Kobe Bryant killed in a helicopter crash

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/kobe-bryant-dies-in-helicopter-crash/index.html

I read about the helicopter crash earlier but they didn't announce he was on it at that point.

Memories of Kobe Bryant: He was a star even among the biggest stars (Inquirer)

According to data compiled by the Social Security Administration, 14,148 males were born in the United States with the name Kobe from 1997 to 2014. The year before, when Kobe took Brandy to the Lower Merion High prom, then graduated and moved on to the Los Angeles Lakers, there were 87 Kobes born in the United States.

The year before that, in '95, when he was still making his name at Lower Merion, there were nine Kobes born. By 2001, the number grew to 1,552.

“No, I’m not named after Kobe Bryant ,” said Kobe Goudeau, who played high school basketball in Shawnee Heights, Kan.

He was talking on the phone to a reporter. In the background, his mother told him, actually, he was.

Hard to process this

This profile in the New Yorker has stayed with me.

There's not much interest in considering the fullness of his actions these days.  He certainly was no hero to me or to the many people who believed his accuser.

Klinker said:

There's not much interest in considering the fullness of his actions these days.  He certainly was no hero to me or to the many people who believed his accuser.

Don’t go to bed thinking you’re the only one considering the fullness of his actions. 

every life is precious...not just celebrities....this guy was a hero because he could play with a ball (he did do some charity, but that is not what he is celebrated for)...but so many others have done so much (given more of what they had) for society and die unrecognized and forgotten.

https://www.businessinsider.com/kobe-bryant-nba-career-controversies-off-the-court-2020-1

Bryant, who had a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers until his retirement in 2016, was accused of sexual assault as a young player, experienced criticism over an Academy Award win in the wake of the #MeToo era in Hollywood, and faced other minor controversies throughout his life.

Why do people insist on traveling in risky small planes and helicopters. I'm curious what the annul death toll is in small private planes and helicopters. I took a ride in a six-seater from Boston to Portland a few years ago and man, it was scary.

Didn't the death of Patsy Cline teach anybody anything? Buddy Holly?

The_Soulful_Mr_T said:

I'm curious what the annul death toll is in small private places and helicopters. 

About 400, as far as I can determine from a smattering of online sources.

Why do people insist on traveling in risky small planes and helicopters. ... I took a ride in a six-seater from Boston to Portland a few years ago and man, it was scary.

What was your reason?

Remember reading somewhere that Kobe Bryant often used his helicopter to travel around SoCal to avoid traffic on the roads, and so he wouldn't have to endure being in the confined space of a car.

Wow. What a bunch of nasty comments. So typical of some people here on MOL. I hope you have the same standards when you evaluate your own personal heroes in a realistic light. 

annielou said:

Wow. What a bunch of nasty comments. So typical of some people here on MOL. I hope you have the same standards when you evaluate your own personal heroes in a realistic light. 

 None of my personal heroes are rapists. The rich and powerful are allowed to commit the most appalling violations with little fear of the consequences but that doesn't mean that we have to celebrate them.

That’s your choice. But let’s not be naive about how the celebrated conduct themselves in private. You really don’t know, do you?

Did we give Brett Kavanaugh a pass on sexual assault just because he is a really talented jurist?

annielou said:

That’s your choice. But let’s not be naive about how the celebrated conduct themselves in private. You really don’t know, do you?

 Hmmm... trying to figure this out.  You are saying that, just because many people may be unidentified abusers we should give all abusers a free pass?  That sounds like a prescription for moral bankruptcy.

Klinker said:

annielou said:

That’s your choice. But let’s not be naive about how the celebrated conduct themselves in private. You really don’t know, do you?

 Hmmm... trying to figure this out.  You are saying that, just because many people may be unidentified abusers we should give all abusers a free pass?  That sounds like a prescription for moral bankruptcy.

 I was confused by that post also.

Kobe was an all-time great basketball player, there is no disputing that.
What makes this accident so tragic is that it was unnecessary, his daughter perished, and his family is now left to carry on without a husband/father and daughter/sister.

It makes me uncomfortable when people view professional athletes as "heroes" or "role models" for the reason that we have limited information about how they conduct themselves off the court/field or in private.

Not giving anyone a free pass. But nor do I believe that my personal heroes, or anyone else’s, has lived an exemplary life. Just because it’s not widely publicized doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. I think we’re learning that much from the metoo movement.

By the way, who are the people you hold in esteem? Just curious.

Crickets

annielou said:

By the way, who are the people you hold in esteem? Just curious.

 Barack and Michelle

Good choices!

And Barack btw didn’t have a problem praising Kobe for the good that he did do. Despite his not living up to the very “high” standards of MOL. 

annielou said:

Not giving anyone a free pass. But nor do I believe that my personal heroes, or anyone else’s, has lived an exemplary life. Just because it’s not widely publicized doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. I think we’re learning that much from the metoo movement.

 There's a big difference between not leading an exemplary life and raping someone.  Maybe your personal life has been blessed in such a way that you haven't had to contemplate that distinction.  If so, I am happy for you.

annielou said:

By the way, who are the people you hold in esteem? Just curious.

 Right now, I am pretty impressed with Greta Thunberg. My friend Elaine's Dad has had a big effect on my life over the years.

annielou said:

Crickets

 Nope, just a bit of work with a deadline.

Klinker said:

annielou said:

By the way, who are the people you hold in esteem? Just curious.

 Right now, I am pretty impressed with Greta Thunberg. My friend Elaine's Dad has had a big effect on my life over the years.

 Yep, Elaine's dad. A role model for me, as well.

I also detest media driven exemplars of virtue, because they’re most often dictated by the prevailing power structure and the tastes primarily of the men who control that. That aside, Its just possible that someone like Kobe Bryant is held in widespread esteem by sports fans of all ethnicities and many people of color specifically. If you are not understanding of that in your own experiences, then it’s best to reserve the judgements to those who may be closer to the situation. For good or bad. And cute move choosing a child as your “hero”, but I suspect there’s others who you’d rather not name.