26 Magazine

FAA needs an upgrade

Awesome Rob — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:15:23 +0000

Earlier this week, there was a scare in the skies that reminds many people of the situation that happened on one infamous day in 2001. Flights all across the north east, reaching as far west as O’Hare in Chicago, were affected when the FAA was forced to ground hundreds of flights, due to a cascade of computer problems. The systems that failed were absolutely crucial to safety and function, and with them unable to function as they were designed, there was a very high risk for catastrophic events. The problem simply highlighted the FAA’s need for an overhaul to prevent disaster.

The FAA’s air traffic control systems are one of the many computer systems built years ago and still in use though there are many more efficient and reliable models and tools available today. The problem with the FAA’s systems is very much like every other government system in the country. While the government has no problem spending money on doing research on how much gastrointestinal discomfort a wombat might feel if it eats funny berries, they refuse to find the necessity to make sure the systems that safeguard human lives in a variety of aspects are kept up to date and working to the best of their abilities.

The FAA systems were once upon a time state of the art. As with everything in technology however, state of the art lasts about as long as it takes to say it, meaning that while the system worked at the time, with the increased load placed upon it now with increases in travel frequency within the country, as well as flights coming in from abroad, means that an upgrade should have been in the works when the last system was implemented.

The problem ultimately resides in the government’s reluctance to spend money on anything it deems able to get by with what it has already. The alternative is wasting the money on pet projects that serve no purpose other than to appease a very small group of people, usually those who donated to the politician’s campaign. Its a corrupt system where the “Old Boy’s Club” of friends get to spend a blank check on things they would never have dropped money into themselves, but since the government’s paying, why not? Instead of focusing on fixing potential problems and keeping the United States at the peak of technological advancement, the money that could be used to fuel progress is instead used to line bird cages and be thrown in fire pits to keep the flames of irrelevance burning strong.

One day, a disaster may happen in which the public outrage will be strong enough to force politicians to get off their self-serving pedestals and do something for the benefit of the nation, but it is unfortunate it takes such a situation to get the action that should have been executed preemptively.

Movement to retire 23

Awesome Rob — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:14:25 +0000

A couple of nights ago, the NBA got a little treat from one of its most prolific stars: LeBron James. On top of his exceptional play, as always, last season’s NBA MVP came out and said he will be changing his jersey number from 23 to 6 next season. His reasoning? Michael Jordan’s number should be retired by the NBA, from every team.

Usually, retiring numbers are something that is left to the individual team, and no sport body since Major League Baseball’s retiring of Jackie Robinson’s no. 42 has considered retiring a number across the board. It is a big step and the NBA has no previous history of even considering such a move, but since The King’s annoucement, the movement has picked up speed.

When one considers the reasons behind Jackie Robinson’s number retiring and Michael Jordan’s, there are a few key points to understand. Jackie Robinson played baseball in a very volatile time for civil rights in the United States, and being the first black MLB player, he was forced to walk a fine line and be the face of the black race in a white sport. His perseverance against the racial tension and sportsmanship laid the foundation for change in Major League Baseball, and his contribution to civil rights and sport was beyond what any other athlete at the time had ever accomplished. The MLB did the right thing in retiring his number out of respect for the adversity he faced while doing what he loved: playing baseball.

Michael Jordan never had to fight the racial tension and be a figurehead in the civil rights movement as Jackie Robinson was. In many ways, Jackie Robinson’s contribution to sport paved the way for athletes like Michael Jordan to take center stage in a major sport, competing under the lights and having the opportunity to achieve greatness. Jackie Robinson’s aid to the end of racial segregation in baseball was an instrumental part of American sports history, and Michael Jordan didn’t have anywhere near the same pressure to take a stand, and not only play, but play well.

James does have a point in his request to see no. 23 be retired. Living with the number 23 on his chest essentially has made his career into one where he tries to “Be Like Mike,” and try to say he is the next Jordan. The King can build his own legacy with a different number, reducing the number of direct comparison’s between the two. The game they play is similar: they both dominate the other team and have an uncanny ability for the sport. Jordan had a solid team built around him and he was the missing link that was needed for all the championships the Bulls won. James doesn’t have the same talent around him, but James also hasn’t been able to come up in the clutch as often as Jordan did with game winning shots and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat as regularly as Jordan.

