in fact it was a suicide), except Ralph who was puzzled with the more serious problem – decision between his ambitious and love for the Cleary. The Carson’s last will says to give her income and property to the Roman Catholic Church thus guaranteeing Ralph's rapid rise in the church. It was the only copy of her last will and Ralph could burn it in order to make the previous one effective. But he chose his own ambition, thus deciding to give Paddy Dorothea and help them financially. When all Cleary were happy with the new home, Fee learnt that Frank had been convicted of murder after killing someone in a fight.

Rendering №3

The article "What Now for Muslim Western Relations?" was written on September 22 by a former US diplomat David Mack. The article discusses the condition of a relations between Western and Islamic countries after a notorious amateur film "Innocence of Muslims" which caused not only a great number of meetings resulted in numerous killed and injured people, but also in a dramatic worsening of relations between Islamic countries with the European ones as well as with the USA. It is necessary to note that the Western diplomatic missions in Muslim countries are on high alert as the protests spread. Nevertheless it is interesting to emphasize that in Pakistan, the government declared Friday a national holiday to allow people to protest peacefully. However it didn't yield expected results and there were clashes in Peshawar and Karachi, and demonstrators have tried to storm the US embassy in Islamabad. It is necessary to point out that the US has bought airtime, to the tune of $70,000, on Pakistani television to run a series of ads which resulted in a public anger. Trying to explain the situation, Victoria Nuland, the US state department spokesperson, made the announcement, saying: "In that environment it was Pakistani recommendation that we buy some airtime to make sure that the Pakistani people would hear the president's messages and the secretary's messages." There are also a lot of comments of the theme of the ethics and the US embassy in Islamabad also sent out street interviews conducted with Americans to local media. It is an open sector that all those interviews have one very clear message: that the video does not represent American values. On the other hand according to Blake Hounshellit, the editor of Foreign Policy magazine, it is unlikely that an advertising campaign like this will make any difference to those showing anger towards the US. For him these protests seem to be orchestrated by hardline Islamic groups that aren't really sympathetic to these kinds of messages coming from the US government. The author includes his article with his own thoughts "I think the impact is going to be an extended one ... because when people cross over from peaceful protests or even insults and then engage in violent acts, terrorist acts, kill diplomats, firebomb embassies, the reaction of my government, fully supported by the US people, is to close down those embassies."

As for me, I agree with David Mack that this film causes and will cause a lot of problems in the USA-Muslim Countries relations as well as in a political situation in the world as a whole, and day after day we receive the proof of it.

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2012/09/2012921172938188318.html

My pleasure reading. The Thorn Birds. pp. 65-148

The second chapter “Ralph” begins with the conversation between a local priest and Mary Carson, a rich widow who possessed an enormous sheep station called Drogheda. I got wise from their dialogue the reason of staying of a young, prospective, ambitious priest Ralph in such desolate place – his insulted a bishop and as result had been sent there.  In fact Mary was Paddy’s sister and she decided to invite him to live in Australia and offer him a job at her estate, feeling her forthcoming death.  The Cleary’s condition of living improved economically after their resettlement, in spite of many things which were strange or even frightening for them – droughts, conflagrations, hot and dry climate and many others.  In Australia, finally, Maggie’s life changed in positive way with the acquaintance with Ralph from him she got the attention and felt care which she really deserved and lacked for many years. The relationships between Frank and Paddy became worse and worse with the news that Fee was pregnant again (since my last summary she had already gave a life to a baby) and reached their apogee after Frank’s début as a boxer in a local fair, when Frank expressed his willingness to go with a famous boxing troupe. Paddy reminded him about his small stature (Frank’s largest complex which he tried to overcome unsuccessfully) in rude words, and during their quarrel he mentioned about an unknown Frank’s real father. As result Frank left home forever and Ralph was all that has reminded with Maggie. 

