No thank you baseball gods

Last night, baseball fans in Boston did something they have never done before...cheer for the Yankees. With their playoff slot on the line, not only the Sox players, but the fans as well rallied behind the Yankees, looking for a win over Tampa Bay. Before last nights game, the Sox and Rays were tied for the wild card slot. In order for the Sox to advance, they had to win last nights game and if Tampa lost, they would automatically in but if Tampa won as well, they would be tied again and forced to play a one game playoff. As I struggle to write this article so close to the Sox's loss, I am pleased to say that Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia remained strong throughout the entire season. The pitching was painful to watch and without the bats of Ellsbury and Pedroia, the Sox would have had no chance. General Manager Theo Epstein and Manager Terry Francona buckled under the pressure of making the playoffs. It was difficult to watch the Sox fall apart so close to the end of the season, with very few players pulling their weight. 


Along with the rest of true Boston sports fans, the author seemed to struggle with writing about the loss. He wrote in sympathy to Boston fans, with little criticism to the Sox. However, he did point out that the Sox loss saved them from potential embarrassment, if they then lost the next game as well. I agree with the author about the fact that maybe the Sox didn't deserve the playoff spot overall because of the poor playing towards the end of the season. He remained true to his favorite baseball team but some of his word choices such as "dead-eyed roster dragged them down like a sack of fungo bats" or "did nothing to deserve such a chance". He was just as disappointed as the next Sox fan was. While he did admit to the fact that maybe the Rays did deserve the playoff spot much more than the Sox, he still showed his true spirit. Although the season ended on a rough note, the author's attitude ensured readers that true Sox fans will remain loyal but for now...go Bruins!


Baseball: The gods were merciful
http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2011/09/29/baseball-gods-were-merciful/2WhK3Pkb357GaABetcQF9I/story.xml

Have you ever wondered if your teachers were graded as regularly as you are? Some students feel that they received a poor grade in a certain class simply because of the teacher but that may not be all true. In New Haven, Connecticut, the school systems have started to analyze their teachers. The teachers union agreed "to a new teacher evaluation system that aims to reward excellent teaching and to retrain or remove poor performers" (editorial 1). The teachers are rated individually and if the evaluator feels that the teacher could use some improvement, they are directed to specific help. The evaluator looks for three things while "grading" the teacher. They consider the overall student growth, the instructional abilities of the teacher, and if the teacher has high expectations for their students and strongly believe that they will all do well. In the chance that teachers receive an extremely positive report, they are given the option of promotion to a higher leadership position. So far the results have been favorable, "Of the 1,846 teachers rated, 75 were notified early in the 2010 school year that they were in danger of being terminated" (editorial 1). Of the 75 that were notified, 34 immediately resigned or retired but 40% of those that remained have already received help and are on the track to improvement. 

I think that the author of this article was very familiar with her audience. She wrote not only to citizens of New Haven, Connecticut, but to everybody that has an opinion of teachers. I also think the author was in favor of the new rating system as she used words such as "strong", "effective", and "constant feedback" to describe the success of the new system. I agree with the author and the school system in that teachers should be graded and given a chance for improvement, if needed. I think the author demonstrated a very positive attitude towards the recent decision in New Haven regarding to the evaluation system. Throughout the article, the author continually praised the evaluation system and demonstrated faith in it, "This shows that good teaching can indeed be taught, and that with genuine effort school systems can upgrade the teacher corps in a fairly short period of time" (editorial). 

New Haven's Teacher Improvement Plan

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/opinion/new-havens-teacher-improvement-plan.html?scp=1&sq=new%20haven%20teachers&st=cse

Safety First?

