LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: LET US GRIEVE FOR O.J. WHILE NOT GIVING UP ALL HEROES

Dear Editor,

The letter to the editor July 9 concerning O.J. Simpson paints too broadly a picture with an inadequate brush! The gentleman writes not only as a critic of life and a cynic, but as one who seemingly has made judgments without weighing all the evidence.

His caustic and excessive opening paragraphs set the tenor for his entire tirade against anything entertaining and monetarily rewarding. Is a concert by the St. Louis Symphony, or a production of the local Little Theater also an example of our societies sickness?

On whom should we bestow the honor of being a hero or heroine? My thesaurus lists: champion, idol, protagonist, superstar, as synonyms for the words. This is certainly modern usage but by what time-period are most of us supposed to judge? The monetary rewards bestowed on these "heroes" are simply the awards of the time. To return to the days of laurel wreaths and statues would also return many of us to slavery!

The character in the athletic experience is not in the individual's prowess but in the effort expended attempting to attain the goal! Examples of this occurred in St. Louis during the entire Olympic Festival. Many of us have entered the "Arena" to be judged by all and have appreciated the "prowess" of those who were more proficient than ourselves. Quite a lesson to be learned about life! It would appear that ascribing character only to those who become philosophers, theologians, volunteers for philanthropic enterprises, or perhaps teachers, limits the definition of character!

However, in the ranks of each of these are numerous individuals who have shared the athletic experience. Naming just a few: Jack Kemp, Bill Bradley, Roosevelt Greer, Bobby Brown, George Bush, Alan Page, nationally, and James Hamby, Mike Bennett, Bill Stacy, Joe Buerkle, Mike Price, Mike Richey, Joel Howell, Jim Limbaugh, Ernie Kern, locally.

The matter of Mr. Simpson's guilt or innocence has not been determined and to suggest that his freedom would be "another chapter for the unfinished and increasingly troubled autobiography of America," implies a prejudgment not consistent with the democratic value system!

Grieve for the victims of this crime and perhaps a fallen hero. After the grief please let us have our heroes and our dreams of being as graceful and proficient as these heroes, while "leading our lives of quiet desperation!"

JOHN E. SCHNEIDER

Cape Girardeau