Marion Jones confirmed for Nov. 15 speaking gig

[TrackCEO]

Seth Brower writes today:

1)Nov 15. USATF/Lions 20th Relays is confirmed for St Michaels Academy here in Austin(where we were on Aug 23). I know it's a Sunday, but other facilities would not committ because of possible football playoff scenarios where stadiums might be needed. Online entry information will be available at: http://usatfsouthtexas.org/schedule.htm Just scroll down to Nov 15 and click. We will be using FINISH LYNX timing system at this meet.

Special notes for this meet. Marion Jones is confirmed and will give her "Take a Break" message which is designed to help kids, coaches, parents, make the right choices by just stepping back and "taking a break" when faced with a bad choice. She will speak from 9AM-9:45AM. There is no cost for this so please get the word out to as many kids/parents as you can. More info will be on the website above. Also(and I don't have the names yet), there will be two Olympians conducting a clinic for sprinters focusing on the start and other things. Not sure of the cost, but probably around $20. Again, please get the word out and ask folks to contact me so I can get a head count. Clinic will run from 9:45-10:30.

Earlier thread was locked here:
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/discus ... hp?t=37648

Geezers comment here:
http://masterstrack.com/blog/005936.html

K E N

[Speedfirst]

Good for her!!!

[guru]

Good for her!!!

Swear to God, you beat me to it by milliseconds, right down to the three exclamation points.

[Speedfirst]

Good for her!!!

Swear to God, you beat me to it by milliseconds, right down to the three exclamation points.

LOL

[7-sided]

is this a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing? Surely the local USATF/TX office must know that Doug Logan would NEVER want Marion Jones name associated with anything having to do with USATF. At least not at this point. Do they not remember that Logan wrote a letter to the court/Feds AGAINST Marion jones, and to San Diego State against Larry Wade? Does Logan dictate policy or are the local offices allowed to do whatever they want?

[Speedfirst]

is this a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing? Surely the local USATF/TX office must know that Doug Logan would NEVER want Marion Jones name associated with anything having to do with USATF. At least not at this point. Do they not remember that Logan wrote a letter to the court/Feds AGAINST Marion jones, and to San Diego State against Larry Wade? Does Logan dictate policy or are the local offices allowed to do whatever they want?

There is some autonomy with each local office.

[Marlow]

Good for her!!!

Color me in the camp that still doesn't get it. Why do we want a hypocrite to address our kids? [yes, I do understand gh's point that it's The Message, not The Messenger that's important, but] She has NEVER shown any indication of genuine remorse - her appearance on Oprah made it obvious that she was NOT sincere.

[SQUACKEE]

I think sometimes the messenger is the message. Dont do as i do, do as i say isnt very attractive to most people. My dad use to say it and i always hated it.

Howz bout Bernie Madoff lecturing on honest business practices?

Polansky lecturing on the perils of underage sex?

O.J. Simpson helping you with your anger management?


As Marlow said if there was reason to feel she is truely sorry for what she did, not that she got caught, i'd be first in line to see her speak. She didnt make a mistake. She made a carefully considered decision that lasted for years and years.

[Speedfirst]

Good for her!!!

Color me in the camp that still doesn't get it. Why do we want a hypocrite to address our kids? [yes, I do understand gh's point that it's The Message, not The Messenger that's important, but] She has NEVER shown any indication of genuine remorse - her appearance on Oprah made it obvious that she was NOT sincere.

You see Marlow, how do you know what she been contrite toward? Do you really know? But that is neither here nor there, it's a done deal,why don't you wait to continue to pass judgement on her after you either see, hear or heard about the talk. She already had one in Dallas by the way, I didn't hear about how she corrupted anyone's minds there.

[HotTrack]

Good for her!!!

Color me in the camp that still doesn't get it. Why do we want a hypocrite to address our kids? [yes, I do understand gh's point that it's The Message, not The Messenger that's important, but] She has NEVER shown any indication of genuine remorse - her appearance on Oprah made it obvious that she was NOT sincere.

You see Marlow, how do you know what she been contrite toward? Do you really know? But that is neither here nor there, it's a done deal,why don't you wait to continue to pass judgement on her after you either see, hear or heard about the talk. She already had one in Dallas by the way, I didn't hear about how she corrupted anyone's minds there.

I agree. I see nothing wrong with her speaking to kids, people about things NOT to get caught up in. In fact, any person who went through the public embarrassment as she did should speak publicly about "what to do" or "what not to do" topics. I really think we should let her be. She paid the time for her crime. I think others should step up to the plate as well instead of hiding behind close doors of embarrassment. Her speeches should motivate the kids & to also scare the hell out of them from making the same mistakes as she did.

[7-sided]

I am with Marlow on this one. This is ridiculous and I believe the Texas chapter needs to be decertified. Ok, maybe not decertified, but what the blank, blank, blank are they thinking? Were all of the athletes who have NEVER tested positive who are from/reside in Texas unavailable to talk to kids about the do's and don'ts? Drummond? Patton? Hooker? Who's next? Chris Nellums? Rae Carruth? Why wait until they actually become free? Why not choose actual prisoners?

How can an athlete be banned from the sport and be a 'guest' at USATF certified events?

*actually, marion jones is NOT banned. Her ban ended about a week ago.

[Pego]

Her speeches should motivate the kids

Motivate them to do what? Not to lie? They should know that without her. Not to cheat like I did? They should know that without her. Stay out of prison? They should know that without her.

My idea of a motivational speaker is somebody that should be emulated, not the "repentant sinner". I join the chorus of boos.

[Speedfirst]

I am with Marlow on this one. This is ridiculous and I believe the Texas chapter needs to be decertified. Ok, maybe not decertified, but what the blank, blank, blank are they thinking? Were all of the athletes who have NEVER tested positive who are from/reside in Texas unavailable to talk to kids about the do's and don'ts? Drummond? Patton? Hooker? Who's next? Chris Nellums? Rae Carruth? Why wait until they actually become free? Why not choose actual prisoners?

How can an athlete be banned from the sport and be a 'guest' at USATF certified events?

*actually, marion jones is NOT banned. Her ban ended about a week ago.

Let me ask you as well, you ever did anything wrong, ever have a second chance in life in anything? I know you're perfect and I see why you feel the way you do, I don't agree with it, but since you're perfect again I do see it.

[SQUACKEE]

I am with Marlow on this one. This is ridiculous and I believe the Texas chapter needs to be decertified. Ok, maybe not decertified, but what the blank, blank, blank are they thinking? Were all of the athletes who have NEVER tested positive who are from/reside in Texas unavailable to talk to kids about the do's and don'ts? Drummond? Patton? Hooker? Who's next? Chris Nellums? Rae Carruth? Why wait until they actually become free? Why not choose actual prisoners?

How can an athlete be banned from the sport and be a 'guest' at USATF certified events?

*actually, marion jones is NOT banned. Her ban ended about a week ago.

Let me ask you as well, you ever did anything wrong, ever have a second chance in life in anything? I know you're perfect and I see why you feel the way you do, I don't agree with it, but since you're perfect again I do see it.

I want the KKK to speak to children about racism and you know why its ok? Because im not perfect, isnt that cool?

[jazzcyclist]

Let me ask you as well, you ever did anything wrong, ever have a second chance in life in anything? I know you're perfect and I see why you feel the way you do, I don't agree with it, but since you're perfect again I do see it.

It's not about sinning Speed. It's about differentiating between the remorseful sinner and the remorseless sinner, but I already know from a previous thread that your purblindness prevents you from understanding the significance of that distinction.