Jordan Swerid
February 26, 2010
A major debate that has been going on for over a decade in Maine includes the cross-border tensions between Canadian and Maine logging. Loggers from Maine feel that Canadians are stealing jobs away from them and that it is unfair to the Maine loggers to be unemployed and out of jobs. On the other hand, Canadians are just trying to make an honest living. The debate is of course about who is actually correct or if there is a correct answer to the problem.
In 1998, the debate really began heating up again since it was previously heavily debated in 1974. When one resident from Maine was asked about his goal coming into the debate, he said, “We want Canadians out of the northern Maine woods (2).” One unidentified Canadian said outright, “This is not right, (2)” while traveling near the border on October 20, 1998. This resulted in a blockade at the border by American loggers. However, this was not the first time it was attempted. “We tried this in 1974 and got very little. You’re wasting your time,” said American trucker Nelson Dubay, waving his arms for effect while talking to other Americans at the blockade (2). Since then, both sides have just gotten angrier.
On August 6, 2009, an article written by Susan Sharon suggested the same type of information just eleven years later. A study done by the Aroostook County showed that there are approximately 100 Maine loggers that are unemployed. There is a Federal law that was made to stop this from happening but Maine loggers believe that it is not being forced well enough. “I’ve lost two jobs because of the bonded labor in the past year here,” says Steve Hafford (4). “By law, the hiring of foreign workers cannot adversely affect their U.S. counterparts. But Hafford says that’s what exactly is taking place (4).” Basically, there is not enough room for both sides to be happy. Americans believe that by law, Canadians should go home because it legally says that they can not displace U.S. workers. Steve Hafford is extra bitter about the situation because he has over one million dollars of heavy logging equipment sitting in his yard right now as we speak. After applying for sixteen different jobs in the area, only four gave him a call back saying they had no work and the other twelve never responded back. Everything is going against the logging market right now. The paper industry is hurting, there are many layoffs with closures of mills, the market is depressed, and terrible weather conditions have all played a significant factor (4).
As for now, Mainers will continue applying for jobs and hoping things will turn around for them. The Canadians will also do what they are doing to earn an honest living. In conclusion, laws and rules must be made and/or enforced to stop this ongoing debate and put it in the past.
Websites Used:
1.http://www.maine.gov/portal/search?q=cache:WICr5huI83cJ:www.maine.gov/legis/house/records/121hrec/20030523.doc+Canadian+Loggers&access=p&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&client=test_collection&proxystylesheet=test_collection&oe=UTF-8
2. http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/137426.html
3. (http://www.forestecologynetwork.org/bdn1020.htm)
4.(http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/8540/Default.aspx)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
UMaine Attempts to Fire Back Up Against Opposition UMass Lowell
FOR RELEASE at 7 a.m. February 19, 2010
For Further Information, Contact Jordan Swerid: jmkswerid@hotmail.com
After coming off an impressive six game unbeaten streak, the Black Bears traveled to Boston, Massachusetts last weekend to face off against Boston University. Although Maine had the season’s momentum going, it was quickly shut down by Boston University. Maine lost quite handily by the scores of 7-4 and 5-2. Boston University won the Season Series 2-1.
This weekend’s match includes two very strong and competitive teams. Maine comes in with a record of 14-11-3 on the season and 11-8-2 in Hockey East play. UMass Lowell enters the weekend with a record of 15-13-2 overall and 9-10-2 in Hockey East play. Maine won the first time these two teams faced off by taking the game 3-1. Tanner House led the way with a pair of goals along with a goal from Adam Shemansky.
It is expected that both teams will play a very physical game to start off the weekend series. The Black Bears need to finish strong in the concluding six games of the season. If they want to finish the season ranked (they are currently ranked 15), they must get a few solid wins the rest of the way. UMaine finishes the season with two tough games against Merrimack next weekend in North Andover, Massachusetts and also another tough two-game set vs. UMass Amherst.
