Things to ponder
From the windmill of my mind …
Now that Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Michael Vick has been indicted for charges related to dog fighting, it makes you wonder what some star athletes are thinking. Here’s a talented guy who has a 10-year, $130 million football contract, with other money certain to roll in from endorsements, and he’s apparently willing to risk cash flow and reputation for engaging in an illegal activity. Not to mention six years in prison and fines of up to $350,000. Thursday’s paper carried an Associated Press story citing a study – authored by a “criminal justice policy group” – that found blacks and Hispanics are imprisoned at higher rates than whites, and the black-to-white ratio is much higher in certain states. One expert quoted in the story attributed Iowa’s high black incarceration rate to higher poverty and lower educational achievement. That’s a cop out. Since when does being poor or less educated automatically make you prone to become a criminal? There’s a way for people of all colors to escape poverty and low educational achievement: Stay in school, actually try to learn what they’re teaching you, get a job and work hard. Oh, and don’t break the law (or laws) along the way.
Despite all the talk about reforming the way government works in Harrisburg, the recently concluded budget deal – and all the residual “surprises” that are bound to surface later – is proof positive that most key decision-making still went on behind closed doors, among a select group of people. This isn’t the way government should work. You shouldn’t be happy about it.
You’d be much better off watching your favorite county league baseball team than the Pittsburgh Pirates. They probably are much more competitive. Never forget: This is a team that once though it could replace Barry Bonds, who’s about to become the all-time home run champion, with left fielder Al Martin. Remember him?
At least in the old days, when the Pirates were bad, you had announcer Bob Prince to keep you entertained. That’s not so with the current voices.
Paul Sunyak is editorial page editor of the Herald-Standard. You can reach him at 724-439-7577 or psunyak@heraldstandard.com.