I've decided to write about a topic that is very touchy. This is something that no matter how you say it, it's probably gonna be bad or make you look bad. But I've decided to anyway. I've wanted to keep this clean but certain comments that have been made are anything but that so, oh well. Here goes...
I got on today to check the rankings to see if they put Duke #1, and sure enough. But another headline caught my eye. "Jayhawks suspend Taylor indefinately" Of course I had to see what that was all about. The only reason they would give was that he violated team rules. But as I got to the end of the article I read something very interesting that I was unaware of. Earlier in the season senior forward Mario Little was suspended for 6 games because of a "domestic disturbance" arrest. He was later reinstated after receiving a diversion for two misdomeaner battery charges. Now, what is usually the case in a domestic disturbance/battery case?? The subject is usually beating on a woman. In last off season Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisburger was accusted of rape. The woman dropped the charges and no charges were filed, but he was still suspended for the first four games of the regular season. Of course I'm referring to the comments that were made in regards to my Steelers and Roethlisburger vs Vick blogs. Everyone has a different point of view on things, but as far as I'm concerned, beating on a woman is just as bad as rape. I have no use for a man that beats on a woman. Domestic violence is a very serious issue and very offten not reported out of fear. If Roethlisburger should be in prison serving time and be banned from the game, etc. then so should Mario Little. He should not be on the basketball floor. But, knowing the person that made the comments, it's probably ok because he plays for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks. Since Bill Self has taken over at Kansas there have been several instances from faking a HS transcript to bar fights, to domestic violence. I could be wrong, but when Roy Williams was at Kansas you never heard of his players doing crap like that. I don't want to start the Self vs Williams arguement, but self has to do something about this stuff. He gives them a slap on the wrist and lets them back on the court. If Roethlisburger should not be playing then neither should Little.
It's a sad commentary, but whether we like it or not this stuff happens all over the place. It happens a lot more than we hear about it. A famous columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times (Jay Mariotti) was arrested for domestic violence. It happens to all people from working class people like us, up to celebrities. Mel Gibson and David Hasselhoff have been in the news for drinking and domestic violence. One of the best coaches in the NCAA is infamous for drinking. Bob Huggins, in his one year stint at KSU could be seen any night down in Aggyville drinking and partying with the college kids. Who can forget Bob Knight throwing a chair accross the floor. We always say that these people get passes and special treatment because they are celebrities. Well, we can say that and complain about it all we want, but it's the truth and that's not going to change any time soon. If you really think about it we all have a role in giving them that pass. Those of you that go to the Jayhawks games are supporting him, and the same with the Steelers, Bengals, etc. In both cases most people don't report these crimes out of fear and shame. While what we hear in the news is bad enough, there are far more cases among famous people that we don't hear about.
Then you have people who think they can extort someone because they're famous. In the past week they sentenced a woman to prison for trying to extort Rick Pitino. The infamous Brett Favre texts were not brought up until this woman was out of a job and needing money. It's been over 2 years since Favre was with the Jets. I could understand not bringing this up while he was still with the team, but as soon as he was cut by the team 2 years ago, she could have brought up these accusations then. But no, she waits until she's without a job and needing money. I'm not excusing his text messages, or Roethlisburger's Little's behavior with the ladies. But we only hear about that because they are celebraties. If you or I beat on someone it's not going to make the naional news. The percentage of the general population that is guilty of something like this is probably a LOT higher than we would like for it to be. I still maintain that when judging someone's actions and play on the field of court, as hard and unfair as it is, should be kept seperate. Favre is one of the greatest quarterback's in NFL history, and when Roethlisburger's career is over, will probably be as well. Mario Little is not a standout star for the Jayhawks like the Morris twins, or Thomas Robinson, or Tyrell Reed, or Brady Morningstar, but his contribution is just as important. The Jayhawks are a good team. And a deep team. They will miss Taylor in his suspension. Over the next few weeks we will probably find out what the suspension was for, and Jayhawk nation will welcome him back with open arms as they did Mario Little. Their legacies will be stained by these actions, but we will forgive them, look the other way and welcome them back as we did with Roethlisburger and Vick.
In a perfect world everyone would be nice to each other, shake hands, be friendly, etc. We wouldn't have rape, domestic violence, murder, etc. But we don't live in a perfect world. This is the world we live in, and in the grand scheme of things my opinion on this subject is not going to change anything. Someone very wise and important to me always told me growing up, "Just keep your mouth shut, deal with it, go with the flow." I didn't always agree with that growing up, but here in the real world, we may not like it. We may not like what's going on, but it's best to just keep your mouth shut and deal with it. By saying something or making a fuss is not going to help much, or make things worse. Some people do live in a fairy tale world where everything is handed to them, and they don't have to work for what they get. I'm not one of those people. If I was, I would not be where I am today. But I would take this over being a spoiled brat any day. When you do achieve something or accomplish something it's a lot more special to you. My father is my hero. He was not handed anything. He has worked for everything he's got, and made a name for himself. He is who he is today because of his work ethic. Not because of his name or his parents.
That's my rant for the day. I got a few jabs in, and probably started World War III, but we all have our opinions. And those are mine.
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