The New Black Sox Step up from Grilled No Starbucks in Burma A deserving monicker for the Cheese Spice up your life This Burmese coffee drinker 2017 , Page 22 and cook more, Page 6 was 32 before a taste, Page 9 a student publication FREE

Issue 82 Serving Montgomery County Community College and the Surrounding Community May 2020

This issue went to press during the College’s campus closure in compliance with Gov. Wolf’s order to close county schools to stem the spread of the coronavirus. CheckPhoto courtesy MC3.edu of publicdomainpictures.net for updates! Photo courtesy of pixabay. Page 2 THE MONTGAZETTE May 2020

The Staff

Josh Young Editor-in-Chief

Khushi Desai Khadiga Elfaki Sean Feller Samantha Moore Bryan Palicki Yana Petrova Hting Ra Abigail Santoro May Contributors Yaniv Aronson Robin Bonner Advisors Joshua Woodroffe Coronavirus: an evolving situation Design & Layout Josh Young The Montgazette Editor-in-Chief

Hello, once again. I certainly did not where the virus had not been contained early or interest or simply reinvest your time anticipate how much things would change enough through social distancing such as in something that you have not been able since my last letter, let alone that the College Italy, the aftermath has been catastrophic to do until now. During this time I have would switch to entirely online. I hope more with thousands of people flooding hospitals gotten back into reading history books and than ever in times like these that everyone who then cannot be properly treated by their have watched about 25 or so movies that I is doing okay and is feeling well. As I write overworked healthcare system. However, it is normally would not have been able to fit in this, the College has recently decided to for exactly this reason that maintaining social during the busy semester. transfer all classes to online delivery through distancing, such as the closure of the physical Most importantly, however, take this the rest of the semester as a result of the campuses of the College, and the practice time to reconnect with your family, friends, Coronavirus. Additionally, Governor Tom of good hygiene such as handwashing is so or anyone who may be important to you. As Wolf has ordered that all schools, gyms, important. this situation proves, our time on Earth is not community centers, and public venues where I firmly believe that if people self- at all guaranteed and things can change in the large groups of people might gather to shut quarantine, practice good hygiene, and do blink of an eye. down to mitigate the spread of the virus. all they can to limit their interactions with Once again, I sincerely hope that Non-essential businesses have also been and exposure to other people, eventually everyone is doing okay and feeling well. urged to cease operations by Governor Wolf. the Coronavirus will be contained and its Once again, please do all that you can to These are certainly surreal times. severity on all of us decreased. limit your exposure to other people and to I know that many people who may read In the meantime, while this Coronavirus practice social distancing and good hygiene. this are frightened and/or scared and I think situation is ongoing, I encourage people Finally, I hope everyone has a great rest of that is within reason. At the time of this to take advantage of the extra time and their semester; this will be a time and a MCCC writing, the Coronavirus has infected 219,302 opportunities that will be afforded to them challenge that you will recall for the rest of people globally, resulting in 8,953 deaths by turning a negative into a positive. Use your lives. Good luck and I hope to “see” according to worldometer.com. In countries this extra time to take up a new hobby you all online. TUTORS Advertise! About The Montgazette are now online! The Montgazette is published twice a semester from Schedule a session this summer with your To advertise in The Montgazette, please email October to May by the students and advisory staff of favorite College tutor or find a new one! [email protected]. Montgomery County Community College. Mon-Thu: 8am-7pm All clubs chartered through the Student Life office may Printed by Journal Register in Exton, PA. Fri: 8am-5pm Sat: 10am-4pm advertise in The Montgazette free of charge. The Montgazette is printed on recycled paper. May 2020 THE MONTGAZETTE Page 3 2020 Montgomery County NAMI Walks: Raising funds to support mental illness

