Finally, a column about something other than baseball. How refreshing. Unfortunately, it’s about how the NBA just can’t shake its thug image, mainly because it refuses to deal harshly with the people it employs.
I refuse to be brought down into the pseudo-morality of protecting America’s children from violent images on TV or other such Puritanical nonsense. But I do have to say that I find it perplexing that the NBA and the Indiana Pacers won’t act to protect their sagging corporate and brand image. Dress codes aren’t cutting it, Mr. Stern. Such petty, futile acts of low-level racism don’t solve problems.
And how sad is it that Reggie Miller, one of the men who took trash-talking, showboating, bad behavior, and general chicanery to the level of art form, should be the only one talking about this?
Here’s my bottom line: as much as it is incumbent upon individuals to make their own choices and to then be held accountable for the consequences of those choices, I do blame the justice system of the United States for at least a part of this situation. For if American gun laws can be so lax that an individual who has a criminal record for misdemeanor assault can still legally carry a firearm, what the hell does it say about this country? We’re talking about a man who assaulted individuals on live television. And no one thought that maybe suspending his gun permit would be a good idea?
I refuse to be brought down into the pseudo-morality of protecting America’s children from violent images on TV or other such Puritanical nonsense. But I do have to say that I find it perplexing that the NBA and the Indiana Pacers won’t act to protect their sagging corporate and brand image. Dress codes aren’t cutting it, Mr. Stern. Such petty, futile acts of low-level racism don’t solve problems.
And how sad is it that Reggie Miller, one of the men who took trash-talking, showboating, bad behavior, and general chicanery to the level of art form, should be the only one talking about this?
Here’s my bottom line: as much as it is incumbent upon individuals to make their own choices and to then be held accountable for the consequences of those choices, I do blame the justice system of the United States for at least a part of this situation. For if American gun laws can be so lax that an individual who has a criminal record for misdemeanor assault can still legally carry a firearm, what the hell does it say about this country? We’re talking about a man who assaulted individuals on live television. And no one thought that maybe suspending his gun permit would be a good idea?
No comments:
Post a Comment