I wanted to take some time to update a few of my assignments from the semester. Below is a list of the work I’ve updated with links to the posts.
Animal Rescue article & Notes on the assignment
It’s hard to believe the semester is actually over. I hope to continue updating my blog throughout the winter (and maybe longer!). Check back to see what develops!
Christy
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Below is the (fake) news story that accompanied our second assignment of the week. We were asked to evaluate the story and answer the following questions:
In your advice to the site, provide counsel on the following concerns:
(This assignment is entirely fictitious; the names, places and events were invented to create the above hypothetical.)
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Six people were killed Saturday night in a horrifying pair of alcohol-related crashes near Yankee Stadium after a sold-out baseball game. Five of the six victims had stopped to help after the first accident.
The accidents occurred about 11:45 p.m., roughly two hours after the Yankees’ victory over the Red Sox on a congested street near the Stadium. The identities of the victims had not been released by early December 3. New York Police Sgt. Rocco T. Ruggiero said that a white Ford Explorer ran a stop sign and pulled onto East 161st Street. The Explorer was likely coming from the stadium and alcohol was a factor, Ruggiero said.
The Explorer struck a silver Toyota Prius in the intersection. The driver of the Explorer that ran the stop sign was killed. Other motorists and one person riding a bicycle stopped to help.
A green Chevy van heading east then slammed into the good Samaritans and into both the Explorer and the Prius. Ruggiero said that the third motorist was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and faces “more very serious charges.”
The driver was not seriously injured, and he was taken to a local hospital to be treated. Ruggiero identified that motorist as David Simmons, a 19-year-old Brooklyn College student from Queens, N.Y. whose address is a campus dormitory. Brooklyn College officials confirmed that Simmons is enrolled there as a student. They said he is a soccer player and the vice president of the campus chapter of SADD, Students Against Drunk Driving.
Five victims were pronounced dead at the scene; the sixth died en route to the hospital. Five of the six were males. Their ages were not released.
As authorities blocked off streets in the area, bodies lay on 161st Street covered with sheets. Robin Hubier was leaving her apartment on a bicycle when she saw the green van pass her. “I heard a sound and saw something, but that’s about all,” she said. As she pedaled closer, she saw that the van had hit people. “It’s a tragedy,” Hubier said. “All I can say is that it’s a damn tragedy. Whoever was driving the van was too much in a rush. I think people like that guy are just too stupid to know when it’s unsafe to drive.”
Simmons sues MyFacebookSpaceNews.com for libel per se, seeking $5 million in damages. Simmons said the story was libelous because it falsely reported that he was guilty of drunk driving and that it falsely portrayed him as stupid. Simmons said he was not drunk and that he’s not stupid. He said he majors in inter-disciplinary studies at Brooklyn College.
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1. What type of libel plaintiff is the court likely to name Simmons?
Simmons is most likely to be named a private citizen by the court.
2. What, then, will be the requisite standard of fault in this case?
The requisite standard of fault in this case would be negligence.
3. Will Simmons be able to prove the requisite standard fault?
Perhaps. Simmons should be able to prove negligence by claiming lack of a thorough investigation and lack of verification of information. The reporter on the case could have easily determined whether or not Simmons was under the influence of alcohol when the accident occurred. The information would have been open record and it would have squashed any assumptions by the readers that Simmons was drunk at the time of the accident if he indeed was not. That information should have been available since the story was published the Wednesday after the accident (4 days later).
4. Are there other defenses the news site might consider?
The news site could argue that Simmons was a vortex/limited public figure. Simmons was known to be the vice-president of SADD and the accident he was involved in may have been alcohol related. The site could argue that Simmons’ ties to SADD (whether he was drunk or not) would create a public controversy and affect a large number of people.
