The Valencia Roner Show  

My heart weeps today.

Disgraced and fallen Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones was just sentenced to six months in prison and two years of supervised release on Friday. In addition, she will be required to perform 800 hours of community service.

Federal Judge Kenneth M. Karas shared the following in his sentencing statement:

"Athletes in society have an elevated status. They entertain. They inspire. And perhaps most importantly, [they serve] as role models for children around the world."

The judge inferred that these same children were lied to by Jones who should have instead served as a model of "hard word, sportsmanship," and the lessons of "how to win and lose within the rules."

I hear this judge. And normally, I would agree with him. However, as I look at the consistency -or lack there of - "system" of justice" my gut reaction is, "You've got to be frickin' kidding me."
 

There is so much double standard in our justice system now that it is laughable. I can't help but wonder if this mother of two young sons was blond hair, blue-eyed fine like Debra Lafave (you know the cute teacher who had sex with a 14-year old, just violated the rules of her probation and has yet to do jail time) if this would have been the same outcome.

Know for her grace and charisma, Jones won three gold medals and two bronzes in the 2000 Summer Games and was just recently stripped of them all for using performance enhancing steroids.

However, we have the likes of a Scooter Libby and a whole host of political operatives who make it their business to not win or loose within the rules (hell, what rules?) they make their living by benefiting from the judicial double standard.

Oh, welcome 2008! You're starting off with a bang!