• NEWS >> ATW September
16, 2004
Yearly
Script Program Index
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OPEN/WELCOME
Hi and welcome to Assignment: The World for the week of September 16th,
2004. I’m Elissa Orlando.
In our top story this week…Ivan is the latest in a long and deadly
series of visitors from the Atlantic.
1—IVAN
Already battered by hurricanes Charley and Frances, Florida braced
this week for a visit from Ivan. This latest storm of the hurricane
season is the strongest, a category 5, that carries winds in excess
of 160 miles per hour. Ivan picked its way through the Caribbean causing
extensive damage in Grenada and Grand Cayman. Five people were killed
on Jamaica when winds and waves destroyed their homes but that island
was spared a direct hit. Ivan also dodged most of Cuba, striking only
its westernmost tip. Cuba evacuated more than one million people from
particularly vulnerable areas as a precaution. Ivan then headed for
the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and northward into the southern United
States. This was only the third category 5 hurricane to hit the continental
US since 1900. The last, hurricane Andrew, caused 26-billion dollars
in damage. While wind is the most obvious cause of that damage, lives
and property are also at risk from the so-called storm surge or waves
that reach up to 25 feet in height. A storm surge can reach well inland
from the ocean.
Vulnerable (adj) susceptible to physical injury or attack
WtN 9/12-13
ATW FACT
The word “hurricane”
comes from the name of the Mayan god of winds and storms. According
to Mayan legend, Hurakan became angry with the first humans and swept
them away in a violent flood. INTRO REST OF THE
NEWS
In the rest of the news this week…
-America’s presidential campaign hits full stride…
-a new wave of violence kills dozens in Iraq…
-and a mysterious cloud rises above North Korea.
#2—CAMPAIGN
The 2004 presidential campaign continues to look back more often than
forward. The latest questions center on President George W. Bush’s
service in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. Four
memos seem to indicate Mr. Bush did not fulfill his obligations toward
the end of his service. At least one news service has raised questions
about whether the memos are real or were recently computer generated.
The Democratic candidate, John Kerry, continues to face questions from
critics of his own service in Vietnam. The two candidates will have
the chance to question each other face to face by the end of this month.
September 30th is the tentative date for the first debate between Bush
and Kerry. At least one more debate is scheduled. In those debates,
the candidates will also be questioning each other on their respective
health care plans and the end to the ban on assault weapons.
WTN 9/10
Fulfill (v) to carry out, to satisfy, bring to an end, complete.
#3—IRAQ
American forces continue to target anti-government groups in Iraq.
Those same groups are fighting back. 47 people were killed and dozens
more were wounded Tuesday after a car bomb blew up in Baghdad. A police
car was destroyed Monday morning in a Baghdad suburb, wounding one policeman
and killing one civilian. U-S warplanes and artillery meanwhile were
targeting sites in the city of Fallujah. That city is home to at least
one group led by terror suspect Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Al-Zarqawi has
reportedly directed attacks against Iraqi civilians, security forces
and the forces from many nations. The U-S attack killed at least 9 people.
And at least 10 people were killed after fighting in the western Iraqi
city of Ramadi Sunday. Ramadi is part of the so-called Sunni Triangle,
an area that has been particularly dangerous for Americans and their
allies. Sunnis are one of the two main Islamic sects in Iraq.
WTN9/12, 13
Suspect (n) a person who may have committed a crime
#4— —NORTH KOREA
Was it an accident, a nuclear explosion or a positive step forward
toward a power project? North Korea says there’s no mystery behind
what caused a mushroom cloud more than two miles across late last week.
Officials there say a mountain was destroyed to make way for a hydroelectric
power project. U-S officials couldn’t confirm or deny the claim
but doubt that the cloud was the result of nuclear testing or an accident.
North Korea, the U-S and North Korea’s neighbors are in the midst
of negotiations to limit the spread of nuclear weapons in that isolated
country. The explosion last week was also more powerful than the blast
that killed 160 people at a North Korean railroad station last April.
