In our no fault world, one wonders if this word is no longer viable and should be removed from the dictionary. Three articles in The Oxford Eagle leave me wondering who is in control. Is it the “offenders” or the “offended”?

Ninety-three “offending felons” appearing in the Lafayette County Circuit Court must be in control. They won favorable judgments and sentences while the “offended victims” were left to wonder whether “justice” exists at all. The court told law enforcement 93 times that their service and risk of life had little value because those arrested would soon be back on the streets. Whether you believe that prison is for punishment or reformation, you must see that society benefits from the separation of offenders from the offended.

The “offending Ole Miss Football Program” self-imposed nine fewer athletic scholarships on itself due to the ongoing NCAA investigation. That punishes nine “non-offending  students” which does not seem right. The program suffers very little for it’s “offense.” It only seems right that the Athletic Department should fund nine academic scholarships out of the Football Program budget so that a “non-offending” nine students can attend Ole Miss.

And last, but not least, we get to the loss of almost eight million dollars from the SEC Bowl revenue distribution due to a self-imposed bowl ban for the 2017-2018 season. Why should the fan base suffer for the “offenses” of a few? It would seem that those involved should be held “accountable.” The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor (Athletic Director), Head Coach, involved staff, involved student-athletes, involved recruits, and involved boosters must be held “accountable” so that the “non-offenders” (the rest of us) are not punished by the loss of almost eight million dollars. You have to pay to play.

R. Edward Bartlett

Oxford