It seems that sports has taken on a more, shall we say, judicial role in recent times.  There is no other subject in the sports world that has captured our imaginations more than the trials and tribulations of Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, Floyd Landis, Rafael Palmeiro, and a handful of other high profile athletes.  All of these athletes have been under the microscope for using performance enhancing drugs.  It has gotten so out of hand, that Congress itself has gotten involved.  Although these athletes have not necessarily been convicted of crimes, they have either been caught using performance enhancing drugs, or they have been accused of it.   Just this week, the story broke of Barry Bonds' positive test for amphetamines, a banned substance of Major League Baseball.  And although he has not been found guilty of steroid use, it is widely speculated that he has used them over the years, in his chase to catch Hank Aaron's home run record which has stood for more than 30 years.  As the debate will continue to brew about where Barry Bonds will stand in the halls of history in Major League Baseball, one thing we can agree upon, his name will forever bring up controversy.  Mark McGuire has disappeared into his gated community in Colorado, where he will likely remain hidden from the scrutiny that has been afforded Bonds.  Floyd Landis sealed his fate with his failed drug test during the Tour De France.  Sammy Sosa, along with McGuire, will likely simply fade into oblivion.  And while we debate as to whether Barry Bonds is receiving fair or unfair treatment, as compared to others, it is widely agreed upon that his personality, his possible place in history, and his circus trials has been the catalysts of his scrutiny.  And this is what leads me into the core of my article.

The American justice system has been designed to protect the innocent, with its "innocent until proven guilty" stance.  This being said, it is not uncommon for Americans to believe they have been found guilty of crimes they did not commit.  And vice versa, it is also not uncommon for Americans to believe there have been those who are guilty, who have been set scott free.  However, as in all civilized societies, there must be rules that guide these proceedings, and keep order amongst the population.  However, in the blogosphere there is no judicial system.  It is a place where opinions run rampant.  It is a place where you are free to state your opinions without being put on trial.   And ideally, it is a place where one can state their opinions without fear of being labeled. 

Just this past week, I have responded to a story about the latest Barry Bonds saga, stating my opinion.  My opinion is that Barry Bonds is a scumbag liar, who doesn't deserve to break Hank Aaron's homerun record.  Somehow, out of that sentiment, I was labeled as...and bear with me here, as this is a long list....a racist, must be a Christian, must be a Southern Baptist, a cracker, a thug, as uneducated, as right winged, and as fascist.  My question is this....is the blogworld a place where we can express opinions without fear of being put on trial, or is it simply another judicial system where we will be judged. 

Sometimes court proceedings defy all rational thought.  Court proceedings are not a place for opinions.  They are a place for facts.  The blogosphere is not a place for trials.  It is a place where sports fans should be able to express their opinions without fear of being labeled.  It is a place where there are no judges....it is you, me, and Joe citizen hashing out our differences.  It is not a place where we should feel like our opinions will label us as being a vigilante...which is what I have been accused of being.  Well, that's what is great about blogging.  There is no vigilante.  There is only debate and opinion.  If you want facts, go to the court rooms.  If you want to debate without fear of being labeled by others, your place is here, in the blogosphere....where rational thought and opinion run rampant, and there are no court rooms allowed. 

Case Closed!!!