Domestic Violence Cases In The NFL

Domestic violence has been an on going issue in the NFL recently. Cases of domestic violence in the NFL have made numerous headlines through out the nation. When the surveillance video released showing Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice "punching his then fiancée in a hotel elevator" as, stated in this commentary  has taken a toll on how the NFL responds to domestic violence committed by their players. Originally Ray Rice was given “a two-game suspension in August” the public viewed this punishment that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handed Ray Rice to be way too lenient. Goodell’s “original punishment led him to institute a new league-wide domestic violence and sexual assault policy before the season began.” This new policy that is being installed is a form of “a lighter punishment” than the one Rice is currently receiving. Just after the Ray rice incident there as been two other NFL players who have been arrested on domestic violence charges this year, named Greg Hardy who plays for the Carolina Panthers defensive end and Ray McDonald who plays for the San Francisco 49ers and his position is defensive end tackle. Hardy was arrested on May 13^th with two-charges of assault on a women and communicating threats. In both of these misdemeanors Hardy pleaded not guilty, but in July “a judge found Hardy guilty on both counts.” The judge gave Hardy a 60-day suspension sentence and 18 months of probation. “Hardy’s sentence is currently on hold while he appeals for a jury trial.” The Panthers have stated that after Hardy’s conviction they would “respect the legal process.” Hardy is still currently playing for the Carolina Panthers. McDonald was arrested on felony suspicion of domestic abuse on September 1^st. McDonald was the 1^st NFL player arrested on domestic violence charges after the NFL announced it’s new policy. The 49ers CEO Jed York states “I wont make any punishments until I see evidence.” It will be pretty interesting to see how the NFL will act towars these two cases. Goodell’s new domestic policy is a six-game punishment for the first offense, and an indefinite suspension for the second. But this clearly shows that Goodell will make this policy work however he wants due to the fact that this was Ray Rices first offence and he automaticallt got the indefinite suspension. I agree with Travis Waldron 100% on this commentary written by him. He states that “suspensions could depend largely on how bad the public perception of each individual case is.”

Secure the people’s house, but don’t obscure it

 Recently in this Washington Post newspaper article, it has been announced that the White House needs to advance their technology, and obtain new systems of rules governing affairs of the state. Also it has been stated that there should be a much higher fence around the White House and should most certainly lock the doors. Since it has been newly a controversial issue, the White House should reconsider some innovative changes to its complex. In the article, Eugene Robinson can't believe that "a man could climb over the White House, run across the North Lawn, and barge through the main entrance." Surprisingly, the intruder was able to speed in the direction of the ceremonial East Room before being caught. Fortunately, a few minutes before this chaotic situation, "President Obama and his family had departed the premises by helicopter. Furthermore, detectives distinguished the man as "a 42-year-old Omar Gonzales." Once the security guards stopped him,  he was tackled and pinned down. However, "five rings of security should have kept the man from reaching the front door," but unfortunately each of them failed. Because of this uncontrolled incident, it is shown that the "White House is vulnerable" Since the building is clearly defenseless, intruders are easily able to harm the President "or deface a building that symbolizes our democracy." Towards the end of the article, it is said that "the wrought-iron fence in front of the White House is only 7 feet 6 inches." Obviously this height is considered unsafe for the President and his family because of the unaware occurrence. Eugene Robinson strongly believes that there should be a newly "elegant, black, wrought-iron fence" created to protect the entrance of the White House. Also, the spokesperson anticipates that "the front door of the White House should be locked at all times" regardless of any inconveniences with the "people who live and work there." Even though this disruption was not correctly handled, the Secret Service should have immediately locked all doors right before the intruder jumped over the fence.