Rendering №2

The article discusses the problem of  journalism ethics and the best ways to teach it. The author  also rises the issue of principles of teaching  journalism ethics which nowadays depends on the two its opposite components - traditional values and those ones which are changing almost every day. It is necessary to note that the writer admits that nowadays they not only teach without a consensus, they lack an ethics that provides adequate guidance for the many new forms of mixed media. Then he indrodeces for us new standarts for educators. Analyzing this part of the article, it is necessary to emphasize that all his principles he subdivides into 5 ones. The first standard is called  "Start from the students' media world." Its main idea is to be experimental and discuss with students their experience and use of media. The second one "Assist students with reflective engagement" says to give perspective to students by examining previous revolutions in journalism and analyzing ethical situations. The next principle  "Insist on critical thinking, not what is fashionable" is based on the theme of working against a tendency to dismiss principles simply because they are traditional and not trendy. There are also a lot of comment on the last two standads - "Be transitional" and "Be global in your teaching." It's an open secret that every teacher of journalism ethics should answer such questions as "How did it arise and what are its essential features?", " what extent do traditional principles apply today?", "What editorial guidelines are needed to address new situations, new quandaries?" and then examine how news organizations are constructing new guidelines on a range of problems -- from verifying citizen content to dealing with rumors on social media . There are also the signs in the last principle that students need to consider a global journalism ethics and ponder whether journalists need to adopt a more globally minded view of themselves.
Then, Stephen Ward expresses his point of view about revolutionizing character of journalism ethics instruction which includes the idea of what teaching should be - dialectical, holistic and Socratic. 
In conclusion the author sums up all mentioned above and writes that he teaching should challenge, not discourage. Students should see the turmoil in journalism as an exciting intellectual and practical challenge to develop a more adequate ethics for a new global mixed media. He ends the article with the following idea "Only if we teach in this manner will we prepare journalists for the future and the changing technologies it promises."

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/02/5-principles-for-teaching-journalism-ethics-in-the-digital-age046.html 

A Film Review. Lions for Lambs

Lions for Lambs is a 2007 American drama film about the connection between a platoon of United States soldiers in Afghanistan, a U.S. senator, a reporter, and a California college professor. It stars Tom Cruise, Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. It was the first Cruise/Wagner Productions film since the company joined with United Artists subsequent to Cruise's falling out with Paramount Pictures in 2006. The film was written by Matthew Michael Carnahan, and directed by Redford. It was released in North America on Friday, November 9, 2007.

As for the plot of the film, the story begins after two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian (Derek Luke) and Ernest (Michael Pena), follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley (Redford), and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student (Andrew Garfield) who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving (Cruise), is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist (Streep) that may affect Arian and Ernest’s fates. 


As for me, I like this movie because one of the theme, which is risen there is interesting for me - it's the problem of intarnational relations and the real reason of staying of the US army in Iraq. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Separate stories connected by a common theme telling a story from different perspectives made the movie relevant to political discussions about American policies and ideas of war. I like the way the three stories are connected with each other, basing of the different themes at the same time-  for Todd Hayes it is the choice between going with the stream or struggle against it, research of his own place in this society, for Arian and Ernest - it is the problem of low level of patriotism in a modern American society and their way to solve this matter. And the last one- is the problem of choice between conscience and Janine Roth's opinion about the issue and success of her career.

I am in much sympathy with Arian and Ernest, who are real lions, and support their perception of life. They not just talk about patriotism to their country, but show it by their own examples. For many people it is silly at least to sacrifice the most valuable thing (I can't choose more suitable word((() they have to help the country which doesn't care of you and your condition of leaving. Breaking all stereotypes, Arian and Ernest just do it, explaining their decision by only patriotism. However, i don't like the ending much, when they  decide to be killed on their feet, because it was too Hollywoodish.

It was not new for me that the mass media mainly give us distored information about this or that event (especially a political one) and we must not take on trust everything that we hear fon TV and read from newspapers, but I like the way the film director bring this problem. Maryl Streep and her acting are gorgeous!!!!(as usual)  As for Tom Cruise, I don't see him as a senator, probably because I have a well established opinion abou him as religious fanatic...

