Lately the news, particularly the sports news, has been filled with news about Yankee baseball star Alex Rodriguez

and his history of steroid and performance enhancing drug use.  There is also an old saying that “those that don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it.”

What do these things have to do with each other?  A lot, I think.

No one denies that our country is in a deepening recession, perhaps the worst in our history.  There seems to me to be no indication of recovery.  Since I have always behaved myself fiscally, I am one of those that don’t like my mounting tax dollars going to bail out those that were, or are, fiscally irresponsible.  But if that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes.  But there is no indication that these bailouts will work.

So, what’s the connection?

About 1600 years ago there was an entity called the Roman Empire.  Through inept leadership, fiscal and military among others, the empire declined and eventually fell.  The decline was accompanied by a rising interest in the “games,” held at the Coliseum, which according to some scholars, had a retractable roof.  It was also so well engineered that the masses could watch actual sea battles from there seats, as well as gladitorial conflicts and gory executions.  Sort of reminds me of the NHL and to a lesser degree the NFL.  Note also the rising interest in extreme combat sports.  The interest of the population in these games was so intense that the kept on, right up to the end.

We read and hear, in the midst of our recession, about the educational budget cuts in Minnesota while, at the same time the Minnesota Legislature is able to assist in building the Gophers, Vikings and Twins ALL  new state of the art stadiums.  And consider the salaries of the professional athletes that will play in these facilities.  Of course the ticket prices to watch these athletes is also mind boggling.

So, in my view, A-Rod and many other athletes are sacrificing their health, just as the gladiators did, to feed the masses that crave these conflicts.  Apparently, in our society, professional and Big College athletics is more important than educating our children, maintaining a just society and our infrastructure.

Some wonder if A-Rod is telling the truth.  I don’t think it matters.  He reacted to a system that would make him profoundly rich during his no doubt drug shortened life.

I grew up in the period immediately following WWII.  Most people didn’t even have televisions.  We entertained ourselves with conversation, going to local band concerts, and, of course watching local talent on the athletic fields. Going to a big league sporting event was a treat, but the players, although talented, usually had jobs in the off season.  And no one would even think of building a new stadium or arena if the local school was in disrepair.

Note the reference to two periods of history.  Maybe we need to learn from both.