Thursday, September 11, 2014

THE RAY RICE / NFL DEBACLE CLARIFIED

Let's Look At This Logically


You knew your beloved Ostrich Killer would step up and figure this out for the rest of the world, didn't you?  Okay, you were right.  So for the folks who never read this blog, here is how things are:

First, we have Roger Goodell saying to the best of his knowledge, before Monday no one in the NFL Commissioner's office received or had seen the tape we've all seen now.

Next, we have a 'police official' saying that he sent the tape to the NFL Commissioner's office, and he plays a 12-second tape of a conversation that he says proves someone - a female - in the commissioner's office had watched it.

Here are the choices:
1.  Both are lying.  This is actually impossible, as a moment's thought will make obvious.  So let's reject this possibility.
2.  The 'police official' is lying.  If so, then the taped phone conversation is also a fake.  
3.  Roger Goodell is lying.
4.  Neither is lying.

Your Ostrich Killer is coming down on the side of saying that the truth lies behind door number 4 - neither is lying.

Why?  Goodell is an honorable person, based solely on his record.  One has to assume that a police official would also be honorable.  So if both are being truthful, what actually happened?

Someone in the NFL Commissioner's office short-stopped that video.  And my money is on the guess that this person is the source of the video that wound up in the hands of TMZ, probably for a high price.

Anyone who has ever worked in a large organization knows perfectly well that information does not always flow freely, due either to negligence or agenda-polishing - an agenda such as lining one's pockets, as is likely in this case.  

There you have it.  When this is all sorted out, here is what you will see:

1.  A person in the NFL Commissioner's office will be identified as the person who failed either purposely or negligently to forward that video to Roger Goodell.  That person will be fired.  Anyone else in the commissioner's office who knew of the video will be fired.  The head of that particular department in the commissioner's office will be fired.
2.  Roger Goodell, being honorable, will offer his resignation because a leader is responsible for all an organization's successes and failures.  It is not a sure thing that the owners will accept his resignation.  If he did not lie, where is his failure?
3.  TMZ will raise their advertising rates.

See?  Simple.  Three cups of coffee is a true clarifier.  You're welcome.

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

NFL LOWLIGHTS

STORIES IN THE NEWS AND QUESTIONS

1.  Michael Sam
The Dallas Cowboys picked him up and put him on their practice squad.  Why?  Yes, it is true that the Cowboys are bereft of talent.  But there are dozens or even hundreds of released players who could have been chosen for that same position.  Why Sam?  Unpleasant rumors abound that the NFL brought discreet pressure to bear for SOMEONE to pick him up.  If so, why?  Your Ostrich Killer has a possible answer - and it is one word: pandering.  Your Ostrich Killer has another question: what incentives were offered to the team that picked him up, if in fact the NFL did bring pressure to bear?  Your Ostrich Killer hopes these rumors are unfounded and that Sam made the squad on his merits, but it will take someone more credible than the NFL's disgraced commissioner or hired mouthpieces to convince me that the NFL is NOT engaging in player selection and social engineering, neither of which is appropriate.

2. Ray Rice
The NFL knew.  They were dragged kicking and screaming to doing the right thing after the rest of the world saw the video and left them no other choice.  Ditto the Ravens.  So now not only Rice, but his wife - his fiancee in the video, who forgave him and married him afterward - are being severely punished.  Part of your Ostrich Killer cynically thinks that she is being punished as severely as he is.  Isn't she?  The NFL has reached a low.

3. Ray McDonald
Felony domestic violence against his pregnant fiancee.  49ers say they will allow him to play until the legal system makes it impossible to play him.  The DA has not announced whether or not there will be charges.  Don't expect any announcement to come soon; this is a situation where it pays to drag the legal feet, if you're a 49er fan.  Not saying the DA is such a fan, but I'm saying this decision seems to be taking an inordinate amount of time, and one cannot help but wonder why.  How is McDonald different than Ray Rice?  McDonald has not been convicted in a court of law like Rice was.  Again, the NFL is SILENT and not smelling like a rose here.  And Hey Jim - show some character and don't play him.

4.  Drug Rules
This is easy, so I'll write it for the NFL:  Any federally illegal substance found during testing will result in immediate suspension for the next eight games, no matter how high or low the concentration.  Second offenses will result in automatic suspension for rest of the calendar year and the following full season including playoffs.  Other specified 'federally legal' substances (such as HGH) are also prohibited and violation penalties are the same as the illegal substance punishments.  Don't like this rule?  Then as a player, don't sign the collective bargaining agreement.  Go sell used cars in Washington state instead, the standards are lower there.

This sort of rule will help set an example worthy for children to emulate.  Note to NFL players:  watch who you hang out with.  Second-hand or 'spiked' anything will not be an excuse.

Really, NFL.  Remember that kids are watching.  Get the sport clean, keep it clean, set a shining example and boot the assholes out of it.

Third cup of coffee is ready now.  Out here.  You're welcome.