The big joke here is the inconsistency with professional sports. As a baseball guy, it just kills me that Pete Rose has been banned from baseball for betting, but Michael Vick can go back to the NFL. I know betting may be against the rules of the game, and it may be illegal as well. But, I'm pretty sure there's a big difference in the crimes. And, speaking of crimes, the drugs, DWI's, weapons, etc. that have been mentioned here, and that have been running around the world of professional sports for years certainly do not compare to Pete betting on baseball. In my opinion, the Michael Phelps bong picture (which, BTW, I never saw) is a bigger deal to me. What those in charge need is a little perspective.

I guess the good news is that there's talk about possible lifting the ban for Pete. I'm all for it. Nobody ever has, or ever will, play the game like Pete Rose did. Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds (oh, please! I just remembered the "cheating" going on with steroids!), Micky Mantel, Ted William....they were really good. But, Pete was the best ever.

(Sorry I'm ranting. I guess my point is that, yes, it is a joke. Hopefully, the powers that be in the baseball world are realizing that betting is not as big a deal as it was made out to be.)