VOluMe 106, NO. 4 by Steve Thomas

Volume 106, No. 4

The

MONDAY | February 4, 2008 csucauldron.com

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T H E S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F C L E V E L A N D S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y S I N C E 1 9 2 9 The Melting Pot |

“His address gave him one final chance to make an impact in a different way—through policy.”

Local African American Heroes and She-roes A Celebration of Black History Month

Story by Ebony Cash

The Melting Pot | News | Culture | Sports

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The

This Week

Volume 106, No. 4

For the Students...By the Students

Editorial Staff: Andrea Mitchell, Editor-In-Chief Laura Dynda, Managing Editor Jayson Gerbec, Advertising Manager Katie Shoemaker, Advertising Rep. Ebony Cash, News Editor Ilona Westfall, Culture Editor Nick Camino, Sports Editor Steve Thomas, Layout Editor Michael Quintero, Cartoonist Brian Thomas, Distribution Manager Anne Werner, Business Manager

Staff Writers: David Imburgia, Mark Jablonski, Faith Larraine, Jamie DuBois, Mark Katzbach, Christopher Enoch, Reid May, Scott Arko, Andrea Cervenak, Gary Typerstone, Robert Ivory, Sabrina Peacock, Roman Verzub

Contributing Writers: Dave Orzechowski, Charlotte Morgan, Shanette D. Buford, Dan Hollowell, James Kneblik

The Melting Pot The Cauldron reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All entries must include your name, year-in-school, and daytime phone number for verification purposes. All entries must be submitted by Friday at 5 p.m.

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cauldroneditors@hotmail.com Campus Life Releases 100 words or less: Organization name and phone number must be included. Releases are for student organizations only and should include the event date, time, and location.

Letters to the Editor 800 words or less: Letters must be in response to a written article or campus issue.

Student Columns 600-800 words: Columns can be submitted by students regarding campus issues, positive or negative, and will be sent directly to President Schwartz in order to bring more student awareness.

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Ilustration by Michael Quintero

Contents

F e b r u a r y

T he Melting Pot

Culture

Bush’s Final State of the Union Endorsements of all Sorts The Cauldron Bullhorn Andrea’s Anecdotes

The Beck Center does a Remarkable Job on a Classic Tale Do Vampire Weekend live up to the hype? Are They Worth a Listen? 10 New Bands To Check Out…Part 1 Music Reviews

News Fact Checking the President Investing in Clevland State’s Future February is Heart Health Month New Dean of Students Appointed Student Government Updates

Feature Local African American Heroes and She-roes

Sports Browns’ Pro Bowler Visits Cleveland State Santana Trade Hurts, Helps Indians

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Th e M e l t ing Po t F e b r u a r y

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The

Cauldron Bullhorn Compiled by Laura Dynda

Topic: Who are you endorsing and why?

Kesha Y. Senior

I am unsure of who Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be voting for in this upcoming election.

Sarah H. Senior

Anyone but Hillary!

Kathleen Meaney Junior

Clinton. Hillary has a lot more experience than most of the presidential candidates. She wants to do what is best for our country and not just provide tax cuts for the wealthy! Also, even though the previous President Clinton is not running, he has done much promotion for Hillary. The two are some of the [most] intelligent political minds of our time.

Issa A. Junior

Not sure, but it is a toss up between Obama and Clinton.

Etoshia Christian Junior

Hillary Clinton. She has a lot more experience than the other candidates and wants to do what is best for our country, not just the wealthy.

Have an idea for the next Bullhorn? Drop us a line at www.csucauldron.com

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Bush’s Final State of the Union Story by Reid May

n Monday, Jan. 28, President George W. Bush addressed Congress regarding the State of the Union for the final time. Bush has had a tumultuous presidency, and when he leaves office in just under a year, his legacy will be entirely defined by the actions taken by the Taliban in 2001. Bush will never escape this enormous shadow cast by 9/11. His address gave him one final chance to make an impact in a different way—through policy. Initially addressed was the nation’s struggling economy. Bush acknowledged a concern about our economic future saying, “Long term we can be certain about economic growth, but short term we aren’t so sure.” The President encouraged Congress to pass a recently agreed upon proposal for temporary tax relief. Bush also encouraged Congress to make his long-term tax cut programs permanent. He stressed immediate action—citing an average tax hike of $1,800.00 if the programs are allowed to expire. The President quipped, “Some don’t call that a tax raise. Tell that to 116 million Americans.” It was also made clear to anyone proposing higher taxes that, “Any bill to raise taxes that reaches my desk, I will veto.” A chorus of cheers from the Republicans met this proposal, while the Democrats remained subdued. Lower healthcare costs for all Americans were set as a goal for 2008. Bush encouraged the expansion of consumer choice, not government control. He also

called for an end to tax biases against citizens who do not receive healthcare from their employer. Bush expressed satisfaction with the No Child Left Behind Act. He cited all time highs for fourth and eighth grade students in math proficiency. Suggested further improvements included, “Increasing the flexibility of state and local dollars, and decreasing high school dropouts.” The President noted the importance of a plan that will “slow, stop, reverse the growth of greenhouse gasses [atmospherically].” Bush encouraged the development of “cleaner and more energy efficient technology, and commitments from every major economy [to slow effects].” It was made very clear that the President will veto any legislation that includes earmarks. He also announced an executive order, which will not allow any earmarks to be passed without open deliberation in congress. The president called on Republican’s to lead by example by not packing legislation, as has historically been the trend. Also touched on were the benefits of coal power, higher border security, potential free trade agreements, federal aide for new innovative genetic research, and the current state of affairs in Iraq. Bush hailed the last 12 months in Iraq a success. He remarked about the chaos Iraq had been experiencing, attributing “success” to the “influx of soldiers” which allowed us to achieve results “Few could have imagined one year ago.” As a result Bush instituted a policy of “return on success.” This will start with a 20,000-troop recall with more to come when the conditions are right. These 20,000 troops will not be sent back for another tour. Bush reiterated that we must not let our progress slip, and reminded us “A free Iraq means a safe haven and a launching pad,” while, “A folded Iraq Emboldens the terrorists.” In closing his final address to the Congress, Bush requested they be swift in acting upon his suggestions and implored the nation to “Show that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and prosper at the same time.” Analysis The State of the Union presented Americans with an unfamiliar side of President Bush: One that finally understands everything can’t always go his way. While Bush remains stuck in his ideals about certain aspects of our government, he has at least come as far as the middle in others. Iraq His sudden willingness to remove 20,000 troops from Iraq comes in the midst of a campaign season where the Democrats—and much of the country— are debating how best to abandon our efforts there. It is possible this willingness has no connection to the campaign season. Perhaps Bush simply wants to

