Broadside

The “Curse” of Haiti Could a Deal with the Devil be the Cause of Haiti’s Catastrophes?

In the aftermath of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, many countries, including the United States, have responded with military troops, doctors and other personnel to aid the small country.

However, there have also been inappropriate responses to the tragedy. According to the BBC News website, Pat Robertson, an evangelist broadcaster, said that Haiti is “cursed” due to the country’s deal with the devil to free themselves from French rule in 1803.

“Climategate” Shows Hypocrisy Is Global Warming Evidence Mostly Fabricated?

In November 2009, the University of East Anglia’s Hadley Climate Research Unit (CRU) was caught red-handed fabricating data on climate change. Phil Jones, the head of the CRU, which purportedly consists of some of the pre-eminent climatologists in the world, has resigned in shame. Michael Mann, a Penn State University climatologist who is also at the heart of this collusion, is under investigation.

College: Worth the Risk? Debt with a College Degree

I sat down on Saturday night with my father the week before spring semester and we weighed our options for sending me back to college. My total bill came up to $8,012, not including books. We looked at our bank accounts and decided that the best option would be to take out a loan, and my father jokingly told me, “You better get a good job and pay this back.”

I laughed, but his words echoed in my head, and they haven’t left yet, because, honestly, there is no guarantee that I will be able to pay off this loan anytime soon.

Let’s Not Forget The Frontiers, Gentlemen The Drive for Outer Space Exploration Has Diminished

Of the activities I took part in during the first two weeks of 2010, none were quite as depressing as watching some of the old, classic science-fiction movies, ranging from 2001: A Space Odyssey to even the Back to the Future trilogy.

It’s 2010 already – why have we had so few footprints on the moon? Why is there not a single one on Mars yet? What happened to the dreams that people like Arthur C. Clarke had – dreams of being in outer space in more than just an incomplete station that will function only another five years at best, unless it gets a shot in the arm?

Gateway to Fame Steroid Users in Jeopardy

The past decade of baseball has been deemed the “Steroids Era” of the game. Over the past four years, the game’s writers have had a very difficult decision to make in regards to one of the faces of that era.

Four years ago, Mark McGwire became eligible for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was unable to receive the required 75 percent, getting around 23 percent each year.

New Faces, New Impact

The men’s volleyball team started their season last Saturday against Lees-McRae College. The Patriots finished last season with a 14-16 overall record and a 5-7 conference record. With new faces and a changed lineup, the team looks to be as strong as ever.

“We are going to be a more evenly balanced team than we were last year,” said Head Coach Fred Chao. “We won’t be necessarily as big, especially in our outside hitter’s slots, but I think the quality of the volleyball players that we are going to have in those positions is going to be very good.”

MLB Best and Worst Signings and Trades

It Takes Two To Close

After exhibiting a reluctance to spend money last offseason, many teams have taken a different route this winter, signing relief pitchers – not even the premium guys – to multi-year contracts. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signing Fernando Rodney for two years and $11 million to consolidate the back-end of the bullpen poses a challenge for Brian Fuentes.

Offense Comes Alive Long Logs in Another Career High

The men’s basketball team continued its hot streak in conference play this past Tuesday in Hempstead, N.Y., defeating the Hofstra Pride 90-72. Mason (12-7, 7-1) extended its win streak to four games and won its second straight road game. The team won its fifth straight against the Pride (9-11, 2-6).

Junior guard Cam Long led the Patriots with a career-high 27 points and seven assists, shooting 9-of-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range. In his last game, Long matched his career high of 24 points.

Mason also received key contributions from the three sophomores on the team.

The Clash of the Fans Mason Competes with VCU in the Facebook Face-Off

Already one of the largest universities in the state of Virginia and the school with the largest attendance in the Colonial Athletic Association at the men’s basketball games, George Mason University has renewed its competitive rivalry with Virginia Commonwealth University to a whole new level: to obtain the most new Facebook fans.

In a span of 22 days, the two schools will partake in the first-ever Facebook Face-Off, a contest to bring in the most new fans. The contest, which began at noon last Tuesday, will conclude at the same time on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Kallenberger: A Fresh Face First-Year Forward Makes All-Conference Impact

Freshman forward Tiana Kallenberger has been devoted to sports and has used her skills at George Mason University to power through defenses to put herself in the running for conference awards.

Before coming to Mason, she played for the Trojans of University High School in Irvine, Calif. More than a decade ago, Kallenberger’s parents pushed her to play a wide variety of sports, throwing her into the world of an athlete at a young age.
She spent her time playing soccer, basketball and swimming, while involved in student council and some school clubs.