(10/17/17 10:00am)
REVIEW — This past Tuesday, students, faculty and friends of Brandeis University eagerly filed into Wasserman Cinematheque for a special screening of documentarian Vanessa Gould’s latest film “Obit,” which follows the day-to-day life of writers in the obituary department at the New York Times. The event was co-sponsored by the Edie and Lew Wasserman Fund, the Department of Film, Television and Interactive Media and the Journalism department.
(02/14/17 4:04am)
The Hooked on Tap show marks a semester and a half’s worth of rehearsals, planning and effort. While most dance groups on campus hold their recitals sometime in April, Hooked on Tap is the exception. The nature of HOT’s mid-semester spring recital means that after Sunday’s hour-long show in the Shapiro Campus Center, Brandeis’ most avid tappers will put away their shoes for the year. Although some students will perform with HOT in the Adagio Dance Company’s April spring show, for many students, and seniors especially — who might not continue dancing after graduation — their dance season ended Sunday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m.
(11/14/16 10:04pm)
The first half of this year’s NFL season has come to an end and not in the way that many had expected. While the New England Patriots have dominated the AFC East standings in routine fashion, despite a brief interlude of quarterback drama, the defending champions Denver Broncos sit in third place in the AFC West. Furthermore, the reigning NFC champion Carolina Panthers currently sit at a dismal 3-5 overall record and are in dead last in the NFC South.
(09/19/16 10:20pm)
The women’s volleyball team split two games this week to put their record at 4-5 for the year.
(09/05/16 11:27pm)
As the 2016-17 NFL season opens up next weekend, a new era of players will be ushered into the league. Yet the topic of conversation this season won’t be the newly minted quarterbacks and running backs of the future, but the void of the veteran players who inconspicuously disappeared into thin air during the offseason.
(03/29/16 6:10am)
Joseph C. Mandel, philanthropist, businessman and Brandeis benefactor, died on Tuesday, March 22, according to an article in the Cleveland Jewish News. He was 102.
(03/15/16 7:07am)
Filiality — the relationship between a parent and child — is undergoing a resurgence in modern China, argued Angela Zito, associate professor of Anthropology and Religious Studies at New York University in her lecture, “China Dreams: Of Filial Values in the Persuasive Form of Social Propaganda,” on Friday.
(02/02/16 7:06am)
Tina Fey’s spot-on impression of former Governor Sarah Palin on the Jan. 23 episode of “Saturday Night Live” highlighted three main things about Palin. First, she has the potential to be an amazing freestyle rapper if politics doesn’t work out. How brilliant was “right wingin’ bitter clingin’ proud clingers of our guns our God and our religions”? Second, she knows exactly how to stir the American public: mentioning ISIS and promising to kick ass.
(03/17/15 6:16am)
Facilities worker Ricardo Rivera passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 24. He was 57.
(11/12/13 5:00am)
As any athlete can attest, sports locker rooms are a place like no other. The culture is regimented in its rules, yet loose in its methods of enforcing them. Leadership is the job description of the coaching staff, yet assumed by veteran players. The only way to gain respect is to perform. You do your job, and you'll become a welcomed member of the locker room. I have been an avid sports fan my entire life. I've lived, breathed and bled New York sports for as long as I can remember. The locker rooms of my favorite teams were a revered and abstract place that all my sports idols spoke about; it was the ultimate hub of sports culture. For my 11th birthday, my dad somehow scored tickets to an off-season training program with the New York Giants. The players taught us the fundamentals of tackling, throwing, running and blocking. At the end of the program all the kids got to talk to the players in the locker room itself. I will never forget conversing with Michael Strahan, famed defensive end and Amani Toomer, the always-reliable wide receiver, about what it's like to play football for a living. But the most noteworthy part was the way the players spoke about each other. They relentlessly made fun of each other, yet so evidently respected each other. Every jab or joke was taken in stride because the underlying level of respect always existed. In this vein, everyone who has ever called themselves a sports fan should be absolutely appalled at the current state of the Miami Dolphins locker room. On Oct. 28, rookie offensive lineman Jonathan Martin dismissed himself from the team after a dining hall altercation. In the ensuing days, more and more details continue to be publicized, mostly involving fellow offensive lineman Richie Incognito. Voicemails from Incognito using racial slurs, death threats and even recent reports of physical abuse have all been reported. Martin recently checked himself into a mental health hospital to help cope with the emotional damage that took place in this tumultuous environment. In his first public interview since the reports, which aired on Fox Sports this past Sunday, Incognito pushed part of the blame onto both Martin and all of sports culture. Incognito argued that all of the insults and abuse "came from a place of love" and that vulgar communication was normal among Dolphins players. Incognito continued, "All this stuff coming out, it speaks to the culture of our locker room, it speaks to culture of our closeness, it speaks to the culture of our brotherhood. And the racism, the bad words, that's what I regret most. But that is a product of the environment." Its not my fault, claimed Incognito, it's just what happens in the locker room system. Incognito has since been dismissed from the team. However, Incognito fundamentally misunderstands the culture of a locker room, which is why he sees minimal fault in his actions. Locker room culture is predicated