Monday, October 12, 2009
Regrets, Frankie
Sometimes I regret saying some of the things I say. This photo essay tossing darts at Frank Vandenbroucke is a pretty good example of that. Vandenbroucke's death marks the passing of a guy who was pretty seriously mentally ill, in my amateur opinion. I've come around to that view on further reflection. He wasn't just somebody with an addiction, which would have been solely his responsibility at some level, but a guy who, from the sounds of it was damaged goods. The many addictions and, well, utterly insane behaviors, betrayed the existence of a serious underlying mental infirmity. It was cheap of me to score laughs with it. Pity and empathy are human emotions and sometimes they are not only more appropriate than ridicule, but the only appropriate response. I missed the bus on that. Sorry Frank. Requiescat in pace.
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1 comment:
I always was pulling for FVB and certainly it was not for the human spectacle or car crash aspect though his run meteoric ascent and fall from sporting grace provided plenty of both. It was more an appreciation of a unique talent that arrived as a prodigy and then almost perversely rooting for the underdog during his attempts at a return to cycling grace. I always thought the fabricated Italian license was brilliantly funny in a sarcastic Andy Kaufman sort of way and to me showed his love for the game by his desire to get on line and mix it up while also sort of foreshadowing his ambition and desire by choosing the rainbow strip wearer for the photo. Of course Andy probably could by some measure also be described as having some sort of mental infirmity as well. The sparkle in FVB's eyes on the podium after his Liege win was for me very likable and endearing and for now is hauntingly unforgettable.
MP
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