I’m very tempted to give up on watching/following sports, at least professional sports. I’ve already scaled back my viewing and I’m definitely not as passionate about sports as I once was. Suppose part of that can be attributed to growing older and more mature (hah!), but I don’t think so. Many sports teams’ most ardent fans are middle-age and older. My parents weren’t big sports fans while we were growing up (perhaps they were a little busy raising six kids), but they were big Giants, A’s and 49er fans in their later years.
No, I think my lessening interest is based on cynicism and realism. And it has nothing to do with how much money todays athletes make. I don’t begrudge these guys what they make, it’s what the market bears. Whenever someone tells me athletes are overpaid, I ask them if they feel the same way about Tom Cruise or John Travolta getting $30 million for one movie. I also point out that if athletes were paid less, the paying public would still be paying the same, the only difference would be that the filthy rich owners would get to keep more of the profits. That’s because they charge the paying public what the paying public is willing to pay. I actually believe most football players are underpaid. It’s a dangerous, violent sport that wreaks havoc on one’s body and many will pay a high price when the bill comes due in later years.
Now, where was I? Oh yeah, cynicism and realism. Wait, before getting to that, let’s talk about the hoax. You know, Manti Te’o and the ‘relationship’-that-wasn’t-a-real-relationship-and-then-turned-out-not-to-be-even-a-real-non-relationship. At first I figured Manti had to be in on it, but after reading more about him and the situation, today I would put my money on him being a victim, although I’m not sure of anything in this weird saga. Here’s my take: 1.Manti has never been class valedictorian, 2. Manti thinks mostly of 3 things, football, football, and football, 3. Manti leans toward the gullible. Evidence of this is that he’s a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (aka the Mormon Church), a religion founded by a religious ‘seer’ and convicted criminal who had the angel Moroni appear before him and lead him to some golden tablets, which he interpreted (they were in some ancient language, don’t ask me how he knew that language) and then conveniently disposed of at the behest of the angel. (For the record, I’ve met many Mormons and they are invariably very nice people. Given half a chance, I’ll mock most religions). We’ll see how this plays out, but as of today I mostly believe Manti.
All right, back to sports, cynicism, and realism. I just don’t know what professional athlete out there deserves my support (surely athletes everywhere are devastated). If I’m going to invest myself into cheering for someone, I’d like to believe they’re someone I can semi-trust, believe, and like, at least a little, on a personal level. They don’t have to be a saint(ain’t none of us are), but at least a mostly decent, mostly honest person who isn’t a cheater and has some compassion and empathy for their fellow human beings. It appears there are fewer and fewer of those folks around in the sports world, which is full of liars, cheats, selfishness, self-absorption, entitlement, and criminality.
Let’s take a look at some examples:
Lance Armstrong. After more than ten years of denials stronger than Hercules, bullying witnesses, suing and threatening to sue anyone who claimed he was a cheater, self-righteous indignation that anyone could possibly believe he cheated, guess what? Actually, you don’t have to guess. Everyone now knows he’s admitted that yes, he did indeed do all the cheating he’d spent years vehemently denying. He apparently also treats most people like day-old dog-doo. What a creep.
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, et al. Lumping these steroid cheats and liars together. Not only are they cheats and liars, but like Lance, most of them treat others like dog-doo, especially Bonds and Clemens. Bonds told a Congressional committee he thought his steroids were flaxseed oil. Clemens testified that it was his wife who took the steroids. Palmeiro jabbed his finger at a Congressional committee and said ”Let me start by telling you this: I have never used steroids, period. I don’t know how to say it any more clearly than that. Never.” Guess what he tested positive for later that year?
Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens future Hall-of-Fame linebacker. Not only does he do a ridiculous and juvenile dance when introduced before a game, in 2000 he was implicated in a murder. Long story short: at a nightclub, Ray’s entourage gets into a drunken brawl with another group, two guys in other group stabbed in the heart, both die, Ray ends up getting probation for obstruction of justice for lying about the events, no one is convicted of the murders. Facing Mr. Lewis in the upcoming Super Bowl will be S.F. 49er Michael Crabtree, interviewed by S.F. police last week about an alleged sexual assault. To be fair to Mr. Crabtree, no charges have been filed and the accusation could be completely fabricated. For his and his teams sake, I hope that’s the case. If the accusation is true, I hope he gets the book thrown at him and spends Super Bowl Sunday in jail. Whatever happened, let’s hope the truth comes out.
