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Please join us here in our blog for our weekly CNN iReport roundtable discussion.
This will be our last meeting of the year, so we want to start off by thanking everyone for making CNN iReport such a vibrant community. It's been a great year and we couldn't be prouder of everything we've accomplished together.
Since it is the end of the year, we want to invite you to participate in a really cool assignment: 365 days in 30 seconds.
Thank you again for everything and we're excited to see what next year will bring.
We'll open comments at 3 p.m. ET. Hope to talk to you then.
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Hi and welcome, everyone.
Hope you're having a great week.
Hello, all. Glad I could make this one.
Hellooooo.
Greetings!
Hi all...
Welcome, nice to have you.
Things are good. Happy holidays.
What's up WJ? Rock on!
Happy Thursday from Seattle! :)
Hello all! Excited - my first roundtable!
Dude, Omekongo.
Hello Hello - Sunny today in San Diego :)
Happy holidays!
One little bit of house keeping. We won't be holding the roundtable for the next two weeks because they would be on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
But we'll be back after the holidays.
Sunny on the East Coast, just cold!
Certainly is auspicious to be part of the roundtable that kicks off 2010, say what?
@ WJ lol! Hope everyone else is great!
I forgot it was Thursday until I saw the banner on iReport this morning about the meeting! Yay! I thought it was Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest!
Happy Holidays...
Is this the place to ask a newbie question? Which I guess is already a newbie question!
@everyone -- While folks are arriving? Does anyone have any questions, comments concerns they want to talk about?
I am actually here at home for once glad to join the party : > )
@glidergyny -- yes, please ask away.
If I were to do an interview, for the vetting etc... do I need to get a standard written release, or is it ok to get the person to just state their name etc...?
Hey, seeitnow, KyleHD, et al
Hi everyone! Sorry for jumping in a little late. Good to see so many faces here!
I have one - that funny thing that keeps popping up when you're not logged in is kinda disfunctional and annoying.
The "you're new here, right?" dialog box...
Anyone agree with me?
Hi Katie, et al!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
I had a great time with a Canal+ reporter from France that came out to interview me as an iReporter for a day. It was fun to have the camera on me for a change : > ). He said his story on CNn iReports would air in Europe this weekend so if you're there check it out on a show called "popcom" with Etienne
davidw, mine is a contextual question:
how can we deliver hard-hitting political commentary that cracks even deeper into mainstream programming?
@TeamiReport, since it's the last roundtable for 2009, thank you for a great year. I enjoyed all the assignement we had, from standing in the freezing cold throwing boiling water, to being able to share my wierd and strange food combonations with y'all. Of course the highlight was meeting you all back in May, that was by far my favorite day of 2009. I can't wait to see what 2010 brings! Thanks guys! :)
@gliderguynj -- If you are speaking to an adult, I would just make sure that they know what you are shooting the interview for. If you're doing it on video, it would be fine if you just asked them on camera if it was okay for you to submit it to CNN iReport.
If it's a child, we would want to have the parent's permission.
@wjoreilly hey how's it going?
@maddogza That box should go away once you click the "I get it" area. Let us know if that doesn't work -- we know it's annoying!
@maddogza agreed! that has been coming up a lot lately!
I have one request. I've been wondering if anyone has considered changing the "superstar" designation to something a little more professional, eg: senior, most revered or maybe honorable : > ) seriously though something a little less 80's
I recall when vetted questions didn't make it onto the Gore interview because of time/ planning, it was said that iReport will have even more access to CNN programming....what can we look for?
where do you get vetted though?
Has iReports thought of having a "Home" page designed somewhat like the main one? Have sections under Health, living, sports, community, and then vetted story titles under the section? So many more would be seen maybe.
@KyleHD That's very sweet! We had a great year with you all too. We have a blog post coming up with some of our favorite moments of 2009.
By the way, everyone, if you haven't checked out our Year in 30 seconds assignment, please do! The responses we've gotten are so awesome!
Thanks David, As a follow up, lets say it's a general piece and I'm going around Rockefeller Center and film some Ice Skaters.... Any broad general setting etc, people shopping.... It's public so it's fair game correct?
@katie et all - I have clicked "I get it" sooo many times...but still the noob box plagues me on the daily...
@DavidW, was wondering about a chatroom on this site? Would that be appropriate for iReports?
