Most people around here know that, up to a few years ago, I was a massive wrestling fan. I finally fell out of it when the storylines just got ridiculous and the swell of newcomers got to the point where I no longer knew who anybody was. I suppose I was dragged back in earlier this week when news of Chris Benoit’s death surfaced, and initial thoughts were some horrible confrontation had ended the lives of his entire family. Obviously, that wasn’t the case.
As a devout Christian it can be times like these that cause the most internal strife in exactly what I *do* think and what I *should* think. I want to attempt understanding people go through things that make for unreasonable circumstances and actions. But through that I begin to think that there is never, ever a reason to take the life of a seven-year-old boy. Depression can be overcome if people seek out the answers, and steroid-induced rage is self-imposed and not a defence. What surfaces is the anger I’ve felt since yesterday for this wrestler I used to look up to. I simply can’t allow myself to understand him or feel sorry for him. I attempt to soften my words and even thoughts to be more eloquent or understanding but it doesn’t last – I’m simply very angry over the selfish and thoughtless actions of a loser.
I know some will offer the defence that I wasn’t in his place and don’t know what he went through, and thus I’m not equipped to pass any kind of moral judgement. I simply say it’s true, we can’t walk in each other’s shoes, but I can say that nothing I’ve gone through or could go through would bring me to the point where it seemed reasonable to murder my wife and child and hang myself. I know this.
I suppose the Christian in me is angry that he decided to place Bibles beside his wife and child, presumably to encourage their safe passage to heaven. As if Chris Benoit has any understanding of what it would take to get there. As if he isn’t a mental midget with no comprehension of what that book says, teaches, or desires from us. Chris Benoit is where he belongs, and I feel nothing but contempt for him. I wish I could feel compassion but I don’t. My compassion, thoughts, and prayers are reserved for an innocent woman and child, and the family and friends close to the situation, now left to deal with the aftermath.
Its amazing how different people react to a situation like this. I totally understand the feelings that you have towards the situation and I can see your points as more than valid. But when it comes down to it I can’t seem to feel the same anger towards Benoit. For myself all I feel is sad. Sad that it came to this, sad that the wrong decisions were made, sad that someone could do something so extreme.
What happen has no true justification no matter how much someone tries to say otherwise. People always have the choice to do what is right and taking a life no matter what the case is never best choice. NEVER.
But in the end I am only sadden by the situation. Its just not right no matter how to look at it.
I am inclined to agree with both Mark and Rick. Rick is right on in that he deserves not a thought. There can be no justification whatsoever in taking the life of a child. Although, I think I’m with Mark, in that I don’t feel angry. I feel sadness for the life the 7 year old boy will never live, as well as his mother.
I think I’ve relegated myself to accepting terrible news and not thinking much of it anymore, which is why I don’t get angry at such things.
My philosophy is, that’s his problem, and I won’t feel anger or sadness for him, just like I wouldn’t for Tank Johnson.
One thing that upsets me though, is people actually feeling sorry for and forgiving Dany Heatley. He’ll forever be a “k—er” to me.
So you feel no anger for a guy who strangled his wife and smothered his seven-year-old boy, then lived with their bodies for two days – but a kid who accidentally killed a close friend in a car accident is unforgiveable?
I think KP is out to lunch with that comment…
I think KP is out to lunch with that comment…
The obvious difference between the two, is that Dany Heatley has a second chance and is florishing. In the other cases, those athletes are either dead or have been banished. So they are no longer relevant. But Heatley is getting all the love that he doesn’t deserve. And he got away with something that I hate in sports – demanding a trade from his organization and getting his wish, and THEN to top it off, is doing very well in his new surroundings. Total difference there.
The obvious difference is that Heatley is florishing, but the others are either dead or have been banished. So I couldn’t care less about the others since they’re no longer irrelevant. The worst thing is that Heatley is getting all the love that he does not deserve. And to top it all off, he did one thing that annoys the hell out of me in sports – demanding a trade and getting his wish, AND actually doing very well in his new surroundings.
The obvious difference is that Heatley is florishing, but the others are either dead or have been banished. So I couldn’t care less about the others since they’re no longer irrelevant. The worst thing is that Heatley is getting all the love that he does not deserve. And to top it all off, he did one thing that annoys the hell out of me in sports – demanding a trade and getting his wish, AND actually doing very well in his new surroundings.
damn… I thought the first comment didn’t post, so I retyped the whole thing and it still seem like it didn’t post, so I refreshed it… Sorry.
hey, I’n no fan of Heatley but that is not comparable to what Benoit did.
Bret Hart said he is more upset over this than he was with Owen. WTF!!!