And as long as LeBron lives by 23, he will forever be overshadowed by Jordan’s legacy.

Why violent video games?

andrea — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:31:50 +0000

It was earlier this week in my Mass Communications Ethics course that we discussed the negative effect that violent video games have on the youth of America. Of course this is all debatable, and this post isn’t meant to challenge or condemn anyone for playing these games.

The point is to examine America’s obsession with these games. A prime example of this is the new video game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which was released on Tuesday, earned $310 million in opening-day sales alone. According to Daniel Terdiman, a blogger for CNET news, 4.7 million copies were sold in the United States and the U.K. alone in order to break this record.

This is more than the next highest selling video game, “Grand Theft Auto IV” which also made $310 million in first-day sales worldwide. (Modern Warfare made $310 million in just the U.S. and U.K.) Also, just to put this into perspective, last year’s Batman movie “The Dark Knight” made $155 million in the opening weekend… WEEKEND.

Obviously, “Grand Theft Auto” and “The Dark Knight” are a little bit on the violent side. “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” is the same.

As the title suggests, this game revolves around… a war. According to a review by the Associated Press, “You’re really a good guy who has infiltrated the terrorist cell.” If you’ve heard any press about this video game then I’m sure that you’ve heard about the terrorist aspect of the game.

A tad controversial? Yes. Although, critics say it’s essential to the game.

The “Call of Duty” saga includes six versions of the game. Two different companies are responsible for the creation of the games. This year’s version came from Infinity Ward and has been seriously popular just within the few days of its release.

Now, it’s easy to blame video games on the violent tendencies of American youth. According to the American Psychological Association, “High levels of violent video game exposure have been linked to delinquency, fighting at school and during free play periods, and violent criminal behavior (e.g., self-reported assault, robbery).”

The truth is that the average age of a video-gamer is 35-years-old, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos MediaCT for game industry trade group the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).

The war and violence obsession in America is nothing new really. It’s nothing really new though, is it? Violence is a part of everyday life. We may not see it in America but it happens all over the world.

Could it be our sheltered lives that give us such a hunger for blood?
If the average American saw half of the amount of bloodshed that they see in this video games and movies, they would be shocked.

So, I’m confused… Can anyone tell me why so many people are interested in violent video games like this?

Escapism?

Masculinity?

Hidden violent tendencies?

I just don’t get it. Sure, I’m female so maybe I’m missing the proper chromosome.

I’d like to know. If you’re interested in shooter video games, tell me why.

World Series lives up to the hype

Awesome Rob — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:34:03 +0000

Leading into this year’s World Series, the story line was a beauty. The World Champions of 2008, the Phillies, were back in the mix and squaring off against the World Series trophy juggernaut, the New York Yankees. Both teams featured high powered offense and left handed pitchers that would make teams of yesteryear shake their heads in disbelief. High profile stars like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and CC Sabathia were set to do battle against Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez and Cliff Lee. The ingredients were all there to make a World Series classic.

After game one, things looked great for a competitive series of pitching domination.

Then game two rolled around, and three, and four, and suddenly the Yankee’s offense made the Phillies look very vulnerable. A-Rod, who was pretty much useless in the first few games of the series, came out huge in games three and four, especially in four, and with him clicking with the rest of the offense, the Yankees literally could do no wrong at the plate.

And it wasn’t even just at the plate where they had their success.

The series tone was set in the top of the 9th inning of game four. Top of the 9th inning and with the score tied and two outs set, it looked like the game was either going into extra innings or the Phillies would have the perfect opportunity to tie the series and shut down the Yankee offense. Then Johnny Damon stepped up to the plate and delivered one of the most amazing at bats in recent memory, going nine pitches and preventing the inning from ending. Finally, he connected and made it to first. Progress had been made. Then on the next pitch, Damon takes off to steal second, knowing that he had to make a move when it would be least expected. After snagging second, and seeing that there was no one covering third, Damon took off and outran the only person capable of tagging him out, completing a double steal on a single pitch.

