Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Meet Caroline Ficher



Interview filmed by: Angela Yandell, Makaila Jordan, and Cashae Louden 
Edited By: Angela Yandell

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

SpongeBob Moron-Pants

Think of a cartoon of the new millennium and try not to let, “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” scream out inside your head. SpongeBob SquarePants debuted in 1999, and like several other children across the US, I was sitting right in front of the television waiting. The very first episode, Tea at the Tree-Dome, ­introduced three of the main characters: SpongeBob, of course, Patrick, and Sandy. I watched on in amusement as the quirkiness ensued. My twin-sister and I became loyal fans from day one.

First, a little back story. SpongeBob is a yellow, talking sponge similar to the one you might wash your dishes with. Only a true fan can tell you he was born in 1986, as revealed by a glimpse of his driver’s license in one episode, but I digress. This 29-year-old sponge works as a fry cook in a fast-food restaurant ran by a “crustaceous cheapskate,” Mr. Krabs.

His best friends are Patrick Star, a dimwitted, fun-loving starfish, and Sandy Cheeks, a southern bread, karate-chopping, scientific squirrel. Perhaps the best character of all is Squidward. He is not only SpongeBob’s co-worker, but lives smack in the middle of him and Patrick. Squidward is best summarized as the job-loathing, pessimistic, yet relatable octopus/squid with six legs. SpongeBob and Patrick are always pestering him, involuntarily including him in their antics.

SpongeBob SquarePants quickly became one of the greats. According to adage.com, “Although it debuted to middling ratings in July 1999, it soared past "Rugrats" as the network's highest-rated show of all time within a year. By 2001, SpongeBob was starring in his first "Got Milk?" ad, followed by three more years of growing popularity, which resulted in the $86 million-grossing "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie."

All good things end, and thus, so did the era of SpongeBob. Despite Nickelodeon’s refusal to let the show die with some dignity, the quality of this once beloved, happy-go-lucky cartoon has diminished beyond belief. No more is SpongeBob the quirky, friendly, loving, and just the right amount of stupid, character he used to be. The same can be said for every character. Patrick used to be the unbelievably stupid one, even over SpongeBob, but we adored his pretentiousness at the appropriate times.

For example, in the episode Suds, SpongeBob gets sick and while getting ready to go to the doctor, is intervened by Patrick. Patrick tells him that the doctor is a bad place where they do unspeakable things to you:


SpongeBob: I’m sick, Patrick. I’m going to the doctor.
Patrick: What? Oh no, you can’t go!
SpongeBob: Why not?
Patrick: I know a guy who knows a guy who went to the doctor, and the doctor’s office is a horrible, horrible place.
SpongeBob: It can’t be as horrible as the suds.
[Sneezes]
Patrick: Oh, it is, SpongeBob. First, they make you sit in a. . . waiting room!
SpongeBob: Is that the horrible part?
Patrick: No, it gets worse. They make you read. . . old magazines!
[SpongeBob shrieks]
Patrick: Then the doctor pulls out his stethoscope.
SpongeBob: No!
Patrick: Yes! It’s a device so sinister, so icy cold when it touches your bare flesh that. . . Pssh!
SpongeBob: Aaah! No doctor! No stethoscope! No magazines! No Pssh! Patrick, I don’t want to go to the doctor.
Patrick: Exactly.

Thus, Patrick offers to treat SpongeBob himself and ends up making him worse. After battling with Sandy, Sandy winning and taking SpongeBob to get treated, Patrick gets his comeuppance. SpongeBob’s treatments entails the character being depicted as a sponge that a hand is using to clean various things, which in turn makes him better. Patrick gets the same treatment after seeing the lollipop SpongeBob is rewarded with, and then pretending he has the suds too. We get to see Patrick as a real starfish while a hand uses him to clean various surfaces: a toilet, a man’s hairy back, etc. Patrick gets what he deserves, but it’s funny and lighthearted.
Even when Patrick exploited SpongeBob in the, I’m With Stupid episode, it was nothing like now. Patrick is just mean, and for no particular reason. No longer is he just trying to look out for his friend, and his ignorance causes the issues. No, now he doesn’t apologize, and he doesn’t get his comeuppance. He is blatantly obnoxious and rude.


