Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf issued an out-of-nowhere recommendation that scholastic sports be postponed until at least Jan. 1.
The PIAA did not know this statement was coming. Wolf provided no context for how his office came to that decision. And he gave no explanation for the logic behind the timeline.
Furthermore, last week the board of the PIAA had just decided to proceed with the start of the fall sport as planned.
Equally grinning were Wolf’s subsequent remarks Thursday in York. The governor stood by his recommendation while admitting that he had not yet read the PIAA’s response.
TribLIVE’s Chris Harlan joined me for Friday’s podcast “Breakfast With Benz”. He says the letter was given to the governor earlier in the week.
Not only did Wolf not read it, but he also essentially said it was not worth his time.
“I’m not sure what they could say that would make me change my mind about what I believe is the right thing to do,” Wolf said.
Comically, a few minutes later, Wolf described himself as “having an open mind.”
As hilarious is Wolf’s attempt to detach the importance of his job from his recommendation.
“I admit I’m just one person,” Wolf said. “Maybe I’m a mayor, but I’m one person who has an opinion.”
Governor is the main part for that sentence, you know?
Stop playing games, Governor. This “I’m just one man!” goods is a farce. And you know it. You are the leader of this state. You are not posting on Facebook. You’re not “Tom from York County” calling a talk show. Your “recommendation” makes much more sense than most.
In fact, you are not “just one person.” Your health department and education department have already supported you. That you are one person with two major government agencies supporting your policies.
Pardon me. Not “policy.” I know, it is exactly a “recommendation.”
Wolf also often plays that semantic game. He grabs himself before saying anything like “policy” or “statement” or “decision.” He will press between “recommendation” and “guideline.”
Because “recommendation” makes it informal, as he is not the one making the decision. Likewise, he can shift the responsibility to the individual school boards, the PIAA or various conferences around the state.
Por favor! Who is this joking joke? How many school boards will really open themselves up to the legal liability of operating in direct opposition to the governor and the departments of health and education.
Unlike the first backup pointer who does not get playing time on football team “X” of high school and coronavirus contract, that school board (and district) will take to court so quickly, the lawyers may not be able to set up fast enough, “Overload! Overload! They had a recommendation from the state! They ignore it and play anyway!”
Wis. It was just a recommendation. However, it may just have been a signed bill.
And it might as well have been a cancellation notice for sports for high schools this fall. Although Wolf suggests that this is not the case.
“I also recommended this summer that Pennsylvania residents not go to the Jersey Shore. I’m sorry, that’s my recommendation. You do what you want, and school districts will do what they want, ‘Wolf said.
No, Governor. They will not do what they want. They will do whatever prevents them from adopting very legal exposure.
And that the Jersey Shore analogy is so stupid, I can hardly elicit a reaction. I’ll just say that anyone who went to the Jersey Shore will not persecute themselves if they get coronavirus.
The coup of Wolf’s address was this absurd justification for why cross country is an example of a fall sport that was too risky for a competition.
Here is one of the governor’s comments on sports…. pic.twitter.com/trXD6fNDmS
– Bob Greenburg (@BobGreenburg) August 13, 2020
First of all, no priority is given to sport over education. The questions are about trying to find ways to coexist under the circumstances. We have enough real arguments without Wolf making a straw man.
Second, psst! Mr. Governor, you can compete without fans. Remember?!?
That said, even though the whole school is cross country meetings in York, apparently as heavily attended as the finish at the New York City Marathon, the mayor does not have to worry.
If Wolf wants to talk about whether football, soccer or basketball are safe enough to play, then let’s debate that. But digging in his heels over land? That’s just a man who’s more concerned about just being than making sense.
The cost and ability to test. The cost and ability to constantly rehabilitate facilities. The impossibility of making social distance in a school setting. I understand Wolf’s concerns.
As much as I want to watch scholastic football and other sports for the kids, I also do not know for sure that it is also possible.
But I do know that it is worth a meaningful conversation. Something that “Tom from York County” does not seem to interest.
• • •
You can listen to my entire podcast with Harlan here.
Tim Benz is a Staff Writer Tribune Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be re-posted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise noted.
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