Clear Cutting - An Environmental Disaster

-- Jordan Swerid
April 29, 2010

Clear-cutting forests is by far one of the most controversial timber harvesting techniques in the northern hemisphere. For more than a century now, changes in the northern New England tree harvesting companies have become vast and many people have been left scratching their heads. However, since the beginning of the 1970’s, clear-cutting forests has become both a very successful way for tree-harvesting businesses to make money fast and also cause an environmental disaster.
There are many reasons why clear cutting forests should not be taking place. Some of these include: (1)Clear cutting can cause unstable soil cohesion resulting in mass landslides. (2)Clear cutting without replanting seeds to help re-grow forests is terrible for the environment (includes animal people, etc.). (3)The largest argument about clear cutting is that the rate of time it takes to clear cut an area versus the rate of re-growth is at such a decreasing rate, it takes forests too long to re-grow. (4)Also, by losing trees, it causes us to breathe in less clean air. The only real reason why we do clear-cut forests is because we are living in an era with rapid population increase and we are confined to using up more resources. We also look for projects that can get money fast and efficiently.
Numbers in different areas of North America support the argument. In Nova Scotia, Canada, nearly two square kilometers of forests were clear cut every day. Also, clear cutting accounted for 98.9 % of forest area harvested in Nova Scotia in 1997 and 1998. However, in the United States, there has been some good news. Trees in the U.S. are growing 2–4 times as fast as their long-term norm. Smithsonian researchers measured a series of forest plots at different stages of growth from 5 to 225 years of age. They found that more than 90 percent of the trees grew 2-4 times faster over the past 20 years than predicted from baseline growth rates. This is all great news, but as reported before, clear-cutting is a swift process. Trees get cut down in a matter of seconds. Even if a tree were to grow back to its original size in twenty years (which would be extremely fast), that’s twenty years of treeless or barely treed land.
The last major impact that clear cutting has on the environment is one that is talked about so much now in the present. It is of course, Global Warming. Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. If clear cutting continues, the risk of global warming having a higher impact on the earth will continue. It’s an ongoing cycle that needs to be put to a stop soon.
Clear cutting is a major factor in the timber industry today. For us to just completely "clear cut" it from our way of collecting timber is not possible. We need to find a more productive way so we can save our environment before we hit a spot that we can not come back from. Globally, clear cutting is a major issue to every person here on our earth.


Sites Used:
http://www.clearcutnovascotia.ca/stats.htm
http://www.cfact.org/a/1725/Why-are-US-trees-growing-faster

UMaine Club Programs Square-Off for Bragging Rights

Jordan Swerid
April 13, 2010

On April 11, 2010, the University of Maine Club Football Team played against the University of Maine Club Baseball Team in a “bragging rights” type of game. The game was played at 2:00 p.m. on Mahaney Diamond; however, most players were taking warm-ups and stretching out by 12:30 p.m. Since most of the football players hadn’t thrown a baseball since high school and many of the baseball players hadn’t thrown since the fall, both teams were trying to get the rust off before the game started. In what seemed would be an easy win for the University of Maine Club Baseball Team, the Maine Club Football Team decided early on that it was going to be no “walk in the park” for the Club Baseball Black Bears.

The game started with a very strong performance by the Club Black Bear’s pitcher John Frey. He was throwing heat and bending curve balls that kept the Club Football’s players guessing. Frey left the game after three innings on his own will, just giving up one hit, one walk, and two runs on errors. Those two runs on errors proved to be costly as Frey’s counterpart, Steve Siviski from the Club Football Team blew past the Club Baseball team’s lineup. Steve, and younger brother Scott (catcher), went seven strong innings of one hit baseball. Steve dominated the game with strikeout after strikeout behind solid defensive plays from his infield.

As the older Siviski began heating up, so did the Club Football Black Bear’s offense. They scored one run off pitcher Harry Austin, one run off Brandon Rexford, and two runs off pitcher Jeremy Levine. Brett Davison (nicknamed “Franchise“), the quarterback for the football team described the football team’s play as, “Error-free baseball. We just worked walks and did work on the mound. We pounded out a couple key hits by first baseman Matthew Finer, catcher Scott Siviski, and right fielder Eric Whitman (among others).” At the end of the day, the Club Football Team proved to be the stronger team on that specific Sunday, winning 5-1 on Mahaney Diamond.

