Revision: Jeffrey R. Ahson, 79, War Hero and Retired Firefighter

By Allie Jacobs



KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- Jeffrey R. Ahson, recognized for his heroism in the navy during World War II and his service as a firefighter in his hometown of Kalamazoo, died on Oct. 9 at his home due to emphysema.

Mr. Ahson was known for his leadership and bravery as a U.S. Navy Officer. While serving in The Battle of Midway in June of 1942, he crossed a deck of the burning USS Emory naval ship, saving four wounded soldiers and recovering the body of a gunner. During the battle, Mr. Ahson also shot down three enemy planes, demonstrating skill and courage. "Ahson was a genuine American hero," said Jeraldine Fyfe, Lt. Cmdr. of the U.S. Navy. Mr. Ahson was awarded the Purple Heart and a Navy Cross for his achievements.

Born in Chico, Calif., Mr. Ahson later moved to Kalamazoo where he served as a firefighter until his retirement in 1966. He was passionate about his job and was known for his collection of firefighter memorabilia. One of his beloved possessions, a fire truck, is now on display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. After his service as a firefighter, Mr. Ahson worked briefly at Don Seelye Ford as a new car salesman until his retirement in 1985.

Mr. Ahson was a member of Post 4206, American Legion Post 702, Elks Lodge, Gideons International, and the National Checkers Association. He frequently ushered at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Ahson is survived by his wife, Therese Alpert; three children, Richard D. Ahson of Philipsburg, Kan., Angela Molino of Omaha, Neb., Lela Stalling of Pipe Creek, Texas; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren; a brother, Henry Ahson of San Francisco, Calif.; and two sisters, Judith Eaker of Reidsville, N.C., and Shirley Solomon of Newark, N.J.

A viewing will be held on Friday from 4-5:30 p.m. and from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Littleton Mortuary. Services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Littleton Mortuary. The burial of Mr. Ahson will take place following the service at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests no flowers.



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Article Analysis: Va. Panel on Immigration Steps Back From Hard Line

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/23/AR2008112302477.html?nav=rss_print

The article begins with a hard-news lede, giving the reader the who, what, and where, informing readers about Virginia's tough immigration policies softening a bit as they strive to help newcomers assimilate more easily. The next paragraph provides background information about how immigrants can be helped.

The nut graf follows, illustrating to readers that the economic crisis was a big factor in beginning to help immigrants become more comfortable adjusting to life in America.

The following paragraphs present information on recommendations to assist immigrants, as well as pointing out the years spent by Virginia addressing the issue on immigration and now realizing how important it is, especially because voters did not list it as a top issue in Virginia this year.

A representative of immigrant groups provides effective quotes to show the importance of cracking down on helping immigrants, and contrasting statements from members of Virginia's Immigration Commission make the article interesting to read because of that bit of ABAB format. The article concludes with a quote from a commission member who comments on past efforts to fix immigration policies that failed.

The Elements of Journalism

I liked the second half of this book better than the first. I felt like I could understand and relate to a lot of the topics that the authors covered, such as the importance of investigative reporting, citizens' role in news, and what engages people to read news . I was especially interested in the chapter, "Make the News Comprehensive and Proportional" because much of what intrigues people about the news aside from writing elements is how easy it is to comprehend. If an article is overwhelming in length or vocabulary, the likelihood that I will read it the whole way through, or at all, is slim. I was especially interested in what John Carey, who did ethnographic market research on how people connect with the media and technology, had to say. He found that images and words go hand in hand; people often turn on their TVs when they read or hear about something that they think will have important pictures. He also pointed out that teasers are not necessarily a good thing. I think sometimes they can draw a reader in the entire way through, but I also agree with Carey that people typically don't like to wait for information--we want instant answers. More constancy of information and shorter, more understandable pieces of news information will probably reach out to a larger audience demographic.

Article Analysis: Showdown Begins After Lifeline to Automakers

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/12/AR2008111203305.html?nav=rss_print

The article begins with a hard news lede, telling the reader who: The Bush Administration, what: rejecting a proposal by congressional Democrats to "immediately advance $25 billion in government loans to ailing Detroit automakers," and when: yesterday.

The next three paragraphs provide back-up to the lede, informing readers why the proposal is being opposed and the idea of a large spending package to help fix the nation's economy as a whole.

While those paragraphs give the reader more background on the issue, I think that the nut graf appears in the fourth paragraph, showing readers how crucial it is that the auto industry be helped, as well as the economy as a whole to put a halt to "what economists say could be the worst recession since World War II."

