The Game

I have to say I do like the concept of the game and it relating it to law. For my country I think we work through the phase of the game really well. We discuss all the issues presented and always seem to make decisions on time and add to any ideas or laws we thought as a group were good. I would like there to be more time for the countries to discuss terms on if they are going to team up or go to war. The only way that is going to happen is if the countries have more time to negotiate more. Yes, our country has a plan and is both proactive and reactive. I have to say it depends on the situation for our country to make a quick decision. I would say for our group a real world model may not be the exact model our country follows. May be a combination of models or situations that have happen in the world would better suit us.

The Game

The game is starting to get very interesting. It is hard because we went from the very beginning to all of a sudden present day. So at times my group still thinks that is stone ages, industrial, etc. I understand that we had to move forward quickly do to time. We purposely we very vague so that if we wanted to go back and add or change things with our country we could. This week was interesting because all of a sudden we had conflict with other countries. I think our group doesn't really want any enemies but at the same time we won't make every deal that goes our way. I think a little more time to go over what we want to do privately to decide would of been nice. I like that our group is very easy going so making decisions is really not complicated. I think that some people are very serious about this game and some of us are not. I don't think that we really model any country. I do think that we adopt some of the US policies and ideas. We will see as things progress how our group reacts.

Midterm Review

1. I think that everyone within the group did a great job, of course there was one person who decided to not do the midterm and failed to notify anyone within the group. I think our presentation went quite well. I would definitely rate my performance at a 5 out of 10, and give the rest of my group at least a 7 out of 10.

2. I agree with the rest of my group that the only person who I would want to leave the group has already left and is no longer coming to class. As far as people to add, I really like the chemistry within the group but it would be more engaging by bringing in another some-what opinionated person to add more ideas.

3. A. Showing up  8
B. Doing your fair share 10
C. Being on time 7
D. Responding timely to email and communicating effectively with other members 10
E. Handling conflict among group members 11
F. Being present in the group -- not distracted by outside cell phone calls or text messages when the group is meeting.  9

4. Being understanding and respectful to others ideas
A good listener
showing up
dedication to the group
being able to communicate and compromise

1.  We definitely had a member that did less than the rest, considering that they did not do anything at all.  Overall, it did not affect our performance.  The part designated to that person was relative to our topic but not exactly necessary.  Other than that member the rest of the group contributed at a fairly equal rate.  Since everyone that contributed did so equally, I would have to rate myself 5 out of 10, that is, I was an average contributor in the group.

2.  Given the chance, I would remove the person from our group that did not contribute.  However, since they did not participate they removed their self from the class.  I enjoy our current group dynamics, and would not like to add anyone to our group.  The only benefit I could come up with for adding a member to the group would be to generate more ideas. 

3.  Our group is calm and courteous, so the workplace rules have not been a problem.  Our group is sports and gaming, and having a background in sports helps us appreciate teamwork. 
A-8
B-9
C-6
D-8
E-8
F-8

4.  1) Be Respectful (of peoples time and ideas.)
     2) Be Cooperative (you are working toward the same goal.)
     3) Be Attentive (listen to those in your group.)
     4) Be Communicative (communication is key to success.)
     5) Be Responsible (do your part.)

MidTerm Reflect

1. I do believe that in my group that everyone did their fare share of work and I believe that our presentation performance reflected that. In my opinion, I would give our group a scale of 10. I think everyone contributed equally and I dont think anyone in our group short handed the group.

2. I believe that the person that would remove from our group has already left or dropped out.

3. If you are in a workplace place where there is a common team/ office goal than I believe rules, code, or ethos are important. If everyone is counting on each other. It is important for everyone to respect each other on at least a business level.

A. Showing up in our group was not entirely important. If one or two people show up to class that is good because at least there is someone to make simple decisions in class and than relay the decisions and communicate to the rest of the people in our group. For the most part our group shows up. But if one or two do not. There is an email from at least from someone in the group and from there the work is finished and complete on time. I would have to give the score of 6 because our group communication is so good.

B. Everyone in our group definitely puts in good work and we all have fun. So I would give us a 10.

C. Being on time for blog post I say once again we do a good job. Also for our project we asked everyone to turn there stuff in a little early so everyone in the group got to look at each others and see if we could help in any areas. As for showing up in class. I would have to say we communicate really well and dont require to always show up. I would give our group a 7 seeing how its not really important to the groups strength.

D. Our group communicates efficiently and effectively and we havent had a slip up yet. I give our group a 10.

E. Conflict in our group is handled pretty well. I admit there are usually 3 or 4 boys to 1 girl but she can definitely hold her own. I would give us a score of 8.

