So we've all seen the SNL skit by now...but just in case you haven't-here's the link:
Hiiiiiigh-larious.
But seriously: I admit-I was disappointed when I found out that Michael Phelps had smoked weed. Smoking pot is illegal. Plain and simple. Besides-Phelps carries part of the American image. He is a representative of our country, a role model for children, and a ....
Then I thought about it some more and decided that I was just disappointed that Michael Phelps got Caught smoking weed. And here is why: [first-the illegal factor is something that is difficult to get around-but for the purposes of this justification-we'll be ignoring that]
but I digress--Michael Phelps is 23-will be 24 as of June 30, 2009...he has already won 12 gold medals. TWELVE. He qualified for the US Olympic swim team at AGE 15. The kid has been a robo athlete since he was 10.
Phelps has also been diagnosed with ADHD. Weed as we should all be aware of-Slows you down.
This is not some performance enhancing drug here folks. When they have the munchie olympics then we can bring out the firing squad [no pun intended].
So I think this huge outcry against him is a bit much. Really the only point worth contesting is the fact that he engaged in an illegal activity. Which brings me to stupid rule land. But that is another post. [look for it next week under the post heading: Endroit des Regles Stupides]
Instead let us focus on something that I find highly criminal...
For example [and these figures are straight-up-no lie-check them out @USATODAY.com]:
First your "average joe".....
Jason Witten [tight end for the Dallas Cowboys]
2008 Salary Information:
$1,905,000 base
$6,000,000 sign bonus
$5,760 "other bonus"
$4,100,760 cap value
Total Salary: $1,910,760
now...a not so average joe....
Ben Roethlisberger [quarter back for the Pittsburgh Steelers]
2008 Salary Information:
$2,500,000 base
$25,200,000 sign bonus [seriously?]
$1,920 "other bonus"
$7,971,920 cap value
Total Salary: $27,701,920 [ps. he is 27 years old]
Really?!?!
That was a mini comparison.
SI.com lists "The Fortunate 50" which a listing of the highest paid athletes of 2008-it includes money made from endorsements...
"No one can touch Tiger Woods, the runaway No. 1 for the fifth year in a row. Tiger's near $128 million haul is more than double his closest pursuer, Phil Mickelson at $62.4 million. As usual, hoops dominates the 50: More than half this year's list is made up of NBA players. There are 10 baseball players, seven football players, three NASCAR drivers, three golfers and one boxer --"
Really?!?!
So the criminal aspect here?
The average salary of a high school teacher in South Carolina is about $46,000. Not even administrators break $100,000.
Really?!?!
Just look at this big picture with me for a minute...
Fact: our economy is in la toilette.
Fact: people are losing jobs left and right.
Fact: people that don't have an income cannot contribute economically.
Fact: teachers make less than $50,000 a year.
Fact: professional athletes [even mediocre ones] pull in WAAAY more than that.
Fact: the children are our future.
Solution to problem: Eliminate math/science/english/history/language/etc...teachers. Hire a bunch of coaches and churn out robo athletes.
Boom.
Economic turn around.
Someone place a call.
Really?!?!
I know that because I want to be a teacher I have doomed myself to live in a box for the rest of my life... I console myself with knowing that with my brother being actor he will most likely always have a smaller box than me! At least we are doing what we love and it's not for the big bucks. I wonder if all those athletes would still be doing it if they weren't getting paid like they are now.
ReplyDeletethere is a lot to be said for doing what you love...or at least getting paid a shit ton of money to look like you are loving it. i know i rest easy at night in my little loft apartment and i know i sleep just as well as ben rothisbenberglisiamamama (whatshisname)-probably better.
ReplyDelete