Suddenly, the stadium wasn’t so rowdy.

With Damon’s clutch play, the next factor was A-Rod leading the Yankees on a strong hit and scoring Damon, while putting two runners in scoring position. Another hit solidified the Phillies 9th inning collapse, giving the Yankees a three-run lead going into the bottom of the 9th with Mariano Rivera playing cleanup, which is almost a 99.9 percent chance of perfection.

Sure enough, Rivera cleaned up three batters in eight pitches, giving the Yankees a 3-1 series lead.

In this post season, we have seen A-Rod beat his demons, Damon come back from mediocrity to have the best moment of baseball genius this year, and watch the Yankees come back to true form and nearly bury the defending World Champions in their own stadium

The Phillies won game five, saving themselves from defeat at home, sending the series back to the Bronx where the Yankees have been extremely successful all year and in this post season. Whether or not they can close out the Phillies is still up in the air, but if Pedro Martinez plays like he did game two, Andy Pettitte is walking away with the win, and the Yankees with their first World Series since 2000.

Florida retirement community has no ethics

andrea — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:16:45 +0000

Ugh! The more I listen to the news here in Florida, the more I wonder why I turned it on in the first place. We certainly do have some crazy stuff going on around here, ranging from children being dumped in trash cans only to be found states away, to children being kicked out of their homes because of their age.

It’s a crazy world that we live in people! Just take a good, hard look at Florida if you ever need a reminder.

Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look at the case of 6-year-old Kimberly Broffman.

Broffman, a freckle-faced redhead, lives with her grandparents in a Florida retirement community. According to Associated Content, Broffman has been there since her mother was deemed unable to take care of her. She was six months old.

Broffman and her two siblings were split between family members. Broffman ended up in the arms of her grandparents, Judie and Jimmy Stottler, in a “55 and older” community. (The community specifically says that there are absolutely no people younger than 18-years-old can be residents in this deed-restricted community.)

More than three years ago the community filed a lawsuit against the Stottlers claiming that they were in direct violation of the community’s rules and regulations because little Broffman was there.

Since this time, the Stottlers have been trying to sell their home in the community in order to relocate. There is a chance that Broffman may be taken away from her grandparents and put into foster care until her grandparents can find an appropriate place to live… where she’s allowed.

The Stottler’s home has been on the market for a while now and has decreased in price by over 100,000. It remains on the market to this day.

So the question is “Who is Right Here?”

On one hand, the homeowner’s association of the community isn’t wrong or unethical in expecting everyone who lives there to abide by the community’s rules. The people who live in this neighborhood have a reasonable expectation to not have a child running around. I mean, they moved there to be part of a “55 and older” community.

I would say that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with expecting people to do what they say they will do. There absolutely are exceptions though. With all the facts considered, it’s not ethical or “right” to tear a 6-year-old child away from the only family that she knows because of some stupid deed-restricted community rules.

I’ve heard of some pretty wild deed-restricted community rules. I’ve heard of neighbors taking pictures of violations and then reporting them to the homeowner’s association… and by violations I mean either their grass is too tall or they have friends over and one tire is on the grass.

“There are rules,” they say. “And you agreed to them when you moved in here.”

I’m fairly certain that Mr. and Mrs. Stottler didn’t want their daughter to be unable to take care of her own child in such a way that they would become responsible for raising her.

As a Floridian, I’m embarrassed by these people’s actions. I don’t know what kind of cruel old person you have to be unable to see when a family is having trouble. It’s not always black and white and, as family structures change and the housing market continues to crumble, these nice people deserve to have some slack.

The Stottlers also deserve a pat on the back and encouraging thought or too. They’ve got a rough road ahead.

What do you think? Does this situation deserve special treatment?

Unfortunately you and I don’t get to decide, the case is going to a judge who will decide what the “Right” action is here.

Check out Today’s segment on Broffman here.

Yankees on the verge of returning to the World Series

Awesome Rob — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:53:30 +0000

With the Yankees leading 3-1 in the ALCS over the Los Angeles Angels, it appears that next Wednesday, we can expect to see Game 1 of the World Series in the new Yankee Stadium. Solid pitching by CC Sabathia has been the story of this Yankee post season as well as the dominating performance by one Alex Rodriguez, and both were present when the Yankees dominated Game 4 of the ALCS in a 10-1 victory. In a series that was filled with close games and extra innings, it seems that the Yankee blowout may have been the final blow to knock down the suddenly error-prone Angels.

