Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Broadband is a rapidly growing industry. Roughly 75% of Americans who connect to the internet do so via broadband. (Source Note #14) Americans are subscribing to broadband at an ever- increasing rate. (Source Note #22) Five years ago Americans were paying a much higher fee for broadband usage and man had problems getting coverage in their area. In 2009, while costs have dropped and much of America can receive broadband coverage, there is still a sizable number of Americans who don’t receive broadband service.
In many rural areas of the country, broadband service simply isn’t available. The infrastructure isn’t laid out in these places, and internet companies don’t have any financial incentive to expand to areas with a limited customer base. With many people today considering broadband an everyday necessity for purposes of work, school, and communication, areas that can’t get coverage face a technological handicap. (Source notes #3, #20, and #30)
Many people view broadband access an option every American should be presented with in this technologically savvy day and age. One fervent supporter of nationwide broadband expansion is President Barack Obama. When he addressed the nation on December 6th, 2008, a key part of his vision for the country included a plan for increasing broadband’s availability and affordability. (Source Note #2 Also, on Whitehouse.Gov, the official Obama Administration towards broadband technology is:
Deploy Next-Generation Broadband: Work towards true broadband in every community in America through a combination of reform of the Universal Service Fund, better use of the nation’s wireless spectrum, promotion of next-generation facilities, technologies and applications, and new tax and loan incentives. America should lead the world in broadband penetration and Internet access.
(Source Note #7, from Whitehouse.Gov)
It is clear from the Administration’s stance, as well as other statements made by President Obama, that Obama deeply values America’s technological standing in the world. He has taken an active role in pursing initiatives that would increase America’s technological standing in the world. (Source note #10)
The World Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ranked the United States 13th in the world in terms of broadband penetration. (Source note #28) This is a statistic that Obama calls “Unacceptable.” ((Source Note #2)
In response to this technological gap, President Obama included $7.2 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, an economic stimulus bill totaling $237 billion that is geared towards restarting a faltering American economy. According to David Crowe, broadband expert at the University of Oregon, the amount of money allocated towards broadband in the Recovery Act is “about right,” when considering the importance of broadband access. (Source Note #1) One thing that is important to recognize, is that by including this sizable amount of funds for broadband in the Recovery act, is that President Obama is actively taking action of an issue he has been actively talking about since the campaign. (Source note #9)
From this funding, and the stances Obama has taken, it is clear that his answer to my “should question,” would be “yes.” When explaining why broadband expansion is so important, Obama also frequently mentions the economic growth that the possible job creation that comes with broadband should bring. (Source note #2) Countering the “13th in the world,” statistic, keeping America technological competitive and superior is a position Obama believes the country should be in. News jobs that could come with broadband would be environmentally clean and efficient. Green job creation is a priority of the Obama Administration; therefore, broadband expansion as a means of creating jobs is an easy step forward.
Other arguments have been made for broadband expansion. As mentioned earlier, many people depend upon broadband as a means to their livelihood. And, if the market wouldn’t necessarily fuel expansion to all parts of the nation, it would only be natural for people to see the problem as a gap for the government to fill.
However, nationwide broadband expansion is a major initiative. Would the government be able to handle such a task? Some examples on a smaller scale would be ConnectKentucky and the MassTech initiative. (Source notes #19, and #18). These are state-wide initiatives for broadband expansion that are going extremely well. If programs like this are issues for a basis for the national expansion, the results could be very positive. ConnectedNation, the parent group behind ConnectKentucky, is in bidding for a portion of the stimulus funds, which some see as reassuring evidence about the success of the nationwide expansion.
However, as with any major government initiative, there is a counter viewpoint to the Obama Administration’s funding of broadband expansion. In the world of the tech savvy, you won’t find anyone arguing against all Americans having access to broadband. What you will find are claims of governmental waste and excess.
While some don’t believe the market will necessarily form it’s over nationwide broadband coverage anytime soon, many people do. Because broadband is becoming such a necessity, some find it hard to believe that the demand for broadband won’t drive the market nationwide. (Source note #17) Also, while Obama views broadband connectivity as essential as mass transportation (Source note #2), other don’t believe that broadband access falls under the government’s jurisdiction.
In reality, while there are a great deal of Americans who aren’t online. 27% of Americans are not internet users. 43% of those people are over age 65, and 43% have household incomes of less than $30,000 annually. The two major reasons for those Americans who are offline for not having internet access are necessity and availability. Many simply say that they don’t need it, and 35% of Americans without internet access say that it is simply too expensive for them to afford. (Source note #23)
Nearly 40% of rural Americans already have broadband in their homes, and this percentage is rapidly growing every year. Also, the growth rate of broadband in rural communities is one of the fastest in any demographic. The market is expanding, and those who want it and can afford it, will purchase it. When asked why they were not connected to the internet, less than 20% of rural Americans said that service was not available in their area. Instead most said that they didn’t need the internet, or know how to use it. (Source Note #14) Also, even though it is often very expensive and often not as fast as broadband, satellite internet and related technologies provide coverage to nearly the entire continental united states. (Source notes #24 and #29) Therefore, lack of availability isn’t the main issue as to why so many Americans aren’t online.
With these facts in mind, I would answer “no,” to the question of “Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?” However, I don’t think they should ignore the issue of broadband in America. Yet, instead of focusing so strongly on expansion, a “problem” that isn’t really the cause of lack of access, I believe the Obama Administration should focus its efforts more on making broadband access more affordable for all Americans. Since the infrastructure is already present in most communities, and those boundaries are constantly growing, the issue of lack of service isn’t as pressing. Even without satellite internet (Which is in a very impractical phase for many Americans), te number of Americans who simply can’t purchase internet service is an ever decreasing minority. Therefore, decreasing broadband costs would be the most efficient way to get offline citizens online.
Some would argue against my answer, claiming that no matter how healthy the broadband network is, it would never truly reach every American. They might claim that it is necessary for every America to have the opportunity to get online in order to be a competitive member of society, and that if the government doesn’t present them with that opportunity, it might not come at all. However, I don’t think that allocating federal funds for such a small group of people, who could access satellite internet anyway, is wise or responsible. Yes, I agree that everyone needs the opportunity to get online, but that opportunity is there either via satellite or will be there very soon. The most pressing factors in getting people online are making braodband access affordable to every American, and educating those who are unaware of how to use it.
Title: David Crowe Interview
Summary: This is probably the single most important source for my project because Crowe is the broadband expert on campus, and he talks about his views of the stimulus package and the role government should have in broadband expansion.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Interview, Citizen, Expert
What is it? An interview with David Crowe
Publication Information: Unpublished, however the audio from my interview can be downloaded HERE.
Author: A Jeremy Cabalona interview of David Crowe
Location: http://rapidshare.com/files/208569487/DavidCroweInterview.m4a.html (for download)
Accessed: March 12, 2009
Support: No support other than committees and legislation Crowe mentions.
Audience and Agenda:
David Crowe is the most knowledgeable source on broadband in the Eugene area. He works for the University of Oregon’s computer department as a broadband engineer. He runs the statewide Nero internet network, a state-wide broadband network for 17 years. Nero services the University of Oregon as well as K-12 schools all across Oregon.
