Watergate Scandal

The book, “All The President’s Men” starts out as a story that is covered by two men, and it ends as a historic event covered by a team of two men. Those two men are Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

A single event on June 17, 1972 is what starts it all, and a pardon delivered on September 8, 1974 brings it to an end. Five men caught breaking into the Democratic headquarters is the event that slowly leads to the discovery of shady business conducted within the White House during President Richard Nixon’s presidency. Espionage led to the arrest of the five men. Other men in the Committee to Reelect the President or CRP, resigned. Many of those that were resigned were indicted.

Eventually Nixon is subpoenaed for all the tapes of private presidential conversations that had been recorded. Impeachment of the President is brought up by the House Judiciary Committee, since they believed Nixon participated in the cover up. Nixon resigns before an impeachment can take place, and Vice President Gerald Ford is sworn in. President Ford’s pardon for Nixon and Nixon’s acceptance of the pardon concluded the Watergate scandal.

As made obvious by the book and movie, Woodward and Bernstein’s way of investigating back then is somewhat different from how things are done in the present day. They had to depend on public records and people for information, and they constantly visited the scene (the sources’ homes). All of their techniques were very basic. However their basic techniques still brought the truth to the light.

Researching could be considered to be the most vital technique they used. Public records, phone books and people were all used in their research to help them connect the dots. One part of the book mentions them spending the afternoon in the Library of Congress looking through slips. They had to literally go through actual slips of paper, instead of searching an online library database.

In an interview at Hofstra University, Woodward claimed they got their best information at night. He insisted that journalists should go to people’s houses at night. Since many of the people they interviewed worked for the government, their only real free time was at night. Frequently throughout the book, Bernstein and Woodard are mentioned stopping by sources’ houses. An interview with Hugh Sloan, treasurer of the CRP, is proof of their use of this technique. A bonus to interviewing people at night, according to Woodward, is that people appear to tell the truth more.

While they researched public records and went to the scene, both reporters employed their real secret weapon–people. Whether they called, visited, checked in phone books or used other people’s connections, Bernstein and Woodard were always seeking data on other people to give them a break. Woodard’s relationship with Deep Throat is proof of this. His relationship with Deep Throat led to many clues and breakthroughs.

Today, the strategies that both reporters exercised, would still be extremely valuable. Technology is great, and it certainly does make a difference in research. Even with technology though, I think it’s still necessary to remember that people are who really hold the information. You can only find so much on the web. Reporters today would do well to keep this in mind. Especially since anyone can put anything online.

They’re habit of visiting leads’ homes at night sounded weird to me. When I thought about it my view changed. At night people are getting ready for the next day, and they’re probably tired after the day’s events. That possibly helps loosen their tongues up a bit.

With technology they would have saved hours on research. As much as technology has its drawbacks, I do think they could’ve benefitted from it.

Our country has come a long way since the Watergate scandal. More laws and precautions have been taken. People have become way more incredulous. Yet I could see something like this scandal happening today. If someone wants to get away with something they’ll do what they must to keep their dirt hidden. Technology can help us, and as I mentioned before, it can also hurt us. People are great tools, but people can be liabilities. However with the right computer and skills anything is possible. A scandal of this nature is still possible.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/watergate-burglars-arrested
http://millercenter.org/president/nixon/essays/biography/6
http://longislandreport.org/multimedia/woodward-and-bernstein-stress-the-constants-of-journalism/13637

Click to access specialreport.pdf

President Ford Pardons Richard Nixon

Pill Popping

Disorders are becoming a more common thing for college students. More than 25% of college students are affected by some sort of disorder.

Among college students, the most common disorders are anxiety, depression and suicide, in extreme cases.

Anxiety is defined as an overly large amount of worrying to the point of panic. Anxiety is the most common disorder that affects college students.

Depression is when a student feels an overly large amount of anxiety to where it causes several negative effects. They often feel tired and like they are worth nothing. They feel hopeless.

Suicide happens in extreme cases, but it does happen when college students become too overwhelmed.

These disorders can affect students in different ways. One disorder usually leads to something else, and eventually the students become too overwhelmed with their life. Nate Nasworthy, a sophomore music major has suffered from anxiety for his whole life, but has struggled more with it while in college. “It becomes overwhelming at times and I don’t always know how to deal with it.” said Nasworthy.

