Former sports editor (& SJ.com poster) arrested in connection with bank robbery

Re: Former sports editor (& SportsJournalists.com poster) arrested in connection with bank robb

So what if your daughter committed a crime, shot? Compassion get thrown out the window there, too?

 

I think, just like there's a rush to judgement, there's a rush to "compassion" that's almost knee-jerk in situations like this. And maybe it's one we're willing to make because he's one of our own. I suspect if it was some former low-ranking politician robbing a bank, we wouldn't be wringing our hands about "oh, we're two bad breaks away from doing it ourselves, you just never know, poor guy's going through a lot." But because he's a sports guy, and apparently one who posted on SJ, he gets more benefit of the doubt. God only knows what Jeff Passan could do and still get unrequited love from us.

 

So you are for less compassion all around. Interesting.

Bottom line, if some thug robs a bank he probably won't get a great deal of sympathy from folks.

But someone who works in the same business as you and lots of people know and remember fondly robs a bank you don't think: "Of course a former assistant sports editor robbed a bank. Surprised it doesn't happen more often."

"You think: What went so wrong in his life that he thought it was necessary to rob a bank?"

 

I can see your point, but it's a biiiig stretch to say, "There if not for the grace of God go I."

 

I don't think it's a big stretch at all. Doesn't have to be literally robbing a bank. People go on downward spirals for a variety of reasons and don't stop till they hit bottom.

 

No, I'm looking for consistency. Does this guy warrant more or less "compassion" than an average first-time offender just because he posted here? Something has gone wrong in the life of anyone who robs a bank -- whether they're short on money or whether they're career criminals. Hell, something went wrong in Mike Vick's life that let him believe that dogfighting is an acceptable pastime.

And as for those who have said we can't judge anyone who commits a crime if we're not in their shoes: yes, we can. And if I knowingly break the law, you can judge me too. That's the price you pay for ... wait for it ... breaking the law. Harsh? Harsh-sounding, perhaps. But I find it interesting that there's more sympathy for someone who apparently robbed a bank than for the dumbass kid who plagurized stories at the weekly down the road from the site of the crime.

 

Compassionate Consistency? Sounds like a bad campaign slogan.

 

Or a great laxative ad campaign.

 

Re: Former sports editor (& SportsJournalists.com poster) arrested in connection with bank robb

Wow. I worked for Mario for two years. Left nearly four years ago, and I just saw this on Romenesko. I have no idea what happened to put him there. Just in shock.

 

No. I would do nothing close to that, or anything on that level. Not a chance. And most of us could accurately say that.

 

I just saw the question, Ace.

And yes, there wouldn't be a whole lot of compassion there. Tough love when it comes to committing crimes.

 

It's easy for you to say that, shot. But you won't know unless it happens. I doubt you'd be so blase seeing your child carted off to jail.