Usefulness:
Crowe is the most useful source I found. He made me look at my topic in a completely different way. Instead of a simple “yes,” or “no,” answer, he urged me to look into the practicality of the issue. He doesn’t believe broadband will expand naturally to all rural areas without government stimulation because the market simply won’t drive it there. He doesn’t view broadband access as a necessity on the level of food or shelter, but he realizes that people are becoming increasingly dependent on it. His answer to my question would be “yes;” however, he makes it clear that the Administration allocating the funds won’t do anything on its own. Companies and states engage in a “feeding frenzy,” over the funds, especially in the sickly economy. He says that the way the funds will be spent aren’t completely decided, but if properly spent, they would effectively bring broadband to rural areas.
Works cited:
Mr. Macbook
Mr. Garabgeband
rapidshare.com (as a a file-hosting service)
Title: My Kids Needs Internet Access to Do Their Homework!
Summary: This is a video of a woman explaining why she believes the government should provide internet for everyone. She believes it is a necessity, and says that her children cannot accomplish their homework without internet access. Her husband lost his job, and their family can’t afford to pay for internet any longer.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Citizen, Multimedia, Stakeholder
What is it? A youtube video
Publication Information: January 28th, 2009
Author: Kimberly Bryant (She shares her story on camera. The video is from InternetForEveryone.org)
Location:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0aMAwNp0AA
Accessed: March 12, 2009
Support: This video is Kimberly Bryant telling her personal experiences with the lack of affordable broadband in her life. She strongly believes the government should not only expand broadband everywhere, but also subsidize broadband so it can be inexpensive, or even free, for all.
Audience and Agenda: This seems like a very manipulative video. Kimberly Bryant invokes a sob story to petition for free/affordable broadband everywhere. This makes sense, since her story is told on behalf of InternetForEveryone.org, an interest group that wants universal broadband access at the government’s expense. There are only 361 views of this video on youtube, but the InternetForEveryone coalition contains many large groups, such as the ACLU and Ebay.com.
Usefulness:
This video gives a personal face and reason for broadband expansion. Bryant gives the extreme position that government should not only expand broadband, but provide it for its citizens. Obama’s current plans for broadband aren’t geared towards Bryant’s wishes, and hers had socialistic tenancies that many would consider unnecessary.
Works cited:
http://www.internetforeveryone.org/principles
http://www.ebay.com/
Title: Broadband Platform Penetration
Summary: This is a graph portraying the statistic of the United States ranking 13th in broadband penetration. It also includes the ranking of many other countries regarding broadband and internet access.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Academic Research, Image
What is it? A graph from ScienceDirect
Publication Information: Telecommunications Policy, Volume 32, Issues 3-4, April-May 2008, Pages 212-233
Author: OECD, 2006
Location: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MiamiCaptionURL&_method=retrieve&_udi=B6VCC-4RTKMWM-1&_image=fig1&_ba=1&_user=2148430&_rdoc=1&_fmt=full&_orig=search&_cdi=5951&view=c&_acct=C000056308&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2148430&md5=617f73d5e1ac551ea528e1bad315e4cf (image url)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VCC-4RTKMWM-1&_user=2148430&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000056308&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2148430&md5=969e847cbfae29a3d525334813633794 (article url)
(Accessed through the UO Illumina database)
Accessed: 3-11-09
Support: This graph support the information found in this article from ScienceDirect. There isn’t any real support in the image itself, but it is a reflection of broadband statistics. (Found in that article)
Audience and Agenda:
ScienceDirect is an online collection of published scientific research. It contains over 8.5 million articles from over 2,500 journals and 6,000 e-books. ScienceDirect.com receives over 5.5 million unique monthly visitors, and is read by over 14 million in professional health, government and science organizations.
Usefulness:
Over the course of my research, I kept coming across the statistic explaining that the United States ranked 13th in broadband penetration. This graphic is useful because it clearly shows just how far behind the United States is in comparison to other countries.
Works cited:
http://9003-breeze.uoregon.edu.janus.uoregon.edu/findtext
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VCC-4RTKMWM-1&_user=2148430&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000056308&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2148430&md5=969e847cbfae29a3d525334813633794
http://www.sciencedirect.com/
http://info.sciencedirect.com/
http://www.elsevierscitech.com/forms/sd/form.html
Title: Widening Broadband’s Reach (Image included with article)
Summary: An image by David Rooney of the OECD Observer that is spot-on for my topic, rural broadband expansion. It is an image of a lifeless computer with cattle instead of connectivity.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Academic Research, Images
What is it? An image (illustration) that ran with an online article from the OECD Observer
Publication Information:
Author: David Rooney
Location:
http://www.oecdobserver.org/images//2663.photo.2.jpg (image url)
http://www.oecdobserver.org/news/fullstory.php/aid/2663/Widening_broadband’s_reach.html (article url)
(Accessed through the UO library Illumina system)
Accessed:
3-11-09
Support: This image is just a cute little illustration, there isn’t really any support for it.
Audience and Agenda:
The OECD Observer is an academic journal that has a circulation of 20,000 readers. Its emphasis is on the analysis of “world economic, social, and environmental issues.”
Usefulness:
This is a cool image, and it just went really well with my topic. It isn’t particularly profound or useful, but it communicated a simple point well.
Works cited:
http://www.oecdobserver.org/images//2663.photo.2.jpg (image url)
http://www.oecdobserver.org/news/fullstory.php/aid/2663/Widening_broadband’s_reach.html (article url)
http://www.oecdobserver.org/info/about_us.php
Title: President-elect Barack Obama lays out key parts of Economic Recovery Plan
Summary: This is one of Obama’s weekly addressed to the country. In this video address, he specifically talks about his goal of broadband expansion, and how it will help the economy and the healthcare industry.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Institutional, Multimedia, Government
What is it? An official youtube address to the nation from President-Elect Obama
Publication Information: December 6th, 2009
Author: Address given by President-Elect Obama, entry posted on whitehouse.gov by Dave Rochelson
Location: http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/the_key_parts_of_the_jobs_plan/
Accessed: 3-10-09
Support: Obama doesn’t reference any outside sources for his plan. He states the current state of the economy and the way many policies are currently run, and he then compares them to what he believes needs to be done to fix it. He references campaign promises and explains how he plans to fulfill them.
List of sources
Audience and Agenda:
This weekly address is geared to the entirely of the American people. It is a general report to the status of the economy, and an overview of what Obama intends to do to improve it. The purpose of this address isn’t to provide detailed plans, rather Obama simply wants to give a general idea to a large group of people. On youtube, the video currently has over 505,000 views (as of March, 10, 2009). However, the video can also be watched on yahoo, the audio can be listened to on whitehouse.gov, and the text is available online. Therefore, more than the 505,000 youtube viewers have heard this address, but the numbers of the rest of those viewers can’t be tracked.
Usefulness:
This is a very useful video, because it provides Obama’s direct answer to my “should” question. Obama believes the government must fund broadband expansion in order to improve the economy, create jobs, and keep the US competitive. He doesn’t go into details in this video about how he will do all of this, instead he gives an overview as to why we must do this. When the “Recovery Act,” is passed later on, more details are given into how Obama will achieve these goals. ( Source Note #16 provides these details)
Works cited:
http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/the_key_parts_of_the_jobs_plan/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2336349,00.asp
Title: Tech group hails $100 billion stimulus spending on IT
Summary: A Netgov posting giving the insider’s perspective from those in the technology industry towards the stimulus plan and the sizable amount of money allocated to tech-issues. It states that in order to be the “Best and brightest,” America needs to be on the cutting edge of technology, and make the funding of new technologies (it specifically mentions broadband expansion) a priority.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Institutional, Government
What is it? An online posting on the netgov site.
