A question of accountability June 24, 2008

I was listening to the radio this morning. They were playing clips of Don Imus. They played his “Well, there you go” comment from him talking about Adam “Pacman” Jones; an NFL player that has been arrested numerous times for beating strippers, spitting on people, causing riots that injure people, drug charges etc. He asked Warner Wolf participating in this radio show conversation, “What color is he?” When Wolf’s response was given that Jones is “African-American”, Imus said, “Well, there you go.”  For most listening that would be interpreted as Imus saying that his (Jones’) “blackness” explains his criminal behavior. The clip I heard this morning was Imus explaining that his comment was “sarcastic” as to say (paraphrase) “here is this guy who has been arrested so many times for no other reason than because he is black.”

 

I think, from what I have heard, there is little doubt that this Jones fellow is guilty. So from where I stand it looks like Imus is trying to cover up his verbal boo boo. Understandable. But the only punishment Jones has endured for his crimes is a one year suspension from the NFL. I ask, if Jones cannot or will not be held accountable for his crimes then why is society up in arms over Imus’ comments? I really don’t know much about Imus or his character and I do not listen to his radio show. Call me crazy, but I happen to think assuming someone’s race is an explanation for criminal behavior (while deplorable) is still not nearly as bad as what Jones has been accused of. As long as you are famous and you can make other people a lot of money it really doesn’t matter what you do or say because you’ll never have to play or be judged by the rules that the rest of us civilized people must adhere to. If the NFL thinks Jones is still worthy to play football despite his many sins then I guess Imus is still worthy to be a controversial radio host? Where is this line of accountability being drawn and for whom?

War Stories June 23, 2008

We hear a lot about the war. Everyone has their opinions on this war. I do believe that you can be against the war and still support the troops but this weekend I experienced a conversation that I found totally repulsive. And that feeling has stuck to me. I sat at a dinner party with a former US Marine who had served in Iraq. We were discussing all the things he experienced; just little stuff like the spiders, the heat and things of that nature. He told us a few things that I found very compelling; very touching human stories. He started by telling us about how things changed during the course of his time in Iraq. He recalled a time when he first got there and he accidently glanced at a woman for a split second. Women are not to be acknowledged and because he did so haphazardly glance toward her she was beaten in front of him because it was her fault that she had been acknowledged. He stood there not being able to do anything about it. Later, once women were given rights, he could intervene in that type of situation.

 

As the conversation continued he was talking about how the “enemy” did not engage in ethical warfare. He experienced having an injured individual surrender. Because he was injured they are required to render aid. So he tells another “Go cuff him so we can take him to a hospital. He is shot.” The other Marine goes to cuff him and the “surrendered” pulls a grenade killing them both.

 

The most compelling moment was him telling about people aiming at them with car bombs. They shoot once to tell the driver to stop and then they shoot to kill. Realizing that they do this, the driver would include his family in the car in order to cause hesitation in the Marine. He says, “I can see them through my scope. I can see a man driving full force at us and I can see his wife and kids screaming in the car. What do I do? Do I kill a family or do I let them blow us all up? What do I do?”

 

Later I was talking with another dinner guest who overheard this conversation. He says, “I couldn’t stand listening to that Marine talk all heroic about the war.” And I literally became sick to my stomach. Here there is this guy who was there, lived it, saw it first hand and was talking about his life experiences; very profound life experiences. This other guy was so self-righteous in his anti-war stance that he couldn’t even understand the value of such a human experience. He had no respect for this man who went over there and laid his life on the line day after day, had to deal with gut-wrenching moral dilemmas, and watched his friends get blown up before his eyes. Not to mention the lasting mental/emotional effects that would have on a person.

 

I really could not believe my ears that someone who probably sits behind a desk with a computer and AC all day could speak with such complete and total disdain in their voice regarding someone who had the guts to serve their country. I was completely disgusted. Despite my sarcasm I am generally all roses and sunshine in my outlook on life. But ever since then all I can think is how terrible this world is and how wretched we all really are.  

MySpace sexual propositioning June 18, 2008

I got his on MySpace this morning. I responded for my own personal amusement. What the hell has happened to the world? I know there is nothing new under the sun but the fact that this crap is so commonplace really repulses me. Is there anyone left that cannot be categorized as “low character” anymore?!? Anybody? Hello?!?

 My MySpace proposition:

So…I know this is probably a long shot or seem like I’m kidding, but I’m not. haha. Anyway, I’m just ready to do something fun this summer and want to find a girl that is clean, fun, and smart and is up for a DISCRETE, fun summer hook up. Nothing complicated or weird. Just fun for both of us, and no strings need be attached if that’s an issue for you.

 Anyway, I’m 6′2″ 195 lbs, athletic build, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, cute. I’m 26/m in Arlington, TX. I’m pretty easy going and like talking about just about anything. I’ve got a naughty side if you’re interested. But I don’t let that out very often.

 You are definitely cute, so write me back if you’re interested and we can exchange some more pics and talk and see what we think. Hope to hear from you!

signed: name removed

My Response:

Hey, Name removed,

   I would like to assume that you are joking, but incase this is a serious proposition; let me give you a few pieces of advice.

1) A girl that will hook up with you over MySpace will never be “clean” or “smart”

 2) As you can see if you read my profile I am married so I have all the built-in, naughty, summer fun I could want.

 3) If you’re advertising your “naughty side” to perfect strangers on MySpace then that cannot qualify as “I don’t let that out very often”

 4) If you are “6′2″ 195 lbs, athletic build, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, cute.” then you should have a perfectly fine time finding a “clean, smart, and fun” girl willing to listen to you “talk about just about anything” and you might even convince her to explore that naughty side you have. But as soon as she finds out you’re whoring yourself out over MySpace I would image if she is “clean” or smart” she will hit the road.

 5) Please understand that your sexual fantasies will NEVER EVER, EVER happen in real life the way they play out in your head. The world just doesn’t work that way.

 Good luck in your romantic pursuits!