Decision time finally awaits Jodi Arias

Editorial by Ashley Heil

Jodi Arias’ previous jury was unable to agree if she should be sentenced to a lifetime behind bars or if she should be given the death sentence for the gruesome way she murdered Travis Alexander in 2008.

Under the Arizona law this means a new jury will be chosen and then the case will continue to move forward but this process could take months before the final decision is reached.  Therefore, the time and money invested in it would be counterproductive for the state of Arizona as well as potentially end her opportunity to help others the way she has from behind bars.

This case continues to be prolonged because the prosecutors have nothing to lose.   According to worldnew.com the case has cost Arizona taxpayers more than $1.7 million so far.   The Arizona Department of Corrections reported it costs $24,805 per year to keep a house a prisoner.  This means that $1.7 million would cover the Mrs. Aria’s prison related costs for 80 more years if she lived that long.

Why should Jodi Arias fate be determined by someone other than herself? Who has the right to decide who should live and die in this world? Especially since most murders throughout the USA are automatically sentenced to life in prison bypassing the death penalty. Since 1976 the Death penalty Information Center recorded that only 34 people have been executed in the state of Arizona where Arias is on trial.

The only reason Jodi Arias’ case is different than all other murder cases is because it was considered cruel, heinous, and depraved which under the Arizona court of law calls for the death sentence to be an option. At the beginning of the trail Mrs. Arias was found lying multiple times about the death and her presence and told the police in 2008, “If I killed Travis I would beg for the death penalty.”

On the 21st of May 2013 Jodi pleaded for the death sentence stating that death was the ultimate escape and then she would finally be free. According to the USA Today on May 24th Arias states, “Though I meant it, I lacked perspective, to me life in prison was the most unappealing outcome….but as I stand here now, I cannot in good conscience ask you to sentence me to death because of them,” she said as she pointed to her family.

Other than for financial reasons there are many benefits to seeing her live. Since going to jail she has been selling t-shirts to raise money for domestically abused patients and she would like to offer classes to help the victims. She also has donated hair to Locks of Love and will continue to do so throughout her time behind bars. Finally she wants to be able to teach other inmates Spanish and make herself useful to the community. Today Arias wishes she had not met Alexander because then she would be free to live her life as a future wife and mother.

Infant buried alive

Photo borrowed from Fiji Time

A miracle recently occurred when Solomon Island infant survives being buried alive in Honiara on the 22nd of May 2013.  The baby was discovered by Frank Misi around 6:30 am.  The Solomons Star reported a few quotes that Mr. Misi said about his discovery of the child.  "An old vehicle tire was also placed on top of the fresh pit.  I took a spade, removed the tire and started digging." he said.  Until finally he discovered a baby's hand that popped through the shallow grave.  "The innocent infant stuck the hand out as if it was begging to live."  The discovery of the baby was truly a miracle and the fact that the infant still had the umbilical cord attached to her was one of the core reasons for her survival.

Please feel free to read more about this child's story:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/8700142/Baby-girl-suvives-burial

Life as a journalist is not always easy

Image of tear gas taken from
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tear-gas 

Everyday journalists around the world put their lives in danger to ensure that the people throughout the world have access to the latest news.

On the 28th of May 2013 approximately 20 journalists from Uganda (Africa) who were trying to report about the media crackdown protest that was taking place in the capital found themselves in a mist of tear gas.  The gas was being administered by the Ugandan police force.

Tear gas causes irritation of the mucous membranes throughout ones eyes, nose, and mouth.  These reactions can cause symptoms from sneezing to temporary blindness.

The deputy police spokesman Patrick Onyango mentioned that the these journalists were not suppose to be reporting on this event and that is why they were sprayed with tear gas.

Feel free to read more about this case:

http://www.euronews.com/newswires/1972014-ugandan-police-fire-tear-gas-at-journalists-protesting-crackdown/

My Fijian Experiences

This video emphasizes a small portion of all the fun and exciting things I have been able to experience here in the Fiji Islands.  I know when I leave I will miss the people I have met in Fiji and hope to see most of the again in the future.  As an international student I would encourage anyone who is thinking about studying abroad to just take advantage of the opportunities and try to emerge yourself into the culture.  Where ever you may be live your life with no regrets!!

Migrants and refugees are placed in undesirable situations

Unspoken cruelties in Syria leaves many in life threatening situations.
Photo taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22622467.

