Transition to new school hard, lonely

When people search for the cause of a problem, the last place they generally look is in the mirror.

Maybe my willingness to stereotype and open my column with a cliché reveals another problem I ought to add to the ever–growing list.

The last few months have been some of the most trying times of my life as I’ve attempted to adjust to my new existence as a graduate student.

What I am dealing with now truly pales in comparison to some of the “real” problems I have faced in my lifetime. Monday marks the fifth anniversary of my father’s death — nothing short of a sucker punch to the gut. No high school senior should have to face the prospect of burying a parent.

There is no big crisis currently bogging down my life: No immediate family member battling cancer, no parent facing unemployment or friend struggling with substance abuse. Instead, I am left to be selfish about the shortcomings in my own life and to dwell on the fact that I am deeply alone living in Gainesville as a graduate student.

I never realized what a privileged life I led as an undergrad until my time at the University of Maryland had passed. Sadly, I can recall family members and older friends warning how seemingly overnight I would be walking down the aisle to receive my diploma. Simply put, I failed to grasp the importance of living in the moment.

I didn’t know what to expect when I first arrived in Florida. I never expected things would be the same as they were at Maryland, where I lived, ate and attended class with my fraternity brothers. Maybe electing to live by myself was a bad idea. A nerdy roommate, or even a messy one, would have been better than having no one to talk to sans making a call on my cell phone.

Things have been rough from the start: I found myself striking up conversations with cashiers, even going so far as to break up my shopping list over a few stores with hopes that I would meet new people.

How’s that for candor?

You don’t need to tell me to get off my fat, lazy ass and stop feeling sorry for myself. I’m just in a position where I really don’t know what to do. Maybe I expect too much out of a friendship. Maybe I set my standards too high when looking for a friend. Or maybe I’m just not nearly as fun or interesting as I perceive myself to be.

I look around the classrooms of my graduate courses, but I fail to see anyone who is similar to me. Sure, I talk to some of my colleagues on Gchat or Facebook, but it’s hardly what one could deem a genuine friendship.

To be fair, I have found myself on the cusp of friendship, only to act overbearing and expect too much out of the still–budding relationship. Unrealistically, I want my newfound friendships to mimic those I enjoyed just months ago as an undergrad.

Grad school has me on the fast track to E.D. and senility, but all I want is for my life to unfold a little bit more like “Entourage.”

I hardly fit the typical perception of a grad student: I rock Jordans; I can still date undergrads without it seeming creepy; and I toss academics to the back burner more often than not.

So, what are you doing this weekend?

Handouts won’t save auto industry

As Detroit descends upon Capitol Hill desperately seeking a handout to rescue the flailing automotive industry, we must consider redefining the American dream.

Let’s be honest — does any child in our country grow up aspiring to be underpaid and overworked as a union member slaving away for one of the Big Three automakers?

The notion of the American dream is so amorphous, even for those struggling in the 313, as we live in a land where anything and everything is within the realm of possibility.

Instead of Congress opening its coffers to the greedy and manipulative failures that have driven the automotive industry into the ground, funds must be allocated to the workers who will be most negatively affected by the sector’s demise.

I am not talking about handing out checks a la Hurricane Katrina so workers can go on alcohol–fueled gambling binges in Vegas but rather so they can secure their financial futures and prepare for a career–transition.

American cars of yesteryear were nothing short of engineering excellence. Wax nostalgic for a second, and conjure images of the Camaro and Mustang in their heyday — the embodiment of American muscle. All red–blooded American teens worked two part–time jobs with hopes that, one day, they could be the envy of the neighborhood, too.

Such exhilaration and attachment evoked by these vehicles no longer exists, as the current Mustang sorely lacks the punch of its predecessors and a new Camaro hasn’t graced the pavement since 2002.

We can no longer kid ourselves into believing that the Ford Taurus is a viable alternative to the Toyota Camry or that the Chevy Aveo garners the same credibility on the street as the Honda Civic.

Rather than continuing to make a mediocre product for a higher cost than our foreign competitors, we must embrace the idea that the best course of the American automotive industry is to admit defeat and reallocate energies elsewhere.

What would a huge bailout package do for the industry other than delay the inevitable — another day in Washington a few years down the road asking for another handout?

Let’s fairly assume for a second that many of the people who are working in Detroit car plants would rather be doing something else if given the opportunity.

There is a laundry list of reasons why these workers ended up in their profession: They may have been too poor to attend college, forced to work to support their family or grown up in an environment where no other option seemed viable.

Giving the auto workers funds necessary to advance themselves through education would be a resoundingly wise decision by Congress. This second chance at the American dream would open up doors that never would have existed for many of these people.

If the government decides to aimlessly donate billions of dollars to the leaders of the auto industry, it might as well leave it in an unmarked brown bag on a Detroit park bench and hope to find it there the next day.

Our country cannot be so quick to blindly hand out money without a calculated plan for success in hand. We must rethink the distribution of funds to help those with the highest stakes. The death of the automotive industry cannot mean the demise of the American dream.

The future for more than a million people lies in the balance pending Washington’s decisions. A continued reliance on the quid pro quo nature of doing business in D.C. will spell nothing short of disaster for the masses in our nation.

Bye, bye, Miss American Pie.

Intolerance opposes American values

America’s drunken love affair with the notion of change has led the nation to completely overlook the shortcomings that continue to ravage our country.

While the results of Nov. 4 show the world that racism may no longer be a prevalent issue in America, irrefutable evidence reflects widespread hatred for lesbians and gays.

Am I unfair to assume that my fellow Americans have quashed the hopes and dreams of millions out of sheer disdain toward their sexual preference?

Please, I beg you, bestow upon me the tiniest bit of understanding: Why did you vote in favor of Amendment 2 if not for hate?

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community wages war every day to fight for the same rights the rest of Americans have come to take for granted. Why must our country continue to go out of its way to make the lives of gays and lesbians so difficult?

Let us not forget that same–sex marriages were already banned in the state of Florida. Not once, not twice, but through four eerily similar statutes.

All across the country, we are robbing our neighbors, classmates and colleagues of the civil liberties intended for all Americans, not reserved for a select few. The idea that my peers have made a concerted effort to ensure that the lives of others are made more challenging solely based on their sexual preference is sickening.

What is it to you that partners in a domestic partnership are able to share health care benefits?

Shouldn’t two people in a committed relationship be able to have the peace of mind that their pension will provide for the other’s future in the wake of a tragedy?

Do not hide behind your Bible and preach to me about the pitfalls of same–sex marriage. Do not tell me I am going to Hell for standing up for the LGBTQ community and condemning your vote. Do not look me in the eye and say that voting in favor of Amendment 2 is about being a good Christian, rather than fear mongering.

