Archive of the October 2009

• October 30, 2009

  Intern's Insight

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  We’ve all heard about the consequences of the recession – a struggling economy, lost jobs, and a depression which has had wide-spread effects in nearly every sector of professional and familial life. However, have you looked beyond your immediate household  to consider what the consequences may have been beyond the grim statistics, past the video of men in suits that continually plays when a story on finance is run, and thought about the “unknowns” who play a large part in the American narrative?

  I am, of course, referring to the children of our nation. It has come to my attention recently that there have been other victims of the recession beyond those commonly portrayed in mainstream media. Through a series of introspective articles and papers on the subject of children who have been subject to the negative consequences of the recession, I’ve learned that this situation is due to the pressure which has increasingly mounted within the familial unit – leading to a contemporary version of Dickensian “hard times”. In a recent NY Times article, historian Steven Mintz said the following of the situation impacting our nation’s most vulnerable victims:

  “Economic hardship has a very destructive impact on parenting. Parents become depressed, withdrawn and quick to anger. Physical punishment often increases. Then, and now, the young are the unheralded victims of economic hard times." (Courtesy NY Times, October 29 - "Perils of the Recession Generation")

  By all accounts, the effect of the recession on children and youth has extended beyond the immediate consequences of job loss within the household as federal financing for childcare, education, and even state assistance has dwindled. As we approach the weekend, I would urge you all to spend just a few minutes thinking about these unintended victims of adult exploitation, especially given that the larger debate here is entrenched in the tension between federal assistance versus private charitable effort in bridging the gap of need. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and what’s to be done next? Well that’s up to you…

  -N

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• October 30, 2009

  Michigan Shootout Afermath

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  Members of the Islamic community are trying to work with Michigan police and the FBI in the aftermath of a shootout at a Dearborn warehouse. 

   

  Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah was killed and several of his alleged acquaintances have been arrested.  The search is still on for two others.

   

  The FBI says the men were part of a radical Islamic group and were wanted for criminal conspiracy that involved firearms and stolen goods.  None of the men who were arrested have been charged with terrorism.

   

  The FBI is mourning the loss of one of its own.  A member of the K-9 unit, Freddy, was killed in the shootout. 

   

  Freddy joined the FBI in 2008.  He'll be buried in Quantico, VA and his name will be added to a memorial wall.

   

  If you want to send a card to Freddy's team members can send them to:

  Freddy's Team
  c/o FBI
  477 Michigan Avenue, 26th floor
  Detroit, MI 48226

  Or, to donate in his memory to a K-9 Law Enforcement Memorial:

  FBI Agents Association
  Attn: K9 Fund-Freddy
  PO Box 12650
  Arlington, VA 22219 

   

  

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• October 29, 2009

  Question of the Day

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  Health care continues to be a big topic on Capitol Hill and in the homes of most Americans. Its difficult to determine what's happening when bills come in and out of committee with new amendments and ever changing language. We want to know the basics of what YOU want:

  In the final health care bill, do you want to see a government-run insurance option passed?

  Post your responses or send an email to happeningnow@foxnews.com

   

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• October 28, 2009

  Looking for a Job?

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  Jamie Colby had a great report today about places you may have forgotten to look in your job hunt. The army is looking for civilians to come work for them. If you're interested or want more information you can visit the website:

   

  WWW.CPOL.ARMY.MIL

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• October 23, 2009

  Coming Up on Happening Now

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  Money, money, moneeeeayyyy! As the catchy 70’s tune implies, the buzz in the newsroom is the matter of executive compensation within the banking industry, and in just a few hours we will be bringing you the latest analysis and insightful commentary regarding the consequences of and debate surrounding executive pay limits. What do you think about the controversy?

  We also have stories regarding a pair of Northwest airline pilots who overestimated their airport destination by 150 miles, the most recent victim of a string of student shooting in Chicago, and some updates regarding a variety of investigations and features to kick off your weekend so be sure to tune in!

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• October 23, 2009

  Intern's Insight

  Show Producers  | 

  Yesterday on “Happening Now” we reported the story of 48-year old Faleh Hassan Almaleki of Glendale, AZ who, according to police reports, fled the scene immediately after he ran over his daughter, 20 year-old Noor Faleh Almalek, in his 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. His motive is reported to have been his wrath over his daughter’s assimilation into American culture, and the consequence is that Noor is currently hospitalized and suffering from life-threatening injuries. A father who would calculatingly harm his offspring alerts us to a situation in which their relationship had clearly deteriorated, and given the nature of the circumstances, it’s difficult not to become immediately outraged at the deliberate and pre-meditative nature of the crime.