Sergio Romo. The Giants World Series star was detained at McCarran Airport in Vegas after he became belligerent with a TSA officer. Sergio couldn’t provide the proper forms of identification to clear security and was detained after becoming “angry and aggressive” with the agent. He was cited for violating airport rules and released, was not allowed to fly and was escorted out of the airport. Minor compared to the others, but still.
Phil Mickelson. This is the one that stings the most and got me going off on this tangent. I always liked Phil. He was one of those guys you cheered for and thought, ‘he’s a good guy, I hope he wins’. Now, he didn’t get arrested, didn’t assault anyone, didn’t cheat, wasn’t even rude to anyone. His crime was showing that he’s just another self-absorbed, entitled, clueless, jackass athlete. California voters just approved Prop. 30, which raised the sales tax on everyone and income taxes on the wealthy. So Phil whined, “There are going to be some drastic changes for me because I happen to be in that zone that has been targeted both federally and by the state and, you know, it doesn’t work for me right now. So I’m going to have to make some changes… I’ve got to make some decisions on what I’m going to do.” The implication being that he will join most of his fellow golfers in moving to Texas or Florida, states that have no state income tax. It begs the question, “If Phil’s not a stand-up guy, who in sports is?” And the partial answer is ‘maybe no one’, although data is still being collected.
Phil made about $60 mil in 2012 and is worth about $200 mil. So what he made in a week in 2012 is more than most people make in ten years (assuming they had a job). What he made in a month in 2012 is more than most people will earn in a lifetime. Plus, he gets most stuff, not only free, but often he gets paid for using it. In fact, he makes much more in endorsements than he does on the golf course. So Nike or Titleist or someone pays him to use their equipment so the poor shlubs working paycheck to paycheck will go out and purchase it. On top of all the $$ he makes he gets free equipment, clothes, cars, expensive watches, etc. He stays for free at exclusive hotels, dines for free at fancy restaurants. Phil lives in the exclusive enclave of Rancho Santa Fe, just north of San Diego. Yet he still whines. Go ahead and uproot your family to save a couple of bucks Phil. Move away from friends and family, I’m sure your young kids can make new friends, same with your wife. You own a jet so you guys can easily fly back to visit the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Move to one of those flat, hot, humid states with no state income tax. They both have misogynistic, reactionary Governors, guys you probably have a lot in common with.
Phil’s whine reminds me of what basketball player and noted thug Latrell Sprewell said several years ago. He was 34 and in the last year of his contract, making $14.6 million/year and was asked if he would play out the season and test the free-agent market, ”Why would I want to help them win a title? They’re not doing anything for me (besides paying him $14.6 mil!!). I’m at risk. I have a lot of risk here. I got my family to feed.” He was on the downside of his career and was upset the team was ‘only’ offering $30 million to extend his contract for three years, calling it ”insulting.” Phil, you’re not in good company. Of course, Phil has apologized for his insensitive comments. I always laugh at those apologies, which almost always are written by the athletes lawyer/agent and are as sincere as Rush Limbaugh at a Weight Watchers meeting.
So, to wrap up this (probably nonsensical) squawk, here’s a summary of how I currently feel about rooting for anyone in the sports world: Unless I personally know them and like them, why should I root for anyone? Who are the honest, decent, believe-in-fair-play guys and who are the scoundrels? Who truly appreciates what they have and are thankful for their good fortune and who thinks they are a gift from the gods who are entitled to anything they desire and daily treat others like dog-doo? If half the 49er team believed Pres. Obama was a Kenyan-born Muslim who wants to take away their freedoms and should be impeached, why would I ever root for them? If a great tennis player was a cheapskate who was rude, vulgar, and treated everyone with haughty disdain, why would I root for her?
At least for me, it’s not easy being a sports fan these days.
