News writing, final three part assignment

------------------250 WORD PRINT STORY------------------------



The Democratic Republic of Congo held it's second-ever open presidential election on Monday in Kinshasa and other voting centers to determine whether or not current president Joseph Kabila will remain in office.

Kabila has been president since the assasination of his father in 2006, and is widely criticized by the people of Congo for various accounts of corruption and harsh treatment of citizens by his personal military guard.

“I don’t see any changes in my life,” said Angel Nyamayoka, a local Kinshasa resident . “We have to vote for anyone but Kabila.”

Nyamayoka, like many in the area, must get by on $2 or less a day. Quite the feat considering she is a single parent to seven children. Many voters in the area including herself have reported intimidating behavior by Kabila's troops directed at opposition supporters, as well as the stuffing of ballot boxes and threats of a civil war they claim will result from Kabila being out-voted. Several have also reported having seen ballots that had already been marked in favor of Kabila.




A congo voter holds an election ballot burnt in protest.


Instances of voting-related violence have taken place, such as shootings at polling stations which have claimed the lives of several. Some stations have even been burnt down in known opposition-supporting areas.

Sadly, many feel that despite the "democratic election,"  the continued rule of Kabila is known and ineveitable. “We’ll take to the streets and burn some tires and the police will shoot at us and we’ll throw rocks, but that will probably be about it." said Dishateli Kinguza, a local vendor in Kinshasa.






--------------200 WORD ONLINE STORY-------------

Voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been reporting several instances of intimidation and violence by current president Joseph Kabila’s personal military guard at voting centers across the country.

Several lives have already been lost in the name of these “democratic” elections. Attacks on voting areas include drive by shootings, military intimidation, and even the burning down of voting centers in known opposition-supporting areas.

Two people were even killed during a peaceful voting rally after police employed violent measures to disband the gathering under orders from the president.

Current president Joseph Kabila

Citizens remain hopeful, although several accounts of voting corruption have already been reported, including the stuffing of ballot boxes by members of Kabila’s guard as well several sightings of  voting ballots which were pre-marked in favor of Kabila.

Mixed feelings are shared by many as to the fairness of the voting process and the perceived inevitability of another term under Kabila’s rule.  Dishateli Kinguza, a local vendor, had this to say:

“We’ll take to the streets and burn some tires and the police will shoot at us and we’ll throw rocks, but that will probably be about it.”

 <sidebar on history of Joseph Kabila reads:>

About Joseph Kabila:        

-Born June 4, 1971

-Has served as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo since the assassination of his father in 2001.

-His official political party association is the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy.

 -Widely criticized locally and abroad for corruption and the mistreatment of his people.

-----------------ONE MINUTE TELEVISION SCRIPT------------------

<***ANCHOR ON SET***>

THIS MONDAY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND EVER COUNTRY – WIDE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.  COORESPONDANT BLANK MCBLANK IS ON THE SCENE IN CONGO WHERE VIOLENCE HAS BEGUN TO BREAK OVER OVER SUPPOSED VOTING FRAUD. BLANK…

<***STAND-UP SHOT OF REPORTER MCBLANK ON LOCATION***>

YES (ANCHOR)… THE SITUATION IS BEGINNING TO GET HOSTILE HERE IN KINSHASA… ONE OF THE MAJOR VOTING CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY.

<***REPORTER VO PROTEST GROUPS VIDEO, (TIMING 0.15 TO 0.21 OF CLIP)***>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjVZ_Q2qGEk

VOTORS ARE GATHERING IN PROTEST OUTSIDE OF POLLING LOCATIONS IN RESPONSE TO ALLEDGED BALLOT BOX STUFFING BY CURRENT PRESIDENT JOSEPH KABILA’S PERSONAL MILITARY GUARDS.

<***STAND UP SHOT OF REPORTER MCBLANK ON LOCATION***>

ANGEL NYAMOYOKA… A CONGO NATIVE AND MOTHER TO SEVEN CHILDREN… SAYS SHE HAS TO PROVIDE FOR HER FAMILY ON AROUND $2 A DAY

<***SOUNDBITE  ANGEL NYAMOYOKA***>

“I DON’T SEE ANY CHANGES IN MY LIFE… WE HAVE TO VOTE FOR ANYONE BUT KABILA.”

<***STAND UP SHOT OF REPORTER MCBLANK ON LOCATION***>

ALTHOUGH THE VOTING PERIOD HAS ENDED… CONGO RESIDENTS NOW FACE A GREWLING SEVERAL MONTHS OF ANTICIPATION AS BALLOTS ARE COUNTED AND A DECISION IS MADE. 