The same can be said for SpongeBob. He is unbearably stupid now. Unlike the former character who was only ignorant of the crudeness of the real world, this one is just childishly senseless. He frolics for no reason, sticks his legs in deep fryers for God knows what reason, and basically just annoys his friends and audience alike. It isn’t funny, and it isn’t cute. Not only that, but the writers of new SpongeBob seem to think the only humor, apart from blatant foolishness, that appeals to its viewers is shocking, gross, and downright repugnant imagery. They go above and beyond immaturity with the characters themselves with this off-putting animation. There is an entire episode dedicated to SpongeBob and his splinter. It grows more and more repugnant over the course of the episode. Needless to say, those eleven minutes will have viewers struggling not to retch. Hello, not everything disgusting is funny!

Old SpongeBob SquarePants used to have just the right amount of wit, and juvenile yet relate-able humor. It was perfect for mature and young audiences. This is no longer the case. It’s so obvious the show has died. The writers are now recycling old episodes, ruining all that which is held sacred by the show’s original viewers. I would beg and plead Nickelodeon let this show die, but it’s too late. This generation of children are already being corrupted by it. It’s already disgusted those who once loved it. Might as well just milk it until you can’t anymore. Thank you, Nickelodeon, for ruining what was once the best cartoon of all time.

If only this were a Doodle-Bob situation:


Sunday, November 22, 2015

News App Analysis





Heavy Headlines is a news application for fans of heavy metal music. It compounds news from various outlets and nests them in one convenient place.


Upon downloading and opening the app, I was greeted with a message that informed me the app was collecting “brootal” information, AKA, my favorite bands. It then instructed me on how to expand and collapse headlines which appeared on the screen. The headlines did pertain to some of my favorite bands, highlighting the band names in red. It also shows new album releases, just added, and top selling. Another quirk to mention is when the app refreshes it says, “Demanding Data”, or "Summoning Stories." I guess the app is supposed to be as brutal as the music which it promotes.


While I was refreshing the app did crash. That may be because my phone is overloaded, that it’s an old model iPhone 4, or an application error. When I re-launched it, the problem did not recur. I swiped to expand a news story and it gave me a brief summary. I clicked on it, and the article appeared it a neat format. In the header it noted where the article was originally from. The layout was very neat and readable.


While browsing the news I was greeted with this message:


That enticed me to look at the various themes.Some cost money, but I’m good with the current theme.

I then found there was a menu which allowed me to select the feeds from which my news came from:


Under the favorite bands tab I can see that it has listed what is in my music folder and allows me to turn on alerts of news related to those bands. It even allows me to be notified when those bands are in my area. That’s pretty sweet.


Back on the main menu I wondered what the ticket and circular buttons did in the top right corner. When I pressed the ticket one, it stayed on the main menu.The circular one took me to a list of things I’ve already read.


Overall, this app is well-constructed, visually appealing, and organized. I’m actually not going to delete it. The best feature is that I’m able to get news about my favorite bands all in one place. Unlike just getting it from Twitter or other social media outlets, I don’t have to browse through other user posts and/or news about bands I don’t care for. 


Thursday, November 19, 2015

Imitation KISS: King of Buffoons

From Left : Frehley, Stanley, Criss &Simmons

The childish feud between classic rockers Paul Stanley and Dee Snider is just that, juvenile for two men gracing their sixties. Stanley is the lead singer/rhythm guitarist of KISS, a rock band who rose to fame in the early seventies. Snider is the lead singer of Twisted Sister, a rock band who rose to fame in the 80s. Twisted Sister is nothing but a twisted rendition of KISS, but Snider felt he had grounds to insult the band which so inspired him. 