4 begin the retreat on his own terms. Regardless of his reasons, finally conceding that we need to reduce our presence in Iraq—whether he believe it be because of success or failure—can only improve the country’s view of the GOP. Healthcare Bush has conceded that we must make healthcare affordable for all citizens. His plan focuses around removing current barriers in the system. While unlikely, he might be well advised to examine potential universal healthcare plans—something Democratic candidates would likely do upon being elected. Economy Obvious statements were made about our economy—a central issue of this campaign season. While the problems are obvious, the solution is less so. It is likely that Congress will agree on some sort of financial assistance policy—however, it is very unlikely that Congress will renew the tax cuts Bush made at the beginning of his presidency. Education While Bush praises the No Child Left Behind Act, it is doubtful that his plan will remain in place in the future. A Democratic elect would pursue alternative policies for federal assistance to public education, largely due to the mismanagement of funds. The common opinion is NCLB doesn’t evenly take care of weakened school districts, many of which rely almost entirely on city taxes. It makes little sense to advocate less national taxes, only to mismanage federal dollars, and thusly increase city taxes. In the end taxpayers ends up paying for it anyway. If Washington is going to aide public education, NCLB will need to be reformed. The Environment Bush acknowledged our need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While the recognition of the problem is important, a viable solution is key. Advocating commitments from every major economy is an incredibly hypocritical statement. The United States is the only industrialized nation that hasn’t ratified the Kyoto Treaty—an international pact aimed at the attaining very same objectives of which the President spoke. If we won’t acknowledge the plans that are in place, how can we encourage others to support ours? Legislative Earmarks Perhaps the most well accepted part of President Bush’s speech. Earmarks are certainly an issue in Congress and it is far past the time to end their use. The challenge now for our President is to follow through with his threat. He threatened the veto a number of times in his speech, and he best be prepared to use it. It will not be easy to repeatedly veto legislation—especially if it becomes a repetitive task. Many see this as an empty threat. It is very easy to propose vetoes on mass amounts of legislation, but not so easy to follow through on each and every piece.

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Endorsements of all Sorts Story by Laura Dynda

aking a political endorsement seemed to be the most popular thing to do last week. Everyone was putting in their two cents as to whom they thought would be the next president of the United States. Endorsements seemed to come from everywhere ranging from former presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani to Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. Why is it that people in public life who are making these endorsements feel that the public cares what they think? Is it because they are famous, and can use their notoriety to try and influence the public? It is ridiculous to think that just because one person endorses a candidate that the general public would do so as well. We are the ones that are voting, not them. Their viewpoint does not really matter in the grand scheme of things. Only ours does. Having a famous person in their camp does not help a presidential hopeful’s chances of being president of the United States. Just look back to recent presidential dropouts like Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Kucinich had country crooner Willie Nelson in his back pocket traveling with him on his journey to the White House. And Giuliani had actor Jon Voigt with him. After an unsuccessful campaign in Florida, Giuliani dropped out of the race, only to

Andrea’s Anecdotes

Story by Andrea Mitchell

have a fairly love-hate relationship with my online classes. This semester will be my second go with the online-class innovation and I have to say that I’m not enjoying it anywhere near as much this time around. My first online class was ironically a science class and although I can’t say I walked away from the class knowing a heck of a lot about science, I did manage to develop a respect and understanding of natural occurrences going on around me. This semester my online class focuses on African-American studies, and while I’m finding the material more engaging than that of science, I’m also finding that the work-

announce in his press conference that he was endorsing Arizona State Senator John McCain. What a shock! There is some plausibility to endorse a fellow candidate, such as having all the people that supported you to flock to the guy that you pick. Campaign contributions that were going to your failed campaign can now go to a worthy one. The question still remains as to why the public cares about who is politically endorsing who? I don’t think that they do. Now I know what you’re all thinking…what about Oprah Winfrey? Well, what about Oprah Winfrey? Winfrey who has never made a public endorsement of a candidate before, made one a couple of months ago as she started campaigning with Illinois Senator Barack Obama. With millions of women watching her daytime talk show each day, Winfrey gave Obama a great advantage. But where is she now? Is she campaigning with him as of late? I haven’t seen her. Have you? It seemed that Oprah was getting more media attention than her endorsed candidate. More people were gathering to hear her speak than Obama. But Obama’s famous endorsers do not end with Oprah, for it only begins. He has George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, and Will Smith all behind him as well. Celebrities want to make a difference in the world that we live in. But do they really want to make a political one? Celebrities are not the only ones that are airing their political views. Newspapers are

as well. According to The Plain Dealer, Senator Obama has 50 newspapers backing his campaign, whereas Hilary Clinton only has 11. But Clinton has the diamond in the rough of The New York Times. Senator John McCain of the Republican Party has 44 publications as of Friday. His opponent former Governor Mitt Romney has eight newspapers under his wing. Why is it that the public needs to know which paper will endorse what candidate? It is an unending cycle. Just so that you know, celebrity endorsements have not always occurred. Celebrities first started endorsing candidates in 1920 when Republican President Warren G. Harding got silent film stars Lillian Russell, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford to help him campaign. It didn’t stop there, celebrities continued endorsing candidates, but in the 1960 presidential election, Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy was given a big boost to his campaign when Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack endorsed him. Since then celebrities have been on the political radar to try and help frumpy old candidates revitalize themselves as being ‘hip.’ Maybe that is why Ronald Reagan, an actor became president of the United States in 1980. Or how Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor in California. No matter what a celebrities views on politics are, I don’t think that it would influence the general public. For I doubt that some guy out there is going to say, “Hey, if Chuck Norris is voting for Mike Huckabee, I want to as well.”

load is extremely high. I suppose when you sign up for an online class you do it because it seems like it will be easier. It also seems like it will not take up anywhere near as much time as the lecture-lab classes. However, this semester my reading assignments for my online class are triple that of my other classes, which is pretty amazing considering I’m an English major and this is not an English class. Now while the content is actually worth knowing (it mostly focuses on the birth of Cleveland and African American development in the city), I’m finding the time to actually sit down and read for this class very limited. On top of just the textbooks and library reserve that we need to read there are also multiple electronic course reserve (ECR) readings. Every time I see the mention of (ECR) in the syllabus I cringe. Yeah sure it’s easy to access and

cheaper than buying books, but the paper I waste printing it out and the usually fractured material is never as good for me as the hard text. The fact is that my life in this course relies on the Internet, which is something I despise relying on. While the World Wide Web has given us instant information it is also so clogged up with garbage that I never really trust any site, except for Facebook of course. On convenience I’ve got to give all online courses a thumbs up because they do allow you to go to class when you feel like it, whether it is 8 a.m. during breakfast, 3 p.m. after your last lecture of the day or 2 a.m. after the bars close. But no matter how convenient they get I still miss the interaction with my peers and the feeling I get from going to class, which makes this semester my last go with the online class.

