It's not okay (unless you play rugby)

Lauaki decision sends message 'violence is ok' - campaigner
The decision to allow Sione Lauaki to play for the Chiefs is sending the message that "violence is ok" after the former All Black was found guilty of his third act of violence, says an anti-violence campaigner.

I remember when I was at school a student challenged the status quo of authority by writing an essay on the pointlessness of a detention (that couldn't be used for studying) by critiquing the unchallengeable teacher power of summary detention (of said student) with an essay alphabetically listing every possible swear word he could think of with the final sentence being,

"I know this is bullshit, you know this is bullshit, they all know this is bullshit".

The response by the teacher (who had placed the student on detention) was to read his alphabetical swear word essay, note immediately that what he had written was not the replication of school rules as had been specified and then alerted the Principle who promptly suspended the student for insubordination for 2 weeks.

At the same time, the First 15 Rugby team were hosting an Australian First 15 and 2 nights before the game, they broke into the 7th Form commons room, threw a massive party and trashed the place. Players were 'suspended' for 2 days before the game was to play, so that they could play the big Game on Saturday.

Rugby players HAVE ALWAYS been given differential treatment in NZ, they get away with an enormous amount. Example, after example, after example of rugby players who get off lightly are not hard to find, we are a culture that worships rugby as one of the few National identities we feel we can rally around so let's not be surprised that it happens. Disappointment that it happens? Sure feel that, but surprise? Come on!

Lauaki's greenlight to play also probably has more to do with the money in corporate rugby now than it does sending role model messages to society or holding the positives of team play for individual responsibility up as a public good innate of itself.

What would have interested me would have been the possible counter reaction if he had been stood down? How many 'political-correctness-gone-mad' calls on Leighton Smith's show would that have generated? I shudder thinking about the amount of angry 'boys-will-be-boys-blame-the-feminization-of-society-by-feminists' diatribes we would all have to sit through from Michael Laws if Lauaki HAD been punished by the Chiefs.

That said Violence is not okay. Unless you play rugby of course. Legally any All Black can get two car thefts wiped and one no questions asked downgrade to manslaughter if they make any World Cup team.