Publication Information: March 6th, 2009
Author: Gautham Nagesh
Location: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090306_4227.php
Accessed: March 7th, 2009
Support:
- Chris Hansen, chief executive officer of TechAmerica
- Josh Lamel, head of federal government affairs at TechAmerica
- Roxanne Gould, head of TechAmerica’s state governmental affairs
These three representatives from TechAmerica each express their approval of the funds allocated towards technology in the stimulus package. TechAmerica is a strong pro-technology group and these three people speak on its behalf.
Audience and Agenda:
Netgov is part of the National Journal Group Inc. and the Atlantic Media Company. (It provides the governmental perspective of technological issues. Netgov has over 400,000 unique monthly visitors, 160,000 subscribers to their eNewsletter, and 77,000 print subscribers. The Netgov panel consists of the “top minds,” in the federal community, including “CIOs and senior OMB and OPM officials – the top executives in government – as well as respected federal consultants.”
Usefulness:
This source is useful because it is a technological source (Netgov) examining the response of the pro-tech group TechAmerica. It includes quotes from TechAmerica executives about technology keeping America competitive on a world scale, and it provides the seven states which have broadband maps. It claims that those seven states will most likely be the ones to receive the expansion funds because their progress can be measured.
Works cited:
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090306_4227.php
http://www.nextgov.com/site_services/about_us.php
http://www.techamerica.org/default.htm
http://www.govexec.com/mediakit/
http://www.govexec.com/mediakit/docs/ngoverview2008.pdf
Title: EDUCAUSE and Internet2 Support Economic Stimulus Bill
Summary: This is a letter to the leaders of the U.S. Senate from EDUCAUSE and Internet2, pro-technology groups consisting of hundreds of universities. It applauds these leaders’ decision to include funding for broadband in the stimulus package.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Academic Research, Association of Academic Sources
What is it? The actual letter sent to U.S. Senate leaders from the CEO’s of EDUCAUSE and Internet2.
Publication Information: January 30th, 2009
Author: Diana Oblinger (President and CEO of EDUCAUSE), Douglas E. Van Houweling (President and CEO of Internet 2)
Location: (Internet2 page with a link to the letter) https://wiki.internet2.edu/confluence/display/realtime/2009/02/02/EDUCAUSE+and+Internet2+Support+Economic+Stimulus+Bill
pdf file of the actual letter: https://wiki.internet2.edu/confluence/download/attachments/2426929/EDUCAUSE+I2+letter+to+Senate+1+30+2009.pdf?version=1
Accessed: March 6th, 2009
Support: The letter references specific areas of the “Recovery Act,“.
Audience and Agenda:
This letter is written on behalf of EDUCAUSE and Internet2. Both of these groups are highly in favor of the expansion of technology. EDUCAUSE is an association of over 2,200 universities and colleges that have an active pursuit of technology. Internet2 is a coalition of 200 universities that work with 70 leading U.S. corporations, 45 government agencies. Both groups actively support the development and implementation of new technologies.
Usefulness:
The groups behind this letter would give an enthusiastic “YES!” as an answer to my “should question.” Their whole existence is devoted to getting support for technologies such as broadband. They represent the point of view that government should absolutely fund broadband expansion.
Works cited:
https://wiki.internet2.edu/confluence/display/realtime/2009/02/02/EDUCAUSE+and+Internet2+Support+Economic+Stimulus+Bill
http://www.internet2.edu/about/
https://wiki.internet2.edu/confluence/download/attachments/2426929/EDUCAUSE+I2+letter+to+Senate+1+30+2009.pdf?version=1
Title: Satellite Internet
Summary: One- or two sentence summary of what this source is and how it fits in with your topic.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Multimedia, Journalistic
What is it? A graphic with a chart and statistics from AP Images.
Publication Information: May 08, 2007
Author: PH
Location: http://0-apimages.ap.org.janus.uoregon.edu/OneUp.aspx?st=k&kw=broadband&showact=results&sort=relevance&intv=None&sh=4&kwstyle=and&adte=1236214276&pagez=60&rids=a0e2aaf5c54c4449a503b1edcac43207&dbm=GY2007&page=1&xslt=1&dispname=07050802561%2C%20AP%20SATELLITE_BROADBAND
Accessed: March 4th, 2009
Support:
This is an image containing many statistics about satellite broadband; however, no sources are listed.
Audience and Agenda:
The AP is an American news agency which is a source for newspaper, internet, television and radio media. Its news articles are published by over 1,700 newspapers and its stories are used by over 5,000 broadcasters. It operates in 121 countries and has 243 news bureaus worldwide.
Usefulness:
One of the biggest arguments against the Obama Administration expanding broadband to rural communities is that the service would be unnecessary. The point of the expansion is to provide broadband to communities that currently don’t have it. However, even though many communities don’t have land-based broadband, satellite internet is available almost everywhere. This graph shows that satellite broadband internet subscriptions have drastically risen, and therefore that there is a market with access to it.
Works cited:
http://0-apimages.ap.org.janus.uoregon.edu/OneUp.aspx?st=k&kw=broadband&showact=results&sort=relevance&intv=None&sh=4&kwstyle=and&adte=1236214276&pagez=60&rids=a0e2aaf5c54c4449a503b1edcac43207&dbm=GY2007&page=1&xslt=1&dispname=07050802561%2C%20AP%20SATELLITE_BROADBAND
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press (Wikipedia Page on the AP)
Title: Some Fear Web Push Won’t help Urban Poor
Summary: Kang makes a strong argument that lack of access isn’t what is keeping low income people from accessing the internet. She suggests that the money allocated towards broadband expansion won’t change the fact that many people simply cannot afford broadband, even if they have access to it.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic, Mainstream
What is it? An online article from the Washington Post
Publication Information: February. 28, 2009
Author: Cecilia Kang
Location: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/6286834.html
Accessed: March 3rd, 2009
Support:
- President Barack Obama
- Judith Theodore (citizen)
- A survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (May 2008)
- Former FCC chief economist Michael Katz
- Rey Ramsey, president of OneEconomy.com
Most of the hard date used in this article comes from the Pew survey. Katz and Ramsey provide professional technological perspectives. These are the major sources in the article. Obama is quoted briefly, and Theodore provides a human angle to the story.
Audience and Agenda:
The Washington Post is strongly focuses on national politics and international affairs. The Post has a reputation for taking a liberal stance on social issues. The paper is the largest newspaper in the DC area with a daily circulation of 673,180, and a Sunday circulation of 890,163.
Works cited:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/6286834.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Post
Title: Home Broadband Connections Double
Summary: A graphic from AP Images with colored charts showing the growing use of broadband nationwide.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Images, Journalistic, Mainstream (AP)
What is it? A map of the US showing nationwide broadband coverage.
Publication Information: Monday, November 22, 2004
Author: AF
Location: http://0-apimages.ap.org.janus.uoregon.edu/Search.aspx?kw=broadband&intv=None&sh=4&st=k&remem=x#Options (Map is in the list. I can’t pull the actual url for this particular graphic.)
Accessed: February 24, 2009
Support: This is an image containing many statistics about broadband; however, no sources are listed.
