The athletes think they are above the law. If an ordinary person commits these acts they would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#1 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:02 PM EDTYeah. How many times does a responding/investigating officer get a picture taken with a suspect that is an ordinary person before investigating the actual case like in the Roethlisberger case?
Sounds to me like the young lady has a civil case against the Milliedgeville Police and the responding officer as well as Roethlisberger.
Of course athletes are responsible for their own actions.
Aren't the rest of us?
Good God.
Don't you know that no one is responsible for their own actions anymore?
There is always someone else to blame. It's sickening.
Why are we even treating these people like role models.
Just because a person can run fast or throw far doesn't mean he has good moral character.
It's like suggesting that just because you accountant if fast and accurate, he should be good at breakdancing.
The athletes take advantage of their size, sex, status, and the knowledge that they can hire the top lawyers to make their actions the victims fault. Just because the women are there, they don't have to take advantage
#2 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:07 PM EDTYou do realize that many times not only are the women there, they are throwing themselves at these athletes. Some simply are star-struck, some are TRYING to get them into a bad situation so they can sue for big $$$. The women are not always innocent and being taken advantage of. Many cases, it becomes regret later on, and thats when they have the problem with it. The athletes need to be smart and not be in those situations, but you cant blame the athletes for everything. It seems people are very quick to ignore that many times the women are willingly there, and very drunk and often throwing themselves at these guys. Have you ever been at a bar when an athlete is there? Trust me, most of these women are not innocent.
It takes two, and it 100% correct that the women involved are much smarter than they would like everyone else to believe.
However, I still have to hold the athletes more responsible as they are the ones with the "status" and the ultimate responsibility. They too should also know that there's women out there that will certainly use this to their advantage, more often than not.
True, some of these women are not entirely innocent. And these athletes can't control the women throwing themselves at these athletes. But these men can control their reactions to these women. And it seems like the should be intelligent enough NOT to put themselves in these situtations.
Women throw themselves at rock stars, too, but you don't read about rock stars being charged with rape as often.
That's because rock stars didn't get everything they have in life by being physical. It starts on the playground. When you find that you always get your way by being physical and nobody does anything to stop it, it becomes your MO. I'm sure rock stars do plenty of terrible stuff to women as well for no other reason than because they CAN.
Just because there are women present does not mean they are wanting to have sex with an athlete. Do all of the guys present also expect to have sex with them?
MOST of the women are just like the guys hanging around the athlete. They think it's cool to be able to say they saw this guy or that one, hung out with them, had a drink with them. MOST do NOT want to be able to say they had sex with this guy or that one. The athletes don't seem to see it this way. They seem to think that every women within ten feet (and most others) would want to have sex with them. Here's a hint.... WRONG!
I am willing to bet that what happens in the majority of cases is that they "reach a settlement". The woman gets a few hundred thousand dollars and the athlete gets off scott free. The real loser is society, because it continues to happen again and again. Throw some of these people in jail for a long time and the cycle will stop.
ScubaGolfJim #2.6--
Okay, did you read my whole post below (#19), or just the first paragraph?
This is paragraph #3:
The sports culture can be compared to the bullying culture that is so prevalent amongst our middle school/high school students. This social dilemma is not just affecting our male students. Many too many females exacerbate this bullying trend, and the dominance that athletes portray absolutely add to this bullying social dilemma.
I contend that what we have here is an errant culture of sports, and it mirrors the much larger social dilemma of bullying.
I agreed with two of your four paragraphs in your original post. Full reply on your original. I referenced this one on yours simply to keep from repeating the whole point again.
And I wholly agree with your last sentence here.
Henry Kissinger, who is anything but a hulking basketball center, once said that power is the best aphrodesiac. Okay, but money comes next and then comes the desire to "score" on and off the field. These guys don't realize that they are courting legal and medical consequences. Are American athletes that stupid?
The person behaving badly is responsible for his or her behavior. Each of us is responsible for what we do.
False to say male athletes behaving badly towards women. Behaving badly and being an athlete are not synonymous.
BEING ATHLETES IS NOT THE ISSUE. CHARACTER AND BEHAVIOR FLAWS ARE FOUND IN THE WORLD BEYOND ATHLETICS AS WELL.
#3 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:10 PM EDTAt this point one must ponder the question, "how does the behavior and character flaws develop at a statistically more significant rate in this population than other groups that are successful?". It seems that the athletes are taught at a young age that they are above others. I see it with my son's baseball organization. The kids at the top are not required to try out within the same timeline, they do not go through the same training. They have accomodations that the kids on the lower teams do not. This mentality travels through high school, college and into professional sports. If they are never taught they are the same, why would they think they are?
The girls that follow them are no better. The badges they wore said it all. They are groupies that follow the athletes and consider it a success when they bed one. Sick.
