The New Gators of Meadville

Henry's presentation on Erie was not only very entertaining, but also very interesting. It made me look differently at a city that I never really thought of as that important, but now that I am living right next to it I am very interested. Henry provided a lot of good historical information that made me look at this city in a different light. I have always found history very interesting, and Henry's facts definitely improved my interest in this city. The only weakness I saw in Henry's arguments is that he did provide as much information on exciting attractions. The history is definitely a draw for me, but if he had provided more info on exciting sights to visit, his argument would have been even stronger.

With that I would ask Henry what he would consider his perfect day in Erie: what to see, where to eat, and what to do.

This week's segment on botchy ball was definitely one of the most interesting that we've seen so far this year, but I think the message it brought out was one of the most important. This is a game that, as they did mention, is stereotyped as being played by old people in a nursing home. But this segment showed people of all ages getting excited about this game, a game that involves no real competitiveness, no crazy technology or video game controller, not a super amount of skill- its just people rolling balls down a track for fun. That is definitely different from the sports and games were used to playing, either killing people on a football field or sitting in front of a TV or computer. This segment showed people enjoying themselves playing and watching a few balls being rolled around, and that is something this country needs right now. Something simple so that people can have fun with that competiveness that goes along with everyday life in America.

“While the bocce world is beginning to get wider, older Italian men still rule.”

This week’s episode of Sunday Morning featured a look at the growing sport of bocce, the ancient game of skill, first played in the days of the Romans. The segment showed how the game is now becoming increasingly popular among young people, especially in the urban bars of New York City. However, the episode’s commentators were very clear that despite the current craze, bocce remains a traditional Italian sport. The United States Bocce Association (USBA) would surely agree with this statement, and on their website they write: “Bocce is a nostalgic glimpse of the old Country. It brings to players minds a reminder of the proud Italian heritage of which they are a part. It's a brief glance at the glory that was Rome.” Personally, I think it is a very good thing that Bocce has not altered itself to appeal to the new, more youthful audience. While I have only played the game a select few times, I feel that there truly is something fun about playing a simple and easygoing sport that your grandfather can beat you at. Bocce has remained for centuries a classic Italian pastime, and it was inevitable that a larger audience would discover the amusement to be had.

United States Bocce Association

Image courtesy of Eric Perrone

I found Laith’s commentary on soccer to be exceptionally relevant, because I agree almost entirely with his description of this particular sport’s image in the US. The American media seems to have depicted soccer as a sport that is fun to play in school, but cannot be watched and enjoyed on a professional level. Personally, the only sports that I really care enough to watch on TV are baseball, football, and sometimes golf on a slow Sunday afternoon when Tiger Woods is winning. I feel that if a sport as boring as golf can gain national coverage on American networks, then it is an absolute tragedy that we have demoted professional soccer to the same level as minor league baseball. I agree with Laith’s argument that the American public needs more exposure and education to fully embrace this game, however, I do have serious doubts about older Americans and their willingness to watch a sport that was not a constant part of their childhoods. One question I would ask Laith is if he thinks this attitude will inevitably change given the massive number of young Americans involved with soccer on the school level, or are the sports interests of this country set in stone forever?

As a newly minted college freshman, I often find myself planning out adventures to faraway places and making plans for myself. These adventures that occur in my head are inspired by my classes and by the places visited in "Sunday Morning." One such place that really struck me was the country of Bhutan, nestled in the Himalayas near Nepal and Tibet.
This segment represented much more than how an American family helped to revitalize Bhutan through the stamp industry. It showed us that mystery and wonder still exist, and are waiting for us to find them. From the cloud-tipped Himalayan mountains to the wine-colored robes of the Bhutanese there is clearly so much to explore in this virtually undiscovered nation.
Just as us freshman are still hesitant to declare our majors and decide on our futures, Bhutan is hesitant to make itself a major power on the global scale. This, however, is perfectly fine. Our world needs less superpowers and more players; less established countries and more stable but mysterious ones. The more mystery the better.

Picture provided by blogmulo.