Many people can’t remember the last time the Yankees made it to the World Series, or even when they last won it. Joe Torre was the skipper then, and he’s since been running a Los Angeles Dodgers team that is sharing the fate of their cross town brothers by trailing the Phillies 3-1 in the NLCS. While the Phillies are the defending World Series champions, one can’t help but wonder if they will have what it takes to stop the money machine bankrolled by the Steinbrenners. The massive payroll and off season acquisitions of some future Hall of Fame players, on top of their already substantial talent, may prove far too great this year to overcome. For a few years, it appeared that even with the Yankees payroll, there was a parody of talent across the teams that offered some chance for other teams to dethrone the Bronx bombers, especially when the Yankees were knocked out of the first round two years ago and failed to reach the playoffs last season.

So much for that thought.

Alex Rodriguez is the big story of the moment. After his failure to produce in the post season that has been his handicap, even with all of his talent, this season has been his breakout year. He admitted to steroid use to start the year and spent several weeks rehabbing after hip labrum surgery. Then he came back, and started racking up the RBIs and home runs without missing a beat.

The Yankees wouldn’t be where they are now without Alex Rodriguez.

After signing the biggest contracts in the history of baseball, the monkey finally got bored and hopped off A-Rod’s back. He has gone six games in a row with an RBI and is adding to his impressive home run tally with a strong showing in October.

Johnny Damon, never one to shy away from the spotlight, decided he had to step up and after struggling this post season, added to the blowout win in game 4. The Yankees might just about be ready to play at their peak potential to start off the World Series, assuming they don’t have an unlikely breakdown of epic proportions and drop three games in a row to the Angels.

The Phillies, even if they down the Dodgers, may find themselves trying to ice skate up hill in a blizzard if the Yankees come in and play as good as they have been.

Alex Rodriguez earns his pay

Awesome Rob — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:05:50 +0000

It’s October, which to many Americans means it’s time to sit down and enjoy one of America’s best forms of entertainment: the Major League Baseball playoffs.

Every year the season starts with speculation on how much money the Yankees will spend to assemble a team that consists of nothing but Hall of Fame players of the future, and how much they will succeed. The last decade has been rather rough for the Yankees after their last World Series victory in 2000. They’ve been eliminated from the playoffs every year, and some years with great disappointment such as when they lead the Red Sox 3-0 in the series before losing the next four games and becoming the first team to accomplish the unwanted feat. Last year, even with a payroll that eclipsed every other team in by more than an NFL salary cap, the Yankees failed to reach the post season.

Then there’s the storied history of Alex Rodriguez failing in the clutch. A-Rod is the most talented player in baseball to have never won a World Series, and even more talented than most who have. He signed the largest two MLB contracts ever and is by far the richest player in baseball on salary alone. His season started off with a steroid scandal and a book that attacked his character. Every season, A-Rod has been cast in the negative light about his private life or his failure to play up to his pay grade after the regular season. This year all the skeletons came out of the closet, and then A-Rod went dark with hip surgery and the whirlwind of potential controversy on his steroid admission had nowhere to direct its media-fueled frenzy.

The rest of the season has been about A-Rod beating his demons, and then A-Rod leading the Yankees into the post season.

A-Rod, even with his injury recovery at the start of the season, racked up 100 RBIs and his first at bat of the season was a home run. The rest of the season followed suit as the Yankees went from struggling to dominating with the addition of the best player in baseball back to the Yankee roster.

But even with his success in the season, many wondered if this would be yet another year of disappointment for the Yankees. Those questions were put to rest with the ALCS, when A-Rod dismantled the Minnesota Twins and lead the Yankees to a sweep. Then, game 2 of the ALDS against the Angels came around, bottom of the 11th inning, the Angels were leading the Yankees 3-2. A-Rod had two strikes, and it seemed as if the Yankees best hitter, who had gone 0-4 so far in the game, would once again fail under pressure. Then one loud thunder crack in the light rain sent the ball over the wall, tying the game and keeping the Yankees in it.