The Keys to Success for UMaine This Weekend:
UMaine must key on limiting turnovers. Last weekend against Boston University, the Black Bears continuously turned the puck over and put starting goalie, Scott Darling, in a number of poor opportunities. They must protect the fast break offense and slow down University of Massachusetts Lowell’s puck movement. Offensively, the Black Bears need more puck control and they should attempt to use the points more effectively. If they can accomplish these key things, the Black Bears will get back on a roll heading into the conclusion of the season.
For Further Information, Contact Jordan Swerid: jmkswerid@hotmail.com
After coming off an impressive six game unbeaten streak, the Black Bears traveled to Boston, Massachusetts last weekend to face off against Boston University. Although Maine had the season’s momentum going, it was quickly shut down by Boston University. Maine lost quite handily by the scores of 7-4 and 5-2. Boston University won the Season Series 2-1.
This weekend’s match includes two very strong and competitive teams. Maine comes in with a record of 14-11-3 on the season and 11-8-2 in Hockey East play. UMass Lowell enters the weekend with a record of 15-13-2 overall and 9-10-2 in Hockey East play. Maine won the first time these two teams faced off by taking the game 3-1. Tanner House led the way with a pair of goals along with a goal from Adam Shemansky.
It is expected that both teams will play a very physical game to start off the weekend series. The Black Bears need to finish strong in the concluding six games of the season. If they want to finish the season ranked (they are currently ranked 15), they must get a few solid wins the rest of the way. UMaine finishes the season with two tough games against Merrimack next weekend in North Andover, Massachusetts and also another tough two-game set vs. UMass Amherst.
The Keys to Success for UMaine This Weekend:
UMaine must key on limiting turnovers. Last weekend against Boston University, the Black Bears continuously turned the puck over and put starting goalie, Scott Darling, in a number of poor opportunities. They must protect the fast break offense and slow down University of Massachusetts Lowell’s puck movement. Offensively, the Black Bears need more puck control and they should attempt to use the points more effectively. If they can accomplish these key things, the Black Bears will get back on a roll heading into the conclusion of the season.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
First Year Residency Interview
Matt Finer, a current Freshman at the University of Maine, Orono discussed many first year resident opinions, experiences, and how he became a “Black Bear” in an interview with me on February 9, 2010. The major topics we discussed in the interview dealt with family, grades, sports, and dorm life.
Mr. Finer applied to four schools for his education this fall and was respectively accepted by two. The second school he got accepted to besides the University of Maine was Penn State in Pennsylvania. There were a few reasons he chose not to go to Penn State over the University of Maine but the biggest reason was the size of the school. Mr. Finer felt that Penn State was too big (population wise) while the University of Maine was the “right size for him.” One of the other major reasons he came here was because his brother goes to school here. However, they do not live together. Matt lives in Gannett Hall while his brother, Andrew, lives in the Senior Apartments.
Gannett Hall has many positives and negatives to it for Mr. Finer. He is content living with his roommate and often calls him his “brother”. They get along most of the time and are often seen together outside of Gannett. However, Mr. Finer does not appreciate some of the things his roommate does. He said, “I don’t like cleaning up all his stuff but we’re great friends.” Another thing Matt does not like about “Dorm Life” is how dirty the bathrooms get on weekends. Since they only get cleaned Monday through Friday, Saturdays and Sundays can get quite dirty.
School is very important to Matt and his family. Both of his parents have Bachelor Degrees and his brother, as stated before, is close to getting his own. Matt’s current major is Financial Economics; he said, “I enjoy working with numbers and money.” He has been enjoying the extra challenges and hard work that college has brought him. Although his Grade Point Average is lower in University, he feels that he has learned a lot more already this year than he did in previous years in high school.
Along with school, Matt plays a variety of sports at the University of Maine. He plays Club Football and Intramural Football, Basketball, and Floor Hockey. Matt said, “Sports keep me active and physically fit.” If he ever has any time to relax and just sit back, he plays NHL 10 or Madden on XBOX 360.