John Travolta; the noted Scientologist is paid tens of millions of dollars for making movies like this and no one bats an eye; a top running back in the NFL making $5 mil/year who’s constantly getting pounded by guys weighing 50-100 pounds more than he, and some folks are outraged. My suggestion to those folks: Google Earl Campbell.
Manti Te’o; was he in on the hoax? Maybe, but probably not. If you’re asking “How could he have been fooled?”, read up on the history of the religion he devoutly believes in.
Lance Armstrong, indicating how many times he won the Tour de’ France; that’s also the number of times he cheated to win the Tour de’ France, as well as the number of Tour de’ France titles he was stripped of for doping/cheating. By most accounts, the serial liar treats others like day-old dog-doo; it’s good to know there sometimes is justice in the world.
Ray Lewis; many adolescent boys have a poster of the future hall of famer hanging on their bedroom walls, but probably none include this photo.
January 25th, 2013 at 2:17 am
So true Dan! Again, you have hit a home run. Some of us have held these people in high esteem only to later find out they cheated, lied and cared nothing about fairness or competing in a legal manner to attain the goal of champion.
It has gotten to the point that when I look at star athletes I can see by their neck muscles or deltoids that suspicion lies abundantly that they are most likely guilty of juicing. The whole thing has become commonplace and rampant.
As for Mickelson, he is a fool for not recognizing that if he was anywhere else he would probably been denied to opportunity to become a star athlete with endless riches, a prime example of “only in America”. I hope he does move from my state. I am sure he’ll make a handsome reward on his real estate investment on his way out. We really have little use for the stingy people who fail to recognize that they made it to where they are because of people like us, common (non-rich) folks.
As for your digest of the Joseph Smith story, I find myself amused when I hear the refrain of my christian friends suggesting that that religion is so contrived. The word ‘Irony’ comes a screaming.
Keep them coming my man. I need the smiles and you certainly have found a great delivery system.
January 25th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Thanks Bob. Most fans only care about watching and rooting for their favorite players/teams and don’t care about the other stuff, I find it difficult to do that. Not saying my way is right and their’s is wrong, just the way it is. And yes, in religion there’s a lot of pot-calling-the-kettle-black, haha.
January 25th, 2013 at 4:04 am
Yeah, what he said!!
Dan, I’ve won a few very old bets on Lance Armstrong this week. I remember saying back in 2003 when he was first seen hot and heavy with Sheryl Crow that a man who is seen out with a new hootchie-mama before the ink is dry on his divorce papers from his wife who gave birth last week (or thereabouts) to his child would be likely to cheat in his professional life as well as his personal life. No integrity or empathy. I was also not surprised when he announced his split from Sheryl just as she discovered her breast cancer. I could picture him saying, “My cancer is more important than your cancer. It’s all about me-me-me,” on his way out the door. I think he meets the criteria for being a psychopath.
Like you, I’m disappointed in Phil Mickelson. I remember not too long ago when one of his daughter’s classmate’s father was in a serious car accident that left him disabled. Phil showed up with workers, equipment, and construction supplies, widened doorways and put in ramps before the man was home from the hospital. I’m really sorry to see this other money-grubbing side of Phil. It SO plays in to that mantra of Republicans that if we tax the rich they’ll move out of the country.
Remember the baseball strike back in the early ’90′s? Millionaires quibbling about who gets more millions and who gets fewer millions. It dampened the enthusiasm of fans (including me) for years. And then a few years later we had McGwire and Sammy duking it out for the home run record. I had just moved to Chicago, and I was suddenly excited about baseball again. Cliff and I were sitting in Wrigley field when Sammy hit the run that tied him with McGwire, 58-58. By the end of the game, McGwire had pulled ahead again, but for the fans at Wrigley it was all magic. Sammy could do no wrong. He caught an easy pop fly to right field and we were all on our feet going crazy. And then, a few years later, Sammy’s bat cracks to display cork. What a disillusionment.
Too many “heroes” with feet of clay. I wonder if the value of sports memorabilia is declining along with the reputations of the athletes.
As for poor Manti Te’o, he’s clearly not the brightest crayon in the box. But the news is full of stories every day of people who are bamboozled into “relationships” with people they “met” on the internet. Scammers paradise.
Cheers!