Hey KyleHD--keeping the earth spinning on point....
I saw the banner on iReport this morning about the round- table and I wanted to express ...I believe everyone here is a great ireporter(CyberReporter/Bloger). I hope next year will be better for everyone...God Bless...
@seeitnow We've got plans in the works to tweak the Superstar status. We appreciate your feedback!
Welcome @all - if any of you are seeing "Avatar" tonight, share your photos, video and reviews! - http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=16559
Happy Holidays to you and your family CarlPap!
@maddogza Hm. I'll talk to our technical team about that. Thanks for the head's up!
@katie, does the project of 30 seconds have to be photos only? I don't really have video editing skills...
@wjoreilly -- I think there will always been a place for timely commentaries on topical issues.
One thing that I'd love to see is for more people to try to do stories about the issues they feel passionate about.
@omekongo I'll let Christina answer that one. She's the producer heading up the project :)
Here I am. What are we going to talk about? Greeting to everyone.
avatar! wish I was seeing now! :)
Hello and happy holidays, everyone. I'm at work so I'll be jumping in and out.
@gliderguynj - iReporting from public places is fine; if you talk to them, make sure they know this will be sent to CNN iReport, and get parental permission for all under 18.
davidw, how can we motivate people to "go for it" and find their voice, as it were?
Stopped in to say ELLO.., soooo, HELLO...!
@omekongo - Feel free to make a video instead! It's all up to interpretation. Some people decided to use photos to illustrate different parts of the year, while others have rapped a song. The sky's the limit as long as it's your original content.
@wjoreilly -- To answer your second question, we've been successful at getting more and more iReports shown on CNN.com and we're experimenting on new ways to present iReport material.
what about competitions to motivate editorials production?
@david, I'm really passionate about negative music and positive images, especially in hip-hop but I never see that as a story on CNN. I actually see the stories about negative rappers like Lil' Wayne, etc. It seems like CNN isn't the place for me to express those views but are you saying to do it anyway?
@everyone - Look at the CNN.com homepage right now! The Photo Club religious architecture gallery is in the main spot. Congrats to everyone who participated. I'm super proud!
cool, davidw
Hello one and all. I will be bopping in and out. Uploading my family Christmas pictures to Wolf's Camera.
Thank you ZDan! I was excited to do that project!
Another question.... is there any rhyme or reason as to why one clip might get 25K hits, and then another gets 100 even from the same IReporter?
WARDEN! What's up? Thanks Christine as well!
Hello adriana!
Wut up omekongo, ready for that 1 on 1...lol...
I wish I'd known the photo club would be using travel photos and not only pix of "local" religious architecture.
@gliderguynj The biggest reason that iReports get more clicks than others is if they're featured on the CNN.com homepage. We try to feature as many newsworthy iReports we can each day!
There are other ways to share content too -- Twitter, Facebook, etc. -- and some views aren't measurable, like when an iReport is shown on TV.
Hello IR Team..!
@WausauFamily I like that idea. We're on a new site, and we'll certainly be looking at ways that we could improve it. What would make the site easier to use?
@Maraanji -- Chat rooms is something we will have to think about. I'm not sure if it's technically possible, for one thing. I'm also not sure if diverting people away from the other discussions on the site is a good idea.
I'll look into it.
I was fortunate to live near the largest Buddhist Temple in North America! It truly is beautiful!
I'm ready too Warden!
Hi Adriana71 - I pm'd you about a project I'm working on :)
i've always searched
"transcripts" to try to find my stuff fun on air; is there a better way?
@zdan i have a question about the new photo assignment about the 10 photos in 10 years. it's listed under the travel section, so are you looking for 10 years of travel picture or just 10 pictures in general from the past ten years?
Christina - Thank you for the photo club gallery. The next challenge sounds very interesting. I'm curious to see how people will interpret it.
@JoyfulGypsy - We weren't getting enough local shots, so I changed the focus to diversity all over the world. You'll notice churches, mosques, temples and even a synagogue in the gallery, including your picture of St. Patrick's Cathedral.
to try to find my stuff run on air....i meant to say.
OK, well.., looks great everyone.., just wanted to say hello like I said. Happy Holidays to all and a great New Year!!!
Thanks for the answers.... I have to say this whole experience has been fantastic so far.
you guys should all check out the report where it says I made a time machine plan. Just look up 13 year old boy has. I still don't know why it hasn't been vetted yet.
