#PrayforBoston

As I am required to keep up with the news this quarter, I have downloaded just about every news app possible - turning on alerts so I can stay informed on what's happening as it happens.

On my way to class this afternoon I go several alerts that said, "People are injured after two reported explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon." Once I got to class I checked Twitter to try to find out more about what was going on. It had only been about 5 minutes since I got the initial alert and already my timeline was FULL of tweets about the news. People sending prayers to those affected, news outlets tweeting updates on the situation, and many simply asking, "why?"

As class went on I continually refreshed my Twitter feed to stay updated. What started out as people injured, quickly escalated to 2 dead, and 28 injured. 2 bombs exploding later became 2 bombs exploded and 2 found that hand't exploded.

Among the many tweets with the hashtag #PrayforBoston, were tweets informing people close to where the tragedy took place where they could donate blood for the victims. It's amazing how quickly people can come together over social media during times like this.

Trying to find a positive in a tragedy such as what is currently taking place in Boston may seem impossible. However, I think I may have found one. Since running a marathon can be so grueling on the body and since the Boston Marathon is one of the most well known in the world, there were tons of police as well as medically trained people on the scene immediately after the explosion. This could have potentially saved a lot of lives today.

I pray that whoever planted these bombs is found and they get what they deserve. It is sad to think that there are people out there that would do something like this, but you have to remember for every 1 horrible person there are 100 good people - like the runners in the marathon that crossed the finish line after the explosions and continued to run to the nearest hospital to donate blood.

Justin Bieber, Are You Done?!

The Biebs has been in the tabloids quite a bit this year. Everything from fighting paparazzi to going on Twitter rants, it seems Justin is acting as many young celebrities often do when the fame goes to their heads. The most recent Bieber fail took place over the weekend after Justin visited the Anne Frank House. He left a note in a guest book that said:

"Truly inspiring to be able to come here. Anne was a great girl. Hopefully she would have been a belieber."

Many were outraged by Justin's note, saying he is way too full of himself and calling him a 'little idiot.' Belieber's of course had his back because to them Justin can do no wrong. However, non-Beliebers took to social media to share their opinions.

"Glad he went, but, the last sentence is VERY self serving. He missed the lessons of Anne totally," while another added, "How does he manage to think about his own fame and success attending a historical place of such tragedy and injustice?"

After hearing about Justin's latest PR disaster, I was curious to see how the Anne Frank House responded. They managed to remain extremely professional and focus on the positive. They said as a young celebrity, Justin could have found many other things to do with his time in Amsterdam; however, he seemed genuinely interested in the museum and everything it has to offer.

 "If you read Anne Frank's diary, she was into celebrities, she was into pop culture," said Foxman. "So for [Bieber] to say he would have hoped that she would have been a fan, it's a nice thing."

The Anne Frank House handled this media attention the way anyone should by finding the positive. They could have put Justin on blast the way everyone else has but they didn't.

You're Not Alone. Millions of People Love the Big Mac

The picture above is an ad for McDonald's that was posted on a subway train in Boston. McDonald's has issued an apology for this ad as people are claiming it is insensitive to those with mental health issues. Maybe it's because I don't personally have mental health problems, or know anyone with mental health problems, but I really don't see how this ad is offensive. People are far too sensitive when it comes to things like this. Advertisers just can't seem to do anything right. Somewhere, some group of people is going to find something to be offended about. Like last year when a McDonald's radio ad was supposedly offensive to pit bull owners. Really? Pit bull owners? Ad agencies have to take everyone's feelings and sensitivities into consideration these days and what for? People claim they hate commercials and don't pay attention anyway.

Nightmare Come True

Have you ever had that dream, or should I say nightmare, where all your teeth start falling out? Imagine that nightmare coming true. A dentist in Indianapolis is accused of pulling 29 teeth from one patients mouth and the whole bottom row from another, when neither of them wanted or need any teeth pulled. As if people don't hate going to the dentist enough already?! Not only did this dentist just affect his own practice by having this story come out, but it's going to affect dentists across the country! Let's give people another reason to hate going to the dentist. I know people that would rather have their limbs broken then go get their cavities filled. Everyone's trying to figure out why this dentist is pulling out peoples teeth but of course he and his office replied to phone calls and interviews saying, "no comment." Talk about famous last words. That place will be shut down in no time. What do businesses and people think is going to come out of them responding to something by saying, "no comment." When is that ever an acceptable response?

Blue Angels Season Cancelled

What's the first thing you think when you hear "Seafair"? I don't know about you but the air show put on by the Blue Angels is the first thing to pop into my head. They're the star of the show! Or at least they were... The Navy has forced the Blue Angels to cancel their season in result of government budget cuts. Of course... it's seems like everything is being cancelled because of budget cuts. Screw budget cuts. Who are they going to get to replace the Blue Angels?! The polls are showing that 50% of people who voted will not attend Seafair without them. So what is Seafair going to do to make up for this huge loss? They better think of something good. They've replaced the Blue Angels with another team called the Patriot Jets Team. Talk about pressure for these guys. They've got some big shoes to fill. Sefair weekend and the Sefair Fleet Week (which due to budget cuts the Navy also won't be allowing their ships to sail in) bring in an estimated $50 million to the local economy. Seafair is going to have to put on their best thinking caps to figure out their going to fill these voids. Will you attend Seafair without the Blue Angels?

Snowmageddon

I used to want to be a weather reporter when I was younger. I thought Steve Pool was the coolest guy ever, being able to tell people when it was going to rain or be sunny or even snow! Little did I know, if Steve reported one wrong thing he quickly became the most hated person on TV.

"Snowmageddon" was apparently going to be hitting the central part of our country this last week. Blizzard like conditions were reported by weather men and woman all over. I'm not sure what their idea of blizzard like conditions are but I don't think snow that doesn't even stick to the ground is considered a blizzard. Did these weather reporters not learn you're never supposed to over-sell and under deliver? How do they even have an ounce of credibility these days? You get the high of the day wrong by 5 degrees and people complain, you say it's going to be sunny and it sprinkles for a few minutes and it's game over. These guys need a class on reputation management. One weather reporter took to social media to admit that he was wrong, writing on his Facebook page:

“Forecasting the weather is a bit like being a field goal kicker, we are supposed to be accurate. This storm was a miss and I apologize if it has caused you inconvenience or hardship today.”

He's got the right idea, admit when you're wrong and apologize. He's probably the only weatherman with any credibility over there. Others made things up, like that they had 8-12 inch drifts in their yards. Oh and is your house located directly under the only cloud that's dumping snow? I don't think so. I think I'd trust my iPhone's weather app over any of their weather reports. That's saying something because that thing is never right. 

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

My CNN news app has been going off like crazy these last few weeks. Reports of missiles being moved to the east coast of North Korea, missiles being put in the 'launch' position, and then shortly after lowered back into their launchers. It's the classic case of the boy who cried wolf. Except, instead of crying wolf he's crying nuclear warfare. Many have said that this whole thing is just a big publicity stunt. Quite frankly, I'd have to agree. If Kim Jong Un wanted to launch missiles, he would have done it already. He's dragging it out like a classic attention whore (pardon my french) would do. He's young and immature and is probably having a blast messing with us. However, he's kind of smart if you think about it. Claim you've got nukes that you're willing to launch and boom, (no pun intended) you have everyone watching and waiting for your next move. This automatically gives him power over everybody and he can start making all sorts of demands, which if someone had a nuclear missile pointed at your country, you're going to give in to. Maybe people aren't giving him as much credit as he deserves... I guess we'll find out what he's up to soon enough. 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/11/world/asia/koreas-tensions/index.html?hpt=hp_t1