<***ANCHOR BACK ON SET***>

<***SOC***>

MLK speech assignment

It’s a brisk Sunday morning in a large church, buzzing with conversation from a packed house of over  500 men, women, and children.  Suddenly, silence falls over the crowd like a thick wool blanket as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. crosses the stage to take the podium. He clears his throat and  says, “The time has come for America to her the truth about this tragic war.”

                It’s a statement King went on to support with what may be his most passionate speech to date.   He spoke of the millions of Americans already speaking out against the war and of the millions more who oppose our government policy but cannot bring themselves to express their opposition openly.

             “There are those seeking to equate descent with disloyalty. It’s a dark day in our nation when high level authorities will seek to use every method to silence descent. Something is happening, and people are not going to be silenced.” King said.

                King went on to state that he believes this war should be viewed as a war against our fellow man both foreign and domestic. He cited the figure that America currently spends an estimated $500,000 for each enemy soldier killed in battle, while only allotting for $53 per person when it comes to supporting those classified as “poor” in our own country.

                In closing King called for a prioritizing of the social well being for people in need both at home and abroad, and said that the vast investments in foreign countries in the name of domestic profit had to cease. With brutal honesty and growing intensity King said that a rapid revolution of values needed to take place from the love of money to the “Unconditional love for all men.” He went on to say, “I oppose the war because I love America… I call on Washington today. Take a stand on this issue. Tomorrow may be too late.”

4part writing assignment

PR Writing 

National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11/11/11 

Contact: Kurt Spurlock

404.792.3152

kspurlo1@students.kennesaw.edu 

Students Protest Fees, Police Protest Students 

KENNESAW, Ga—Students, supporters, and other demonstrators took to the streets of London on Wednesday in protest of tuition fees and what is being called the “privatization” of the higher education system. 

      The crowd of an estimated 10,000 was immediately met with an army of 4,000 metropolitan police in a maneuver police officials reffered to as “total policing”.  Officers  engaged in crowd control  tactics while several police commanders set up 10 foot tall barricades to block off large areas of the capitol.  

      Police officials also stated that pre-demonstration measures were taken to ensure crowd compliance by sending hundreds of letters to known anti-cut activists warning of the consequences of attending the student demonstration, and also by warning  attendees that officers would be firing “baton rounds of plastic bullets” in the case of an “extreme” situation.  

      Demonstrators also reported that “additional conditions” were announced two hours into the march such as the prohibiting of protestors from entering seven different areas of the city and stating that anyone who disobeyed would be “committing an offence and may be liable to arrest.” 

      After restricting the route of the protester’s march, police took positions at the front of the marching crowd to keep particants grouped together throughout the three mile stretch. Plainclothes officers were also seen among the marching crowd, making “snatch” arrests of various individuals.  

      At the end of the demonstration, the crowd was released into the Moorgate area in downtown London.  Shortly thereafter, police issued a dispersal order to begin promptly at 5:41p.m. or face legal action.  Demonstrators had vacated the area entirely by 6 p.m. 

      Even with this police involvement, the protest was predominantly peaceful. Of the crowd of several thousand, only 24 arrests were made, and aggression toward police officials was minimal. 

      The Occupy London movement attempted to collaborate to the tuition movement by staging a simultaneous “occupy style” sit in in London’s Trafalgar Square.  This group of 50 protesters brought out 30 “pop-up”  style tents, and reportedly intending on staying until the mass strike scheduled for November 30.  All 50 protesters refused to leave when confronted by police, and were promptly arrested for “contravening the Public Order Act” according to police officials. 
 

      There was, however,  a light at the end of the tunnel for protesters when they were given a surprise musical set by supporter and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, who was quoted as saying he wanted to express his solidarity with the “99%”. 

      The National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts is a non-profit organization dedicated to the furthering of higher education and the opposition of tuition increases in the name of profiteering. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.NCAFC.org.
 

###

--------------------------------------

Kurt Spurlock

News Story

Student Protestors Met with Police Opposition in London

KENNESAW,Ga-- Thousands of student protesters and their supporters took to the streets of London on Wednesday in opposition to tuition fees and the "privatization of higher education." 

The protest of a reported 10,000 individuals was heavily policed by a total of 4,000 metropolitan officers as well as several police commanders who set up 10ft tall barricades to block off areas of the capitol. 

Police officials announced this method to be an example of "total policing", and believed such action to be necessary after last year's demonstration in which police were attacked and 153 arrests were made. Authoritative measures included officers in full riot gear as well as plainclothesmen who performed "snatch" arrests of certain individuals in the march.

