Time-outs in Port-O-Potties. Lessons on killing snitches. Breaking into cars. Picking up women. What has become of the United Way? It used to be a middle man for kids who need mentors. It has definitely turned a corner. A dark, sordid corner.
I was watching a commercial last night during some earnest, topical Saturday night show or another and I don't know if appalled is the right word -- but it comes pretty close. Peyton Manning should be ashamed of himself, and the United Way should be, too.
I'm not sure what type of "lessons" he's passing onto children by hitting them in the back of the head with a football and then telling them, "You suck. Get the F--- out of here." But I'm guessing that's not the kind of mentoring these kids were looking for.
They just needed a helping hand. Instead, they wound up with permanent tattoos of Peyton Manning on their calves. (As if they don't see enough of him on TV already, right? Geesh!) They needed a friend. Instead, they wound up on the ground, cowering in fear as the NFL quarterback hurls footballs at their backs. My favorite appalling part? Learning about Manning's snitch justice over beers. Poor, poor kids.
The commercial urges parents to spend time with their kids, otherwise Peyton Manning just might. That's a pretty good lesson for us all.
