As we return from our respective summers and gear up for another year of classes, let’s take a moment to wag the proverbial finger and shake our collective heads in disgust one last time at the expense of the most disappointing public figures of the summer.
Michael Vick: The talented Atlanta Falcons quarterback has to be at the top of any list that involves disappointing public figures. A wise friend of mine tried to play down the severity of Vick’s actions by explaining that the very men prosecuting Vick for killing animals in the state of Georgia probably spend their own weekends hunting down innocent wildlife. Does the fact that they use rifles and call it the sport of hunting make it any more acceptable or humane? Probably not. However, Michael Vick is a role model to millions of young children. Now, because of his wanton regard for his public image, his teammates and his fans, he has permanently tarnished his image and forced parents all across the country to explain to their kids that their favorite football player is going to jail for killing puppies. Nice Job.
The Spice Girls: Because I thought my ears were safe until they announced their comeback.
Alberto Gonzales: As I sit here writing this article, I’m reading about how Mr. Gonzales has finally decided to resign from his post as the U.S. attorney general. Truthfully, I’ve got to hand it to this guy. It took some serious balls for the highest legal officer in the country to look a Congressional committee and the country in the eye, and actually pretend not to remember that he fired nine (not one, not two, but nine) federal judges during his time in office, seemingly for no reason. Simply pretending not to remember why he fired those judges as opposed to even a half-assed attempt at concocting a believable lie further drives home the notion that the Bush administration arrogantly believes itself to be above the law and accountable to no one. By not even bothering to explain his actions, he insults the intelligence of the average American and further robs us of our right to transparency from our public officials.
Lindsay Lohan: Because no one has sent her to prison yet.
Tim Donaghy: The NBA referee who admitted to altering the outcomes of various NBA games that he officiated became one of the most ostracized public figures of the summer after an FBI probe into his actions became public. Questionable calls in playoff games, connections to the mafia and an out-of-control gambling habit eventually led to his demise. So how does one man’s personal tragedy translate into being on this list? The answer is simply integrity. Sports are based on the idea that every team has a fair shot at winning every game if they can outplay their opponents. The idea that a referee was denying the players and fans the right to a fair game now forces the average fan to question the legitimacy of every blown call, wondering if there is some kind of ulterior motivation in play, and puts even more stress on referees in an era of instant replay where the scrutiny was intense enough. With this added pressure, it is doubtful that any major sports league will be able to continue to attract the same quantity of talented referees because of the fear of media crucifixion over one bad call.
Karl Rove: Because the captain of the Bush administration should go down with his ship.