Barry Bonds. Michael Vick. Tank Johnson. Adam Jones. Tim Donaghy. Michael Rasmussen. Alexander Vinokourov. Ryan Tucker. Marion Jones. Tim Montgomery. Neifi Perez. Ivan Basso. Floyd Landis. Mark McGuire.
Okay. I'll stop now. But let's get the point. And it isn't just about sports figures, either.
We ought not tolerate cheating.
We also ought not get all uppity in the process. Let's not think ourselves better than others. If we do, we've missed the point.
And no, I don't think myself better than those who think themselves better than others. What a trap that would be!
We all have our weaknesses. We should help each other out of them or, if our help isn't desired, at least not enable the dynamic that nurtures them. But just because I don't have another person's weakness, or because my weakness hasn't made the headlines, that doesn't give me room to judge.
Or maybe I just feel that way because my own weakness was so undeniably ugly.
"We ought not tolerate cheating."
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more.
I also believe that all of the cheating isn't really obvious: how about parking in a handicap spot without the proper license, or driving solo in a car pool lane, cheating on taxes.
I'm one of those who believes these minor transgressions, which are generally accepted by our society, lead to a society that becomes inured to the larger issues.
It's the old frog in boiling water story.
I think you're on the mark with that.
ReplyDeleteThe challenge, as I see it, is to create an atmosphere in which we can reject the transgressions, and hold people accountable for their behavior without villifying them.
That is a tough problem. It seems as if we often take stock of ourselves only against the faults of others. It's the "better than" syndrome: if I can point a finger at others' worst behavior - and naturally conclude that I'm better than them - then I can avoid working on my own faults, which may seem comparatively not so bad.
And boy, do we find ourselves in hot water then!
So yes, we should draw the line on these behaviors. And we should draw it in our own lives, as well. And if I'm to love my neighbor as myself, I should be as gracious to him as I am to myself.