Getting Some Perspective

A few weeks ago “60 Minutes” advertised that they were investigating Lance Armstrong’s use of hormones and performance-enhancing drugs.  To me this is a perspective issue.  Lance Armstrong was a good role model for people battling cancer, but when you think about it, the only reason he is famous and got that publicity for his battle with cancer is that he rode a bicycle better than everyone else in the world.  Considering that “60 Minutes” makes editorial decisions based on attracting an audience, the producers must think that many Americans care whether or not Lance Armstrong cheated to become a better bicycle rider.

Think about all the time and money spent looking into this and other sports scandals – even a Congressional investigation in the case of Major League Baseball.  How are we spending our time?  Are we putting our money where our mouth is when it comes to living out the values we claim:  family, faith, health, and better opportunities for our children, etc.; or are we so passionate about baseball players and bike riders and golfers that news programs think they can raise ratings and politicians think will be re-elected if they make it one of their priorities?  These sports figures are merely entertainers and not really important to our daily lives or our long-term health and happiness - unless we let them become so.  Don’t we all have bigger fish to fry?