Khushi Desai The Montgazette Contributor

For 13 years, The National that seeks to educate people about kind ever Virtual ‘Your Way’ NAMI impacted by mental illness. Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) mental illness and provide necessary Walks! With the safety and health of Currently, with lives strained by of Greater Philadelphia has held its resources and mental health trainings. our community as our top priority, the coronavirus pandemic, participants 5K walk to support people living The NAMI Walk, where NAMI Walks Greater Philadelphia is will get to make this walk their own. with mental illness worldwide. Called participants walk the perimeter of going to be a little different this year. The great benefit is that you can walk NAMI Walks, the event is hosted by campus holding hopeful signs and With resources for our mental health anywhere: around the block, around NAMI of Montgomery County, PA., messages, is held to raise awareness education, support and advocacy your garden, and so on. People working and usually takes place in late April about mental health and successfully programs needed now more than ever, from home can now get the chance or early May on the Montgomery fight the stigma surrounding the issue we are pleased to announce a walk to walk at home, and everyone has County Community College campus. by showing that those with mental for our times, NAMI Walks Greater the chance to participate in the Walk. The NAMI Walk is one of the illnesses are not alone. Philadelphia Your Way.” “More information will be out on how most important events that the National The NAMI Walks Greater Virtual walks have been evolving you can take part in our virtual event,” Alliance on Mental Illness conducts in Philadelphia event that was scheduled all over the area as a way for walk says Grasso. any given year. NAMI was founded in to be held at Montgomery County and race participants to stay active. Grasso concluded, “The mission 1979 by Harriet Shetler and Beverly Community College on Saturday, May The Philadelphia Hot Chocolate Run of NAMI Walks is to help provide Young, whose sons were diagnosed 2, was cancelled due to COVID-19. sent race packets to athletes in April financial sustainability to NAMI with schizophrenia. The two were That does not mean that the NAMI and participants posted their pictures Affiliates that provide support, frustrated with the lack of resources Walk is not going to take place. on social media “completing” the education, and advocacy to anyone available to mental health patients. According to Abby Grasso, solo race. On May 30, NAMI Walks impacted by a mental illness through NAMI eventually grew into Executive Director of NAMI, “(While) will also join with other NAMI Walks awareness.” what it is today, the nation’s largest the details aren’t all worked out, we events across the country, to unite and For more information regarding grassroots mental health organization are excited to present the first of its make a difference in the lives of those NAMI, vist: namimontcopa.org.

MCCC 1. Visit: mc3.edu/tutoring 2. Click “Tutoring Schedule” and sign in TUTORS 3. Click “Montco Online Tutoring Schedule” are now online! 4. Click the name of the tutor of your choice or select a tutor Schedule a session this summer with your who matches your schedule. favorite College tutor or find a new one! Note: All sessions are by appointment and must be scheduled Mon-Thu: 8am-7pm at least an hour prior to your requested appointment time. Fri: 8am-5pm Sat: 10am-4pm Page 4 THE MONTGAZETTE May 2020 Ukrainian food in the United States

Yana Petrova MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor

Not long ago, I moved from Ukrainian dishes that I miss are are often mentioned in Ukrainian dishes, symbolizing the wish for Kiev, the heart of Ukraine, to the Borscht and Varenyky. Borscht folklore. Ukrainians were sure 12 months of happiness. United States. I found that one is the national soup; its main that Varenyky had magical I have found American food of the most notable differences component is beets, which make meaning, as it was believed that to be a mix of different cuisines between our cultures was food. the dish recognizable with its the process of making dough of various cultures, and I hope

AMPUS Ninety-eight percent of all red color. For centuries, Borscht was a symbol of the process of that Ukrainian cuisine can make a Ukrainian products are produced was a daily food on the table of creating, with women rolling definite contribution to American in the country itself. Ukraine Ukrainians. It is not uncommon round pieces of dough and then culture in the coming years. is able to accomplish this to find 50 recipes for this dish cooking it.

thanks to its highly developed in Ukranian cookbooks because Ukrainian national dishes farm production industry. each region has a unique recipe. can be found not only in See a Additionally, all local products Usually, Borscht is served with restaurants but also daily on

OFF C tend to be natural and inexpensive black Ukrainian bread and sour the tables of Ukrainians. In my traditional for residents. It is difficult to cream. family we usually ate Ukrainian imagine Ukrainian dishes that Varenyky is another, no-less- dishes for breakfast, lunch, Ukrainian do not require fresh vegetables recognizable and significant dish and dinner, instead of global table of dishes or certain dairy products, which of Ukrainian cuisine. Varenyky or international foods. Also, are sometimes hard to find in the are made by boiling fresh dough in our culture there are special on the United States, especially in cities and filling it to taste: potatoes, dishes for certain holidays, so, and suburbs. meat, mushrooms, vegetables, for example, on Christmas, back cover. Examples of traditional fruits, berries or curd. Varenyky Ukrainians prepare 12 specific May 2020 THE MONTGAZETTE Page 5

