The frenzy following recent allegations against Karmichael Hunt is a modern-day witch-hunt. Squeeze in a bit of public shaming and you’ve really hit the sweet spot.
Get out the popcorn folks because we’ve found our latest victim. And it’s a good’un.
If the allegations are true, then the bloke took cocaine and passed it to his mates.
Yes it’s bad. And yes it’s sad. And yes he knew the risks. But is it worth ruining a man’s livelihood for partaking in an activity that has become fairly commonplace? Yes, commonplace.
Why the public outcry of indignation?
It can’t be an issue of performance enhancement, as cocaine is more likely to impair than improve a man’s performance on the rugby field.
We can’t be talking about blanket immorality associated with taking drugs, because smoking and alcohol are considered acceptable poisons.
Is it the illegality? Worse crimes have gone unpunished in the professional era; or at least without pressing the big red button on a man’s career.
It must be the role model thing. Taking drugs will normalise the behaviour for impressionable kids. It’s unbecoming of a man in his public position, they will say, and he must be made an example of.
Assuming the allegations are proven true, the ARU will be required to spout this rhetoric. They’ll toe the political line because it’s the easier path. It’s harder to man up and call it as it is; that Hunt, just like the rest of us, is a human being with flaws, and it’s ok to not be perfect.
Instead, the man will have his contract terminated, and the Reds, the Wallabies, and rugby fans the world over will lose another exciting talent.
The great irony here, of course, is the only reason we’re talking about this terrible affront to role model behaviour is because the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission took the initiative of going undercover and find dirt on him. Presumably it was deemed in the public interest to expose Hunt for the ‘fraud’ he was. To parade the man as a bad role model for children to observe the world over, thus somehow protecting the children from exposure to a bad role model.
It’s almost too ironic to contemplate.
Perhaps instead of parading a scapegoat, whose only real crime was being an easy target, we should focus on addressing the societal issues associated with drug taking.
But then again, sports stars are only here for our entertainment.
Pete
Guest
Im a criminal.... Its true I have broken the law, so therefore im a criminal. I was caught red handed doing 67 kmph in a 60 zone in a murderous vehicle. The fact is, on this occasion, it was a victimless crime. Nobody was around, there wasnt even anyone holding the camera as it was hidden in an unmarked van. Truth is, if you place a human in front of my car at the same time i was snapped speeding then it becomes a whole other matter, if there was a group of school kids crossing the road at the time then my crime is suddenly more serious. But here is my point, there was NOBODY around, if there was i certainly would have been more cautious, but crimes are based upon technicalities not reason and responsibilty. Did Charmichael Hunt snort cocaine in front of innocent people, in front of children? Did he assault anyone after injesting the drug? Was anyone else around to witness these alleged actions? The police, in my instance, were kind enough to privately tell me of my crime before i had the chance to committ numerous crimes and had my licence suspended. In fact they sent me a nice letter with a high resolution COLOUR photo of my attrocities in the mail very discreetly so I therefore was warned and have since been very vigilant with my speed on vacant roads. How can i equate a speeding ticket with buying and supplying drugs? Well people die by being struck by cars many more times than people die from recreational drug useage. Also criminals supply this drug so you are fueling drug activities, well criminals also sell TV's and cars so you shouldnt buy those also?? I also hear that they couldnt tell Charmichael Hunt straight away because they wanted to charge him on multiple accounts and see if he was part of a bigger syndicate, ummm he wasnt. His motive is extremely obvious and so unsurprising and so so common that most people wouldnt believe. My point. Why didnt the QCCC tell Charmichael Hunt that they have him on survellance on buying and supplying so that he was warned and could correct his ways? Why is this such a big deal?? I bet you anything there are a LOT of very very nervous people out there thanking their lucky stars that they havent been caught, from high profile politicians to TV show hosts to sporting personalities.
World in Union
Guest
So what! Are you for real ? Do your kids look up to you or pro sports stars for moral guidance? Coke is lighter than alcohol mate, get real. So many indignant people ready to pass their judgement - gimme a break!
bestywins
Guest
Wow the ignorance is mind blowing. 1000's if not millions of people have coke every single weekend without any problems. It is and can be a "safe " recreational drug. Just like booze. Some just aren't meant to take it or consume it. Your basic comments really highlight how LITTLE you know or understand the drugs out there, LEGAL OR ILLEGAL
IronAwe
Guest
Ben, there are actually countries where drugs aren't illegal. Why don't you do a little research and see how things are going for them compared to our prohibitive ways?
Bakkies
Guest
To ex Roosters players are allegedly the kingpins behind this.
Martin English
Roar Rookie
Cocaine is God's way of telling you that you have too much money.
IronAwe
Guest
Ben, I feel it is inevitable that drugs will become legal eventually. I don't know a single person who doesn't or hasn't taken drugs. (I am currently a university student, to put that in perspective) And these people, this generation of drug users will eventually be in power. Drugs certainly ruin some peoples lives, but the vast majority of drug users lead normal and productive lives. For instance, only 7% of regular heroine users are addicted. Not a statistic advertised by the anti drug campaigners.
pjm
Roar Rookie
People can go study flapper.
Daz
Guest
Some 130 comments at this point in time. Many generated by multiple posts from the same individual. Give it a conservative bias and say most posters only made two comments so that's about 65 comments by self-selecting, passionate individuals. Hardly a representative sample. Many only see this and Beale's issue through the prism of north versus south. Beale constantly flaunted the team ethos in more than one team and showed a nasty malicious smart ass intent to undermine team harmony by rallying forces against a weak team member for his own personal aggrandizement. Hunt has only hurt himself. What you or I think doesn't matter. It's what our customers think that matters. Their crimes are chalk and cheese. Beale fails my character test for one reason Hunt for another. For the record I'd be more likely to offer the hand of redemption to Hunt than I would to Beale.
You're making a lot of assumptions as to why I believe modern society's moral values are falling apart.
Reality
Guest
I think it is now beyond doubt that the most destructive drug to society is alcohol, but for historic reasons we agree its socially accepted. However , the point is that Coke is illegal, and you expect professional footy players to lead a well disciplined life, on and off the field. It shows poor character handling any contraband in his position, especially with a young family. I did think he seemed a bit self assured when being interviewed at the reds, maybe he'd been practising his lines beforehand??
Bakkies
Guest
Andrew Walker Manly then went to the Reds. Jason Bulgarelli ex Raider who sent a package to the club's front office.
Bakkies
Guest
It will still be illegal in other countries and there are bigger markets like the States where the drugs come in from cartel countries that produce it.
Bakkies
Guest
Still early days we are talking june to dec last year and it's only Feb. Jason Smith, Seers and Smith's restaurant 'mate' were linked to it. Smith has already had a hearing.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
He was prob doing everything. But yeah his main problem was the meth pipe
wardad
Guest
Well maybe the drugs he was talking about come from that ''street'' they're allways bangin on about in the news ,you know the one the coppers get their pricing from ?
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I can sadly say I've seen it at just pretty basic social gatherings. Granted I live in the eastern subs. But I'm with eaglejack I see people on it while out prob everytime im out fortnightly at worst
pjm
Roar Rookie
All those ruined lives from alcohol and gambling that sponsor sports, I see I see.
bestywins
Guest
I agree ZERO. It's a great article and tells it how it is.
Triffid
Guest
Drugs in sport are illegal. Spare me the whining sympathy for another stupid overpaid sports star. It's the constant downplaying of these illegal activities that make the culprits think they are hard done by. Forget all those ruined lives? AFL? How much did they know?Three strikes anyone?