I am not gay, nor did I have a vested interest in the outcome of the vote. Should that matter?

I voice my indignation because there is something so starkly un–American about taking away the rights of others when it has nothing to do with you. My strong Catholic convictions may shape the course of my daily actions, but there is no denying that being right and just toward my fellow man transcends any religious teachings.

As Americans, we pride ourselves on being a nation proven capable of change in the wake of a historic election. There is no taking away the monumental steps we made in electing the first black president, but so much will be lost if our country replaces blacks with gays as the scapegoats of America.

We cannot allow archaic ideology that shuns lesbians and gays from enjoying the same basic rights and privileges granted to all Americans to continue under the next presidency.

The greatness of our nation is built upon the ability for all citizens, regardless of personal differences, to live a life afforded equality nothing short of the next man.

We must learn to be selfless and understanding of our diversity. We must bear in mind the necessity of nothing less than absolute change. The strength we draw from each other will lend a hand in the renaissance of our country.

Election Night at UF

I covered the Student Government's results party (it had some really silly official name that I'd prefer to leave alone) to capture the thoughts and feelings over the course of the evening of the students in attendance.

My work was for the Independent Florida Alligator in the form of a series of 10 blog entries over the course of the evening:

Capturing Election Night Buzz

After what has been months of anticipation, Election Day is finally here.

I’m Dan Seco, an opinion columnist for the Alligator, spending the evening at Reitz Union to watch election results coverage at an event sponsored by SG.

The gathering is purportedly a non-partisan one, but I will be sure to let you know how true that really holds. Are Obama supporters too optimistic? Will McCain supporters throw the towel in too early? I hope to answer these questions and more as I speak with people in attendance.

Check back frequently as I track the atmosphere at the event over the course of the evening. Go vote if you haven’t done so already.

Live from the Grand Ballroom

I just set up camp inside the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom as students continue to filter in the door.

Please note that there are many police officers at the door and they are not allowing anyone to bring their backpacks in. There is no place to put them outside of the ballroom, so leave your backpack at home. Outside the door, SG is handing out free t-shirts that read “Got Tuition?” and inside there is a large spread of food. The ballroom is about 30 percent full with no more than 100 people in attendance.

I’m sitting with a group of Obama supporters who are wearing t-shirts, buttons and pins promoting their candidate. Walking around the room, I have yet to see more than a handful of McCain supporters as they appear to be clustered at one table.

There is one large projection screen at the front of the room tuned into ABC News--perhaps the least biased news coverage of the results. I must confess I was hoping for MSNBC.

ObamaBot has just made a grand entrance and students have swarmed over to take pictures with it. There are more people interested in the robot than watching the screen at this point.

The night is early, but the mood is carefree and relaxed as laughter can be heard throughout the room. Let’s see how that progresses as the results begin to roll in.

Obama the heavy favorite in Grand Ballroom

I thought a fight just broke out in the Grand Ballroom as there was a mad rush to the middle of the room.

Fortunately, the excitement stemmed from the delivery of pizza.

I am intrigued by the fact that there are more African-American students than any other race combined. They have come out in full force to show support for their candidate in what would be an absolutely landmark night with a victory.

One student sticks out from the rest as he is dressed from head to toe in Obama gear—even a mask. He is wearing a hat, mask and a t-shirt decked out with Obama stickers. Upon closer look, he actually has two t-shirts on, both pro-Obama, as one is wrapped around his waist.

Students are fascinated by the young man and have approached him for pictures.

The sound of the television coverage is being drowned out as many students are conversing at the different tables around the room. I wonder if this will change as the night progresses.

A loud applause has just erupted in the ballroom as ABC News has projected just after 8:00 p.m. an Obama victory in the swing state of Pennsylvania. Reports of success in Florida for Obama with young voters were met with jubilee from the crowd while news that McCain was faring well with older voters resulted in a chorus of boos.

One man walked up to a group of people and asked “Is this a McCain table?” which was received with hearty laughter as the Obama supporter sat down. The same table has started singing a chant in support of Obama, and no one seems to be objecting.

Nonpartisan? Hmm…

Signs of support for McCain sparse

The Obama family was just shown walking across the screen and once again the masses did not hesitate to voice their support for the Democratic candidate.

I’ve noticed that students who are discretely supporting McCain stand out as being particularly well- dressed for a casual evening at the Union. Perhaps they are preparing to drink their sorrows away at the bars or are just taking some fashion advice from Gov. Palin.

Adam Prom, a junior political science major, isn’t worried. The McCain supporter realizes that it will take a “perfect storm of sorts” for the Republican candidate to emerge victorious, but stresses there is still a shot.

Prom doesn’t care that there are more Obama supporters than McCain supporters in the ballroom nor is he deterred by the fact that they will be cheering all night long.

Right now, there is only one thing on his mind.

“McCain has to win Florida.”

Is this the Swamp?

News of a projected victory for Obama in Ohio and New Mexico has the entire ballroom “Barackin’ and rollin’.”

Is this a Florida football game or a results party?

There is so much conviction in the voices and applause from the students in attendance as if there is no chance of anything less than an Obama blowout.

Avante’ Priest, freshman double major in business management as well as tourism and hospitality management, wanted to spend the evening with her peers to watch Barack Obama.

She said that the results could be close but that she’s very confident that Obama will emerge as the victor.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do if he wins, but I do know I have a paper to write,” Priest said.

Momentum continues to build in the Grand Ballroom as the results from the crucial swing states approach.

Lest we forget Dr. King

Just when I thought enthusiasm had died down for the time being, I was proven wrong.

An image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. displayed on the screen has sparked unparalleled excitement throughout the crowd.

The man who paved the way for an individual like Barack Obama to reach the cusp of the presidency has not strayed far from the minds of many Obama supporters.

Mayah Perkins, a sophomore studying psychology, said King’s actions enabled Obama to have a chance; he sacrificed for a better future.

“Obama is great for everyone, if he wins the presidency, it’s not only a big step for black people but for everyone,” said Perkins.

The latest news of a projected Iowa victory for Obama has many of his female supporters jumping up and down, screaming at the top of their lungs.

I can’t even hear Obama speak as the noise has gotten out of control. Obama appears to be holding back a smile as the corners of his mouth revealed his excitement.

If he takes Florida and California, well that’s game, set, match.

Today has been a long time coming for so many. Obama’s supporters here at the ballroom have decided to savor each and every state with a resounding celebration.

Can you blame them?

A break in the action

The pizza is long gone and the masses are growing restless.

The latest diversion keeping everyone amused? Taking pictures with a giant blowup version of Albert that I am conveniently sitting next to.

Attention has shifted away from the screen to conversation at each one of the many tables scattered around the room. Others are catching up on homework while a handful sit slumped in their chairs, dangerously close to napping.