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(Amateur) Chef Sean Feller MSP 111 Montgazette Contributor

Does anyone cook anymore? When you assemble your own Learn how to sear a piece of meat from scratch. Nobody expects the bread Sure, you may be able to do grilled meals, you control exactly what goes properly or roast vegetables, or how or the butter to be homemade, but there cheese, stack deli slices on some into them. Treat yourself! Spend to prepare a simple salad, dressing are always techniques to improve upon bread, maybe even scramble an a bit extra on the more expensive and all. Find recipes for your them. Make a compound butter with egg—but can you prepare an actual ingredients, because you deserve it. favorite cuisine and learn to cook garlic, herbs and seasoning, brush onto meal from scratch? It would seem If you are particularly picky about it. If you already enjoy the meal, the bread and bake—homemade garlic not many can. certain foods, then you can mold your why wouldn’t you want to learn to bread! Semi-prepared ingredients With the unlimited resources recipes and repertoire to include only recreate it on your terms? There’s count as well. of prepared food available to your favorites. And, best of all, for even enjoyment in the errors, lessons And don’t forget the most everyone—from local take-out, to those looking to improve their bodies to be learned for the next time and important lesson of all, have fun! meal delivery services like Doordash, as well as their minds—you can always room for improvement. Taste and season as you go. to online ordering—the distance use wholesome options to aid your Not everything needs to be made Bon appétit! between the kitchen and the amateur journey of self-improvement. chef has grown wider and wider. In Of course, it’s not always many circles, cooking is viewed as convenient to get yourself to the an unnecessary skill, and it is a shame grocery store; gather ingredients; because the entire process in itself is take them home; and store, prepare healing, helpful, and fulfilling. and clean the dirty dishes—if Cooking can improve nearly everybody could have a professional every aspect of your life: physically, restaurant dishwasher and someone emotionally, mentally and spiritually. to load it, we would cook all the time! Gathering ingredients and But it’s not about the convenience of transforming them from individual dialing your phone and placing an items into complete meals will order or pressing a few buttons on enhance your life. It will have your smartphone. you excited to invite friends and This is about something deeper, family over and make them feel something more fulfilling and special. Anyone can go out and buy rewarding. It’s a skill that you can something, but to put the thought, improve on and hone like the sharp care and love into what you serve edge of a blade that’s become dull. makes it that much more special. It will impress those who you care The act itself can be meditative. about, and in the long run, give you Turn on your favorite music. Pour a a deeper sense of accomplishment glass of your favorite wine (if you within yourself. are of age) and in the Nobody needs to make a French moment. Let everything that troubles soufflé or a crème brûlée for his or you fall away. Focus only on the task her first foray into the kitchen, okay? French Apple Tarts. at hand. Nothing about cooking should Start small. Photo by Sean Feller feel stressful. It should be … enjoyable. Make a pot of vegetable soup. May 2020 THE MONTGAZETTE Page 7 Social media: Its impact on your mental health