@wjoreilly That's a good way to find out if iReports were used on air. Anytime something is shown on TV and is streamed to web, we try to feature it in the "Voices" section on the iReport homepage. That being said, we're always looking for better ways to let iReporters know when their content is on air! (2010 goal, perhaps?)
@KyleHD - Good question. I'll move the assignment out of travel. We're just looking for 10 photos in 10 years in general. I'll move it to the Living section.
Hey, The Warden, great work.
I must say the new system seems to be settling in quite well. I like the standardized layout and all the video links are much easier to find and load. It would be nice if the cookies setup was fixed such that we don't have to sign in each time.
@ChrisMorrow!!!!!!! Did you see you were on Mashable.com yesterday? http://mashable.com/2009/12/16/community-engagement/
@gentill I don't see any iReports under your screenname?
Thanks DavidW! I just feel it would be better than refreshing the webpage every time a comment is posted. Not sure about the technical aspects. Will let you handle that part :)
Happy Holidays everyone, I am off to lunch date!
Sounds good, katie.
Awesome! I just checked out the gallery - if only the Monk who I photographed knew she was front-page CNN worthy!
Back at ya wjorelly. Happy Holidays!
nice job on the religious architecture :)
@wjoreilly - When iReporters appear on air (in person, on the phone or on Skype), we make sure that that is posted on CNN.com whenever possible. iReports are used all day on multiple CNN networks so one can't always keep up with it but we try our best to let you know when they are used.
@omekongo -- I think people will always be talking about negativity in music, whether it's rap, metal or whatever. The hard part is telling the story in a way that's original.
You have a fairly unique perspective as a performer yourself.
I'd be curious to hear if artists are having to make sacrifices because they don't want to be negative.
Christina - I wish I'd known.
Thanks, TheWarden, and to you.
@katie - howbout onTV, onRADIO, or on.COM stamps?
@nsaidi - More great stories, at one time, can be featured in that style. There are so many different types that could be seen. Something to think about. Something about health (just an example) could have 9 or 10 of the last vetted stories. Then a section maybe under health. Again 9 or 10 stories that were vetted. Thats probably more in software stuff though. Hey Warden!
@kyleHD -
Happy to see my mug on mashable :)
Hi all. Late:(
@Marjaani - Glad you had fun on the photo assignment!
hhanks, thank you
@maddogza That's a good suggestion -- honestly, we can't even keep up with all the places iReports appear. We approve them and share them with CNN and HLN, but we're a pretty large company, and it's tough to keep track of it all!
@chrismorrow I wil check it out. Thanks
IR Team: How has it been going concerning usage, positive feedback, participation.., etc. with the new format?
Welcome @EWillies1961
Heya EWillies!
Hey Everyone!!! I just got an e-mail letting me know about free tickets to go see It's Complicated next Monday. Universal is handing out a number of tickets to each city. I was encouraged to pass it on. And you can't really pass up free!
http://tickets.universalpictures.com/itscomplicated/
@davidw, that is actually the subject of my doctoral dissertation that I'm working on right now. I look at sacrifices artists have to make to "keep it real" or "keep it profitable"...
@katie - yeah, I understand! I know you guys are working hard to make things nice for us iReporters...
omekongo: what a great subject to study. Would truly enjoy to hear what you discover.
@maddogza We try :) By the way, I loved the timelapse of you hanging the Christmas lights. It looks like you and your sisters have so much fun together!
I am late!!!! Hello all :)
@katie
I had a great interview setup with a neighbor for your economics project. Would you know his mother fell and broke her leg in Wisconsin and he had to fly out the day of the interview. What is the latest you will accept a video? I am checking to see when he is coming back.
Hi Belly!
@everyone I have to head out a few minutes early. I hope you all enjoy the rest of the holiday season! See you in 2010!
@Marjaani -- I know you said you were leaving, but I realized I misunderstood your question. We are looking for a better way to host this discussion that would be easier to follow.
Don't know if it will be a chatroom, but we want to try something.
I see the "Festivus for the rest of us" assignment has gotten many submissions. Is that deadline going to be extended?
@Ewillies, oops, I'll get your question before I leave. Tomorrow is the official deadline, but I can take videos a little later. I'll send you an e-mail tomorrow and we can coordinate!