Other strong performances were had by left fielder on the Club Baseball Team, Jaime Wallace. He “gunned” out Matthew Finer at home plate taking a run away from the Black Bear’s Club Football Team. Also, quite possibly the “ESPN Game Turning Moment” happened when Club Football’s Pitcher, Siviski, captured a ground ball, passed it to “Franchise” at 2nd base, and he turned the ball over to first to complete a beautifully handcrafted double play.

In conclusion, the game was a ton of fun for both teams on the diamond. Relief fielder, Eric Bezanson said, “Playing baseball was a great way to draw the two club programs closer together… and how much more cliché could it be for the football team to win on a Sunday afternoon.” Now both club programs will be looking forward into their “spring ball” continuing into the next few weeks. The Club Football team will continue practices and workouts while the Club Baseball team plays Harvard this weekend at Mahaney diamond. Good luck to both teams in their upcoming seasons and hopefully they will continue the new Club Football vs. Club Baseball annual baseball game in the future years.

UMaine Vandalists 11-1

A problem that seems to be progressing as the cold winter nights leave the students at The University of Maine is vehicle vandalism. Since the months of January and February have quickly passed by in the beginning of 2010, more and more people have been walking around the streets with different objects used for vandalizing peoples cars. Whether it be car paint for writing profanities or knives for slashing tires, the vandals have been recently doing work on The University of Maine campus. There has not been a pattern regarding a specific time or day of the week that the vandalisms have been striking. The incidents have been scattered through a couple of recent months. I recently read an in depth analysis of a police file related to car vandalism that occurred on April 6, 2010 at 11:39 p.m. in the Hilltop Parking Lot.
The car that had been vandalized was a red, four-door, 2004 Peugeot 406 ST D9. The license plate of the car was 4569 RD (Maine Plate). The vandalism that occurred included profanities sprayed on the front and side windows of the Peugeot along with a loss of air in the tires. The car paint was colored in blue and yellow paint. The car owners name was left undisclosed and the vandals have yet to be found. If you have any information or evidence of who may be committing these crimes, the UMaine PD would be interested in hearing from you.
There are five important facts to follow if your car has been vandalized. The first is to keep your information data handy. Make sure you have your insurance company phone and policy number with you at all times. Include with it your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and license plate number. The second is to call the police. The third includes contacting your insurance company immediately if any damages have occurred. They will take down relevant information and guide you as to what to do. Make sure you ask them any question you may have, such as towing or rental car needs. The fourth step is to make sure you document everything. Every little bit of information is important and worth documenting. And finally, the fifth step is to remain calm. You may feel extremely disrespected and almost violated, but getting worked up will get you nowhere.
In conclusion, if you have information regarding vandalism, as stated before, report it to the UMPD. Also, follow the five important steps if it happens to you. Leave valuables out of your vehicle and try to park where your car faces the street, or at least as close to eye-view as possible.