"I don't see how people could accept this. Tommy Thayer? I'm sorry. It's insulting. Not only did he play in a tribute band of KISS, he's imitating Ace in his entire Act!" Snider said during an interview with Eddie Trunk.
From Left: Singer, Simmons, Stanley & Kulick

I find it rather unsettling that I don't disagree with the mock drag queen. My father raised my sisters and me on KISS. We used to run around in the living room jamming to their 90s version of rock and roll. Growing older, I expanded my already vast knowledge of the band. I've read biographies, watched documentaries, and of course, listened to the music old and new. I found my favorite version of KISS was indeed the original. Although I'm a child of the new millennium, the sound of 70s rock and roll enraptured me. I loved the same things about it that my father did. My love for the band outgrew nostalgia and matured. I came to respect the music after immersing myself in the time era from which it was born. 
Dee Snider

There was something unique to KISS back then. The music was their rendition of prior influences, such as The Beatles. Maybe the only real aspect which set them apart was the wacky look. I sympathize with Snider's opinion, and even find myself standing behind him despite my dislike for his band. Maybe he mimicked the sound and look of KISS, but this was a band which he loved. This was a band he respected. Over the years, the members of KISS seem to have lost this notion of respect and maybe just a little self-respect. 

I remember reading an interview with Stanley and Simmons in which the two of them alleged KISS would never "sell out." In summation, they said the band would continue to adapt to the times. In 1983 the band unmasked on MTV following the loss of two original members, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. Vinnie Vincent and Eric Carr had previously replaced them and adapted their own characters, their own make-up. 

In an interview with Yahoo News, Simmons confirmed, "New members had come into the band, and then new characters were happening . . . and it just wasn't convincing to us anymore. We had always adhered to a philosophy that if Peter and Ace ever left, then KISS, at least in that form, would cease to be. And I think, instinctively, we did that. Without killing ourselves, without taking the Cobain way out, we simply killed off that version of KISS and did a different version."

I'm sorry, but is the present version  of KISS not exactly the epitome of everything this statement isn't? Forget Simmons insulting Nirvana fans far and wide! Just take a gander at the blatant hypocrisy! Several members have come and gone since the loss of Frehley and Criss. At present, Tommy Thayer has replaced lead guitarist Ace Frehley, and Eric Singer former drummer Peter Criss. After the loss of these two originals, the makeup came off in 1983 and it appeared the band had moved on. The 90s version of KISS that I grew up on was fast-paced and extreme. It was everything the band used to be only ramped up a few hundred notches. I certainly felt this adaptation was appropriate. The legendary characters were in the past, immortalized by the times in which they were created. Everything was looking up for unmasked KISS. Of course, not all fans were pleased with the loss of their beloved, painted KISS, but the band stood behind their decision. 


From Left: Vincent, Simmons, Stanley & Carr
"Everybody hated it. People didn't want the paint to come off, but you know what? Tough. It had to happen. You want your heroes to stay the same forever, but then the consequence of that is you get bored with them. We had to take it off. it had to run its course." Simmons responded. 

Where is this ideology now? We all know Simmons is a sell out. His initial goal for the band was to make money, and he's great at it. Simmons expertly marketed the four characters, making them worth millions. In the same vein as Marilyn Manson, an artist heavily influenced by KISS, Simmons was looking to make a name for something that didn't really exist. How big could KISS become before KISS was really a thing? 

Maybe it hasn't been solely about the music for Simmons from day one, but Stanley? I always looked up to him. Off stage, he was modest. For the longest time, he even refused to take part in Simmons' reality show Gene Simmons: Family Jewels. Stanley wasn't the pretentious, obnoxious character that his bandmate embodied so well. Unfortunately, however, there was this:


From Left: Frehley, Stanley, Criss & Simmons
"Well, let me put it in the simplest terms. In this case, this guy is a wannabe, has always been a wannabe and desperately wants attention and to be taken seriously, and that will never happen because he's obviously clueless that he and his whole band are a bunch of buffoons," Stanley responded to Snider's disgust.