January 25th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
You were ahead of the curve on Lance, Carla. I knew he dated Sheryl Crow, but I don’t recall knowing about the soon-after-divorce/birth angle or her cancer. Regardless, he had me bamboozled. I remember the French hated him, they were sure he was doping, and I thought they were just jealous because he was an American. My bad.
Yes, I remember the baseball strike and the McGwire/Sosa homerun duel bringing fans back to the game. Cool that you got to witness some of it firsthand, too bad it all turned out to be an illusion. That corked bat incident sealed it for me.
I was not aware of Phil’s good deed for his daughters classmates father, but a week ago I probably would have thought, “Sounds like Phil, what a great guy”. Today I think, “Harumph, a publicity stunt arranged by his agent”. Kind of sad.
And yes, Manti isn’t the only one to be scammed, one of the reasons I mostly believe his story.
January 25th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Thought I might skip reading this one. So glad I didn’t! You’ve got the gift, Dan.
Manti – his youth combined with his religion do fully explain the extent of his gullibility. However, it is also true that once he discovered the truth he continued to perpetuate the lie. Nowhere near as ugly as fabricating the story himself, but an unfortunate choice, as he’s now discovered.
Phil – yes, now that one has really has me bugged. Living here in SanDiego I was tempted to trot over to the tournament yesterday to hold up a sign saying, “Pay your taxes and be glad you’re not poor.”
For the record, he did apologize from the greens at Torrey Pines on Tuesday with his publicist at his side, having realized he soon would be crossing paths with his local adoring public, not to mention the tournament food preparers and toilet cleaners. However, he only apologized for saying those things out loud, not for being a greedy ungrateful asshole living who has benefited from growing up and living in this incredible state. Frankly, I’m glad he said it; I’d rather know he’s a greedy asshole than believe the facade.
January 25th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Funny you almost skipped it Kim, I was tempted to put a warning at the beginning because I figured it would be a boring topic and didn’t want anyone wasting their time if not interested in it. Glad you ended up enjoying it!
Bad timing for Phil having to play in front of the hometown crowd right after his tax whine. I see he didn’t have a very good 1st round, wonder how the crowd treated him. My guess: a few boo’s and catcalls, but those were outweighed by cheers/loving adoration. As for his ‘apology’, I’m already on record on how I feel about that kind of malarkey. You still have 3 more days to head over to Torrey Pines w/your sign!
January 25th, 2013 at 6:49 pm
Soon after reading your blog I came across an interesting post (see link). These are the stories rarely picked up by the media, which truly is a shame.
I love the photo that accompanies the story on Facebook, but for those who can’t access it, I’ve posted the text, below. Enjoy!!!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588975677786617&set=o.117316994986024&type=1&theater
Very little has been said about this…..On December 2, Basque athlete Iván Fernández Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre. He was running second, some distance behind race leader Abel Mutai – bronze medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the London Olympics. As they entered the finishing straight, he saw the Kenyan runner – the certain winner of the race – mistakenly pull up about 10 meters before the finish, thinking he had already crossed the line.
Fernández Anaya quickly caught up with him, but instead of exploiting Mutai’s mistake to speed past and claim an unlikely victory, he stayed behind and, using gestures, guided the Kenyan to the line and let him cross first.
Ivan Fernandez Anaya, a Basque runner of 24 years who is considered an athlete with a big future (champion of Spain of 5,000 meters in promise category two years ago) said after the test:
“But even if they had told me that winning would have earned me a place in the Spanish team for the European championships, I wouldn’t have done it either. I also think that I have earned more of a name having done what I did than if I had won. And that is very important, because today, with the way things are in all circles, in soccer, in society, in politics, where it seems anything goes, a gesture of honesty goes down well.”
He said at the beginning: “unfortunately, very little has been said of the gesture. And it’s a shame. In my opinion, it would be nice to explain to children, so they do not think that sport is only what they see on TV: violent kicks in abundance, posh statements, fingers in the eyes of the enemy …”
January 25th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Thanks Kim, that’s a great story, but… I have become rather cynical in my later years. A couple of questions that pop out at me: 1. how can an experienced runner miss the finish line that’s 10 meters in front of him? There’s usually a tape stretched across, but even if there wasn’t, there would have been something to signify the finish line. Why wouldn’t the crowd help him if he was obviously confused? The runner who helped him seems a little too anxious to get recognized for his good deed, although perhaps something’s lost in translation. As for the media, they love this kind of feel-good story, so if it happened as described and they all missed it, it wasn’t intentional. Just my cynical take.
