November brings unanticipated victories for Memphis

written by:stacia_doss.
The city of Memphis' top basketball teams once yielded pretty low expectations for wins from some residents--but the past month has brought the unexpected from both the Grizzlies and Tigers.

After the Memphis Tigers suffered the loss of Coach John Calipari to the University of Kentucky last spring, it seemed like at least three-fourths of the blues city had the blues. Many wrote the team off as having little to no chance of being as good as it was under Calipari's leadership, but things changed.

The Memphis Grizzlies started the NBA preseason with some players the team hoped would help gain more wins--like veteran guard Allen Iverson and rookies Hasheem Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll. But as time went on the team was less than victorious, with only one home win, and back to back losses on the road--and Iverson decided he did not want to be a part of the team.

Both Memphis team fans were disappointed and losing hope, if hope was existent.

Coach Josh Pastner recruited the best he could for the 09-10 season, leaving the team with a couple of new recruits, a few veterans, and even some walk-ons. There was no doubt that this was a team transformed from its previous season. The team didn't even rank in the top 25 power teams of the NCAA, but the team said differently.

On November 17, the Tigers competed against the No.1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks. Numerous mistakes were made by Memphis, yet the game was at a constant neck and neck score. At the end of the game, a 55-57 score with Kansas leading, the Tigers went for a long three and lost the game. It was a loss, or was it?

Memphis guard Elliot Williams said "The message we sent is that nobody is going to run over us." I guess surprised Memphians and NCAA fans as a whole could say the same. Pastner has already recruited some of the top players in the nation for the '10-'11 season...time will tell what else is in store.

Since releasing Iverson from his contact, the Grizzlies team has improved, winning four of its last five games. The team also added former Indiana Pacer-Jamaal Tinsley to its roster during the month of November. Will the victories continue with the recent team alterations?

Memphis Grizzlies gain first win of Season-[recap]

article by:stacia_doss.
With a 115-107 final score,the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Toronto Raptors Friday night at the FedEx Forum, making the team 1-1 for the regular season.

After a struggle with scoring Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons, the team was able to end victorious as Zach Randolph led the team with with 30 points and seven rebounds.

Chris Bosh led the Raptors during the course of the game with 37 points and 12 rebounds.

The Grizzlies led in the first and second quarters,but trailed the Raptors 79-76 in the third.

The Memphis team will hit the road to play the Denver Nuggets on November 1, while the Raptors head back to Toronto to face the Orlando Magic.

Ready to be a backpack Journalist?

written by:stacia_doss.

Today's journalists aren't what they used to be. To be successful in the area of print/broadcast, it is recommended for one to be well rounded in the profession in more areas than just writing. In short, he or she needs to be prepared to not only write, but also record video, audio, and even take photographs on their own.

I am a senior internet journalism major and I'm not so sure if I, myself, am prepared. I hadn't heard of this whole "backpack journalist" concept probably until the end of my sophomore/ beginning of my junior year and I'm starting to wonder...can I handle it?

The above photo is a small bit of what is supposed to be in my backpack.

The fairly new concentration of "internet journalism" at my college is not the most popular among students. However, I decided upon choosing it just for that reason. I sought to expand and enhance my skills in areas other than just writing. With graduation being less than seven months away, I am questioning whether or not I will be prepared when the May date comes around.

Update: Memphis NCAA violations Confirmed

article by:stacia_doss.
The NCAA today confirmed violations were made by the University of Memphis basketball team during the 07-08 season. The team is now forced to forfeit its historical record of 38 wins.

As mentioned a few months ago, the University of Memphis basketball team was under investigation for what was quoted as 'major violations'. These violations speculated around falsifying a player's SAT score, rumored to be now-NBA star Derrick Rose, as well as providing travel expenses to a family member of Rose's.

Now confirmed, Derrick Rose was indeed the team member with the false SAT score and the money was provided to his brother. The President of the University, Shirley Raines issued this statement: "We know the rules..we did our due diligence. We did everything we could to determine the student-athlete was eligible and that the rules were being followed."

Former coach, John Calipari, has received no punishment, regardless of the fact that he was the Tigers' head coach during the previous season.

In addition to being stripped of the historical '07-08 season, the team will remain on probation for three years. A representative from the school announced that it will appeal the penalty, named 'unfair' by the University's President Raines.

