Just as you don’t run straight ahead into a swarm of five Green Bay Packers, you don’t tempt fate in a lively part of the lake—Devil’s Cove—where you obviously aren’t liked and you thought the boat police were picking on you. - Jay Mariotti

Oh really Jay?

Cedric Benson, being a “problematic man-child” as you so kindly described and an individual that you probably have never bothered to meet or exchange a conversation, has no business being in places where he is not “liked”?

There is a phrase for that type of mentality. Perhaps you’ve heard of “Jim Crow Laws”.

The truth of this sad matter is that 99.999999999% of the world (yes Jay that includes you as a member of this particular world’s populace) was not there to directly witness this boating incident nor the alleged ensuing police actions enforced afterwards.

A court of law will determine if Cedric Benson is guilty of any crimes. And undoubtedly, an inquiry into the management of the arrest by the police will be conducted. Sensible citizens of this freedom loving and largely law abiding society will patiently await to learn the truth.

Due process is still a staple of American society. Whether an angry bitter aging dwarf recognizes the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty or not. Yes, it is that simple.

It is indeed tragic that Sun-Times sees fit to print such prejudicial garbage on its back page. Evidently bias slandering against one’s character are journalistic attributes valued by its editorial staff. Without interviewing one witness on his own accord, the eunuch proclaims:

It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if Benson, a black man in the South, was roughed up by the authorities as he and at least one friend on the boat claim.  But that should be neither here nor there in regard to his Bears future.

Apparently Cedric Benson is an unwelcome boater in those parts of the Texas. That in itself, is worthy of an investigative journalism effort. Public perception is often that athletes receive preferential treatment from law enforcement. Benson might have an alternate point of view that would be worth listening.  An opportunity for Mariotti to attempt real journalism yet lost once again.

Jay goes to incredible lengths to deny that Benson’s recent arrest should be the reason for the Bears to cut the running back. And admittedly, Cedric’s career has not fulfilled expectations. Never one to pass up an opportunity to piss on another’s grave, Jay crows:

Just because a debate is raging over what actually happened last Saturday evening, in the Hill County near Austin, doesn’t mean a sympathy party should break out in Chicago and across a football nation.

Yes, yes Jay, we are all reading you loud and clear. God forbid if a Chicago athlete’s civil liberties may have been violated. Who cares when it involves a less than spectacular athletic career? Obviously, Jay doesn’t.

Yet, the pissant cannot be satisfied with his argument that the Bears should part ways with Benson based upon his football play. Oh hell no. Once again, the soap box preaching commences:

What I wrote weeks ago unequivocally still stands: The Bears must cut their losses, acknowledge their mistake on Benson and move on. I say this not only because he’s a flop on the field—as general manager/Benson enabler Jerry Angelo finally began to admit after drafting Forte last month -- but because a franchise inundated by criminal behavior and scandals can’t afford another without developing a wretched identity as the Cincinnati Bengals of the North.

The implication is clear. According to Jay, Benson is guilty as sin and the Bears do not to be saddled with that type of identity. Justice be damned as Mariotti has an cleansing agenda to push. Get rid of the player and move on.

This is witch hunting. And nothing more.

Not often that one can read such a contradictory position within the same column* authored by the same columnist*.

Unless it happens to be the back page of the Chicago Sun-Times.