One of the commentaries that struck a chord within me was Henry Wade's "Why Erie is the best city ever." One key point that Henry made about Erie was how old it was. I was never aware that its geographic position on the United States map has helped our country secure wins in various battles. I was also completely unaware of how beautiful the beach in Erie was. I hope to visit Presque Isle one day after hearing about it.
Although Henry convinced me to visit Erie, he neglected to tell us certain important facts about his favorite city. For instance, he did not state Erie's economic industries, the politics of Erie, or the Erie arts and culture scene.
One question that I would ask Henry about Erie is why exactly is Erie his favorite Erie? What specifically about Erie draws his attention, what does Erie have that other cities do not? These questions were running through my mind during his presentation.

Whether you agree or disagree with the reasons the United States is in the Middle East, there is no doubt in my mind the troops should be supported, thanked, and not forgotten. This week's segment about Sheldon Adelson's mission to make the troops a priority again struck a chord with me. As I watched the segment, Seth Doane, a corespondent for Sunday Morning, asked a question to an interviewee that brought me back to a discussion we had last week. One of the veteran's spouses said the experience her and her husband received in Las Vegas was overwhelming. When Doane asked Mrs. Siles why she was so emotional, she responded "the support and patriotism, overwhelming support, everywhere you go".

This quote spoke to me the most from the segment. Last week we watched a segment of Sunday Morning that asked us to define how we see patriotism. We came to the conclusion that every person defines patriotism differently. I personally believe supporting troops that fight everyday to give Americans freedom defines patriotism. Why don't other Americans feel the same? I saw throughout the segment that the troops want to be thanked. Marine Joe Caputo said that a simple 'thank you' means the world to him. That theme seems to carry on through all our service men and women. They want to know that a country, politics aside, is behind them. To me, patriotism screams pride and love in one's country and pride in what a country stands for. America is the land of the free, home of the brave. Some Americans don't understand that freedom is not free. The service men and women give Americans freedom. Without them, our freedom may not exist. It makes no sense to me that people forget the troops and forget to thank them for their service to our country. I know we can't all provide such luxuries as Mr. Adelson, but the big picture message to take away from this segment is that we don't need to. A simple 'thank you' is enough.

I will finish this blog the same way CBS finished their segment, with words that I think define the reason we should all support our troops at all times. The troops want to be thanked. They need to be thanked. It is every American's patriotic duty to thank them.

"There's no greater feeling than knowing that you give something that not only your mother's proud of, not only your sister says, 'Good job,' but the entire country says, 'Thank you,'"

image courtesy blondegal2005

Julie's commentary on animal testing was the commentary that stuck out the most to me this week. Her strongest points surrounded her facts and figures about animal testing in the United States, especially the number of animals tested on each year, the fact that public funds and taxes are used by the government for animal testing and the fact that the government uses animals to test the effects of drugs and pesticides. Her weakest point, which showed during the question and answer section, was not addressing the use of animal testing in the pharmaceutical and medicinal industry. I think she should of addressed her views on this subject. By addressing this issue, she would have solidified her argument. A follow up question I would ask is, given the choice, would you rather a breakthrough drug to cure a harmful disease be given to a human being or a rat first?

I found Megan's commentary on atheism very interesting. She definitely knew what she was talking about and had a firm opinion, so it was very interesting to listen to. I have never actually talked to someone that believes in atheism and I think Megan's point that the reason we discriminate is because people do not understand how they can simply not believe in a god- fear of what we don't know and understand. I don't think Megan really said anything that went against her argument, but her argument could have been more effective if she had given more background as to what atheism is. Going along with that, I would have asked her if there is any sort of group or gathering for atheists. This was a very interesting topic because I really do not know much about it.

I found Derek’s report on the danger of nuclear weapons to be especially worrisome given the uneasy climate of current global affairs. I think everyone can agree that limiting nuclear proliferation is crucial to avoiding a disastrous World War Three, which according to Derek would be very bad indeed. Nuclear weapons would most surely be used in another war on the same global scale as World War II, and this could hypothetically lead to the destruction of the entire planet. Now that the Cold War has ended I feel that this possibility is slowly fading, however the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 present a very different threat. Nuclear assaults from martyrs, who want to be killed, are rather difficult to combat and avoid, especially in countries that have relatively few weapon restrictions. A follow-up question that I would ask Derek is how is limiting the spread of nuclear weapons in the current “war on terror” different than the competition of the Cold War? I would also point out that Palestine is not a country, but an independent people administered without an actual homeland or definitive borders. Not that Derek’s commentary wasn’t absolutely stellar, (which it was!) but I just think he should know.