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Fact Checking the President Story by Mark Jablonski

“A

merican families have to balance their budgets; so should their government,” declared President Bush last week in his final State of the Union speech. After this line, many in the audience applauded. I cringed. Not because I’m against fiscal responsibility; certainly not. Rather, I’m against politicians who love to talk about fiscal responsibility, but don’t so much care to actually practice it. I have no doubt that the 30 percent of the country that continues to stand behind Bush still gets a big kick out of all his talk about “reigning in spending” and cutting taxes. After all, that 30 percent is presumably made up of Republicans, who usually take a conservative approach toward government. Low taxes and low spending are conservative principles.

What these dead-enders still fail to realize, however, is that Bush is not a conservative, no matter how much he’d like you to think so. Just last October, McClatchy Newspapers reported that Bush was the biggest spender since Lyndon Johnson. “Take almost any yardstick and Bush generally exceeds the spending of his predecessors,” wrote McClatchy’s David Lightman. According to the Cato Institute, the annual growth of spending under LBJ, adjusted for inflation, was 4.6 percent. Under Bush-- 5.3 percent. For comparison, annual growth was 3 percent under Ford, 2.4 percent under Carter, and 1.9 percent under Reagan. So how does Bush manage to keep his conservative credentials after spending all of this money? Tax cuts, of course. You see, raising spending through the roof is fine, as long as you subsequently cut revenue.

6 “Tax cut” is music to the ears of most people, and rightfully so. But when taxes are cut, but spending is not cut, and is in fact increased, you start to run into problems. And when you consistently cut taxes and increase spending, you are being the exact opposite of a fiscally responsible president. Nor should you have the right to call yourself a “conservative.” And no, all this nonsense about fiscal responsibility was not the only thing the president was disingenuous about in his State of the Union address. He distorted stats on job growth, his policies on “porkbarrel” spending, and his administration’s record on fighting terrorism. However, I haven’t the energy -- and The Cauldron hasn’t the space -- to publish all of the falsifications, half-truths and hyperbole contained in the president’s latest SOTU address. (If you’re interested, visit the non-partisan FactCheck.org for a complete analysis). Let’s just be grateful that it was his last one.

New s F e b r u a r y

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Investing in Cleveland State’s Future

February is Heart Health Month

Story by Magdalene McKinley

f there’s one thing every college student longs for in a class it has to be hands on opportunity. The chance to start in their field before being thrown into the real world seems to settle everyone’s nerves. Students in Cleveland State University’s Nance College of Business Administration will have just that. Beginning fall semester of 2008 Nance College will offer a class that allows students to experiment with and test their knowledge of the stock market using real money. A total of $300,000 has been donated to begin a fund that will eventually turn into a self-sustaining program. The money students will be using comes from generous donations from the Key Foundation for $50,000 a year for the next three years, the CSU Foundation Investment Committee for $100,000 and the Cleveland State Foundation for $50,000 dollars. Cleveland State will join various other universities around the country by initiating the Key Bank Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF). The SMIF will use real money to invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. The class will research and do all the work necessary to choose where the money is invested and will present it to a panel of university officials. The panel will review the class’s decisions and give them feed back, but ultimately the decision of where to put the money will ride in their hands. The class will then decide its best option and then make the investment. The job of the first class will be to decide where to initially put the money. Later classes will have the task of deciding if the money should stay there or be moved. They will also have the option to invest more money. These decisions are what will keep the program

New Dean of Students Appointed Story by Ebony Cash

fter a long wait and anticipation, the new Dean of Student Life has finally been appointed. Dr. James Drnek will assume the position effective Feb. 18. Dr. Drnek comes from the University of Arizona. There he was the Associate Dean of Students responsible for supervising a number of the university departments including Military Science, University Facilitators, Transfer Student

Story by Andrea Mitchell

self-sufficient and ultimately decide the fate of the program. This will give the students the opportunity to learn how to make good investment decisions. Students will be asked to go through an application process where they will be selected based on academic back ground, interest, and professor’s recommendations. “Of all the applicants only about ten students will be chosen,” Anne Csongei, Communications Coordinator of James J. Nance College speculated. The goal of this selection process is to achieve a variety of students with different experience in investing. This will allow students to teach each other and apply their findings in different ways. The class will be taught by Professor Chenchu Bathala, Finance Department. While many of the class’s aspects are still up in the air Bathala feels that the class will offer many students opportunities they normally wouldn’t have until after school. “It gives students hands on experience in managing investments and analyzing stock while improving their opportunities [in] a career,” he stated. Students will be allowed to take the course two semesters. This will allow a good flow of students through the program while letting experienced students share their experiences with new students. The SMIF will allow Nance College to join a very prestigious group of business schools and Cleveland State couldn‘t be more excited about beginning the program. “Without CSU and the Key Foundation this would not have been possible and we are truly grateful,” says Bathala. Facilitators, Associated Students advising (ASUA) and University Academic Integrity programs. Born in Chicago, Dr. Drnek obtained his B.A. in Political Science and an MSED in Higher Education from Southern Illinois University. He also earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Not only does Dr. Drnek bring his wealth of knowledge and expertise, but he also brings a plan to make student and faculty interaction better. He says, “I have always been a proponent of student and faculty interaction. I believe that quality interaction between faculty and students leads

ebruary is Heart Health Month across the nation, sponsored by the American Heart Association. It is estimated that in 2005 there were 80,700,000 people in the United States living with one or more types of cardiovascular disease. Cleveland State University’s Health and Wellness Services Center is doing its share to help support efforts in fighting cardiovascular disease. Health and Wellness Services will offer all throughout February heart screening exams. Call (216)-687-3649 to make an appointment for a heart screening. Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer in the United States. Heart Health Month was required by Congress since 1963 to help those suffering cardiovascular diseases and to encourage prevention of the diseases. Throughout the month of February the American Heart Association puts on various fund-raising activities to help fund research for the different types of cardiovascular disease. For more information and volunteer opportunities, check out www.americanheart.org. Today there have been many improvements in prevention, detection and treatment techniques for cardiovascular disease. The disease primarily affects older men, however, it also greatly affects women in their prime. The disease is sometimes referred to as the “killer of people in the prime of life,” because it kills many working adults. Everyone should remember to get heart screenings throughout the year, especially highrisk age groups. Mostly though staying healthy can be effective in preventing certain heart health problems. to student success. I plan to create partnerships between Student Life and Academic Affairs to encourage and enhance interaction.” In order to keep an equal balance with the need of students and administration without each group getting upset Dr. Drnek says, “I plan to use my effective communication skills to create dialogues with students and administration to discover the issues and provide support to students. I’ll work with student government, the voice of the student body, to enhance the student experience at CSU.” Continued on Page 8

