“Do Unto Others...” Isn’t Profitable

Aaron Rodgers’ father recently spoke to the “New York Times.”  What he told them was very ugly and of no value to anyone.  So, naturally, “The Times” printed it.

 

When yellow journalism like this is seen some of us always ask: “Why do we NEED to know this?”

 

Why did we need to know that Vernon Presley spent time in prison?  That Marilyn Monroe’s mother was in and out of mental institutions?  That the man who saved Gerald Ford’s life was gay?  That Frank Sinatra attempted suicide? and on and on and on and on…

 

One of the cruelest fates that can befall any on us is to grow up in a dysfunctional family.  Forms of selfishness and cruelty brought on by mental illness leave scars and challenges that last a lifetime.  There are always two sides to these stories.  Even if both sides are aired, the end result is that people always believe what they want to believe and not necessarily what is true.  To encourage victims to discuss this pain by having to defend themselves publicly is every bit as cruel as the environmental hand they were dealt. 

 

There once was a day when “The National Inquirer,” “Star” and all other such publications were viewed with utter distain in America.  Now they are billion dollar enterprises and therefore encouraged.  Such behavior has led to a vast number of putrid television programs with more and more of these gutter style stories being provided by what is supposed to be responsible mainstream journalism.  The American public is directly responsible for this vicious promotion of gossip, innuendo and outright falsehoods.  This serves as the biggest mockery of “Do unto others” ever perpetrated.

 

Let’s not lose sight of the fact that this information was not only released by a New York publication (Packers 38, Giants 13) but also released at the height of the most successful point in Rodgers career.  Why now?   Is this yet another sterling example of the evil of hatred and vengeance or jealousy?  Is it because Rodgers popularity has never been greater and will therefore provide greater notoriety to those who wish to demean him?  Are books and television interviews to fatten pocketbooks forthcoming? 

 

We all have our demons.  Both compassion and understanding should prevent us from ever having to deal with those demons in front of millions of spectators.