re: Dog fighting and Self-Righteousness

In case you haven’t heard.

Scandal has broken out all across the sporting world. From steroids in baseball, to bad boys in football to betting refs in Basketball, being a commissioner in the professional sports world is definately not where it’s at these days.

However, one of these “scandals” that is drawing a lot of attention lately is absolutely driving me crazy. The self-righteous-0-meter, I have, just for occasions like this, actually burst a couple hours ago.

So.. in case you haven’t heard, Michael Vick, of the Atlanta Falcons has recently been linked to a dog fighting ring. Just how involved he is, is yet unclear. But even now, people all across the country at frothing at the mouth, in a rabid rage, screaming fervantly for Vick’s head on a platter.

Snobby rich white folk all across the country are decrying the “inhumanity” of Vick’s actions. Oh wait, did you just hear that? That popping sound… Yup, it was the sound of a self-righteous head filled with hot air exploding!

So what’s my problem with this? Dog fighting is pretty disgusting right? Well, sure. It’s terrible, uncivil and probably inhumane. Sure. But ya know what, these same rich snobby white folk who are straight up tripping are going home to their veil steaks, their chicken sandwiches and all other incarnations of “incivility” to animals.

Where is the outcry for how their dinner was made? Yea, its easy to pick on the rich black southerner. Sure, its easy to call out dog fighting, from many accounts, a cultural affair.

Good god, the level of self-righteousness from these people is absolutely detestable.

Wanna see more? Check out: www.meat.org 

Fair warning, its pretty sickening and just might make you think twice before buying those eggs.
Also.. this isn’t a BECOME A VEGETARIAN sort of rant. And probably (hopefully) not all animals that enter the food chain are treated this way… But if some of them are… isn’t this something worth being outraged over?

Little Men ride High Horses

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2447766

Alright everybody, it's time to get off your high horse and give ol' Barry a break.

I thought I'd be the last person to defend Barry Bonds, but things are getting a little out of control here. It's time everyone takes a step back and gains a little perspective. And ya know, I think I'm just the person to help give it.

First, let me ask a question. If there was a computer program you could install in your computer that would enhance the job you do at work would you install it? Say everyone else in your office was using this computer program and the amount of work they could do was skyrocketing. Now, your boss has sort of said he doesn't want anyone to use this program.. (however, he's always stopped just short of installing a program that would make it impossible to use said software), but he also openly commends and even promotes those using the "illegal" software because of their increased returns. Let me ask you.. how hard would it be to justify the use of this kind of program? You'd get a raise, maybe even a promotion, and everyone would commend you on your great success. Remember, it's not like the computer is doing your job for you, it merely assists and increases your efficiency.

I'm sure there are people out there who wouldn't do it. I'm sure there are people who exist who are so integrous that they couldn't stand the idea of living such a "sham". But let me tell you, if I were in that situation, I can't say I wouldn't be tempted.

So I think the analogy is clear. But let me expand a little more. As fans of Baseball, we are, maybe somewhat indirectly, every player's boss. Depending on the money we spend to go to the games and buy the merchandise, this directly affects a team's bottom line. And what is the number one draw of fans to baseball games? Winning. We pay these guys millions upon millions of dollars to do one thing: Win.

"Oh but Barry destroyed the integrity of the game… he cheeeeeated!"

Look, I'm not defending him. If he took steroids, and I think it's pretty clear that he did, I think most of us would agree that that is cheating. But now he has to spend the rest of his life knowing that his legacy is forever marred. To give a standing ovation because he was hit by a pitch, to somehow thing that any one of us is better than Barry is ridiculous.

"But what Barry did was irresponsible. He put himself at harm! Think of the children!"

Ya know, if kids these days are that heavily influenced by what Barry Bonds is doing, and if all it takes to convince them to use steroids is because ol' Barry did it, well, I'm sorry but we've got way more serious problems in society. And this whole health thing. Good Lord. I just don't get it. If we're so obsessed with being healthy,  why do millions of us smoke, drink to much, overeat, eat bad foods, don't get enough exercise, engage in dangerous behaviour, have unsafe sex… yadda yadda yadda. We get fixated on one vice and ignore all the rest. We set up people like Barry Bonds as these strawmen we can beat down and blame for all of society's ills.

My point is this. I'm not defending Barry or his steroid use. The whole "steroid era" has marred the game and definately given baseball a black eye. But let's give the guy a break. Howabout all of us, as a collective group of fans, move on with our lives. 714 is a big deal, steroids or not. I don't know if he's Hall of Fame worthy. He's never failed a drug test. And so many people have been using them, I have no idea how you begin to decide who goes and who doesn't at this point. And his records? Again, I don't know what needs to be done, but the conversation has to be had in a sane and decent way. Let's remember that these are still people (granted, highly paid and well fed). Any man deserves to be treated better than this.