I can tell everyone trying to support one another here ...I love this positive vibe... keep on...I'm glad to belong to this community of Reporters...
IR Team: Hello???
@EWillies1961 -- Katie had to step out, but we'll find out and get back to you.
Warden, I'll keep you posted!
@davidw I wasn't here for the video conferencing. How did it go last time?
Hey Warden!!! :)
Thanks omekongo, you really got my curiosity up with that one.
@katie
@davidw
Thanks
@CarlPAPIBaez -- I'm glad you were able to make it. It's nice to have you.
Working on a Festivus idea @JoyfulGypsy (or know someone who is)?
Belly: I got the CBS position (re:FB) Woohoo!
@Warden - We've had a lot of successes in the past couple weeks, from more iReports linked up on CNN.com to more page views. We're also excited that the community's really stepped up to produce great content for our new assignments. I've been impressed with the excellent videos we've received from both new and previous iReporters on the year-in-review assignment.
@seeitnow -- Hey thanks for stopping by! Glad you like the site. Nice work on your latest videos.
I've got to get back to work, but I wanted to wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. It's been fun being a part of the iReport community in 2009. Cheers!
Happy holidays Katie!
Thanks @katie!
P.S. an early Merry Christmas to WJ, Ome, Kyle, David, Seeit, Christina, TheWard, EWill, HHank, Wausaus, Gypsy, Morrow, and everyone...
I'm trying to think of a story that won't bring the wrath of the Right Wing down upon me!
@TheWarden -- sorry for delay. I think people are getting used to the new site. Our page views have come back quite a bit and a lot of new people are joining the site.
We're also finding a lot of new ways to display iReport material. The new CNN.com galleries are beautiful. and we can do a lot more stuff with video.
Happy Holidays JoyfulGypsy :)
OK seriously, anyone have any heartwarming stories of thanks to share? Let me know if you do. I'm on the hunt. Got a bunch of good ones already but still on the search.
zdan: I appreciate you noticing my question, thank you. That's great to hear. Certainly a top group of talent that seems always devoted. It's awesome to hear how well it's all going. I hope for continued and greater success to you all.
everybody follow this link to a very interesting Ireport at this link...
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-367891
You too Maddogza :)
@gliderguynj -- You fly gliders. That'd be a cool story. I'm not advocating filming and flying (might be dangerous), but I'd like to see stories about that.
hhanks - Actually, I have an idea for the "Festivus" assignment, but I won't see the people I want to film until Saturday evening, a day after the deadline.
maddogza: Thanks, all the best to you and yours!
good afternoon everyone
If you have any questions for me send it to my email at g_mobster2@yahoo.com
@maddogza Have a good one.
@Nsaid...how could I! I forgot you. Have an even merrier xmas.
I'm out!
David,
I've got a bunch on YouTube, I'd love to do some stories on Gliders and share that with people. I'm a commercial pilot, so it would even be legal! Many glider fields across the country are being closed, there's a story to be told from every single one of them.
who reads all these i reports and who gets them vetted?
What is this "Festivus" assignment about? Anyone have a link?
bye maddog! bye all who are taking off.
davidw! There was/is no doubt -- in my biased opinion -- that success was inevitable. Just glad to see it all happening so rapidly. AWESOME!
Have a great holiday season and don't eat too much turkey, ham, chicken, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, gravey, home made bread, pies, mashed potatoes...oh God I'm so hungry now!!!
@gentill People all across the network are looking at all the iReports for possible use on CNN.
Also to Katie its under a person named timeguy but it's under my email address.
... Well, we do the best we can to find the best content and surface it.
I got to go... Before I go,I want to share a Quote from Warren Buffet, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” I wanted to wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.
WausauFamily: Sorry didn't see you. Happy Holidays to the fam.
@gentil -- If a story is vetted, that means that someone on CNN's editorial team has contacted the sumbitter, verified that the submitter took the photo/video and verifies the information in the report.
Thanks maddogza! Gotta take my daughter to dance class! I'm performing in Boston on Friday & Saturday night to about 1000 people! I'll try to get some footage. If you want to come out to a great night of dance & poetry, e-mail me at omekongo@omekongo.com or just go to www.originationinc.org. Take care everyone and stay safe!
@everyone
Look out for the most epic 30 seconds ever! Time will slow down as 2009 flashes by in half a minute. Coming soon.