January 25th, 2013 at 9:03 pm
Oh boy, you’re a tough one, Dan!!!! And I thought I was a cynic! A friend who lives in New Jersey tells me she did hear this story on the news when it happened, so I guess some outlets carried it, but not very far. I don’t question why the first runner wasn’t aware of the finish line, as I can think of many reasons why that could happen in a distance run (including a diverse crowd unable to communicate his mistake in any sort of clear and understandable way). But I do agree the second runner was more than happy to get the story out there. Honestly, I have NO problem with that at all. I prefer that by a mile, to the stories some athletes are busy trying to hide.
January 25th, 2013 at 9:26 pm
Haha, I’ve been fooled too many times so ‘cynical’ is my default reaction to most things. I’ll assume it’s true as told, the sports world needs good stories like this!
January 26th, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Dan, I think the only sporting event you could go to and not be cynical, is the Special Olympics. I attended quite a few, when my brother with Downs Syndrome participated.. So many wonderful stories happen. Its the only sports event where the athletes have no egos, and seeing old friends is more important than winning….where last place finishers are given hugs and kisses from the “winners”. Fond memories for me.
January 28th, 2013 at 4:38 pm
That’s interesting Lois, I was at an umpires meeting yesterday and an umpire was discussing her experience umpiring at last years Special Olympics. She said it was the best experience she’s ever had in umpiring and encouraged anyone who is given the opportunity to work at a Special Olympics to take it. I’ll root for those athletes any day.
January 29th, 2013 at 1:24 am
I agree with much of what you’re saying Dan, and statistically there are likely more athletes with criminal records than most professions. I think that has much to do with their upbringing. Football and basketball are often the only way out of a bleak future for many inner-city youth; lack of positive role models, lousy education, etc.,; combine that with instant wealth/fame and it often adds up to unruly behavior. As far as the “entitlement” attitude I think that permeates the wealthy, no matter what their background or chosen profession. Tim and I stayed at an extremely nice (and expensive) “special occasion” hotel recently and I had to laugh when this middle-aged, overweight, man walked into the semi-formal dining room for breakfast in the room-appointed slippers and robe. Really? Did the rest of the guests need to see him fresh out bed, too lazy to actually get dressed!? We also overheard a man as we were checking out yelling at the poor, minimum wage paid desk clerk about why he shouldn’t have to pay for his third night. I have no idea what it was about and maybe he was in the right, but he didn’t need to make a scene and humilitate this young girl.
Don’t give up on Phil. He is a good guy who made a stupid comment. Altho’ I agree with you that apologies are often PR statements from someone other than the apologizer, I believe Phil when he admitted he made a mistake by whining and really seemed genuine. Thank God the press doesn’t care about some of the stupid things I’ve said for all the world to know!
San Diego also has had Tony Gwynn, Junior Seau (RIP), Phillip Rivers, and others like them who have given millions to our city through their philanthropic foundations. So have faith, there are always going to be some athletes to cheer for!!!
P.S. I worked at a couple of Special Olympic events and can guarentee none of those athletes cheated or were doping, and although they liked to win, they were just as happy for the person who beat them! All professional athletes should be required to work a Special Olympics event…it would humble them and teach them much.
January 29th, 2013 at 4:21 am
Cheryl, the only problem with Phil is that he only apologized for SAYING what he said. He hasn’t apologized to the people of California (a state that has been VERY good to him) for wanting to leave to get out of paying his taxes? He grew up learning to play golf at Torrey Pines, one of the finest golf courses in the country — a municipal public golf course! He went to ASU – a state subsidized school! I find it obscene how quickly some who are wealthy ignore the incredible benefits that even they reap, thanks to the city, state and country in which they live.
January 29th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
My response is above.
January 29th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
My response is above.