Even the ever-spry ObamaBot hasn’t moved in hours.

No one seems to be going anywhere, though—there is still history to be made.

Keep on Barackin’ in the Free World!

The country has spoken—history has been made.

There is sheer pandemonium at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.

The students in attendance are going crazy: screaming, dancing and some crying.

Everyone is on their feet and soaking in the experience.

Excuse me while I join in.

Respect shown for McCain

Though the ballroom crowd has thinned out in the wake of Obama’s victory, many stuck around to listen to McCain give his concession speech.

There were no boos, no disrespect for the beleaguered candidate, rather silence while he spoke and reverent applause at the conclusion.

Such action on the part of the countless Obama supporters speaks volumes about their moral fiber and grace in the wake of their victory. If but for a moment, they truly embodied the characteristics of their candidate in demonstrating class rather than rubbing the win in anyone’s face.

This place is bound to go crazy when Obama comes on to speak at midnight.

Stay tuned.

Powerful words spoken by new leader

Just prior to the start of President-elect Obama’s speech, the remaining pack of supporters grew fanatical as they celebrated the victory of their candidate in front of a camera.

When Obama took the stage, the crowd reacted as if the man had just walked into this very room.

They hung on his every word and looked for any and every opportunity to show their love and support for him.

Obama’s endearing remarks toward his family further won over the ballroom crowd as they shrieked and shrilled upon hearing the news that a new puppy will be joining the Obama family in the White House.

As I look around the room, I see so many captivated faces, ones that now only see hope and optimism, even in the wake of hardship.

Whatever the task, whatever the challege, there is no doubt in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom that we will overcome.

The chance for change has come to America.

Column shows spirit of black Americans

Apparently someone found my column mildly moving...

Kimberly Faison writes in the Nov. 7 Independent Florida Alligator:

I am a black American woman, and I am so proud of the column Daniel Seco wrote about the experience he had on election night.

You really got a small glimpse into the heart of black Americans. We love our country and always have, but for the first time, we feel that our country loves us as well.

For me, this election means the distance between blacks and whites will be completely erased. It means that we will see one another only as Americans.

America has been blessed by God himself. Through all the suffering we all have had to endure (black or white) we have never given up. We were taught by our parents, grandparents and great–grandparents not to look back.

When you fall on your back, if you can look up, then you can get up. May God continue to bless you, Daniel Seco.

Obama win brings hope to Americans

Sitting on the floor against the wall in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, I had separated myself from the masses and slowly began to grasp what President–elect Barack Obama’s victory meant to the black students at UF.

Applause and celebration were commonplace over the course of the evening, but something exceptional happened when the news broke that the freshman senator from Illinois had defied all logic to defeat a man who looked a lot like every other president in America’s past.

Hearing the incessant chanting of their candidate’s name, watching perfect strangers embrace and seeing others overcome with sheer emotion break down in tears of joy, I couldn’t help but get swept up in the moment.

Somewhere, black luminaries like Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass were grinning from ear to ear.

The scene of peaceful chaos could not be disrupted by the police officers standing nearby or the few remaining McCain supporters. The sentiment expressed throughout the room was a force no one dared to reckon with.

I wrote initially in a blog entry that the feeling was akin to attending a rowdy football game at the Swamp, but the emotion in the room was so much more honest, so much more significant.

Obama’s victory is the embodiment of democracy; the public’s cry for something new has finally been answered.

I thought about what the victory meant to me, and perhaps if I hadn’t been attending as a journalist, I would have been a bit more inclined to join in the celebration. Seeing how black students reacted to the announcement was one of the most moving experiences I have ever witnessed.

For some, such a defining moment may not occur again until they get married or have their first child, and for others the sense of elation shared with hundreds of their peers may remain an unparalleled memory over the course of their lifetimes.

After generations of blood, sweat and tears, Tuesday night finally arrived with Obama representing the bright future that so many of his predecessors sacrificed their lives for.

We have reached a point in our history where a child will no longer be born into America and face limitations on the prospects of its life.

When times are tough (economic and social recovery will not happen overnight), the black community will be able to turn to President–elect Obama and have faith that the man they so passionately fought for will have their best interests at heart. For the first time in American history, one can believe the voiceless will be heard and the downtrodden will no longer be forgotten.

We have undeniably progressed as a nation and will build from such historic times to solidify our standing as the epitome of what all countries should strive for.

I walked away from the Reitz Union inspired by Tuesday evening’s events, which I experienced alongside some of the most passionate people who lived and died with every breaking development in the action.

This was no World Series victory, job promotion or any other seemingly trite call for celebration, but rather, the most definitive moment in the history of America as voters demanded change.

Our great country has spoken and elected a black man into the highest office in the land — nothing short of truly amazing.

There has never been a prouder time to call yourself an American.

Day off would entice students to vote

The next time you see my beautiful mug gracing the Alligator, we will have a new president. No recount. No Supreme Court. Only our 44th president.

Would someone please pass Al Gore a tissue?

As Election Day draws near, I urge you to participate in the presidential election by either Barackin' the vote or doing whatever mavericks are supposed to do at the polls.

Unfortunately, many Gators may not have the opportunity to vote as a result of obligations on campus.

President Machen, I look to you for the solution.

Follow the lead of Bethune-Cookman University and cancel classes on a day where students can learn more by voting or watching election coverage than sitting in a lecture hall checking out the latest rumors on Juicy Campus.

I know Floridians have had the opportunity to vote early, but does voting early feel the same as getting to the polls on Election Day?

A professor of mine said being at the polls on Election Day really makes one feel like an American. Not to mention the fact that UF already cancels classes for asinine "holidays" such as the Friday before Homecoming weekend.

Sorry, Teach, I can't make it to class because I have to help my frat bros make jungle juice for our tailgate tomorrow.

I'm sure many students are already planning to skip classes so they can take in as much excitement as this Election Day can offer. Why not just legitimize their actions and keep everyone from suffering academically as a result of their decision to exercise their privilege to participate in the election process?

We are looking at a landmark election, where the next man who assumes the presidency faces a monumental task of righting the ship of America. There is an economic crisis, a world of social issues and, oh yeah, that little thing going on in the Middle East.

This election has sparked unprecedented passion that may not have existed in individuals in years past.

UF should build upon the newfound interest young people have discovered in the political process by canceling class rather than hindering their chances of being a part of the election.

Sure, the lines will be long on Tuesday, but this is not an election to take lightly. Babies will be crying, people will be chatting away on their cell phones and some crazy people may try to sway your vote, but there is far too much at stake not to suffer for a few hours and cast your ballot.

Six packs have been a mainstay throughout the entire election process; may as well bring one along while you wait in line.

Let me stress that this is not about endorsing either candidate. Rather, it is an attempt to ensure you have the opportunity to go to the polls to have your voice heard.

