Deflategate: The Ethics Behind the NFL

Just recently it was announced that Tom Brady would be suspended for four games of the upcoming NFL season, as a result of the deflategate scandal the Patriots where hit with after last season’s championship Sunday blowout game against the Colts. Now, I’m no sports enthusiast, but there is something very wrong about this decision. For the simple fact that Tom Brady and the Patriots were never hit with any hard evidence, but were basically found [“more than likely not aware of what was happening with the footballs]”. Couple this with the fact that we have players like Ray Rice, caught on tape beating his wife in an elevator, and he gets a 2 game suspension. Ben Roethlisberger, who was accused of rape back in 2008, was suspended for 6 games. There are also many other examples, but I found these to be the most striking. So essentially what this says to me that, in the eyes of the NFL, deflating footballs is worse than beating your wife, but not quite as bad as raping someone. Now I have seen arguments concerning the NFL’s code of conduct, and how they are more able to deal a harsher punishment because it happen within NFL regulations. However, this doesn’t excuse the fact that NFL is weighing crimes of civil misconduct over their own league policies. At most, this incident should have just been kept at a fine, which the Patriots also have, I believe its 1 million dollars. But at no point do I think it’s fair, and right, to deal out a punishment harsher than beating your wife, and just under the punishment of raping someone, for “possibly knowing” that the footballs were underinflated. It’s disgusting, and the NFL really needs to take a step and ask “How bad is this, really?”

Class Ware Fare: Why Do We Really Give to the Poor?

This social experiment was one that really sickened me at times. “Fousey TUBE”, a popular Youtuber, conducted this experiment, which would go to open my eyes toward the upper class and their motivations for donating the poor. In the experiment “Fousey” does a little role reversal pretending to be a homeless man, who decides to give money to those who are more fortunate. Time after time, wealthy business executives walk by, and “Fousey” attempts to give them a few bucks. The business executives are beyond insulted by this gesture, often throw the money back at him, and say things like, [“are you kidding me, I could buy you”], or [“Are you trying to be funny?”]. The wealthy take being handed money as an insult, and practically spit in his face at the thought of someone giving them money. All “Fousey” was trying to get across was the idea that no one has ever gone poor from giving to people. He was trying to show that even though he doesn’t have much, but that people should still give. That it’s not what’s in your wallet, but what’s in your heart. These business executives had almost no hearts to speak of, and at one point “fousey” almost got into a fight because somebody threw the money in his face, and then went on a rant about his really expensive car and how he’s better than him. These are certainly extreme examples, being that it was the city of Los Angeles. However, it raises a good point. Why do we give to the poor? Is it because we’re so nice and generous, or is it because we feel like we’re entitled to because we are of higher class? Something to think about, and I’ll warn you, watching this might make you a bit cynical.

The Truth About Love

You’ll be happy to know that not all of these posts are depressing and cynical. This next one happens to be very empowering, and I think encourages a new way of thinking, which everyone should adopt. In this experiment, a giant x-ray monitor was placed on a stage in a public setting. One after one, people saw skeletons kissing, only to find out that they were two women or two men. Not only that, but they portrayed people of different religions, ages, and cultures all showing love for one another with a hug or a handshake etc. I think the way it was presented was genius. Because it goes to show that on the inside, we’re all the same. Just bone, with muscle fibers and organs. Which got me further thinking, in what way do we have the right to judge other peoples sexual orientation/preference, race, religion, culture, gender, or disability. You’re no different than me, and I’m no different than you. So I think we should really pay attention to what is being presented here, because it goes to truly show that we’re all human. We’re people who have the right to live how we want to live, and be who we want to be with, without having to be judged by other people. Next time you see two gay men, or married couples who are of a different race etc. I want you to understand that underneath all of this outer exterior, they’re just like you. Love has no gender, race, religion, disability, nor disability. Learn to accept, learn to love, learn to live and let live.