on success; that's where one earns his stripes and earns his respect. It is therefore the responsibility of the rest of the locker room to create an environment for all to succeed in the long run. Pushing rookies to their physical and mental limits, within the scope of reason, is vital to each player reaching his ultimate potential. Just as associate lawyers are the last to leave the office, and first-year investment bankers wont see daylight as first-year employees, so too football players must work up the proverbial ladder to achieve the success and, subsequently, earn the respect of their peers. This "earn-your-stripes" environment is what Incognito was referencing when he claimed the behavior was "coming from a place of love" and simply an act of "brotherhood." He may have actually thought he was helping Martin reach his potential by acting in this manner-he seemed rather genuine in his interview. But there are fine lines between pushing one to reach his potential and basic harassment. Incognito blatantly crossed those lines with his deplorable behavior. Racial slurs have no positive implications whatsoever and physical abuse has no practical implications whatsoever. Michael Strahan, the New York Giants player I met as a child, now works as a commentator for Fox Sports. When asked if any hazing occurred during his tenure as the veteran leadership of the Giants, Strahan replied, "We never did anything like that." Strahan elaborated that the hazing on the Giants under his tenure from 1993 through 2007 consisted of having the rookies bring breakfast sandwiches on Friday and donuts and coffee on Saturday. Rookies learned their place in the locker room and respected their elders. Never offensive. Never harmful. The problem therefore lies not in locker room culture, but in how Incognito interpreted that culture. Veterans have an obligation to help rookies reach their full potential, and part of that process is learning to respect those who came before them. That, however, does not give Incognito, or any veteran player, the right to abuse anyone else. Incognito crossed the line that differentiates constructive hierarchy to harmful abuse. Hopefully, the rest of the sports world will learn from his mistakes and situations like this will never arise again. *
(11/12/13 5:00am)
As any athlete can attest, sports locker rooms are a place like no other. The culture is regimented in its rules, yet loose in its methods of enforcing them. Leadership is the job description of the coaching staff, yet assumed by veteran players. The only way to gain respect is to perform. You do your job, and you'll become a welcomed member of the locker room. I have been an avid sports fan my entire life. I've lived, breathed and bled New York sports for as long as I can remember. The locker rooms of my favorite teams were a revered and abstract place that all my sports idols spoke about; it was the ultimate hub of sports culture. For my 11th birthday, my dad somehow scored tickets to an off-season training program with the New York Giants. The players taught us the fundamentals of tackling, throwing, running and blocking. At the end of the program all the kids got to talk to the players in the locker room itself. I will never forget conversing with Michael Strahan, famed defensive end and Amani Toomer, the always-reliable wide receiver, about what it's like to play football for a living. But the most noteworthy part was the way the players spoke about each other. They relentlessly made fun of each other, yet so evidently respected each other. Every jab or joke was taken in stride because the underlying level of respect always existed. In this vein, everyone who has ever called themselves a sports fan should be absolutely appalled at the current state of the Miami Dolphins locker room. On Oct. 28, rookie offensive lineman Jonathan Martin dismissed himself from the team after a dining hall altercation. In the ensuing days, more and more details continue to be publicized, mostly involving fellow offensive lineman Richie Incognito. Voicemails from Incognito using racial slurs, death threats and even recent reports of physical abuse have all been reported. Martin recently checked himself into a mental health hospital to help cope with the emotional damage that took place in this tumultuous environment. In his first public interview since the reports, which aired on Fox Sports this past Sunday, Incognito pushed part of the blame onto both Martin and all of sports culture. Incognito argued that all of the insults and abuse "came from a place of love" and that vulgar communication was normal among Dolphins players. Incognito continued, "All this stuff coming out, it speaks to the culture of our locker room, it speaks to culture of our closeness, it speaks to the culture of our brotherhood. And the racism, the bad words, that's what I regret most. But that is a product of the environment." Its not my fault, claimed Incognito, it's just what happens in the locker room system. Incognito has since been dismissed from the team. However, Incognito fundamentally misunderstands the culture of a locker room, which is why he sees minimal fault in his actions. Locker room culture is predicated on success; that's where one earns his stripes and earns his respect. It is therefore the responsibility of the rest of the locker room to create an environment for all to succeed in the long run. Pushing rookies to their physical and mental limits, within the scope of reason, is vital to each player reaching his ultimate potential. Just as associate lawyers are the last to leave the office, and first-year investment bankers wont see daylight as first-year employees, so too football players must work up the proverbial ladder to achieve the success and, subsequently, earn the respect of their peers. This "earn-your-stripes" environment is what Incognito was referencing when he claimed the behavior was "coming from a place of love" and simply an act of "brotherhood." He may have actually thought he was helping Martin reach his potential by acting in this manner-he seemed