Issues Raised by the Barry Bonds Coverage: More Preachy Gobbledygook (Not for the Easily Bored)

Whenever a sports issue arises that positively begs us to extract clarity into broader philosophical or societal issues, I truly believe that sports fans everywhere should sieze the opportunity to its fullest. And I feel that Barry Bonds's controversial accomplishments beg us to do that.

When people like this Andy Nesbitt (linked in Matt Z.'s previous post) try to downplay this responsibility by saying, "Bonds is not a doctor, or a teacher or a police officer; he's an adult playing a kid's game ," he does himself an injustice as a sports analyst. Unseemly or not, the fact is that our cultue has grown so inward, affluent, and self-absorbed that sports-related matters are as pressing and substantial as medicine, education, and law in our consciousness. As such, these matters require a similar amount of attention--but with a due amount of scrutiny, of course.

What Motivates One to 'Roid Up in the First Place

My muse for the night--the same Andy Nesbitt--has this to say:

"Athletes who go this route know what they are getting into. In the end, it's their body being harmed, not ours. So why should we worry? Why don't we just sit back and watch the balls leave the stadium like a 747 leaving LAX bound for London[?]."

I could not ask for a more convenient illustration of the morally corrupt mindset with which we view professional athletes--and on a broader scale--how we view each and every functional member of society. In Nesbitt's eyes, evidently, Bonds is just an agent, a performer, an object, put forth for the sports fan's indulgence, to be used and observed but not to have merit beyond what the fan can indulge. The message is disturbing: "Have use, be used, to be indulged, to indulge, to be used, to make money, which he has, which I don't, which I want...to indulge...in the talents of others, for whom I care little." {totally self-proclaimed, embellished, sanctimonious editorialization--take it as you please}

So should success entail self-deception and submission to a one-dimensional existence--one requested by those who know nothing and feel nothing of your well-being?

"Is it really that bad for America if an athlete opts to put their body at risk in order to become a better player? Am I really the only one who thinks the idea of a steroid-only baseball league is as attractive as Jessica Simpson knocking on your door at 3 a.m. with a case of cold beer under her arm?"

That sounds like a "yes" to me.

Polarized Opinion--What a Huge Friggin' Shock

Two scenes:
1) Any given crowd at a Giants home game
2) Any given crowd at a Giants road game

When one considers how unanimously and convincingly--and arbitrariliy--these two crowds adopt one perspective on Barry Bonds, is it any wonder at all why we can't conduct any civil discourse on health care, abortion, war, sexuality, religion, music, guns, education, etc, etc, etc, etc??? If a jersey can make up our minds so easily, who among us has a viable opinion? Or for that matter, an opinion at all?