Audience and Agenda:
The AP is an American news agency which is a source for newspaper, internet, television and radio media. Its news articles are published by over 1,700 newspapers and its stories are used by over 5,000 broadcasters. It operates in 121 countries and has 243 news bureaus worldwide.
Usefulness:
This is a useful graphic because it show the drastic increase in broadband subscribers over the last few years. It shows the increase in internet access in general, and it also shows the increase in broadband specifically and the decline of dial-up.
Works cited:
http://0-apimages.ap.org.janus.uoregon.edu/Search.aspx?kw=broadband&intv=None&sh=4&st=k&remem=x#Options (AP Image search)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press (Wikipedia Page on the AP)
Title: Internet Access Map
Summary: An AP colored map showing which areas of the country have good access to broadband, and which areas have poor or no access to broadband.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Image, Journalistic, Mainstream (AP)
What is it? A map of the US showing nationwide broadband coverage.
Publication Information: Thursday, January 13, 2005 9:40 AM
Author: Kathryn Tam
Location: http://0-apimages.ap.org.janus.uoregon.edu/Search.aspx?kw=broadband&intv=None&sh=4&st=k&remem=x#Options (Map is in the list. I can’t pull the actual url for this particular graphic.)
Accessed: February 24, 2009
Support:
This is an image containing many statistics about broadband; however, no sources are listed.
Audience and Agenda:
The AP is an American news agency which is a source for newspaper, internet, television and radio media. Its news articles are published by over 1,700 newspapers and its stories are used by over 5,000 broadcasters. It operates in 121 countries and has 243 news bureaus worldwide.
Usefulness:
This is a very useful graphic because it visually shows exactly what the broadband climate in the United States is like. It very clearly shows that there are many areas of the country that don’t have a high percentage of broadband penetration. This graphic shows exactly where those areas are.
Works cited:
http://0-apimages.ap.org.janus.uoregon.edu/Search.aspx?kw=broadband&intv=None&sh=4&st=k&remem=x#Options (AP Image search)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press (Wikipedia Page on the AP)
I greatly enjoyed following U of O student journalist Jill De Leon around for the day and making a photo sideshow about her. The process wasn’t very complicated or challenging. I was lucky, however, because Jill had an eventful day that photographed well. She was always behind the camera and interacting with people, and that translated well on film. Since she was working on a single story for the day, I thought I’d focus my story on her telling of that story. It turned out to be the perfect focus because it wasn’t too broad or narrow.
The most challenging part of the assignment was thinking of a good subject. I initially had another subject, but it turned out that that story just wasn’t suitable for this format. The first subject didn’t have any sort of clear narrative to his day; therefore, I found it extremely difficult to center this assignment around him. I think that the most important part of this assignment, or any storytelling assignment, is to find an adequate subject. I had a great subject with a suitable story, and everything else just seemed to fall into place.
Title: Jonathan Budzinski Interview
Summary: This is an interview with Jonathan Budzinski, a citizen shareholder in the area of broadband. His entire livelihood depends upon broadband access, and he doesn’t always have the budget to pay for it.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Citizen, Stakeholder, Interview
What is it? An in-person interview I conducted with Jonathan Budzinski
Publication Information: The interview was conducted on March 7th, 2009
Author: A Jeremy Cabalona interview of Jonathan Budzinski
Location: In my memory, as well as some physical notes scribbles on a random sheet of paper somewhere
Accessed: March 7, 2009
Support: What Jonathan had to say came from personal experience, and there weren’t any real sources.
Audience and Agenda:
Jonathan is dependent on broadband to accomplish what he needs to in his daily life. His employment, education, and finances all require that he has reliable access to the internet. Right now, since he can’t afford to subscribe to a broadband provider, he is dependent on public sources of internet, such as the Eugene Public Library, Lane Community College, and the City of Eugene Public Wifi to get online. Therefore, if public funding for broadband were cut and these networks were to be lost, Jonathan would be without reliable access to the internet.
Usefulness:
This source provides a human angle on publicly-funded broadband. It’s easy to see the funds allocated towards public broadband as expendable when we have access to private networks. However, when one doesn’t have access to a private network, public wifi becomes very important. This ties in with expansion because it illustrates how government funds spent on internet can directly affect people’s lives. If broadband were to be brought to communities that don’t currently have it, people there could be given the opportunities offered to Jonathan online.
Works cited:
My trustly notepad
A pencil
Title: Kentucky a Model for Broadband Expansion
Summary: A Chicago Tribune article that compares the health care crisis in rural Kentucky to the current lack of technology in many areas of the state. It also uses Kentucky as a blueprint for broadband expansion nationwide.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic, Mainstream
What is it? An online article from the Chicago Tribune.
Publication Information: February 22, 2009
Author: Rebecca Cole: Washington Bureau
Location: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-wired_bdfeb22,0,6274484.story
Accessed: February 23, 2009
Support:
- Dr. Raymond Wells
- President Lyndon Johnson
- A July 2008 Pew Internet American Life Project report
- ConnectKentucky
- Brian Mefford, former head of ConnectKentucky and now chairman and chief executive of ConnectedNation
- ConnectedNation
- Art Brodsky, communications director for Public Knowledge
- Tom Reavis, Tennessee clothes salesman
Most of these sources add to the argument of Kentucky as a microcosm to nationwide broadband expansion. The Pew study gives specific details. Mefford and Brodsky give their professional opinion on the matter.
Audience and Agenda:
The Chicago Tribune is the most circulated newspaper in the Chicago metropolitan area, and it is the 8th largest newspaper in the United States. (in terms of circulation) The Chicago Tribune has an average daily circulation of 554,180 readers.
Usefulness:
This article suggests that Kentucky could be a microcosm for the nationwide rural broadband expansion plan. It also made me aware of a major technology corporation, ConnectedNation, which the government may turn to help implement its expansion plans.
Works cited:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-wired_bdfeb22,0,6274484.story
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_tribune
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2006/oct/31/business/chi-0610310218oct31
http://www.connectednation.com/who_we_are/
www.connectkentucky.org
Title: Bridging the Digital Divide: Massachusetts Broadband Initiative
Summary: This is a status report and overview of the Massachusetts Broadband Act. The bill, which was signed in August 2008 by Governor Deval Patrick, grants $40 million to be granted towards broadband expansion in Massachusetts.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Institutional, Government
What is it? An article updating the status of the Massachusetts Broadband Act as of February 2009 from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
Publication Information: Februrary 2009
Author: Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Location: http://www.masstech.org/broadband/MBIFebUpdate.html
Accessed: February 23, 2009
Support:
- Governor Deval Patrick (D-Massachusetts)
- Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI)
- Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
There isn’t much support in this source because it is largely a layout of the Massachusetts Broadband plan. Governor Patrick is cited because he is the author of the bill, and his specific words are included. The two governmental organizations are state institutions that intact the changes needed.
Audience and Agenda: The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is a Massachusetts state agency which works on issues pertaining to renewable energy and the “innovation economy.” Its members include leaders from the fields of technology, academia, and the government. Its purpose is to work with the Governor and state legislature on issues related to technology.
Usefulness: The Massachusetts Broadband Initiative provides an example of broadband expansion on a scale much smaller than that proposed by the Obama Administration. The “Recovery Act,” has $7.2 billion set aside for broadband, while this state initiative only has $40 million worth of funding. It would be useful to look at the process that the state of Massachusetts has gone through in trying to achieve the same goals the Obama Administration seeks to achieve nationally.
