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Blunt Sports Talk from Mr. Bundy: No More Slurs in NFL; Canadian Insult to Injury; Michael Sam at Combine; Dunk of the Week

February 22, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

No More Slurs in NFL

It is a well known fact that during professional sports, especially intense ones like Professional Football, racial slurs are thrown around by players and officials alike with no regard to the real meanings behind these words. The most notable being the “N-word”.

An equality, and diversity within the NFL, group by the name of the “Fritz Pollard Alliance” (FPA), hopes to bring this on-field racism to an end.

Back in November, in an open letter to the NFL general counsel, the “Fritz Pollard Alliance” expressed its desire to have fouls called on players and coaches who are heard using racial slurs during games.

“[W]e believe that the League can address this concern by instructing Game Day officials to step up enforcement of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(b) of the League’s Playing Rules, which prohibits the use of ‘abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, officials, teammates, or representatives of the League…… Directing the ‘N’ word towards others in a place of work is abusive, threatening, and insulting. We believe the League should authorize Game Day officials to use graduated discipline with warnings, 15 yard penalties and ejections as appropriate.” (FPA)

Now, 3 months later, the FPA may end up getting exactly what they wanted. In a owner’s meeting next month, FPA chairman John Wooten, will be presenting his case and it looks as though there’s a very good chance that he will get his way.

“I will be totally shocked if the competition committee does not uphold us on what we’re trying to do. We want this word to be policed from the parking lot to the equipment room to the locker room,” Wooten said, according to CBSSports.com. “Secretaries, PR people, whoever, we want it eliminated completely and want it policed everywhere. I think they’re going to do what needs to be done here,” he said. “There is too much disrespect in the game.”

Canadian Insult to Injury

After a thrashing win over the United States women’s hockey team in the finals yesterday and the men’s hockey team today, Canada has all the right in the world to talk as much trash as they want. But the question remains….

Would hockey have still not mattered had the U.S won? Does the fact that hockey “doesn’t matter” cause this diss from a Canadian Bar in Halifax to sting any less? Does pain and suffering make tears sweeter? Does one gain any nutritional value from drinking tears?

Either way, it’d be great if Canada would at least take it easy on America considering they already beat us in Vancouver in 2010. Let the U.S live, Canada!

Michael Sam at Combine

Prior to the NFL Combine, defensive linemen Michael Same made news by proclaiming to be the first “openly gay draft prospect in NFL History”. He clearly knew what was going to come from that statement, and was primed and ready for the media attention he would receive at this year’s combine. He faced every question with poise, intelligence, and maturity.

When asked if he’s worried about the reactions form teammates, opponents or fans, he simply responded with; “No, not at all. I’ve been getting a lot of great positives from all kinds of fans. And when I’m on the field, I really don’t focus on fans. I’m focused on my responsibilities, such as the guy across from me.”

And when asked if he’d be okay if the Miami Dolphins selected him, he was clear that he — ironically enough — refused to discriminate. Even though the Dolphins organization has many more problems in it than Sam … no matter what your beliefs may be.

“If the Miami Dolphins drafted me, I would be proud to be part of that organization,” he said. “But I’m not afraid of going into that environment. I know how to handle myself, I know how to communicate with my teammates, I know how to communicate with my coaches, and any other staff.”

The only problem lies with the simple fact that he has caused massive amounts of media attention, but isn’t anything more than a 3rd round pick, if at all. General managers throughout the league have to be wondering whether or not he’s worth all of the negative attention their team would face from media and fans. If he were a clear star then their would probably be no problem at all, but the fact that he’s nothing more than sub-par on an NFL level causes extreme and understandable resistance.

Dunk of the Week

With the start of our weekly spectacular NBA dunk, we go to Memphis Tennessee where Forward, James Johnson threw an off the backboard alley-oop to himself…. In traffic.

And this dunk wasn’t purely just to be fancy. He was left in a position where he would be forced to shoot a very awkward shot, or throw down a once in a blue moon, highlight dunk… We’re all glad he chose the latter.

By: Kenyatta Bundy Jr (Staff Writer/ Sports Columnist)

Hallway Fashion: Mali Fenning

February 20, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Zoe Schwingel-Sauer

Shirt: moms closet
Cardigan: forever 21
Skirt: Zara
Tights: h & m
Boots: Nine West

Who’s you’re inspiration?
The man repeller. She’s a blogger. Also Alexa Chung and Audrey Hepburn.

What winter trends are you liking?
School girl. Skirt styles & sweater.

How would you describe your style?
No way to pinpoint it because it changes every day.

Blunt Sports Talk from Mr. Bundy: Top 5 Most “Beast Mode” Runs in NFL History, and Lebron Heats up the Court

February 20, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Top 5 Most “Beast Mode” Runs in NFL History

Throughout the last NFL season, there were plenty of great runs made by Running Backs and Quarterbacks alike but there were not many BEAST MODE runs.

The term “beast mode”, made popular by Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, describes when a running back runs over numerous defenders, breaking tackles left and right. During these runs, these running backs are unstoppable monsters on a rampage. Hence the term, “beast mode”.

Throughout NFL history there has been countless BEAST MODE runs, but these are the top 5 in NFL history, simply based on the overall level of aggression, drive, and beastliness. Enjoy.

*Click Picture to Watch

#5: LaGarrette Blount- 2011: Buccaneers @ Packers

#1: Marshawn Lynch- 2011: Saints @ Seahawks

Lebron “Heats up the Court”

Last night Lebron James reminded everyone that he can score with the best of them. Scoring a season high 42 points along with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. This has been the 6th time out of 7 games in which the Heat have outscored the Dallas Mavericks.

