VALDOSTA —
The focus this week on Lance Armstrong and his long awaited doping admission in an interview with Oprah airing tonight on her network has sparked a renewed look at how Americans create heroes.
Millions of Americans looked up to Armstrong, wore the Live Strong armbands, and supported his charities. He was a cycling role model, bringing national attention to the sport. He was the face of cancer survivors, giving others hope for a normal, active future after conquering the disease.
But it turns out Armstrong is human after all, and despite years of denials, is opening up about his lies, his use of performance enhancing drugs, and ultimately, how he has prospered from his deceit.
In light of his admissions, he will most likely be stripped of his Tour de France titles, his earnings, his legacy and his reputation, not to mention the position of hero to many.
While some may say Armstrong is just another athlete who has fallen from grace, the question seems to be why do we expect so much from our athletes and other celebrities? He was still a great athlete, and he gave countless hours and dollars to help and inspire others stricken with cancer. He has moral failings and bad judgment, but that’s what makes him human.
As individuals and as parents, we as a society need to remember that heroes are just as flawed as everyone else, no matter how great a singular achievement may be. Even Achilles, the mythical perfect combination of human and god, was flawed, with only one spot, his heel, that could be penetrated to kill him.
Nobody’s perfect, and when choosing role models to emulate, the best place to begin that search is at home. Parents should be their children’s role models for good, honesty, decency and morality. Celebrities and athletes are just celebrities and athletes—no better and more perfect than anyone else.
What We Think
Be wary of creating heroes
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