Migrants throughout Syria are being forced into abusive situations, including slavery and sexual abuse.  Since 2011 Syrians have been fighting a civil war against their government.  More than 70,000 lives have been taken from conflicts during this time and another 1.5 million Syrians have crossed boarders in attempt to live a better life.  The Syrian Civil War was started because most Syrians do not feel the same family should be able to run the country for as long as they have.  Syria's President Bashar al-Assad's family has been in power since 1971.  It is the people who support a new government and a new way of life who are in danger.

Should prints cease to exist

YESTERDAY'S KNOWLEDGE
                 Photo of a print news paper taken from
               http://pacific.scoop.conz/tag/wansolwara 

Each and everyday hundreds of people around the world have adapted the idea of the internet being their main connection to the outside world.  Today more than 300,000,000 United States of America's citizens are using computers on a daily bases.  So why do prints exist and will they continue in the future?  It seems as though many believe that prints will become extinct during our lifetime. 

Bradley Wilson who used to work for Microsoft stated "newspapers will vanish from the market shelves by 2050."  This idea may seem far fetched for some but consider the fact that 48 percent of the people over the age of 68 read the printed newspaper verse, and only 6 percent of the 18-24 age group read the printed news.  These figures show the potential of internet being the main source of communication.

Currently, 12 percent of Americans use only the internet for gathering and reading about the news, this number continues to increase at a rate of 2 percent per year.  The online environment allows people to access information for a cheaper price.  Imagine how much cheaper things would be if you never had to pay for another newspaper, book, magazine or transportation costs for these items.  

Imagine instead of having a room full of books, all your books would be neatly organized in a 1"by 9" reader.  We can conclude that technology is not about to stop evolving and neither are the consumers, do you think prints will cease to exist in 2050?

Oklahoma tornado leaves many devastated

Oklahoma tornado leaves many homes  a wreck.
Photo from www.nytimes.com.

Oklahoma teachers are carrying their students away from the school after the tornado struck.
 Photo from NBCnews.com.

The 20th of May will hardly be a day to forget for most who live in Moore, Oklahoma. NBC News announced that "A little girl was lifted out by rescuers while a small boy was carried to a triage area by a woman who face was streaked with dirt and etched with worry."  At least 7 of the school children have been confirmed dead and offered a vigil Monday night; another 70 students are in the hospital suffering damages from the tornado.  In addition the hospital is taking care of 70 adults and 44 adult deaths have been confirmed.  Monday night the National Guard went through the collapse school building with cameras that detect body heat in attempt to find the rest of the missing children.

Please read the article and watch the video provided by: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/20/18381078-7-children-found-dead-at-oklahoma-school-wrecked-by-tornado-officials-say?lite

At this time people should pray for the families of the lost ones and hope that the missing people are found.  Anyone can make a $10 donation to the Oklahoma Red Cross by texting 90999.

Innocent until proven guilty

Photo provided from Simon Parry http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/
1237843/air-pacific-accused-hypocrisy-over-shark-fins-cargo

One of the largest Fiji company’s Air Pacific is being accused of transporting shark fins from Pacific countries to Hong Kong.   Is this true?  Everything we read about makes it seem like it could be true the only thing ever single site is missing is a proven guilty part.  Not a single site can say they are guilty and here are the facts.  They all state that it seems like they are guilty. 

Under the court of law on is innocent until proven guilty.  So as of now it is only a potential believe that Fiji’s number one airline Air Pacific is carrying shark fins on their planes and that is supposedly the reason why Air Pacific can fly planes that do not meet full compacity.

Critics state that shark fining is still legal in Fiji and that local fishermen are becoming part of this trade because shark fins are worth as much as $300 a pound.  Though if this were true why would Fiji have joined the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species in April 2013?  Also why would Air Pacific support a program with Hong Kong’s shark protection group and fund a newly-wed couple a trip to Fiji.  So was it all just a cover-up to make it look like the company is innocent?  No one knows for sure yet.

Though it is suspicious that Air Pacific CEO, Dave Pflieger is leaving Air Pacific in May after his three year contract ends.  The reason this is suspicious is because articles state that Fiji has increased cargo load from 45 tonnes to over 1000 tonnes in shipments to Hong Kong since 2009 and according to Air Pacific website “Mr. Pflieger led a 360 degree review and restructure of an ailing Air Pacific, financially putting the carrier back on its feet by reversing record losses,”  stated Air Pacific site online.  http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/air-pacific-charts-its-future-course-as-a-rebranded-fiji-airways-when-md-dave-pflieger-departs-101339

The problem stems from the fact that the seats on these fights to Hong Kong are not full so where is all this extra weight coming from if it’s not from more people?  If you look at shark populations research projects you will see that shark population have declined by more than 70-90% in the past few years and they continue to decline everywhere through Fiji.

