Dome Pondering

2008. Another year, another chapter. 2008 has shown us all many things about ourselves, our society, our country, and most of all, about our world. As we jump into 2009, like last year ( 2007 Year In Review ), let's give out some awards, predict the future, and look back on the roller coaster of a ride that was 2008.

This past month, the sports world lost many significant individuals as they decided to hang up the jersey or clipboard, and ride off into the sunset. After years of service in their sport, which included masterpiece seasons, unmatched dedication, and tremendous competitive spirits; many memories, mere trivial answers, and for some, immortality into the Hall of Fame is now their destiny. A path they willingly chose. Except For one individual. On December 11, 2008, Cuttino Mobley was forced to retire due to a condition known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, or HCM. According to medical definition, HCM is a genetic heart disease that creates a thickening of the heart wall muscle and accounts for over 40% of all deaths on athletic fields across the country. One in every 500 North Americans are diagnosed with HCM. HCM can be detected and treated to allow normal and productive lives. However, if got unprotected, HCM can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, and most cases, death. Cuttino Mobley, a p

At the conclusion of the 2008 baseball season, two of the greatest pitchers of this generation have decided to retire, Greg Maddux and Mike Mussina. For most of the last three decades, both men have performed above all else, rising to the top of the league's best, despite pitching during what has now become known as the "steroid era." Chicks might dig the long ball, but these two had more substance than substances to win over baseball purists as well as the casual fan. We were very much privelaged to witness the careers of two greats. Mussina, better know as "Moose", began his career with the Baltimore Orioles and spent nine years with them after rapidly blazing through Stanford University and rising through the minors. After his stint with the Orioles, Moose later joined the Yankees we all had the opportunity to watch him flourish from his prime years into an elder that reinvented himself to finally achieve winning twenty games in his final season. Moose has a

So when the image of the professional athlete could not get any worse, Plaxico Burress happens. In the wake of a fallen economy, and tough times, the nation looks toward sports, their teams, and their athletes to take them away from their lives. Their reality. It's a position that brings athletes fame, fortune, and wealth at the expense of their fan base. All in exchange for removing them from reality. However, Plaxico Burress had reality brought to him several days ago when he shot himself in New York. Plaxico Burress pulled the trigger on his career in more ways than one. After several days of this situation unraveling, questions have been raised about the safety of professional athletes. Are they in danger? Have they ever felt threatened? Are they justified in carrying firearms? All of these questions can be debated due to the tragic incidents regarding, Eddy Curry, Steve Smith, and the late Sean Taylor. However, Burress' situation is less sympathetic due to harming himself