rather genuine in his interview. But there are fine lines between pushing one to reach his potential and basic harassment. Incognito blatantly crossed those lines with his deplorable behavior. Racial slurs have no positive implications whatsoever and physical abuse has no practical implications whatsoever. Michael Strahan, the New York Giants player I met as a child, now works as a commentator for Fox Sports. When asked if any hazing occurred during his tenure as the veteran leadership of the Giants, Strahan replied, "We never did anything like that." Strahan elaborated that the hazing on the Giants under his tenure from 1993 through 2007 consisted of having the rookies bring breakfast sandwiches on Friday and donuts and coffee on Saturday. Rookies learned their place in the locker room and respected their elders. Never offensive. Never harmful. The problem therefore lies not in locker room culture, but in how Incognito interpreted that culture. Veterans have an obligation to help rookies reach their full potential, and part of that process is learning to respect those who came before them. That, however, does not give Incognito, or any veteran player, the right to abuse anyone else. Incognito crossed the line that differentiates constructive hierarchy to harmful abuse. Hopefully, the rest of the sports world will learn from his mistakes and situations like this will never arise again. *
(02/12/13 5:00am)
An average of 28.12 million viewers tuned into the 2013 Grammy Awards on Sunday to watch both the stellar performances and to see who would win in each of the 11 award categories presented at the show.
(11/19/12 5:00am)
Last fall, the men's soccer team experienced a strong base of fan support during its run to the Eastern Conference Athletic Conference title. However, the creators of "Coven's Corner" took this level of spirit to a whole new level this season. "Coven's Corner," named after men's soccer coach Mike Coven, grew in numbers as the season progressed, went on to receive regional acclaim from the Boston Globe and witnessed the Judges' first NCAA Division III Tournament victories since 1984 with wins over Baruch College and Vassar College. The legend began this September at the lobby of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. Jesse Link '13, a pitcher on the baseball team, made a habit of talking to Coven on his way to practice, and on this particular day, he shouted out to Coven: "Hey coach, turn around." Coven quickly turned around, only to find that Link had taken his picture. Coven eventually forgot about the incident, but on the night of the Judges' first home game on Sept. 5 versus Colby-Sawyer College, he glanced over at the fans' section with a puzzled look. "I saw this banner with a picture of someone's face on it," he said, "and I thought, 'Who's that funny-looking guy? Then I realized it was me." The banner, bearing the words "Coven's Corner," was a manifestation of the newly-established fan section that supported the team not only at its home games but its away games as well - including the squad's 1-0 victory over New York University and its 1-0 loss this past weekend at Amherst College. The name "Coven's Corner" was the brainchild of Link and fellow baseball pitcher Dylan Britton '13, also an avid soccer fan. "There were a core group of guys, about 10 to 15 of us, that went to every game last year," said Link. "This winter, we were watching March Madness [the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament] and... [Britton] saw the [Duke fan section] "Camden Crazies" and said '"Well, we should be Coven's Crazies.'" "And with the use of the term 'corner' in soccer, we adapted it to be "Coven's Corner." Coven appreciated the gesture and praised the fans. "Those guys are great. ... They definitely make their presence known," he said. The significance of this presence was not lost on the team either. "Our fans have been phenomenal," said goalkeeper Blake Minchoff '13 following the end of the regular season. "They're so important, because even ten seconds after we give up a goal, they're cheering louder than they were before. ... They lift the team." "The support we've had from the fans has been great," said forward Lee Russo '13 after the team's 2-1 double-overtime victory over Babson College on September 19. "They're cheering you the whole way. With the team's run to the Sweet 16 this year, and inception of "Coven's Corner," it should be exciting to see the growth of what has been a vibrant part of the Brandeis soccer culture.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. * To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. * The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
* This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attend a live National Football League game. * A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. * The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set a third consecutive television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the two presidential and one vice presidential campaign debates combined. * The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval- shaped ball around a field? * Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. * The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. * Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. * Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each role-player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, the skill positions; the players in charge. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. * And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. * The United States is no different. Every faction of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. * However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. * A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. * Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric; on pure talent. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. * Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. * It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. * Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. * To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. * This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. * Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what look like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. * Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