If you haven't already, go vote Tuesday. If you already took care of business, then grab some friends, order a pizza and take in the never-ending media coverage.

Amid the budget woes, maybe UF could even save a few bucks by closing campus Tuesday.

How's that for a thought, Bernie?

McCain needs to reinvent his image

The growing chants of “start the buses” resonate every time you pick up The New York Times, tune in to MSNBC or check out the latest poll numbers. Much like Clemson’s football season, the McCain–Palin campaign is for all intents and purposes a lost cause.

Thanks for playing, guys; shake hands and go shower up.

What is a politician — in this case, Sen. John McCain — to do when public opinion of him continues to plummet, and Sen. Barack Obama has just scored sympathy points for suspending his campaign to visit his ailing grandmother?

Yes, John, there are some legitimate reasons for suspending a campaign, but I doubt a follow–up would bode too well for you right now. Less than two weeks remain until Election Day, and there isn’t one last look into the Republican bag of tricks to save face?

For McCain to win the presidential election, he must toss the nation a curveball and channel his inner Jay Billington Bulworth.

The 1998 Warren Beatty film “Bulworth” focuses on the final weekend on the campaign trail with a senator who decides to let loose and start telling the nation how he really feels. Instead of sticking to the script, Bulworth begins to enjoy himself and have a little fun with his campaign — becoming a media darling overnight.

Hasn’t McCain pretended to do that the whole time?

I’m not talking about “straight talk” or more of the same humdrum language about being a maverick. He needs to spend a Friday evening clubbing with Curt Schilling in Boston, piss off some people using humor in his stump speech and find his own Halle Berry to have an affair with backstage. Sorry, Cindy.

Even if the real John McCain is a boring, tired old man, he must take the next two weeks to convince the American people otherwise. What does he have to lose?

The McCain campaign must transition from a litany of tired speeches and cliché one–liners to a nationwide rock tour full of shock and awe. It worked once, didn’t it, Dubya?

Like Rocky Balboa shrugging off Mickey in that old Lipton iced tea commercial when he was told “It’s over, Rock,” McCain needs to forget about all the naysayers and find it within himself to woo the masses.

Make an appearance on stage with Lil Wayne. Get a cameo on “Entourage.” Have a drink, John. Live your life.

I challenge anyone to chastise my suggestions for McCain without first looking at what he has done recently without making up any significant ground.

Baseless attacks on Obama about “pallin’ around with terrorists”? Accusing him of being a socialist? Calling into question the man’s religion?

Now that’s brisk, baby.

These ridiculous remarks ooze desperation, digging the McCain–Palin campaign into a hole so deep that nothing short of a Music City Miracle will keep them competitive Nov. 4.

My seemingly unorthodox tips for McCain might very well give him new political life and keep his campaign from being fully zipped up in a body bag. Excite the American people for once and become a larger–than–life figure — it has worked for Obama since day one.

A loss in the presidential election, and that’s all she wrote for McCain. This is his last shot. It’s either win now or face political oblivion; president or put out to pasture.

If McCain can channel the mentality of Jay Bulworth, then maybe he can entertain thoughts of a victory come Election Day.

‘Pacman’ the epitome of wasted talent

Wake up, Adam Jones.

Or are you back to “Pacman” now after your most recent debacle?

Really? Fighting your bodyguard? Your latest fiasco will cost you a huge sum of money and time on the field. Save your apologies for someone else, Adam.

You have been given several opportunities, but you still manage to channel your old self whenever there is a hint of trouble. In any other walk of life, you would be unemployed after the first mistake you made.

Because you’re in the NFL, you have been afforded several chances, but perhaps your time is finally up.

Why must you embarrass your teammates, humiliate the coaching staff and worst of all, humiliate the man who risked his reputation by giving you a contract, Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones?

You’re playing for the Cowboys, one of the most storied franchises in the league. They are not the Cincinnati “Bungles.” You don’t deserve to wear any jersey in the NFL, let alone one attached to so many Super Bowl titles.

What is it going to take for you to finally grow up?

With all the criminal charges and foul play under your belt, it’s a wonder you aren’t already dead.

Do I need to list the countless talented young athletes who have gotten themselves into trouble and ended their careers with a leg amputated or zipped up in a body bag?

You are a talented young player who would be a welcome addition to any roster if we’re talking strictly about ability, but you are not a game changer. You are not worth the trouble your personality factors into the equation.

You cannot get mad at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He’s the closest thing you have to someone looking out for your best interests.

If Jerry Jones had his way, you’d be suiting up on Sunday no matter what you had done. He doesn’t give a damn about you. All he cares about is the bottom line. In the NFL, that’s winning Lombardi Trophies.

You have to understand that as an NFL player, you are held to a higher standard than a chump like me. The verbiage gets repeated each time someone in the NFL makes an off–field mistake. Don’t put yourself in the situation to begin with. If you can’t handle your alcohol, don’t have a drink.

Is this too much to ask of a professional football player given the type of paycheck you take home each week?

I don’t have some quick remedy to fix your career, Adam. There is no over–the–counter solution that will magically keep you from turning into “Pacman.”

I’m tired of people asking how willing you are to make football your first priority and to let nothing else stand in the way of that. You don’t have to answer that question anymore — your latest stunt has spoken for you.

Your legacy?

You will be briefly remembered as nothing more than the poster boy for what to avoid on draft day. You will be quickly forgotten as a bundle of talent negated by the fact that you couldn’t avoid off–the–field temptations that have claimed the careers of promising NFL players like Lawrence Phillips and Michael Vick.

It’s only a matter of time before Goodell rips up your contract into a million little pieces.

Don’t forget to make it rain, Roger.

Rays' Story Transcends Tough Times

The sky is falling, and I really don’t know where to turn.

I seek guidance and stability in the trying days of an America where the word “recession” has grimly evolved into talks of another depression.

Where will the answers come from?

Certainly not out of the mouths of Sens. John McCain or Barack Obama.

We see barbs traded about nonissues from the past, resulting in a spectacle that makes a mockery of the entire election process.

Where are the news stories that put a smile on our faces and make us forget — if only for a moment — our stark realities?

I scoured the headlines only to find a murder–suicide in California by a jobless father, the ever–volatile stock market crashing to new lows and the homeless rate in Massachusetts spiraling of control.

In the wake of the media’s perpetually negative press seemingly only meant to overwhelm and undermine the average American, we can look 150 miles down the road to find an awe–inspiring story that transcends the world of sports.From worst to first in the course of one season, the Tampa Bay Rays defy all reasonable odds.Like picking Ben Stiller to win an Oscar or McCain to win the presidency, placing an unlikely bet in Vegas on the Rays to make the playoffs could get a man Gators season tickets for life.