January 29th, 2013 at 6:08 am
As a former high school cheerleader who loved supporting our sport teams…and having had a boyfriend who was an excellent athlete “naturally” in baseball & golf but never made it to the pros…I find my self TOTALLY uninterested in professional sports. The athletes are overpaid and have ridiculous egos (as do many of their family members). I also feel that actors, comedians, singers, broadcasters et al. are in the same category. I don’t watch the news & do not subscribe to newspapers. Never read anything about Manti T’eo. Kept asking my semi-pro, non-doping bike racer son about Lance & he would always say, “Mom, he’s doping…all the pros are.” Unfortunately for golf, only recently have lower & middle class kids been able to move up the pro golf ladder. That’s a good thing, or should be. And how quickly they forget their roots & become egoistic, probably 99.9% of the time. It is true that many of the football & basketball players come from marginal backgrounds and have no training in handling money (kind of like lottery winners) coupled with the idolatry that goes on, leading them to really poor behavior. Until we stop idealizing them, pay them more realistic wages (please, don’t tell me “but they have such a short career they have to be paid well” because I don’t buy that). The pro drafting should only happen after their education is complete so they have a regular career they can go to once their physical self can no longer play the sport. The “Golden Rule” is not followed in our culture. Until it is, my “ideal” US society is a ways off. Unfortunate! Of course, Dan, keep writing because you make such sense out of this nonsense! Love, Auntie V
January 29th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Cheryl, Kim, Auntie V., here’s my cynically realistic reply:Cheryl, I’m w/Kim on Phil. His whiney bitch statement openned the door for the Right to make all kinds of noise on how California’s taxes are going to be counter-productive, driving scores of rich folks to greener pastures. F*** Phil. Yes, folks from priviledged backgrounds can be fools, slobs, and thugs similar to those w/lousy backgrounds, just like those from lousy backgrounds can rise to be good, decent people. People are People and you’ll find the good and the bad in all social classes. Athletes w/charitable foundations also benefit from those foundations. They get good PR, they get tax benefits, friends and family are well-paid staff of the foundation, etc. The charities also benefit, but let’s keep it in perspective.
Auntie V, you may feel athletes, actors, etc., are overpaid, but remember, it’s based on what the free market dictates. As I said in the post, the fans are going to be charged the same no matter where the money goes. Personally, I prefer most of the money going to the athletes or actors who work hard at their craft and who the public is actually paying to see, rather than further fattening the bank accounts of the already obscenely rich team owners or movie studios. As for making an athlete finish his/her education before being allowed to play professionally, that’s not realistic or even lawful. I’m sure you have your reasons for not watching the news or subscribing to newspapers, but I watch the news and subscribe to two newspapers. As for Chuck saying all the pro bikers doped, he may or may not be right, but I don’t buy it. That’s how Lance Armstrong justified his doping, saying something like “I didn’t think it was cheating because everyone did it”. F*** Lance.
January 30th, 2013 at 3:39 am
One more thing, Dan. I absolutely think the owners of these teams, among others, earn much too much. I really don’t believe in capitalism but I also don’t believe in communism as it was imposed in eastern Europe. I believe we need a major overhaul throughout the world and I’ll be hoopin’ & hollerin’ when that day arrives. Thank goodness I keep getting lessons in patience…..;o) XOXOXO Auntie V.
January 30th, 2013 at 4:19 pm
Haha, I re-read what I wrote and I do sound grumpy, don’t I? I’ll blame it on Phil and Lance. While I love your vision for the world, I’m terribly pessimistic about it coming to fruition. Hope you’re right and I’m wrong. Perhaps there is a lot of bull in the t.v. news/newspapers, but I find if one sifts out the bull, one can generally glean some useful info.
January 30th, 2013 at 3:34 am
Oops…sounds like you got out of bed on your left foot, Dan…mighty grouchy. I do hear you! I don’t agree with the way money is distributed here & most other parts of the world. I am, it seems, a democratic socialist & I am proud of it. Gotta change my registration because I definitely am not a repugnican since I am in such disagreement with the power, selfishness and greediness that motivates them. Why do we pay folk who do manual labor or work in the service industries so little? Why are most teachers earning just average wages? Why shouldn’t everyone have healthcare available to them? Why should 1% of the population control so much? I am really tired of middle-class people buying into the idea that Mitt was accurate when he said 49% (?) of USians were on the dole. Come on now! We are so bamboozled by the politicians, pundits, media. That’s why I rarely watch the news or read the papers. It’s all bull! PEACE, now that’s something I totally believe in and will continue to…and eventually the rest of the spiritual beings have a human experience will follow along. I love you, Dan! You’re so passionate! Keep it up!!!