New s F e b r u a r y

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Student Government Updates Story by Mark Jablonski New Senators Join the Fray The Student Government Association (SGA) at last Friday’s meeting confirmed three new senators. Rebecca Carlton, a social work major, Karen Eberl, a communication major, and Ray Izard, an accounting major, had all applied to fill the empty College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), Freshmen, and Business College senate seats, respectively. Carlton was previously a treasurer at Cuyahoga Community College and is looking forward to “becoming involved” with the student body and serving her constituents. Eberl currently serves as the state president of Job’s Daughters, a Masonic youth organization aimed at developing character and leadership skills in young women. Eberl is “pretty excited” about serving as a senator, and said she’d like to get more freshmen involved on campus. Izard currently works at the SGA Print Shop, and said he was encouraged to apply for a senate position because he was frequently discussing issues

with SGA representatives. He plans to help business students better navigate the financial bureaucracy on campus. SGA Meetings Move To 5:00 p.m. A resolution that would move the time of the SGA meetings to 5:00 PM on Fridays instead of 4:00 p.m. was passed at last week’s meeting. Members said that the time change would open up the meetings to senators who work or have late classes. The next meeting -- all of which are open to the student body -- will be held in UC 1 on Feb. 15 at 5:00 p.m. Senator Seeks Transparency in SGA CLASS Sen. John Matuszewski brought a resolution to the floor last week that would require the senate to submit a list of all resolutions that are voted on to the student newspapers for publication. Matuszewski would like to see a space in each publication dedicated to publishing the full text of each resolution brought before the senate. “This would be SGA saying ‘we want everyone to know [what goes on here],” said Maruszewski. As his resolution did not specify who within the SGA would be responsible for carrying out the task, it was referred to the Investigative and Legislative

Committee for modification. $500 Approved for Homeless Stand Down The senate allocated $500 from the general fee fund to go towards the purchase of personal care kits for the homeless, to be distributed at this year’s Homeless Stand Down (HDS). HDS is a “festival of respite, re-supply and reconnection for homeless individuals and families in Cleveland,” which will take place on Feb. 18 at Trinity Cathedral, across the street from campus. InterAct Cleveland and the Northeast Ohio Coalition will sponsor the event for the Homeless. Sen. Jacklyn Frye raised concerns about the allocation, questioning whether or not it was an “effective” use of student money, and inquired as to the goal of Cleveland State’s involvement with the program. Vice President Peggy Thompson said that it was a good way to get student organizations involved with one another, as well as the community. Business Sen. Donna Seemuth agreed, and said that SGA’s participation was needed to “lead by example.” Senate Speaker Paul Patterson said that he believed the tab would actually end up being less than the $500 allocated.

New Dean

Continued from Page 7 Dr. Drnek comes from a diverse and predominantly commuter student body similar to Cleveland State. For instance, the average age of Cleveland State’s students is 28; and the average age of a student at the University of Arizona is 27. This shows that his transition into a non-traditional population will be smooth and well seated. Dr. Drnek affirms, “I have worked with a wide variety of students over the last 20 years. One population that I have tried to support in various ways is the new traditional student population. At

the UA [University of Arizona], the Commuter Affairs Office is responsible for providing support and advocating for the needs of new traditional students. In 2001, I led a program review of Commuter Student Affairs and identified areas where the university could enhance support for new traditional students. Some of those recommendations included creating a stronger New Traditional Organization and creating an advocacy group in student government. I think my experience will make way for an easy transition working with the

new traditional student population.” Not only is Dr. Drnek experienced, compromising and well-credentialed; he is also very well rounded. In his spare time he enjoys traveling to St. Petersburg, Russia and Santiago de Comostela, Spain just to name a few. When asked what quote he lives by, Dr. Drnek says, “Students become largely what they are taught.” He says this quote speaks to the importance of student learning, growth and development.

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Brought to you by Cleveland State University Police

Keep the inside of your vehicle clean. No visible property makes your vehicle less prone to theft. Items regularly stolen include: radar detectors, cellphones, money (loose change in ashtray), back packs, brief cases, coats, compact discs, stereos, and lap tops.Â This property should be kept with you or securely locked in the trunk of your vehicle where it is not visible.

Remember to use CSU Safety Escort Service (216) 687-2020

Feature J Fa en bu ra ur ay r y2 8 4, , 2 20 00 08 8

1. Dr. Carter G. Woodson 2. Jesse Owens 3. Toni Morrison 4. Charles Chesnutt 5. Halle Berry 5

Local African American Heroes and She-roes A Celebration of Black History Month Story by Ebony Cash

What is Black History Month? This month is a month that recognizes all of the triumphs and accomplishments of African-Americans. February stands as a reminder of the importance of tolerance and understanding. More than a century ago, intolerance contributed to the division of a nation; more than 40 years ago, it divided our people in the schools. We just celebrated Martin Luther King Day, but somehow he becomes more relevant

now. Unfortunately, King’s dream is not yet a realization, but still an aspiration for the future. Black history is more than Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles and B.B. King. It is not just about skin color and the need to be limited to a specific culture. It’s really about mankind. It’s about history, equality, and an idea that we should celebrate 365 days a year, not just 28 or 29 days. Discrimination, misunderstanding and

hatred still control our actions. For example the Don Imus incident where African Americans are still depicted as “nappy headed” or the Michael Richards incident who sounds off with the “N” word and the idea of being lynched. If you do not understand where I am coming from, let me break it down for you--Our world is still plagued by prejudice and our nation is still divided. With this in mind, I charge you to take this day, this month or only a brief moment, to remember and understand the true accomplishments of

