Steroids and Sports

Sports organizations worldwide are concerned with their athletes using performance-enhancing substances. The Tour de France, the NFL, NBA, MLB, all of them. And all of them have had some kind of confrontation with significantly important individuals within their organizations: Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds, Mark MacGwire, etc. I am worried too, actually. Many of these individuals are heroes, role models for young people everywhere. What kind of damage can be done by such role models who use or abuse controlled substances? Incalculable.


However, I am baffled by the news from the Associated Press. World Wrestling Entertainment has suspended 10 wrestlers for using steroids. Wow. 10, huh? 10 whole wrestlers.

I suspect that there are more. And you know what?

No.
One.
Cares.

The important thing about pro wrestling is the posturing, the taunting, the jibes, not the jabs.

They are an ENTERTAINMENT organization.

They may be fit. They may be muscled. Ripped. Built. Pumped.

But no one cares if they use steroids, because the contests are not real. The contests are staged, scripted, planned.

The only reason it is important for the "wrestlers" to be fit is to put on a good show. And for that, who cares if they ruin their lives and bodies by injecting steroids, who cares if they "dope?" If that makes a better show, do it. If "'roid rage" makes the bad guy more hateful, go for it.

I would never opine that you should not watch wrestling on television. Watch what you want. but when a corporation like WWE tries to be serious, I have a hard time even wanting to call their performers "athletes."

What are they thinking?

So, I was watching late night television, folding laundry. I do that on occasion.

They have the stupidest commercials on late night television. I went through a whole day a week or so ago, with the jingle for Enzyte(r) Natural Male Enhancement Formula running through my mind. Let me tell you, that hurt. But not as bad as seeing "Smilin' Bob" in my mind's eye. EWWWWW!

But the worst ones are the ones for dating services. You know the ones: You meet the nicest guys, and they're all local, and it's FREE TO TRY!!!

Umm. Yeah. Does anyone else see the problem here?

This is a recipe for disaster.

Can anyone else say, "meat market?"

Criminently, people. There are thousands of perverts, rapists, and sexual predators out there in every area of the country. And here they are asking girls (and guys--I am an equal opportunity cynic) to give away their personal information over the phone. They even stress that everyone is local. Jeez! There are warnings all over the place about not giving away personal information over the internet, not responding to phishing schemes, and God forbid that anyone should ever volunteer to help out any Nigerian prince launder money. But here they are telling everyone that it's OK if you're local. That just makes it easier for the predator to find his or her victims. There is even one that specifically shows guys being invited over to the girls' home, and all the girls can say is, "I bet they're just as cute as the last 'Red Hot' guys." This type of scenario almost gives credence to the argument put forward by some sleazebag rapists that "she was askin' for it." (Almost. I said almost. Rape is rape. It is never right. No woman EVER asks for it. Please don't give me hate mail.) But seriously, how many of you would ever invite strangers to your home? I hope no one I know is that stupid.

But enough of that. How was your day?