Works cited:
http://www.masstech.org/broadband/MBIFebUpdate.html
http://www.masstech.org/broadband/MBIFebUpdate-p2.html
http://www.masstech.org/AgencyOverview/whatwedo.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimulus_bill
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devall_patrick
Title: Skepticism arises over rural broadband stimulus
Summary: Sources in this AP article argue against the $7.2 billion funding allocated towards broadband in the “Recovery Act,” saying that broadband is growing anyway, many people don’t really want it, and that the money would be a greater help to the economy if it were spent elsewhere.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic, Mainstream
What is it? An article from the Associated Press
Publication Information: February 19, 2009
Author: The Associated Press (No specific author attributed)
Location: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/19/america/TEC-Broadband-Stimulus.php?page=2
Accessed: February 21, 2009
Support:
- Michel Guite, president of Vermont Telephone Co
- Alec Ross, technology adviser for the Obama administration
- Robert Crandall of the Brookings Institution
- Larry Sarjeant, vice president of legislative affairs at Qwest Communications International Inc.
- Pew Internet and American Life Project (Survey about Americans who don’t have broadband)
- National Cable & Telecommunications Association
- researchers at Michigan State University
- Raul Katz, a Columbia Business School professor
- Robert Atkinson, president of Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
-Qwest chief executive Ed Mueller
-Blair Levin, managing director and analyst at brokerage Stifel Nicolaus
The major sources in this article are groups conducting surveys and communications experts and spokespeople. Some academic sources (Katz, professor at Columbia Business School, and Michigan State University researchers) are also included for their opinions on the impact of the package.
Audience and Agenda: The AP is an American news agency which is a source for newspaper, internet, television and radio media. Its news articles are published by over 1,700 newspapers and its stories are used by over 5,000 broadcasters. It operates in 121 countries and has 243 news bureaus worldwide.
Usefulness:
This article presents sources which have differing opinions to the question of “Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?” than most of my other sources. Many of the sources in this article would answer “No,” to this question, because they either believe broadband expansion is adequate or that the $7.2 billion would be wasted with the current plan.
Works cited:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/19/america/TEC-Broadband-Stimulus.php?page=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Associated_Press
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimulus_bill”>Recovery Act
Title: How Will the $7.2 Billion Allotted for Broadband Stimulus Be Spent?
Summary: An article from technology news sit PCWorld giving specifics of the newly passed $7.2 Billion broadband section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. It tells where precisely the money will go, but also warns that it may be a long time before any of the money is dispensed.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic, Alternative (Geared to a specific, tech-savvy audience)
What is it? An online article from pcworld.com, an online technology news site.
Publication Information: February 19, 2009 5:40 pm
Author: Cyrus Farivar
Location:http://www.pcworld.com/article/159866/how_will_the_72_billion_allotted_for_broadband_stimulus_be_spent.html
Accessed: February 21, 2009
Support:
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- Derek Turner, research director of Free Press
- Bart Forbes, spokesperson for the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA)
- Craig Settles, president of Successful.com
- Harold Feld, a telecommunications consultant
The “Recovery Act” is quoted and deconstructed in this article. The other sources are technology experts and high-ranking members of media driven organizations (Free Press), and Forbers the spokesperson for the NTIA (one group that will be handling a good portion of the funds from the “Recovery Act.” )
Audience and Agenda:
PC World is an online technology magazine published by IDG. As of 2006, its base was roughly 750,00 readers, making it the “largest-circulation computing magazine in the world.”
Usefulness:
This source addresses the practical aspect of the broadband aspect of the “Recovery Act.” While $7.2 billion sent towards broadband expansion sounds great, this article suggests this might not be the case. Since there aren’t specific directions in the wording of the bill, and some of the necessary governmental organizations aren’t even in existence yet, Farivar suggests it could be months or even years until this money is distributed.
Works cited:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/159866-2/how_will_the_72_billion_allotted_for_broadband_stimulus_be_spent.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pcworld
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/aboutus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act_of_2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IDG
Alex Matthews – Alexcore’s Blog
Should the Obama administration continue to fund Israel’s defense?
“It’s not our problem,” Alex explains in regards to why the Obama administration shouldn’t continue to fund Israel’s defense. (Source: BBC timeline of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. UK and France started conflict, so why are we involved? )
“We’ve offered some legitimate peace treaties, but they aren’t ready for peace.” ( Source: Israel not ready for peace)
“Israelis engage in many acts of terrorists, and we shouldn’t fund that.” (Source note 16, to come)
Answer: No, the Obama administration shouldn’t continue funding towards Israel’s defense.
Title: Technology’s Fingerprints on the Stimulus Package
Summary: A New York Times article about the strong technological focus of Obama’s stimulus bill, and the overall emphasis the Obama Administration is placing on technology.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic, Legacy Media
What is it? A news article from the New York Times.
Author: Charlie Savage, David D. Kirkpatrick
Location:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/technology/11corporate.html?hp (online), and in print in the on February 11, 2009 edition of the NYT, on page B3 of the New York edition.
Accessed: February 13, 2009
Support: President Barack Obama, Jason Furman, a top White House economic adviser, Dean Garfield, the president of the Information Technology Industry Council, John Podesta, president of the liberal Center for American Progress and co-chairman of the transition, Christopher G. Caine, vice president for governmental programs at I.B.M., Debbie Goldman, a lobbyist for the Communications Workers of America, David Axelrod, a top adviser to Mr. Obama, Carol M. Browner, Obama’s energy police chief, Karl Gawell of the Geothermal Industry Association
These sources are technological experts, political activists, and members of Obama’s staff.
Audience and Agenda: The New York Times is one of the world’s leading newspapers. This is news article found in the technology section of the paper, and doesn’t feature any author commentary or blatant agenda.
Usefulness:
With all of the other sources showing what Obama is doing about broadband, this source complements those other sources by showing the Obama Administration’s pursuit of technology in all areas. It gives specific funding amounts, and a general view of the technological aspects of the stimulus package itself beyond just the broadband.
Works cited: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/technology/11corporate.html?_r=1&hp
Title: Broadband Now: Rural Broadband
Summary: A company videoblog about rural broadband in the US from USTelecom. It proves a different perspective to the “13th in the world,” statistic, as well as explores the promises of what a broadband-enabled rural America could be.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Institutional, Multimedia, Blog
What is it? A videoblog
Publication Information: March 4, 2009
Author: USTelecom: The Broadband Association
Location: http://www.howcast.com/videos/155467-Broadband-Now-Rural-Broadband
Accessed: 3-13-09
Support:
-President Barack Obama
- Recovery Plan
- The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- World Economic Forum
- Connect Kentucky
Audience and Agenda:
USTelecom is Americans broadband association, and its purpose revolves around the issue of broadband expansion. It represents broadband service providers, manufactures, and providers. Its goals include presenting broadband-related issues to congress, regulators, the courts, the white house, and providing a forum for broadband-related dialog.
Usefulness:
This is a very useful video because its goal it to provide the most realistic version of the situation facing rural America regarding broadband. It claims that only 15% of those rural Americans without broadband can’t get access to it. The rest, simply don’t want broadband or can’t afford it.
