Uncommon perspectives

The same day the Fashion & Style section runs an article about breakdancing and anti-American sentiment in Russia, the New York Times World news today shows American influence in a more positive light in an article on the upcoming Ukrainian parliamentary elections. The article gives a good background on Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich and his controversial past, recapping the political rivalries between Yanukovich and President Viktor Yuschenko. In its description of involvement by American political consultants, the article brings to light something that has taken place behind the scenes, noting what, exactly, Americans have done to reshape Yanukovich’s image (from speechwriting to filming commercials) and explaining why they have chosen to keep their involvement discreet. It might have been interesting to focus more on the long-term goals of Americans getting involved behind the scenes in Ukrainian politics, but the article does suggest the incentive helping to reshape the government of a young country.

The second article in a Washington Post series on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) offers a fresh perspective on the dangers American troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan face from insurgents. The article’s lede frames the use of IEDs as a movement by taking a close look at the first explosion conducted in this manner, back in 2003. The third paragraph of the article sums up its purpose well, but there are a few quotes sprinkled throughout that do not have clear sources. Overall, the article does well explaining how IEDs are used and the casualties they have inflicted, as well as the varied measures military officials are now taking to prevent the use of IEDs, rather than just cleaning up their destructive effects. The series as a whole so far seems to offer a comprehensive look at the problem, including video and a glossary.

The Boston Globe offers a colorful profile of Boston Common today, evenhandedly examining it as a place where people from all walks of life come together. The article does well to place the Common in the context of its history as a public space in New England, but it focuses on an increase of crime over the last four years without explaining whether the Common is safer than it was in the 1980s or less safe than in the mid-’90s. While there are several comments from the homeless, vendors, park security, visitors and recreational athletes, the article mentions nothing of the soapbox-style orators who often stake out a corner near Park Street. There are also few comments about the safety of the Common from those who frequent it, which seems to be a large concern raised by the article. The accompanying photo gallery, though, makes up for many of the gaps in the text of the article, although the brief mentions of personalities such as two Brits who spent the summer breakdancing across the U.S. pique my curiosity and offer up a whole host of possible accompanying stories.