A few weeks back (well 2 weeks actually) one of my favorite former Maryland Terrapins (Go Terps!!!!) and current member of my beloved San Diego Chargers was caught up in a bit of trouble. Shawne Merriman was charged and served with a citizen's arrest by Tila Tequila of reality TV and model (internets) fame. Tila said that she was held against her will and assaulted.
Without any information other than that, this story ran all over every TV station I saw for the next day in some form or fashion. CNN, ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, etc. This was crazy to me that so many people blew this up and no other facts were known. In the end no real chargers were drawn due to a lack of evidence, but the damage was done.
This scenario really made me mad. Not just because it involved a player and a team that I am a supporter of, but also because of the way this was portrayed. Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman, out last season due to an injury and part of the year before from steroids, assaults and holds Tila (im too small to be on TV) Tequila against her will.
It just doesnt play correctly to me. Where was the innocent until proven guilty? Where was the necessary time for an investigation. There wasn't any time for any of that, in this twittercentric world we are in now. If its thought too quickly and hits the web its gone, and gone forever. Cannot be changed or altered and will definitely have a lasting impact on many people.
In this quick to judge and label timeframe anything you do or are thought to do is under a microscope....
So to any folks that may read this please keep this in mind as you go about your daily activities.
S.