Works cited:
http://www.ustelecom.org/Video_Blogs/Videos.aspx
http://www.howcast.com/videos/155467-Broadband-Now-Rural-Broadband
http://www.aboutus.org/UsTelecom.org
http://www.ustelecom.org/WhoWeAre/
Title: Hector Ruiz: The power to connect the world
Summary: A TED talk given by Hector Ruiz on the topic of worldwide connectivity via internet. He talks about many other things, but connectivity and technology are the main themes.)
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Multimedia, Video, Academic Research ( Established publication serving a community of researchers seeking to build knowledge about an area of inquiry.)
What is it? A video lecture
Publication Information: Filmed June 2007, and Posted May 2008
Author: Hector Ruiz
Location: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/hector_ruiz_on_connecting_the_world.html
Accessed: March 12, 2009
Support: Much of Ruiz’s lecture is based around his personal experience. He mentions his company AMD as a base for connectivity. But, not any traditionally listed sources.
Audience and Agenda:
TED is world renowned for being a forum for the most respected technological minds worldwide. It is a standard for those involved in the field of technology. It is a conference held once a year, and is a modern version of an academic journal in a way. TED gives large grants to those who aim to expand technology, and is the central forum for innovation in technology. More than a thousand people attend the conference each year, and tickets sell out a year in advance.
Usefulness:
This is a useful look at what broadband’s major purpose is: connectivity. When the Obama Administration aims to increase broadband access, the only goal isn’t economic growth, but also global connectivity. I thought it was important to get a global view of connectivity, especially when so many countries are significantly more “connected” than the United States.
Works cited:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/hector_ruiz_on_connecting_the_world.html
http://www.ted.com/index.php/pages/view/id/5
Title: BROADBAND: Help for rural areas
Summary: An article from the USA Today delving into specifics of the broadband section of the stimulus package.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic, Legacy Media
What is it? An online article from the USA Today in their economics section.
Publication Information: February 13th, 2009, USA Today
Author: Leslie Cauley
Location: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-12-stimulus-package-effects_N.htm,
Accessed: February 13th, 2009
Support:
Gene Kimmelman of Consumers Union, Paul Glenchur of Stanford Group
These experts of technology present differing opinions of the Obama Administration’s plans for funding rural broadband.
Audience and Agenda:
The USA Today is an extremely popular nationwide newspaper. This article was a part of a bigger article on the stimulus package. It was posted online in the USA Today’s economic section to provide a look at different aspects of the package.
Usefulness:
This article doesn’t go too far in depth about the allocation of the funds from the stimulus package. The Washington Post Article goes into much more depth about the allocation of funds and agencies that will be overseeing them. Instead, this article focuses on what areas of the country the funding will go to, and the criteria for which locations are in need.
Works cited:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-12-stimulus-package-effects_N.htm
Title: Broadband Program Oversight Questioned
Summary: This Washington Post article gives details about how the $6 billion alloted to broadband in the new stimulus package will be distributed.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic, Legacy Media
What is it? It is an article in the Washington Post that gives details about specifics of the stimulus package.
Publication Information: The Washington Post, Thursday, February 12, 2009; Page D03
Author: Cecilia Kang
Location: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021103832.html, The Washington Post, Thursday, February 12, 2009; Page D03
Accessed: February 13th, 2009
Support: A “Senate Commerce Committee aide,” “Some public advocacy groups,” The Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, The Inspector General John Herschel Glenn, Jr, Chris Murray, senior counsel at consumer advocacy group Consumers Union, President Barack Obama, Ben Scott, policy director of public interest group Free Press, a ” spokesman for the agency’s rural utilities program”, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), chairman of the communications, technology and the Internet subcommittee, Sen. John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Commerce Committee, spokeswoman Jamie Smith
Audience and Agenda:
The Washington Post’s goal is to report the news in an unbiased fashion. This article was written by one of their staff writers, Cecilia Kang. It isn’t an editorial, and doesn’t express any opinions on the allocation of the funds, other than the opinions of those sources in the article.
Usefulness:
This source is useful because it gives specifics into what other sources have alluded to. The $6 billion figure has been floating around for days prior to this article, but this article gives a more definite plan for the money.
Works cited:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021103832.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspector_General#United_States
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_Agriculture
Summary: Obama congratulates Intel on their risky decision to invest $7 Billion in upgrading their plants as a technological step forward and a hopeful step out of the recession.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic
What is it? An article on computerworld.com. Computer World has been one of the largest online sources for technological news and information for 40 years.
Title: Obama lauds Intel plan to invest $7B in chip plants
Publication Information: February 10, 2009, Computer World
Author: Patrick Thibodeau
Location: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9127708&intsrc=news_ts_head
Accessed: February 11, 2009
Support: Intel Corporation, President Barack Obama, Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini
Audience and Agenda: Computer World’s purpose is to provide the best coverage for all issues related to technological news. It is an online publication, and has won numerous awards. They also have a print publication. Their online audience is roughly 2 million, and their print audience consists of roughly 1.5 million readers.
Usefulness:
This source emphasizes the value that President Obama truly places on improving America’s technological realm. The project by Intel wasn’t driven by the government, but Obama called and congratulated Intel as soon as he heard of their plans. Obama has been placing emphasis on America’s need of progressive technology, and this is one example of him responding to what he is always calling for.
Works cited:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9127708&intsrc=news_ts_head
http://www.computerworld.com/action/pages.do?command=viewPage&pagePath=/about_cw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel”>Intel
Summary: A press-release about the $7 billion broadband stimulus package that was recently passed in the senate.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic
What is it? A press release issued immediately after the senate passed the broadband stimulus package.
Title: Senate Passes Broadband Stimulus
Publication Information: February 10, 2009, Free Press
Author: Jen Howard
Location: http://www.freepress.net/node/48027
Accessed: 2-11-09
Support: Free Press, Ben Scott (Policy director for Free Press), The Letter to House and Senate leadership (http://www.freepress.net/files/Congressional_Letter_BB_Stimulus_Vote_Final.pdf)
Audience and Agenda:
The press release is aimed at those seeking very current and up-to-date news. It doesn’t comment on the passed package, but rather simply tells what happened. The ending of the article is the actual letter to congress leaders. It is geared towards congressmen, but provides the regular reader with insight into more professional information. The Free Press is a nonpartisan media outlet, and claims to not have a partisan slant on this issue. Instead its goal is to “reform media.”
Usefulness:
The letter to congress leaders is very valuable because it explains their reasoning on a very important newly-passed bill. The rest of the article is just a simple press-release that doesn’t add all that much detail.
Works cited:
http://www.freepress.net/node/48027
http://www.freepress.net/files/Congressional_Letter_BB_Stimulus_Vote_Final.pdf
10. Rule of thirds
9. Depth of field
8. Effective use of shadows
7. Not including too much
6. Sense of movement
5. Color palate
4. Focus
3. Interesting background
2. Interesting subject
1. Lighting
The photo assignment I just completed didn’t go as smoothly as I thought it would. It was very difficult to follow my subject for an entire day. I ended up only being able to follow my subject for a little while in the morning and then I got to spend the evening with him. It was very challenging to take pictures of my subject doing interesting things. He just had a normal day, and it didn’t seem like there was anything really worth capturing. Pre-visualization didn’t help because the day didn’t turn out like I assumed it would. I couldn’t follow him around campus or at work, so all of those ideas were useless. I wish I could do this assignment over because I have a much better idea of what to look for. I’d plan better, and make sure I picked a subject who was doing a very particular event on a particular day.