Khadiga Elfaki ENG101 The Montgazette Contributor

It’s time to take your “Social One of the biggest negative virtual relationships. It may not be a effect of social media. Social Media Usage” temperature. Are you outcomes of overusing social media problem if used in a balanced way, media addiction is a behavioral or running a fever? Then, it’s time to do is depression. In her American but the problem comes when people psychological addiction described as something about it! Psychiatric Association article “What replace their personal relationships overuse, driven by an uncontrollable It’s no longer a question of Is Depression,” Ranna Parekh states, with digital ones. Lin mentioned this urge to check and scroll through social whether social media’s benefits “Depression is a common and serious problem in his study: “People who are media, causing the user to lose track of surpass the disadvantages. Rather, medical illness that negatively affects already having depressive symptoms time. At some point it becomes harmful it’s a question of how social media how you feel, the way you think, and start to use social media more, perhaps and affects their ability to function. negatively impacts your life. “Social how you act.” Social media can cause because they do not feel the energy Social media users can get media” refers to Internet-based depression in three ways. One way or drive to engage in as many direct addicted to social media, just like drugs applications and websites that help concerns the amount of time spent on social relationships.” and alcohol, because of proffered people find others across the globe it. According to Liu Yi Lin, in 2016 a In contrast, according to Bessière reward. Trevor Haynes, a researcher who share the same interests and study was done of 1,787 people aged and others, in an article for the Journal at Harvard University, explains how exchange with them anything from 19 to 32 in the United States that of Medical Internet Research, some social media notifications stimulate information to their thoughts and shows an association between social studies found that using the Internet dopamine, which gives a little jolt of feelings. People can access these media use and depression. There to communicate with family and pleasure each time a person receives a applications and websites from their was a linear association between friends is associated with decline in “like,” “comment,” or “retweet.” computer, tablet, and smartphone and how long participants spent on social depression. share any content efficiently. media daily and how much they felt Addiction can also be a negative Continued on Page 15 Social media has become a worthless, hopeless and helpless, part of people’s lives. Today, many which are all symptoms of depression. people use it every day and all day Another reason social media can long because they can communicate cause depression is because people’s everything from major life events online lives (as shown in pictures to minute particulars. Social media on their Instagram and Facebook has changed the everyday lives of profiles) look more ideal and amazing many people, affecting everything than their real lives. Being exposed from shopping and job searches to to endless filtered images makes it relationships. Social media platforms impossible not to compare yourself to include Facebook, , Instagram others. Lin says, “People who engage and more—and even multi-player in a lot of social media use may feel online games! they are not living up to the idealized Although social media has portraits of life that other people tend helped people in different ways, to present in their profiles.” when it is overused, it can still have Finally, struggling to balance a negative impact on their mental real-life and virtual relationships health, as shown by the development causes depression. Today, a majority of depression, addiction, and sleep of people use social media regularly, problems. and this makes it impossible to avoid Page 8 THE MONTGAZETTE May 2020 Editorial: There are no Safe injection Starbucks in Burma

ORIAL — What’s so safe about that?

Abigail Santoro MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor EDIT Philadelphia is and has been for many with 1,116 people dying of overdoses in crime. These citizens are unaware that years a hot spot for crime. According to Philadelphia in 2018 and projections for safe injection sites can introduce countless neighborhoodscout.com, Philadelphia 2019 looking like they will be remarkably rehabilitation opportunities for addicts is deemed to be safer than only 8% of similar, according to Aubrey Whelan of The as well, removing the possibility of an other American cities, so it should come Philadelphia Inquirer. As a result, the streets addict overdosing by providing options as no surprise that the city has a very big of Kensington have become extremely and education on top of the safe injection problem with drug activity and crime- dangerous, not just with addicts but also environment itself. related deaths. However, in the past two with needles in public spaces that could be It is 2020 and I think it is about time to three years, there has been a significant picked up by small children. we put “The War on Drugs” to bed. The spike in drug-overdose deaths, specifically The city is doing what it can, old government model of locking up involving opioids. implementing programs like The addicts and “throwing away the key” has The problem is so bad that the city Philadelphia Resilience Project, which proven to be a failure time and time again. is considering providing controversial include major neighborhood cleanups, and Incarcerating addicts as a punishment resources, some of which may make the also placing “SHARPS” containers all over often backfires. According to the National entire community extremely uncomfortable, the Kensington area in hopes of proper Institute on Drug Abuse, 85% of the to those suffering from addiction. syringe disposal. average prison population abuses drugs or For one, Philadelphia is in the process Even after all these progressive steps is in jail for a drug-related crime. Addicts of trying to re-open the country’s first safe have been taken by our city, could still more who are incarcerated are also more likely injection site. Advocates of such a site be done to save the citizens of Philadelphia to overdose following their release. believe that by providing a safe and clean and create safer spaces for our children A safe injection site could be part of a environment for addicts to use, not only will to grow up in? Introducing safe injection larger, unified solution to this nationwide the shame and stigma surrounding drug use sites to suffering areas like Kensington will problem. By removing stigma and providing be diminished, but it shifts the focus onto contribute monumentally to the city’s efforts resources to addicts recently released from rehabilitation as opposed to punishment. In to clean up this area. prison, a road to recovery and even a normal theory, the streets of Philadelphia will likely The idea of a safe injection site in life, for them, becomes a very real possibility. see crime rates fall. our city might be described by some as The best solution for the city of The Kensington area of Philadelphia is “crazy.” However, drastic times call for Philadelphia’s opioid crisis is to provide the community in most need of help when drastic measures. There are countless education to non-addicts on the benefits of it comes to the opioid crisis. This section and very legitimate concerns, and even rehabilitating addicts as opposed to punishing of Philadelphia contributed the brunt protests from citizens, about facilities like them. Educating fellow Philadelphians on of the city’s staggering 1,217 overdose this opening in this area. Many believe the benefits of safe injection sites could deaths reported in 2017. Since then, the that addicts will come from all directions, allow for sites to open in several zip codes in crisis has showed little sign of abating, flooding the area, resulting in a spike of the area that are most heavily affected. May 2020 THE MONTGAZETTE Page 9 There are no Starbucks in Burma Hting Ra MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor

With time to clear my head during this started my trip, I called my friend who lived there I was very proud of myself for finally joining the quarantine, I thought back to my first experience and asked him whether they had Starbucks coffee. global community in this way. with Starbucks. It may not seem like a big deal, but My friend said, “Oh, of course! Just come visit; I continue to be heartbroken by the link I only came to America, from Burma Burma (also Kuala Lumpur has all of the biggest global brands.” between politics and coffee in the country where known as Myanmar), in 2015 when I was 32 years One of my friends, a Starbucks coffee lover I was born. Peace is certainly the most important old. I first heard about Starbucks through a YouTube who was studying in Singapore, came to Malaysia need in Burma before welcoming global brands, but commercial that featured a band performing music, with me and said, “I am going to drink two cups these investments can help foster positive economic and it attracted my attention. Even though I am a of Starbucks because I have to pay double in growth and lift people out of poverty, thereby coffee lover, I did not know about Starbucks because Singapore. Malaysia is much cheaper, I have to take granting them better lives. Starbucks may seem like I lived in a country far from global brands. One of advantage.” So, during my three-day trip to Kuala something very simple to most of my classmates, my friends told me that this place called Starbucks Lumpur, I enjoyed Starbucks coffee. My first drink but I will not take it for granted. I hope everyone in had the best coffee in the world and that you could was Coffee Mocha. The taste was so good, and I felt my home country can enjoy a cup soon as well. not beat the taste. Although American-based Starbucks coffee was a popular throughout the world, and even for neighboring countries like Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, it did not make it to Burma due to the precarious political situation there. Burma’s government has been unstable because of a long and complex civil war. As part of this war, Myanmar’s (Burma’s new name) military leaders were accused of human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims and minority groups in the country. Until these issues are resolved, and peace returns, it is unlikely that a brand like Starbucks will invest in the country. One of Burman’s local news outlets, Coconut Yangon, reported that Starbucks changed their mind to invest in the country because of these issues, cancelling a planned $6 million investment. Starbuck’s Asia-Pacific Public Relations Director, Marianne Duong, reported, “Even though our company is avidly trying to break into the international market, we haven’t decided on establishing a business in Myanmar just yet.” For me, it was a very happy moment to taste Starbucks coffee on my first overseas trip to Kuala My most recent Starbucks coffee Lumpur, Malaysia, in December 2011. Before I Photo by Hting Ra Page 10 THE MONTGAZETTE May 2020 Panic! At the Disco’s “Pray for the Wicked” is real and inspiring

AINMENT Samantha Moore MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor

Recently, I celebrated my the Drunks” and “King of the I Made It” all contain heartfelt concerts planned, although boyfriend Bryan’s 21st birthday Clouds,” there is an electronic messages such as to be yourself, reportedly Urie is working on a by treating him to pizza at his and new world symphonic put in hard work and stay hopeful new . However, he does favorite pizza place, then Dairy sound that caught me off guard, for the . stream on Twitch, answering Queen for ice-cream. I gave him but that I still enjoyed. has always fan questions, and playing video a shirt that I bought from Hot The album overall has a been a creative and free games. It is unknown what he

