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Opinions
5
www.Daily49er.com
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Syrian attacks on United States news sites will not deter journalists As the conflict in Syria continues, it appears that the conflict has escalated to a different means of retaliation. A group of hackers known as the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA) managed to hack into multiple online media and news outlets, including Twitter and The New York Times, last week. The SEA was able to breach Melbourne IT, one of the largest domain registrars in Australia, according to The New Yorker. By doing this, the SEA was able to easily hack into the system by use of a technique called “spearphishing.” Although the hacking incidents were skillfully done to affect various websites, spearphishing is a simple technique used by hackers world-
wide. According to the FBI website, spearphishing is a “virtual trap set by cyber thieves that uses official-looking e-mails to lure you to fake websites and trick you into revealing your personal information.” The SEA has already adapted and started ovanna targeting third party services that the media rely on. Because of the rapidity of the hacking incidents, additional measures of security must be enacted in order to keep websites safe. It is evident that the SEA is a supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Reuters reported that “records showed that
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NYTimes.com, the only site with an hourslong outage, redirected visitors to a server controlled by the Syrian group before it went dark.” While President Barack Obama’s decision on whether to strike Syria rests in the hands of Conadrigal gress, the SEA is wasting no time on infiltrating a very important aspect of our media system. The media and journalists are a very important part of the this equation. Journalists face danger of abduction and even death due to the violence happening in Syria. It seems that Syria is attempting to keep things
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undercover, and some Syrians see journalists as a major threat to their cause. According to Reuters, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that Syria is the most dangerous country in the world for journalists. According to Reuters, 39 journalists were killed in Syria in 2012 and 21 were kidnapped. While unjust acts continue to be committed unto the people of Syria, journalists will not stop covering the news that must be told. Fighting with weapons is one way of waging a deadly war. Infiltrating our news systems may be another. Jovanna Madrigal is a junior journalism major and an assistant opinions editor at the Daily 49er.
Former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow should play in the NFL One of the most recognizable and popular quarterbacks in the NFL is now without a job. After a dismal preseason performance, the New England Patriots released the often-controversial quarterback Tim Tebow on Saturday, according to ESPN. Following his release, Tebow tweeted, “I would like to thank ... the entire Patriots organization for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a classy organization.” While his future may not rest with the Patriots, it’s clear that Tebow’s on and off-the-field skills make him an NFL-caliber starting quarterback. Whether a team signs Tebow before the season begins is unlikely. It is clear that much of what is stopping Tebow’s growth in the league is overhype and unfounded criticism.
One of the major criticisms leveled against Tebow is that he can’t pass well. Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason turned heads in August 2011 when he said, “He can’t play. He can’t throw. What (former Denver Broncos coach) Josh McDaniel saw in him, God only knows,” according to Yahoo Sports. ESPN analyst Merril Hoge hane complemented Esiason’s comments by calling Tebow a “phony” in December 2012, according to ESPN. Once one begins to analyze Tebow’s stats, however, it is apparent that many of his critics like Esiason and Hoge are mistaken. According to ESPN, Tebow’s career NFL stats include 2,422 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Tebow further
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complemented his stats by rushing for 989 yards and 12 touchdowns. How many starting NFL quarterbacks boast similar numbers? In Cleveland, Browns starting quarterback Brandon Weeden threw 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions last year. He complemented his dismal season ewell by committing six fumbles as well, according to ESPN. Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert has also struggled. In 25 games, Gabbert has thrown 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Like Weeden, Gabbert is fumble-prone with nine fumbles since 2011, according to ESPN. Critics of Tebow’s performance should take a
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closer look at Weeden and Gabbert before saying he doesn’t have a place in the NFL. Another complaint leveled against Tebow is that he upsets locker rooms. In November 2012, NFL.com reported that several of Tebow’s New York Jets teammates critiqued him in the New York Daily News. “We don’t look at him as a quarterback,” an unnamed player said to New York Daily News. While it can be universally agreed upon that Tebow is no Tom Brady, it’s clear that Tebow is deserving of a starting quarterback job in the NFL. Give him a chance to shine. Last time someone checked, Tebow has more playoff victories than Peyton Manning does in Denver. Shane Newell is a junior journalism major and the opinions editor of the Daily 49er.
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