Call it a huge Coulter-versy. Conservative pundit Ann Coulter visited Canada recently to speak to packed crowds in London and Ottawa, but her visit didn’t go so smoothly. Ken Wightman was on the scene in London to report on the incendiary statements Coulter made to a Muslim student and the inevitable backlash she faced. Evidently, Coulter believes her human rights were violated when a University of Ottawa event was cancelled. Ken even went the extra mile by contacting Ottawa Police to get the scoop. Great work, Ken, and DigitalJournal.com salutes you for reporting on a story making headlines coast to coast.
Remember Mitt Romney? He’s not out of the public eye yet. The release of his new book saw him do several signings, including a visit to Toronto. Digital Journalist Andrew Moran was on the scene, snapping candid pics and reporting on Romney’s statements. Read the article to find out Romney’s thoughts on American debt figures and if he’ll once again run for President. Bonus: a video featuring Romney talking to the crowd at Indigo.
Across the pond, we enjoyed perusing some incredible photos taken by Riccardo Valsecchi of the Berlin bears, a national symbol for 730 years. Riccardo provides context on the significance of the bears and lets us into the lives of Maxi and Schnute. Wonderful pics worth bookmarking.
Back in the U.S., Carol Forsloff takes us on a tour of La Grande, Oregon but this is no ordinary travel piece. She enlightens us to the perspectives of ethnic minorities living in the predominantly white state. Her interview subject also informs us about the challenges he faces in the community, remarking on problems such as unemployment and asbestos in older homes. The article ends on a nice capper of a quote, so check it out and comment on the piece to offer your thoughts.
A selection of other notable stories include:
• Obama Signs New Health Care Legislation by Carol Forsloff: Undoubtedly one of the biggest stories to come out of the U.S., President Barack Obama signed the health care reform bill (first version) while the world watched. Carol also provides some updates, such as writing: “In the meantime some Republicans have declared their intention to help repeal the bill just passed by both houses of Congress.”
• Joe Biden drops the ‘F’-bomb on TV by Michael Bearak: Still with the health care bill story, Michael tells us about this video going viral – Vice President Joe Biden swears on air before he introduces Obama, saying, “This is a big f__ing deal.” No word yet on any apology or acknowledgment from the VP. Stay classy, Joe.
• Website raises money for Rush Limbaugh’s ticket to Costa Rica by Andrew Moran: Remember when conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh said he’d move to Costa Rica if the health care bill passed? Now that it has, some people are calling out Rush on his promise, even raising money to get him a ticket out of the U.S. Without much publicity, this group raised $1,158 in less than 24 hours. Since many expect Rush to back out of the deal, the donated money will go to the charity Planned Parenthood.
• Greenpeace boycotts Nestle: ‘Don’t have a Kit Kat break today’ by Stephanie Dearing: If you ever wanted to see a gross-out ad spoof of Kit Kat commercials, look no further than Greenpeace’s latest spot. As Stephanie reports, Greenpeace is calling “attention to palm oil and the destruction of rainforests in Indonesia, which threatens the endangered Orangutan.” Evidently, Nestle uses palm oil in some of its chocolate bars. Dearing adds, “While Nestle’s change of heart should please conservationists, the news of Nestle’s decision to cut Sinar Mas has angered palm oil producers in Indonesia, who are threatening a boycott of Nestle products if the contract is cancelled.”
• Iceland’s volcanic eruption forces hundreds to be evacuated by Andrew Moran: “Several hundred people have been evacuated from their homes after a volcano erupted in the southern region of Iceland near Eyjafjallajoekull glacier.” So begins Andrew’s piece about another natural disaster shocking residents. He also offers us an update on what Icelanders fear in the way of a second eruption.
• Four-month-old Australian child dies in a high speed car chase by Imogen Jacobs: In the dept of Wow, That’s Upsetting comes a story about an Australian four-month-old who died after a high-speed police pursuit. This child died when the car she was in got smacked by a fleeing car trying to evade police. Imogen digs up some stats to report “figures from 2009 showed that police officers were still involved in an average of almost five pursuits a day.”
• Woman survives being shunted 60mph along highway by tanker by Laura Trowbridge: The video alone will make your jaw drop – a tanker truck smacked into a Rona Williams’ Renault Clio in West Yorkshire, UK, trapping the car under the truck’s bumper as it traveled down a highway at 60mph. Somehow, Rona and her car survived the scare, despite how horrific the incident looked. On another note, skeptikool admonishes the cameraperson for not trying to prevent an accident: “I feel I would have turned my vehicle around and have done my best to get the truck driver’s attention.”
• World’s fattest mother receiving death threats by Elliot Meszaros: In a follow-up to last week’s story on the obese mother hoping to become the world’s fattest woman, Elliot updates us on the latest – Donna Simpson says that she has now received death threats. For some reason. “It bothers me that somebody would feel that way,” she told reporters. Hmm, could the number-one suspect be the current Guinness Record holder for the title Donna wishes to usurp?
The Top Blog Post of the Week goes to Johnny Summerton for his travel report on Langkawi, Malaysia. He details every nuance of the area, from ancient rainforests to how tailorbirds use spider webs to build their nesting homes. You’ll definitely learn a few things about Malaysia reading this post, and you’ll also revel in the scenery courtesy of Jonny’s photos. Keep it up!
