Ultimate Rhoads

Ben Rothlisberger is the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of American football (as if any of you aren't completely up to date on everything involved with the NFL).

He was accused of rape in March but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence. The entire case is disgusting because Rothlisberger used his wealth and fame to behave in a manner that was just pathetic. Having bodyguards find him women and then assaulting a 20-year-old while his bodyguards kept her friends from getting to here to help her.

Today the National Football League suspended him for six games as punishment for violating the leagues personal conduct policy. Why not just ban him completely from football and send a message to other 'star' athletes who think they are above the law? When not make him find a real job?

And while I'm at it, why is it that no one is mentioning in the media that the young women accusing him - who was admittedly highly intoxicated ate a night club - is 20 YEARS OLD and the legal drinking age in Georgia (where this took place) is 21 YEARS OLD? Had she been following the laws of society she wouldn't have even been there...

Sometimes stories pop up in the news that really bother me. This is one, because no fault is found with being drunk and out of control and because the 'star' is basically being slapped on the wrist for committing a crime.

I pray that people who read this will pray for those in society who are so wrapped up in sex and alcohol and 'the party'. Pray that they learn to find something worth living for beyond the moment.

How the rich can get away with crime always stuns me I am not sure that this happens so much over here but we don't have the same level of celebrity culture! The comments you mentioned regarding the girl being drunk at 20 years old in a state with a minimum drinking age of 21, I imagine her drinking is being used as a way to undermine her case against this wealthy individual., as if this excuses an act of violation such as rape. This remind me of a conversation I heard my parents have a few years ago.
The news was on and my parents were watching it and the story was of the Brazilian who was shot in the head by the police on the London underground, he had been mistaken for a suicide bomber even though he was in no way conected to a terror group! for us in Britain it was a low point and a time of huge shame. This young man was an ilegal imigrant who had over stayed when his visa ran out! Ok he deserved deportation but not cold blooded murder.
The news was about the inquest into this poor mans mistaken killing, I heard my Dad say to my Mum 'They didn't mention that he was an ilegal imigrant did they'?

I was stunned and shouted at my Dad that isn't an excuse to kill him in cold blood is it is it!! my dad looked a bit sheepish and said 'I don't suppose so' at that point I suggested he should think a little more before he speaks and consider just what these stories really say about society.

Those questions about society and standards also relate to what you are talking about Paul, standards and a deeper sense of responsibility by everyone.

I agree Ian, society allows behavior based on status and it is simply wrong.

The reason I mentioned the girl's age is that there is such a focus in this country on drinking and sex that kid's are happy to break laws just to be a part of the "excitement". If this young girl wasn't so influenced by this society's idea that sex and alcohol are what you need to have a good time, she'd probably not have been there to be attacked in the first place.

Kinda like Natalee Holloway down in Aruba. A 17-year-old who just had to go drinking in a night club. She ended up dead. That in no way forgives her murder, but had she not been there, she'd be alive.