Demonstrators complained of "intimidating" police tactics both before and during the demonstration. Police officials sent hundreds of letters to known anti-cut activists warning them of the consequences of attending the demonstration. Protesters were also told before the march that baton rounds of plastic bullets would be used if the demonstration became disorderly. 

Two hours into the march, police announced to the crowd that "additional conditions" were being implemented, including the prohibiting of protestors from entering seven different areas of the city.  Police said citizens who violated these conditions would be "committing an offense and may be liable to arrest."

After this announcement police took positions at the front of the march to direct the crowd. Demonstrators were led to the Moorgate area and released from supervision. Soon thereafter demonstrators were informed that a dispersal order would begin promptly at 5:41p.m. The area was reportedly clear of attendees by 6p.m.

After the protest was over, students were surprised by a gig my Rage Against the Machine Guitarist Tom Morello. Morello was quoted saying he was there to "express his solidarity with the 99%". He said "This is a worldwide class-based movement of people standing up against the oppression of corporate power. The lesson of the Arab spring is if you want change all you have to do is walk out of your front door and just do it."

--------------------------------------------------

200 word online story

STUDENT PROTESTORS MET WITH POLICE OPPOSITION IN LONDON

KENNESAW,Ga-- Thousands of student protesters and their supporters took to the streets of London on Wednesday in opposition to tuition fees and the "privatization of higher education."

The protest had a reported turnout of around 10,000 individuals, as well as a police turnout of 4,000 metropolitan officers as well as several police commanders.  

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

- 10ft tall barricades were set up around the city capitol

- Demonstrators complained of "intimidating" police tactics including threatening use of firing rubber bullets, and the mailing of hundreds of letters to known anti-cut activists warning them of the consequences of attending the demonstration 

- Police took positions at the front of the march and led the crowd to the Moorgate area after announcing that protesters were prohibited from entering seven different areas of the city

- Only 24 arrests were made throughout the event, and aggression toward police was minimal. 

- Although demonstrators felt they were over-policed, they were treated to a surprise musical performance by supporter Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine

---------------------------------------------------------------

Kurt Spurlock

30 second radio read

AN ESTIMATED TEN-THOUSAND STUDENTS IN THE LONDON AREA TOOK TO THE STREETS WEDNESDAY IN PROTEST OF THE RISING FEES BEING ADDED TO TUITION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.  LONDON POLICE OFFICIALS RESPONDED TO THE PROTEST WITH A TASK FORCE OF FOUR-THOUSAND OFFICERS AND SEVERAL BARRICADES IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE MARCH ORDERLY AND WITHIN THE DESIGNATED PERIMETERS. ALTHOUGH SEVERAL DEMONSTRATORS COMPLAINED OF "INTIMIDATING" POLICE TACTICS, THE EVENT WAS PREDOMINANTLY PEACEFUL AND ONLY 24 ARRESTS WERE MADE.  THE PROTEST ENDED BY EARLY EVENING WITH A SURPRISE SHOW FROM RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE GUITARIST TOM MORELLO. 

PR writing sample

Betterment Association of the Madison Area, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kurt Spurlock, Coordinator

11/2/11 404.791.3152

kspurlo1@students.kennesaw.edu

Madison's Seventeenth Annual Pancake Festival Approaches

KENNESAW, Ga.-- The city of Madison, Wisconsin will be hosting it's annual non-profit pancake festival next Saturday and Sunday to raise money for volunteer officials, amenities, and education.

People far and wide are cordially invited to make their way into the cozy, historic small town of Madison  next weekend to claim their bottomless plate of homemade pancakes. The proceeds from each plate all go to supporting critical developments in town such as the Madison Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance services, student scholarship funds, and various other important outlets. All festival operations are run by Madison residents, who do all of the work voluntarily without pay. Plates will only cost $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and under. This charge includes festival admission and free refills for the entire day. Choice of toppings include nuts, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, jams, syrups, and many others. The event is sponsored by the Betterment Association of the Madison Area, Inc. as well as the Madison Area Jaycees. 

Country and Western artist Lionel Cartwright will be performing on Sunday both at 1:00 and 3:00 PM. Other festival attractions include a raffle hosted by the Madison Volunteer Fire Department for a 16-foot boat, complete with trailer and a 45 horsepower onboard motor. Clogging, carnival rides, hot dogs, ice cream, popcorn, and pies will be served, as will soft drinks, coffee, iced tea, and cold beer complete with souvenir festival mugs for the purchaser. 