I usually stand behind Stanley. I've rationalized the hypocrisy. I've overlooked the gall of present KISS , but this I could not. I expected as much from Simmons. Who hasn't accepted the KISS bassist is a narcissistic jerk, and struggles not to love him despite this? I thought my bias about Snider's band alone would skew my acceptance of his statement, but it didn't. I agree, and I am disheartened by Stanley's response. Stanley, Simmons, Criss, and Frehley were all wannabes of their time. They are no different from Snider, aside from the enormous success. I believe Stanley forgot to attribute the better part of his fame to Simmons expertise of marketing, and not his talent alone. In fact, the band never really hit popularity until they discovered their appearance and exuberant stage show was what would eventually put them on the map. The talent was hardly a factor in the beginning. 


From Left: Criss, Frehley, Stanley & Simmons
Snider replied on social media with a little letter back to Stanley in which he laments about his respect and love for KISS. There was one other thing he said that I whole-heartedly agree with, "As far as my "whole band being a bunch of buffoons" goes, that's a pretty ironic statement coming from you. The argument could easily be made that KISS is the "king of the buffoons", so in an odd way you've paid Twisted Sister quite the compliment. It takes one to know one." 


From Left: Singer, Stanley, Simmons & Thayer
Finish him, Snider! I can't believe I'm agreeing, but the glam rocker is right. The imitation of the legend that KISS created is ridiculously disappointing, hypocritical, and just all together sad. I'm not implying that KISS should stop rocking. By all means, rock on! Rock on Stanley and Simmons, don't hold onto what you used to be, and let your members be themselves as well! There was an imaginary line crossed when Thayer and Singer adopted not only Criss and Frehley's characters, but even their idiosyncrasies! Classic KISS had a stage presence that should never be recreated nor blasphemed by such buffoon-like imitation. 


Feud covered by Metal Injection here
40 Years Later by Yahoo here
Watch KISS 1983 unmasking on MTV here

Monday, November 16, 2015

If It's Too Loud You're Too Old: Gene Simmons Charity Event Shut Down


Right photo copyright MOVI Inc. Splash News
Classic Rocker, Gene Simmons, held the First Annual 'The Children Matter' fundraiser to "improve lives of thousads of at-risk children around the world," according to the event's website. The benefit was held the home of Rohan Oza in Beverly Hills, California. The star-studded audience included: actors Patrick Warburton, and Randy Jackson, television personality Maria Menounos, and bassist of Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz, as well as his girlfriend Meagan Camper. 


The KISS frontman and bassist was joined by guitarist Thommy Thayer. The duo rocked Beverly Hills. Apparently, the performance was so earth-shattering that cops arrived to shut it down. Noise complaints, however, didn't deter the fundraising. "Gene put the guitar down," an unknown source claims, "but the party continued with a DJ." 

It would appear that even the almighty God of Thunder isn't above the law of noise ordinances.  

Read the story by UltimateclassicRock.com here

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Farming With Drones

Hubertus Paetow is a German farmer and drone enthusiast. He has employed a drone to keep a critical eye on his farmland. The drone is outfitted with a camera and surveys the land. A mobile phone application allowed him to calculate a flight path for the drone. "I just enter the outline of my field into my mobile phone - just a rough outline. Then the app automatically calculates the best flight path for the drone, the shortest route," says Paetow.

The drone surveys the field and captures images of things the farmer may not have been informed of otherwise, like mouse and lice infestations. "These yellow spots indicate that there is a lice infestation. . . On the rest of the field we were able to prevent further damage by treating with insecticide," Paetow explains. This unique use of technology allows him to treat the field properly, and  is undoubtedly the future of agriculture. 

To read the original story by Euronews.com click here

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The Typical Serial Killer

Radford University teamed up with the Florida Gulf Coast University to create a Serial Killer Database. The database is updated annually. The following information was last updated on September 6, 2014. These statistics were gathered from the examinations of 3, 873 serial killers.