What are your thoughts is something fishy going on?  Is Air Pacific guilty or is someone just trying to get them in trouble?    

What one will do to try to avoid death

"The last thing he saw before he lapsed into unconsciousness.... was the blade coming to his throat," Martinez said.  "And the last thing he felt before he left this earth was pain." USA Today reported.

Body of Travis Alexander.  Photo from
http://men-factor.blogspot.com/2013/02/quick
-break-from-black-history-month.htm

Jodi Arias proven of murder and mutilating
her ex-boyfriend Photo taken from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-2254933

Travis Alexander was a salesman in his 20's when his life would be cut short. On June 4th, 2008 Travis Alexander was both mutilated and then murdered by his ex-girlfriend Jodi Arias.  From the photo you can see that his throat was slit.  In addition to this he was stabbed more than 20 times and shot with a .25 caliber gun.  

On May 28th, 2008 Jodi Arias already had plotted ideas for killing Alexander when she stole a gun from her grandparents house.  But at the time no one knew she stole the gun they thought someone else robbed them.  She would have gotten away with this crime except when she tried to destroy the camera she erased the images but cops were able to restore the lost images and she claimed she last saw Alexander in April 2008 but rather the images showed images of the two of them together on June 4th, 2008 and one even showed images of Alexander bleeding.  In addition she had multiple cuts on her arms and continued to tell people different stories about how she got the cuts.  Then when confronted by the cops she told them three different stories about his death.  One was that she was not with him, the second was two intruders broke in and murdered him and attacked her, and lastly she stated she killed him in self defense.  By this time she has proven herself guilty.     

Now it is 2013 and Jodi Arias is being tried by courts in California for the death of Travis Alexander for the final time.  On May 8th she was convicted by all 12 jurors of murder first-degree premeditated murder and then 7 of the same also charged her with felony murder.  California courts are one of the few in the United States that allow the death penalty to occur.  

For Arias she might just get her very wish.  This is what she said during her latest trial, "Longevity runs in my family, and I don't want to spend the rest of my natural life in one place," a tearful Arias said.  "I believe death is the ultimate freedom, and I'd rather have my freedom as soon as I can get it."  

What do you think should happen, should Arias get her wish and be sentenced to death for her crime or live her life in jail wishing she was dead but having to live with other murders for the crime she committed?  Keep in mind for every person in prison it cost approximately $42,000 tax payers dollars a year to keep them in prison?  

Please read more about this cases:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/16/jodi-arias-sentencing/2165197

History in Progress

Photo provided by http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/us-navy-launches-stealth-drone-x-47b-makes-aviation-history

The United States military makes history.  On May 14th for the first time a military drone the size of a fighter jet X-47B saw air without a pilot inside, total cost was $1.4 billion US dollars to create.  What does this mean?  This could mean that more military pilots will survive battles in the future because they are not needed inside these jets but without these machines being run by pilots how will they know who to aim their missiles at?  Is  the idea of having these types of aircraft's good or bad?  Some say this is a good thing because it would be able to shot down missiles without putting a human life in danger where others say its not a good thing because how does this machine know what people are good or bad because it has no detection of individuals whereas a pilot might be able to see a soldiers uniform or know where not to aim its missiles at because of commands from their generals back home.  There is one major drawback to this idea and that is the idea that if the computer system would be hacked then the fighter jet could potentially become a major threat to its own nation.

Here's a clip from The New Zealand Herald:
The new Joint Strike Fighter jet "might be the last manned fighter the US ever build.  They're so expensive, they're so complex, and you put a human at risk every time it take off from a carrier," said James Lewis, senior fellow at the Centre for Stategic and International Studies in Washington.

Right now it might not be far enough along in the process to decide whether this is a good or a bad thing but I want to know what readers are thinking from both the United State prospective and from another countries prospective?

Baby murdered

Franklin County Sheriff Jeff Richards said in a statement that remains recovered in eastern Kansas on Saturday are believed to those of Lana-Leigh Bailey, a child authorities previously reported as presumed dead. Picture provided from:http://www.kctv5.com/story/22227511/body-found-believed-to-be-missing-toddler

Kansas baby Lana-Leigh Bailey was found dead only a few short days after her 21-year old mother was murdered along with two other men. The adult bodies were found early May but the baby's body was just discovered on May 11th in Osage County, Kansas.