African Americans. I believe that Rosa Parks didn’t know her actions would change the history of people when she first stepped onto a bus in Montgomery, Alabama over 50 years ago. The events of that day set a chain of events that would lead to the realization of equal rights for all Americans, not just African Americans. Though it was a long road, both black and white eventually came together for an important cause: the extension of civil rights and first-class citizenship to everyone. Although I can go on about the Booker T. Washingtons, the Service’s Black Heritage series. Martin Luther Kings and the Harriet Tubmans of our nation, I will primarily touch on our local African Toni Morrison American heroes and she-roes. Born to the name of Chloe Anthony C h a r l e s Wofford in Lorain, Ohio, Toni Morrison was W a d d e l l the first black and eighth woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. However, Chesnutt Morrison was used to being the first black C h a r l e s woman in almost every category. In her first Waddell Chesnutt grade, she was the only black student in her was an African class and the only one who could read. In American author 1987, Toni Morrison was named the Robert and political activ- F. Goheen Professor in the Council of ist best known for Humanities at Princeton University. There, novels and short she became the first black woman writer stories exploring to hold a named chair at an Ivy League racism. Chesnutt was born in 1958 in University. She adopted the name Toni Cleveland, Ohio and was the first African because people had problems pronouncing American to earn a national reputation. her first name. Toni is short for her middle His parents were from North Carolina and name. of mixed race and moved back there for a while. Chesnutt decided to return back to Halle Berry Cleveland after six months. He remains best Born in Bedford, Ohio, Berry is one of known for his depictions of Southern life before and after the Civil War, and then the Hollywood’s most known and highly paid portrayal of life in the North for the period actresses. Berry set the mark when she between the Civil War and World War I. became the first African American woman One of his most famous books is The House to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. She won this award for her portrayal in Behind the Cedars. A commemorative stamp honoring Monster’s Ball. Berry was also Miss Ohio Chesnutt was issued on Jan. 31 in the Postal in 1986.

This month is a month that recognizes all of the triumphs and accomplishments of African Americans. February stands as a reminder of the importance of tolerance and understanding.

Jesse Owens Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Jesse Owens was a prominent African American track and field star. He attended East Technical High School and Ohio State University. While traveling, Owens and his teammates experienced the civil injustice and cruelty of prejudice. The founding of Black History Month

Black History Month was implemented in 1875 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson who was born to newly freed slaves. He later began teaching high school and discovered that no schools taught black history and found that many of the achievements by Blacks were overlooked and ignored. Determined to have this history taught at schools, he led the struggle for the study and appreciation of Black History. He says, “If a race had no recorded history, its achievements would be forgotten and, in time, claimed by other groups.” On Feb. 19, 1926, Woodson established Negro History Week. Negro History Week was celebrated the second week in February. Woodson chose this week, because two people he felt had dramatically affected the lives of Black Americans were born during this week; Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. In 1976, Negro History Week became Black History Month. To sum it all up Black History Month is a celebration of African American facts that holds a people together. They define who the people are; they reveal their hopes and - often unconsciously - their fears. Without Black History Month, African American accomplishments would be minimized and in the end secluded.

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The Beck Center does a Remarkable Job on a Classic Tale Story by Laura Dynda

he Beck Center’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank is a classic tale that shows a teenager’s survival through the Holocaust and puberty. The play is based on a diary that Anne Frank, a European Jew wrote during the Nazi occupation of Holland. Her diary tells the story of how her family lived in hiding for almost two years in an attic. The play is a different version than what has been seen in the past. This production is based on Wendy Kesselman’s adaptation of Frank’s diary. There is more Jewish tradition in this version than the previous one that was written in the 1950s. Also there are a couple more differences throughout the play. Differences that do nothing to hurt the play, but only enhance it. Also the ending is somewhat different than what the public is used to. It conveys more of the emotion of the story than what was previously done. The Diary of Anne Frank, is a drama about eight European Jews hiding in an attic during war-torn Holland. The story encompasses the

laughter, joy, and eventual grief of the group. Through each moment, the audience is drawn more and more into their lives, especially into the life of Anne Frank and all of her dilemmas. It is so easy to compare your own past teenage angst with her own in dealing with her parents. Through her explorations of friendship and first love Anne Frank is a character that anyone can identify with. Heather Farr plays the Frank marvelously. She embodies the character early on as a carefree pre-teen and later as the play progresses as a girl on the road to womanhood. Farr, a senior in high school, plays the role with maturity and an understanding for the character far beyond her years. George Roth who plays Otto Frank, Anne’s father, was spectacular. He did an amazing job portraying the character that was eventually the only survivor of this family from the Holocaust. Roth portrayed Otto very well in his interactions with Farr’s Anne. In the play both Anne and her father are very close. He

is her father, teacher and best friend. In order for the play to seem believable, the relationship between the two had to seem natural and loving. The rest of the cast proved to be just as good as the two leads. Anne’s mother was portrayed very nicely. As were all of the characters, her mother could have come straight out of the book, for she was so believable. The staging was fantastic. The setting of the attic was very real with many different doors that lead to different rooms. Also the props and costumes used seemed very authentic. There was not a miss in the entire show. The Diary of Anne Frank The Beck Center 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood.. The last show is 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9

Do Vampire Weekend live up to the hype?

live up to their hype, Vampire Weekend is a decent collection of easygoing tunes. The album projects an effortless charm and a musical prowess uncommon for a band so young. Vampire Weekend falls short of the blitzkrieg it’s been lauded to be, but the album is an impressive debut that uniquely blends prep rock, ska, and new world sounds. Vampire Weekend describes their style as “Upper West Side Soweto” and “Oxford Comma Riddum,” which are just names of a few songs on their album and therefore hardly useful for an interested listener. To put their style in more readable terms, the band specializes in plucky guitars, jaunty pianos, and bongos. Their music is perfect for both summer days and casual parties, and has a definite collegiate sound without being particularly emotive. What sets Vampire Weekend apart from most of their indie-rock contemporaries is a West African flavor that adds taste to their otherwise straightforward sound. Songs like “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” use a variety of unique instruments to add international flair to wellpaced guitar riffs. Other tracks, like the catchy “Boston,” have an upbeat melody

that could pass for dance music if it weren’t trying so hard to be suave. Most of Vampire Weekend, however, is just easy listening. Lead singer Ezra Koeing has a voice that sounds like old rock and roll, and his band mates provide relaxed beats to for him to croon over. On “One,” he sings that “your collegiate grief has left you in dowdy sweatshirts / Absolute horror!” in a disaffected voice that implies he could care less about melodrama. Though his lyrics are far from straightforward, he sings for the average college kid. On “Campus,” he describes walking to class and feeling heartsick after seeing a cute girl across the room. For a band with so much buildup, Vampire Weekend seems to be taking their newfound fame in cool strides. From here, the band has a series of late-night TV dates and shows to promote their buzzedabout album. Their course won’t exactly be easy - a band in their position must be careful to use their hype wisely and avoid backlash, selling out, and, above all, MTV. While Vampire Weekend isn’t exactly a masterpiece, it is a likeable and creatively done album that should be a hit on college radio and the indie circuit.

