Iverson dealing with alcohol and gambling issues (Merged)

[celticsclay]

I can't feel bad for a rich guy that spent his nights clubing and partying having a drinking and gambling problem. 


He made the choices. 

First off none of that is really known about him, its a story coming from the sensationalizing Steven A Smith (not exactly the premier journalist in america to put it lightly). Secondly, regardless of someones "choices" as you put them how do you not feel bad about a parent having their young child battling for their life? I think you would be pretty hard pressed to draw any kind of connection between the two and would upset a lot of people if you tried to do so. I wouldn't wish that kind of thing on anyone and am disappointed to see someone say he doesnt deserve sympathy.

[wdleehi]

I can't feel bad for a rich guy that spent his nights clubing and partying having a drinking and gambling problem. 


He made the choices. 

First off none of that is really known about him, its a story coming from the sensationalizing Steven A Smith (not exactly the premier journalist in america to put it lightly). Secondly, regardless of someones "choices" as you put them how do you not feel bad about a parent having their young child battling for their life? I think you would be pretty hard pressed to draw any kind of connection between the two and would upset a lot of people if you tried to do so. I wouldn't wish that kind of thing on anyone and am disappointed to see someone say he doesnt deserve sympathy.

I feel bad for his daughter, but that doesn't mean I am going to feel bad for any destructive behavior he may do.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, whatever AI is dealing with I wish him the best and am praying for him.

Lord knows we're all dealing with something..

Even for me, when I look down at someone else's faults so often I miss mine own.....

[celticsclay]

I can't feel bad for a rich guy that spent his nights clubing and partying having a drinking and gambling problem. 


He made the choices. 

First off none of that is really known about him, its a story coming from the sensationalizing Steven A Smith (not exactly the premier journalist in america to put it lightly). Secondly, regardless of someones "choices" as you put them how do you not feel bad about a parent having their young child battling for their life? I think you would be pretty hard pressed to draw any kind of connection between the two and would upset a lot of people if you tried to do so. I wouldn't wish that kind of thing on anyone and am disappointed to see someone say he doesnt deserve sympathy.

I feel bad for his daughter, but that doesn't mean I am going to feel bad for any destructive behavior he may do.

Well I am glad you are at least admitting the possibility this stuff is not fact. I would hate for Stephen A Smith to write a story about me. I am sure if he wanted to he could paint me as any number of negative things if he did not have to report his sources. Additionally, bringing back my original point. The fact that he chooses now to write this story with Iversons other issues. It seems really cheap and dirty. Furthermore, his explanation of writin ghte story to "help" is one of the stupidest things I can remember hearing a "journalist" claim.

[celticsclay]

Well, whatever AI is dealing with I wish him the best and am praying for him.

Lord knows we're all dealing with something..

Even for me, when I look down at someone else's faults so often I miss mine own.....

Thank You greenfaith. I think this is a great post. Tommy point.

[Bahku]

I can't feel bad for a rich guy that spent his nights clubing and partying having a drinking and gambling problem. 


He made the choices. 

I can feel bad for ANYONE who has a serious problem rooted in human weakness or error ... he is no less or no more human than the rest of us, and I pray people would show some understanding and forgiveness if it were I or them going through the same thing. There is no one on this beautiful planet of ours who doesn't need empathy or grace from time-to-time ... it's that "glass houses" thing.

[wdleehi]

I can't feel bad for a rich guy that spent his nights clubing and partying having a drinking and gambling problem. 


He made the choices. 

First off none of that is really known about him, its a story coming from the sensationalizing Steven A Smith (not exactly the premier journalist in america to put it lightly). Secondly, regardless of someones "choices" as you put them how do you not feel bad about a parent having their young child battling for their life? I think you would be pretty hard pressed to draw any kind of connection between the two and would upset a lot of people if you tried to do so. I wouldn't wish that kind of thing on anyone and am disappointed to see someone say he doesnt deserve sympathy.

I feel bad for his daughter, but that doesn't mean I am going to feel bad for any destructive behavior he may do.

Well I am glad you are at least admitting the possibility this stuff is not fact. I would hate for Stephen A Smith to write a story about me. I am sure if he wanted to he could paint me as any number of negative things if he did not have to report his sources. Additionally, bringing back my original point. The fact that he chooses now to write this story with Iversons other issues. It seems really cheap and dirty. Furthermore, his explanation of writin ghte story to "help" is one of the stupidest things I can remember hearing a "journalist" claim.

Except Smith has been a big AI supporter.  It doesn't make sense that he would make up things to just dump on AI now.

[wdleehi]

I can't feel bad for a rich guy that spent his nights clubing and partying having a drinking and gambling problem. 


He made the choices. 

I can feel bad for ANYONE who has a serious problem rooted in human weakness or error ... he is no less or no more human than the rest of us, and I pray people would show some understanding and forgiveness if it were I or them going through the same thing. There is no one on this beautiful planet of ours who doesn't need empathy or grace from time-to-time ... it's that "glass houses" thing.

What does any of that have to do with not feeling bad for someone?


"That poor drunk driver that killed someone else."


They have a human weakness.  Do we feel bad for them?  No.



There is a difference.  I do hope that people that need or want help can get that help.  But I do not feel bad for them.  I feel bad for those around them that are effected by them. 