Simmons would then be required to prove actual malice. This would be more difficult to prove because the news site didn’t actually say that Simmons was drunk when the accident occured, only that he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. It would be easier for the site to show the absence of actual malice. They would easily be able to find 3 sources to affirm that Simmons was indeed arrested under suspicion of drunken driving on the night of the accident. Whether Simmons was drunk or not, the site would have still been reporting the truth in their statement. However, I would argue that since the story was published at a later date, the reporter had time to confirm the details. Not following up with the arresting officer could be argued as reckless disregard for the truth.
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Runner's World is part of Rodale Publishing Inc.
One of our assignments this week was to read and evaluate the privacy policy of a favorite Web site. I decided to read over RunnersWorld.com’s policy since I regularly contribute information to the site via my blog. I was pretty shocked at what I found. Even on a site that (I think) I’m extremely familiar with, I uncovered some things with which I really disagreed.
The policy starts out pretty basic with Rodale Publishing (who owns Runner’s World) acknowledging the reader as part of the Rodale “family.” As part of this family, Rodale promises to do their best to protect your rights and personal information. That’s very nice but how do they do it? Well, they’re going to tell you, but first they want you to know that by simply viewing their privacy policy, you are agreeing to it and accepting all terms and conditions.
This policy explains what we do with your information and what you can expect from Rodale. By using this site, you indicate your acceptance of Rodale’s Privacy Policy.
I find this a little disturbing. What about the visitors that don’t view the privacy policy? Are they exempt from its conditions because they didn’t read them? Of course not, but the wording is confusing. This wouldn’t really be a problem for anyone just browsing the articles on Runner’s World, but what about those (like me) who contribute original work? Runners World offers multiple creative outlets including blogging tools, photo galleries, and comment enabled articles. There isn’t a privacy policy that pops up with a “check here to agree to our terms” message when you register for a photo gallery, and the privacy policy itself is hidden at the bottom of the Web page. I know we have discussed in class that many Web sites discourage readership of their privacy policies, but as someone contributing information regularly, I want to know what my rights are.
The first issue addressed in the privacy policy is protecting children under 13. Rodale says, “We won’t knowingly allow anyone under 13 to provide us any personal identifying information.” This can easily be accomplished by lying about your age on the registration form you are required to complete for a Runner’s World account. My question is, what will Rodale do if they discover someone under the age of 13 has been providing them information? They don’t offer any solution to this problem. My guess is that they will immediately remove all posts and other information uploaded by the user, but they don’ say that. They should make the consequences clearer.
Under the “What’s in it for me?” header, Rodale explains that user “information is shared with reputable organizations that may contact you with special offers of possible interest.” I’d rather be able to decide for myself who can contact me. What’s more confusing is that using the “unsubscribe” feature on emails from these other organizations will only stop their emails from reaching your inbox. The companies will still be able to collect your information. The only way to stop this collection is by filling out a form provided on the Rodale Web site.
Rodale addresses changes to the privacy policy under the “Changes” header. Any changes to the policy are posted directly to the Web site. They offer no email updates to address these changes, which I see as a problem. It seems inconvenient to have readers constantly checking the policy for updates. If there are changes, would we even notice them? The policy is hard to read and any updates would be hard to find.
The most shocking part of the policy, in my opinion, was in the “Rights” section. Rodale says, “By submitting content to or through our sites, you grant us the non-exclusive right to reproduce, modify, and distribute it as we see fit in any medium and for any purpose in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed.” I have never seen “technology now known or later developed” included in a privacy policy before. This is especially disturbing because Runner’s World very much encourages readers to post photos, blogs, and other original content to their Web site. Knowing that Runner’s World can do whatever they like with that information actually caused me to remove a series of photos I had uploaded a few months ago. But of course now I wonder, are those photos really “gone?”
Rodale goes on to state, “You also permit any other user to access, display, and print such content for personal use.” This is shocking. If this is actually true, how can they state in the same paragraph that “If non-original content is included in your posting, you must obtain permission from the content owner and attribute it.” This seems like a huge contradiction to the previous statement. Who is protected here? Only those who have copyrighted material? Is my original photo gallery able to be snatched up and copyrighted by whoever wishes to do so? With so much of my original content on the Runner’s World Web site, I would like more clarification on this matter.
