Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Peter's Posings 3

Peter's Posing 2

We may wonder why sports stars, actors, politicians, etc. feel they have a sense of privilege. It is because we give it to them. We allow them to violate rules because we think there is something unique about them. This came to mind as I watched a recent tennis match between two highly regarded players. The rule in Men's professional tennis is that a player may not take more than 45 seconds between serves. Failure to do so is to result in a warning, then a point penalty, game penalty, set penalty, match penalty. The purpose is to keep play continuous both for the enjoyment of the fans and to insure that fitness is a factor. This rule is invoked quited frequently, especially in early round matches. In this match the players concluded a particularly long, arduous point. The server toweled off and walked around the back of the court, before slowly walking to the service line top continue. The announcers noted that he had taken well over the 45 second time limit, but he deserved it because he had played such an entertaining point, and was such a good player. No one deserves to be above the rules of the game. One reason sports are entertaining is because while there are skill differences, the playing field is supposed to be fair.
We allow stars to be unfair whether it regards playing conditions, ethics or laws. It is this derived sense of privilege that lets them act unilaterally disregarding, rules, truths or morals.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

SIMPLE THOUGHTS FOR SIMPLE MINDS

I think the LA Times editorial promoting Hillary Clinton for the Supreme Court is a great idea. President Obama should appoint her as Secretary of Health and Welfare until Clarence Thomas is declared brain dead. It would only take a reasonable doctor to watch Thomas' performance, or lack thereof, on the court to make that diagnosis