Thursday, December 29, 2005

If Italy Can Get Away With It...

Italy has barred hockey player Daniele Veggiato for life from the national hockey team on the account of Veggiato's screaming of racist slurs at a Cortina defenseman, Luca Zandonella.
As if the player's names mean anything to anyone in the U.S. (up until the day the U.S. Hockey team plays Italy during the Olympics, that is).
My point being - if Italy can ban players from the National team for life over racist slurs, then maybe we can take the cue and bar our own athletes who's "game" consists of racial slurs.
"Nigger" for example. When is the last time you suppose that hasn't been the greeting of the day on an NBA court?
And if we can ban them for slurs, maybe professional sports will put some teeth into their anti-drug policies. Three strikes for steroids?! Try one strike! It makes no sense that Pete Rose gets banned for life for betting (on his team to win, no less) when the Darryl Strawberries of the world are on their 17th chance.
So, hooray for Italy - for growing a pair. Maybe someone in U.S. sports will pay attention...

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