New Media Saves Lives

Jordan Swerid
April 2, 2010

A recent disaster occurred in Haiti on January 12, 2010 at 4:53 p.m.. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck just 10 miles west of Porte-au-Prince and its 2 million inhabitants. Haiti is known for being the poorest country in the America’s and the disastrous earthquake has only worsened the conditions. There had already been over 9,000 peacekeepers in Haiti since 2004, but after the earthquake, that number increased exponentially as over three million people were in need of emergency aid. Reports indicate that there have been over 150,000 people who have died from the earthquake. The USGS (United States Geological Survey) called it the strongest earthquake since 1770 in what is now called Haiti (previously not Haiti). All of this information has been supplied to society in many ways. One way that information has been spread, support groups formed, and great amounts of money supplied to Haiti has been through what we call today, “New Media.”
The definition of New Media is: “New media is a term meant to encompass the emergence of digital, computerized, or networked information and communication technologies in the later part of the 20th century. Most technologies described as "new media" are digital, often having characteristics of being manipulated, networkable, dense, compressible, interactive and impartial. Some examples may be the Internet, websites, computer multimedia, computer games, CD-ROMS, and DVDs. New media is not television programs, feature films, magazines, books, or paper-based publications.” Through this so-called “New Media,” we have found programs such as Twitter, Facebook, and the use of texting to work as a great advantage to society. Not only has it helped people stay connected and relay information globally at a fast pace, but it has heavily helped through worldly disasters and other events.
After the tragic earthquake in Haiti occurred, it took only a few seconds before social media networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter began to explode with information. Videos, photos, and messages started popping up everywhere and before some news stations even had a chance to put together the information, most of the world had already known what was going on. The update of Twitter accounts has been very beneficial too people in other ways also. Twitter has been providing updates on where clean drinking water is available in Port-au-Prince and where people are still trapped under rubble and debris. But Twitter and Facebook are only a few “New Media” ways that have been used through the disastrous event. The use of texting on cell phones proved to be evenly as valuable or possibly even more valuable than other “New Media” technologies. The Toronto Sun reported, “… the $37 million that poured in over the first few days [of money relief], $8 million was from text messages. Callers were able to text a specific number and have a $5 or $10 donation added to their phone bill. Some earthquake victims, it has been reported, even used text messaging to alert rescue workers to their whereabouts in the hopes they might be found.” People were able to help people in need just by a click of a few buttons and some others were even able to help themselves.
Many people find “New Media” to be very helpful but have different views of why they believe its so important. One view is by Basil Guinane, a professor at Humber College’s School of Media Studies. He believes New Media is so important because, “It’s the ability to reach large numbers of people instantly, and get them working in a concerted effort,” he said, adding new media immediately connected an entire world to the Haitian earthquake.” “It’s not some disaster that happened way over there and doesn’t impact you. You’re suddenly exposed.” His theory is interesting and very true. We do have to be careful how we use it. Greg Goralski said with a slight worry, “We have to be very careful with how we use it,” he said. “In a lot of ways, it (new media) is out of control when compared to traditional media. It can be used for very negative and for very positive things.” If you have ever used New Media, you would know of all the mistakes that can happen while using it. Whether it’s through sending accidental texts, receiving incorrect information, or getting the wrong idea of what someone is trying to say (among many others), you will have or eventually in some way make a mistake using New Media.
In conclusion, the positives are very high when it comes to New Media. It has already saved millions of lives so far and there will be many more lives it saves in the future. The benefits that people from Haiti received after the earthquake was astronomical. Although there are negatives from it, I strongly believe that New Media is important to society today and for the future.


Websites Used:
http://www.torontosun.com/news/haiti/2010/01/17/12504141.html
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/01/13/fast-facts-haiti-earthquake/
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=define%3A+new+media&aq=f&aqi=l1g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

9-2 Meeting VO Broadcast

Jordan Swerid
March 26, 2010

[Jordan]

Good afternoon Orono. There is lots of great news to get to today including a meeting that took place in 1-1-7 Donald P. Corbett Hall on the University of Maine campus. The meeting was for your University of Maine Club Football team.

[Take VO]
[CG: Highlight film from 2009 football season]

After coming off an impressive 5-1 season in the NEFL2 Football league, The Club Football Black Bears Football team recently voted to switch leagues and become a part of the Yankee Collegiate Football Conference, an all-college division of the NEFL. Many other decisions were made throughout the meeting including uniform changes, possible coaching changes, and new administrative member positions.

[Take VO - SOT]
[Brett Davison]
[TRT: 0:12]

The new jerseys look absolutely amazing. They came out even better then we were planning. It’s a great way to start off a new season. We will be in a new league, have different and more coaches, new administrative members, and we will be looking good in our new uniforms. I firmly believe that you have to look good to play good.

[Jordan]

I wish the Black Bears a great deal of luck this upcoming fall for their respected Club Football season. Come down to Morse Field this Fall on the University of Maine campus and support your Black Bears. Thank you for listening, this is Jordan Swerid signing off.

