Susan Jewell

national:
SUMMARY
In Philadelphia; a woman, Anne Mahlum, would run by homeless every day as they cheered her on. One day she wondered why she was running by them and advancing her life but they always stayed stationary. She contacted homeless shelters and arranged for running gear to be donated. She called the organization "Back on My Feet". There are 54 homeless participants and more than 250 volunteers. "Requirements for shelter residents to join are simple -- they must live in an affiliated facility and be clean and sober for 30 days. Members receive new shoes and running clothes, and teams run together three times a week between 5:30 and 6 a.m." She think the running teaching discipline and dedication. One man who went through the program now has a job, is in school, training to run a marathon, and no longer does cocaine.

OPINION
This is pretty neat. I would agree with Ms. Mahlum, team sports do encourage discipline and the way this program is set up is very team like. I think this is a very clever way to help homeless people without enabling them to continue as are. The requirements are very good as well so the people who get in can all be supports and not the downfall to others. The diversity of the running groups are also good. The article said the groups have doctors, students, homeless people all running as a group.

national:
SUMMARY
A man claims he is pregnant. He was born a woman but that never felt right so he began testosterone treatment to make him a man. He met his wife, Nancy, while he was still a female. Nancy said she was unable to have kids so Thomas, her now pregnant husband, said he would do it. One artificial insemination test later he became pregnant. Many groups found out about his claim and decided that there would need to be more proof. Oprah had the couple on her show. Oprah had cameras follow the two around to their doctors appointment. The doctor ran an ultra sound to show a little girl in Thomas' stomach.

OPINION
This is kind of disturbing. Can you just imagine the kid being like "My dad gave birth to me!" to her friends when she is little and totally getting made fun of. And when she sees pictures of her dad pregnant. The child is going to be so confused. I think that this is somewhat like playing God. I just think it is wrong that Thomas even changed to a woman. They seem like a loving couple so I suppose that is good albeit strange.

international:
SUMMARY
A pirate siezed a French yacht. The yacht was taken over on its way back from Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean, toward the Mediterranean Sea. The prime minister of France said, "This is a blatant act of piracy." Currently the French government is dealing with this single act of piracy but last year pirates siezed more than 24 ships off the coast of Somalia.

OPINION
This is a rather neat fact. I had no idea that pirates were so prevelent today. I have always wanted to meet a pirate and now for all I know I have and did not realize it. Ah, I suppose I now must go to France and be a crew mwmber on luxury yachts. Anyways, in all seriousness, although, I wasn't entirely kidding before, I hope the issue is dealt with. The yacht sounded quite expensive and that would be a large loss for the company which owned it.

international:
SUMMARY
A man in Canada had 15 sexual partners in seven years -- that's not even the craziest part of the story. The man, Carl Leone, had HIV and neglected to tell any of his partners about his condition. Five of those partners now have been diagnosed with HIV. He pled gulty to the charge so the women would not have to testify so he was sentenced with 18 years in jail. In 6 years he will be able to go on parole.

OPINION
What a jerk! I suppose I can understand why he would not tell the women he had AIDs but he still should have. That is seriously messed up. I feel especially bad for the five who actually contracted the disease. This is a perfect example for monogamy. Waiting to have sex until marriage is a clever idea. There would be far less STDs and emotionally disturbed people.