Th Boston Massacre

     On April 15, 2013 the city of Boston had a marathon, and during the marathon, there was a bombing. The bombing killed three and injuring one hundred three. It was all unexpected; it caught the not only the city, but the whole nation off guard. This event is thought to have been the doing of  a terrorist plot. So, like 9/11, it has many instilled paranoia in many American citizens.

      Luckily, there have been two indentified suspects in the bombing brothers Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed during a firefight, leaving his younger brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on the run in Boston.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, right of picture, was shot dead by Boston police early Friday morning. His younger brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, left, remains at large. Photograph: REUTERS.

Fiscal Cliff

     According to Thomas Kenny, the “Fiscal cliff” is the popular shorthand term used to describe the conundrum that the U.S. government will face at the end of 2012, when the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011 are scheduled to go into effect. Toward the end of 2012 the Democrats and Republicans had decided to to work together in order to make compromises to coincide with the fiscal cliff. While many solutions had been attempted like the tax increases imposed on those earning over $400,000, yet they were merely prolonging the punishment.

     In this cartoon the donkey and elephant, which symbolize the democratic and republic parties, have worked together to build what looks like an unfinished bridge. There is no money to build a bridge, especially one of such manitude. If America did have the funds we  would not be in such a predicament. The bridge has done nothing; it looks like a waste of time,energy, and effort.

Why Now

     Why wait until a man has reached his seventeenth year? Why wait until a man is making his second Superbowl appearance? Why wait until a man has openly announced his retirement upon the conclusion of the season? Why wait until a man has inspired a a whole city and willed his team through turmoil?
      According to sports illustrated Ray Lewis, all-star middle linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, "allegedly used a banned deer-antler spray to recover from an arm injury earlier this season." After missing most of the season Lewis returned during the playoffs and led the whole NFL in tackles. When asked about the spray Lewis dismissed the "stupidity".
     The whole fiasco could simply be a ply put in place by steroids dealers, in order to advertise their product.  "What's the best way to get consumers to buy your product? Have a sports star deny ever using it.",Abby Ellin rhetorically questioned. "This is probably one of the biggest sales days for it since when we launched it about a year ago,"  -Brianne Vaskovardzic.
    A similar situation occurred a few years back with Barry Bonds, former major league baseball player, he was denied entry into the hall of fame on "alleged" steroid use in 2013. During his last year of play while closing in on the record for most home runs of all time, the steroid controversy appeared. Both he and Lewis while on the verge of greatness have had their reputation tainted with such speculation.

The Hoax

     College football fan know the story of Notre Dame's all-star linebacker Manti T'eo; he as a heisman runner-up, his background story had helped push his team to an undefeated season. According to T'eo his girlfriend,Lennay Kekua, had died of cancer September 12. Hearing the story of a fellow teammate losing his significant other should be enough to motivate any great player grind it out.
      T"eo was later interviewed by ABC's Katie Couric."You stuck to the script. And you knew that something was amiss, Manti," Couric said. "Katie, put yourself in my situation. I, my whole world told me that she died on Sept. 12. Everybody knew that. This girl, who I committed myself to, died on Sept. 12," replied Te'o.
    Now, with all that aside, if T'eo found out his so called "girlfriend" was never dead on December 6,yet on December 8 he again publicy mentioned his "dead girlfriend". Why would T'eo knowingly continue with this travesty? What it to propel his campaign to win the heisman trophy? Or did he simply enjoy all the attention?
    Although T"eo was also duped, he still went on with the story after he found out the truth. The emotions that had to engulp him when he learned the truth. For his teammates to discover that their inspiration had come under false pretenses, has to be devastating. And what about the coachin staff, the cousellors, the guidance, the claerhead; why they were also apart of the scheme. What a...a HOAX!

The Harlem Renaissance

     The Harlem Renaissance, or "New Negro Movement, was known as a cultural movement from the 1920's to the 1930's. The Renaissance even reached  French-speaking black writers from African and Caribbean colonies who lived in Paris. During this time many blacks began creating and experimenting with many forms of art. Many popular African-American poets, playwrights, and authors emerged during the movement.
     Ridgely Torrence was a big contribution to the start of the renaissance. His Three Plays for a Negro Theatre, was among one of the first plays to demonstrate that blacks actually felt humane emotions and their yearning for greatness. Torrences plays were refered to as "the most important single event in the entire history of the Negro in the American Theater." by James Weldon Johnson.
   James Weldon Johnson, author and politician, was an early civil rights activist. He was a highly invovled leader in the NAACP. Johnson also made history by being one of the first African-American professors to teach at New York University.
    Langston Hughes, novelist and poet, is one of my favorites from this era. He wrote about how "the negro was in vogue" during the renaissance. Hughes often wrote about the everyday struggle of a typical black person.

RG3

      It is amazing how much of an impact one person can have on a group of people. What is it about one person's success that will inspire a few to strive for the better. Just like the saying, "One bad apple spoils the group.", but in reverse.
      In the case of football, there are many teams who have a key player(s), and that player(s) is usually are depended upon to impact the game if not win it. This may start from peewee to the NFL; the are some team whom depend on a smash-mouth running game, while others practice the air-it-out philosophy.
     Some teams play to win games, while the elite play to win championships, yet no matter the reason, you will have to practice your sport. During the practicing teams usually build bonds and grow closer as a team. Whether in the weight room or on the practice field hard work will be admired.
     Robert Griffin III, quarterback of the Washington Redskins football team, has been a rookie sensation for his team. His abilities seem to compliment the play styles of his team mates and helps his team pull out the win. Griffin's abilities seem to have given a serge to redskins; the Redskins' offense has taken on a completely different identity. Their explosiveness put defenses on edge every time they line up across from one another. Griffin's scrambling abilities forces teams to play disciplined; you have to play a few extra guys in the box to make sure he can not break containment, but in doing so this put more pressure on your defensive backs dropping back into coverage; then the DB's have to deal with Griffin's pen-point accuracy.
    Last game, against the New York Giants, Griffin rushed for 72 yards on only 5 carries, which shows keen decision making, yet Griffin also passed for 163 yards. On top of all that, his came came home with the victory.
    With Griffin having such well-rounded performances and the Redskins' number one ranked rush defense. I see great thing in the youngster's future. He has nowhere to go, but up.

Playoffs BaBY!!!!!!

    Whooooooo!!! Its  time to come on with the come on. No more almost had the tackle, no more almost caught the ball, no more mental error. This is the time when everyone has to do their part and pull together to complete a common goal. Like we said when we first strapped up, or put on the pads on for the first time, " Time to separate the boys from the men." Tension is high, and competition at it's highest level. The playoffs can be consider heaven for a fierce competitor. Often during this time in the year, the media really begin to get invovled with cameras and interviews, and an athelete can esily be distracted by the glitz and galm. This is a crucial time when the player's teammates have to bring him back down to earth, you know, " pop his bubble." Everyone has to maintain their focus, and bypass the few round to get to the "promise land", a state championship, and win the gold. Everyon wants to win big to earn the bragging rights. The playoffs can also be home of upsets and shattered dreams, for some it is the last "Hoo-rah", their last chance to make a statement, their last moment of suiting up with their school's colors. In either win or go home situation you will show you who is willing to lay it all on the line. I love the pressure wich arises in the post season.