cB News____issue #3, August 2005 Options

[cBNewsStaff]

Members, please do not post any comments in this thread. Any questions/comments/suggestions, may either be PMed to one of our editors, listed in the editors' notes for both your convenience and ours, or posted in the issue 3 discussion thread; we will respond to your comments accordingly. Again, please do not post any comments in this thread; they will be deleted and you will either receive a verbal warning or a raise in your warning level - you may even face suspension.

Editors’ Notes

As always, we would like to take this time to thank our readers that encourage us to keep this newspaper consistent, by PM, viewing regularly, and applying. We hope all our readers understand how hard we are working to bring cB News to createBlog. Even with school starting, a few of our team members gave extra effort to write more than one article required of them to bring you all this excellent third issue. Though we've pulled through in the past two publications together, this issue truly says a lot about our team work.

If you are interested in joining our news team, feel free to apply; we always welcome more help! If you enjoy journalism and want to become more involved in the createBlog community, please fill out an an application form; if you feel uncomfortable with your application open to the public, please PM your application to either Fae (uninspiredfae) or James (Marchhare2UrAlice). Please note that we are currently not looking for editors; other than that, we welcome all applicants!

If you would like to be featured in future issues, feel free to send us a letter to the editor; please PM the letter, no more than 250 words, to this account (cBNewsStaff). We will consider all for publication in a new "letters to the editor" section, and we reserve the right to edit for content and clarity. Your cB username will be included if your letter is chosen for publication, so be careful who you offend! In any case, please enjoy our third issue of the createBlog news!

- The cB News Team

Administrators: Fae [uninspiredfae], James [MarchHare2UrAlice]
Editors: Anna [Azarel], Justin [CrackedRearView], Ruth [suddenly she]
Runners: Kiera [mzkandi], Sidney [ItzOnlySydney]

(Note: Recent additions to the cB News Team are not listed.)

Table of Contents
01 Editors' Notes
02 Unveiling: krnxswat- cB News Staff
03 The Push for a News Archive - cB News Staff
04 The First cB Debate Competition - cB News Staff
05 Xanga of the Month: July 2005 - Ruth [suddenly she]
06 Unneccessary Rap Battles - Radhika [not_your_average]
07 YOU'RE Hosted? - Sammi [headphones]
08 The Celebration Has Been Cancelled - Justin [CrackedRearView]
09 School of Thought Scores - Justin [sadolakced acid]
10 College Tips - Fae & Anna [uninspiredfae & Azarel]
11 Not Your Parents' Rock 'n' Roll - Ashley [antix10_kos]
12 Summer Concerts: Warped Tour, Ozzfest, & Sounds of the Underground - Brie [Despise]
13 Album Review: In Between Dreams - Anna [Azarel]
14 Featured Films - Anna [Azarel]
15 Featured Poem- cB News Staff
16 Advice Abby - "Abby"

[cBNewsStaff]

The Celebration Has Been Cancelled
Justin Abbott [CrackedRearView]
08|04|05

The Celebration Has Been Cancelled



For decades, Cuba has faced adversity; from crime, poverty, and dictatorship to poor education, lackluster healthcare, and dismal economic opportunity, the Cuban culture has had a full serving of misfortune. However, underneath all of the island nation’s problems lies a rich, untainted, and passionate heritage; when Columbus arrived in Cuba, the aforementioned passion was prominent. The Carib Indians fascinated Columbus with their poise and guile in creating ‘batos’, a derivation of modern day baseball. In 1878, the foundation for one of the most successful sports organizations in history was established.

The Cuban national baseball league, also known as ‘pelota revolucionaria’ (which was founded two years after the United States’ American League, and 22 years prior to its’ National League), provided a sixty-year haven for black players who were barred from American professional play. It is a common misconception that the most epic interracial baseball battles were fought in national treasures like Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, when Havana’s 55,000-seat Estadio Latinoamericano has pitted some of the greatest white American baseball players (Ty Cobb, for instance) against the likes of former Cuban stars John Henry Lloyd, “Homerun” Johnson, and Bruce Petway (all of whom outplayed Cobb, the American League batting champion, in 1910). The trend of 100 years ago has remained constant, as some of Major League Baseball’s best players hail from Cuba. In fact, Rafael Palmeiro, of Havana, recently took his place as one of the greatest players that ever lived.