Black Bear Club Football Meetings

Jordan Swerid
March 25, 2010

On Thursday March 18, 2010, the Maine Club Football Team held its annual Club Meeting in 117 Donald P. Corbett Hall on The University of Maine Campus. The meeting was composed of two separate sections; the first was a “new member information session” from 7:00-7:45 p.m. Not all members of the Club Football Team attended, however many veterans did come to the first meeting to talk to the new recruits. The second meeting was the Club Administrative Meeting. This second meeting was when almost the entire Club Football Team presented themselves. The Club Administrative Meeting is considered to be the most important meeting of the year and was heavily encouraged for all players to attend.
The Maine Football Club is a full-contact, regular football program. Last year they played in a league named the NEFL2 where they had a 5-1 winning record in the regular season. Unfortunately, the Club Black Bears lost in the first round of the playoffs in a very disappointing loss. Discussed in the Club Administrative was the option of playing in an “All-Collegiate” Club Football Decision. After a team vote, The Club Black Bears decided to be in the Yankee Collegiate Football Conference, an all-college division of the NEFL. They will be playing teams like The University of Vermont and Sacred Heart in 2010.
There were also a variety of position/administrative changes in the Club Black Bear Staff this year. These include:
President - Mark Ensworth
Vice President - Brett Davison
Secretary - Joseph McCarthy
Administrative Assts - Steve Siviski and Wyatt Johansson
Public Relations Director - Brandon Chandler
Media Relations Director - Joshua Lewis
Marketing Director - Dan Moriarty
Club Accountant - Matthew Finer
All men are prepared and excited to help the team out this year and work on having a successful year. New Secretary, Joseph McCarthy, had this to say about the upcoming season, “We had a very good year last year but we came up empty. It will be nice to start fresh this year and have an extensive role in the team this year as Secretary.”
One of the most exciting moments in the meeting was when Brett Davison, Mark Ensworth, and Coach Eric Whitman stood in front of team and showed off the new white and baby blue “road jerseys.” The men left the floor during a standing ovation. Another equipment change included half black Nike socks to “officially” be part of their uniforms for the fall and are mandatory to be worn and purchased at players' expense by all players.
To conclude the meeting, there was an extensive debate about the coach for the 2010 season. It is expected that Coach Eric Whitman will continue duties for another year, however, Dan Moriarty made a solid presentation and applicants are currently being considered.
The Maine Club Football Team is already excited for next season and is itching for the Fall Semester to start so they can get back on the field. Media Relations Director, Joshua Lewis said, “All students and staff of the University of Maine and everyone in the surrounding areas should come to the games and cheer on the boys. It’s a great way to spend a fall night and the boys play harder when the fans are there screaming their names. So come on down to Morse Field this fall and watch the very talented Maine Club Football Team.” The team sounds prepared and ready to go; come support the Black Bears this Fall.

Logging Border War Revised and Improved (8.2)

Jordan Swerid
March 19, 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 which side of the border is actually correct or if there is a sufficient answer to the problem.

In 1998, the fire of the debate lit back 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).

A couple of days ago, I set up an interview between Topsham, Maine native Wally Hovey and business owner from Maine (previously from Canada), Terry Tomm. Although neither are directly in the logging business, their opinions on Canadian workers in Maine are still significant. When Mr. Hovey was asked about how he felt about Canadian’s working across the border, he replied by saying, “I don’t mind Canadian’s working as long as they have the credentials. People should not be kept out of jobs because of a border line or something silly like that. The best workers should be hired for jobs.” Mr. Tomm’s situation is quite interesting and caused him to have a different opinion on the subject. “I came to Maine from Manitoba, Canada in order to take over a business. That business is running successfully and producing jobs for other Mainers. If I had not taken over the business, it would have dissolved and many people would be out of jobs. I do have a similar opinion to Mr. Hovey’s in which I also believe that people with the right credentials should be the ones working.” I believe the opinions of these two people show how many other business people feel about the situation. The only problem is that it is nearly impossible for everyone to agree on something and stick with it.

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)