Germany economy at its worst

Kristen Nieslawski

October 5, 2011

Comm. 337

Mayer’s article was well worth her time. The details and information help inform not only Europeans to the crisis but everyone around the globe. She mentions how the Euro crisis can/is effecting the United States and China. I think it is well worth what is going on especially if it will be affecting us personally. I feel that it would have taken Mayer at least 6 months or more to collect all her information and details for her article. She interviewed with over six interviewees. Some of which are high up there being CEO’s and part of the Parliament. I am sure she had to schedule around their free time and availability. She also interviewed with business owners who are affected by the crisis.        

European Central Bank (ECB) president Jean-Claude Trichet has called it "the worst crisis since World War II." The president of the ECB is making a bold statement by saying this. I feel that her words will speak loud to all who read this article. Another hot shot that Mayer spoke with is Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel, like Trichet, makes an intrepid statement to her parliament saying “The euro is much, much more than a currency. The euro is the guarantee of a united Europe. If the euro fails, then Europe fails." These two so far are important people to the German society and Europe for that fact. For Mayer to get statements and direct quotes is well worth her time spent for this article. The readers will more than likely have more interest in this knowing that some very well rounded people who have authority have strong opinions on the matter. Jürgen Stark, the ECB's former chief economist, is another that Mayer’s got a direct quote from. Stark stated "It was expected with the start of European Monetary Union that peer pressure would work, but it has not worked.” These three are just the beginning of interviews that Mayer has. I believe that these threes voices are well rounded and want to be heard throughout the news. It makes since in having those who basically control what is  going on opinions and statements on how they feel about the economic crisis.

Among the three above Mayer also interviews those who are directly affected by the situation. Simple business owners have strong feelings about the whole crisis and share their true feelings. "I'm fed up with working hard so the Greeks can sit in cafes and drink coffee with brandy all day," moans Uli, who is a “traditional beer steins to business-minded Frankfurt's rare tourists.” Jens, a sausage vendor who’s place states that he has "the best Wurst in town." Jen’s being a young business owner at 28 complains "We're slaving while Greece parties." The temperament and feelings among local business owners is taking a toll on their hard work and frustrating them. I feel it is necessary to get both sides of the story from the presidents and CEOs and then the local men and women who are being affected by the situation. Mayer did a good job at getting both sides of the story. In which the two sides both agree.

Mayer’s article I believe is an in between of soft and hard news. The topic is very important and needs to be heard however, it is not breaking news that needs to be heard right now right this instance. The Economic crisis that is going on is a very essential topic and people need to understand what is going on throughout their country and around the world. My opinion , doesn’t mean it is correct, is that Mayer’s tone is a concerned one. She is doing excessive research to allow the people of Germany and Europe to know what kind of economic trouble their country/continent is in. Mayer’s states facts throughout her entire article. She backs her statements up with those who basically run the economy in German/Europe. I did not notice too much of her own opinion throughout the reading. However, I wasn’t really looking for that. I was more into the facts and quotes from her sources.

Murray’s idea of craft is when the writer and/ or reporter is hearing and seeing what really isn’t being said. For example, Murray says he always hears the things he isn’t suppose to and would imagine stories and tell them to him or have others tell him to sleep at night. All throughout the day from going to school, playing outside, etc Murray made stories. I feel that “craft” and “art” are different because craft
is something that is a piece or object. As for art anything can be art. From paintings, writing, statues, etc it is all considered art. The two are very hard to differentiate when you simply ask someone first thought. When you put thought into the question though you can break it down. Being in artist in writing is being creative and having an imagination to get the untold story in which no one ever writes about. As for my career ambitions, being an artist is well needed. I have this big dream of becoming the next Erin Andrews. If you do not know who she is she is one of the popular sports casters for ESPN. She is the woman who is on the field before and after the big games in the NFL, MLB, and NBA. I want this dream and will work hard at my goal. Having this ambition will forever change me. The people I will get to meet, the stories I’ll get to write, and the trips I’ll get to take. It is something that art will play into as my imagination.