ENTERT Topic, one with a logo from the high energy to it, and songs like spirit, finding new ways to has in store for the future of newest album by Panic! At the “High Hopes,” “Dancing’s Not communicate with his fans. Panic!, but it would still be quite Disco, “Pray for the Wicked,” a Crime” and “Hey Look Ma, So far in 2020, Panic! has no interesting to watch. which was released in mid-2018. This was one of the first we enjoyed together. I only knew a couple of songs from it at the time, but I still remember enjoying it. It took me until this quarantine to sit and listen to the entire album from start to finish. I went to my Spotify app, searched for Panic! At the Disco, found the album, added it to its own playlist, and sat back and let the music fill my ears. What I heard was a mix between something different and something that I would expect from music written by Panic!’s lead singer, Brendon Urie. I got the iconic theatrical vibes that Urie is particularly known for, which reflect his background in musical theatre and Broadway, but then there’s also a new type of sound that Brendon Urie “Pray For the Wicked” Album Cover I’m not used to hearing in music Photo by : Found on “The Michigan Daily” by Panic!. In songs like “One of May 2020 THE MONTGAZETTE Page 11 Panic! At the Disco’s Editorial: “Pray for the Wicked” “Music to Be is real and inspiring Murdered By”

Bryan Palicki MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor

The man who jokes about pioneering work 20 years ago. Variety mass shootings, makes fun of the magazine called it a “passable, handicapped, and plots to kill his ex- forgettable meandering through popular wife is at it again. This winter we saw hip-hop sounds.” the release of ’ 11th studio might have cooled off album, with a title that was taken from a little, but he’s still no stranger to the Alfred Hitchcock album of film controversy. The video for the song scores by the same name — “Music to “Darkness,” which depicts the man from Be Murdered By.” the 2017 Las Vegas massacre showering “It’s your funeral” said Eminem the sunset strip in gunfire, was both on Twitter when he announced the harshly criticized as insensitive and release of his new album, which will be also praised for bringing awareness to his 10th in a row to debut at No. 1 on gun control issues. . But despite its victory In addition, some of the reviews on the charts and the popularity of its of “Music to Be Murdered By” were videos on YouTube, Eminem’s latest positive, and Eminem’s extremist satire work leaves much to be desired. and obliterative rhyming skills did not I wanted to hear catchy beats by go unnoticed. A more complimentary Dr. Dre and clever, methodical rhymes article on Apple Music’s site says that that make the hairs on your neck stand “snarling beats heave beneath wordplay up, but unfortunately the only thing as impressive and elaborate as it is that was murdered by this album was aggressive, sinister, and unescapable.” my expectations. Even though Eminem’s latest gift Eminem’s’ skill is undeniable, but to hip-hop may not be his best work, he his new album feels like it’s lacking the still holds his own as a gifted and creative energetic, soul-bearing performance entertainer, and his volume of work that his earlier music was known for. over the last two decades is impressive, said it seems like Eminem to say the least. Eminem continues to has developed a “lack of interest in the be a strong presence all over the music industry he once transformed,” and stale community, collaborating with artists work such as this may prove them right. like Logic, Joyner Lucas, and even Ed Eminem raised the bar for hip- Sheeran. Though his new album may be hop and inspired a whole generation a disappointment to some, like me, there of rappers, but this new album feels are still millions of music lovers who will painfully average compared to his rock out to his head-spinning flow. Page 12 THE MONTGAZETTE May 2020 2017 Houston Astros: The new Black Sox