On July 15th, the Baltimore Orioles’ “Raffy” smacked his 3,000th hit, taking his place in the very exclusive “Club” comprised of just 26 men, among baseball legends like Willie Mays, Honus Wagner, and George Brett. President Bush even called him directly in the dugout to offer praise on this sweet victory. But to say that his entrance into the 3,000 Hit Club was Palmeiro’s sweetest piece of cake would be a blatant lie. The real treat was served when he entered a more prestigious group. Palmeiro joins “Hammerin’” Hank Aaron, “Say Hey” Willie Mays, and “Steady Eddie” Murray as only the fourth player in history to record 3,000 hits and 500 homeruns in a single career. With his son videotaping and 47,000 of the Seattle Mariners’ fans offering a standing ovation at Safeco Field, Palmeiro established himself as one of the greatest players ever. However, the sweetness was entirely short-lived.

March of 2005 was a strange month. Several of Major League Baseball’s current and former all-stars, such as Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Curt Schilling, and Rafael Palmeiro, were summoned to Capitol Hill to testify to Congress under oath regarding former or current use of performance-enhancing steroids. Following the hearings, MLB commissioner Bud Selig implemented a strict policy on testing for steroid use under the punishment of suspension. Not only was this a novel experience for the players, the responses were surprising as well. Pointing his finger at the commission, and, with a seriousness parallel to Bill Clinton’s during his impeachment trial, Palmeiro stated clearly, “I have never used steroids. I do not know how to make it any clearer. Never.” Following this testimony, it seemed as though Palmeiro was ready to begin the regular season with a clear sky. However, as of August 1st, it seems as though a cloud of shame will loom over him far longer than his 10-game suspension. Even more startling is Palmeiro’s newest response to the positive test, which takes most of the characteristics of his first.

“… I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period.” While this may be true, admitting to never intentionally using drugs is comparable to never intentionally breaking a bone; such an action brings consequences. Despite Palmeiro’s consistent claims, suspicion is justified. In 1988, Palmeiro hit a measly eight homeruns in 580 plate appearances. In 1998 (the year McGwire, Sosa, and Griffey Jr. raced for 62), Palmeiro went yard 43 times in 619 at-bats. As well, Palmeiro hit at least 35 homeruns for ten consecutive years; it’s amazing that a brief homerun race can put a cloud on such massive statistical increases. Unfortunately for Palmeiro, his consequences came at a very inopportune time. The 20-foot banner that reads “Congratulations Raffy! 3000” still hangs in Camden Yards, but Palmeiro’s pride does not. Not only is Palmeiro’s fan base surely dwindling, but his chance of being admitted into the Hall of Fame (every baseball player’s childhood dream) is now slim to none. However, Palmeiro has shown a great amount of dignity in light of this situation. The Hall of Fame, evidently, is the last thing on his mind.

“… I feel the need to communicate a serious message to my fellow players and to kids everywhere. All of us have to be responsible and exercise extreme care in what we put in our bodies. I hope all major league baseball players and kids will learn from what has happened to me.” With this, Palmeiro brings light to the most important issue surrounding his suspension: the kids who look up to him. Palmeiro stresses that steroid use is wrong, which is exactly what those kids need to hear. Not only is drug use a valid form of cheating, but the adverse effects later in life should be incentive enough to play the game with a clean bloodstream; Palmeiro’s positive test, thankfully, has not brought this principle to its demise. Furthermore, Palmeiro reaches out to his fans and supporters with a confident attitude. “I am going to come back and will be determined as ever to help the Orioles get back to the pennant race. We have worked very hard to be in position to bring our fans a title, and I will not let this be a distraction.” This statement highlights a very noble, dignified priority, indeed.

It’s a shame that an established, 20-year career is tainted near its end. Palmeiro, who remained under the radar for the majority of his profession, has now become the first of perhaps many nationally recognized examples of professional cheaters. The cloud still looms, and needless to say, the champagne and party favors have been put away, and Raffy’s celebration has been cancelled.