Please read more: http://www.kctv5.com/story/22227511/body-found-believed-to-be-missing-toddler

Its tragic to say that someone would think of committing a crime like this.  What was he thinking?  Did he not realize all the people who have and will continue to suffer from this horrifying act.  Its not just everyone who knows the victims but affected the police officers most with families of there own, and the nation as a whole.  Everyone was worried and parents were grateful that their children are safe but this is terrifying for all.  As a parent how can we protect the most important people in our lives when we are not safe ourselves?  No one knew that when they seen Lana and her mom in April it would be the last time.  Why would anyone murder a baby? What was the motive for doing such a horrific act?  

Kyle Flank was in jail for 4 years and released in 2009 for attempting to murder his old boss after being fired and now he is out there killing innocent people.  The good news is that there is a $10 million bond on Flank and he will be trialed at court in a few weeks which could put him behind bars for good and save other people from becoming his next victim.

Open-minded

Photo provided by: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=where
+electronics+end+up&view=detail&id

Have you ever thought about what happens to your electronics when you choose to upgrade and just leave your old ones behind?  Most people would be surprised to find out that millions of perfectly functional electronically devices are left to die in landfills more than 4.6 million tonnes ended up in land fills before the year 2000.  So why don't more people utilize the electronics they have if they still work?  The reason is because electronic companies are promoting people to buy new electronics when they really don't need the new electronic device but if they choose not to upgrade all of that persons peers will judge them.  We see this a lot, think about one time you were peer pressured into doing something you did not want to do or forced to buy sometime you did not need because everyone you knew owned sometime and you were left out?  That's exactly what happens with electronics.
Please look at the cycle of electrons provided by:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/electronics/the-e-waste-problem/where-does-e-waste-end-up
Even though we can see time continually changing and today people can own multiple personal electronics devices that does not mean that people should always be upgrading these devices every time something new comes out but rather they should consider how the environment and other nations are being affected by this constant upgrading of electronics.  Example it creates jobs in other nations but uses more resources and pollutes more air and damages land where land fills are.  Instead of throwing out a electronic device that still works or donate it to a program that will provide people who are unable to afford electronics with them.
Examples of place to donate include:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4580223_donate-electronics.html.

Abduction

Photo provided by Fox 7 News Facebook page

Have you ever imagined what it must be like to meet your loved one after they have been reported missing for 10 years?  Most would have thought that with this much time in between the abduction and now these three women would never been seen again and no one imagined finding all three at the same time. 

Just two days ago on Monday May 6^th three women were found in Cleveland Ohio where they were held hostage for the past 10 years of their lives.  It is very sad that such a thing would happen and the worst part is they were only miles from their houses and their families for all these years. Currently the courts are trying to figure out if the man in charge of the abduction was originally their bus driver when they were students. 

Please read the news story about these women:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10041410/Ohio-abduction-three-women-found-alive-as-it-happened.html

Please go one step further and listen to the 911 call Amanda Berry made after her escape from abduction.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/national_world&id=9093010

It’s sad to see what our world is coming to every 40 seconds in the United States at least one person is abducted.  EVERY 40 SECONDS! That is scary and shameful.  Why would someone every do this, abduct a person?  We will never know why someone would abduct someone else’s child but it happens.  As parents we need to make sure that we are keeping our children safe and away from harm. 

Other facts about child abductions are stated below:

http://www.parents.com/kids/safety/stranger-safety/child-abduction-facts/

We also need to be grateful for journalists for gathering the facts and allowing us citizens to read these stories.  As a nation if we want to be stronger we need to work together and ensure each other’s children are safe.  If everyone did this abduction would cease to exist.  As a parent it is your job to know what your children are doing and who they are with at all times.  Keep in mind that today most young people have cell phones, as a parent this can be an advantage because you child could call for help or better yet if they are abducted we can track their phone to wherever they are with modern technology.  Let’s promise to use technology to our advantage and help save our nation’s youth.

Should citizen journalism be credited at the same level as professional journalism?

    

Image from www.onextrapixel.com

This article was about Steve Jobs the president of apple electronics where a citizen posted information about his death on CNN's I-report.  This is a prime example of a citizen journalist posting something that a journalist would have never posted.  First off a journalist would have had it confirmed the death before releasing to the public that Steve Jobs was dead.  Secondly, a journalist would have contacted his immediate family before releasing the data to the public.  Imagine finding out that your loved one died through a website to only later find out that it was all fake.  