Guests who are interested in staying the weekend to enjoy the historic city's other attractions including swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback rides, boat tours, glider and plane rides, an observation tower to climb, and shopping can stay in one of the town's hotels or for those interested there are also campgrounds, complete with RV parking areas for a modest fee.  There will also be a gigantic flea market set up over the weekend for bargain shopping, or visitors can set up their own table for only $10 a day. 

For any visitors who wish to come to Madison by plane, the City has an airport with a 2400-foot runway. There will be no charge for landing, and volunteers have been organized to handle plane parking. 

The Betterment Association of the Madison Area, Inc. is a non profit operation dedicated to maintaining the quality and atmosphere of the small town, and to raising money to enable future generations to do the same. For more information, visit the festival's website at MadisonAttractions.com. 

###

30 second story for broadcast (FINAL)

<***ANCHOR ON CAM***>

THE L.A. TIMES REPORTED YESTERDAY THAT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION IS BEING ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE POPULAR SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE --FACEBOOK-- ON SUSPICION THAT IS HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY TRACKING ITS USERS, EVEN AFTER THEY’RE LOGGED OFF THE SITE.

<***SOUND BITE: VIDEO OF JOE BARTON, LAWMAKER***>

When users log out on Facebook, they are under the expectation that Facebook is no longer monitoring their activities. We believe this impression should be the reality.

<***ANCHOR VOICE OVER B-ROLL- FACEBOOK USER SCREENSHOT***>

FACEBOOK SPOKESMEN COMMENTED THAT THERE IS NO SECURITY OR PRIVACY BREACH BEING MADE BY THE SITE... AND ANY POSSIBLE ISSUES WILL BE ADDRESSED AS THEY ARISE.

<***ANCHOR ON CAM***>

WHETHER OR NOT THESE CLAIMS ARE TRUE IS UNCOMFIRED. NO FORMAL INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME.

KSU student leads softball team to world series (Final Draft)

As Allison Griggs sits down in front of me at our café table, I cannot help but notice what a sharp contrast her demeanor seems to make in the quaint, laid-back atmosphere of the small establishment. Quiet music plays, and a few other customers read newspapers or surf the internet, but Griggs is still bubbling with excitement and seems unable to control her  volume. I’m beginning to wonder if coffee is really a good choice…

                Griggs is a Kennesaw State University student , currently studying biochemistry full time, while balancing two jobs and devoting countless hours to her real passion: women’s softball. She is ecstatic because  she knows that after our conversation she gets to go home, pack a bag, and fly down to Orlando with her division B team for a chance to win the Women’s Slow-pitch World Series at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The tournament is a prestigious, invitation only sporting event for the best teams across the nation.

Me: So I must say, you don’t seem the slightest bit nervous…

AG: Right? I’m sure I will be soon enough, but right now I’m just excited about getting to take a vacation AND play ball for a few days.

Me: Sounds pretty tiring- and this is still a vacation for you?

AG: It’s literally held inside Disney World. Were usually pretty worn out by the second day, but you do get some pretty long breaks between games depending on the bracket, so most days you can manage to find some time to get at least some portion of the whole Orlando experience.

Me: Looking forward to anything in particular?

AG: Oh yea. Definitely going to visit Hogwarts. (A Harry Potter-themed portion of the park)

Me: All witchcraft and wizardry aside, you seem to have a pretty full schedule. How does a full-time student/employee like yourself find the time to maintain a nationally competitive skill level?

AG: Honestly, it’s the most important thing on my plate for me. If you really love something, you’ll find the time to pursue it. Things do get pretty down-to-the-wire when I’ve got exams coming up, though. Luckily for me, softball practice comes as a welcome break from school work. It’s great for relieving stress from school and work, even if it’s just something as simple as hitting the batting cage for a half-hour or so.

Me: So after all this hard work and practice… is there any compensation for winning the upcoming series?

AG: Oh yeah. The top teams get cash prizes, top of the line bats and other gear, trophies- and all sorts of things. Hell, the experience itself is plenty.

Me: So if you had to give advice to other students in your position, balancing that kind of schedule, what would it be?

AG: I would say you’ve got to prioritize doing what you love. I don’t plan on making a career out of playing ball or anything, but it’s what keeps me sane, gets me through all the stress and studying and long shifts. Nothing is more important than taking a break from everything else…. Even if that break involves more hard work.

News story, final edit.

Storm damages adding up In all the right places

Local residents are still tallying up the extensive damage done after the severe thunder storms and tornadoes of the holiday weekend. 