In a section titled, A Problem With The Typical Profile, the database included only U.S. serial killers. The chart has six characteristics: male, white, mid-to-late twenties, white (male), and white (male, mid-to-late twenties). Almost all of the killers in this chart were male, just over half being white. Nearly a third of the serial killers were in their mid-to-late twenties. Almost half were simply white males. Just under 13% were white, male, and in their mid-to-late twenties.




For more information read the Radford University/FGCU Database here 

Thursday, October 29, 2015

100 New Yorkers Become U.S Citizens

A naturalization ceremony was held on Sunday for a hundred New Yorkers from 35 different countries. The Obama administration launched a campaign in September, urging 8.8 million immigrants to do the same. The campaign is working to ease the naturalization process. The process includes allowing immigrants to pay the $680 naturalization fee with a credit card, and helping future citizens find English and civics classes. It has been speculated the admiration’s effort is to acquire more democratic voters.

The ceremony was part of the Hispanic Heritage Month. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas insists the country and new citizens are benefiting from naturalization. “It reflects a greater level of integration in American society and it also affords people very significant rights, the right to vote chief amongst them, and it also comes with responsibilities, civic responsibilities, that I think make our county stronger,” Mayorkas said.

Mayra Martinez, 28, was among the 100 New Yorkers to gain citizenship. Martinez came to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 2. It was her goal to become a citizen before the presidential election. “If we want to make an impact as a community, we need to really come together, sign up, become citizens,” she said. “So I guess that’s really the main way you can make your voice heard.”


 Read the original story here


Thursday, October 22, 2015

Listening Post


The biggest listening post in my family are my mom and grandmother. My mom and her mother, Grandma Lane, are constantly on the phone rambling about local news and gossip. Grandma Lane even has a police scanner in her living room of which she religiously listens. She’s had it for as long as I can remember. Going to Grandma Lane's was akin to watching the news! My sisters and I called them the Corning News Station. They always seemed to know more than anyone should about everyone else!

In my hometown of Corning, Arkansas, I had more social outlets to discuss news. I used to work in a grocery store. I can't even begin to describe the amount of gossip I heard every day. I was a cashier for my first three years, so I was well informed! Then, I worked in the back as a produce worker. The gossip was still adamant!

Monday, October 19, 2015

Corning Loses Reverend Billy Snow Sr.

Reverend Billy Joe Snow Sr., 87, of Corning, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2015. Snow was an ordained minister for 59 years with the United Pentecostal Church. Even after retirement, Snow ministered at the Highway Tabernacle U.P.C in Moark, Arkansas. He also drove a bus and served as a Funeral Assistant for Corning’s Ermert Funeral Home. Snow was a well-loved and respected citizen of the community.

Reverend Snow was survived by his wife of 70 years, Dollie Mae (Cullins). He was also survived by his two sons Reverend Kenneth Snow of Corning, AR and Reverend Edward Snow of Cabbot, AR, and one daughter Ramona Dugas of Poplar Bluff, MO. He was preceded in death by parents Marvin and Gladys Vennie (Leonard) Snow, and also one son Reverend Billy Wayne Snow, Jr. and one grandson Jason Gene Snow.

Visitation was held Friday, October 16, 2015 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 2:00 PM in Ermert Funeral Home Chapel. Reverends Bryan Parkey and bill Meadors officiated. Burial service immediately followed in Corning Cemetery.


Review the public record here
Review the Ermert Funeral Home obituary here

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Is the FBI Circumventing the FOIA?

The Better Government Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that works to expose corruption inside the government. The association recently filed a request for records from the FBI requesting records concerning the agency’s website section titled “Fun and Games.” The BGA was concerned about how much it is costing taxpayers as well as discerning the benefits.

The FBI claimed to have done a search of its “Central Records System,” but came up empty handed. The agency then asked for, “additional information pertaining to the subject that you believe was of investigative interest to the Bureau.”

