NFL - Concussion/Head Trauma Precautions and Implications

An issue quickly overtaking the “steroid-era” in (professional) sports, or at least football is the issue of concussions and severe head trauma. In the last few years the awareness of concussions and head trauma has increased as new rules have been implemented and strictly enforced by officials. Recently, referees have been asked to look out for symptoms and/signs of head injury sustained during play, that may be overlooked by team doctors/trainers. Two weeks ago, San Diego Chargers’ offensive lineman Kris Deilman experienced a concussion. At the time, he was allowed to continue play, as he did not fall to the ground or show obvious signs of distress. He was later allowed to fly home from New York; upon landing he experienced a seizure. Other than the diagnosed concussion he appears to be in good health.

As a football player head trauma is a legitimate concern. What many may not realize are the implications that it has on an individual later in life, as it can lead to various mental illnesses and general complications. Despite what some may say about the new rules and how they affect the nature of the game, the players safety is much more important. Every and any possible precaution should be taken in order to prevent such injuries.

HGH testing and Tobacco Ban – MLB

In recent Major League Baseball news, there has been a push to ban the use of smokeless tobacco in the public view during games. As well as a topic seemingly overshadowed by the issues surrounding the NFL; the use and testing of HGH in the MLB. Both controversial areas were publicly addressed when two House Democrats, Henry Waxman of California and Frank Pallone of New Jersey, wrote a letter to both Bud Selig, commissioner of the MLB, and Michael Weiner, executive director of the players union, requesting significant changes in policy. The representatives stated: “These issues affect the integrity of the game, the health of your players, and most important, the health of teenagers who aspire to be like pro players” (Waxman & Weiner - ESPN). Some baseball players interviewed said they would embrace a ban on tobacco products, while others felt that a ban would infringe on their personal freedom. As for the testing of HGH, “The time to begin testing for HGH in baseball has arrived” (Waxman & Weiner – ESPN). The use of blood testing seems to be the preferred method of prevention, as it has been implemented in both the NFL and the Olympics already.

In regards to the use of smokeless tobacco in the MLB I cannot be swayed in either direction. Solid evidence has been put forth supporting both sides of the argument. A recent ban of smokeless tobacco has been instated in Minor League Baseball, and there have been seemingly no serious issues. It is a logical medical concern, one that cannot be ignored by the Players Union, for those who choose to use it. Many companies do not allow individuals to use tobacco while working, therefore it seems logical that MLB players be held in the same regard while they perform their jobs. On the flip side of things, tobacco is tradition in baseball dating back to the 19^th century. I do agree with some players that a ban would infringe upon their freedom. Despite the fact that they would not be able to use it in the public view or well wearing a uniform, they would still be able to use it. If a ban is set in place, players will find a way around “breaking” the rules, just as they do with performance enhancing drugs.

The issue of HGH in sports is getting out of control; there should clearly be testing no matter what method they choose to utilize. It is an unfair advantage and a serious medical concern for those who use them. There should be no argument or complaining if testing becomes policy.       

True Enough Response - Perception of Reality

The controversial book True Enough written by Farhad Manjoo discusses significant topics present in the United States’ public sphere, emphasizing the perception of reality; what and why we choose to believe the things that we do. A number of situations are explored and deliberated, but ultimately Manjoo advises that when considering the truth people “choose wisely” (Manjoo 230). This message proves to be particularly intriguing as all of his examples are relevant to the public sphere, its’ technology, and the individuals that encompass it.

I personally enjoyed reading the somewhat unusual outlook that Manjoo holds regarding truth and its’ validity; he has no issue with publicly challenging established beliefs of the general population. “Experts” are placed under a magnifying glass and examined; in this day and age it has become more difficult to determine the true experts from those individuals who simply forge their knowledge. Manjoo states: “We consult experts specifically to learn something about which we are ignorant. The transaction is inherently treacherous because ignorance puts us at a disadvantage, too. How can we know whether the ‘experts’ who dominate the public discourse really are expert?” (Manjoo 108) With the technology available in our world it has become easier to fake expertise in a specific field, thus clouding the perception of truth regarding a topic.

What one perceives as fact often depends on personal principles: “we choose our personal versions of truth by subscribing to the clutch of specialists we find agreeable and trustworthy” (Manjoo 107). It is scary to consider that truth may not actually be the truth, as we only recognize our personal certainty. The truth then has an unlimited amount of possibilities. Once an attitude regarding reality is established, people do not tend to stray from it: “People tend to interpret and understand new information in a way that accords with their own views” (Manjoo 150). These statements caused me to reflect on my own opinions; “why do I believe what I do?” Manjoo presents legitimate arguments, reflected in my personal beliefs.

