Berkshire Eagle Column 2-21-04
Berkshire Eagle

I, Publius

A dose of advice

By Alan Chartock
Special to the Eagle


Saturday, February 21, 2004 - Dear Doctor Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a sane voice in an insane world.

My partner, Sandy, and I have great faith in you. You are the only one who can help us resolve the conflict we are having. In fact, your answer may well have a bearing on our plans to be married in California next week.

Just the other day, Sandy said to me, "Chris, that Alan Chartock is just the one to tell us why everyone is making such a big fuss over the Yankees signing this baseball player, Alex Rodriguez." I said, "Who cares?"

Sandy thinks that this is a cultural, anthropological, anthroposophical, educational, economic and sociological phenomenon, the likes of which have not been seen for many years. I say it's what you have always called "the politics of distraction" at work.

We have this huge election coming up, gay marriage, the economy, health care (including stem cell research), NAFTA, and the balance of trade at stake and all the newspapers can talk about is Alex Rodriguez.

Doctor, the issue has come between us. You've been there for the gay and lesbian community in the past and we are counting on you to help us with this one. Could you tell us who's right here?

Sandy and Chris on our way to California.

Dear Chris:

Thanks for your nice letter. This is one that I can honestly answer by saying that you are both right. It is everything that Sandy says it is but it is also the politics of distraction. In the case of The Berkshire Eagle, it's a great story. It's New York versus Boston all over again. Boston can't compete with Boss Steinbrenner, who is buying everything in sight. Now he buys Rodriguez.

For us, this is the perfect storm. Towns like Great Barrington are filled with New Yorkers and Bostonians. My hometown is filled with native Berkshirites who are definitely with Boston. The folks who spend weekends here, however, often have a different perspective. They come from New York, a city where money rules. The more you have, the more you get.

These New York fans don't see anything wrong with having America's greatest pastime corrupted by greed and an unfair playing field. It's a microcosm of American capitalism. The problem is that if the system gets too corrupt, it might implode. There have been a few -- too few -- crusading capitalists who've recognized that danger and have fought to prevent the game from getting so corrupt that people would lose faith in it, but baseball might have gone over the edge. If one guy can buy the very best players, what's the point? Who will play roulette if the wheel is fixed? Who will come to games if the winners are preordained? Who will vote if people think the game is rigged?

Remember when we all had to choose up teams? Each team chose the best players first, then worked down the line to end up with the worst player (me). When things get too bad, when the outrage grows, someone will have the guts to make some changes. Until then, George Steinbrenner and his gang will rule the day.

The greatest thing, of course, is when David (Boston) takes on Goliath (New York) and wins. This is the year that is going to happen, all the way to the World Series. In other words, Chris and Sandy, incredible things can happen against overwhelming odds. I was watching when the amazing '69 Mets stood the world on its head and when the American Olympic hockey team beat the Russians who couldn't be beat.

Yes, Chris and Sandy, there will always be a chance that the underdogs will win. Or as Casey once said, "You gotta believe."

Dear Doctor:

I remember that you are a good friend of Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Albany Archdiocese. Some folks have been claiming that he was once engaged in illicit and improper sexual conduct. Doctor, can you give me your opinion on this? But please be careful. I may change my mind about you if you give the wrong answer. I think some of the hanky-panky we have seen among the clergy is disgraceful.

Disgusted in Dalton

Dear Disgusted:

Do you really think I offer my opinions to be popular? Forget that, Jack. I really don't care if you like this answer or not. Howard Hubbard is a man I have always admired.

What I'd like you to do, "Disgusted," is imagine that someone started spreading vicious lies about you. Do you think that's never happened to teachers, clergy, doctors or mental health professionals? What would you do in that case? What would you think when your next-door neighbor gave you "that look" and you knew that you were innocent?

It seems to me that either we take it for granted that someone is innocent until proven guilty -- and mean it -- or we just judge everyone based on unfair and unfounded accusations.

I have known Bishop Hubbard for years. I have interviewed him again and again. I take him to be a good man. He is my friend and I will pray for him.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alan Chartock, a Great Barrington resident, is chairman and executive director of WAMC Northeast Public Radio and a professor of communications at SUNY-Albany.

- posted by Alan @ 2/21/2004 11:19:00 AM