This would not happen if a profession journalist would have covered the story or would have it?  Check this out, play the video and see this for yourself:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/new-york-post-photo-subway_n_2237300.html

The first story should not have been released but at least we can try to understand that this person was only a citizen and does not have to follow as many rules and regulations as a professional journalist but what about the second one?  What happened?  This was how his wife and son found out about his death.  Was this appropriate?  What should have been done?  Do you feel this image should have even been released and on the front cover of New York Post. 

When the event occurred in November 2012 many people were shocked to see this image on the front cover of their paper.  The thing that seemed to shock people even more than this image was the fact that the camera man was a professional journalist and choose to take pictures of this man right before he died instead of helping him out of the subway.  People were straight out appalled when they found out the photographer sold these pictures to other companies for person gain and did not go as far as to contact the family or ask for permission to use these images.   

If a citizen can produce the same quality of journalistic work then why can't they be credited at the same level?  There are many reasons why.  The first reason is because journalists need to follow the media creed and a code of ethics.  Part of this code ensures that the journalist will not release something that is inappropriate for the public to view.  

     

Please take a quick look at this article:

http://seekingalpha.com/article/98447-steve-jobs-fake-heart-attack-courtesy-of-cnn

Wansolwara goes viral

Wansolwara Online (Fijian Style)

     The organization that I am writing for just launched their new online     newspaper called Wansolwara.  Wansolwara is an entirely student driven newspaper that is attempting to beat the main stream media when it comes to publishing current news.  Most of the articles revolve around local and regional issues that occur in Fiji and the South Pacific but there will occasional be publications of international issues.  I know how much work has gone into creating this website and how much effort we as students put into this program to ensure that our readers are always reading new current news.  I would encourage everyone to check out their website at http://www.wansolwara.org.    

    

 Below I have linked my first article that is featured in the paper.  

http://www.wansolwara.org/student-participation.html

    Please comment in this blog about the differences you see in the writing style from this paper and what your are used to back from your home countries.  Also express what you like and dislike about the website.

Evolving Times!

     Most people who were alive in 1984 would have never expected technology to advance at such a rapid pace.  On the right there is a picture of a 1984 Macintosh computer. Gathered from, http://www.old-computers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp

A Macintosh computer from 1984
            

TID=5658&OB=DESC.  Very few people who purchased this type of computer ever imagined a day when they could access the internet much less access the internet by phone, I-pods, or even laptops.  Owners of this computer were just glad to be able to own a computer where they were able to make changes on different pages of a document without having to retype pages all time like they had to with the typewriter.  Please view the timeline of technology evolution below.
http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/events-timelines/12-technology-timeline.htm
   From this we can see that technology has and will continue to change at lighting speeds.  No one ever imagined that by 2013 almost everything would be conducted electronically from shopping to banking.  Its hard to believe but today internet can be accessed from anywhere in the world, even the poorest nations have access to the internet.  
    The advancements technology has been making has made a journalists job more difficult because the journalist must make sure they are able to beat there competition the punch.  Just imagine in the past century we have gone through such technological challenges to getting the news out, originally it started off as word of mouth, than the printing press was created, followed by news being spread through film and Radio, than through television the biggest break through coming with computers and the internet search engines making information instant to all, how the media adapted thorough all this has been pretty remarkable but when you look at it more closely we can see that some of these technologies such as the internet has made it harder for journalists to keep there jobs because more news papers and magazines are starting to disappear due to the fact that the same information is available through the internet for free.  
     Why would someone want to pay for the same information they can access for free?  Sites have realized this and today they have started charging for their services but people are just getting the information from other sources.  Such as social media networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instant Messenger.  This means if journalists want to be successful they must be telling their readers something they cannot just get for free somewhere else making it more challenging then when only print versions existed.

Lifetime Experiences

     Greetings everyone! My name is Ashley and I am an international student studying at the University of South Pacific Fiji. I have been living in Fiji for the past few months of my life and now I am working on creating a blog that will highlight some of the biggest challenges myself and other international students have endured since arriving in Fiji and how we have managed to overcome these challenges.

      First I would like to start by providing you with some background information about the Fijian culture.

Please visit the following links to gain background information about the Fijian culture.

http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Fiji.html 

http://blog.captaincook.com.fj/interesting-facts-fijian-culture/

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to learn more about the Fijian culture. 

      Most people who have traveled abroad would agree that they have two choices when they choose to go to another county.  They can either choose to submerge themselves into a new culture or choose not to.  As an international traveler I firmly believe that if someone wants to get the most out of their international experience they must study the culture ahead of time and be willing to try new things.  When learning about a new culture one must realize what is acceptable in their culture may be different then in their home countries.