True Enough raises important points relevant to each individual and each society. It is important to be open to other viewpoints besides your own, consider other accounts and generate your perception of truth from there.

True Enough #2

Not only is True Enough relevant to class, it is also relevant to everyday life. Another intriguing point that Manjoo suggests is that “people tend to interpret and understand new information in a way that accords with their own views” (150). As people living in the public sphere we often hold very firm, personal beliefs, “and when people disagree with us, we’re apt to decide that they’re not being reasonable” (154). It is as if we are always seeking the truth, and we will not stop fighting until it is attained; but what is truth really? Manjoo keeps me interested, as I am always pondering questions regarding society and personal beliefs. He raises ideas that are not brought up very often.   

True Enough #1

Despite the fact that I did not enjoy the first 25 pages of Manjoo’s True Enough, the rest of the book was not too bad. The message put forth in the book; truth and reality can be greatly influenced and directed, proved to be very relevant to class. The public sphere holds a tremendous amount of power, influencing individuals in many different fashions.

One example of this power was seen on page 115 where Manjoo speaks of the “Dr. Fox effect”, in which “the suggestion that a person’s speaking style could so strongly seduce an audience -  that the way you said something might be more important than what you’d actually said – really makes you think twice about how the public evaluates so-called experts.” This truly reminds me of our modern day media and the topics that they decide are important. A lot of what we see in the news today has to do with the lives of celebrities, facebook or some other trendy subject. The media can allow us to forget what is truly important in life.

True Enough Chapter 1

To be quite honest the first 25 pages of True Enough were a bit dry. The concept that Manjoo attempts to portray is very relevant to our class: people often twist the news to coincide with their own ideas. However, the fashion in which he presented the message made it difficult for me to really dive into the book, as I would a novel like 1984. It will be interesting to see where the book goes from here, I guess it can only get better for me.

Lance: King of Performance Enhancing Drugs

 In recent “steroid news”, Lance Armstrong is being questioned, yet again, for the possible abuse of performance enhancing drugs.  Armstrong, who won every Tour de France from 1999-2005, is under speculation for occasional visits with Dr. Michele Ferrari, a trainer, barred for life by the Italian Cycling Federation and known to be the head of widespread doping scandals. Armstrong claims: “I've always maintained those guys are my friends and that's not going to change.” The meetings were described as “social”.

This story, as well as almost any other performance enhancing drug story, goes to show the severe effects that one incident can have on an individual in the public sphere. With the strict regulations placed on athletes in our current times, is it even worth the risk of taking performance enhancing drugs. One may feel that with the number of athletes doping they are placed at a disadvantage if they too are not on steroids. The truth is they are bound to be caught, and when they are their reputations are tarnished and in most cases their careers go straight down hill. It amazes me to see that athletes like Lance Armstrong, who have been previously convicted (multiple times), continue to place themselves in questionable positions. Sure they are under extreme scrutiny, but for good reason … Just play the games the way they are intended to be played.    

Jordan Jefferson: Yet Another NCAA Infraction

Despite his involvement in a bar fight late last month, LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson’s suspension has been lifted. He is not out of the woods yet, as he still faces a possible $500 fine and a maximum 6 months in prison on “simple” battery charges.

Many people around the sporting world are up in arms about the situation; “Is Jefferson receiving preferential treatment because of his status as a big-time collegiate athlete?”, “It seems as if Jefferson is getting off too easy…” Well, in terms of legal punishment this may be true, his punishment does not seem fit for the crime, (four men were brutally beat and sent to the hospital for treatment), but Jefferson has severely damaged his reputation. The incident will surely place him under a magnifying glass for the remainder of the season, but it doesn’t end there; his draft stock will drop considerably losing him potentially millions of dollars and a job in the NFL. He has already missed four games this season and most has likely lost his starting position on the LSU team. This seems like a fair punishment…

1984 Reactions

The conclusion of Orwell’s 1984 comes as no surprise; it was only a matter of time before Winston got discovered and penalized for exercising “doublethink”. Despite the harsh consequences, Winston ultimately finds himself better off; a personal victory of sorts: “Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark mustache … But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself” (Orwell 308). The characters in the novel are very confused as they are often unable to differentiate between the truth and lies, but Winston is now satisfied with his position, no matter how unreasonable it may be. There is finally a sense of security and certainty in life.