Summary: This is a plea from the Benton Foundation for the Obama Administration to implement its promise of increasing broadband nationwide.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Institutional, Non-Profit
What is it? An article on the Benton Foundation’s website.
Title: Benton Delivers Broadband Action Plan to Obama Administration
Publication Information: December 2, 2008
Author: The Benton Foundation
Location: http://www.benton.org/node/19446
Accessed: February 6th, 2009
Support: Charles Benton (Chairman CEO and Trustee of the Benton Foundation), America COMPETES Act (legislation co-sponsored by then Senator Obama), ACTION PLAN author Jonathan Rintels (Executive Director of the Center for Creative Voices in Media), The Benton Action Plan (http://benton.org/action_plan)
Audience and Agenda: The Benton Foundation is aimed at an audience who is technologically savvy. Their goal is “to articulate a public interest vision for the digital age and to demonstrate the value of communications for solving social problems.” (http://www.benton.org/about/faq) Basically, they are all about expanding and progressing technology and its use in society. They are a private foundation founded with an endowment from William Benton. They also offer scholarships and specific grants. Their funds are from the endowment and fund-raising.
Usefulness: The Benton Foundation is a major private interest in the realm of technological issues. It is very clear that they want America to progress in a certain manner technologically, and they are doing everything they can to ensure that can happen. They have a fair amount of influence on technological matters in America; therefore they are an important source.
Works cited:
http://www.benton.org/node/19446
http://www.benton.org/about/faq
http://www.benton.org/about/whoweare
http://www.benton.org/about
Title: The Agenda: Technology
Summary:The official policy of the Obama Administration regarding broadband expansion.
The official Obama Administration position:
Deploy Next-Generation Broadband: Work towards true broadband in every community in America through a combination of reform of the Universal Service Fund, better use of the nation’s wireless spectrum, promotion of next-generation facilities, technologies and applications, and new tax and loan incentives. America should lead the world in broadband penetration and Internet access.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Institutional, Government
What is it? The official website of the Obama Administration, whitehouse.gov is the definitive site to view the Obama Administration’s agenda and related news.
Title:Technology
Publication Information: The Agenda: Technology. (No date given, 2009)
Author: There is no author listed, but this page is the official position of the Obama Administration.
Location: http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/technology/
Accessed: February 6th, 2009
Support:
-President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden.
This is the administration’s plan for future events, so there is no real support, other than a general overview of what the Administration is hoping to accomplish.
Audience and Agenda: This is a page that is in place for the American people to view to understand the Obama Administration’s plans regarding technology. It is a polished government website, and therefore it appears very optimistically and manufactured, like a press release. Its agenda is to explain to the American people what the plan is, and to try to convince them to support it.
Usefulness: This page is the blueprint for the Obama Administration’s technological plans. It specifically mentions the plans for broadband expansion and its importance. It is useful because it is a standard to which the Administration can be held accountable. This is what is promised which can be used to contrast with what is actually happening.
Works cited:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/technology/
I enjoyed the experience of recording and editing my audio interview. My biggest problem came from the content I got from my interviewee. She didn’t have much of a narrative to tell. Instead she talked for 24 minutes about her job. It was a challenge to edit that into a 3 minute interview with some semblance of narration. Next time I’ll do a better pre-interview and make sure I have a set story to capture. What did work well was the editing. I actually had fun chopping out large portions of the interview and trying to shape a story out of minutes or talking. The editing process was smooth. I used Audacity, which was very straight forward and efficient. I’m very glad for the experience, because it made me feel like I was given the chance to tell a story, even if that story wasn’t all that strong.
Summary: Tim Karr, liberal blogger from the Huffington Post, warns of being too ready to believe Obama’s promises about broadband.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Citizen, Blog
What is it? A Commentary on the Huffington Post, a liberal news blog
Title: Obama’s broadband roadmap
Publication Information:
Author: Tim Karr
Location: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/obamas-broadband-roadmap_b_149321.html
Accessed: January 30th 2009
Support:
President Obama’s youtube address on 12-6-08, the U.S. Labor Department, A 2007 study by the Brookings Institution and MIT, Free Press, InternetforEveryone.org
Source Analysis:
The Huffington Post is one of the most popular blogs online. It focuses on news and politics, and has a reputation for being very liberal.
Usefulness:
This column is very useful because it is from a liberal source and is at the same time wary of Obama. Karr doesn’t accept Obama at his word, but instead notes that Bush made some of the same promises without any result.
Works cited:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/obamas-broadband-roadmap_b_149321.html
http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/broadband/cable/obamas_broadband_roadmap1050
Summary: A technology-based blog entry about some fears of Obama’s new broadband policy and how it may simply make the wealthy wealthier.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Citizen, Blog
What is it? Technology Blog
Title: Is Obama’s Broadband Plan Anything More Than A Free Gift To Incumbent Providers?
Publication Information: January 12th, 2009, Techirt
Author: Mike Masnick
Location: http://techdirt.com/articles/20090112/0146393361.shtml
Accessed: January 30th 2009
Support: Broadband Reports, Business Week
Both of these sources back up the authors’ claim that the likely benefactor of a new broadband stimulus plan will be the old providers.
Source Analysis:
Started in 1997 by Floor64 founder Mike Masnick and then growing into a group blogging effort, the Techdirt blog uses a proven economic framework to analyze and offer insight into news stories about changes in government policy, technology and legal issues that affect companies ability to innovate and grow. (From the “About” page of techdirt, http://techdirt.com/about.php)
Usefulness:
This source is useful because it is presenting one of the major possible problems with the Obama Administration funding improved broadband.
Works cited:
http://techdirt.com/articles/20090112/0146393361.shtml
http://techdirt.com/about.php
Title: Even If Obama Builds More Broadband…
Summary: This article by Gardner of InformationWeek suggests that just because Obama may expand access to broadband, people might not use it. There are reasons for people not being online other than lack of access, namely these people simply don’t want to be online or can’t afford it.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Journalistic
What is it? An online media site about the electronics spectrum and technology.
Title: Even If Obama Builds More Broadband, U.S. May Not Use It
Publication Information: InformationWeek, January 22, 2009
Author: W. David Gardner
Location: http://www.informationweek.com/news/services/data/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212902072
Accessed: January 29th, 2009
Support: John Horrigan author of the article: “If You Build It, Will They Log On?”,
List of sources, A survey of Americans’ broadband aspirations by the Pew Internet Association, American Life Project
Summary of their contribution: Horrigan talks about people’s desire in rural America for broadband. He conducted a report of 4,254 people finding that many older people, especially those in rural areas, would be difficult to educate about broadband.
Source Analysis:
Information Week is a respected technology market publication. The print version of Information Week reaches 440,000 business professionals. The publication’s website is a trusted source for technology blogs and articles.
Usefulness:
This source is useful because it looks at a different perspective towards broadband. Most sources just assume that broadband is necessary and wonderful, while this source presents a view from some people who don’t see broadband as a necessity.
Works cited:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/services/data/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212902072
http://www.informationweek.com/aboutus.jhtml
Title: Amanda Morreira Interview (No transcript or recording available)
Summary: An interview with Amanda Morreira, who grew up in Mill City, a small town in Oregon that didn’t have broadband access. Amanda describes why her family didn’t have broadband, and how moving to a broadband-filled area such as Eugene has changed her daily life.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Citizen, Interview, Stakeholder
What is it? An oral interview I conducted with Amanda
Publication Information: Not published. I have hand-written notes. I interviewed Amanda on March 11th, 2009.