Peace!
Hello I am late I see
Well Nicole,
I am going to try and get my 6 year old daughter to do a "hard hitting" interview with Santa this weekend. She's going in there with all the tough questions who, why, what, etc. She might even expose Santa, who knows but it'll be here on iReports 1st. Is that "heartwarming"?
@WausauFamily -- Here's a link to the festivus assignment.
http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=366675
Thanks Warden! been in the wood work. An old man once told me to take the cotton out of my ears and put it in my mouth :) have a good holiday to our friend.
Ok thank you and happy holidays.
@seeitnow That sounds like fun, and heartwarming, too! I can't wait to see that. What's your secret to world travel, yo? And where the heck are you right now?
Cool David... interesting.......
@sunethra -- Hi, and welcome. You're dough food was really cute.
Ok then, congrates to the IR Team, a great season to all and I'll see you all again next year.
Wish me success at CBS.
Bye all!
Well, all in all a great year to look back on. I hope 2010 has just as a good start.
@everyone
Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah
and a wonderful New Year
Adriana
good luck Warden
unfortunately my computer is slow and the discussion is about to finish bye!
LOL WausauFamily! See you on FB. Save some turkey for me, and some tequllia... : /
hmmm, alrighty my iReport friends, I should try to get back to work. Although nothing is really happening today, such a slow day. Hope you all have a great rest of you day and year for that matter! I'm sure I'll still talk to some of you before hand! But if not have a great Christmas or what other holiday season you celebrate, and a great and safe new years!!!!!
Have a happy new year everybody!
Hey all
Break Leg @TheWarden
Happy Holidats to all the ireport team - and all ireporters! :)
@adriana71 -- I'm really optimistic that 2010 is going to be amazing. I don't have a specific reason for that other than a feeling that things are just getting bigger and cooler. It feels like the everybody's just ready to stomp on the gas once the holidays are over.
Feliz holidays, everyone. Hope they're good times. Gotta run, peace in the valley, see you in 2010!
My secret to world travel. That's easy and you can quote me on this.
"Never, Ever stay at a hotel that doesn't feature CNN International".
Looks like Madagascar to film some amazing geological features and a "very" unusual meteorite in Australia.
@davidw I hope, so around the Maxwell House we are a bit on the dumps. So I'm hoping for a good start to 2010.
@everyone -- I've got to go, but it was nice to talk to everyone. We'll do this again next year.
Thanks again for everything.
@TheWarden wait! new job at CBS? doing what? that's awesome good luck. I just offered a job at CBS the other day, but sadly I signed my lease last month so I'm stuck for about a year, but I know the offer will come back!
Ciao one and all.
Till next year then Bye
Adios everyone!
sayonara, Adios, Auf Weidersehn, Namaste,
Have a great holiday season wherever you are
from Chilly Canada
Percy
Happy New Year ALL!
Keep moving forward! :)
I'm a bit late getting to this roundtable discussion from across the pond. It's my first time participating.
@zdan-Thanks for vetting my photo of the Gothic York Minster for the Religious Architecture assignment!
I wish the rest of you a happy holiday season and a very wonderful New Year!
Hi everyone. I am new to this venue . I wish you all very Happy holiday season this year. I am not sure what to Report . Every thing or just the bad stuff.
Mmcelwain to quote a friend of mine "It's all good!"
I am sure most like myself welcome your well thought out words.
I am also sure some thought that my idea of donating money in states to candidates other than our own was pushing the top. Well, I don't think so and here is why, http://www.cherokeephoenix.org/20951/Article.aspx .
The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is donating to the opponent of Diane Watson, the lady in the Congress that is leading the fight to ensure that CNO lives up to its obligation to the Freedman. It seems that it is fine for them to donate money to candidates in States where their nation does not fall in the boundaries of.
Here is the article from the Cherokee Phoenix
Cherokee Nation donates to Watson opponent for Congress seat
By Christina Good Voice
Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation has donated $7,400 in support of Felton Newell, the primary opponent of California Congresswoman and outspoken CN critic Diane Watson.
Watson, a supporter of the Cherokee Freedmen and their attempt to regain CN citizenship, is up for re-election as the 33rd Congressional district representative in 2010.
In November, the tribe donated $2,400 to Newell’s campaign and $5,000 to a political action committee that supports Newell, said CN Government Relations Officer Ginger Brown.