And the Yankees eventually won. Without A-Rod’s heroics, the game that burned through both team’s bullpens would have ended in the Angels favor. Now the Yankees are poised to take another big step toward their goal of winning another World Series, and with A-Rod finally performing as expected, they seem well on their way to accomplishing the goal.

What did you have for dinner?: Americans’ obsession with social networking

andrea — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:16:38 +0000

It’s hard to remember what we did before the Internet. I think I was around 10 when we first got it. I mean, it wasn’t extensive, but it worked. It was awesome. I remember playing “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?” online.

That being said, it’s easy to agree that the Internet has BLOWN UP! We have it on our phones. We have it in little mini computers. It’s all over the place.

And what would we do without it?

I mean, it hasn’t been around that long. It just doesn’t seem like there was anything to do before we could update our statuses on the latest happenings.

I will be the first one to admit that I love some Twitter and Facebook and iPhone applications. The question remains, “Has it gotten out of hand?”

When America thought that Balloon Boy was floating around all over eastern Colorado, the Blogosphere and social networking sites were lighting up with witty remarks and updates about flying Falcon Heene, 6 years old.

Just in case you don’t know the story, I’ll do a short summary. (You can find more in-depth information if you search for 6-year-old Falcon Heene in your favorite search browser.)

Earlier today in eastern Colorado, Falcon’s parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, told authorities that their son had untethered their mylar balloon and was suspected to be inside of it. Well, it ends up that the little child wasn’t in the balloon at all. He was hanging out in a box in the attic.

Sure, it’s amusing that the kid that everyone thought was up in the air is named “Falcon.” I guess it’s also pretty cool that we could see it all happening. (Thank you television and YouTube.) I also guess it’s a bit interesting that the kid’s family used to be on Wife Swap.

(Actually, that’s REALLY interesting. Can we say attention-seeking family anyone?! That’s not the point though…)

The best thing about what happened today is that it shows us how Americans really enjoy their freedom of speech. Don’t believe me? Check out Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and the like.

The expansion of technology has allowed every…single…kind of American to express themselves and their needs. There are Facebook groups for all kind of hobbies. YouTube is an outlet for even the most unintelligent people. Then Twitter… well, I’m not so sure about Twitter yet. It’s definitely viral though.

I’m not saying that every update on the Internet is necessary. In fact, I’d dare to say that over half of the updates on Twitter, Facebook, etc. are necessary.

I am saying that we are pretty lucky to be able to express ourselves like this. Ask anyone who lives in a Communist country. They can’t do anything like this.

I’m not usually one to toot my American horn, but it is seriously tooting.

Let’s not take for granted that we can talk crap about whoever we want (um… within legal limits) and we can lets the whole world know what we’re having for dinner.

Arguably we’re losing a sense of boundaries.

Eh, it’s America! Tweet away!!

P.S. I had chicken Parmesan for dinner.

Top 10 strangest phobias

Brittany — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:16:16 +0000

I always find it interesting to learn the fears of others, things that make people cringe, shiver and shudder. Most of the time I can relate as mine are rather common: spiders, AKA arachnophobia, and dark, open water, AKA hydrophobia (sort of).

However, the list I’m about to surrender to you, Associated Content’s Top 10 Strangest Phobias, is something I can’t relate to in the least, let alone pronounce most of the names. Good luck.

1. Zemmiphobia – Fear of…wait for it…the great mole rat.

Yeah, most are naked and crazy looking — those ones usually tiny — but what’s so bad about a big fat rat? Okay, never mind… I think I can understand this one.

2. Anablephobia – Fear of looking up.

Is this for real? Who doesn’t love a blue sky? Suck to be these people.

3. Consecotaleophobia – Fear of chopsticks.

But forks are no fun when it comes to sushi!

4. Geniophobia – Fear of chins.
This one makes me think of the “Ball-Chinians” from Men in Black II (the one that sucked and doesn’t count). I guess big fat butt chins might make sense…but (no pun intended) I don’t get it other than that.