How did the perennial cellar–dwellers of the American League East manage such a dramatic turnaround to finish the season with the best home record in all of baseball?

Did the off–season trade for Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza spark the change? Or maybe the success came from switching up their uniforms and dropping the “Devil” from their moniker? It’s more likely the team came together to play cohesive baseball and found an insatiable thirst for manager Joe Maddon’s Kool–Aid during spring training.

A team not necessarily dominant in any particular facet of the game, the Rays simply played consistently at their best, a true skill that even the most talented of teams cannot master. They are a self–described “fraternity” of players, devoid of discernible chemistry issues that often spell the demise for most teams.

As Americans, what lessons can we learn from the Tampa Bay Rays?

I look to the Rays and see the value of trusting and relying on each other.

America is hardly the Rays. We’re probably more like the Yankees — full of unrealized talent and potential squandered away because of a refusal to work together for the greater good of the country.

I do not foresee McCain or Obama having to perform a tour de force of sorts to fix America; rather, they are presented with an inimitable opportunity to use our country’s copious resources to their advantage.

In a time in which the two candidates should be sticking to the core issues on the minds of the American people, we find them refusing to sweep aside the petty issues of politics, using them against each other in a shameful, disgusting manner.

Why must McCain and Obama make this election about themselves when the true testament of a successful president will not be about an irrelevant past, but rather future accomplishments gauged by the overall health of the country?

America cannot afford to see an election won on smear campaigns when the course of this country’s future will be in the hands of one of these two men.

If the Rays can pull off the impossible, why can’t we?

Little man shouldering economic woes

All right, I’ve had enough with the “Barackin’ the Vote” and “McLeading the Polls.”

I’m so sick of these campaigns focusing on dim–witted sound bites and a whole lot of talk without any hint of substance.

Hey John and Barack: Quit the whole Main Street and Wall Street act because anyone with enough sense will tell you that you haven’t said a damn thing about the economy.


Where are the unsexy, not–made–for–TV stories about people like Brian Bryson that say more about the economy in 500 words than both candidates have said over the course of their entire campaigns?

Enduring the cyclical endeavor night after night, Bryson, a beer vendor for the Milwaukee Brewers, knows that the end of the season draws near. The visage of American struggle, his body coaxes his aching legs to take just one more step as sweat pours from his brow.

What is next for Bryson?

This cannot be the culmination of four years of hard work at one of the nation’s finest journalism schools, and it isn’t exactly what he envisioned after an internship with a prominent television network.

Bryson is America’s current economic woe.

He is one of the many faces of a downtrodden economy and a listless job market. He is a believer in false hope who has become the victim of political inaction.

Work hard for your dreams, his parents told him. He did just that with his aspirations of becoming a sports broadcaster.

He paid his dues, but for what?

Bryson could very well be your older brother, the kid down the street or a guy in your fraternity. He could be from New York, Chicago, Atlanta or a small town in Wisconsin.

He is every man from everywhere, left to fix the mistakes made by those we are supposed to be able to trust most.

I look at Bryson and hurt overcomes me. I want the best for my friend because I know he has earned so much more than this.

Sure, his grades could have been a little bit better and his resume more polished, but he is definitely qualified for a better job — one that doesn’t involve serving alcohol.

Now, a man with stronger convictions than anyone I know wants to give up on his dream.

I’m putting them on hold, he says, just for now, until something better comes along.

I see him maturing, adapting to his plight and no longer expecting the world to take care of him. Anything beats sitting around, he says. He just wants to feel better about himself; he’s tired of the constant rejection.

I just want to look him in the eye, shake him and scream at him until he comes to his senses.

Exhaust every option you can think of and then keep going, I’d tell him. Life is fleeting. Working a dead–end job that you don’t love will slowly kill you. Find within yourself an insatiable thirst for the job that I know you so desperately want.

Remember when you would play basketball on the driveway giving the play–by–play like you were in the broadcast booth at the Bradley Center.

To truly know what one wants to do with one’s life is a blessing that many spend years searching for but never find.

Brian Bryson is America. He is hope for renewal. A chance for a second shot.

Like our great country, his time will come.

Tradition dies with Yankee Stadium

Dear Hank,

Is it okay if I call you that? Would you prefer Mr. Steinbrenner? I don’t want to make you feel too old.

Simply put, why are you closing Yankee Stadium?

Why did you feel it was necessary to abuse the taxpayers of New York City to build a new stadium in the middle of our country’s economic misfortunes?

I’m not even sure if I can call it a stadium — maybe the sixth borough of New York would be more appropriate.

Hank, forgive me if I come across as irrational, but tell me: Why now?

Why, when Yankee Stadium sells out night after night, even when the product on the field isn’t exactly what one would call championship–caliber?

Don’t tell me that you are doing this to ensure your dad’s legacy. Your father doesn’t need a new stadium built during the twilight years of his life for his name to go down in history as an all–time Yankee great.

Hell, he has so many memories there he didn’t even need to be at the last game.

Hank, you have a lot of work to do if you ever want to be remembered like your father. Too much of your reputation stems from whining and indecision about Joba Chamberlain; try to change that to World Series rings and lavish downtown parades.

I must commend you, though. Even in the wake of a pretty miserable season for the New York Yankees, you’ve managed to make the last season at Yankee Stadium look pretty darn classy.

The commemorative ball used during every game, the All–Star Game in the Bronx and, of course, the last game at the stadium featuring all the Yankee greats topped off by a touching speech from Derek Jeter in its final moments.

Was this an honest gesture to the fans or a series of sly distractions to keep their minds off the fact that, as of last Sunday night, baseball will no longer be played at the hallowed Yankee Stadium?

Hank, do I need to give you a laundry list of examples to explain the lore of Yankee Stadium to you?

Do the names Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Joe DiMaggio ring a bell?

Ever taken a walk in Monument Park or watched a game with the Bleacher Creatures in right field?

Sure, the stadium is old, but so are Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Maybe the seats are a little small, but we can all afford to lose a few pounds. Perhaps the smell on a hot summer day is a bit musty, but that’s the Bronx for you.

Hank, I’m not some hapless Red Sox fan trying to ruffle your feathers — quite the contrary, actually. I write as a concerned Yankees fan wondering from afar what closing “The House that Ruth Built” will do to the organization.

You are giving up so much in the name of history and tradition that I’m not so sure you are going to get such good returns on your investment.

The new stadium will probably be a sight to see, but New Yorkers know beauty doesn’t last. I hope you don’t expect the magic of Yankee Stadium to pack up and move across the street just because you want it to.

I guess my parting words of advice to you, Hank, are to not rest on your laurels. Don’t get too comfortable and think that because you have this fancy new stadium you will continue to draw fans regardless of where the Yankees are in the standings.

