Posted August 11, 2005

     It seems that editorial points, some of them minor and some not so minor, have been building up in the in-box at South Boston Online.  Perhaps it’s the hot midsummer weather, coupled with the recent humidity.

      First, let’s take a look at the continuing problems that are plaguing youth sports.  These range from overplaying young athletes until they get injured, to the continued abuse (even a beating or two) being heaped on coaches and referees/umpires.  This trend will be the ruination of youth sports, if it is allowed to continue.  And adults, not the young players, are to blame.  What an awful example they set for their children.

     It’s a sucker’s game, as well.  Only two in a hundred students get college assistance because of their athletic talents.  Half of the students with an athletic scholarship don’t ever graduate.  Less than one in 10,000 athletes ever turns professional, or even makes a farm team.  You figure the odds of a success from pushing a youngster into athletics.

     Why do we mention this again?  Because it seems that South Boston sports are free from these abuses.  To the best of our knowledge here at South Boston Online, these problems simply don’t exist in our neighborhood.  That merits a very big “well done” to every parent, coach, ref, ump, and young athlete in South Boston.

     In the pros, steroids have reared their ugly heads again.  The Oriole’s Rafael Palmeiro (according to an unconfirmed information leak) tested positive.  The reaction:  disgust among fans.  And where is Barry What’s-his-name?  The one who was going to surpass Ruth’s home run total – you remember him, don’t you?

     On an entirely different topic, are you appalled, and perhaps a little frightened, by the epidemic of road rage that is engulfing our highways?  Traffic laws are being enforced by out-of-control, murderous drivers.  Those that aren’t carrying weapons are using their cars as battering rams.

Now let’s face a couple of facts about South Boston drivers.  There’s no question that we park carelessly, sometimes blocking in other cars.  We also blow through stop signs with hardly a tap of the brakes or a glance in either direction.  Can a local road rage incident be far behind?  Please, think it over.  The only way to prevent road rage is to drive courteously.  Count to ten when the “other driver” does something wrong.  Whatever happens, don’t lose it.  It simply isn’t worth it.

     On yet another topic, it’s long past time to drop the case against Kenny Conley.  It has been ongoing for 11 years – “justice delayed is justice denied”.  Since the current U.S. Attorney, Michael Sullivan, wasn’t involved in the early years of Conley’s prosecution (persecution?), he can only add to his stature by acting properly and dropping the case at once.  So what’s his hangup?  Call him up and ask.

     Normally, we don’t recommend other media.  However, there is a saying, “One picture is worth a thousand words.”  Take a look at the pictures on page 109 in the August issue of “Esquire” magazine.  They show crystal meth addicts before and after as little as three months of using.  Cool, huh?  What a great way to lose your boy friend or girl friend – fast!  Or maybe you should just put your face in a meat grinder.  That wouldn’t be as cool, but it’s a little quicker and a whole lot less expensive.  Those pictures say it all.