That accident was caused when a train carrying oil and chemical supplies
hit power lines. North Korea has invited a visiting British diplomat
to make an inspection of the latest explosion site.
WTN 9/12
Negotiations (n) process of coming to terms, reaching an agreement
POP QUIZ #1
In our story about the race for the presidency, which war has figured
prominently in the campaign? Is it
1. Vietnam
2. Korea
3. World War II
And the answer is number 1. The service of both candidates during the
Vietnam War has come into question from a number of critics.
OLD CLUE #1—9-11 ANNIVERSARY
This is the time in coming weeks when we’ll be giving you the
answers to our Clues in the News. If we had done a show last week, we
might have given you the longitude
and latitude of New York City, the site of ceremonies commemorating
the 3rd anniversary of the attacks of 9-11. Parents and grandparents
of the victims of those lost gathered at the World Trade Centre site.
They read the names of each of the 2, 749 people who died there. Other
family members placed a layer of roses on two square reflecting pools
that represent the former twin towers. The ceremony ended with a chorus
of children and two trumpeters, one each from the New York City police
and fire departments. At sundown, two light beams, also inspired by
the twin towers, soared up into the sky. Plans now call for the powerful
lights to be turned on every year on September 11. WTN9/11
OLD CLUE #2—HONG KONG VOTING
We might have asked you to fill in the blanks to find the words, Hong
Kong voting. Pro-democracy forces there may have gained seats in the
Chinese city’s legislature but they’re not happy about it.
Many experts had predicted that pro-democracy forces would win far more
seats than they did. Opposition leader Leung Kwok-hung had a surprising
win, something he celebrated hours later by chanting slogans outside
government offices. But the legislature of the former British colony
continues to be dominated by the party closely tied with the mainland
Chinese government in Beijing. That party denies any charges that the
election results were unfairly rigged.
WTN 9/13
OLD CLUE #3—AFGHAN VOTING/FIGHTING
And finally, we might have had you unscramble letters to find the word,
Afghanistan. That country is moving toward an election of its own and
the first since US forces ousted the former Taliban government. Afghan
President Hamid Karzai is telling voters that he will give women more
opportunities in education, work and politics. He says the government
would also help farmers grow crops other than opium, a dangerous drug
that is illegal in many countries. Afghanistan is scheduled to hold
its elections October 9th. More than a million people have reportedly
registered to take part in that process. WTN 9/11
THIS WEEK IN WORLD HISTORY
This week in world history…September 16th, 1810, Father Miguel
Hidalgo delivered a speech that became his country’s version of
the Declaration of Independence. Mexico did eventually win independence
from Spain almost exactly 11 years later, something Father Hidalgo did
not live to see.
ATW FEATURE
BLUE ANGELS
They do their work with speed, precision and teamwork. Wyatt Doremus
visits with the Blue Angels…the
Navy’s Flight Demonstration Team to learn how six of the Navy’s
top pilots work together to thrill thousands at air shows all over the
country.
ATW FEATURE
BLUE ANGELS
(jet engines…)
Since 1946 the Blue Angels have performed before millions demonstrating
the training and precision necessary to fly one of America’s fastest
jets. It is an assignment that many try for… but few achieve.
Lt. Cmdr. John Saccomando ,U.S. Navy Blue Angels
"It's very competitive, every year we have about 50 pilots go out
for two spots. Everybody is at the top of their game, everyone is the
#1 guy from their respective community or base or squadron. And then
everybody is competing to get into the Blues."
Each year the Blue Angels gather for twelve weeks of practice…
They fly twice a day, six days a week… for them to achieve the
precision flying they strive for; it requires lots and lots of teamwork.
The maneuvers they perform at air shows all across the country are
the same ones navy aviators use all around the world.