CEO and President of the BGA, Andy Shaw, believes this isn’t unusual for the FBI. He stated that the FBI performs, “at best, a cursory search for records and then spitting out a nonsensical response . . . The agency should know better – and should be abiding by the law. It certainly demands that from the rest of us.”

The BGA is suing the FBI for allegedly violating the Freedom of Information Act. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in the U.S. District Court of Chicago, the city in which the BGA is based.

The Lawsuit claims the, "FBI’s request for more information appears to demonstrate that no human being actually read or intelligently considered the subject matter of the request and that the search performed was part of an automated process divorced from the reality of the request.  Clearly the FBI website and its Fun & Games character ‘Bobby Bureau’ are not subjects of an FBI investigation, and clearly records responsive to the request would not be found."

Again, the BGA requested for the records asking that the FBI search all files. The agency has yet to respond. The FOIA requires the FBI to turn over its public records, but it appears the agency is circumventing requests by any means possible. 

Read the original story on the BGA website here where you can find photographed documentation of the BGA's lawsuit.

Monday, October 12, 2015

The Light for the Fight Cermeony (SAU Centennial Homecoming)



Manolia’s Southern Arkansas University recently kicked off the Centennial Homecoming. Homecoming began on Monday, October 5 with a pep rally commencing an eventful week. The festivities included football, mulegating, a concert, the showing of a drive-in film, and more.

On Monday, The SAU Rankin College of Business hosted the Third Annual Light for the Fight ceremony. It was located at the campus’ Business Building fountain, free and open to the public. The purple and white luminaries were sold for $5. Each luminary was representative of a loved one affected by cancer. Purple honored friends and family while white honored survivors and those currently battling cancer.

The luminaries are still on display and will remain so through October. All proceeds from the event went to the family of Anne Sands, a coach and assistant director of financial aid at SAU. Her daughter, Kaylynn Sands, 2, is in the treatment process for ganglioneuroblastoma. 



Information regarding Light for the Fight

Monday, October 5, 2015

FORMER OLE MISS STUDENT SENTENCED TO 6 MONTHS IN PRISON

Harris
Graeme Phillip Harris, a former student at the University of Mississippi, was sentenced to six months in prison. While intoxicated, Harris and two former fraternity brothers hung a rope and a Georgia state Confederate flag on the campus statue of James Meredith. Meredith was the first African-American student to attend the university.

Harris pleaded guilty to one count of using a threat of force to intimidate African-American Students. He did not plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate civil rights although he was indicted on both charges. Harris’ defense attorney, David G. Hill, argued he should not be spared from prison because of his intoxicated state.

James Meredith Statue
“When he sobered up after the incident, Harris sent his younger sister a text message that said, “I have done something that will mess up the rest of my life,” Hill also stated in Harris’ defense.

The fraternity brothers from the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity were not charged. Hill claims “racism was blatantly and actively practiced,” within the fraternity along with the underage drinking that was taking place. Harris, 21, joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon as a freshman, but the fraternity was closed after the crime took place.


Harris was arrested on March 27, 2015. He is set to begin serving his sentence on January 4, 2016.


Read the original article by Southern Poverty Law Center here

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Museum to Hold Native American Day

The Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum is to host the 12th annual Native American Day on the last weekend in September. The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 on the museum grounds, located at 1071 Heritage Park Drive in Piggott, Arkansas. Admission is free along with refreshments, hot dogs, and games and crafts for children.

Flutist Dennis Coop
For 11 years, Native American Day has been educating the public on the history and culture of Native Americans. This year will hold true to that tradition. 


 R.W. “Dub” Lyerly, of Ash Flat, Arkansas, is an amateur archaeologist who will be attending to discuss and authenticate artifacts. He will also be open to questions. Guests are encouraged to bring their own artifacts to be studied! Lyerly background in archaeology includes work on archaeological digs, as well as knowledge of the history of early inhabitants of Northeast Arkansas.