There is speculation going around the league that Kevin Durant will overtake James for the league-wide MVP award this year after the stellar season that Durant is having. Was James’ 42 point game enough to end that conversation or has Durant just been too good this season to deny? We’ll all just have to wait until the playoffs to find out.

By: Kenyatta Bundy Jr (Staff Writer/ Sports Columnist)

Monsanto vs. Small Farmers

February 16, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Staff Writer Claudia Bonitatibus

How is it that a small chemical company selling saccharine turned into the largest agribusiness in the world? It is interesting that Monsanto’s first big product was pirated from a German company who failed its attempts to protect its intellectual property. And now Monsanto is the only major company that makes a habit of suing its own client base for intellectual property infringement.

In the 1980’s the US Supreme Court ruled that a corporation could patent the DNA of a complex life form. Before that point Monsanto was not able to patent crops, which is now their primary source of profit. In 1996 Monsanto started selling Round-up ready soybeans and by 2008 over 90% of soybeans in America contained the patented gene. At this point Monsanto owns intellectual property in most of the prepared food in America.

Monsanto does not allow its contracted farmers to “save seeds”, which is basically when a farmer collects the seeds from a crop and plants the collected seeds the next season. Since Monsanto owns intellectual property of the gene they always win in court. They send investigators to check the farms to make sure that they are not saving seeds. In 2009 they had 75 employees whose sole purpose was to investigate the farms. The farmers described them as looking like intimidating ex-military men.

Prohibition of seed saving is particularly hazardous to small farmers because small farmers who try to save money by saving seeds are prosecuted and can’t afford the lawyers, so the farmers have no choice but to settle and pay the exorbitant fines of more than $80,000. Monsanto, in its own defense, publicly states on its website that over a period of 13 years they have only sued 143 farmers. The company assures us that almost all cases were settled without going to court. In other words, farmers were forced to pay upwards of $80,000 plus any legal fees incurred along the way, sometimes as high as $400,000.00. At these prices it’s no wonder farmers settle before going to court. They can’t afford not to.

The contracted farmer who saves seeds to replant is not the only one that Monsanto sues. Monsanto sues seed cleaners because their existence encourages farmers to save seeds. And chemical-free farmers are also in peril. Percy Schmeiser, a Canadian canola grower was forced to stop growing canola when pollen drift from his neighbor’s field contaminated his crop. The only way a farmer can know if he has Monsanto’s herbicide tolerant plants is to spray it with the poison. Schmeiser had never used chemicals on his food crop. He only used Monsanto’s herbicide around the power lines. This is when he saw that the canola was not dying as it should have been.

When Monsanto learned of it they took him to court. He lost and appealed twice before finally winning. Even though he had spent a lifetime cultivating different strains of canola to withstand diverse conditions and meticulously saving and planting his own seeds, he could no longer verify what exactly was growing in his fields. So he changed crops. Years later, the Monsanto plants kept popping up in his fields. When called, Monsanto refused to come and get their plants. They also threatened him if he dared to touch their “property,” which was in fact trespassing on his own property.

When a corporation can own the DNA of a living organism and can’t control its spread it results in loss of diversity. Diversity of the seed supply is what farmers have excelled in from the earliest times. It is plant diversity that enables a crop to withstand the varying conditions of weather, geography and insect life cycles. Farmers must be free to do what they have done for ages thus assuring crop abundance for the future.

Be My Bitter Valentine?

February 14, 2014 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Staff Writer Isabella Mezzaroba

It’s Valentine’s Day and it always brings with it chocolates, flowers, and bitter feelings. I, for one, definitely do not have a soft spot in my heart for February 14th. Valentine’s Day has never brought me a romantic surprise from a loved one or a secret admirer. In fact, all I usually get out of it is a cheesy Hallmark card from my mom about how I’m such a lovable daughter.

When I was young, I used to think Valentine’s Day was a magical holiday in which people grew mutual feelings for each other at the snap of cupid’s bow. Once, in fourth grade, I thought it’d be a good idea to send my schoolyard crush a valentine from a “secret admirer.” Every year, our school organized a valentine’s sale and sold lollipops with little slips of paper attached with a friendly note written on it. I, in the magical spirit of Valentine’s Day, bought one of these valentines and slipped it into my crush’s school bag when no one was looking. Regardless to say, as 9 year olds, nothing ever came of my romantic gesture. In fact, he was more creeped out than anything.

A number of people take the 14th as a “you day,” myself included, and treat themselves. We splurge on that overpriced Ben & Jerry’s Cinnamon Bun ice cream and have a Netflix marathon. When watching movies like The Notebook, The Vow, When Harry Met Sally, and Crazy Stupid Love it’s almost like we’re purposely making ourselves upset.

Single people tend to view Valentine’s Day as a bitter reminder of their relationship status. When you take the religious origins of Valentine’s day into consideration, this really doesn’t make much sense. Valentine’s Day originated as the feast day of Saint Valentine whom of which had nothing to do with 7 dollar Acme bouquets or Godiva chocolates. He was a martyr and was dubbed the patron saint of couples, lovers, love, happy marriages, and beekeepers. So this 14th stay true to the spirit Saint Valentine and buy your sweetheart a beehive.

Simply stated, our self worth isn’t measured by our relationship status on Valentine’s Day. I’ll admit, it’s depressing when you’re walking home from school on Valentine’s Day and you pass 7 couples who you wish would just get a room. However, single people will make it out of this alive. The advice I give would be to hunker down in your house with pajamas and hershey kisses, waiting for the storm to pass. So be bitter this Valentine’s Day. Be lonely, be angry and by all means, complain. You deserve it. Just remember, at the end of the day, it’s you and only you any day of the year. The only thing that you should be concerned with is your own happiness, which doesn’t depend on a relationship.