Authorities have been relaying all the usual storm related news on television, including an estimated 11,000 homes left without power, over half of those homes, (approximately 6,400) are in the northwest region of Georgia, but the most important news from the storm, physical damage inflicted on the citizens themselves, seems to be the most difficult to find.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, the storm has, in it's entirety,  managed to injure only a single person. That's right- although there were numerous reports of trees falling into homes, only one such report has resulted in the injury of a citizen. Furthermore, Tropical Storm Lee's single victim was only hospitalized and his medical condition has been declared stable.

The only possible reported fatality is still unconfirmed, that of a metro Atlanta man who was reportedly swept away while attempting to cross a flooded creek. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has made a statement that the man was, in all probability, killed by the rushing waters, but his body has yet to be found. 

The real damage done seems to be to local businesses, including an estimated $300,000- $500,000 in property damages to Dixie Speedway reported by owner Mickey Swims. Swims claimed to have damages ranging from fallen bleachers and damaged vehicles, to a building on the compound missing it's roof. Eleven Alive News also reported barrier fences around the racetrack itself being uprooted. The total of the damage is unknown at this time.

The 25th annual "Art in the Park" festival in Marietta also suffered from the tornado watch this Labor Day, and although many residents and traveling artists alike still got to attend the event, local officials closed down the festivities four hours ahead of time according to the Marietta Daily Journal. 

It was also reported by WSBTV news that many school openings will be delayed on Tuesday. Ball Ground Elementary has lost power completely, and will remained closed until power is restored.

Tear gas set off inside local middle school

Authorities reported that a canister of tear gas was set off inside the Gregory Heights Middle School Tuesday morning resulting in the hospitalization of at least 48 students and faculty.

                Officials are still searching for the individuals responsible to the attack and claim to have the names of three possible suspects.

                Nguyen Do, an eighth grader at Gregory Heights said “I covered my mouth and ran out of the building. It’s Mace. I know that. It was a set-up to get out of class or something.”

                The Portland Fire Bureau reported that at least 48 children and two teachers were taken to a dozen Portland hospitals for treatment. Vomiting and a burning sensation in the lungs, nose, throat, and eyes were all reported reactions to the gas.

                “It was like walking into an irritating wall.” Said school Principal John Alkire.

                Richard Harder, one of the first paramedics on the scene, said there were several children on the ground on the front lawn of the school. Some were just coughing and/or vomiting, but others had more serious respiratory problems.

                Autumn Gierlich, a 13-year-old student suffering from asthma said “I got the stuff into my lungs, and I could barely breathe. I had to gasp for air. I was dizzy.”

               Students who were not affected by the fumes were sent home around 10:45 a.m. Classes are scheduled to resume at the normal time on Friday.

                “The kids are really upset. It’s just horrendous, whatever it was.” Carol Palumbo, an eighth-grade teacher said.

Storm damages adding up in all the right places

Local residents are still tallying up the extensive damages done after the severe storms and reported tornadoes of the holiday weekend. 

Authorities have been relaying all the usual storm related news on schedule, including an estimated 11,000 homes left without power, over half of which (approximately 6,400) are in the northwest region of the state, but the most important news from the storm, the damages done to the citizens themselves, seems to be the most difficult to find.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, in it's entirety, the storm has reportedly managed to injure all of one single person. That's right- although there were numerous reports of trees falling into homes, only one such report has resulted in the injury of a citizen. Furthermore, Tropical Storm Lee's single victim's injuries have not been reported fatal. 

In fact the only possible reported fatality is still unconfirmed, that of a Metro Atlanta man who was reportedly swept away while attempting to cross a flooded creek. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has made a statement presuming the man to have died in the flooding, but the man's body has yet to be recovered. 

The real damage done seems to be to local businesses, including an estimated $300,000- $500,000 in property damages reported by Dixie Speedway owner Mickey Swims. Swims claimed to have damages ranging from fallen bleachers and damaged vehicles to a building on the compound missing it's roof. 11 Alive News also reported barrier fences around the racetrack itself being uprooted, the actual sum of the damage is unknown at this time.

The 25th annual "Art in the Park" festival in Marietta also suffered from the tornado watch this Labor Day, and although residents and traveling artists alike still got to attend the event, local officials closed down the festivities a full four hours ahead of time according to the Marietta Daily Journal. 

It was also reported by WSBTV news that although many school openings will be delayed on Tuesday, Ball Ground Elementary School has lost power completely, and will remained closed until the issue is solved.