The article moves along in ABAB format, first providing quotes from supporters of the plan, such as the chief lobbyist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The article shifts to the perspective of The White House, who disagree with Democrats on what the overall spending package will entail, as well as the plan to aid auto industries, and provides a quote from a White House spokesman. It then gives further insight to what the Democrats wants vs. what Republicans want in order to save auto industries. However, the article seems to be a bit off with naming sources and kissing them off; I was unclear at some parts of who was being quoted or attributed.

The article ends with a quote from the House Financial Services Committee, closing with an opinion from the Democratic side.

Article Analysis: Boy, 8, to face murder charges as father is mourned

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/10/child.charged.arizona.killing/index.html

This article's title immediately captured my attention, and it's structure kept me intrigued. This crime story begins with a hard news lede, providing the 5 w's, giving the most important information to the reader right away.

The next few paragraphs provide information on the boy's deceased father and the other man that the boy killed, describing the weapon used and letting the reader know that police have no motive from the boy as to why he killed the two men. A quote from a police chief backed the previous statement by saying: "We solved the crime. Now we have to solve the mystery of why."

The article then shifts to how the boy's case is being handled like any other murder case, and the boy's attorneys describe how frightened he is by the whole thing. More effective quotes are provided from attorneys on how the prosecutors may have dealt with the boy improperly.

The article shifts nicely to talking about how neither the boy's mother or stepmother, or any other family members, are taking custody of him, providing another quote from one of his attorneys. The article ends with information on the next status hearing, for further investigation of the crime scene, and the scheduled funeral for Tim Romans, the other man who was killed. I think the article could have ended with the funeral information, but instead it closes with a brief look at the city of St. Johns, Arizona. While the focus on the boy's feelings and treatment in the legal system is important, the article definitely leaves the reader wanting to know the boy's motive and what actually happened.

Article Analysis: Obama is Elected President as Racial Barrier Falls

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/06elect.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

This article starts off with a well-written summary lede that gives the reader the who, what, and when, also letting the reader know why Obama's nomination is so significant. Writing out Obama's full name and using active verbs in this lede makes the information seem important and exciting : "Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, sweeping away the last racial barrier in American politics with ease as the country chose him as its first black chief executive."

The second paragraph provides back-up to the lede, with the third paragraph as the nut graph, emphasizing to the reader even further the racial barrier that was crossed yesterday evening: "But it was just as much a strikingly symbolic moment in the evolution of the nation’s fraught racial history, a breakthrough that would have seemed unthinkable just two years ago."

Information about McCain's final campaign moments and a few quotes from Obama's speech from yesterday follow, including Obama's powerful statement that "change has come to America." The article continues with opinions from officials who know that there is a long road ahead for Obama between the economic crisis and the war in Iraq, but believe in him.

The article then moves to McCain's concession speech, including a quote from him about the significance of the evening for African Americans, then continues discussing what lies ahead for our new President. Although the entire article mostly focuses on Obama's day as the first black president, and the challenges he needs to face, it often goes back and forth between McCain and Obama's experiences with campaigning, what they did on the evening of November 4, and how voters and officials feel about each candidate.

For me, I thought the killer quote was from Senator Bob Casey, who said: “I always thought there was a potential prejudice factor in the state,” Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat of Pennsylvania who was an early Obama supporter, told reporters in Chicago. “I hope this means we washed that away.” I though this quote resonated well with the main point of this article.

The article ends with a summary of Obama's visit to Indiana that day, and his return home to Chicago to play basketball, which is an election-day tradition. It is somewhat of a run-out-of-gas ending, but still manages to give readers a glimpse into the new president's personal life.

Article Analysis: For Family in Iraq, Drop in Deaths is Not Enough

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/world/middleeast/03iraq.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

This is a very straightforward article that begins with a hard news lede, giving readers the most newsworthy information first. It provides the who, what, and when: The number of combined military and civilian deaths in Iraq for October hit the lowest monthly level since May 2004, the United States military said Sunday.

The second paragraph is more like backup to the lede, and ends with a smooth transition into the main point of the article: the family that the article focuses on: The announcement was further evidence of a decline in violence since a significant troop increase last year, but the tragedy of one family in Kirkuk is a reminder of just how dangerous life in Iraq continues to be.

Next, the reader gets a look into the life of Khudaer Muhammad Abdullah and the loss of his young children and friends in a grenade explosion. The article transitions well into a narrative and dramatic telling of the incident through Abdullah's point of view. The writer varies sentence length in telling the story, and both summarizing and using quotes from Abdullah's story.


The article transitions from Abdullah's story to the overall issue of violence in Iraq, providing a quote from Brig. Gen. David G. Perkins, who talks about the positive partnership between the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi people. The article ends with a negative example of more people being killed in Karama from a roadside bomb, based on a statement from the Kurdistan Workers' Party. The ending doesn't provide a lot of closure; I almost think a quote from a specific member of the party would have made a stronger ending.