I was disappointed and shocked that Lewis would entertain a profiling question from Dan Patrick. But I often find that I lose confidence in the way people absorb information and react. For example, when something happens to a player, I generally (not always), avoid providing commentary until more is known... or after my feeble attempt to put myself in that person's shoes. That's a lot better than projecting lightening from my hand like Mythical gods... or the Dark Lord of the Sith... because my vision of Gattaca was disrupted.
Nor do I don't need a court of law (or opinion) to pass my own judgment. I'm not that technical. With the amount of witnesses coming forward about Michael Vick, it tends to persuade you that Vick is, in fact, a "heavyweight of dog fighting". Yet, like a flock of birds blowing towards the direction of the wind, we go after Clinton Portis because of an innocent, yet provocative, response. Should he have made it? Well, that's a matter of perspective. Personally, I think that's pretty irrelevant since the question of should was already answered on his own.
Let's momentarily remove Chris Henry, Reggie McNeal and A.J. Nicholson. Most of the players are getting arrested for the same infraction a large part of society gets arrested for. Drunk driving, as much as we hate it, is more common place then we like to admit-- and I'm not talking about those busted or late night checkpoints. Some drink a few after work and if pulled over, would be cited with a DUI. It happens and it's very realistic. Who in their right mind actually fishes without having a beer.. or two? In some families, that was a right of passage between son and father. I also believe that people will never admit it, because of taboo and all, but have an occasion toke of the ol' dobie.
Of course, you're absolutely correct. I'm presuming on nearly every statement above with items supported through my own perspective. How would you react? Will you assume I'm making a logical, society-based point? Or will you presume that knowing what you know with a statue-like opinion putting players above that of common people, that my assumptions are too homerific? Regardless, that's entirely my point. But I do find fault with people that spend more time assuming something that they, or mainstream media can not prove and remain steadfast in their immobile opinion.
You know, like Brian Koller, who concluded after rejecting Marvin Lewis' apology that: "I don't believe a thing that comes out of Marvin's mouth." Sure, a backtrack, or apology, is obviously a PR repair mechanism. And when you completely go out of your way to name drop, then your level of suspicion goes up. I'm not totally oblivious to that fact. But since you "don't believe a thing that comes out of Marvin's mouth", then why worry about the apology. You didn't believe his take on profiling anyway.
Ron Cook makes the point that a person should be responsible for their own actions. However, the days of self responsibility have already passed after the government successfully converted Ohio, and the United States, into a "nanny-state". We have people to blame and companies to sue. Ron had this nugget, that didn't make much sense though: " I don't profess to being an expert on profiling, but I do know if you are doing nothing wrong you shouldn't have anything to worry about." But isn't that the point against profiling? Going after a group of people that aren't doing anything wrong simply because of their culture... or, even more basic, their crowd? There's no doubt that bad judgment, not profiling, as Cook points out, is the reason some players have gotten into trouble. But let's not turn into a complete babbling fool that quickly points out your own -- either perceived or promoted -- limitations about a controversial topic.
I know I'm in the minority when it comes to actions by the Bengals in that I don't write, "CUT HIM!" every time something happens. I've supported releasing Chris Henry simply because he's the epitome of the impending hurricane of distractions.. again. And I would like to have a #3 receiver for more than half a season.
To test my theory, I visit some of the more updated Bengals blogs. AOL's Fanhouse is still pounding the Bengals-are-criminals drum by creating a needless post about A.J. Nicholson's date with a Florida jail for breaking probation. It's evident here: "It's highly unlikely that Nicholson will ever play in the NFL again, as he was nothing more than a marginal player, and marginal players who get in repeated trouble with the law just aren't worth the hassle." Yet, marginal players not playing in the NFL that are not worth it, are given their own post because, well, of his previous affiliation. Michael David Smith makes the ridiculous assumption that Lewis is on the hot seat for drafting red flags.. like Nicholson. I contend that Lewis is on the hot seat because he's had three 8-8 seasons in four years and let the team breakdown in 2006.
If it's not the total rejection of one argument to dumb down another, it's total righteousness. Ask anyone if they use their turn signal. Then, when you drive home today, watch and see how many people that turn actually use their turn signal. My guess is that you will find more that don't than you find that do. Digression in abundance makes the point that using your turn signal, "is the law." DIA, is 100% correct. But it's not a very solid point to make against Henry or Lewis. Of course it's the law.. one that many don't abide by and one that many don't see enforced... unless you're looking for a reason to pull someone over. Driving with a suspended driver's license with DUI infractions, is a very serious offense and would satisfy the argument if it was laid out there initially. And it's not too terribly uncommon for cops to call in plates at random while on the road. Profiling? No. But the cop went after a man with a suspended license for a DUI offense. Of course, I don't know if that was the sequence of events. And using the "didn't use turn signal" citation couldn't have been used in Cincinnati. You're asking a city, with recent history of civil unrest, to become well aware of big brother.
While I'm not absolving Lewis or Chris Henry, but I'm also finding plenty of fault with many published pieces -- blog and print -- that makes me wonder...
- ...if we've lost the patience of holding judgment.
- ...if political correctness has replaced intellectual provoking pieces with "my hands are clean, I'm naive so I won't discuss it" attitudes.
- ...if one's perception should weight heavier against many known realities.
- ...if someone should make the point that athletes are the same as us, but playing down that person because the knowledge and wisdom that we hold, is greater than the general offender.
- ...if one should be allowed to play the role of self-righteous while not walking every step in line with the song they sing.