The best way, according the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), to deal with mental disorders is to first detect when you may have a disorder. It is then best to go see the on-campus counselor. It is then possible to figure out options of how to get over the disorder or control it at a manageable level.

Students are often always anxious to begin, but being in college leads to more anxiety. The NAMI says that students are piled on with work and a difference of social setting when they start college. It is almost a culture shock for students. Being anxious can either make the student want to work harder or break down all together.

Anxiety leads to the other disorders many times. When students get one a mental illness, it will cause a chain reaction. Students will start to fail at what they are trying to accomplish. Things like students not earning the grades they want may happen. A lack of social interaction can happen. Students may feel the need to lock themselves in their room and study all of the time. They may feel like they don’t belong in college, and that no one can help them.

The ULM counseling center is the first way for students to combat any mental disorder when they are at ULM. The counseling center said that students are affected by many mental illnesses, but the most common is anxiety. The counseling center said that they are the first line of defense for students who need help when they feel like they have a disorder.

Courtney Walker, senior music major has used the counseling center on several occasions when she feels anxious. “They help me deal with my anxiety by giving me ways to calm myself down and focus on my goal.” said Walker.

A survey report done among college students by NAMI, found depression and anxiety to be two of the most common mental illnesses in students. Some might find this disturbing. What others might find even more disturbing are the numbers of students taking nonprescribed medication. It is considered good for people with mental illnesses to take their prescribed medication. However, it is not good when the prescribed medication is being taken for other uses.

But what other uses could college students have for nonprescribed drugs? The answer may be surprising, but then again it probably isn’t.

It seems the two reasons include recreational purposes and better study habits. About 94% of students cited their need to focus for school as their reason for using drugs, according to a Journal of Physician Assistant Education. The number of students who participate in this dangerous act are relatively low. 25% is the estimate of college students that use prescription drugs non-medically. Of that percent, the majority of the students using are full-time students.

How are students getting these prescription drugs? Apparently it’s not that difficult. Students either sell their drugs or steal them from family or friends. A document on “Educate before You Medicate” website states that by the time students are sophomores, approximately half of their classmates will have had an opportunity to exploit prescription drugs.

Jadyn Southam, a sophomore Elementary Education major at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), is just one student that has been presented with the opportunity to purchase drugs. In Southam’s experience, a simple yes would’ve given her what others often seek. “I’ve been approached multiple times by people who thought it would be fun to see me high.”

If one turns on the T.V. long enough, eventually a commercial will come on advertising a pharmaceutical drug. At the end of the commercial, an announcer will unavoidably be heard listing a bunch of possible side effects. All of those side effects could easily make someone think the drug is too dangerous and not worth the risks. However most students don’t see the dangers at all.

A study back in 2008 showed 81% of students thought the use of medications either weren’t that dangerous or were only somewhat dangerous. Professor Kilian Garvey teaches abnormal psychology at ULM. In his opinion, “Back then we thought we were invincible, so people tried different things.” Back in his college days, Garvey said he saw plenty of drug use. Regardless of his observations, he does believe the number of college students taking nonprescribed drugs will go down. “Back then people didn’t realize how bad cigarettes were, but now they do and many people have quit smoking. I think the same will happen with students who take illicit prescriptions.”

Students who are taking others’ prescriptions need to realize the risks involved. It’s important to note that doing so is illegal, and there are threatening side effects. Drugs used as depressants can cause seizures and memory loss when misused. Other drugs cause an increase in blood pressure or shallow breathing. Above all else college students should know that addiction and death are possible outcomes, and neither can be controlled. One thing the student can control is the choice they make.

http://web.a.ebscohost.com/abstract?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=19419430&AN=71161303&h=dHG6O6OGS3gjD6Ci7G9CYgIy6kNN5JCp%2bm3RPSwnA9BYkYgJjQMrvvSXJMAA43MV0Yy91rUHJ9LT1WbaMurX3Q%3d%3d&crl=c

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/17/health/adderall-college-students/
http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Find_Support/NAMI_on_Campus1/Learn_About_The_Issue/Learn_About_The_Issue.htm
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-and-college-students/index.shtml

Click to access GetTheFacts.pdf