Georgia ladies had DTF badges on their lapels..........???
#4 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:14 PM EDTSeriously? This is the first (I'm not following the story too closely) that I've heard of that. What would possess someone to wear a badge like that and go out and get plastered and think that it's ok. WOW!!!
Seriously? This is the first (I'm not following the story too closely) that I've heard of that. What would possess someone to wear a badge like that and go out and get plastered and think that it's ok. WOW!!!
Ever seen a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" button or t-shirt? Think everyone that wears one wants just anyone to kiss them? No still means No, no matter what (if anything) you're wearing.
Ultimately it's about personal responsibility, no matter how big your size or ego. You either take NO for a NO--or you commit a crime. Period.
#5 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:14 PM EDTThe athletes are the problem. They seem to think they are above the law. I wonder how many of these "university educated athletes" actually have the understanding that they should be held accountable for breaking the law. Perhaps it relates to the second, third and fourth chances that their respected leagues give them. I understand Pacman Jones just signed with Cincy, Ron Artest playin with guns is coming back, Rapelesberger and his denials etc. etc. Any felony conviction and you're out. NO SECOND, THIRD or FOURTH chances.
#6 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:18 PM EDTThe athletes are ultimately responsible for their actions - It is unlikely that any of these women have the capacity to force the athletes to have sex with them - but - the society that promotes an culture of exclusive behavior is also at fault. I also believe that some women make foolish decisions and place themselves into situations where it is inevitable that they will be sexually assaulted and that some women place themselves into such situations willingly. Just like rock stars have groupies - I think that the same thing can occur in the world of sports. This is a cultural phenomena that needs to be addressed from multiple avenues. It's not always a cut and dry issue.
#7 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:21 PM EDTWill regret saying this, I think it is all of the above. Because of the amount of money paid out to them, they are a luxury that gives no dividends if locked up and so they are excused for the things they do, and they know it. Also, the adoration of their fans, til they are disgusted gives them a loft they can sit upon and get away with about anything. Remember the running back who played for Buffalo, he got away with murder. Then the women themselves. They like the bad boys. Who the heck wants a goofy nerd. Problem is they think they will be "bad" to everyone else but them.....til it is too late.
#8 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:24 PM EDTRape, robbery, assault, burglary, road rage - even walking across someone's lawn - boils down to having no respect for other people. As far as I can tell, no one has any respect for anyone anymore. American values are a thing of the past; get used to it.
#9 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:24 PM EDTThis type of thing has always gone on. Babe Ruth was a notorious womanizer.
Ever hear of Fatty Arbuckle? That was in the 1920's. American values apparently were always" a thing of the past".
Ma'am,
I don't want to agree with you but I must. What you've said is confirmed daily in the media, movies, reality shows, video games, and on the streets. We as a people are slowly becoming more and more desensitize because of our laxed judgment or greed for money. Nowadays, it comes down to what sells. Look at the new standards of the Miss America pageant.
It's a toxic mix of out of control athletes, and women who see them as a pot of gold.
#10 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:27 PM EDTThe athletes in question are sick from the start due to the damaged system they grow up in. But...why in the world would any decent woman with half a brain allow herself to be anywhere near these idiots if there is even a chance of being offended or worse, violated?
#11 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:27 PM EDTThis is an issue that isn't exclusive to athletes. It has to do with how we raise our boys. If we look at who is being violent, in any given situation, 99% (look it up) of the time it's men and boys. This crosses all levels of education and socio economic status. We teach boys that they are better and more valued than girls and women. We objectify girls and woman everyday, dehumanizing them. What people seem to miss is that violent boys and men are our everyday guy, not some crazy nut...it's the guy next door. Unfortunately, that's too painful for some to look in the mirror. How many times have we heard, "He was a good guy. We're shocked that he could have done this?" We need to wake up and look at how we are raising our boys...and girls.
#12 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:33 PM EDTI think it's sad that we only get to talking about violence against women when some big-shot athlete or star is accused of it. Considering the volume and frequency of violent attacks and assaults on women across the spectrum I would say that this is nothing more than a microcosm of the much larger cultural problem that accepts violence against women as a normal risk. When will we start talking about violence against women in the "every-day world"?
#13 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:40 PM EDTWomen accept violence against women. Many are plain stupid. My cousin has a son who has 14 children by 14 different women. Some of the children were born months apart. He would knock up a young woman and move on. All of the women have had to take him to court for child support. For most of the children, he pays $1.35/month. Women still throw themselves at him, even after we tell them that he has 14 children. One of the reasons these men have no respect for women is because their mothers were promiscuous. Maybe it seems unfair that men can be, but women can't, but that's the way it is. These boy see their mother sleep around, with men who often treat them like garbage, and they come to believe that women are, indeed, whores. The girls learn sleeping around is how you get a man. Men and women are different. Some of that is cultural, but some of it comes from the fact that we have different biological purposes. If we were the same, there would be no sexual orientations.