Love, hugs & smooches, Auntie V
April 18th, 2013 at 8:14 pm
I got caught up on your posts. I seem to agree with everything you write about. Maybe there was something in the water we drank in San Ramon circa 1968? More logical it was the era we grew up in. I do believe that even though we were goofy kids trying our best to figure out a way to cut class, we were never-the-less way more socially conscience than your average run of the mill kid today. I know, I’m around them everyday. This doesn’t mean they’re bad kids, just uninformed and not very aware of what’s going on around them. Why? I have no idea. They don’t seem to have passion for social justice or for others suffering, especially those of third world countries. What relates to your posts are the questions; “Who are these kids listening to?”, “Who are their heros?”. Well a lot of them are the athletes you mentioned in your blogs; the crappy music they listen to today; and the awful movies and movie stars that make them. Where is the voice of their generation? I remember for us it was Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Hubert Humphry (yes Hubert), even Johnson did a lot of good civil rights work,George Carlin, Paul Neuman, Robert Redford, not to mention all the awesome music we had.
I don’t know why we listen to all the sports and movie heros of today or from the past for that matter. What do they really know about anything important? We treat them like Kings that have all the answers to world and personal issues!! Why??!! Speaking from experience, they live in this false world where everyone kisses their ass and thinks that because they can ACT or THROW a ball they automatically were also blessed with great wisdom. and intelligence capable of giving me life advice and solving world problems. My experience with them has been the opposite. They tend to be grown up kids who want to play, be worshiped and blow off anyone who can’t do something for them.
Whew. I sound like Grumpy Old Man now. So be it. I don’t think I’m too far off base. Keep bloggin Brother.
April 18th, 2013 at 9:26 pm
Thanks Bobby. If you’re ‘Grumpy Old Man’ I’m ‘Grumpier Old Man’. You pose good questions, I sure as hell don’t know the answers, but I’ll throw out a couple of guesses. We grew up in a time when nuclear war was a real threat. We also had two huge social issues in Civil Rights and the very unpopular Vietnam War. Mix those w/the charismatic leaders you mention (even Hubert “The Happy Warrior” Humphrey!) and you have people paying attention to what’s going on.
IMHO, todays parents are over-protective and prone to spoiling their kids. In our day we got a meager allowance, we played outdoors w/out adult supervision, road our bikes (w/out helmets) for miles to the store, golf course, or wherever. Now, parents organize kids activities, drive them wherever they need to go, buy them whatever they want.
How did we get this Culture of Celebrity? The ubiquitous media devices is my guess. And why do celebrities act the way they do? Because they can! No one ever tells them ‘no’, no one ever tells them they’re wrong, no one ever corrects them. Instead, they’re told 24/7 how great they are and how lucky the world is to have them. Puh-lease!
Anyway, ‘Grumpier’ could go on but there’s a varsity girls softball game at Dougherty Valley H.S. I’ve got to get to. BTW, saw in todays paper shooting for ‘When The Game Stands Tall’ starts Monday. In Louisiana!!?? Damn, I was going to lobby you to talk to the Director about me and some of my ref buddies to work as extra’s in the football scenes! We already have the uniforms, would’ve saved the wardrobe dept. a few bucks. Can’t afford to go to Louisiana to work for free though!
April 19th, 2013 at 2:08 pm
How refreshing that a superb coach like Bob never got caught up in his ego and MONEY……..I now truly see how my loving brother Dick Fahey may have influenced Bob as mentioned at Dick’s wake. Congratulations, Bob! You can be sure that if heaven exists, you’ll be up front & personal with Jesus and the greedy folk with be in the last rows and assigned to any of the menial work available there…………..;o)……….if they make it. Love & peace to all, Auntie V