The world has certainly changed since I was in school. Growing up in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s I learned foolish things like words have meaning, truth isn’t relative, there are certain immutable laws, and that history is the study of things which occurred in the PAST.
Fast forward to the present. We have seen people and institutions decide that they can simply change the definition of words in order to justify their actions. We need look no further than the Episcopal Church, which gets around little things like the biblical definition of sin by simply pronouncing that “modern scholarship” has determined that certain behaviors are not really contrary to God’s Word; or that even if the Bible says that some activities are contrary to God’s Law, we have to put them into a “cultural context”.
Cultural relativism has blossomed to the point that there is no right or wrong. There is no truth. Instead the opinion of the majority, or of certain political or cultural elites, should take precedence over “facts” or principles which we have been held as true for hundreds or even thousands of years. The basic laws of economics cease to function simply because a politician says so. While we haven’t reached this point yet, I am waiting for some pronouncement that 2 + 2 ≠ 4!
Lately, we’ve seen some groups believe that they can re-write history. Sure, the interpretive revision of some “scholars” has been around for years. No, I’m talking about the belief that events or accomplishments can simply be erased from the collective consciousness. Ever read George Orwell’s 1984?
As a coach, Joe Paterno won more football games than anyone else in history. Yet, the NCAA believes that it can re-write history. By mere administrative fiat, Paterno’s wins can somehow be made to disappear because he may (or may not) have made an error in judgment which did not occur on the football field and had NOTHING to do with football.
Friday we were told that Lance Armstrong didn’t really win the Tour de France seven times. While I swear that I watched Armstrong win each of those titles on television, I must have been wrong. Perhaps a memo from Winston Smith’s colleagues at the Ministry of Truth will arrive in my inbox shortly.
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) admits that it has no hard evidence that Armstrong cheated:
In June, USADA announced it had assembled 10 former Armstrong teammates who were willing to testify that Armstrong cheated, and it had also found tests results that were “fully consistent” with blood doping.
“Fully consistent” isn’t the same thing as scientific fact or “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt”. The USADA has a history of bullying and threatening athletes into testifying. If it can be proven that Armstrong cheated at some point AFTER his Tour de France wins, that does not diminish his seven titles. If it is proven that Armstrong did something that is illegal now, but not then, that cannot negate his accomplishments. Or can it?
It appears that the NCAA and the USADA are but the latest soldiers in a war designed to irrevocably change our culture and our way of life. Words simply mean what we want them to. Knowledge, and morality, are simply relativistic constructs which change with the culture, or the wind. History is no longer prologue; it is a weapon to be used to address past wrongs … real or perceived. This begs the question – Who will decide who is wronged?
BELLEFONTE, PA – In an unusual move, an anonymous Centre County judge has ordered the will of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno sealed. In addition, all correspondence related to sealing the will has been sealed as well.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – What would it be worth to you to spend a day with New York Jets QB Tim Tebow? To one Florida couple time with Tebow is worth $100,000. The couple bid a cool 100 grand for the privilege of taking Tebow to meet underprivileged kids in their area.
OMAHA, NE – Until Friday, only four No. 15 seeds had upset No. 2 seeds in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The last time was in 2001, when Hampton University upset Iowa State. Yesterday 
We’ve all heard the story of Tim Tebow. However there is a similar story, closer to home. 
NEW YORK – Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter has passed away at the age of 57. The 11-time All Star was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last May. Carter had just finished his second season as baseball coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
MIAMI, FL – Pro big wave surfer Garrett McNamara is hoping that a specially designed, oxygen enhanced wet suit will help him to 
NORTH PALM BEACH, FL – Elin Nordegren, ex-wife of Tiger Woods, bought a 9,000 square foot home in North Palm Beach last spring. Evidently she felt that the home was a tad small, so she had it demolished. 
We rarely discuss sports here at the 
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland state Board of Education is expected to vote today on a minimum required GPA for a student to play sports. If adopted, the 2.0 minimum GPA would be advisory. However, it is expected that most counties would adopt the standard if passed by the state board.
NEWARK, DE – Delaware hoops phenom Elena Delle Donne scored 40 points as the University of Delaware’s women’s basketball team beat nationally ranked Penn State 80 – 71. Delle Donne, who won four state championships in high school and a gold medal at last summer’s World University Games, called this, “by far the best win in my entire life.”
SYRACUSE, NY – First it was Jerry Sandusky and Penn State. Now long time Syracuse basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine is under investigation for allegedly molesting a ball boy.
ST MICHAELS, MD – Talbot’s legislative delegation will introduce legislation to allow county students to play a sport at another school, IF that sport is not offered at their own school. At a meeting in the St. Michaels firehouse, Del. Addie Eckardt (R-37B), Del. Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio (R-37B), and Sen. Richard Colburn (R-37) told a group of about 20 parents that they will introduce legislation in January to permit students to participate in sports offered at other 
schools, but only if that sport is not offered at the student’s school.