  However, it seems to me that an incident such as this is laden with both meaning and contention as the father’s motive for the crime was reportedly outrage at his daughter’s withdrawing from an arranged marriage. Does this signal the extent to which he considered his daughter’s assimilation to be excessive? As of this morning, there are many unknown details, but an interesting aspect of consideration is whether or not Faleh and his daughter had become American citizens. If they had been, Faleh would have sworn to abide by American law, and do we consider that by natural extension law includes American norms and values? Do we strictly define norms and values as applied to the general population or do we include those of other cultures as a nod to America’s heritage as a “melting pot”? To what extent was Faleh un-American himself? And as an immigrant, to what extent do we approach foreign cultures – with or without unwarranted suspicion? How do we define “Westernization” or “assimilation”? In turn, do we view the father’s actions as being excessively “Iraqi” or “Middle-eastern”? We are taught not to judge others on the basis of cultural norms, and yet can we given that the enactment of a cultural norm in this case resulted in a clear violation of American law (attempted manslaughter)?

  How would we react if the situation was reversed and Almaleki had hurt his daughter under the pretext that she hadn’t become “American” enough? How does one interpret being “American,” especially given Noor’s youth? Was it solely her desire to refrain from entering a presumably loveless, arranged marriage? What type of events lead to this incident -- did Noor wear provokingly low cut pants & belly-baring tops, or did she thoughtfully attempt to assert her independence through more conscientious means? Did her father attempt an honor killing, or was this a drastic means of teaching Noor a lesson? We don’t know the details & so the questions I am asking are part of a larger debate regarding the definition of casually used terms such as “Westernization,” “American“ and “assimilation.” This incident clearly illustrates the consequences that can be derived from their interpretation. As further details in this matter emerge, I know I will be evaluating the story in terms of a father defending a culture left behind and a daughter living life according to her own interpretation of mores, with the knowledge that the reality we face addresses a far deeper concern which underscores the existing tensions between cultures -- which we can only hope will be gradually eroded and yet without cost to the distinctive nuances of the respective traditions to which we belong.

  -N

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• October 22, 2009

  Coming Up on Happening Now

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  Good morning! At this very moment, new details are emerging regarding the matter of 7 year-old Somer Thompson who was reported missing earlier this week. Authorities have tentatively identified the Somer's body  as found in a Georgia landfill close to the Florida border. A point of great contention that we are further researching is that as many as 161 registered sex offenders currently reside within a five mile radius of her hometown. What do you think about this? Should the residence of sex offenders in YOUR neighborhood be made a public fact? How, why and where these individuals decide to reside after having served a jail sentence for these serious crimes has long been a foremost issue within a larger controversial debate, and Florida Governor Charlie Crist will be calling in & discussing this disturbing case in detail with us.

   In other shocking news today we will be bringing you the story regarding a father of Iraqi heritage who deliberately ran over his 20 year-old daughter, Noor Faleh Almaleki & her roommate Amal Edan Khalaf, with a truck as a punishment of sorts for her increasingly “Westernized” behavior.

   To catch a thief, get a knife to the face or be fired? This is a predicament that former Wal-Mart employee Josh Rutner was not expecting to find himself in as he has said he was merely doing his job as an "asset protection officer" at the chain retail store earlier this month when he chased a knife-wielding theft suspect across the store parking lot in Ocala, Arkansas. Wal-Mart policy states that chasing after a thief in any circumstance is clear violation of company protocol; we’ll be looking into this story further, along with many more to be brought to you soon on Happening Now – you won’t want to miss it!

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• October 20, 2009

  UPDATE: Amber Alert in Florida

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  Somer Thompson's parents knew she was was playing outside with other neighborhood kids, but when they went to look for her she was nowhere to be found.

   Police are looking for any information that may help find Somer. Please contact the authorities at:

   

  TIPLINE: 1-877-227-6911

  EMAIL: CART@CLAYSHERIFF.COM

  ( CHILD ABDUCTION RESPONSE TEAM)

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• October 20, 2009

  Coming Up on Happening Now

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  A Virginia Tech student has been missing since this weekend. She disappeared after attending a concert with friends. We will talk to the police to see where the search stands. If you have any information about Morgan Harrington who is 20 years-old, blonde and approx. 5 foot six inches please contact the Virginia State Police at (434) 352-3435 OR

  bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov

  We'll also be looking at the latest on the health care bill. Where does it stand? What's being said behind closed doors?

  Will the Obama administration set a strategy for Afghanistan before the elections are complete or will they wait? There are several opinions on the course that should be taken. What do you think?

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• October 19, 2009

  Good Morning Happening Now viewers

  Show Producers  | 

  We hope everyone had a great weekend. Maybe you watched some football? Perhaps you watched a baseball game? Well we've got to get back to work now that its Monday and there's lots of news out there today.

  Karl Rove will be with us to discuss is anger toward Rahm Emmanuel's comments this weekend. Emmanuel said the Bush administration had no Afghanistan strategy and left the Obama administration to start from scratch. Needless to say, Mr. Rove disagrees.

  Balloon Boy, remember him? Well police think his parents put him up to the whole thing. They story that took the media and the nation by storm is under intense speculation that it was a hoax from the beginning. Do you feel gullible? The media hungry parents may be in a lot of trouble soon. We'll tell you what sort of legal mess their stunt could have landed them in during the show.

  A new report shows that there are an increasing number of Americans and Westerners attending terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan. WHY?

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