The Cult of Personality Peril

Rafael Palmeiro’s 10 day suspension after testing positive for steroids is bad. The suspension coming not more than four months after Palmeiro’s congressional testimony where he vigorously denied ever using the banned substance is worse. And saying yesterday he did not deliberately or willingly take the performance enhancing material is the worst. According to Raffy, “I did not do this intentionally or knowingly.”

Palmeiro is about as convincing as one commander and chief declaring, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” or the imfamous “I am not a crook,” by another. Each of these gentlemen are/were fooling no one, except perhaps themselves in a desperate hope that we might believe them.

A big part of me of me would like to believe Palmeiro (or believed Clinton and Nixon). Instead of the never ending speculation about who, where, what, how and when by the self-proclaimed experts who either malign or defend, wouldn’t it be (or have been) great if each of these incidents were some kind of an error in the reporting of the facts. Unfortunately, that does not appear t0 be (and has not been) the case. Instead it appears to be a mistake in personal judgment.

It is easy to become cynical about what Palmeiro has done and how he explains himself. Another unfortunate example of someone who bends and/or breaks the rules to preserve their position and to get ahead instead of working hard and playing by the rules like the rest of us stiffs. I can feel upset and frustrated just writing about the unfairness of it all.

Yet those negative feelings lead only to the expenditure of negative energy. Trying to understand “why” serves no purpose and leaves one with only a headache and a bad aftertaste. There never seems to be a satisfactory answer that most will agree explains why some people behave the way they do.

Our attention instead should shift to trying to answer the questions of how and what, especially when it relates to people and their actions. A long time ago a very nice lady from Mound City once told me something that I have tried to integrate into my thinking ever since: People, even those with who we align ourselves, will do things that disappoint us. Yet, their mistakes are not enough of a reason to end the pursuit of what is important or to take our eyes off of the prize.

Here is yet another reason that supports the primacy of philosophy over personality. By our very nature, humans are fallible. There isn’t anyone who wouldn’t agree with this observation. Yet we often rush to judgment of individuals who make mistakes. And just as quickly, our views on the group these fallen individuals represent are also negatively influenced. Both are an overgeneralization and are unfair.

So while Palmeiro has been penalized for cheating and has subsequently lied or tried to mislead us on what happened, it is not sufficient reason for one to give up their interest in the game as a fan. The same is true given the lying and misleading done about Monica by Slick Willy or the Watergate cover-up by Tricky Dick and our interest and participation in the political process. It is also a flimsy excuse for attacking those who are represented by the wrong-d0er. The actions of one are often regrettable but ought not to define the debate.

We need to stop the squabbling about the character of our elected officials or lump all who share the same perspective together with the misdeeds of their more visible comrades. Our representatives do and say things that are often inexplicable and lead to endless speculation. Our discussion should elevate to a level to talk about possible solutions to our challenges and the alternatives of how to take advantage of the opportunities we face together.

I think it ought to start here in blog-o-land (sorry KELOland). All the sniping back and forth about what one guy or gal did or said is toxic, triggers cynicism, and leaves one with a headache and a bad aftertaste. We can do better and ought to try. I seek out the debate about the issues rather than the players and invite others to join me.

This is my plea brothers and sisters! Can I get a witness? Can I have an ‘Amen!’?