The sad part of the UVA story is that people knew that this little squirt abused the young lady and NO ONE did anything to stop it.
#14 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:41 PM EDTFrom Jr. Hi on, if you're good at, say football, and you're winning for your school, your coach, your parents (mostly fathers), the general public will look the other way. Now, follow this athlete through college and the pros, and he keeps winning, he will feel and act as if he's invincible. That normal rules do not apply to him. Look at what Tiger said pertaining to rules; they're for everyone else. And football particularly is brutal and the players, for a good part, carry the aggression into their personal life. How many have been arrested for beating wives and girlfriends.
#15 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:43 PM EDTThere was a baseball player with the MN Twins a few years ago who felt so overpaid for what he did that he made a point of doing a lot, A LOT, of community and charity work. He used to sleep outside in a tent in winter here (talking -10 below temps) in order to raise money for the homeless. More athletes need to think like that - to realize the enormous income is a chance to make a difference and do some good.A Vikings player works regularly here at a food bank warehouse, loading boxes. Chad Ocho Cinco (of whom I am not a fan) does a lot for people and not just in Ohio but in the towns the Bengals are visiting.
#16 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:44 PM EDTWhere on this list is parenting? Even athletes that are revered with their teams should be grounded at home.
#18 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:50 PM EDTFor most of these women the reason they choose to enter these situations is out of a sense of adventure. They desire to dominate the dominating. This is a way for many of them to attain fame. All in the name of taming the giant sports star. They also enjoy a very good life; at least for awhile.
So, it's a trade-off to coin a sports term. The women get fame. The athletes appear tame. That is, until some outward pressure places stress upon the situation and it turns explosive.
The sports culture can be compared to the bullying culture that is so prevalent amongst our middle school/high school students. This social dilemma is not just affecting our male students. Many too many females exacerbate this bullying trend, and the dominance that athletes portray absolutely add to this bullying social dilemma.
Much of the time the perception that we are winning actually leads us to lose. We lose our values. We lose our morals. We lose our selves. Then we ask ask ourselves how we can be such a great athlete when we have lost so much. It is this sense that brings on the topic of this article, and far too many stories such as this one.
#20 - Sat May 8, 2010 12:58 PM EDTFor most of these women the reason they choose to enter these situations is out of a sense of adventure. They desire to dominate the dominating. This is a way for many of them to attain fame. All in the name of taming the giant sports star. They also enjoy a very good life; at least for awhile.
So most of the guys that want to hang around a sports figure at a bar, buy them a drink, get into the "accepted" temporary "posse" wants the same thing, right? See #2.6 above please.
Did you read my whole post, or just the first paragraph?
David, I did indeed read the entire post and mostly agree with the rest. However, I strongly disagree with your first paragraph and characterization that most women hanging around an athlete or someone else famous wants sex from that person or to "dominate" that person. My contention is that your use of the word most is entirely inappropriate and is indeed in the mentality area of the rapist athletes. I agree that some would welcome the opportunity, but most? No.
I stand by my question of "So most of the guys that want to hang around a sports figure at a bar, buy them a drink, get into the "accepted" temporary "posse" wants the same thing, right?"
I mean, after all, if that's all a woman hanging around an athlete could possibly want, wouldn't the same be true of any guy hanging around also? It couldn't possibly be to just have been near or speak to someone famous.
I think, though Jim, that comparing "guys in sports bars" to woman that go out with the athletes is like comparing apples to oranges. The guys, I think, are attempting to assimilate the same prestige, or increased testosterone if you will, as the popular athlete. The Female companion gets her rise in prestige from :harnessing" the big popular athlete at least initially and until shr realizes too late that it is she that is harnessed.
I think, though Jim, that comparing "guys in sports bars" to woman that go out with the athletes is like comparing apples to oranges.
Well David, I'm not trying to compare "guys in sports bars" with women that "go out with" athletes. I'm comparing "guys in sports bars" with "women in sports bars" or any other establishment in which an athlete forces himself on them.
People want to blame a college student sexually assaulted by Roethlisberger and say that she must have wanted sex if she was hanging out with/around him. My question is "so were the guys hanging out with/around him wanting the same thing?"
If you're referencing just to women that "date" sports figures, that's one thing. The article was much more broad than that.
Women should STEER CLEAR of all sports figures. They are bad news. Unless they just want a cheap thrill, then go for it. But then don't go accusing them of rape. You just make a mockery of women that ARE actually raped.
Women should stop idolizing these athletes and treat them like lepers until they learn that treating women like garbage = being lonely.
#21 - Sat May 8, 2010 1:01 PM EDTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
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It starts in the home and schools, goes to universities, minor, major. If you play, then you can get away with even rape, and they know it.