Ask any true fan. That’s not what being a Yankee is all about.

Reaction to Simpson Piece

With my approval the Independent Florida Alligator ran this letter regarding my column:

Racism does not exist in U.S. society

By Ed Kallal, 5EG

Daniel Seco is writing about a problem that doesn’t exist.

The all–white jury hasn’t convicted O.J. Simpson. Even if they do, Seco would have to prove that Simpson is clearly not guilty to have a semi–valid case.

Seco is the racist. He’s the one writing a column about the jurors’ race and assuming, because the jurors are white, they will convict a black man regardless of the facts of the case. Get a life. Write about something that exists. Daniel Seco: the racist drama queen.

Fortunately, my readers have my back:

someone7 wrote on Sep 20, 2008 10:25 AM:

" Maybe Ed Kallal is the racist piece of crap tarantula, who posts links to Neo-Nazi/White Power material on this site, or one of the other numerous right-wing racist nutjobs who post their crap here.

Racism does exist. Any white person, especially here in the South, who says otherwise is a liar. White people are incredibly racist. You only have to be around them for a little while before they start in on what Tim Wise calls "white-bonding," the point of which is to spew hatred of other races, especially blacks.

All white juries have and do convict black men of crimes, regardless of the facts. Just a few months ago an all white jury let some white boot camps guard go that killed a young black boy, right here in Florida, and there was video tape evidence of them doing it. All white juries to this day let white murderers of blacks go and convict blacks on nothing but their racial prejudice.

So you can take your lying, racist bullcrap and shove, Ed Kallal. "

someone7 wrote on Sep 20, 2008 10:25 AM:

" *shove it "

gmc wrote on Sep 20, 2008 7:42 PM:

" someone7, I agree that racism does still exist. But I am disgusted by your implications that white people are the only ones capable of racism and that all whites are racist. If you want to get picky about things, your prejudice that all white people are like as you describe is purely racist also!

Everyone whether white, black, yellow, red, whatever has some kind of prejudice and it's mostly because of ignorance. So before you go making hasty generalizations, consider meeting some new people, because the ones you hang out with are not quality. "

someone7 wrote on Sep 20, 2008 7:59 PM:

" I never implied only white people can be racist, or even that all white people are racist. A lot of them are, and if you're white and deny it, you're a liar. It's that simple.

Regardless of how black people may or may not feel towards whites, they're not the ones in power. White America is. If a Japanese person hates Koreans, it doesn't matter to a Korean in America, cause Japanese people don't decide their fate here. Black racism (which is significantly less than white racism) doesn't matter to white people, as black people don't control the power structure. Whites do.

To suggest racism doesn't exist is America is not simply false, but a bald-faced lie. Ed Kallal, as a dumb conservative white male, is knowingly lying, and undoubtedly a racist himself, who believes he is somehow the victim of "reverse racism," like a lot of stupid white conservatives, aka future-brownshirts, believe. "

ikicklocals wrote on Sep 21, 2008 2:16 PM:

" All races are racist in their own ways.

Ed Kallal = Fail. "

djung88 wrote on Sep 21, 2008 7:44 PM:

" Gainesville is one of the most racist and unequal places I've ever been to. That's all I have to say. "

ccb wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:02 PM:

" I think it's fair to assume anybody who could make a statement like "racism doesn't exist!" is either mentally delayed (seriously) or trolling. You can't possibly be that oblivious to the existence of a world outside your own tiny little white boy bubble without putting some effort into it......or maybe the EXTREME defensiveness and subsequent projection indicate that, just perhaps, Ed Kallal here has feelings on the topic that must remain hidden? Or maybe he just can't bring himself to admit that he's a member of a group that has done anything wrong, ever. OMG he said a white man is a racist and... *I'm* a white man... bu-no-I--no, no I'm not a racist he could be saying that I'M a racist but I'm NOT and HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST I'M A RACIST RACISM DOESN'T EVEN EXIST ANYMORE EXCEPT IT DOES AND YOU ARE THE RACIST, YOU ARE SO RACIST AND I HATE IT, I HATE YOUR RACISM SO MUCH

WHY must this cruel world be so oppressive to upper-middle class white male conservative christians?! (weeps silently) "

Racism still plays part in U.S. society

Judge Jackie Glass told prospective jurors Monday in Las Vegas, “If you are here to think that you’re going to punish Mr. Simpson for what happened in Los Angeles back in ‘95, this is not the case for you.”

Somewhere in the courtroom, the prosecutors were snickering.

Thirteen years after O.J. Simpson’s acquittal on two counts of murder, the former Heisman Trophy winner faces the prospect of life in prison before an all–white jury.

The media surmised back in 1995 that Simpson avoided life in prison because he faced a mostly black jury.

Given the same logic, I think we’ve seen the last of O.J. Simpson playing on a golf course in Miami.

I know what you are thinking. We have a black man seriously challenging for the presidency, so racism isn’t that big of an issue in 2008 America.

Not only is Simpson going to face an inherently racially biased jury, but he also goes into the trial with a slightly higher profile than the average criminal.

As much as potential jurors may pretend to act like they don’t remember or weren’t interested in the Simpson trial back in the mid–1990s, they are only kidding themselves.

The case dominated both print and broadcast media, not to mention countless watercooler conversations.

As unavoidable as media bombardment is in 2008, 1995 managed to elevate the Simpson trial to a cultural phenomenon before the Internet became a major news source.

Who can forget the white Ford Bronco? Everyone knows about the bloody glove and Johnnie Cochran’s if–the–glove–doesn’t–fit–you–must–acquit defense.

Some may call it karma; others may call it justice. The fact that O.J. Simpson faces an all–white jury stacks the chips in the prosecutors’ favor — Vegas pun certainly intended.

Whether Simpson got away with murder should not matter in his latest case. Unfortunately, creating an unbiased environment where jurors have had no thoughts regarding what may have happened in 1994 is unattainable.

Don’t let me confuse you into thinking that I attended the University of Southern California as an undergrad or that I root for the Buffalo Bills. I don’t write as a Simpson sympathizer so much as a staunch critic of the current judicial system where a man can’t have at least one true peer decide his fate.

I can only imagine the uproar of the media if someone like Terry Bradshaw faced life in prison before an all–black jury.

The case probably would have been settled out of court.

We may live in a society that touts Sen. Barack Obama as a sign that racism has been mostly curtailed, but in reality, skeletons still occupy space in our closets.

Do the Jena Six ring a bell? How about Hurricane Katrina?

For all I know, Simpson may be undeniably guilty, offsetting the relevance of the jury’s racial makeup. Unfortunately, Simpson and his case represent a microcosm of every minority forced to deal with the social inequities that continue to exist in a culture so quick to turn a blind eye. A black man deserves to have every advantage that is granted to his white counterpart.