Knappers, Scouts, Jerri Tate, and Dennis Coop will also be attending the event. Knapping, the crafting of arrowheads and cutting tools, will be demonstrated. The Scouts from “The Order of the Arrow” are performing Native American Dance. Tate will be joined by Piggott School art students to teach the art of primitive clay pottery. Dennis Coop is a folk musician from Sherwood who will be playing Native American flutes.

 For additional information  concerning the museum event please call 870-598-3228.

Read the original story by the Clay County Times-Democratic here

                

Thursday, September 24, 2015

CORNING POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR PURCHASE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

Police officer James (“Jamie”) V. Martin, Jr., 39, of Paragould, Arkansas was arrested on Tuesday, September 1 while on duty. Martin is a police officer for Corning Police Department. 

The announcement came from The District Prosecuting Attorney for the Second Judicial District of Arkansas, Scott Ellington. Ellington accredited the arrest to the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division, headed by Lt. Brant Tosh. Special Agent Wendall Jines constructing the case against Martin.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s office documented Martin’s charges were based solely on allegations. Said charges include: the use of a communication device to purchase a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and misuse of Arkansas Crime Information Computer.

According to Eddington, Martin was incarcerated in the Randolph County Jail upon his arrest. He was scheduled for court on the following afternoon in Piggott, Arkansas. 

Read the original story by the Clay County Tmes-Democrat here



Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Twitter News Leads

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

#Kanye2020 "Yes We Kan!"


Kanye West, rapper/fashion designer extraordinaire, made yet another scene at the MTV Video Music Awards. Instead of insulting another fellow artist, West decided to inspire. In an acceptance speech that began with his admission to “lighting one up”, West dropped a bombshell and announced his plans to run for president in 2020. #Kanye2020 has since been trending on social media. Mock campaign slogans, artwork, and celebrity endorsements are already in the works. 

West’s former antics with Taylor Swift have fans promoting Swift as Vice President. West has even promised Yeezys for everyone, a Nike Air shoe designed in collaboration with the artist. Twitter account #Kanye2020 posted a tweet promoting this promise and West’s many onstage impersonations of Jesus: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of Yeezy. And to the republic of which it stands, one nation, under yeezus. #Kanye2020.”


The ‘Kanye for President’ sensation has taken the media by storm. E News asked Hilary Clinton her opinion: "I would only ask him if I'm running for re-election to wait . . .Otherwise a lot of people want to run for president these days." Ice Cube, a fellow artist, expressed his support to Hip hop magazine XXL. He admits to having no qualms with Kim Kardashian having the title of First Lady, another idea trending on social media. 

CNN reports Kanye 2020 merchandise has already hit the market. Etsy users have designed varying apparel baring logos such as, “Yeezus 2020”, “Yeezy for President”, and Yes We Kan.” Even if West decides not to run, the popularity of #Kayne2020 has kick-started a presidential campaign like no other. The plethora of social media support and criticism, be it playful or not, just may hold up until the 2020 presidential election.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Defining 'News'



 News is media coverage of information and events that are most often current and noteworthy. Be it internet, television, radio, newspaper, we are constantly being berated with news. With recent advances in social media, news has branched out from just current, important events reported on at five or six o’clock. Social media has drastically changed news and how we receive it.
Today, news encompasses everything from world-wide happenings to what Kanye is going to babble about at the next music awards. Because news is now made readily available by social media, I would go as far as to say that almost any affair is considered news when reported on.

I receive my news primarily from social media, but the only news I usually care to read is about music. The top of my social media list is Facebook which is where I receive just about all of my news. When staying with relatives I get to watch the usual, local news and ABC.


I hardly watch television if it’s not internet television, but I do on occasion watch/listen to the Alex Jones Show, a controversial radio show that can be also be viewed live. CNN is the news outlet I will watch to follow important or shocking news stories. Twitter is new for me, but I am also getting news from there as well. Preferably, if I'm going to watch the news I'd rather it be from the mouth of Steven Colbert.