Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see.
Just think: 2008 is a year of history-making. The first woman presidential contender, the first black presidential contender, the country is economically crippled and global leaders are arguing like teenagers. What we really needed was something positive, something good to ease the pain of it all. A Triple Crown winner followed by a match race between Big Brown and Curlin would've been a nice reprieve. It would've been "Seabiscuit" all over again.
Instead, the news is confusing and fragmented:
"After Big Brown’s collapse, there were suspicions, fairly or not, that the horse, who looked unbeatable in April and May, was a fraud." (Rhoden)
What the general media has latched onto is Big Brown's trainer saying that he routinely injected his horses with steroids. The trainer told reporters that he didn't know the effects the steroids had on the horses if any; he just likes to use them.
What was observable on TV's recording of the Belmont points to other questions that haven't been addressed:
- The media was kept at a distance in the week prior to the Belmont, yet few questioned this.
- During the post parade, Big Brown was very calm. Too calm.
- Stifling heat and humidity, but Big Brown was dry.
- Review of the race showed no reason for the jockey to pull the horse out of the race. The jockey made errors in how he rode the race, but not enough that the horse could'nt have run it.
- The trainer and vets find nothing wrong with the horse.
- Obviously as healthy of a horse as he was going into the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, yet the jockey pulls the horse out of the race.
- The long shot horse, Da' Tara, leads and wins the race with no challenges.
The rumors abound that Big Brown wasn't sound. That he was too calm and then sluggish during the race points to drugs like pain killers and calming agents. No hoof, no horse.
* * * * * * * * * *
If I were to identify what I feel about this, I'd have to say that I am flat, discouraged and disappointed. It seems that all the good things that used to make America strong is gone. It is all replaced by uncontrolled, boundless greed. The truth of the matter is that horses don't lie.
It'll take me a few days to come up with the positives on this one.
"It seems that all the good things that used to make America strong is gone. It is all replaced by uncontrolled, boundless greed."
ReplyDelete(Sigh.) Many times, it's difficult to argue that one.
I can only leave you with this, to which I can't attribute to an author at this time: "What is, is not what has to be."
Lisa
That is so true, Lisa. So true... Sigh.
ReplyDeleteTheresa
Or...is it the boundless greed that made America great? When I see a church like that one on I-30 mu first thought is of all the poor people they could have helped and instead they build this billion dollar shrine to their egos. However....anyone driving by ( including myself) cant help but be impressed looking at the thing. What exactly do people mean when they say America is great? What exactly is great about America? Id say most people would define that as the high standard of living thats so common in this country. So what lends to big houses, big TV's, a computer in every room, and 2 nice newer cars in the drive? That keeping up with the Jones mentality? Being greedy enough to work as many jobs, or hours at that job to have all those things that impress the rest of the world with our standard of living. Just a thought. HRSLADY
ReplyDeleteI think I see your point, but I wonder: Is greed or wanting to keep up with the Jones's something to be proud of? For one to have, many have to go without, even in a country with a 'high standard of living.' That standard only applies to some, not all. And, I dare say that this kind of polarization exists in all developed countries - some to a lesser, some to a greater extent than here in the US.
ReplyDeleteLike Lisa said, "what is, is not what has to be."
Theresa
There is nothing wrong with striving to achieve a decent standard of living and I think that there can be a great deal of variability when we talk about "decent". What has discouraged so many is that we have moved beyond decent to excessive, when too many aren't even getting to basic.
ReplyDeleteThe church can be impressive from the outside, but if it's empty on the inside, what have you got? If people really look inside, do what they believe and value reflect what's going on the outside through their everyday actions? It's a scary journey to undertake.
Lisa
There is nothing amiss about striving to realize your potential, that isn't the question. It is, as you say, that so many go without basic needs stuffs.
ReplyDeleteWhat we are looking at is symbols, all of what once was the 'American Dream' and what that stands for.
Horse racing is one such symbol. It is a test of a chest-thumping sort: "My horse is faster than your horse." If it is left at that, it is pure and simple and a contest worth running. Horses don't lie.