Update on Vick

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick signed a 1-year contract today with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He found a home team after all...we'll see how the season goes from here!

Fresh faces for Franchises

written by:stacia_doss.
CNN-Money.com published an article yesterday focusing on the changing logos of several companies. Some of those included Pepsi, Tropicana, Apple Computer company, and BP gas, just to name a few.

The goal of pointing out the makeovers of these companies was to find out whether or not they helped or harmed them,profit-wise.The risk-taking of these corporations in changing their logos were key to their success or failure,especially with the current state of the economy.

Fortune magazine reviewed whether or not these changes were profitable. The results, decided by a panel of experts,were generally at a median. Of twelve company logos reviewed, there was no general consensus of a majority of them being good or majority being bad.Check out the findings here.

Just a few key events this week:

I hate to hear about all of the bad things going on with the economy, racism, inequality,etc...so let me focus on 3 good things that have happened so far this week:

-Judge Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed, becoming the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice ever in the history of the United States.

-A report was released today, revealing that the number of jobless claims in many states have gone down recently, showing that the economy is slowly getting better.

-North Korea pardoned American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who had been captured since March, with an interjection from Mr.Bill Clinton.

..3 things is enough to make me smile in comparison to what seems like a million negative reports I hear on a daily...well, hourly basis.

Finally, a chance to watch some fashion!

written by:stacia_doss.

When several on-campus college students across the nation return for the fall semester, (like myself), they will have the opportunity to watch Project Runway. The hit show focuses around 16 designers from across the nation, competing in various challenges for the final prize of being featured as a real designer in Elle magazine and cash money.

Why couldn't it be seen before? For the five previous seasons, the show was broad casted on the Bravo network, a channel not offered on the basic cable that is provided to students on most college campuses. This show, however, has been re-located to Lifetime Television, so students will have a chance to watch now.

I am super excited, because I have been forced to miss out on seasons due to the unavailability of Bravo at my college.Yay!=)

Can Vick find a Home?

article by: stacia_doss.

Former NFL star, Michael Vick,was released from home confinement 10 days ago after recently serving a nearly two year prison sentence for dog-fighting. One week later, this Monday, Vick was reinstated by the National Football League...what's next?

Since the announcement of reinstatement, Vick has been on a search/patient wait for a team to sign him. As of now, he is still a free agent, and internet users and bloggers across the nation are wondering if he will even be able to find a team.

Immediately after his termination of house arrest, the buzz across sports news was that the best option for Vick to play would be in the United Football League. Coach Jim Fassel of the the Las Vegas/Los Angeles franchise in the UFL already says he would sign him, saying "Everybody gets a chance to re-prove themselves...he deserves another chance."

Voices of spokespersons from various NFL teams, such as the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals, have said that their teams are already sufficient without Vick. So far, the only public announcement of a team with real interest in considering Vick on their team has been the Baltimore Ravens. He [Vick] told reporters early today that he was getting closer to finding a team. As of now, there is no official home team for him. Will he successfully find one by next week?

Unnecessary questioning of Citizenship?

written by:stacia_doss.
I came across a link to this video on a political blog I visit often. You will find it interesting how many politicians cannot seem to make a clear, coherent statement as to a yes or no question. Check out THIS article.

My take: The first half of what the last Senator said, excluding the negative remarks are basically where I stand. A process of background checking was done-several months ago-on establishing the citizenship of all Presidential candidates and I trust that it was done and completed correctly. This kind of controversy has never been questioned post that background check of any Presidents before him, so why now? We may all know the unspoken answer, but it shall remain just that-unspoken.

Senate to make history with Sotomayor

article by: stacia_doss.
The Senate judiciary committee confirmed Judge Sonia Sotomayor this morning in a 13-6 vote. Of the 19, only one Republican, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, voted in favor of confirmation.

The question on many minds lie at the root of the strong Republican opposition. The outcome of today's vote could soon make Sotomayor the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. Is this historical, racial barrier-breaking event at all tied to race?

Several reports last week quoted Democratic Senator, Patrick Leahy, in saying "Stop the racial politics." The statement was intended towards the Republican party regarding its opposition in voting for Sotomayor.