Story by Emily Ouzts

f the Kings of Leon took a trip to West Africa, enlisted the backup help of The Strokes, and made an album about college life in New York City, the result would sound something like Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut. The much-hyped album was officially released last week after the band spent months perched atop countless “Band to Watch” lists across the Internet. Vampire Weekend hails from New York City’s Upper West Side, where its four members met after attending Columbia University. They shot to underground fame last May with their self-made EP, which earned the band generous accolades from every music blog in existence. Since then, they’ve managed to parlay their Internet fame into a series of soldout shows and a record deal from XL Recordings. Fortunately for the band, whose members will likely spend all of 2008 trying to

For tickets call the Beck Center box office at (216) 521-2540 Ticket prices are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and $17 for students

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Are They Worth a Listen? Story by Faith Larraine

o we are going to mix things up a bit for this issue. We are not going to do a rock band that only consists of boys. We’re not even going to do a rock band that consists of all girls or just one girl. We are going to do another single rock star. No, this will not be like The Color Fred issue. We are going to be featuring an up and coming rock princess. A woman of the rock and roll kind! But here’s the real issue…is she worth a listen? Band of Choice: Kate Voegele 10 Reasons Why You Should Listen to Kate Voegele 1. Homemade: Voegele is a product of our very own state. Actually, she lives just 25 minutes away from Cleveland State University. Voegele was born in Bay Village, OH and she still lives there today. 2. One Tree Hill: Voegele has appeared on multiple episodes of the hit series One Tree Hill as a recurring guest known as Mia. She was in a band with the leader singer Jason, played by Kevin Federline. The band was dropped from the label they were signed to, but Mia was kept as a developing new artist. 3. U S of A: Voegele has supported our country by singing the national anthem on two different occasions. Once at an NBA game for the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz and then once again for the Cincinnati Reds versus the Chicago Cubs MLB game. 4. A Wreck: Voegele opened a show at the Cleveland House of Blues for the amazing country rock duo, the Wreckers. That was probably one amazing show. 5. Show Tunes: Voegele’s songs from her debut album Don’t Look Away have appeared on many other television shows as well. Her song “Only Fooling Myself ” was featured in the CBS dramas Clubhouse and Ghost Whisperer. “It’s Only Life” was featured on MTV’s Newport Harbor and the Lifetime Original movie Custody. “Facing Up” was featured on MTV’s The Hills. 6. Her Sound: She reminds me of a mix of Michelle Branch and Anna Nalick. Her voice has got Branch’s tone but she has the deepness of Nalick. Her music has got a poppy feel, but a hint of rock as well. Her voice is quite beautiful though. Better than some of the other “rock

princesses” that we have today. 7. Pianist: She doesn’t only play the guitar. Voegele also has a few piano ballads that she throws out there. They are more like acoustic sessions than anything, but they are pleasant as well. 8. Band: Unlike The Color Fred, Voegele does have a set of band members that are there to stay. They consist of Sam Getz on guitar, Andrew Sorenson on keyboard, Mark Tobik on bass, and Patrick O’Donnell on drums and percussion. Stability is always best. 9. Writings: Voegele seems to be a person who puts everything into her song writing. Her songs have some serious soul and intrigue. Instead of just listening to the beat from her guitar and the band, listen to the words. They might just surprise you. 10. Appearance: Kate Voegele will be at the Cambridge Room at the House of Blues on February 19 with the Whitest Light. 10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Listen to Kate Voegele 1. Record Label: Voegele is signed to Myspace Records-Interscope. Are you serious? Myspace Records? Like…from…Myspace? Where creepy people intermingle with other creepy people’s little children? AND…she was the first artist to sign with them. Yeah…I don’t even know what to say about that. 2. 20: Voegele is supposedly 20 years old. She looks 12. And I’m not going to apologize for that. She surely doesn’t have the voice of a 12 year old…but she definitely looks like one. 3. Family: Voegele apparently is following in her musical father’s footsteps. It always irked me how since one person in the family had a musical background, the whole fleet of family members has to as well. We’ve seen the many different cases. They’re never as good as the originals. 4. Dropout: Voegele went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio as an Art Education major. Then she dropped out to pursue her music career. Do you see where I’m going with this? The music business is tough and it’s always best to have a back up plan. It’s best to have a back up plan no matter what industry you decide is the best for you. In a nutshell…stay in school. 5. Sounds Like: Voegele’s Myspace says that she sounds like Sheryl Crow with a classic rock

Kate Voegele

and blues-inspired pop. I hate Sheryl Crow and what’s with this blues-inspired pop? I don’t even think it’s possible for pop to be inspired by something that is clearly a way better genre. That’s like saying jazz-inspired techno. Makes no sense. 6. Acting: Not the best actress. So, just don’t quit your day job…like you quit school. 7. Toured: Voegele was on tour with Dave Matthews and Willie Nelson. But she says the best person she has toured with was Ben Lee. …who in the world is Ben Lee and how is he better than Dave Matthews and Willie Nelson? 8. Where Are They Now: It’s kind of like…what ever happened to Vanessa Carlton? Or what ever happened to a lot of the solo girls who had a pop rock feel to their songs. Most of them get lost in the crowd. Voegele may be on One Tree Hill and signed to some fake record label…but I can foresee it all now. She is going to be another one of those girls who just gets lost in the crowd. And if she doesn’t…it will be a huge surprise to me. 9. Looks: Voegele is a pretty girl but she doesn’t have that sexy feature. On her website, I think she tried to do one of the pictures that made you think she was topless on the beach. Really, it just looks like a 12 year old waiting to be molested. She doesn’t have that sexy slutty quality, which is a good thing. But if you don’t have it, then definitely don’t try to flaunt it. 10. Tom: Tom is her number one friend on Myspace. I suppose it’s because he did get her signed to the record label, but come on! Tom! Isn’t he the first person we delete!

