Who Goofed?
I'm the first to admit I have a standing policy of ignoring shows on Fox or Prime Ticket or whatever it's called these days. But I was caught in a restaurant last weekend when a USC Lexus Gauntlet show included former USC basketball assistant coach Dave Miller as an analyst.
Last time I checked, his contract was not renewed following guard Nate Hair's claims of sexual harrassment during a practice at the Sports Arena. Hair was given free tuition for several years as part of USC's settlement of the case following a lengthy investigation.
So who's more culpable? Fox? Or USC for not realizing what's going on here? Apathy is not really an excuse, is it?
God, Wolf the Shadow. After he solves this mystery perhaps he could move on to the Archdiocese and cure their similar problems.
You're not going to blame Petros or Pete Carroll?
When Fox fires this USC reject, the Weasel of Westwood will hire him as his director of media relations. Oops, sorry! Miguelito already has that job.
Rape, assault, sexual harassment, all in a day's work at PUSC.
Oh Faithful, is that all you got? Try reading the post again. USC fired the guy. Fox hired the guy.
I'm pretty sure that Wolfie is mistaken that it is the "USC Lexus Gauntlet" show. In fact, Fox produces the Lexus Gauntlet show, and both USC and UCLA are represented in the same show. USC does not hire the on-air talent for Fox.
By the way, do you think that rape, assault, and sexual harassment has never occurred at fUCLA?
That's a great response Mike. Instead of taking this opportunity to do the right thing and push for this guy's resignation or ouster at FOX, you choose to point the finger elsewhere. I'm sure if you TrOJies got behind this, you could get it done. You guys like to live with blinders on and exhibit moral ineptitude. Instead, you would prefer to PAY people off. I'm surprised you guys fired him. I've seen the guy do the show with Leslie Soto and he actually sucks. I don't understand why they would hire somebody who sucks and has a checkered past. If you guys are such saints maybe you should push to get him canned. If you look at all our posts on the internet, the HUGE majority of the Bruin Faithful wanted Eric Scott gone when his past was uncovered. I have seen no such push to get rid of McNair.
This is truly a new low for you guys though. Sexually harassing another guy?
If you can come up with substantive proof that these things have occured at UCLA, please do so. The only thing you guys can ever come up with is some lame handicap placard minor infraction that happened 10 years ago. That wasn't even a misdemeanor. Hardly comparable to the felonies going on at PUSC. Although I don't condone the placard incident, If you've ever tried to park at UCLA you might understand why they did it. In fact, in those days, this type of behavior was unfortunately rampant. This is why the Ploice had several sting operations. I had several friends who did this, were caught, and also paid the price, like any normal citizen. They paid a fine and learned their lesson. Sometimes, kids do stupid crap. However, stupid crap excuse does not include felonies, such as rape, assault, and such.
BTW, things are not looking good for your TrOJies and Bush. Did you see that Lloyd Lake interview on HBO Real Sports? Looks like you guys won't be able to buy your way out of this one. I never got your response to what should happen to USC if found guilty of these allegations. You also had a chance to condemn Bush and USC for what happened, but failed to. Instead, saying Lake was a felon and giving yourself an out by citing what happened in the Michigan Charles Woodson case. Really Mike, that's pathetic. If Lake is lying, then why did Bush pay Michael Michaels an undisclosed sum and buy his silence? Just like you, Bush figured he would discredit Lake, not pay him, and get away with it. Apparently, you both were wrong. Lake maybe a felon, but he's no dummy. He has taped conversations. Lake took a deposition from the NCAA in November and will take one for the civil case next month. Not looking good.
Hey Faithful:
I hardly know enough about these allegations to "push for this guy's resignation or ouster at Fox." I was merely calling you out for suggesting that USC should fire the guy, when in fact Fox hired him. Wolfe alluded to "claims" of harassment. Maybe it happened, maybe it didn't. I don't know. I wasn't there. I'm not one to judge. I guess you are. Maybe he deserves a second chance or maybe he is a liability waiting to happen. You still missed the mark because USC didn't hire the guy. Fox did. That was my only point.
Look, I don't want to go digging for stuff that has undoubtedly happened at fUCLA (and USC and other universities, as well). Unfortunately, rape, sexual harassment, and assault happen in our society. No one condones that behavior. But, you are naive if you think the only problem at fUCLA or with its athletes is the parking scandal. (While you don't condone it, you sure have a lot of excuses for why it occurred.) We can go back and forth like a game of tennis with transgressions on both sides. What does it prove, other than a university is a microcosm of society?
As for Reggie Bush, I did see the interview with Lloyd Lake. I also bought the book, but have yet to read it. However, there are two parts to this issue. The first part is Reggie Bush. Assuming he did everything that he is being accused of, he is a scumbag for taking the money and then potentially leaving USC on the hook. But, you and I weren't there. We can only judge based on media reports, which aren't always accurate. For now, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. You won't. But until the NCAA completes its investigation and renders its verdict, then we are just spinning wheels. I do agree with you that Bush and his lawyers made a bonehead move by not settling civilly with Lake, as well.
The second part is USC, which is what I'm most concerned about. I did not see any evidence in the Lake interview that tied USC into knowing what was going on. I hear the book is the same. If, in fact, USC did not know or should have known, then there should be no punishment. The NCAA has the burden of showing otherwise. I raised the Woodson example, because it could be factually close to what occurred here.
Lake had some compelling evidence, but in any litigation the credibility of the accusing witness is paramount. He is no choir boy. He is a former gang member, who is a felon. He was also extremely stupid for not getting an agreement in writing from the get go. He was too trusting. Of course, if he asked Bush to sign something, that would go nowhere, fast. But, at least he would know up front not to trust him and pay $300,000+ allegedly.
One last point: I have read the Yahoo evidence. From what I can gather, the major transgressions like taking money and living rent free all occurred after the Orange Bowl victory against Oklahoma. I seriously doubt there is any chance that the 2004 season is in jeapardy. The 2005 season is the one that may have repercussions for USC if it is found to be culpable.