All in all, Mr. Finer is enjoying the University of Maine and his first year as a resident here. There is not too much he would change about his daily life and finds the University of Maine a “nice campus“. He also said that he feels “safe” here and does not plan on transferring to a different school any time in the near future. To conclude the interview, Matt finished by saying, “It’s cool being a Black Bear.”
Jordan Swerid
February 10, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
R.I.P.?
Article Link: http://www.wmtw.com/video/22459335/index.html
(403 Word Count)
I chose to watch a newscast online and got results of a woman who had died after “secretly attempting to give birth to triplets.” The results came from a news site out of Portland, Maine. The sad news came on Tuesday morning when the woman’s mother found her at home dead from bleeding to death; the woman was only twenty-six years old.
I gave special attention to this article because I wanted to see what kind of information would be put in the report and what would be kept out of the report. Since it is an article about an unfortunate death, opportunities arise that could either make this report a good one or a bad one that people would feel uncomfortable watching. I think that the reporters did a good job saying the basic information and not getting to in depth with information. However, I do feel that the tone of the report was directed negatively toward the woman who died.
The reason I get the vibe that the tone is negative is because from the beginning, the reporter is using words that give the situation a negative tone. He uses words like “hunch,” “hide,” and “bled to death.” All of these words instantly make listeners (or watchers) feel uncomfortable with the situation and give less respect to the woman who died. The report also included a doctor who explained how it was nearly impossible for the woman not to have known that she was pregnant. I think it would have been more respectful for them not to have incorporated that into the report.
If I were to have written the report, I would have made it with a much more somber tone and made it a little more respectful to the woman who passed away and her family. I would have also got rid of the doctor’s little piece in the report. If anything, I would have included a doctor who reported that it was possible for her to not have known she was pregnant. Although it may not have been likely, I just think it would be more respectful to a person and family to do that. People should respectfully pass away and the family should not have to worry about their being so many questions left up in the air. The report was done mostly in past tense and in this case that was the necessary form of reporting.
I also recognized that news scripts are like fifth grade level vocabulary/reading. The sentences are very short and simple. This allows them to be easier to understand what is going on. The language is very direct and usually involves very little connotation. News casts are simple in a complex kind of way!
Jordan Swerid
February 4, 2010
(403 Word Count)
I chose to watch a newscast online and got results of a woman who had died after “secretly attempting to give birth to triplets.” The results came from a news site out of Portland, Maine. The sad news came on Tuesday morning when the woman’s mother found her at home dead from bleeding to death; the woman was only twenty-six years old.
I gave special attention to this article because I wanted to see what kind of information would be put in the report and what would be kept out of the report. Since it is an article about an unfortunate death, opportunities arise that could either make this report a good one or a bad one that people would feel uncomfortable watching. I think that the reporters did a good job saying the basic information and not getting to in depth with information. However, I do feel that the tone of the report was directed negatively toward the woman who died.
The reason I get the vibe that the tone is negative is because from the beginning, the reporter is using words that give the situation a negative tone. He uses words like “hunch,” “hide,” and “bled to death.” All of these words instantly make listeners (or watchers) feel uncomfortable with the situation and give less respect to the woman who died. The report also included a doctor who explained how it was nearly impossible for the woman not to have known that she was pregnant. I think it would have been more respectful for them not to have incorporated that into the report.
If I were to have written the report, I would have made it with a much more somber tone and made it a little more respectful to the woman who passed away and her family. I would have also got rid of the doctor’s little piece in the report. If anything, I would have included a doctor who reported that it was possible for her to not have known she was pregnant. Although it may not have been likely, I just think it would be more respectful to a person and family to do that. People should respectfully pass away and the family should not have to worry about their being so many questions left up in the air. The report was done mostly in past tense and in this case that was the necessary form of reporting.
I also recognized that news scripts are like fifth grade level vocabulary/reading. The sentences are very short and simple. This allows them to be easier to understand what is going on. The language is very direct and usually involves very little connotation. News casts are simple in a complex kind of way!
Jordan Swerid
February 4, 2010
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