Oh… and I have officially given up on society. It has become so jaded and cynical.
I heard a caller on the radio this morning claiming NBC screwed up by not showing the euthanizing of Eight Belles at the derby. People on all the blogs are claiming that they never would have let their kids help another player from the other team score because winning is more important. Finally in the chronicle Ortiz (rapidly climbing to my least favorite writer behind Justice) asked everyone to "Lay off Clemens."
"I don't know about any of you, but I think we're all sinners. Moreover, I find it pathetic that so many folks have decided to pile on Clemens and his family, especially since some trashy tabloid articles appeared." "I'd like to say it's time for folks to leave Roger Clemens and his family alone. Some of you would say he brought this upon himself, and that may be true. But, really, who are we to judge?"
First he says we don't have the right to judge when actually we do… once Roger started giving press releases bashing McNamee and proclaiming his innocence he put this in the public forum. He, not someone else, Roger Clemens himself tried to make his case in public. In fact, he asked for it. He went on ESPN, he gave statements in front of Congress that were televised, he held press conferences and the whole time he claimed he was innocent and McNamee was a liar and a cheat. Well turns out his hubris and arrogance has backfired and now guys like Ortiz are saying, "Give the guy a break." Where was Ortiz when everyone was calling McNamee a cheater, a liar and a rapist.
Then he says, we are all sinners so we shouldn't pile on Clemens. "Come on, everyone is guilty of something." Now he isn't even defending Clemens. He is defending his actions. I am physically ill that our society has gotten to the point that the norm is people cheat and lie so it should be considered okay. Everyone is guilty of something so we shouldn't look down at an adulterer who may or may not have committed statutory rape?!?! I hate the guys who say, "Come on… all these ballplayers are cheating and/or sleeping around so why is Clemens any different?" You're right. He isn't any different. They are all scumbags. He just happened to get caught so he should be held accountable. Disgusting that we try and say since everyone is scum he should be let off the hook. The man took a vow and he is supposed to be a father and a role model. Screw the fact that as an athlete he has a responsibility to his fans to act as a role model (which they are whether they or us want them to be) but as a father he has a much greater responsibility to teach his kids right and wrong. How is that okay with people?
No matter how hard we try and tell our kids that these players are not role models try this on. I was
hanging out with a friend who has a 9 year old son. His son got a D on a test. His father, my friend, proceeded to tell his son he was disappointed in his
score and effort and that they would study together to get a better grade on the next math test. His dad then put on his Pence jersey and proceeded to cheer on
Hunter Pence while his son watched on. Do you actually believe that his 9 yeal old son is able to separate his father being disappointed with him and then
wearing a jersey with someone else's name on it and cheering for this kid on TV. Just from watching this I got the distinct impression that he wanted his
dad to be as proud of him as he was of Pence and at that moment he wasn't. Now 10 minutes later his dad was laughing and playing with him and he probably
forgot all about it... but what about that kid whose dad isn't as caring or around and wasn't able to spend time with him. Sometimes people act like
they think we want them to be. It is this reason that all public figures should be held to a higher standard. And before you tell me they are just people I
would like to point out their huge paychecks. they get paid to be in the spotlight and they need to be held accountable for the actions they take while that
spotlight is on them.