"We don't do any special stunts or anything like that. When you
see the two soloists come by doing their really slow pass with high
angle of attack, really slow. That is the kind of thing you do in a
dog fight. We do a lot of rolls, loops and everything we do prettty
much we practice over and over and over again. Their trademark is the
Diamond Formation… a maneuver that requires confidence in themselves
and their fellow pilots.
When we end up flying the shows toward the end of the year we're within
18 inches wingtip to canopy. I'm on Boss's right wing tip and when we
do things like go vertical in a loop or do a roll or something like
that, his wingtip is, no kidding, like right here on me. It's get pretty
intense, it gets pretty stressful flying like that but we practice at
it. "
If you think you would like to fly one of these amazing jets the first
step is to study… study… study. Everybody has to go to college
if you want to be a naval officer and you have to be an office in order
to be a pilot in the Navy/marine corp.
"An estimated 15 million people will see the Blue Angels perform
at air shows this year. It is an experience to remember… for spectator
and pilot alike. For us being a Blue Angel what makes it worth it all
is not just the flying... its going out and meeting the public and the
kids and trying to mentor and talk about the Navy and hopefully get
somebody interested."
For ATW, I’m Wyatt Doremus.
ISN’T IT COOL
AUSTRALIA SNOWBOARD
Freak weather conditions in Sydney sent Australian snowboarders down
icy slopes after a hailstorm struck the city recently.
Across much of Sydney children rode boards down streets and fought vicious
snow ball fights. Surfers rode huge waves whipped up by the ice storm.
While hundreds of travelers cursed the storm, many made the most of
the wild weather!
ISSUE
What did you wear to school today? Did it matter in how much you learned,
how you were treated by other students, or in how you wanted to express
yourself? Violence, crime, and gang activity have prompted as many as
25-per-cent of the nation’s schools to implement some form of dress
code. Ten states allow school districts to mandate school uniforms.
Codes and uniforms are said to reduce the influence of gangs, reduce
the sources of conflict and help identify people who do not belong at
that school. Proponents say they also erase cultural and economic differences,
improve school pride and attendance. Opponents say such restrictions
infringe upon a student’s First Amendment rights to freedom of
expression. They say dress codes should but don’t apply to other
items like jewelry, backpacks and bikes. They also argue that such policies
frequently don’t work with older students who tend to be more independent.
And while some clothing might be considered too skimpy or revealing,
opponents say it is not a school’s place to decide morality. So,
what do you think… “Should
schools have dress codes?” Discuss
this issue with your classmates after the show and then write to us
with your opinions.
MAILBAG CLOSE
We look forward to receiving your responses to our issue question…“Should
school have dress codes? ” If you would like to receive an
Assignment: The World
Press card, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. You
may write to us here at Assignment: The World, Post Office Box three-zero-zero-twenty-one,
Rochester, New York… one-4-6-zero-3… or you may contact us
at the A-T-W website at http://atwonline.org.
We also read e-mail at atw@wxxi.org.
POP QUIZ #2
In our story about Afghanistan, when did we tell you voting will take
place to elect a first ever President for that country? Is it
1) December 9
2) November 9
3) October 9
And the correct answer is number three. Voting will take place on October
9th for the first democratic election ever in Afghanistan.
NEW CLUES
And now it’s time for next week’s clues in the news…
Our first clue a location…
37 Degrees, 58 minutes north latitude
23 Degrees, 43 minutes east longitude
Our second clue is a scrambled letter clue, two words:
EDUNIT ANOINTS
And finally, our third clue is a fill-in the blanks, two words
I __ DO__ __ S __ A V __ T__N__
These are clues to stories we think will happen in the coming week.
You can find the answers on radio and television newscasts and in newspapers
and newsmagazines. We’ll reveal the answers on next week’s
show. Good luck!
GOOD-BYE
And that’s it for this week’s show. From all of us here at
Assignment: The World, I’m Elissa Orlando. We’ll see you next
week.
© 2004 WXXI-TV/ Assignment: The World.
All Rights Reserved.
