Paranormal Activity 3 Review

On a last second decision, I decided to go to see Paranormal Activity 3 with a bunch of my friends tonight at midnight. With my college pockets almost always empty of cash, I hadn't been planning on going, but it sounded fun, and I didn't have any homework so I was going to take advantage of the opportunity.

The story line takes a step much like the last movie did and flashes back to when the girl, who is being followed by this demonic, invisible creator, was just a small child. The girl starts talking to her "invisible friend Toby" and weird things start to happen around her house and to her family. Gradually things keep getting more and more serious until the climatic scene you simply don't see coming.

For the those who have seen the first and second movies, this one is prob the best so far. It was basically the same as the previous two, the same film-making style, the same quirky acting, but this time the creators get a lot more creative with things. Gone are the days of door slamming and pulling people's legs out form under their feet. The demon has now moved on to much more intense, and frankly scary methods of interacting with this victims.


 All in all, the movie is very good. Sure it seems like rather low budget film, and it deceivingly is not, but it also is relient upon stupid characters who do stupid things: your typical horror film. But considering this movie's one and only mission is to make you piss in your pants, I'd say they did a pretty good job.

Journalism and Democracy Q&A

On Journalism

1. Now tell me again, what is your definition of journalism?

Profitable art of engaging citizens and others in the truth, through story telling, to improve their lives and the life of their community.

2. How many different models of journalism exist today?

Four: Advocacy Journalism, Traditional-Elite Journalism, Public Journalism and Citizen 2.0.

On Democracy

3. What is your definition of democracy?

A system of government where decisions are made by, and for the people.

4. What is the difference between “election politics” and “public politics”?

Public politics is like public journalism, more for the common people. Elections politics is more like traditional-elite journalism, where the focus is on more of the election itself.

5. What was the Lippmann v. Dewey debate?

Lippmann believed that journalism was giving the pubic “phony pictures”, was for a more professional type of journalist, this idea of a professional expert. Dewey believed in “we the people”, not “we the experts”, focused on interviewing the common people.

On the First Amendment

6. What does the First Amendment say exactly?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

7. Are any of those protections important in your life?

Definitely. Without them, not only would it make my major and what I aspire to be pointless, but they also protect my own rights as a human being. I am able to have an opinion, state it and share it with others.

On Diversity

8. Everybody keeps talking about diversity: Why is diversity in religion, speech, press, assembly and petition so important to a democracy?

When you hear the word “democracy”, words like “freedom” and “rights” often follow. Freedom is a key democracy, freedom for all. It is so important to have everyone’s opinions heard, not only for the sake of their rights, but it actually leads to a more healthy democracy too. With all these different types of people and opinions, it allows us to different perspectives on different situations as well.

9. How do journalists and the First Amendment ensure that people hear diverse voices in the marketplace of ideas?

The First amendment clearly states every religion will receive an equal amount of respect in our country. As far the media, many newspapers and stations put in extra effort to make sure diverse voices are heard.

10. Can you speak from personal experience about how diversity, protected by the First Amendment or championed by journalists, made a difference in your life?

I mean I obviously have always been protected by those First Amendment rights, which has allowed me to go to a Christian School, whatever church I want to, and do things like write for my school newspaper, so in that sense yes I guess I have.

Why does a democracy need journalism and the First Amendment?

Democracy is like an eating utensil. You can sit down to the most full and hearty Thanksgiving dinner, ready to indulge in every item of food you can get your hands on. But without the proper utensils, you are left to sit there and just stare at the feast before you.

A democracy, as the defined at Dictionary.com, is “a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people.” In a democracy, the people must make decisions. To make decisions, they need true information, and not only information, but true information. That is where journalism comes in.

Journalism’s prime purpose is to inform people about current events, to give people the information to form their own opinions, and to keep the government in check.

            “Journalism get’s measured by the quality of information it presents,” says American journalist Bob Woodward.

            Information is a key component to a democracy, especially in a government like we have today. Who do we turn to for the information on the hurricane heading straight toward our town? What people do we want answers from when we want to know about the latest bombings in the Middle East? Come election time, where do we turn to learn about our candidates, their policies, and where they stand on issues? Journalism. Take away that and you’re not just going to have a handful of uniformed voters, you’re going to have an uninformed country.

Opinions are one of the more over-looked aspects of journalism in democracy, but it is definitely one of the most important. Of course there are the opinionative articles, feature articles, and blogs that allow journalists to speak their mind, but the real objective is for the citizens of a democratic nation to be provided with information so they can exercise their First Amendment rights too. Without this important piece of the puzzle, journalism just serves as a voice telling people what to think and do.

While the government may be over us, Oscar Wilde, an Irish play write, puts things in perspective. “In America, the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs forever”.

Journalism may not literally rule over America, but it does posses a very unique role in our democratic totem pole. Cases like the Watergate Scandal and the White House Papers are perfect examples. The government works for us, not the other way around, and the only way to make sure that happens is if we have someone who is always monitoring them. Our government’s leaders, like everyone else, are not perfect, so journalism serves as security to watch over them and every other citizen as well.            

Democracy is an incredible thing, a wonderful meal that should be enjoyed by all. But without journalism, the First Amendment and the proper utensils to allow you to enjoy that meal, you are going to starve.