Author: Jeremy Cabalona (That’s me!)
Location: In my mind, and on some scribbled pieces of paper.
Accessed: March 11th, 2009
Support: The interview mostly consisted of Amanda’s personal experiences. No outside sources.
Audience and Agenda:
This interview was conducted because I wanted to get the perspective of someone who grew up in a rural area without any broadband access.
Usefulness:
This was a useful interview, because I have the firsthand perspective of someone who lived in an area that might be affected by the broadband expansion plan. Amanda couldn’t get internet because she was too far out into the country. She knew she was missing out, but she didn’t know just how much she could accomplish online until she moved to Eugene. The only method of getting high speed internet in her neighborhood was via satellite, and that method was slow and very expensive. So, her family, and other families in the area, simply didn’t subscribe to any internet provider. She said that when she goes home, it is very difficult to be without internet.
Works cited:
Amanda Morreira, a junior at the University of Oregon from Mill City, Oregon.
Summary: This speech strongly emphasizes that even though America is weak right now, and has made many mistakes in the past, the time for change has come; newly elected President Obama promises a brighter America fueled by hard work and the American Spirit.
Topic: Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
Category: Institutional, Government
What is it? The Inaugural Address given on January 20th 2008, by the 44th American President Barack Obama.
Title: Inaugural Address
Publication Information: Address to the nation.
Author: President Barack Hussein Obama
Location: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address/
Accessed: January 21, 2009
Support:
List of sources
Summary of their contribution (Week 2-4)
Source Analysis:
The Bible (paraphrased quote), The “Father of our nation” George Washington (reference) , Thomas Paine (quote, references), The Declaration of Independence (references, borrowed phrases)
Commentary on provenance of pub (Week 4-6)
Usefulness:
This speech was seen by millions of people all around the world, and was an instant part of history. President Obama is directly addressing the United States of America, but the speech has a place for people of the world as a whole. It is the capstone of a very long and hard-fought journey, and therefore encompasses many ideas and themes used throughout his campaign. He doesn’t directly refer to all of his policies, instead it is a more general speech aimed at a very large group of people.
Works cited:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address/
Sober Obama Speech Draws on Surprising Sources: Richard Allen Greene, CNN
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.speech.sources/
We were given the assignment to interview two people and write their stories. First, I interviewed Megan, a student in my class. We couldn’t do the interview in person, so we conducted it online. She told the story of her graduation, which she called the “greatest moment of her life.” I also interviewed Brad about his high school gof experiences. Turning that interview into a story was a challenge because there was no clear narrative to the story. So I had to turn it into more of a morality tale, which wasn’t all that interesting. Next time, I will know to look for a single event which holds narrative structure better.
As for Ira Glass: His emphasis on clear narrative storytelling was very clear. His program is all about good interesting stories. They go through many stories, but only tell the ones that they find worthy. He urges storytellers to be clear of why they are telling this story. More is made of finding a good story than of how it is told. There are many who can turn a fantastic story into a nice piece of storytelling. However, finding that fantastic story is the challenge.
Should the Obama administration make it a priority to increase broadband access nationwide?
From www.rushlimbaugh.com
From the moment President Barack Obama was sworn into office, the conservative made their reaction to the event very clear. They were not pleased. One of the titans of conservative media, radio host Rush Limbaugh, mocks the mainstream media for their “Obama worship.” There are images on his site that blatantly mock the newly elected president. He warns of the approaching “era of redistribution.”Limbaugh is a leader in the conservative media, but other sources such as blogs present a more in-depth reaction to the new president.
The common denominator of many conservative blogs is fear. They are fearful of America’s new president. They are afraid of socialism, change, and even in some extreme cases, they are afraid of the “apocalypse.” They often take out their fear in mockery. They ridicule everything from the expression on First Lady Michelle Obama’s face to the “flubb,” Obama made in the oath. Blogger John Hawkins has this to say of President Obama.
Today is a great day…to be a liberal, to be a Democrat, and to be naive. Barack Obama is one of the least accomplished men, perhaps even the least accomplished man ever to become President of the United States.
Hawkins goes on to call the American people “irrational” in their support of President Obama. He mocks voters for believing Obama can deliver on the promises he made during his campaign.
On the same blog, Melissa Clouthier writes a live-blog following the events of the inauguration. Clouthier mocks the spectacle of the entire event. She states of the oncoming couples when they appear to the crowd, “The Obamas look cold. The Bushes are just so gracious.” This statement is just one obvious statement of the bias of her blog. She clearly does not like President Obama, and pokes fun at him when she can. Despite her own biases, Clouthier mocks CNN’s coverage of the inauguration, calling it “butt-kissing.”
Another conservative blog is the popular Hot Air blog. They heavily emphasized the “flub,” as well as alluding to the “kool-aide,” opinion, that Americans mindlessly voted for this man. Their front page was even complete with an image of Caesar with Obama’s head photo-shopped over it, and complete with a glimmering halo.
From www.hotair.co,
Blog comments from far-right users are often violent approaching hateful. Such as “Hate seeing my country handed over without a shot fired,” from the user Rockshine. User jp says: “Obama bit off more than he can chew, hopefully Biden and those in control of Obama aren’t as big of idiots as they come off as they seem.” Both of these comments were on the Hot Air blog.
These are just a few examples of the conservative media’s reaction to the inauguration. Fear and mockery ran rampant, and were the themes of the day in the conservative press.
Sources:
www.rushlimbaugh.com
http://www.rightwingnews.com/#post14176
www.hotair.com
For as long as I can remember, my mom would make ravioli for my brothers and me to eat. Sometimes the delectable pasta would be topped with marinara sauce ,while other times there’d be a covering of crisp white alfredo. My younger brother didn’t care for these sauces, so on many occasions there’d be nothing but butter on the ravioli (or “ravis” as my brother would call them). However they are served, I always enjoy eating them.
Professional food enthusiast S.E. Smith says, “Ravioli is a traditional Italian pasta dish made by stuffing rounds or squares of pasta dough with a filling, creating a sort of pasta ‘pillow.’” Ravioli are stuffed with an enormous variety of fillings. These filling can range from the simple riccotta cheese, to the more varied crab and asparagus stuffing.
“Though the dish is of Italian origin, the oldest known recipe is an Anglo-Norman vellum manuscript from the 1290s,” according to wikipedia. This dish is widely popular far outside of Italy.
Other cultures have dishes very similar to ravioli. One example is the Shinese wonton. Some people even refer to ravioli as “Italian jiaozi,” or the “Italian wonton,” according to absoluteastronomy.com
Millions of people all over the world regularly enjoy many varieties of ravioli. Oh, and Chef Boyardee’s canned ravioli doesn’t count.
Sources:
What is Ravioli? – S.E. Smith
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-ravioli.htm
Ravioli – Wikipedi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raviol
History of Ravioli
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Ravioli
Apparently there are even more dangers concerning smoking than most people are aware of. As if lung cancer and second-hand smoke weren’t enough, now we have third-hand smoke to worry about. Let the parade of PSAs begin.
The obligatory first post: it’s something necessary and undefined. It wants to be a prophet about posts to come, yet it doesn’t know enough to guarantee anything. Therefore instead of failed foreshadowing, this mere place-marker will suffice.