Other things that caught my attention:
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I chose to write a FAQ section for the Run Club a colleague and I are starting at our office. We are running enthusiasts and marathon junkies who have passed the running itch along to other coworkers. Because of the increased interest in our training program, we’ve put together a group for other employees who are training for the Chicago marathon next year. I was hoping this assignment would help me recognize potential problems as we get our club off the ground. Our first meeting is January 4th… you’ll definitely see this FAQ sheet on our employee Web page by then 
What is Run Club?
Who can join?
Can I bring a friend who doesn’t work here?
I don’t want to run the marathon, can I train with you anyway?
How much does it cost to join?
When does Run Club meet?
Where do you all meet up?
What should I bring on training runs?
How far are each of the training runs?
What if the weather is bad? Do we still run?
Do I get overtime for working out with Run Club?
We started the Run Club for employees in training for the 2010 Chicago Marathon. We meet for training runs after work and participate in a discussion board on the employee Web site.Back to Top
Anyone that works in our office is welcome to sign-up.Back to Top
Can I bring a friend that doesn’t work here?
Sure! However, they won’t be able to participate in the discussion board without an employee log-in.Back to Top
I don’t want to run the marathon, can I train with you anyway?
Of course. While training for the marathon will be our primary focus, anyone who enjoys running is welcome in our group.Back to Top
How much does it cost to join?
It’s free! We may occasionally go out for dinner/drinks after a long-run, but we will take care of our own tabs.Back to Top
We meet every Monday and Thursday at 5:30pm.Back to Top
Each of our training runs will take place on the Lake Front Trail starting in Lincoln Park at the pedestrian bridge to North Avenue Beach. If you don’t have a car you can sign up on the carpool list located on the Web site.Back to Top
What should I bring on training runs?
Running shoes and gear are all you really need. You will want to bring a water bottle on all runs over 6 miles as the park water fountains have been shut off for the winter.Back to Top
How far are each of the training runs?
The length of our runs will change as our training progresses. You can view the training schedule here <add link to training log>. Generally, Mondays will consist of speed work and tempo runs and Thursdays will consist of long-runs.Back to Top
What if the weather is bad? Do we still run?
We will not run if the temperature falls below 10 degrees Farenheit. We will also not run if there is lightening or heavy rain. Updates regarding cancellations will be posted on the Web site.Back to Top
Do I get overtime for working out with Run Club?
We’re working on this one. We think it’s a great idea Back to Top
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Thinking about getting a new puppy for the holidays? Before you run out to the nearest pet store or email a local breeder, you might want to consider another option.
CHICAGO – Deb Giesler is concerned about the holidays. She’s not worried about herself or her family, but rather that the 13 dogs being sheltered by the American Brittany Rescue (ABR) won’t find the homes they need.
“Dogs and puppies are a really popular gift around the holidays, but most people don’t know the best places to go looking for them,” said Giesler, who has led the American Brittany Rescue in Illinois for the past 10 years. “Most people go to a pet store or contact a breeder. They don’t realize that there are many, many dogs in need at local rescues.”
The 13 dogs currently being fostered by the American Brittany Rescue have been saved from euthinization, taken from abusive homes, or turned over to ABR by people who decided they couldn’t handle a pet. While ABR is a breed-specific rescue (taking in only Brittanys), there are hundreds of rescue groups around the country. Many, like ABR, cater to specific breeds. So whether you’re looking for a Great Dane or a Chihuahua, there’s a rescue that can help you.
ABR volunteer Lee Katman and her dog Romi, spend the first Saturday of each month raising money for ABR at Petco.
“The great thing about rescues is that we have beautiful dogs. We make sure they are nursed back to health and given the proper recovery before we send them to new homes,” said ABR volunteer Lee Katman. “You get the peace of mind that your dog is coming from a safe place and that they are healthy and happy.”
