I feel like the cynical part of my brain has been working overtime as of late. The stories in the news that have continued to capture my attention have been revolving around lies, cover ups, and the right the thing to do.
Everyone and their Mother has tweeted about, read about, learned about, and as of tomorrow viewed Oprah's interview with Lance Armstrong. The public confession or apology or whatever he wants to call this Public Relations, last ditch, hit the hearts of the people, save (Remember what I said about the cynical part). I have been having a difficult time figuring out what my opinion is on this matter. My initial reaction was NO KIDDING. I found it odd that people were shocked, anti-doping agencies have been after this man for a decade and as the years passed his story and people around him began to crumble. Part of me held on hope that he wasn't doping (the same part that still holds strong for Ken Griffey Jr.) but deep down, I knew a press conference would be held where tears would be streaming and apologies would be flowing.
I am not even sure if disappointment came to mind when the announcement came because the suspicion that this day would come was far too evident. It was not a question of 'if' but more of 'when,' Someone I was with the other day made a comment 'I just don't understand how he could lie that elaborately for that long...it must be exhausting.' He is right, that does have to be exhausting. I began to wonder if it goes on for so long that he truly believed at times that he was innocent, that doping did not occur. I mean, I am positive he dug deep and reflected that would always be there...but I just wonder after denying claims for literally a decade it was almost second nature. I am still not sure how I feel on the subject. Part of me asks who am I to be this upset and disappointed, we all make mistakes. However, to think of all the people he dragged down with him, the claims that were consistently made towards other people around him, it's hard to let that go.
While continuing the processing an article comes out by Deadspin about Manti Te'o, the Notre Dame linebacker. Manti was one of the top defensive players in the country this year who overcame tragedy off the field and was embraced by his team and the community. The original story is Manti goes back to September when in the matter of hours he lost his Grandmother and his girlfriend. It is now being reported by Deadspin that he did in fact lose his Grandmother but that the girlfriend was made up and was a hoax to intensify the story. http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax
Clearly, I do not have enough of the facts or information to make an educated statement...but gosh is this getting old. Truly, I hope this is poor reporting by Deadspin but if not, when does this end? The two examples happen to be in the sporting world but we all know this goes far beyond that realm. It is sadly in our everyday life and with the advancement in social media these issues, as important as they are, only get escalated.
The point of this post has been murky at best and maybe this is just a part of growing up and the cynical side gains a strangle hold on your reality and the battle is to stay positive in this ever negative media driven world.
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