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| Rob's Soapbox | ||
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Congratulations!
You have finally landed on the one page on this entire site (and on the entire internet for that matter) that is purely without bullshit... my soapbox page. There are a lot of times during our show that, whether it's because of time constraints and other obligations, I don't always get to address some issues that I feel don't get the attention they deserve. There are even more times when I just don't feel like waiting until the show the next day to get some things off my chest. Thus, I have started the "Rob's Soapbox" page. If you have clicked on this page looking for someone to coddle your fragile sense of self-esteem, or tell you what you want to hear or to reinforce your outdated world view, then exit this page right now and go somewhere else. If you are in search of the last forum for reason and common sense left in the world, then sit back, relax, and enjoy. I make only one promise with this soapbox page... if you read long enough and often enough, you will eventually be offended. So here's my latest soapbox. Listen up, 'cause you just might learn something... |
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August 5, 2007 A TALE OF TWO MICHAELS A stunning commentary on the American culture is playing out before our very eyes and too few people are paying attention. In a nation that coddles its’ children to the point of creating entire generations of adults not prepared for the real world, we are witnessing surprising proof through loud and clear actions that America still holds a few things more dear than their almighty offspring; Their idols, their false delusional definitions of self-respect, and their dogs. Make no mistake about it; America is and always has been a country of dog lovers. No where else in the world are canines as revered and pampered as this nation. While it is true that far too many animals are abandoned and mistreated, the same can be said about our elderly, our sick and our handicapped people. The truth in all cases is that the majority of all mentioned are treated with the utmost care and dignity, despite the small yet unacceptable percentage that are abused. Pet care, after all, is a $30 billion annual industry in America. Yet despite the undeniable dog loving that permeates our country, you could have never convinced me that anything, anywhere, anytime would supplant the near mythical and heroic proportions to which we have raised the specter of the children of America in the past 40 years. We have done a grand job of convincing the people of this nation that children, all children, should be coddled, smothered, babied and apologized for and we have created a society of pussies like the world has never before seen. Given that, I was convinced that most Americans would chew off their own arms rather than fail to protect a child. Alas, I was wrong. I forgot that we are a shallow, hollow, nation that reveres people who accomplish nothing (think; Paris Hilton), apologize for those we idolize even in the face of overwhelming evidence (think; Barry Bonds) and refuse to acknowledge or accept for even a moment that perhaps we place our faith in a bad person. (Unless, of course that person hurts a dog; a child? That’s fine. A dog? Never)! Michael Vick, one of the premiere superstar athletes in the nation has been indicted on horrific charges of murdering, torturing and conspiring to fight dogs. When he arrived at his arraignment hearing last week, he was met by less than a dozen supporters who cheered for him and hundreds of booing, jeering, hate filled protestors who wanted him lynched on the spot. Michael Jackson, one of the premiere pop stars of all time was charged with the horrific crime of molesting a child that was in his care, allegedly in secret rooms of his own bedroom. When he arrived at his trial, there were almost no protestors and literally thousands of screaming, supportive fans crying for his release. The scene, you may remember, even escalated into a now famous “moonwalk” Jackson performed on the roof of his SUV. Michael Vick, before he has even had a trial, has had endorsement deals with Nike and Rawlings suspended without pay, had his NFL jerseys pulled from all store shelves and has been ordered not to report to training camp. Michael Jackson saw a 400% increase in his album sales the week his trial began. The key witness against Michael Vick is apparently a friend of his with a shady past who helped Vick allegedly commit these atrocities against animals. He is motivated by protecting his own ass and staying out of jail to help the prosecutors. His credibility is questionable at best. The key witness against Michael Jackson was a 13 year old boy who had cancer. Michael Vick has no criminal background or any allegations against him of a similar nature. Michael Jackson paid a different boy who had accused him of molesting him $25 million in 1993 to shut up. Callers to the Rob, Arnie and Dawn show have made no comments like “they’re just dogs,” or “shouldn’t we wait for the trial,” in regards to the Michael Vick case. In one of the most memorably chilling phone calls ever made to the Rob, Arnie and Dawn show a mother, in the midst of the Michael Jackson child rape trial called and said that yes, she would allow her three children under the age of 8 to stay the night with Michael Jackson. This list of comparisons runs on and on. In the end, Michael Jackson, facing evidence not seen since the O.J. Simpson trial, was found not guilty by reason of an inept district attorney and stupid jury. The circumstantial evidence, track record, common sense and behavior by the defendant himself all belay this verdict. Yet at the time of the charges and to this day, Americans by the millions stood and still stand by the man’s side. Oh sure, Michael Jackson is nothing the star he once was, but neither are M.C. Hammer, Dire Straits, Van Halen, and Andrew Dice Clay, all of whom are current failures for the same reasons that Michael Jackson is; they have produced nothing of any quality in the last 15 years. To claim that Michael Jackson is not the star today that he once was because of child molestation charges would be naïve and ignorant beyond reproach, as evidenced by the short list of stars who have suffered similar fates that I have just provided you who have not been accused of molesting children. Michael Vick, meanwhile has already been punished more harshly for his alleged crimes than Michael Jackson ever was. Vick will never play for the Atlanta Falcons again and most likely not in the NFL, regardless of the outcome of his trial. So, you ask, what the hell is my point? Am I standing up for Michael Vick, you demand? Of course not. I have said many times and I repeat now that I decided long ago to make every effort to remove myself from your silly little society and simply observe it. I have neither the time nor inclination to be part of a culture that idolizes drunks, apologizes for liars and condones vigilantes. I want nothing to do with your silly hand wringing about global warming, your preposterous fears of a rapture, and your pure, unadulterated rudeness. I prefer to simply watch you all hypocritically destroy yourselves and the greatest nation ever created via your own arrogance and ignorance. My point is simply to point out these things, not defend them. Michael Vick, by all accounts and circumstantial evidence is a disgusting human being who did atrocious things to beautiful, loving, amazing animals that deserve so much better. Italy has long proclaimed that a society and a soul can and should be judged by the way its’ pets are treated and they are 100% correct. A pet is not a child who will someday need to learn the harsh realities of the cruel world (and therefore needs to be taught lessons and the like), a pet is merely a non stop blob of love that wants nothing more than to please you and be loved by you. If you as a soul or a society can’t see that and respond accordingly by protecting and loving it, your soul and society stand judged in the eyes of those of us who understand what life is truly about. Michael Vick, by all accounts, harmed the most innocent, loving and defenseless of our culture. Our dogs live to serve us and want nothing more than to know they have pleased us. Michael Vick betrayed that notion and this nation with his vile crimes and deserves a punishment far worse than he will get if he is found guilty. Michael Jackson did the same. Yet then and now millions of people stood by Jackson, turning a blind eye to his disgusting behavior. Those of you who call me arrogant or stuck-up or elitist for wanting nothing to do with this society need only answer one question for me; why would I want to be a part of a culture that damns a man who harms dogs and loves a man who harms children? There are no greater symbols of the most frail and loving and dependant than the pets and children of America. Apparently, you have all made your choice; the dogs win. America loses.
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