Missing in Action: The Week’s Overlooked News Stories

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Utah believes that Internet porn amounts to a public health crisis. Why did Ben and Jerry get sent to the clink? Cubs star Jake Arrieta causes an excited fan to lead Cincinnati cops on a field chase. And the “world’s oldest dog” makes bittersweet headlines. Here’s what might have escaped your attention this week….

While the nation grapples with a sharp increase in gun violence (see Chicago’s year-to-date numbers if you’re in the mood to be horrified), the threat of a Zika virus outbreak, and an uncertain political future, Utah has found a way to make our jaws drop with a sense of misplaced priority. The state believes pornography is a public health crisis. There was a ceremonial declaration signed by Governor Gary Herbert and everything. I’ve been to Utah and witnessed its beautiful climate and infrastructure firsthand. Is this a case of statewide First World problems? Click the hyperlink, read the story and decide for yourself.

As election 2016 rolls along, we continue hearing about all the things frustrating voters: there’s too much money in politics, voting rights are under attack, we need to stop ignoring climate change, our educational system is a mess. We could go on forever about the wealth of legitimate concerns. And now there’s a group ambitiously attempting to speak out on all of these issues and more. They are a group of protestors called Democracy Awakening, and they converged on Washington earlier this week. About 300 people were arrested including the co-founders of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have a history of speaking out about social and political injustice, quite literally putting their money where their mouths are. A quote from their website reads “It all comes down to a simple idea that we believe in whole-heartedly: if you care about something, you have to be willing to risk it all—your reputation, your values, your business—for the greater good.” We find that attitude pretty delicious!

Speaking of taking chances for something you care about, one Cubs fan risked his freedom on Thursday evening to be part of history. Ace pitcher Jake Arrieta pitched his second no-hitter in as many years, and a man in the crowd was seemingly so overcome with joy, he had to be a part of the on-field celebration. He did what fan’s of all sports have merely fantasized about in those high-octane moments. His 15 minutes of fame might come with a mugshot, but we can’t help but love the guy.

When you love animals and bring them into your home, they become family. If you’re like the BeckySarwate.com team, you look at your fur babies everyday and think, as you gently pet them and look lovingly into their eyes, “I wish you could live forever.” While we know that’s not possible, we hope for as many healthy, happy years with our four-legged friends as we can get. One fortunate pet owner spent literal decades with his pup. Australian dairy farmer Brian McLaren got 30 years with his beloved dog, Maggie. That is not a typo. 30. Years. Unofficially dubbed the world’s oldest dog, Maggie passed away in her sleep this past Monday. We’re sorry to see her go but it’s clear she had a good long life and brought much joy to her family.

Missing in Action: The Week’s Overlooked News Stories

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It’s been a crazy week for the BeckySarwate.com team in so many positive ways. We’ll have more to share regarding those developments soon. It’s also been another busy news cycle. Here’s a few stories that might have escaped your notice during this first week of spring.

  • As this week comes to an end, the world continues to grieve and try to come to terms with the horrific terror attacks in Brussels, Belgium. The images being shared via the media are disturbing and heartbreaking, but necessary in order for people to feel the impact of something that happened “over there.” Yet as someone often critical of mainstream media, I notice gross disparity in covering similar world events. I’m willing to bet many didn’t even know about two terror attacks that took place in Turkey just days before the events in Brussels. We are Paris, we are Brussels, but we are not Turkey?
  • My hometown of Chicago has experienced some high-profile, diverse sports coverage of late. First, the Chicago White Sox Adam LaRoche child fiasco, then Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon balanced the negative equation by announcing his cool team dress code policy. While those stories captured attention, something was brewing in the world of professional tennis. Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore took a Stone Age view on the success of women in the sport, summarized in this disgusting quote: “They are very, very lucky. If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport.” Mr. Moore, you are formally invited to crawl back to the Mad Men era from whence you came.
  • This week, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have been trading barbs about who and what is fair game when it comes to battling in the American political arena. The one thing the two men seem to agree upon is that their wives should be left out of it, that their right to remain above the fray should be protected. It’s so important to Trump and Cruz that they can’t seem to stop talking/tweeting/beating us over the head. Meanwhile, the rights of an entire group are being threatened in the state of Georgia. A bill is headed to the Governor in the Peach Tree State that would allow religious officials to refuse to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies. The law would also permit tax-funded groups to deny services to the LGBT community. Has Georgia learned nothing from the PR disasters in Arizona and Indiana over similarly malicious legislation? The good news is, powerful corporations like Disney plan to stop doing business in the state if the bill is signed. Trump and Cruz might not stand for much, but Mickey Mouse champions equality.

What stories from this week do you think deserve more attention?

Joe Maddon’s Populist Management Style Brings Fun to the Field

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“Historically, as members of Cubs Nation know, fandom hasn’t always been fun. But Joe Maddon’s time in Chicago has been literally and metaphorically marked by a refreshing change in attitude. A terrific winning season buttressed by a collegial lightheartedness about the silly stuff is beginning to put distance between today and the darker days of Wrigley gone by.”

Read the full post at Wrigleyville Nation.

This Holiday Season, Spring Comes Early for Chicago Cub Fans

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“It’s a season of comfort and unreserved giving for Cubs fans. At the time of this post, the thermometer registers an unseasonably terrific 59 degrees Fahrenheit – two days before Christmas. Throw in intermittent pouring rain and if one closes their eyes to the encroaching late afternoon darkness, it feels an awful lot like spring.”

Read the full post at Wrigleyville Nation.

The Cubs Learned How to Trade: Samardzija Rumors Underscore Exciting Evolution

 

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of their opening day baseball game on Monday, April 1, 2013, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of their opening day baseball game on Monday, April 1, 2013, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

“The Cubs have given their legions of fans many gifts in 2015. But the greatest of all is the big-picture, long-term strategic thinking that made Epstein a hero in Boston. It seems rather unlikely that this management team would perpetrate a Lee Smith/Greg Maddux – style debacle. Getting an even-to-better end of a deal? Who’d have thought?  It really is a new era of hope and possibility in Cubs Nation.”

Read the full post at Wrigleyville Nation.