While looking for an editorial to read this week, I was looking for something that I could potentially relate to. Being a new driver, I thought that the editorial, "In matters of safety, state must focus on drivers too." I assumed that it would be about seat belts or other safety precautions important for drivers but I was wrong. The editorial was about safety regulations concerning the drivers and vehicles that transport preschoolers to school or daycare. I was horrified to read that the regulations set by the state were more concerned with minor details of the car than the driver of it. However, I was even more appalled to read about the recent death of a 17-month old. It was heartbreaking to read that the 17 month old died after being left unattended in the pickup van that transported him to his daycare. I could not help but think how his family is dealing with this awful tragedy. While I am still in shock about this horrible incident but I applaud the author for writing an editorial to inform us about the lack of laws concerning the driver of a vehicle. I agree with the author that the state regulations focus too much on the physical condition of the car rather than the driver. While the condition of the car is extremely important as well, I think that it is more important to be a assured that the driver is safe and reliable. I think that a driver of such vehicles should take a test and be evaluated throughout they're career. I hope that the state government looks over these laws again and amends them so that events like this will never happen again.


I think that the author was very clear of his audience. Writing in the Boston Globe, it is expected that citizens from Massachusetts will be reading it and the author catered to them. He mentioned laws and departments from Massachusetts that are familiar to only Massachusetts citizens. When referring to our governor, Deval Patrick, he simply said "Governor Patrick," assuming that all residents of Massachusetts know Governor Patrick's first name. The author also used a lot of evidence, quoting laws from the Department of Early Education and Care and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The author appears to be against the current laws regarding transportation for preschoolers. He seems to doubt that the government will do much to fix them either by saying, "Governor Patrick has expressed some doubts that such a tragedy could be averted through more regulation." The author ends his editorial with, The latest tragedy shows that uninspected drivers break down, too."


In matters of safety, state must focus on drivers, too
http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2011/09/20/safety-rules-aren-just-for-vans-state-must-focus-drivers-too/0JHT7gnrlArKZRJT2eTpVL/story.xml

'Rock Lobster' or 'Love Shack' Anyone?

As I previewed my choices of editorials from the latest edition of the Boston Globe, I was intrigued by ""Rock Lobster' also tastes good in Mass." I do agree with the author in the opening statement, Does a free dinner in a Hampton Beach ballroom and a concert by the B-52s give anyone reason to relocate a business from the Bay State to the Granite State? Probably not..." (1). I think that by offering a free catered dinner while listening to the B-52's is a bit of a stretch in trying to attract customers...especially when the offer is specifically for company functions. I do think that the idea has potential with the creativity and originality of it, but not many companies would be interested in a PR release at a Hampton Beach Casino. I agree with the author in the fact that it is a very trying attempt to bring in a profit while the other company is benefiting as well. My immediate reaction was that it was a unique way to bring in revenue and I applaud the Hampton Hotel for tying in the old hit 'Rock Lobster' because New England is known for lobster, but I think it was too much of a stretch as the B-52's popularity has faded. I agree with the author in that it is a "gimmick" to offer this to companies and that Massachusetts and New Hampshire should have spent more time brainstorming how to benefit from new companies in the state.


I think that the author was confused as to who the specific audience would consist of but considering the article was written for the Boston Globe, it was written for those in New England. He connects the popularity of lobster as a meal with the offer made by New Hampshire officials. The author also always referred to Massachusetts as the "Bay State" and New Hampshire as the "Granite State," which is something citizens outside of New England may not know about. At the beginning of the article, the author made sure the audience were aware he was not in favor of the decision. He opened the article saying it "probably wasn't a good idea to promote a business like this" and questioned the thought process behind it. His negative diction affected me in the fact that the Hampton Beach Casino put out a lame attempt to promote business. However, I think that the author was too opinionated about the decision. Unfortunately, I think the author misread the purpose of the editorial and saw it more as an opinion rather than facts. While his subject was properly tied to the occasion, it was too vague and short for readers to get a full understanding of what it was actually about. Personally, I felt it was too brief with too much of a negative approach to enjoy it but I did agree with the author's opinion.


"'Rock Lobster' also tastes good in Mass."
http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2011/09/18/rock-lobster-tastes-good-mass-too/w10e1FtQwALOkP6yUfSGyJ/story.xml