“The contribution came from General Fund revenues set aside in the tribal budget for campaign contributions,†she said.
I am going to try to keep personal comments to a minimum, but would this money not be a part of the federal money from the federal government? Oh that is right, revenues set aside for the tribal budget? Just how do we separate the money earned from tribal enterprise from federal money? Not really possible is it. Sort of like what Wall Street has been doing and we know all the excuses they have come up with. Even if it could be shown to be not to be federal money toward a Federal Election Campaign it would be no more than smoke and mirrors to hide and lie their way to their end desires.
Brown said Newell, a California Democrat who is well-known in the district, is a strong candidate who has raised almost double the money as Watson from individual contributors. He also supports tribal sovereignty, she said.
Mr. Newell should give back all Tribal Federal Tribal contributions as a conflict of interest. He will be taking campaign money from an organization which he will ultimately come before him to vote on financial matters should he be elected.
“Mr. Newell is a very good candidate who supports tribal sovereignty and the rights of Indian nations to determine their own citizenship, which is one of the fundamental rights of any nation,†Brown said. “His opponent is the one person in Congress who has introduced a bill to terminate the Cherokee Nation and she actively fights against tribal sovereignty. So it’s really a clear cut choice and one that other Indian tribes will likely make as well.†Support sovereignty is completely different than taking money from any Federal Tribe.
Newell, 38, said he opposes legislation Watson authored in 2007 to cut federal funding to the CN. Watson penned the bill after Cherokee citizens voted to expel all non-Indian citizens from the tribe. The vote affected about 2,800 Cherokee Freedmen. He said he opposes Watson’s interference because he doesn’t believe it’s an issue Congress should be addressing. The number actually does not matter if it is an obligation, it is an obligation. Cherokee Nation gotten to the point it is hacking at the truth, or at least their own version of it. They proclaim that dealing with the Indian Tribes is a function of the Congress, House and Senate, as per the Constitution. Yet here they are supporting a candidate that is running on the very issue of Congress not addressing issues effecting and affecting the Indian Tribes. What a tangled web we weave.
“The people of the Cherokee Nation should have the sovereignty to decide for themselves what membership means,†Newell said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for the U.S. Congress to be stepping in to dictate to the Cherokee tribe what its definition of membership should be.†Apparently Mr. Newell is eliminating their "citizenship" to mere membership.
He also said he’s a strong supporter of other Native American issues, as well as other minorities.
“I’m definitely a supporter of American Indian issues,†Newell said. “As an African American, I’m well aware of the history of oppression of different groups in our country. I feel the Native Americans have been oppressed in the past the same way African Americans were. I feel a bond with the Native Americans.â€
Newell said his support is pretty broad-based, and one of the things important to him in developing his campaign was that he wanted to speak to the 33rd district’s diversity.
“It’s one of the most diverse districts in the country, and I think it’s a strength to be able to represent that district,†he said. “At the end of the day, despite the differences in our backgrounds we all have common values.â€
Newell said he appreciated the tribe’s support.
“I’m gratified to have the support of the Cherokee Nation,†he said. “It adds to the broad support that I’m building for my campaign.â€
The Cherokee Phoenix contacted Watson’s office for a statement but was unable to get a response.
Reach Staff Writer Christina Good Voice at (918) 207-3825 or christina-goodvoice@cherokee.org
So much for keeping my personal comments to a minimum. Maybe I will do better next time.
RT
Honestly, I have to wonder if favortism on the part of certain ireports is going on. It is impossible for most reports to be vetted. I like the old way better. At least I was a superstar for a while.
The internet! It sure is the greatest wonder of the world. Here i am in my cramped room communing with minds that matter most in their mansions ... this infinitesimal me. Well, on behalf of the Talk Tinapa community in Calabar, Nigeria, i genuflect in a typical African salute to all i-reporters. Let the reporting dance continue as the drumbeat gets louder come 2010.
One more thing. Thanks CNN for rewarding service to humanity in CNN Heroes.