Joshua Young The Montgazette Editor-in-Chief

In 1919, the Chicago White Sox etched the batter to react with an appropriate swing. Astros General Jeff Luhnow and their name into ’s annals as the A number of YouTube videos demonstrate Manager A.J. Hinch (both were banned from archetypes of corruption in the soon-to-be- how this works to those who want to see this baseball for a year), and the organization was named “Black Sox scandal.” The outcome process in action. fined $5 million. Others implicated in the of this dark bit of baseball history was that One may say that “sign-stealing in scandal were hired as managers elsewhere; SPORTS eight players from the White Sox allegedly baseball has been around for the ‘entire included were Carlos Beltran and Alex Cora, conspired to throw the World Series against history’ of the sport,” but, previously, but they were subsequently fired as public the Cincinnati Reds in order to win money sign-stealing was done without the use outrage grew. However, that is the extent of from gamblers who promised to supplement of technology or with devices that were the punishment for such egregious cheating. their meager income. (White Sox owner unavailable to the opposing teams. The Still worse, the Astros will be allowed to Charles Comiskey was notoriously stingy concept of tipping pitches did not come keep their trophy and will still be recognized with money, and players could not move about by recording other team’s games and as Champions. teams unless released or traded.) Fast- stealing signs, but rather through observing This decision by MLB Commissioner forward 98 years, and baseball has the small changes in a pitcher’s stance or to allow the Astros to modern archetype for corruption in the form mannerisms which “tipped” the batter to escape virtually unharmed and still be of the 2017 Houston Astros. look for a certain pitch. remembered as World Series champions is To recap, the Houston Astros were found The cheating gave the Astros an unfair one that is totally unacceptable. Although the to have stolen signs between the opposing competitive advantage, which they used to commissioner may think the World Series pitcher and catcher using cameras that they win the World Series in 2017, robbing my trophy is “just a piece of metal,” I know set up in their home ballpark. Thus, opposing beloved Yankees of a World Series berth that other baseball fans and I hold far more teams had no chance to conceal their signs, and likely costing the Los Angeles Dodgers respect and veneration for that trophy and giving the Astros an unfair competitive their first World Series title since 1988. the work that it entails. I also suspect another advantage (they went 8-1 at home during the Additionally, it is extremely conceivable reason why the MLB does not want to strip 2017 playoffs). For the uninitiated, baseball that the 2017 Astros team could have won a the Astros of the title: They want people to teams use signs to communicate what World Series without the use of technology, simply forget about it, and 50 years from pitches to throw and where to throw them. making the cheating even more egregious. now, when the record books are written, For example, every time a catcher puts up Still, the worst part of this whole people will read, “Houston Astros, 2017 one finger that means he wants a fastball. If situation is that the players will get away World Series Champions,” and the cheating the catcher holds up two fingers, he wants a largely unpunished, which marks a severe surrounding that team will not be noted. In curveball, and so on. departure from the Black Sox scandal, this way, the MLB hopes that it will simply The method used by the Astros for where eight players were banned from the pass out of memory. stealing signs worked like this. When the game for life. In the MLB’s investigation, However, I can assure you that baseball camera recorded the signal being made by the commissioner Rob Manfred made the fans, especially hardcore fans like me, will opposing team’s coaches, the operator would incredibly short-sighed decision to award all not forget, because memory is much more send it to someone in the dugout, who would players who participated in the investigation important to baseball than to other sports. then bang on a trash can in a rhythmic way, full immunity, meaning that no players who Fans in MLB still talk reverently of players which would be understood by the batter, who were heavily involved in this scandal will be who played 100 years ago, such as Babe Ruth is well-versed in the different rhythms. The punished for their actions. and Ty Cobb, much more than NFL fans talk banging of the trash communicated which At the same time, the only people to be of players like Jim Thorpe or Don Hutson. pitch was coming, making it far easier for punished from within the organizations were I would like to close by comparing this May 2020 THE MONTGAZETTE Page 13 to the steroid era that rocked the MLB and said that he feels “blackballed” by pitching and smart hitting (meaning of the last decade. The decline in the mid-2000s. The late 1990s are the MLB. hitting low numbers of home runs seems to have started around 2007, called the steroid era because of the Some have tried to argue that since but large numbers of hits and walks) according to Forbes, right around remarkable number of home runs hit these players have not been banned to win titles. It is unsubstantiated the time the MLB steroid scandal during that time. Players like Mark from baseball or faced any severe whether the use of steroids changed hits its peak. Since then, the MLB McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry punishment in terms of suspensions the course of baseball history, unlike has seen a couple of years of modest Bonds broke decades-long records for that the Astros should get the same the use of sophisticated technology attendance improvement followed home runs both in a single season and treatment. However, this opinion fails by the Houston Astros, which directly by several years of consistent in a career. These players are largely to take into account the rampant