The point that I found most interesting while reading the novel was the ease in which minds and thoughts of individuals, (even the general population) could be tampered. Winston’s perception of both Julia and O’Brien are completely altered by the last page. The people inhabiting this futuristic world are merely pawns being shuffled around a game board.  

The novel as a whole was engaging, but I was expecting a bit more in the end. It was almost too obvious that Winston would somehow be reprimanded for his wrongdoings. I wish he would have truly overcome the party and Big Brother instead of the small personal victory he experienced, giving into their misguided notions.

Steroids in Sports #1

In recent months the number of suspensions due to use of performance enhancing drugs has diminished significantly, yet rumors continue to swirl about major league sports. It is hard to believe that athletes incessantly push the limits of officials and commissioners despite the strict regulations and emphasis placed on the use of performance enhancing substances. One might question the value steroids in today’s athletic sphere; sure they give you a leg up on competition but for how long does this last? Athletes are sure to suffer the consequences of their wrongdoings, whether suspension, expulsion, steep fines or even jail time. Apparently the “reward” was the worth the risk for 32 year old, Colorado Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, who on Wednesday was suspended by Major League Baseball for violating the performance enhancing drug policy. The real kicker is, this was not Alfonzo’s first violation, but rather his second … in three years. In a statement released by the Major League Baseball Player’s Association, Alfonzo stated: “I learned my lesson in 2008 and have not taken any prohibited substances since then.” Clearly he did not learn his lesson; it is difficult to fail the illegal substance test if you have not taken any illegal substances. When will players learn that there is no room for steroids of any variation in athletics, it is difficult to tell whether they help or hurt not only individuals but the sports themselves.

In recent years Major League Baseball has lost some serious credit due to the 2007 Mitchell report in which 89 Major League Baseball players were named as potential performance enhancing drug users. It gives a negative stigma to individuals and teams around the world, and in my mind has no place in sports. Despite the number of individuals busted each year, the use ceases to slow down never mind stop altogether.

I’m sure there will be many more incidents in the near future to report on…     

Section 1, Orwell 1984

The extreme contrast between our modern society and the dystopia that is the future London is very intriguing.

Thus far, through the first section of Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell I am a bit confused, but I guess that is the point. Even the characters in the novel display signs of uncertainty as no one knows the definite truth. On page 77 Orwell says: “Everything faded into mist. The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth.” It seems to me the only people that have any chance of escaping the influence of Big Brother are those who have an established identity and think freely for themselves, asking questions regarding past and future circumstances. I am anxious to discover who prevails in the end, Big Brother or the brainwashed society; I want answer, definitive answers to the many questions posed in section 1, hopefully things start to come together.

Sports #1

The sources that I plan to use include web sites such as ESPN.com, rotoworld.com, sportingnews.com, as well as a few major news paper sport sections.

An area that interests me specifically is all of the scandals that are constantly popping up, whether it be an issue involving steroid use or the ever growing issue of improper benefits in college athletics. I will try to focus on the impact such stories have on the sporting world as a whole and why athletes continue to break rules despite the severity of possible punishment. What is the impact of athletes/athletics on and in our society?    

"After Class, Skimpy Equality"

It is absolutely true that the behavior in the article has been accepted as the social norm; it has developed to this stage because people have allowed it to do so … it has been accepted. It is right? No, but it won’t change until people change. The “social playing field” is very competitive and people will do whatever they can to get a step ahead.

Mountains Beyond Mountains

1. Did Farmer affect Haiti more with his physical work or with his spirit and the hope he provided?
 

Clearly Farmer provided unprecedented aid to all corners of the earth, but his attitude was the driving force behind all of his “success”. While supplying villagers with scarce resources such as medication he also provided them with hope; the chance that maybe one day things will change for the better. One of his patients Ti Ofa even goes as far to say: “Just talking to you makes me feel better. Now I know I’ll sleep tonight” (Kidder 30) In many impoverished countries the sick are out casted and left to suffer on their own; Farmer not only has the heart to treat these people but he also provides his services at no cost. Farmer can be considered a model citizen, as he forfeits modern commodities and material goods in an attempt to make a difference, ultimately hoping that others can continue where he left off. Despite all of the possible life saving treatment that Farmer provides, his lasting legacy will be the optimism that he instilled throughout the world.