How many must die before humanity says enough?

As a sports fan, I get very involved in the game of my favorite sports team and it bothers me when they lose.  My children have figured out that when I am watching sports they are to remain quiet and still.  Only after a few hours of a loss, will my children then attempt to hold a conversation with me.  I love my teams but I do not get so involved that I have to go out and damage property and it’s time we as a species began to hold people accountable.

When the Vancouver Canucks lost the last game of a 7 game series, the people went out and caused damage to property that was not theirs to damage and in it wake it left nearly 150 people hurt.  The result of the riot claimed another victim as written about by Max Thompson in his article titled Vancouver Rioter, an Elite Canadian Athlete, Makes a Teary Confession it tells the story of 17-year old Nathan Kotylak. “Kotylak was caught lighting a rag on fire that was tucked into the gas tank of a police car during the riot following the Canucks' Game 7 loss to Boston in the Stanley Cup Finals.”  What makes this tragic is that this act may just cause this 17 year old his Olympic Dream.   One of the saddest arguments for not holding this kid responsible was when Mr. Thompson suggested that “What Kotylak did was inexcusable. And he apologized only after attention was drawn to him on a massive scale.  But it could have been much worse. Kotylak wasn't shoplifting or hurting other people, and the vehicle was clearly already trashed beyond repair.  It doesn't make it right. But his confession seemed pure to the point of being poignant. Does he deserve to lose a bright future?”

It’s a sad argument because this kid is really a victim.  When we refuse to actively combat riots and the reasons behind them, we essentially condone the actions.  It’s like quietly Okaying a sports fan that beats his wife and children because his team loses a big game.  There is no excuse for the action of this 17 year old nor is it okay to riot if you team loses and even if they win.  Being an avid sports fan does not mean anyone has the right to bring harm or injury to anyone whether directly or indirectly and its time for all of us to say enough.

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