I am not an advocate of anyone who verbally attacks, insults, or degrades another person for any reason. When we open our mouths before putting our brains in gear, there are always consequences to face. However, I am more concerned about special interest groups who are so thin-skinned that they take offense at the least infraction of decorum. Calls for punishment, boycotts, and/or apologies only give credence to the remarks. “I think thou doth protest too much.”

My mother used to tell us that when we react to insults — “A bit dog always hollers” — it shows that we somewhat agree with the insulter.

What lessons are Rocker's opponents trying to teach? That we have freedom of speech only as long as it agrees with their philosophy? Are they simply looking for the least, tiny infraction to gain publicity and further their agendas and increase their coffers — same people, no matter what race, creed, religion, or national origin will disregard such petty responses so that real, major differences can be addressed and solved.

I hope that the Braves organization will not succumb to their ploys of blackmail. I am tired of groups trying to use their clout for extortion. We all have the right to withhold our support of an organization with whom we do not agree. No one has the right to blackmail an organization into bowing to their individual agendas.

I wonder if there are any plans to boycott the sports magazine for printing such drivel. Isn't the one who repeats gossip just as guilty as the one who says it originally? Shouldn't the magazine have been more trustworthy and politically correct? Remember the cries of our red-skinned brothers that fell on deaf ears regarding the tomahawk chop? Where is their apology?

I hear people of all races insult and degrade each other with despicable words and they laugh — let a person of a different race enter in the frivolity and “them thar is fightn' words.”

A few years ago I had my house up for sale. I knew a little 6-year-old, African-American neighbor boy who loved me dearly. I know he loved me because every time I went outdoors, he was by my side. We had cookie and lemonade parties. His parents were really nice people.

He asked, “Are you going to sell your house to white folks or black folks?”

I said, “I don't know, just whoever wants to buy it.”

He responded, “I hope you sell it to black folks `cause I don't like white folks.”

I laughed and hugged him. His heart was colorblind but the words of his mouth had been tinted by his exposure to racism. He was oblivious to the fact that I was white folks.

Just as we can't legislate morals, neither can we legislate common sense and decency that requires people to treat each other with respect. I believe only a commitment to a changed life in Jesus Christ can clean up our hearts! (I am sure this statement will offend some!)

Rocker was treated very poorly by the people in New York and he just had not reached the level of maturity to throw off these insults as part of the job. He was hurt, embarrassed and angered on a very personal level (spit on, beer-drenched, objects hurled at him that could have caused considerable bodily harm.)

He is a proud young man, thrilled beyond imagination to be in the Series. He had worked for this position since he was a young boy. Cocky, maybe, but aren't most young athletes who have made it to the big time? Just ask “Prime Time” and Dennis Rodman.

John didn't receive recognition or respect for his hard work but was treated with gross disrespect. Can you imagine the stress placed upon this young man in trying to do his job against such odds — he was always upbeat and gave his team and the Braves fans the best he had to offer and I don't think his baseball career should be called into jeopardy because of hastily spoken words that has caused no real harm to anyone. He is repentant and he has learned a great lesson. Let it go at that!

His remarks were general, not to a particular person; but he was attacked personally — his wounds were deeper. He has apologized and rightly so — I think the city of New York (particularly Yankee fans) owe him an apology as well. Did they not have enough confidence in their team that they had to resort to harassment?

As far as his “monkey” remark, I have the most beautiful little 4-year-old granddaughter in the world, and I call her “monkey-face” — she giggles because she knows that she is not a monkey!

Athletes, and men in general, fling obscenities at each other as a way to be macho, and bad as they are, they seldom cause such an outcry. We all agree: Rocker acted like a “pooh, pooh head” (oops! I apologize to all you poohs out there), he apologized, so let's accept it and play ball! Or, let us get Ken Starr involved and subpoena every person involved and have them swear under oath that they never made an error in judgment with their mouth against another group of people.

Or, maybe we could get the “Hustler Man” to put up a reward for “snitchers.”

Let's face it, folks — you can call me a door knob all day long, but until I start acting like one and someone turns my cylinder and it opens a door, it just ain't so!

I don't defend Rocker's statements but I defend his right to say them. John Rocker needs to learn the lesson I am sure his mother tried to teach him, “If you don't have something good to say, don't say anything at all.” But long as people have mouths and feet, they will occasionally converge and as long as we don't have a national disaster going on, the media will make it bigger than life.

Come on people, let's get back to the serious stuff like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, healing the sick, fighting crime, and playing Braves Baseball! “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.” “If you don't forgive, you won't be forgiven.”

Patricia D. Walston
Fayetteville

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