5. Taphephobia Taphophobia – Fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries.

Duh. This one actually makes sense. Finally.

6. Cacophobia – Fear of ugliness.

And all along I had no idea what to call this fear I had lurking inside of me… Just kidding. I’m not that shallow, but now I know what to tell people who are. If only I could pronounce this one…

7. Cherophobia – Fear of gaiety.

This one should be easy to tell. Sounds like “cherub” to me, and I’ve always had a slight aversion to those little winged, soft-skinned, naked baby-like angel things on most Italian art pieces and my grandmother’s bathroom walls. I guess this combines that with the whole saccharine sweet happiness that seems to surround them. Who likes happiness and flying angel babies? Me either.

8. Lutraphobia – Fear of otters.

How in the world anyone could be afraid of those cute little water creatures is beyond me, but, apparently, since there obviously was good enough reason to design a word of this length to describe this ridiculous fear, it exists. I truly feel sorry for you people. I happen to love otters.

9. Phronemophobia – Fear of thinking.

I know plenty of people with this fear. Heck, it’s like 90 percent of our society…right? Certainly all the people who Jay Leno catches on his Jay Walking segment. Wow. Of all the crazy fears on this list, this one’s the one I’d least like to admit to, say, if it actually were true. Who, honestly, if afraid to think? Can’t we not help but think? Even on the most minimal of levels? I’m getting too deep. Thinking too critically. Excuse me.

10. Bogyphobia – Fear of bogeys or the bogeyman.

Who isn’t afraid of the bogeyman? He hides in your closet at night and freaks you out with his strange shadow puppet creature shows. What’s not to fear about this dude?

Southeastern Conference kings

Awesome Rob — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:01:29 +0000

Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide. The No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the college football polls a week before the BCS computers start calculating ranks. One is the team that won the last BCS National Championship. The other is the team that would have won the BCS National Championship if it had not lost to the former. Who would have imagined the following season would shape up as it has, leaving both teams with paths leading back to a year ago and a repeat of the game that many say was the real national championship battle.

The Crimson Tide has rolled through the season so far, crushing teams left and right and looking like the most dominant team in football. Nick Saban, the most hated man in Louisiana after he bailed on LSU, went to Miami to coach the Dolphins before coming back to college football and taking a position coaching the evil enemies of the Cajun, is leading an Alabama team to a strong season and a collision course in the Southeastern Conference Championship against Florida.

The Florida Gators have crushed their cakewalk teams and struggled through a few others in their so far undefeated season, but riding their overwhelming No. 1 status from last year, they have maintained the top seed.

Many critics say the Crimson Tide is playing better football than the Gators, but when it boils down to it, both teams are winning every game against stiff competition. Urban Meyer has done what he’s always done and found a way to win and put himself and his team in the position they want to be to write their own future.

The teams have held their positions stronger than any other team that has held a top five ranking, and has continued the dominance of the SEC in conference strength. While the SEC lost two teams from the top 25 and the Big 12 now has more teams ranked, all of college football has seen that outside of the top three this season, the rankings seem to consist of teams drawn out of a hat. Texas is the only non SEC team that has been consistent enough in their play to earn their rank, and that may change next week with their biggest game of the season in the Red River Rivalry vs Oklahoma.

The Gators have played a much more climactic schedule in terms of story than the Crimson Tide has. Lane Kiffin provided many headlines and was on the receiving end of a stiff punch to the kisser in his failed prophecy of a victory in the Swamp this year, and even took shots at the Gators after the loss. Sadly for Lane Kiffin and the volunteers, a sick, underwhelming Gator performance was enough to beat a Tennessee team with nothing to lose. Then came the Tebow concussion and the two weeks of speculation on whether he’d play or not against LSU in a game that has decided the national champion for the last three seasons. Then Tebow came back, played a conservative version of wrecking ball and beat LSU by 10.

Alabama on the other hand has done a great job of negating everything the opposing team tries to throw at it while running them over with strong offensive performances. It is tough to say which team is necessarily better, because every week in college football is a completely different story in preparation and match ups, but we will see who represents the SEC in the BCS Championship game and whether it will be the Gators or the Crimson Tide hoisting the BCS Crystal Football in the end.