Sabre Rattling: Bertuzzi's Ultimate Punishment

Thursday, 11 August 2005

Bertuzzi's Ultimate Punishment

Link: Tasca's Take - Weekly Commentary. James Mirtle's Piece from 10 August 2005

The links above are to two of the best pieces I've seen written about the Bertuzzi-Moore incident and Gary Bettman's decision to reinstate Bertuzzi. A great number of people, from the vicious to the cynical, are questioning Bettman's decision, many of whom are still reacting 17 months later with the kind of raw emotion that sparked the 'incident' in the first place. Mr. Mirtle calls for tolerance and acceptance of Bertuzzi's apology and atonement as genuine. While Tasca'a take focuses on the fruitlessness of retribution as a model for justice, something I wholeheartedly agree with.

It is time to let this go. At what point has a person paid enough? At what point is further punishment just a perpetuation of the violence for its own sadistic ends? I'm firmly of the opinion that my opinion on this matter is irrelevant to the situation. What matters is Todd Bertuzzi's and Steve Moore's. If Todd Bertuzzi has done what has been required of him to make amends by Steve Moore then it should be our response to respect that and move on. If he hasn't then that is a matter they will continue to work out. Mr. Bettman's approach is to forgive but not forget. The NHL wants him back if he is truly sorry for what happened and will allow him the opportunity to earn back our respect.

Punishing Bertuzzi in such a way as to prevent him from playing hockey in perpetuity is doubly cruel both to Mr. Bertuzzi and Mr. Moore. If Todd is unable to earn a living how will he be able to re-pay Steve Moore, if Moore wants money? At what point is Mr. Bertuzzi released from Steve Moore's service over this. And, ultimately, why do we think we have a say in the matter? How have any of us been harmed by this?

Is the aftermath of this incident truly any different than that of Dany Heatley's irresponsible behaviour that got his friend Dan Snyder killed? Would any of the principles involved feel any better if the State of Georgia had sentenced Heatley to prison? Wouldn't it make more sense to allow the principle parties to come to a mutually agreement over how to atone for the unforgivable? I remember during that incident the calls from posters around the internet calling for the most viscious of punishments to be meted out on Mr. Heatley, jail, suspension, and worse, without a thought in the world as to how that was going to improve the situation. The act itself should be the future deterrent, not the ex post facto punishement thereof.

Our reactions to these things are born of our social natures and our desire to associate with those we like and respect. We all have lost a ton of respect for Todd Bertuzzi and Dany Heatley and that frustration and betrayal is real. I understand all of that. And believe me, I was just as passionate about both of these incidents as anyone else at the time. But, both of these incidents stemmed from a lack of judgement in the moment they happened. It is now time to soberly reflect on how to make the best of a bad situation and generate some good from it.

Ta,

Posted by Tom L at 05:28 AM | Permalink

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December 2006