Okay, let's get one thing out of the way. Violence against anyone is not condoned. Domestic violence, where a dude uses his superior physical strength, is frowned on, shouldn't be done, is a display of mental weakness and insecurity, etc. I'm liberal than a mug when it comes to women (uuuhhh don't take that the way I think you might, even though we confess to a continual fascination with feminine beauty and curves).
That said I'm smelling a rat when it comes to the latest allegations of domestic violence against Raiders head coach Tom Cable. This is a story now?! He's had the allegations of a physical assault against an assistant football coach hanging over his head since August. I mean it's been in the news on a weekly, if not daily, basis since he allegedly broke this cat's jaw.
So approximately a week after those charges were dismissed, ESPN decides to air a report that he hit two of his former significant others, one his wife from 20 years ago?! This information, if true, makes the timing suspicious. These are not new allegations. They were in the public domain in August and up until the assault charges were dropped. So why bring them up now?
And while I sympathize with the alleged victims, their day in court has long passed with no conviction of Cable. And in this country, we're supposed to have the concept of double jeopardy meaning you can't be tried for the same crime twice. In the literal and legal sense, Cable has not been tried for these crimes. But that's not to say there wasn't the opportunity. And so why seize the opportunity now? Because it was a hot topic and it was your time to grab that 15 minutes of fame on ESPN?
Again, if true, I'm not co-signing Cable's actions. But even if true, why bring it up now? And why is ESPN airing the shit AFTER charges were dropped? Do you see where I'm going with this?
Now NOW is involved. Female sports columnists and reporters, particularly from the Bay Area, are Jane-On-The-Spot with this topic. Like vultures and/or sharks, they seized the moment to pounce on vulnerable prey.
So again, my point to you. This was information in the public domain for years. This was information in the public domain when Cable was named the Raiders O-Line coach. In the public domain when Cable was named the Raiders interim head coach. In the public domain after he was named the Raiders permanent head coach. In the public domain when Randy Hanson claimed Cable beat his ass and broke his jaw.
Further, ESPN has an investigative arm to its news organization. ESPN has deep Jacques Cousteau pockets. ESPN is into 24/7 news. And this only recently became a news story?! After assault charges were dropped?! You see where I'm going with this?!
I don't know what happened between Cable and his former wife and ex-girlfriend. I do know that there are two sides to every story and the Truth usually falls in the middle of those perspectives. I do know that it takes a complete psycho obsessive-compulsive liar (and I've been the victim of one, who, coincidentally, works for ESPN) to completely make that kind of shit up. But relationships are complicated. And a physical reaction may have been precipitated by some rancor. Does that condone a violent reaction? Hell no! But it points to communication problems and trust issues. Unless and until you get control of those issues along with your own insecurity, you may be prone that these kinds of episodes.
But what you don't do is publicly drag down a person who is trying their best to excel in a profession. He may or may not need help with his temper. But don't back-door the issue. Especially on ESPN. I'll tell you what. If the allegations are true, I have no sympathy for the victims. Why? Because of the timing and public nature of it. As a lawyer, I know this is a set-up for a hand out.
Tom, just coach a better game and let's get it on with some football excitement.
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Very well written! I agree with the context of your argument. If the allegations were brought forward by each of these women at the time of the abuse them it would be a story, but as you mentioned ESPN was LOOKING for a story. Can Tom Cable sued the network for defamation of character? Let sleeping dogs lie. If he is not actively abusing someone today who has filed charges then let's move on!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think Cable can sue for defamation unless the allegations are patently untrue. Unfortunately, he has to grit his teeth and bear the abuse. What is necesarry is the Raiders' management saying what I said, which has happened to an extent vis a vis ESPN. I love Outside the Lines because it usually does the job 60 Minutes used to. But this was big fat zero and opportunistic. Which sucks because, like I said, they usually do solid news. And they submitted a solid news production on this topic. But how long did they sit on this story? And if they produced it AFTER the charges were dropped, who made that call? And why? Not an Al apologist, but just asking.
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