Isn’t that what America is supposed to be about?

To soften the blow of a baseless guilty verdict, the jury’s foreman could always console Simpson with the fact that Southern Cal is No. 1 and his Bills face a Tom Brady–free AFC East.

Hardly a fair trade–off, if you ask me.

Sept. 11 should be a national holiday

Sitting quietly in biology class, my eyes were transfixed on the screen in front of me.

Less than 25 miles away, the world was changing forever.

As the 7th anniversary of the tragic day is upon us, I offer my petition to make Sept. 11 a national holiday.

Nothing should take precedence over staying cognizant of what disrupted American life as we knew it, remembering those who lost their lives and commemorating individuals who saved others.

Designating Sept. 11 a holiday is not about barbecues or shopping, parades or fireworks, but solemn reflection on what transpired that fateful day.

We remember a stoic New York City mayor who remained steadfast to the masses left awestruck by the events of the day.

We recall the bravery exhibited in the final moments of life by the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, disrupting the intentions of terrorists and preventing even more destruction.

And we certainly celebrate the uniformed men and women who so strongly embodied the characteristics of the word “selflessness,” laying down their lives in pursuit of helping others.

You may ask why we would want to “celebrate” a day that has arguably put America in the predicament it currently faces.

To say we live in trying economic times would be an understatement. Jobs appear to be nonexistent and foreclosures on homes run rampant. We don’t believe in the war, and we don’t believe in our president. Morale is low.

If we can take one positive thing from Sept. 11, perhaps we can look to the widespread patriotism exhibited by Americans across the country. You couldn’t drive down a street without seeing a flag waving in the wind or spot a bumper sticker proudly declaring, “These colors don’t run.”

Designating Sept. 11 as a national holiday could only help to renew a sense of pride that we so desperately need. As a defining event in the lives of so many, not making it a holiday would be a huge disservice because the event remains so much a part of our lives.

We continue to fight a war waged in response to the events that took place.

We see a nation preparing to decide on someone to replace an unpopular president, albeit one who led the country through such a trying event.

We demonstrate our resiliency by erecting the first steel column of the Sept. 11 memorial in the footprint of the World Trade Center.

Even with these constant reminders, I wonder if we have begun to forget Sept. 11.

Our generation cannot allow Sept. 11 to become the next Pearl Harbor, a defining event of our grandparents’ generation that now fails to raise consciousness every Dec. 7. We must not let our awareness of 9/11 in American history disappear, becoming but a blip on the calendar.

Republican or Democrat, black or white, holiday or not, today we honor the lives of those lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

Storm relief gives students perspective

Countless Gulf Coast communities lie in the wake of Hurricane Gustav’s path and are now in desperate need of rebuilding to help salvage the lives of thousands.

I must raise this question: Who will help these individuals who have been hit by a devastating hurricane once again?

Although we’re not even close to spring break, students are already faced with an important decision to make: Cancun or Acapulco?

I remember from my undergraduate days as a member of the Greek community that there was always an unspoken pressure from my fraternity brothers to go to some tropical spot for spring break. While I know they had a hell of a time in Mexico, it never made sense to me to spend unnecessary amounts of money to get drunk.

When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, I was distraught by the constant barrage of images and sounds displayed on television. My thoughts sometimes weighed so heavily that I even considered dropping out of school to head to the New Orleans area in hopes of helping those in need.

I quickly came to my senses and realized that my role in helping hurricane victims was not immediately feasible.

I needed to see the situation for myself before I could understand how I could help.

The summer following Katrina and Rita, I visited New Orleans hoping to gain a local perspective. While there, I took pictures of the destruction firsthand.

Taking a tour into some of the harder–hit parishes, I realized the visuals in newspapers and magazines did no justice to what was in front of me.

Simply put, I was overwhelmed.

I vowed to come back to the Gulf Coast and assist with the recovery.

I scoured the Internet for spring break ideas and stumbled upon an alternative sponsored by MTV and United Way.

Could I really spend my entire spring break with a bunch of strangers from around the country?

I wasn’t immediately sure, but I applied anyway.

After receiving word that I had been accepted to participate, I reluctantly informed the trip’s organizers that I would be attending.

I was utterly unaware of just how deeply the trip would affect me.

After a long day of rebuilding a Rita–ravaged house in the poor neighborhood of Lake Charles, I labored through a game of backyard basketball with the young boy who lived there. He just stared up at me with a simple, appreciative smile.

I will never forget that.

Growing up in a privileged neighborhood sheltered me from exposure to scenes such as these. My friends, who share backgrounds similar to mine, thought me an anomaly for spending spring break in a place free of beaches or bikinis.

They quickly changed their tune when I returned to tell them about the work I had done.

I went to Louisiana to give back to those who desperately needed the help of the nation to regain some sense of their normal lives. The work was painstaking, but the reward was invaluable. Our efforts put those hurt most by the hurricanes on the path to regaining what they once had.

I implore the UF student body to explore the possibilities of something other than the typical wasted–on–a–beach spring break next year. You might end up surprising yourself.

I know I did.

Nine–year–old pitcher unfairly ousted

A musician may win an award, an academic receives a grant and an athlete finds him or herself glorified by fans and the media. Jericho Scott, undoubtedly the best pitcher in his New Haven, Conn., league, received his accolades in the form of banishment from the sport of baseball for being “too good.”

Scott is 9–years–old.

Accused of throwing the ball “too hard” and “frightening” opponents with his 40–mph fastball, league officials requested Scott move to another position other than pitcher. Giving second base a try for one game, Scott found himself longing to return to the place on the field where he had led his team to an 8–0 record, on pace for the playoffs.

Who can blame the child for wanting back the success he had found through pitching?

Failing to heed the warning of league officials, Scott took the mound in the subsequent game, leading to the opposing team’s vacating the field and forfeiting the game.

As a result of Scott returning to his natural position, officials informed Scott’s team that they could no longer participate in the league and would be disbanded.

Let me make this clear: Scott has never hit another batter while pitching this season. He may be fast, but he was throwing the ball accurately.

Furthermore, Scott is not another Danny Almonte, a kid with a forged birth certificate who tried to beat the Little League system in 2001. Scott is simply a 9–year–old boy in an 8– to 10–year–old league.

Why must adults deny this young boy the opportunity to play baseball because he was blessed with natural ability?

While at first glance Scott’s targeting by league officials stemmed out of concern for the safety of his peers, there have been grumbles that there may be ulterior motives to his expulsion.

Prior to the start of the season, Scott was reportedly offered a spot on the roster of the defending league champions.

He rejected the invitation to instead play on a team sponsored by a local gym, which leads me to assume that he probably just wanted to have fun playing with his friends

The sponsor of the championship team is, in fact, the employer of one of the league officials who had a hand in disbanding Scott’s team.

