Whatever it was, it got the place talking. Here it is, reproduced. If the lack of paragraphs was intentional or meaningful, I've ruined it because I reformatted it for easier reading. I didn't alter anything else.
A few brief notes as we approach mid-week…. mid-month… mid-scandal? (let's hope not...) Regarding more news stories; they are coming. Several have already been assigned dates of publication by department editors. The last thing I will do, though, is deep-six any writer and his/her projects – so please excuse (and respect) the vague-ness. I know it is irritating, but also necessary. The holiday season is often a slow time for the publication of stories; if all continues as scheduled, that will be slightly different this December.
Along the lines of the media: It was stated (right here) several years ago that the really big news would stop being broken on PP as soon as the media fully took the bull by the horns. A month or so after the PJ situation that finally happened. Many, many other items surfaced (via the media) that could have initially appeared here – but as long as those journalists continue to show the effort and desire to pursue the issues, then they will be given that opportunity. While it is nice for PP to get some recognition and praise, practicality must also be considered. The truth is, certain mainstream media outlets have a much wider reach. And besides, having everyone know that YOU know shouldn’t be a necessity to self-worth and self-gratification. So yes, more is coming, but as always, you’ve just got to be patient.
Regarding the latest Wainstein rumors (and the possibility that UNC might challenge the findings in his report). That would be an error on their part of amazing proportions. As I posted in the early Fall, some events transpired over the summer that ultimately turned the tide of that report. (the exotic animal… remember?) What the movers-and-shakers in CH did not understand (or did not WANT to understand) is that Wainstein was neither a.) shackled by the “good ol’ boy” system in NC, nor b.) subject to excessive political pressure/influence from D.C. (like certain past PR hires). Put simply, he couldn’t be bought (in a manner of speaking) – at least not to the extent that it was worth risking his professional reputation. The man is still young, for all practical purposes, and has more career ahead of him. Not everyone who has plenty of money simply wants to retire and kick back at the country club (which was also hard for some of those movers-and-shakers to fathom). Some people have a true drive to research, to work, and to meet personal goals.
The second folly was that when he couldn’t be bought (again, in a manner of speaking), the bigger mistake was an attempt at bullying. Thus, any sort of post-report challenging would be very bad. As I mentioned earlier, several things happened back over the summer. NONE of that has been made officially public, nor do I think it ever will. But some of the finer details, should they “slip” out, would make unc wish that the originally-released 900 pages of supplemental info was all that had happened.
More to ponder: If unc ever formally challenges the Wainstein Report it will be due to “advice” given to them by their current PR team. (the “group of 14”) If the challenge comes to fruition, it will be an epic public fiasco… and who do you think will (financially) profit from having to concoct ways to defend unc’s reputation (during the ensuing fiasco), publically? Think on that infinity symbol for a bit. The irony is that unc themselves cannot see the connection. An even bigger irony? There have been whispers that two of the 14 could be looking for new jobs in the near future. Let’s see if the reasons ever leak out.
Finally: unc’s punishment. Will they get what they “deserve”? No. But that’s a qualified “no”… because ALL of the wrongs that have taken place will never come out, and more importantly: nor should they. When unc (meaning, J. Martin) said “this wasn’t an athletic scandal”, he didn’t know it – but he was ironically correct. If all the details ever came out then the subsequent fallout would ruin many, many lives, and that does not need to happen.
Now don’t misunderstand me. I am all for accountability, especially when it comes to those who have blatantly circumvented rules in order to win basketball games, lie to parents of recruits, etc. etc. But what is being referred to here are the “innocents” who would be affected. Hypothetical: if a 75-year-old bigwig S.O.B. was revealed to have broken rules, legally and/or ethically, and that played a vital role in everything that has ultimately transpired at unc for (well over, by the way) 18 years, should he/she be exposed? That is a tricky question, but I pose a deeper dilemma: the person did wrong, true. But did his/her 50-year-old children know, and have they taken an active role in the affair? Those offspring have 25-year-old children themselves, which means the S.O.B. might have some grandchildren in diapers. Are those TODDLERS to be condemned due to one person’s actions?
That is the situation of what is whispered, rumored, and in some instances factually known in regards to the true depth of the scandal. And it is also why I personally do not feel it ever needs to be known. I realize that some may disagree, and that is fine. If you ever become privy to the specific facts and details and you want to expose them, then it is your right. It will also, however, be your moral stigma to deal with.
My goal (meaning, unc’s accountability/punishment) has always been set, and has not really wavered over the years. It is less than what many on PP have bandied around, and is certainly less than what would result from a full-disclosure of all the corners of the closet. (there’s no real reason to go into specifics) As long as the NCAA does not somehow, someway, fold, then I feel it will happen. In fact, at some point I feel that the bigwigs might decide it’s best that it happens, as well.
On the flipside, there is the same roadblock as has been evident for 4+ years: there might be too many chiefs (75-year-old SOB’s?) to reach than consensus. I know this isn’t news to anyone on PP, but every “leader” at the school (and in the BOT and BOG) is nothing but a pawn and figurehead. Best case scenario, they truly are naïve enough to believe the obfuscation is simply about athletics (and they are okay to go along with the denials and lack of owning-up). The bigger question is whether any of the bigwigs (with the real power and influence) connected to CH will ever realize that losing a little bit of athletic prestige (past, current, and short-term future) truly IS worth keeping all of those dark secrets buried. They have tried to protect some pieces of cloth for several years now, morals be damned. But when it comes to one’s posterity, then I think we could eventually see some concessions being made – voluntarily. It would most certainly be the most prudent course of action, and I don’t say that as a rival – I say it as one who feels that the sins of the very old should not destroy the futures of the very, very young.
