[SOC] West of the Pond

Tue Apr 27 21:46:00 2004

Seems like our societal values are rather in the toilet, 'eh?

Glad to hear it's not just us Yanks though...misery loves company.  

Think I'll pour myself a pint and reflect on something more cheerful!

73 to you, Ian.

Mike
KG8L 

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Ian C. Purdie
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 9:38 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [SOC] West of the Pond

"Mike Besemer (KG8L)" wrote:

> BTW... Just to satisfy my own morbid curiosity, do the Brits have as 
> many scandals with their professional athletes as we do in the States?  
> Seems like you can't turn on a newscast these days without hearing 
> another story of how one of our overpaid star athletes has managed screw
the pooch again.

Can't comment on Britain but in Australia lately we have had enormous
scandals which have dragged various codes of football into disrepute.

Into the gutter actually.

Makes you wonder about the family background of some of these people who
openly confess to "group sex", yet heave a sigh of relief when they won't be
charged with pack rape because of the lack of compelling evidence.

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1258&storyid=1262594

These events have seriously damaged both Australian Rules Football and Rugby
League as well. God knows what their wives, sisters and parents must think.
My daughter's are seriously questioning whether my grand-sons should
continue playing at junior level.

So, you're not alone in the US.

In the interests of balance, our top bowler in cricket has also been dogged
by scandal and suspensions.

Seems that big money, too much free time and hero worship status are a
deadly combination now.

In my day, top sportsmen had regular jobs and the sport was a part-time
activity. A mate of mine in the 1960's played Rugby League at the highest
level and was grateful if he received a case of beer for a win. Ditto and
another fellow I know who represented Australia in Rugby in the 1950's.

Sad, so sad.

Ian

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