(10/22/12 4:00am)
This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege to join hundreds of thousands of people across the country in what has become one of the greatest and most exhilarating moments in any American's life; attending a live National Football League game. A ticket costs more than I make in a month in my on-campus job and I may no longer be able to look at a potato knish the same way; they were the complimentary gift to the fans in our section. While sitting in traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, after watching Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz for the game-winning touchdown to beat the Washington Redskins, I reflected on how football has become an integral part of the American democratic culture. The 2012 Superbowl featuring the New York Giants and Boston's own New England Patriots set the television record, drawing in 111.3 million viewers, for the third year in a row. To put that number in perspective, that is more viewers then the first two presidential, plus the vice presidential campaign debates combined. The question must be asked: How did a such a game whose violence may be the cause of severe depression, anxiety and numerous attempted suicides of former players due to repeated undocumented concussions, become such a classic American pastime? What is so attractive to us about giant, yet remarkably athletic men throwing themselves at each other, chasing a leather oval-shaped ball around a field? Perhaps the answer lies in the structure of a successful football team. A team's compilation is remarkably similar to how a democratic society should ideally function. After all what is more American than democracy. The sport of football has an inherent cooperative nature. Football is not a sport that can be won by a single player; it is the collective effort of all 53 players, the numerous coaches and athletic trainers. Each player must have the good of the team in mind in order to be successful. Those players looking for impressive statistics and personal records simply do not succeed in the league. You can have all the talent in the world and fail without the proper mind-set and, more importantly, the proper team around you. A balanced team is almost always more successful then a team of flashy skill players. Likewise, each football team is like a functional democratic society. Each indivdual player has the responsibility to follow the lead of, and help, those players with larger roles on the team. The quarterback must have the proper protection from the offensive line, the offensive line needs the skill positions to play a certain speed and the skill positions need the quarterback to get them the ball. And, of course, all units are under the discretion of the leaders, the coaches, who decipher exactly which play-call allows each unit to play effectively. The United States is no different. Every segment of the democracy has a certain responsibility that can only be achieved if, and only if, every other part of the democracy does their respected part. We as citizens have the right and responsibility to vote for our best personal interests. We elect politicians on all levels of government that ideally coincide with our personal agenda. However, that is dependent on politicians running on platforms that express the views of many, hence the need for multiple political parties. If there were only one candidate, it would be impossible for agenda of the masses to take form. A single player, no matter how talented, cannot win a game on his own. A politician cannot, and will not, be successful in office without the cooperation of his team, comprised of both his constituents and fellow politicians. Too often throughout the country, politicians are elected on charisma and rhetoric. Pure political talent does not cut it. For any democratic government to be successful, the agendas of the citizens, individual representatives and Congress as a whole must be in unison. Only then can the platform chosen by the masses, and by extension in the best interest of all involved, be put in place. It is impossible for a quarterback to win a game without the rest of his team. Likewise, it is impossible for any politician to succeed without his constituents and fellow politicians working in unison. Take the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles on paper are arguably the most talented team in the league, yet they failed to make the playoffs last year, let alone the Superbowl. The Eagles players were constantly fixated on the preseason hype, not the task at hand. It was impossible for the team to succeed without all members striving for the same goal. To quote former President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid sports fan, from his early days in office, "In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is, hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard." The strategic plan for any football team is predicated on playing a hard-fought, physical and mistake free game. This holds true for our government. In today's day and age, where we are surrounded by bickering politicians, a financial system standing on thin ice due to excessive personal agendas, unprecedented foreign policy danger in a nuclear Iran and social issues from gay marriage to abortion, we must remember those lessons from our favorite sport. Every single member of a representative democracy needs to "play hard" in order for the government to be successful. We must look past what looks like insurmountable issues and remember it is precisely the combination of opinions and issues that makes this country great. Only with this balance can we assemble that Superbowl team around our star quarterback; the next president.