Raising money for a great cause
On the first Saturday of each month, you’ll find Katman and her Brittany, Romi, at the Petco on North Halsted Street and Clark Street. Romi and Katman have been raising money for ABR at this location for the past three years. This year, they are recruiting even more volunteers to help with a special initiative. On December 5th and 6th, Petco customers and their pets can have their picture taken with Santa for a small donation to ABR.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Katman said, “and it’s going to raise awareness about all rescues, not just ABR.”
Get Involved
Rescues like ABR need help year round, even if you’re not looking for a dog. Katman and Giesler both said there is a great need for people willing to foster animals.
“Right now we almost have more dogs than we can handle,” said ABR volunteer coordinator Diane Kindler. “Some of our people are fostering two or three dogs at a time. If you are an animal lover but not ready to commit to having a dog full-time, fostering is a great way to help out.”
ABR takes volunteer applications on its website where they also list dogs in need around the country.
“The best way to get involved is to fill out our volunteer application and get on our email chain,” said Kindler. “Once we approve your application you can ‘raise your hand’ to help whenever you would like.”
ABR isn’t the only rescue looking for volunteers. Local rescue shelter P.A.W.S. is currently offering orientation classes to those interested and Animal House Shelter recently posted a “Now Hiring!” notice on their website.
So whether you’re looking to adopt a dog or just raise money for a cause this holiday, rescue shelters like ABR are willing and ready to talk to you.
“The sad truth is that many of the dogs bought this Christmas will end up in our rescues, ” said Giesler. “We want to encourage people to come to us first, and get paired with a dog that will be part of their family forever.”
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The Audience
The intended audience was one made up of dog owners, potential dog owners, and people who live in my community. I hoped to further educate dog owners on the activities local rescues were involved in, to introduce the idea of adopting from a rescue to potential owners, and to encourage members of my community to volunteer or donate to the rescue.
An article like this could appear in a local or national paper. The content can be adjusted with local phone numbers and local shelter information.
The Interviews
The Questions
For Diane and Deborah:
1. How did you become involved with ABR?
2. What do you hope to accomplish through the work you do with ABR?
3. What ABR achievement are you most proud of?
4. In what area does ABR need the most help (volunteers, donations, etc.)?
5. What are your hopes for ABR in the next 5 years? How do you hope to grow? Or are you satisfied with the place ABR is in right now?
6. Where can potential volunteers get more information about ABR?
7. If you have time, please share your feelings on the importance of dog rescue groups (regardless of the breed).
For Lee:
1. How did you become involved with ABR?
2. What have you gotten out of volunteering for the rescue?
3. Any favorite memories from volunteering?
4. What would you tell someone who is thinking about adopting a dog from a rescue?
The Facts
Most of my research was to gather background information on the topics and to verify the positions of some ABR volunteers. I also spoke with the Petco where Lee Katman volunteered to get an idea of how long they had been working with ABR.
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This week we had to edit an entry in Wikipedia. This was a little scary since, as Wikipedia reminds you, When you click Save, your changes will immediately become visible to everyone. I chose to edit the Brittany Spaniel page. I own a 2 year-old Brittany, so this is a topic that I’m pretty well educated on. I also have a lot of literature about the breed that I knew would serve as credible references to any edits I made.
The changes that I made were minor but important. First, the word “Brittanys” was misspelled throughout the entry. I checked with the AKC to verify the plural spelling and changed the mistake in Wikipedia. I also added a section on the History of the Brittany. The information I gathered came from the AKC Web site as well as many books that I have at home (all of which are referenced properly in the entry).
Below is an image of the Brittany Spaniel page before my edits:
…and here’s the link to the newly updated page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany_(dog)#References
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Look for the River dog icon 
Here’s the link to my Twitter page for our class. Hope to see you tweeting….
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The colleague that I attended the Kern lecture with emailed me this link to the Daily Northwestern today. I thought this was a pretty neat way to display the school paper. This is the issue that announced Gerry Kern’s lecture at the McCormick Tribune Center (see page 6).
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