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10 New Bands To Check Out…Part 1 Story by Dan Hollowell

Bring Me The Horizon

re you tired of listening to the same mix CD you’ve had in your car for the last 6 months? Is your iMix wearing thin after 600 plays? Good news, Clevelanders. In the recent months, I too have suffered from repetitiveness in my musical collection, and have thus been inspired to expand my horizons. To save you a little bit of time, or perhaps give you a head start on your own search, I have compiled a list of ten new bands that you need to sync up and crank up immediately. So let us dive in to the first band. I recently was browsing iTunes for something to use my birthday gift cards on and I stumbled across Portland, Maine’s Sparks The Rescue. Thirty-second samples were more than enough to get me hooked in and sold. The vocalist has an above-average voice that resembles that of Driver Side Impact’s Branden Langhals (representing Cleveland, of course). Add screams that are easily comparable to the late Hawthorne Heights screamer Casey Calvert over catchy, melodic hooks and edgy breakdowns, and voila, you’ve got a new emo addiction! Be sure to check out their tracks “Nurse! Nurse! (I’m Losing My Patients)” and “The Scene: Your Bedroom,” but if you dig Hawthorne Heights, Thursday, or A Change of Pace, then do yourself a favor and spend the four bucks to snag their digital EP, The Secrets We Can’t Keep, at your favorite digital retailer. I must give a shout out to my favorite ogre for introducing his girlfriend, and indirectly me; to the hardcore act Bring Me The Horizon. The UK act has two formal releases on Visible Noise (UK) / Earache Records (United States) to their name,

including the hard-to-find EP, This Is What the Edge of Your Seat Was Made For, and the current pressing, Count Your Blessings. I must say, prior to the recent months I never enjoyed bands that had zero singing and all screaming as the vocals, but something about this band just made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Brutal, and I mean vicious, breakdowns are definitely part of their appeal, but the screamer has great diversity on each track. From low growls to horror movie-esque screeching, each track on Count Your Blessings showcases Oliver Sykes’ sick vox. In addition to winning the 2006 Kerrnag! Award for Best British Newcomer, the band also has an impressive touring resume, as they have been spotted with Killswitch Engage, Lostprophets, and even Iron Maiden. I personally have been known to smash-dance around Fenn Tower to tunes like “(I Used To Make Out With) Medusa” and “Pray For Plagues,” but for hardcore folks around town, if you don’t already worship these guys, you ought to be. I won’t tell anyone, but go get ‘em now. Let’s face it. Cartel sold out completely. Dr. Pepper’s ‘Band in a Bubble’? C’mon. Seriously? Okay, so their music is still kind of catchy, but I think it’s about time for us to grab hold on the bandwagon for Phoenix’s The Maine. I cannot lie to thee, faithful reader, I have found a guilty pleasure in cranking this pop-punk quintet’s rendition of Akon’s “I Wanna Love You,” a track exclusive to the iTunes version of the group’s EP, The Way We Talk. Fearless Records managed to snag these guys and have very quickly gotten them into the ears of those in need of something new. But fear not, there is more to this band than turning dirty rap songs into halfway believable love tunes. Tracks like “The Way We Talk” provide catchy sing-along choruses and hooks that would suffice for any road trip. Another fourdollar purchase that will have you saying, “I’m thinking Arby’s”…I mean, “I love the Maine!” The Way We Talk is a definite must for fans of Mayday Parade, All Time Low, and, a band that got a lot of attention two

issues ago, The Audition. Ready for something really off the wall? Go check out London, England’s Enter Shikari. A handful of EPs have led to the debut full-length called Take to the Skies. I must say this album is quite the adventure. Keyboards, synthesizers, screams, highpitched vocals, thrashing guitars, and intense drums somehow all come together to create something unlike anything you’ve ever heard. It’s not quite techno-metal, it’s not scream, it’s…it’s…it’s Enter Shikari. I am obviously having a really hard time putting into words what their style is, but you are just going to have to take my word on this one. “Sorry, You’re Not A Winner” is better than an all-expense-paid vacation in Disneyland. I can’t even begin to fathom what kind of extravaganza one would behold at a live ES show, but I’m going to stress this one more time: Go check ‘em out! Vocals are a tad annoying, but one must recall they are from England and funny accents are expected. For fans of absolutely anything! I’m going to wrap up my first half with a band that is in fact gaining some popularity and momentum, but is also going through some inter-band turmoil right now. A Skylit Drive put out an outstanding record, She Watched the Sky, almost a year ago, and has been touring in support of their debut effort almost constantly since its release. Unfortunately, this has lead to the departure of lead singer Jordan, and, for the rest of the band, also into a time of confusion. However, hopes are high, as new tour dates have been posted despite the fact that a lead singer has not been officially named (I won’t bore you with rumors). Until they hit Peabody’s in April with Four Letter Lie, another band who has demanded The Cauldron’s attention, check out “The All Star Diaries” and “Drown the City”. Alesana, Underoath, and Before Their Eyes fans rejoice, and I trust I’ll see you at Peabody’s. That’s it for this week, but weep not, fair reader, for I have five more bands for you guys to check out next week. In the meantime, enjoy the passion of A Skylit Drive, the new styles of Enter Shikari, the intriguing lyrics of Sparks The Rescue, The Maine’s tribute to the rap world, and Bring Me The Horizon’s bone-crushing hymns.

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Music Reviews Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold Warner Brothers/Elektra/Atlantic 3 out of 5 By: Dan Hollowell Okay, so it’s no Waking the Fallen. Get over it, folks, bands change. Sometimes changes are for the better, and sometimes they turn all of your loyal fans against you. The latter seems to be the case for Avenged Sevenfold in recent years. The dark, metal-core days of WTF, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, and their debut EP Warmness on the Soul are over folks, and the sooner you face that fact, the sooner you can come to enjoy what has become of this band. City of Evil and now, the self-titled album, both have some quality rock ’n’ roll tunes. Singer M Shadows’ insists that the changes in his sound from WTF to City of Evil are by choice rather than a result of vocal surgery he had between the two, but one cannot help but feel like that Shadows is trying too hard to replicate, and perhaps “bring back,” the vocal style of Axl Rose. I guess you can’t blame him. After all, Zachy Vengeance and Synyster Gates have no trouble cranking out some Slash-like riffs throughout this album. To be honest, when one puts aside any expectations of A7X magically returning to their “old” sound, this CD has some definite upsides. Although I felt Critical Acclaim carries a little too much political baggage, songs like “Scream” and lead single “Almost Easy” aren’t exactly hard on the ears.

