Sunday, December 05, 2004

Pat Tillman and Ricky Williams

By Mickey Z.

I’m not happy to hear Ricky Williams is behind on his child support payments for three children with three different women. That is indefensible and inexcusable. However, when a pampered athlete turns his back on millions and fame to travel the globe, practice yoga, study holistic healing, and go vegan...well, I’m fuckin’ thrilled (to put it crudely).

The mainstream media, predictably, is less than thrilled...as they ruthlessly mock Ricky’s choices, his affinity for getting high, and the way he “let his team down.”

When Pat Tillman said no to the NFL and yes to killing brown people, no one talked about the team he let down. This handsome white male became an instant hero...a status only enhanced by his sad, wasteful death by friendly fire.

Ricky Williams, he of black skin and flowing dreads, seeks a higher calling and is being sued by his former team, the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, Pat Tillman’s purported atheism is conveniently ignored as the god and country platitudes roll in.

Welcome to America...hypocritical land of denial.

Mickey Z. is the author of four books, most recently: “The Seven Deadly Spins: Exposing the Lies Behind War Propaganda” (Common Courage Press). He can be found on the Web at www.mickeyz.net.

More from Mickey Z.

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