[PLamb]

Sorry, I'm with wdleehi on this one

I never feel empathy or sympathy for people I just generally dislike

I don't wish bad things upon them but I don't feel sorry for them

If I don't like them and they are rich celebrities with destructive behaviors that caused their problems, I feel even less likely to feel sorry for them because they caused their problems themselves and have a better chance of turning themselves around because of their money and celebrity than does the average guy who might have similar problems

Just the way I feel

[Bahku]

So many perfect people in the world ... must be nice, but I'll never know. Frankly, lack of sympathy and understanding is why this kind of crap happens in the first place. There's a big difference between saying "Oh, poor drunk driver that killed someone else" and "This guy needs help before he kills someone else" or "Let's get him help before it happens again"  ... there but for the Grace of God. Most of these social problems exist because so many people would rather shut the door in someone's face, than hold out a helping hand. Sorry, but it's the same mentality behind shooting a dog because it bit someone ... just don't think I'll ever gravitate toward that side, thanks ... there's enough to carry that mantle already. I'm praying for AI and his family ... and I feel bad for all of them. TP for the OP ... you took the Road Less Travelled, but it's the comapssionate one, and I applaud you.

[wdleehi]

So many perfect people in the world ... must be nice, but I'll never know. Frankly, lack of sympathy and understanding is why this kind of crap happens in the first place. There's a big difference between saying "Oh, poor drunk driver that killed someone else" and "This guy needs help before he kills someone else" or "Let's get him help before it happens again"  ... there but for the Grace of God. Most of these social problems exist because so many people would rather shut the door in someone's face, than hold out a helping hand. Sorry, but it's the same mentality behind shooting a dog because it bit someone ... just don't think I'll ever gravitate toward that side, thanks ... there's enough to carry that mantle already. I'm praying for AI and his family ... and I feel bad for all of them. TP for the OP ... you took the Road Less Travelled, but it's the comapssionate one, and I applaud you.

Must have missed where I wrote "I hope people that need or want help can get help"


Hope someone can get help is different then feeling bad for someone.

[PLamb]

So many perfect people in the world ... must be nice, but I'll never know. Frankly, lack of sympathy and understanding is why this kind of crap happens in the first place. There's a big difference between saying "Oh, poor drunk driver that killed someone else" and "This guy needs help before he kills someone else" or "Let's get him help before it happens again"  ... there but for the Grace of God. Most of these social problems exist because so many people would rather shut the door in someone's face, than hold out a helping hand. Sorry, but it's the same mentality behind shooting a dog because it bit someone ... just don't think I'll ever gravitate toward that side, thanks ... there's enough to carry that mantle already. I'm praying for AI and his family ... and I feel bad for all of them. TP for the OP ... you took the Road Less Travelled, but it's the comapssionate one, and I applaud you.

Must have missed where I wrote "I hope people that need or want help can get help"


Hope someone can get help is different then feeling bad for someone.

Again I agree

I don't wish bad things upon people but if I don't like them I don't feel sympathy or empathy for them

If they can get help or help themselves, that's great I hope they can

But if they can't or don't I'm not going to feel sorry for them

[Bahku]

So many perfect people in the world ... must be nice, but I'll never know. Frankly, lack of sympathy and understanding is why this kind of crap happens in the first place. There's a big difference between saying "Oh, poor drunk driver that killed someone else" and "This guy needs help before he kills someone else" or "Let's get him help before it happens again"  ... there but for the Grace of God. Most of these social problems exist because so many people would rather shut the door in someone's face, than hold out a helping hand. Sorry, but it's the same mentality behind shooting a dog because it bit someone ... just don't think I'll ever gravitate toward that side, thanks ... there's enough to carry that mantle already. I'm praying for AI and his family ... and I feel bad for all of them. TP for the OP ... you took the Road Less Travelled, but it's the comapssionate one, and I applaud you.

Must have missed where I wrote "I hope people that need or want help can get help"


Hope someone can get help is different then feeling bad for someone.

Again I agree

I don't wish bad things upon people but if I don't like them I don't feel sympathy or empathy for them

If they can get help or help themselves, that's great I hope they can

But if they can't or don't I'm not going to feel sorry for them

As long as it's someone else helping them. Uh-huh ... guess you made my point for me.

Kudos again, celticsclay ... sorry you didn't get your "preface" wish, but I'm on your side with this one.

[wdleehi]

So many perfect people in the world ... must be nice, but I'll never know. Frankly, lack of sympathy and understanding is why this kind of crap happens in the first place. There's a big difference between saying "Oh, poor drunk driver that killed someone else" and "This guy needs help before he kills someone else" or "Let's get him help before it happens again"  ... there but for the Grace of God. Most of these social problems exist because so many people would rather shut the door in someone's face, than hold out a helping hand. Sorry, but it's the same mentality behind shooting a dog because it bit someone ... just don't think I'll ever gravitate toward that side, thanks ... there's enough to carry that mantle already. I'm praying for AI and his family ... and I feel bad for all of them. TP for the OP ... you took the Road Less Travelled, but it's the comapssionate one, and I applaud you.

Must have missed where I wrote "I hope people that need or want help can get help"


Hope someone can get help is different then feeling bad for someone.

Again I agree

I don't wish bad things upon people but if I don't like them I don't feel sympathy or empathy for them

If they can get help or help themselves, that's great I hope they can

But if they can't or don't I'm not going to feel sorry for them

As long as it's someone else helping them. Uh-huh ... guess you made my point for me.

So, what is your plan to help AI? 

[Chris]

I don't feel bad for him at all.  All pity does is enable someone like that.  I hope, for his families sake, he can pull it together before he loses everything, however, this is all on him.  He needs to get help, and he needs to make things right.  This guy was handed a golden ticket to not have to worry about anything for the rest of his own, or any of his families lives.  If he can't take advantage of that, then it is on him.