Mike Uva and Hook Boy Static Songs Collectible Escalators 4 out of 5 By Virginia Konchan Unafraid of bold, asynchronous intersections between the old and the new, Static Songs marshals everything from tape loops to bittersweet ballads to achieve their unique sound. A testament to the anything-but-banal music currently being produced in Cleveland, these are songs are about (a far from definitive list) control, escapism, violence, disconnected-ness, dark dreams, and sexy dancing. Weaker moments on this band’s first studio album are far outweighed by robust, experimental tracks such as “Starlight”. This short interlude, lasting just over a minute, opens a contemplative space between two of the album’s heavier numbers that is too soon abandoned for the steadily rockin’ but too-often-unnuanced numbers that follow. Hook Boy fortunately circumvents this trend with the emotive subtlety swirling through closing tracks “Flip me Over” and “Reunion”, and at the end of the listen, any music lover will leave the turntable, boom box, CD player (or the IPOD or laptop, as is more often the case), if not a better person, then certainly a happier one, and that much prouder to call Cleveland—laying claim to not only the Rock Hall but a legion of fine local musicians as Uva and crew—home. Check out www. collectibleescalators.com for more info.

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Catching Up With Joe Thomas

Browns’ Pro Bowler Visits Cleveland State Story by Robert Ivory

ast Saturday the Cleveland State women’s basketball team beat Youngstown State 77-64 at the Wolstein Center. Even though it was the “Kailey Klein Show” during the game, there was a giant superstar in the stands. Cleveland Browns’ rookie offensive lineman and Pro Bowl Selection Joe Thomas was in attendance for the game. Joe took pictures and signed them for his adoring fans that came to the game. Thomas, the Browns’ first overall draft pick in the 2007 NFL Draft is no stranger to Cleveland. His wife Annie began her first year with the women’s team as an assistant to Head Coach Kate Peterson Abiad. Before Joe began to take pictures, The Cauldron was able to sit with the Browns’ star: Robert Ivory, The Cauldron (TC): Of course you were a great football and track and field athlete in college, but were you a big basketball fan? Joe Thomas (JT): I was a big follower of the Badgers. I did play four years of varsity basketball in high school. I originally thought I was going to play basketball in college early on, until I put on some weight and got attention from football teams. TC: I can imagine coaches would have loved your 6-8 300-pound frame in the paint. TC: When did you know you were going to play on Sundays in the NFL? JT: It really wasn’t until my junior year that people started asking me if I was going to leave school early to go into the NFL Draft. That was really the first time I thought of playing in the NFL. TC: What does making the Pro Bowl mean to you in your rookie season? JT: Being able to play in Hawaii is going to be an awesome experience. It has been one of the things that I always dreamed of. It was also one of my goals coming into the NFL, and to do it in the first year is really

Robert Ivory and Joe Thomas

cool, and I am really excited. TC: How much did you know about coach Romeo Crennel and the Browns before being drafted? JT: Growing up in Wisconsin, I was always a Packers fan, and we didn’t know much about the AFC. I have been really happy with the team and the city since I have been drafted. It has been a great experience. TC: Speaking of the city, how have the fans treated you? JT: Great! The fans have been awesome, they have welcomed me with open arms from the moment I was drafted. It has been awesome, I feel like this is home already. TC: How has staring all 16 games helped you get ahead? JT: If you look at all the great lines, they are all a group of guys that have played for years in the same position, and when you are able to play together that long, it is a tremendous advantage. You get to the point where you can read your teammate’s mind. TC: Can you talk about playing against the AFC Champion New England Patriots in Foxboro? JT: It was really neat. We played them really well, with a few mistakes. I think we gave

“It has been one of the things that I always dreamed of. It was also one of my goals coming into the NFL, and to do it in the first year is really cool, and I am really excited.” Joe Thomas them their best challenge up to that point. It was really cool playing in Boston, they have a great stadium, great fans, and we saw an awesome team. It’s been fun watching them play in the playoffs, and now watching them in the Super Bowl, knowing that we played them tough is awesome.

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Santana Trade Hurts, Helps Indians Story by Reid May

fter trading superstar pitcher Johan Santana to the New York Mets, the front office staff of the Minnesota Twins is feeling the heat. The common opinion around baseball is that Minnesota got robbed, accepting what many consider the fourth best deal they were offered. While trade packages involving Jacoby Ellsbury or Phil Hughes may have included more raw talent, you have to give Twins General Manager Bill Smith the benefit of the doubt. He wouldn’t have made the deal if it weren’t the right one for his team. Smith and his staff could have postponed the eventual trade until spring training, or even the all-star break, but doing so would put the team at risk. An injury to Santana, or smooth sailing for formerly interested clubs could jeopardize their chances to make a deal. And per-

haps the Twins know something everyone else doesn’t. Santana is, after all, their pitcher. The Twins may believe Santana to be on the downward half of his career, and they wouldn’t want other teams to see him struggle early on—reducing his value in the process. Ultimately, the proposed deals with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees didn’t give the Twins the package they wanted. Neither team would go the extra mile to get the pitcher, and Minnesota wasn’t interested in waiting around. The Mets presented the now option. They gave the Twins a group of above average minor leaguers, a good timetable, and showed a never-ending willingness to work through all the details. Minnesota loved Johan Santana, and if they’re pleased with the terms of the deal, we should take that as a sign. This team has won repeatedly with low budget teams, using homegrown talent, and smart personnel moves. They know how to run a baseball organization, and three years from now we might be talking about how New York got the raw end of this deal.

How does the deal affect the American League? The American League can breath a bit easier now after Santana was traded to the Mets. Seeing him in a Red Sox or Yankees uniform would have meant doomsday for many other AL Clubs, which already struggle to match those two juggernauts in payroll. It also helps teams playing Minnesota—the Indians— frequently as they will no longer have to see Santana three or four times in a season. The deal affects the C.C. Sabathia contract talks the way this deal hits the Indians. The hardest is in the precedent it sets for the extension talks under way with Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia, who compares closely to Santana—will be a free agent after the 2008 baseball season. Sabathia was set to earn a lot next off-season—probably around $16-19 million a year. Now that the biggest name has gone off the market Sabathia’s value will only increase. With every team looking for solid young pitching expect to see a lot of interest, in both the trade market, and in the free agent if he doesn’t extend his contract with Cleveland.