I have been watching the developments in the Pat Valenzuela case closely, and I wonder if there isn't a case to cut Pat some slack on his recent suspension.

Try looking at it this way:

You are married and the marraige is going down the tubes. Are you a happy camper? Are you not subject to depression, so bad that one morning you just can't get out of bed and go to work?

How many of us have been in that situation?
How many of us with union benefits which include paid sick days take advantage of those sick days by calling in sick, when we really just don't feel like going to work?

When I look at the overall picture, I see 3 things:

1.A very cocky and egotistical rider of hispanic decent who happens to be the best gate rider in history, bar none.
2.A human being with faults just like the rest of us, no matter how he chooses to deal with those faults.
3.A predominantly white "judge and jury" who are allowed to go home and have drink if THEY have a bad day, or maybe even a good day.

I have never seen or heard of an instance where Pat has shown up to the track stoned or drunk and, other than rough, competitive riding, has not caused injury to his fellow riders.

The man pulled off an incredible feat winning all those titles last year. Think he was stoned or drunk? I seriously doubt it.

And so one day he goes home to his nagging wife and she drives him to drink - one night.
He knows he has to get up at 4AM and pass a piss test and he knows he will fail. So he calls in sick like all the union guys do.

Seems to me he did the right thing by calling in sick.

Can't we cut him some slack?
I would.