Originally posted by Still Crowing
Sorry for posting this twice (once on the main forum) but I feel so strongly over this I will break netiquette here.
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A fine of $2500 and counselling is not enough.
When will people learn, that Drink Driving is as unacceptable as manslaughter. Getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence is equivalent to waving a loaded firearm around. Burns is lucky he didn't kill or injure someone.
Not only is he a high profile person, but he sets himself up as an example to youth (Aboriginal and otherwise). If they see him get away with this realtively unscathed (oh, $2.5k.....i'll just get my other pants), what sort of example does this set. The AFC will be getting a very strongly worded email from me today as a Gold Member (member since 1991) suggesting they not only go beyond this paltry slap on the wrist, but that they do it publically.
Or is this just anther case of footballers getting away with what others cannot?
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The AFC have a chance to make a stand here, if they don't, I will be very very disappointed and angry!
Not sure that I agree fully with this. It is a crime and a very bad one at that, but how exactly does he get away with anything more than anyone else?
The player is getting it from four sides:
1. The courts, where everyone receives their penalty.
2. The club, who will both publicly and no doubt privately dress him down. His immediate playing future is clearly in jeopardy.
3. The public, who will undoubtedly tear him to pieces!
4. His family who would no doubt be disappointed in Ronnie and ashamed as this is in the public arena.
Ronnie may be an example to youth and a public figure, but he is also a human being with human faults and weaknesses. This may well be more than a "whoops, I had one to many sherries" case. He may well have a problem. Public ridicule and the club tearing him a new one might well be the last thing that Ronnie Burns, the person, requires. The club must tread carefully in my view.