How sad! Adults perpetuating the age–old adage that baseball was made for kids, and grown–ups only screw it up. Overaggressive mothers and fathers consumed with winning as they live vicariously through their children and ruin the experience for all.

Why can’t these individuals get over themselves and fulfill their duties as positive role models for their children rather than setting poor examples that their kids will surely adopt?

We often hear stories about those who are undeserving being rewarded for whom they know rather than what they’ve accomplished.

Scott is the antithesis of the child who makes the all–star team simply because his or her father is the coach. We should be celebrating the success of a young, budding star rather than obsessing over the winning and losing that so often robs the fun of Little League Baseball.

History Repeats Itself

The nation's loss of Sean Taylor, who was often vilified by the media and those outside the Beltway, is but another tragedy in the world of sports.

Over the course of Monday morning, many television outlets offered commentary from Taylor's friends and relatives, who spoke about his willingness to change his previously questionable behavior. Taylor too often displayed questionable character ranging from his unwillingness to participate in a mandatory rookie orientation program to spitting in the face of opponent Michael Pittman.

I raise the question: When is it too late to change? Was it too late for Sean Taylor to truly become the new man who many of his friends and relatives claimed he had become? Had he done too much in his past that, regardless of what he did in the future, Taylor would have to pay for his actions?

A private man who often had little or nothing to say to the media, Taylor and his personal life will remain an enigma to those who were not in his innermost circle.

One could only begin to offer speculation as to how Taylor's actions in his past led to his untimely demise early Tuesday morning in a Miami hospital.

Though perhaps this is an unfair inference in the eyes of Redskins' fans or those who will deify the life of Sean Taylor, his death hardly represents anything new.

The recurring notion of trying to break free from a troubled past to start a new life on a more righteous path can be seen in the early 1990s film entitled Menace II Society. The protagonist, Caine (Tyrin Turner, How High), is a young black teenager growing up in South Central Los Angeles in the 1990s. Although Taylor was from the South Florida area, he too grew up in a place full of distractions that could very easily lead an impressionable young man astray.

In the film, Caine has a rough past but is truly a good kid at heart who has been raised by his grandparents. Such terminology has been used by friends and relatives over the few days to speak about the life of Sean Taylor.

After graduating from high school, Caine struggles over the summer with drugs and violence, ultimately being thrown out of his grandparents' home. While the personal life of Taylor remains largely unknown at this point, it would not be a stretch to say that he perhaps dealt with some of these same issues.

Forced to fend for himself, Caine realizes that his love for his girlfriend and her son means more to him than having a fancy car or the respect of his peers on the street. For Taylor, the birth of his daughter was said to have given him a new perspective on life and perhaps motivated him to shed any remains of a past that no longer had anything positive to offer.

Sadly, it is too late for Caine to leave South Central as his past catches up to him and he is gunned down in a drive-by shooting meant to avenge the beating Caine gave to another man. By most accounts, Taylor's transformation was still a work in progress, one that was cut short by what may have been one final reminder of his troubled past.

Yes, Taylor's death is very sad and unfortunate, but as ESPN First Take's commentator Skip Bayless offered Tuesday morning, it was not much of a surprise that such a tragic incident had happened to an individual such as Taylor.

Some may comment that Taylor's death will act as an example for future young black stars to change their ways and separate themselves from their past. I argue that history will continue to repeat itself as fame and fortune cloud judgment, giving athletes and celebrities an air of invincibility that makes them anything but that.

Major League Scapegoat

To the media, the U.S. attorney, Bud Selig and George Mitchell, I would just like to say congratulations! You have just made Barry Bonds the scapegoat for the entire steroids scandal that has rocked Major League Baseball.

I am sure by putting an aging superstar in pinstripes (nope, not those pinstripes, Hank Steinbrenner), Major League Baseball will be able to remedy a situation that has seriously spiraled out of control. I mean, of course it has to be because Bonds has sold drugs to other players (à la Jason Grimsley) or because he has actually tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs (way too many to count).

Oh wait ... he didn't.

I'm sorry, I guess the world has forgotten about Jason Giambi, the true poster boy for performance-enhancing drugs. My guess is that the Brothers Steinbrenner would be foaming at the mouth if it had been Giambi who was in Bonds' shoes right now. They probably could offer Mariano Rivera a fourth year with all the money they would recoup from Giambi's contract, but that's a different story.

There are three major issues that I have with federal prosecutors indicting Barry Bonds on four counts of perjury and one count of obstructing justice stemming from his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. Bonds is now the fall guy because he is disliked by the media and general public, an aging veteran who is on his way out of the game and arguably one of the greatest players to play the game regardless of his alleged steroid usage.

By making an example out of Bonds, the Mitchell Commission will look like a success and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig will be able to rest easy at night while countless players continue to cheat the system through alternative forms of performance-enhancing drugs. Not to mention the fact that Bonds will undoubtedly receive a one- or two-year prison sentence, which will effectively end his career and end the media nightmare that has afflicted Major League Baseball.

Nothing like sweeping the dust under the rug.

Is it fair that former "stars" such as Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro, who lied during a Senate Committee hearing, are able to keep to themselves and live a normal life while Bonds is accosted by the media and general public on a daily basis? Why is it that it took three years for the federal prosecutors to be able to indict Bonds on such charges? Is this simply a conspiracy to kick Bonds out of the league once and for all and take all of the negative spotlight off of Major League Baseball?

I have been a baseball fan since before the strike of 1994, but Barry Bonds has never been one of my favorite players. Yet, it does not take a fan of the ball player to understand or recognize that he is being treated unfairly and is not the person who needs to take the blame for a situation Major League Baseball failed to acknowledge for countless years.

Yes, most likely Barry Bonds did take steroids and cheat while playing Major League Baseball. Yet, any player will tell you that taking steroids is not going to turn a bench warmer into Barry Lamar Bonds.

Major League Baseball just announced revenue earnings of more than $6 billion, which can be attributed to the amazing seasons of players such as Alex Rodriguez and Matt Holliday. What if it becomes known that it isn't A-Rod's steadfast dedication to fitness or the thin air in Colorado that has helped them achieve greatness? How good of a spin doctor would Selig have to be to deflect attention if such a disaster were to arise with current rather than former superstars?

Major League Baseball, do not pick and chose who gets blackballed as a result of steroid usage in your sport. Do not try to fix the situation piecemeal, but rather take a hard stance on the issue and crackdown on everyone, in turn ridding the game of drugs once and for all. If Barry Bonds lied while testifying under oath before a grand jury, be my guest and fairly prosecute him for such actions.

Do not, however, proudly proclaim victory and announce to the world that a dark era in baseball has now come to a definitive end.