Bronwen Vogel2

International:

Today marks the sixth day of a deadly forest fire burning in Greece. In a fast response of of sympathy the government gave $4,000 dollars to Grecians in the burned area. Thus far, 15 people have been arrested under suspicion of fraudulently collecting the federal aid. It has been reported that gypsies have come from as far as 370 miles from Northern Europe. People need only fill out a simple form and receive the compensation money directly after turning the form in- before it is checked.

The cost and time of traveling is so great- especially considering most of the people falsely collecting aid were probably not traveling by plane or even car. The money needed to be distributed by local councils who were more in-tune to the area's inhabitants. And the forms ought to be checked before money is handed out, even if it does take a few extra days.

National:

Ex-Ohio State University president Karen Holbrook is disgusted with the behavior of the college students. “When you win a game, you riot. When you lose a game, you riot. When spring comes, you riot. African-American Heritage Festival weekend, you riot.." Holbrook said. She went on to say that she does not wish to be associated with an institution that does not promote better behavior. Since 2002 Holebrook claims the behavior has been "disgusting" and "unbelievable". After her statements were published she said only the negatives of her speech were used by the media. "People have ignored every other wonderful thing about a great institution that I bragged about, and that is what concerns me...” It should be noted that she changed her tone only after her quotations reached the 52,000 university students.

It is quite possible that change needs to be brought about on the university campus, but speaking about it to the media in such a demeaning manor is not going to progress the school or promote positive change. From her statements and her later defense, it does not appear that Holbrook has much experience with the media. In a public, secular atmosphere such as Ohio State there is not much behavior change that can forcibly be brought about.

National:

Richard Jewell was wrongly accused of taking part in a bombing that killed one and injured eleven others. He pleaded innocent and his name was eventually cleared. One year ago he was called a hero instead of a suspect when he again identified a bomb. Jewell was given an award by the Governor of Georgia and regained his respect. “I never expected this day to ever happen. I’m just glad that it did.” Jewell stated. Last Wednesday he was found dead from a heart attack in his home.

Jewell may not have understood why he was falsely accused in the first place, but as Christians we know that God has a reason for everything. It was by God's grace that Jewell was able to regain his respectability only a year before he died.

International:

32 suspected members of the mafia were arrested on Thursday in a small town near Italy. The suspects are thought to be a part of organized murders in Germany earlier this month. The detainment of these men took place in San Luca; the location of two of Italy's most prevalent organized crime clans. The crimes took place after a family dinner at an Italian restaurant and the murders were between two families with a feud going back to 1991. The arrests took about 300 police forces and none of the prisoners are thought to be directly linked with the murders. It is more of a government tactic to warn against violence. About a dozen Italians are still fleeing the Italian and German governments, which are conducting separate searches.

If either government catches anyone directly linked to the murder I would have to bet on Germany; even though the suspects are not even in that country anymore. The Italian government does not seem to have the organization or the consideration to conduct a decent search to apprehend anyone immediately linked to the problem. Italian mafia crime would continue even if the other twelve were arrested. It is a problem rooted much deeper than the Italian government seems to be admitting it is.