F. Our group is not really on the phone when we discuss the game or any other subject. But if we use our phones it is usually to find some type of answer. I would give our group a 7 because it was never a big distraction.

4. Communication, understanding, dedication, compromise, and faith.

Mid Term Review

I would like to start out with I like all of the members of our group and I think I group works very efficiently together. When we originally got our topic there were only two of us in class. So the two of us decided what each other member was going to do for the mid term. I emailed everyone letting them know what they were doing. I was not going to be in the country so before I left I had to rely on Mikah for presenting my portion of the presentation to the class. I would say myself and 3 other members of the group all would get 10s for the midterm. One member would get a 0. He did not show up, nor did he tell us he was not going to make it.
The member that did not show up would be the one that I would remove. Honestly I would not want any new members added to our group. Our dynamic is really good and a new personality may just throw it off.
We don't really have rules in our group. Our group is usually pretty focused on whatever task we have. There are times when a couple of people are missing but when that happens I am usually the one who fills everyone else in on what needs to be done. We all text and email eachother, and so far I think that it has seemed to work out great. I think we are all pretty easy going and have most of the same views on several topics.
Showing up- 9
Doing your fair share- 10 (we usually divide all responsibilities so one person is not doing more than the other)
Being on time-7-not that important, if you are late its not a huge deal unless we have a presentation to do.
Communication- 10 to me is the most important of all. Especially with a smaller group when all of us cannot make it to every class.
Conflict-  we have not had any
Being present- 8

Rules for group
1. Willing to compromise
2. Listening to others ideas
3. Communication
4. Hitting dead lines
5. Showing up

Steroids in Cycling

Some people are permitted to use steroids for medical purposes.  Unfortunately, for professional athletes, they are prohibited from using these types of drugs.  However, some people cannot hep themselves.  Some could argue that using steroids can be beneficial and that athletes should be allowed to use them.  Most others have come to agree that steroids are too harmful to the human body, and if some athletes use them other participants are at an unfair disadvantage.  Since the athletes are limited by not using steroids there rights are being reduced.

The other end of the spectrum is that all athletes are allowed and actually encouraged to take steroids.  Some say that the corticosteroids and EPO would allow athletes to regenerate after injury would be beneficial.  Athletes could get back to playing their sports more quickly and effectively, further increasing the competiveness of sports.

When I think about steroids in professional cycling one name comes to mind, Lance Armstrong.  He became infamous last year following the reading of the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) report.  The 202 page report, supported by 1000 pages of evidence said they found Armstrong guilty of using PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs).  After which, Armstrong sued USADA stating they did not have jurisdiction to bring the case forward, and that if forced to arbitrate his case, he would not receive due process.  Soon after the lawsuit was dismissed, and Armstrong decided to no longer fight the case. 

In 2006 there was an allegation of PED use by Armstrong.  During a post-operation examination of Armstrong after brain surgery in 1996 he allegedly admitted to using EPO, cortisone, steroids, testosterone, and HGH.  SCA Promotions, a Texas company, attempted to keep five million dollars in bonus from Armstrong because of the allegation.  However, the case was settled out of court with SCA and Tailwind Sports paying Armstrong 7.5 million.  Since the decision last year by the USADA, SCA Promotions has sent a letter to Armstrong asking that he pay them 12 million, a counter-offer of one million has alleged been offered by his legal staff.  The federal government has joined in the whistle-blower lawsuit against Armstrong, and he could lose 90 million. 

USADA is not a government organization, however, half of their budget comes from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  USADA is responsible for implementing the World Anti-Doping Code.  The World Anti-Doping Code has been adopted by 600 sport organizations, and almost 200 countries.  The World Anti-Doping Code sets a bar across these countries to regulate and try to eliminate steroid use. 

Power to control anti-doping has been given to the federal government by way of a treaty.   UNESCO International Conference of Doping in Sport is the first international treaty against PED’s.  The conference was held in 2005 and went into effect in 2007.  The treaty legally binds federal governments to align domestic policy with the World Anti-Doping code. 

Lance Armstrong Confession to Oprah-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxkULBtpF3s

Lance Armstrong Federal Lawsuit-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sCTDftgx8U

Lance Armstrong Legal Issues-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhtGkiXgw20

World Anti-Doping Code Wikipedia -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Anti-Doping_Code

Armstrong Doping Case Wiki-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Armstrong_doping_case#2010-2012_Federal_Inquiry

Armstrong Wiki-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Armstrong#History_of_allegations_of_doping

USADA Wiki-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Anti-Doping_Agency

NYT Armstrong  Government Suit-  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/23/sports/cycling/justice-department-will-join-lawsuit-against-armstrong.html?pagewanted=all