To sum it up, I may say,  whether you like the film of not, you won't leave Lions for Lambs without discussing it.

My Pleasure Reading. The Thorn Birds pp.3-65

The book begins with Maggie Cleary, a four year old beautiful girl with curly red-gold hair, who lived in New Zeland with her family, trying to make their ends meet in the beginning of the 20 century. She was only daughter among 5 brothers of the Irish farm labourer, Paddy and his wife Fiona, who was chary for emotions and didn't display any affection towards all members of the family, except the eldest son Frank. Meggan treated the worse out of all the children because she was a girl and her own mother even didn't try to support her because she was always busy with domestic chores. When Maggie was 7, she goes to school with her brothers, where she went through loneliness, moral and physical pressure from Sister Agatha, however, she overcame all these difficulties with dignity. The relationships between Paddy and Frank were strained and reached the rock of the bottom when Frank wanted to go to the army in spite of the father's prohobition. The chapter ends with Frank's failed attempt to run away from his home and with Maggie's words :"Oh Frank, I am so happy you returned". They were two lonely soul who found calm in each other.

Flooding in Krymsk

The article discusses the situation which took place in Krasnodar region. In the middle of the night in July of 7, the small town of Krymsk was struck by a huge wave of water descending from the surrounding mountains. According to the official version the abnormally heavy rains resulted in the flood. It is necessary to note that many people  link the “tsunami-like” wave described by witnesses with the opening of the sluice gates in the Neberdzhayevskiy mountain reservoir. There is every reason to believe ,as all happened at night, that many of the dead are reportedly pensioners who were asleep when the flood struck and unable to escape in time. After initial denial by local authorities the fact of water release from the reservoir was confirmed by the Investigation Committee  but they do not connect it with the flood . It's hard to predict the course of events in future but in there is some evidence of the improvement of the situation - even though the power supply has not yet been fixed, local authorities are certain that they will be able to restore the grid in a couple of days.  In conclusion the author suggests mentions the story of the witness of this natural disaster and gives the the most worth-reading comments.


Link: http://redhotrussia.com/krymsk-residents-deliberately-sacrificed/

TOP NEWS 2012

1.     Elections of president of the Russian Federation. These elections, in spite of the predictability of results, were very discrepant and caused great number of political meetings. The new president of Russia is  an ex prime minister and leader of the party Unated Russia,Vladimir Putin;

2.     The Eurovision. The representatives from our country Buranovskie Babushki won the second place and love of millions of people all over the world.

3.     The hockey world championship 2012. Our national team, under  the leadership of a new coach Vyacheslav Bikov, achieved outstanding results, becoming the world champions. In the final match, Russian hockey players won a victory over Slovakia – 6:2.

4.     Russia’s entry in the WTO. Russia finally joined the WTO on Wednesday after 18 years of negotiations. Economists believe that this event will provide the important boast to many European countries.

5.     The Olympic games. More generally known as London 2012, they were a major international multi-sport event. Russian team’s final rank is 4 with 26 gold, 24 silver and 32 bronze medals.

Home Reading. Kate Chopin. The unexpected. My impression

 "The unexpected" really impressed me because I like stories which are connected with problems of human relationships, passion, love and so on. Firstly, I couldn't tell anything about the title, but than I found out it very suitable and full of sense. I like this story because it differs so much from typical romances, it has great deal of themes and each of them are interested and distinctive in its own way. Many ideas and problems of the story became clear to me after our Home Reading Class and I have taken in interest the author and I am going to find out some information about her, which, I believe, will help me to understand better all problems which are risen in the story. Besides the problem of a limitation of women's rights, one of the major problems, which has made the story so interesting for me, is the difference between love and infatuation. In "The unexpected" we observe just passion, infatuation which dissappeared after the first troubles, which led to dramatic final. By the way, the ending of the story is another reason which I like it - it is almost like real, not like in pulp novel with their expected final line "they lived happily ever after". So, "The unexpected" is the evidence of a master writer at work.