I CANT QUIT THINKING ABOUT THIS INSANE HEALTHCARE BILL: I am a business owner in my 40's. I can't express the level of anger and resentment I have for every politician in the federal government. We are in debt up to our eyeballs. We are expanding government's deficit and debt at a rate that makes George Bush look like a professional accountant. All the while, the "debt elephant" stands in the middle of Washington while every lifetime politician (with no insurance or retirement issues I might add) avoids it like the plague and tries to sell the public on what they think is best. I am sick to death of it. You CANNOT spend your way out of debt. You CANNOT buy something you CANNOT afford. You CANNOT force the public to buy anything. If Washington does not get their head out of their rears and address our debt immediately, health care will be the last of their worries. FIX THE WAGON BEFORE YOU START THE JOURNEY. This is one business owner that will go to jail before I pay 1 cent towards a government required widget, fine or no fine. Everyone have a wonderful Christmas Holiday and cross your fingers that your neighbor finds a job.....
Come on and have a look ,you will fall in love with them at first sight http://www.mycheapsneaker.com/iplog.asp
I WILL APPRECIATE IF THE USA AUTHORITY SHOULD TRY TO CONTACT NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE PERSON THAT BOARDED THE DELTA AIRPLANE;IS THE PERSON A TRUE NIGERIAN NATIONALITY?WHICH PART OF NIGERIAN DOES HE COME FROM?IF THEY FIND OUT ALL THESE INFORMATION THAT IS WHEN THEY SHOULD REPORT THE PERSON IS FROM NIGERIAN BECAUSE IT IS EASY TO GET A NIGERIAN PASSPORT.IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN OR ANY WHERE YOU ARE FROM, YOU CAN EASILY GET A NIGERIAN PASSPORT,IF YOU HAVE YOUR MONEY.THEY SHOULD GO DEEPLY INTO THE ROOT OF THE MATTER.I BELIEVED SO MUCH THAT THE PERSON IS NOT FROM NIGERIAN,NOT BECAUSE I AM FROM NIGERIAN BUT NIGERIAN CAN NOT DO SUCH AN ACT,WE LOVE OUR LIFES MORE THAN THAT TO KILL OURSELF NO WE CAN DO SUCH AN ACT.MORESO,AMSTERDAM IS ONE OF THE BEST AIRPORT THAT THEIR SECURITY IS SO GOOD THAT YOU CANT CRACK IT WHICH I GIVE QUDUS TO THE HOLLAND AUTHORITY.THE STORY IS SURPRISING TO ME.MY QUESTION-BECAUSE HE CARRIED A NIGERIAN PASSPORT THAT IS WHY THEY BELIEVED IS FROM NIGERIAN?OR BECAUSE HE BOARDED A PLANE FROM NIGERIAN THAT IS WHY THEY SAID HE IS FROM NIGERIAN?DO THE MEDIA DO DEEP INVESTIGATION BEFORE REPORTING THE STORY?HOW CAN YOU CARRY AN EXPLOSIVE VIA NIGERIAN THROUGH HOLLAND TO USA WITHOUT KNOWING ITS AN EXPLOSIVE?THE STORY NEEDS DEEP INVESTIGATION AND THEY SHOULD CONTACT NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT TO GIVE THEIR REPORTS ON THE SUBJECT.TRUTH WILL PREVAIL ONE DAY TO KNOW WHO IS BEHIND ALL THESE ACT OF TERRORISM.WHY ARE WE KILLING EACH OTHER?WHAT ARE WE GOING TO GAIN FROM IT.IN THE BIBLE/QUARAN WE SHOULD BE OUR BROTHER/SISTERS KEEPERS,WHY ARE WE DOING THAT.NO MATTER THE RELIGION YOU ARE DOING;RELIGION IS THE OPIUM OF THE MASSES.WE SHOULD NOT BE USING IT TO VIOLATE CRIMES BUT HELP EACH OTHER WHO NEEDS OUR HELP.THERE SHOULD BE A FORUM OR PROGRAMME THAT NEEDED TO BE ORGANISED BY EVERY GOVERNMENT TO RE-EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT TERRORISM ACT THAT ACT IS NOT GOOD.AM NOT ALWAYS HAPPY WHEN I HEAR SUCH ACTS WHICH IS PROHIBITED IN THE BIBLE/QUARAN-7 COMMANDMENT OF MOSES;THY SHALL NOT KILL.ARE WE REALLY KEEPING THE BIBLE/QUARAN COMMANDMENTS?I CANT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WORLD IS TURNING INTO.
Glad to be apart of the team @ ireport http://defylogic.podbean.com