"I'm deciding to vote for a woman I would not have chosen..America has changed for the better with her selection," said Senator Graham, justifying his vote. Opposing Republicans made comments stating that their opposition was a result of Sotomayor's lack of defense for justifying some of her previous statements, not race.

"There's not one example — let alone a pattern — of her ruling based on bias or prejudice or sympathy," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Judiciary Committee chairman. "She has administered justice without favoring one group of persons over another,"he stated, in opposition to a Republican consensus.

The entire Senate will soon vote on what is predicted to be confirmation for Sotomayor.

Additional Sources: The Daily News and Associated Press

American Pastimes:Baseball and Criticism

written by:stacia_doss.
Last night President Obama visited the city known for its Gateway Arch, Saint Louis. Just hours after he threw the first pitch in the baseball Allstar game, Americans were already criticizing him. He was a little short, and many said he doesn't have nearly as good of an arm as George W. Bush, but who cares? Honestly, how fair is it to link how someone throws a baseball to how they run the country?I'll let you decide.
On a nicer note, several articles shed light on Willie Mays, a
baseball legend who walked off the plane with Obama upon his Saint Louis arrival. He reportedly cried the night our current president was elected...tears of joy. It is touching to read how proud he was of Mr.Obama, along with his admiration for Mays, in return. "As you get older, it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary."-Earnest Hemingway

Fresh Idea, NYT.

written by:stacia_doss.
Today I saw a commercial advertising the New York Times' "Weekender" newspaper.Now, I may be a little late, not sure, because I just saw this on television today and had never heard anything about it before. I think this is a great idea. The commercial is very relate-able, as it shows average Americans talking about their "Friday, Saturday, Sunday" newspaper that they so thoroughly enjoy reading. =) The only thing about it was, the specific commercial I saw only advertised to call for this paper and receive 50 percent off of an already low price. Now, I can't speak for everyone, but I am more likely to sign up for something like this online verses picking up my phone, even though the paper will be delivered in print form. I don't recall seeing any link to the website, but I saw a YouTube one that did..hmm...maybe if that was the one I'd seen today, I would have actually been enticed enough to go online and sign myself up. Anyway, this seems like a good approach to keep printed, hand-held newspapers alive.Good job, NYT

Will employment drops yield eventual employment?

article by:stacia_doss.

Less than a week after the close of June, several reports reguarding unemployment had already surfaced. The country's rate is now at 9.5 percent, the highest in 26 years.

While the worry of several Americans has been expressed to news stations across the country, President Obama has expressed reassurance and optimism."I'm absolutely confident that we can, at this period of difficulty, prove, once again, what this nation can achieve when challenged," Obama said.

Since the president took office over five months ago, the economy has seen the same, steady increase in joblessness. As unemployment continues to hit homes across the nation, however, some Americans are remaining optimistic."I think that people will eventually be employed again, but in different areas of employment," said a higher education employee and Saint Louis resident, Valerie Johnson. "They should take this time to prepare for other fields."

After being elected, Obama stressed that short term losses would lead to long term gains in this economic downfall. He reiterated that promise in his meeting in the Rose Garden early last week. While optimism seems less than rare in households across the country, others, like Johnson, are confident in the words of the President. To sum up the goals of President Obama, Johnson continued, "The economy is slowly reshaping itself."

Running Over Obama?

written by:stacia_doss.
Several news stations recently reported that our current Vice-President, Joe Biden, announced that he has an interest in running for President in 2012. This means that he would be running against our current President, Barack Obama.

What do you think?

Here's what I think:

Yes he can, huh? It seems to me that instead of running with Obama, Biden is more like running "over" him, a stab in the back. How can a President lead the country with a Vice-President who is not supportive enough to have confidence in his decisions? Sounds pretty selfish to me that he would actually consider competing with the man who offered an outstanding nomination and opportunity to help him put this country back on track...and so early on..the men haven't even been in office for a year. It just shows that he accepted Vice-Presidency to further his career, not to help President Obama..it all seems like an illusion.Can he do it on his own?No he can't.

"Major Violations" for Memphis...& Calipari too?

article by: stacia_doss.

About two nights ago, I saw the headline I'm sure Memphians all around were talking about. "Memphis accused of major NCAA violations."

