Like so many people, I live for the weekend. I know that football and church are there for me no matter how many things let me down, or at least disappoint, throughout the week. But weekends have been different of late. There's a confusion at church and now a confused fan club at PSU.
Even as we want to worship or cheer our gods, the thought of betrayal, not unlike the Last Supper or the last drive before a lost win, spoils our blessed assurance of victory. Something formerly seen as sacred and attended religiously is now suspect. Proud parents of young men wonder if the cost to participate in the boys' club is worth it. Injuries to heads, limbs and spirits leave us devastated.
Fraternal esprit de corps sours when mixed with an abuse of power and position.
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How did we get to this unthinkable desecration of our weekend devotions? The operative word is "unthinkable." Was anyone thinking, let alone questioning, when mere boys were being enlisted to do the bidding of men? Were mothers, in particular, supposed to applaud the same regimen historically evidenced by the ancient Spartans or Adolph Hitler for youth? Were charismatic leaders, given sanctuary or the ability to direct from the sidelines, to be treated like gods when sons were enduring the agony of self-immolation?
Dare I conclude that the only thing necessary for so many incarnations of the boys' club to thrive is for good parents to say and do nothing to call them to accountability. Dare I include in the ranks of the boys' club such thriving enterprises as law enforcement agencies, the military, the U.S. Senate, Church hierarchy, various family businesses and mafias, the drug cartels and sports programs. And dare I suggest that what really makes a man is doing what is right and good, not making something right for your own good.
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Anyone can be a father, but few are real dads. Anyone can be an MVP, but few are real role models. Anyone can be driven to greatness, but few are really humble in greatness. Anyone can be heroic, but few are real heros and gentlemen combined.
So score another for the good Joe that goes along with paternalism. Join the ranks of rank patriotism. Rally macho support for male genitals covetted by the impotent. Replay the differences between coaching and grooming by the weak link in the chain of command.
Or, just settle in for more weekends of Mass confusion and confusion of the masses.
