Day Five -- OJ Simpson

Part I: OJ Simpson

Today, just as I had in October of 1995, I sat and watched OJ Simpson receive justice. This time, the courtroom was not as favorable as Lance Ito’s and by the day’s end he was sentenced to 15+ years in prison. The events that finally caught up to Simpson illustrate the judge’s accurate description of him as being both arrogant and ignorant.

In September 2007, OJ, armed and accompanied by some other men, charged into a Palace Station hotel room to “get back” some questionable Simpson memorabilia. In Simpson’s rambling statement during his sentencing – he became the Juice again leading the judge, the onlookers and presumably millions of viewers down the trail where, he, OJ Simpson, was the victim who was notably trying to reclaim his children’s belongings/inheritance, all the while dodging the media, those who had stolen from him and other sorts of perpetrators in much the same way he had been able to evade defensive players on so many football fields not the least of which was the LA Coliseum clad in the holy cardinal and gold. After all, he did win the Heisman and his illustrious jersey hangs in the Periscope end of the stadium? And because he, in way meant to evoke his righteous character, had forgiven those he had robbed at gun-point, the judge ought to be merciful to him.

The Judge did not see it that way. She recounted Simpson taped description of the robbery as a means of keeping the property out of the “Gold-diggers,” meaning the Goldman family, hands who have tried in vain for years to force Simpson to pay the money owed to them under the terms of the civil case. She swiftly dispensed a fairly stiff sentence to OJ citing it had nothing to do with his 1995 acquittal. I am not so sure.

One thing I am sure of is that America in 2008 is a much different place than American was thirteen years ago. In 1995, pre-911, pre-Oklahoma City, pre-Columbine – we either looked the other way when a hall of famer literally got away with murder or we, like the jurors, might have naively believed that OJ actually didn’t commit the crimes. What did the late Johnny Cochran say – if it doesn’t fit you must acquit? Absolutely awful. But in 2008, we have like it or not, become less innocent and as it relates to OJ Simpson, less deceived by the darting and dodging of a Heisman trophy winner. Remember Simpson’s smiling dash through the airport evoking his legendary career for a car rental ad? Remember his part in The Naked Gun? Oh poor Nicole, you didn’t stand a chance against a smug, over-the-hill athlete who believed his popularity, fame and wealth gave him the right to commit murder. He was right in 1995 but in 2008, we have sobered up and even a Heisman trophy winner is not immune to the arc of justice. I can’t help but wonder what will become of his sincere quest to find the real killers.

Part II: Thursday’s Activities

• · Made oatmeal and coffee

• · Read newspaper focusing mainly on a article about USC vs UCLA game, didn’t even try crossword

• · Went to Lake Ave Produce to buy a bag of pecans

• · Dropped off check at therapist’s old office

• · Walked around the rose bowl while listening to a Mars Hill podcast. Also notable, I saw three or four rose parade floats

• · Made bacon and cheese omelet for brunch

• · Found New Testament Theology book and read short section on the book of Jude

• · Made sweet potato casserole, green beans & stuffing for dinner party

• · Cleaned fishy’s bowl which seemed to upset him

• · Cleaned most of the house – notable exception, my bedroom & kitchen

• · Did three loads of laundry – jeans, whites and colors

• · Hosted dinner party/small group with dear friends

• · Watched The Daily Show