As a Cub Fan, I normally wouldn't go to the defense of anyone associated with the Crosstown rival Chicago White Sox. But something happened last week that has forced my hand. Something that mirrors the society by which we're currently living in.
For the past 88 years, Chicago Baseball had lived in a island of Mediocrity. Surpassed last October when the Chicago White Sox won the World Series. A feat that all Chicagoans whether a Cub fan or Sox fan could agree would never happen. A Chicago Baseball team conquering Baseball's Mount Olympus. As a Chicagoan we expected New York to be the King of Kings, so it was sweet to see our city be the toast and New York be the goat.
However, for the last few weeks I, in great sadness have become ashamed of my city and its media for the virtual smear campaign leveled at White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
To use a Cliche, Ozzie Guillen is a fairy tale story. Coming from Venezuela, Guillen in one full year led the Sox to a World Series win and became a U.S. Citizen. But, because he decided not to attend the White House Celebration for his time, he has gone from hero to Pariah.
The annual White House lovefest for Sports teams who've been crowned World Champions is a Political move. Calculated by the President in order to woo voters. It's basically a photo-op followed by a tour of the White House.
A photo-op and tour of the White House. Yet, there are those in my fair city who feel that Guillen skipping the White House tour is a slap in the face to the President.
Well, isn't sending troops to Iraq on false pretenses a bigger slap in the face?
Truth be told, the White House isn't bigger than the person. The person is bigger than the White House, because that individual has the final say on whether or not a Republican or Democrat will control the country for 4 years.
Ozzie Guillen, now has that luxury, and doesn't need to give anyone an explanation on why he didn't want to go and shake the hand of President Bush.
And, for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, to say he's disappointed at Guillen's actions is absolutely baffling. Mayor Daley has presided over the most blatant corruption at City Hall since the days of his father, Richard J. Daley.
Yes, it's an honor to be invited to the White House, but it's not the be all end all.
To get a feel for what's happening in Chicago, let me give you the views of a gentleman with strong opinions:
"Our manager draped himself in the Venezuelan flag after the World Series win. Then he took the trophy to Venezuela and hugged President Hugo Chavez, an enemy of the USA. Baseball is our national game. Ozzie is the manager, not the batboy. He should be the one greeting the President. Don't tell me Jerry Reinsdorf (White Sox Owner) couldn't have arranged a quick flight"
From a White Sox fan. Printed in today's Chicago Sun Times.
This quote clearly demonstrates the "You're either with us, or against us," mentality that has poisoned the fabric of our country.
Ozzie Guillen doesn't need to give anyone an explanation on why he couldn't be there to greet President Bush. And, for the Chicago media to make this thing a bigger deal than what it should be is pathetic. To take the rants of a Loudmouth Chicago Sportsradio host named Mike North and make them into news shows that the media is absolutely willing to go to great lengths for a story.
No reason, no explanations. If Ozzie Guillen doesn't want to visit the White House, then we as Americans should respect his wishes and not label him as some anti-American sycophant.
However, in the mindset of our country today, those who don't kiss the ring of the President is considered a traitor. And, that's what this whole mess is about. At a time of terror in the world we should be grateful for a man who'll lie and cheat his way to protect us.
Sadly, that's the path we seem to be heading in. Pissing our beliefs away for safety.
Mr. Guillen as a lifelong resident of Chicago let me be the first to apologize for our actions. And as a American, born and raised, let me be the first to say, welcome to America. Where the new credo is, "You're either with us or against us."