The report revealed that over $2000 worth of travel expenses was provided to an unnamed person and that someone wrote a false SAT exam for a player on the 07-08 team, a freshman player, that is. One can only speculate but several people believe it was Chicago-native and Bulls player, Derrick Rose.

The spotlight has now been placed upon Rose, but even more so, former Memphis head coach, John Calipari. Neither the University of Kentucky coach nor the Bulls star player have been named in the report so one can only speculate at the moment. By putting two and two together, speculations seem like they are likely to be proved all but wrong.

Looks like someone may have traded in their Memphis blue-and white just in time to escape to another...

Humble Winner

article by: stacia_doss.

Last week, right before the sneak premiere of Fox's sitcom "Glee", American Idol announced its winner. The results revealed that Kentucky-native, Kris Allen, would be named as the 2009 "American Idol".

Most people who had received such a title would jump for joy and maybe shake the hand of or hug the opponent, all-smiles. With a smile and a polite "thank-you", Kris Allen said "Adam deserves this."Interesting comment for someone who just won 'Idol, don't you think?

Meanwhile, the runner-up, Adam Lambert, has been criticized by a former runner-up, Clay Aiken. It was quite the opposite of humble for him to make comments about Lambert's voice, contrary to the reaction of his competition, Mr. Allen.

B+ for Obama's first 100 days with Foreign Affairs

article by:stacia_doss.
President Barack Obama received a B+ grade for the way his administration has handled foreign policy-thus far. The score, based on CNN's "National Report Card" was decided by America's viewers.

The news network, which is said to be mainly liberal by some, had commentators speaking on the results. All came to a general consensus that Obama has done a pretty exceptional job in his first 100 days.

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, received high-marks also, receiving a B, commentators gave her an A. The discussion panel made mention of her initial hesitancy in becoming the Secretary of State, and noted that her present dedication to this position has been shown greatly.

If asked, I would have to agree with the grade that CNN viewers gave our current President. By taking small steps out of the condition America is currently in, we are slowly seeing improvement, and ultimate change that this country needs will be the result.

Update on the Memphis Tigers

article by:stacia_doss.
Earlier this week, Memphis named Josh Pastner, former assistant basketball coach, as head coach for the team after what seemed like a long-awaited announcement for fans.

On Memphis' News Channel 3, two top recruits from the city were interviewed from local high schools White Station and Ridgeway High. Both players made note of their interest in playing for Memphis with Pastner as head coach.

Fans now hope and expect that with Pastner as head coach, current top recruits will remain with the Tigers instead of switching to another blue jersey as Coach Calipari did.

Farewell to Coach Cal

article by: stacia_doss.
Perhaps the biggest news across University of Memphis' campus and several other realms across the country regarded a goodbye to the Tigers' head coach.

A few of these other places included-most obviously-the local news and ESPN, but I found a bit surprising follower of this issue.Of all places, it was the Elementary School I tutor at. As the end of the school day wrapped up, thoughts of the absence of John Calipari had left my mind.Just when the announcements came on, I was quickly reminded again as I heard the principal on the loud speaker."We still haven't got word of Coach Cal leaving, but we think he's gone."

The end of the day undoubtedly brought sad and shattered faces from both familiar and unexpected places. According to various news sources, the former Memphis basketball coach is expected to be renamed as official coach at the University of Kentucky, and will have the highest salary of any other NCAA head coach.

Fans say his change of schools is all about money and prestige. Many believe that Calipari should have stayed with Memphis, who was willing to try to match the salary being offered. On the other hand, several others see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to coach at a school that is known for a very notable history in basketball.

Whatever the case, it's "So long,Calipari" for the city of Memphis. With the loss of him and his power to recruit some of the nation's top players, the team will definitely take some serious rebuilding. Players Roburt Sallie and Wesley Witherspoon are expected to leave, along with a few other recruits that composed the 08-09 'Memphis Dream Team'.

Welcome

Welcome to the 'journalism newz buzz' site.It does just what the title says, bring you information in the area of journalism that involves current news and speaks on the issues.Just to tell you about my background, you can call me lifeizmusic because that best explains how I am and what my world revolves around, aside from journalism. I am an internet journalism major who just completed my final year as an undergrad in college. I look forward to informing you-whoever you may be.=)-and hearing your feedback.

Sincerely,

lifeizmusic