use of resulted in a World Series victory. declines. I think part of this reason credited with saving baseball by the drugs during the time. It is likely I fully support stripping the is because casual fans have become exciting fans and coaxing them back to that each team had multiple players Astros of the title, forcing owner Jim utterly disillusioned with the game the ballparks after the strike season of using steroids, meaning that an unfair Crane to sell or leave the team, and due to its cheating scandals, and the 1994, when there was no World Series. competitive advantage may not have banning the major players involved Astros scandal is another match on However, an investigation later been wholly present. from the game for life. I believe that that fire. revealed that the players I named Unlike the situation with the this is necessary in order to ensure Hardcore fans, like myself, will and a multitude of others, such as Astros, however, using technology and that nothing like this ever happens continue to watch the game, but for Alex Rodriguez, used steroids, which strategies that cannot be duplicated by again (or at least not for another casual fans and younger people, these allowed them to build greater muscle opponents is a vastly more egregious 100 years). More importantly, I scandals will drive them away into mass and hit with more power. These violation. Additionally, players like think that the MLB needs to restore the arms of other sports leagues like players, although not banned from McGwire, Sosa, and Bonds won a integrity to the game for fans. The the NFL. In taking harsh measures, I baseball, have been entirely disgraced grand total of zero World Series titles MLB has had a number of black believe that a small part of the integrity and stand little chance of being during their juicing days. Instead, eyes in recent years in addition to can be restored by making sure that no elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. the teams that won a World Series the Astros scandal, but I think the one dares to attempt to do the same Even Barry Bonds, who would likely during this time period, like the New most worrisome has been the much- things. However, I fear that the actual have been a Hall of Famer before he York Yankees, Florida Marlins, and publicized decline in attendance measures will not do that and may even started juicing has recently come out , relied on strong that has accelerated over the course exacerbate the problem. TRANSFERRED HERE. PROVEN EVERYWHERE. 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Social Media and Your Mental Health disorders. A 2015 study by Scott and others, students in Singapore. The researchers observed a Continued from Page 7. of 11,872 UK adolescents (aged 13-15 years), correlation between nighttime social media usage examines the association between social media and lower amounts of overall sleep. They also The biggest reason behind social media use and multiple sleep parameters. The researchers observed increased levels of daytime sleeping and addiction is FOMO—or the fear of missing out. As asked the young people about the time they spent on impaired functioning after students engaged in late- a part of a BBC News School Report story related social media during a typical school day and on the night social media use. by Reeta Chakrabarti, a group of Year 11 students weekend, and quizzed them on their sleep habits. Although social media leads to problems for participated in a challenge to quit social media One third said they used social media for less than users regarding sleep and emotional well-being, it is for a week. School reporter Sheveen, part of the an hour per day, while for the rest the average was not all bad if people use it wisely—to stay engaged, group, wrote about his experience and says, “As between one and three hours. Those who used social without ruining their sleep. we shut off our devices, I already felt as if I had media for one to three hours were least likely to fall In the end, evidence indicates that heavy usage lost a limb.” asleep late. of social media is harmful to your mental health. Social media addiction can isolate individuals Social media disturbs sleep no matter when It is also strongly associated with depression, from their communities and cause them to become people use it, but it has a more negative effect when addiction, and sleep problems. As such, consider less productive. For example, according to Rob it is used before bed. For instance, Jessica Levinson digital detox as a first step for rebalancing your Nyland and others, an online survey of 184 social and others, in a nationally representative study, usage of social media. A digital detox is not a media users shows that the people who spend assessed a sample of young adults aged between 19 complete absence, mind you: It could be as simple more time on social media were less involved and 32. The researchers found the group who often as turning off notifications. On the other hand, with their real-life communities. Notifications checked social media 30 minutes before the bed was social media has unique features that create new are the main reason for social media addiction more likely to report increased sleep disturbance opportunities. They have a large range of potential because they work as a reminder to people to use compared with those who rarely checked social benefits, including improving interpersonal these apps. By turning off these notifications, media before bed. relationships, providing entertainment, and people can reduce the time they spend on social The effect of social media can go beyond sleep exploring how people interact with the world media. quality and also affect the functioning of people around them. In addition to the addictive quality of social the next day. For example, one study by A. M. A. So, social media can be an asset, or it can media, there may be an association with sleep Nasirudeen and others looked at 1,000 teenage cause harm.

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A traditional table of Ukrainian dishes. Read about it on Page 4. Photo by A. Zhuravleva