"He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone."

Just a little something Jesus said.

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While we muse on that, why don’t we go out right now and round up baseball’s Alex Rodriguez and swimming Olympian Michael Phelps, blindfold them, line ‘em up against a wall and have done with it?

Surely that is what we must do to these two young men,  because obviously they are the only sinners among us. Certainly no news commentator or cable talking head or sportswriter ever made a mistake, lied, felt performance pressure. And none of them were just young and out having a good time?

Nah. I’m telling you; the saintliness factor in this old world – except for A-Rod and Mr. Phelps – is impressive. Hard to believe there are wars, poverty and bigotry, with all the good people doing good works the world over. The media glee over the missteps of these athletes is far worse than any Rodriguez/Phelps transgressions. It’s downright ugly.

I’m no rabid sports fan, but I do understand the issues regarding steroid use. In the first place, it’s not healthy. But it seems to me, for at least the past decade the sports world is rife with it. Look at a lot of baseball, football and basketball players. Big. Bigger than they ever were in the past. Better nutrition, more time at the gym? Sure. Maybe. Some (but by no means all) fans say steroid use is “cheating.” I can see why they see it that way. On the other hand, was Alex Rodriguez – now only 33 – a lousy or even average player who turned into a superman via steroids? No. He was an exceptional athlete, very young, who wanted to live up to his own publicity and his multimillion-dollar contract. Maybe he should have had some counseling, before heading for the drugs – “Don’t be fearful … you are a great ballplayer … you don’t need any help.” Perhaps he did seek advice, and steroid use was the advice. (I just love how everybody in the baseball industry is “shocked, shocked” and feels “betrayed.” Like they all never had a clue?) And yes, A-Rod lied when asked, several years ago, about steroid use. Nobody should lie. But I wonder how many people really believed him?

As for Michael Phelps, age 23, he took a hit or two on a bong. He was partying, privately (he thought). I’m not condoning bong-puffing, but really, he wasn’t on the street, frightening the horses.

Who would I rather sit down and have a margarita with, A-Rod or the person who ratted him out? Who would I prefer to share my favorite El Rio Grande sopapilla dessert with – Michael Phelps or the person who secretly photographed him and sold that picture to the tabloids? 

The “role model” aspect? Well, yes, that is a sore point. Kids do look up to these guys. But how about this for high concept: How about parents encouraging their kids not to look up to actors and athletes as role models in terms of their personal behavior – or even professional transgressions? They are only men and women who excel in a certain area. They are human. The greatest, most inspiring figures in history often fell short on the personal side. (Benjamin Franklin was a lousy spouse and careless father.)

Parents – who are only human, too – might try setting examples at home for their children to emulate. In the great words of Joe E. Brown, as “Some Like It Hot” concluded, “Nobody’s perfect!”