HERO WORSHIP
It is plain to see, during these early days of the month of June 2003, that the American public retains generous portions of hero worship in its general makeup.
In the news of this week we have experienced several events which illustrate that point. I think it to be important that we examine our thinking along such lines to be sure we maintain this attitude of respect and appreciation for those we admire or dislike or, simply “put up with” because they are here and, in a sense, one of us. It is, I feel, a good trait to preserve and nurture.
Three stories have been headlined in the past few days. One deals with the mis-adventures of Martha Stewart, business tycoon and TV personality. Another finds Sammy Sosa holding the shattered remains of an illegal bat on the baseball diamond and the other remarks on the publication this coming Monday of a new book – a much expected one - supposedly by Hillary Clinton detailing here feeling during the Monica Lewinsky scandal in which her husband Bill, our President, was so crudely involved.
Any one of these offenses against society, which, after all, is our definition of “crime” would seems to be sufficient grounds for condemnation of an individual in contrast to our former acceptance of their conduct. But, such is not the case in any of these three cases
The Sosa baseball story, no doubt, was the one which took the most people by surprise. The other two were in the making for months. Sammy Sosa was idolized by million for his sensational home run accomplishments; for his ability to bat the ball out of the park - and almost, it seemed at times, to order. He broke existing records and set new ones, stirred no ideas that he might be using devious methods of doing such wonderful things. All that changed with one, odd-sounding whack!
He is being suspended. Fans are, however, still holding up large posters saying: “We still love Sosa!” For the most part there is a strong body of sympathy for the player, including standing ovations, rather than harsh criticism While admitting that he may well have done wrong the excuse he created as he ran around the field, that he had simply picked up the wrong bat by “mistake”one used for batting practice only. His stock of over sixty bats is being x-rayed today to see if any contain unusual internal materials..
I joined that group, in a sense, when I agreed with comments made yesterday that I hoped the officials do not go all-out to ruin Sammy Sosa as they Pete Rose. I have read that the suggested punishment is suspension for ten games and a fine of $25,000. Most fans feel that, such a fine and some punishment is logical, but that anything in excess of that would be vindictive and cruel. The hero worship aura is still there for many Sosa fans.
The same may be said to be true in the Stewart fiasco. We were better prepared for this to happen .Nine indictments were handed out which means the trials will drag out for months, even years. Martha Stewart has a tremendous following in her TV roles and even though she had a reputation in the business world as being stern, uncompromising and assertive, often to extremes, her troubles do not come as a big surprise to most admirers. She was already thought of as being crafty, elusive and innovative. Her admirers are pleased that she has denied all charge and will fight it through the nation's courts!
Hillary Clinton and her new book centered around the Monica Lewinsky scandal,has the same sort of appeal and will gather sympathy and a feeling of warm commonality among her supporters. Some say the book is a starting point for her run for President next year or in '08. it is one way to answering campaign question well before the campaign gets started; one more way of unifying a following for an Oval Office run.
The elements of Hero Worship are hard to kill. They are also inexplicable at time, as well ...such as the many cases in which men on Death Row for killing their wives or sweethearts, get offers of marriage and gifts of money from women all over the nation.
A.L.M. June 5, 2003 [c721wds)
