The decision today by WADA is a terrible miscarriage of justice. Probably Easily the worst in history.
When I said I hoped 2016 would be a ‘year of facts’, I was hoping they would be my facts, the ones that suit my worldview.
Unfortunately, WADA have chosen to look at all the facts, many which I have chosen to discount. I like to think it’s the facts I reject that make mine the best.
My facts have been hand selected, like I’m a ‘facts sommelier’, picking facts carefully and thoughtfully while discarding the ones I don’t like.
Being a facts sommelier gives you a far better outcome, a much more palatable one too.
WADA are like some ‘facts Dan Murphy’s’. Just every fact in the world under one roof, with no careful eye on which ones are completely unpalatable.
That’s why we’ve ended up with this result. Every fact has been sampled leaving a bad aftertaste. Like when teenagers make rocket fuel using whatever alcohol is in their parent’s cupboard. Sure, you get a result but it’s rarely a good one.
Is this the world we want to live in? Where unpalatable truths win over carefully crafted narratives?
It’s time to wake up.
The barbarians are at the gate and today we got a glimpse of what it will be like if they get inside.
COMMENTS
RedcliffeScott
Jan 12, 2016
Robfromtaroona TitusOReily Golfer banned 9 mths for beta blocker legally taking. Skiier lost medal on a Canadian Vicks. Essendon?
RedcliffeScott
Jan 12, 2016
Robfromtaroona TitusOReily Golfer banned 9 mths for beta blocker legally taking. Skiier lost medal on a Canadian Vicks. Essendon?
Robfromtaroona
Jan 12, 2016
2012 Brownlow should now go to Cotchin & Mitchell RedcliffeScott TitusOReily
Robfromtaroona
Jan 12, 2016
2012 Brownlow should now go to Cotchin & Mitchell RedcliffeScott TitusOReily
lorrainebomber
Jan 12, 2016
mickvagg did u read CAS report? Stephen Dank accepts NO responsibility, Dean Robinson claims he is a victim yet they get the most mentions.
mickvagg
Jan 12, 2016
lorrainebomber Who hired Dank and Robinson? Who gave them a free hand and helped hide it from the team Dr? Unconscionable conduct
lorrainebomber
Jan 12, 2016
mickvagg did you read the CAS report?
lorrainebomber
Jan 12, 2016
mickvagg Hird did not employ Dank and Robinson. Best to read up on events.
mickvagg
Jan 12, 2016
lorrainebomber Oh that's right, Hird was the one telling them NOT to beef up the players b/c he was happy with their level of strength
lorrainebomber
Jan 12, 2016
mickvagg Dank bought the supplements and injected them. Robinson was complicit as high performance coach.
mickvagg
Jan 12, 2016
lorrainebomber So Hird (who was getting some injections himself) is not responsible at all? He helped hide it, and he knew about it
Jezebel1982
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily on fire today! This is your GF day #guiltynotguilty
au_sesquip
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily "Morality is what I say is right, and immorality is what I say is wrong." GTAVC's Pastor Richards or James Hird?
georgechris67
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily very funny toot toot Wellio adamdepo
paul_newell
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily GrogsGamut "...If only they had used the facts we wanted them to use."
Paul Murphy
Jan 12, 2016
They used the other facts?
Adrian Cellante
Jan 12, 2016
Anthony Violi....... I'm gone lol
Adam D'Aloia
Jan 12, 2016
This is the best day ever.
SJ Yeo
Jan 12, 2016
Derryn Stanley Marcus Yeo Marcus Toovey absolute gold
Travis Ross
Jan 12, 2016
Haha pisser article Damien de Leeuw
Geoff Schaefer
Jan 12, 2016
Chris Gayle should be out hitting on everything that moves today. No one will care for the next 24 hours. No rush baby.
paul_newell
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily GrogsGamut "HIRD: "If only they hadn't used facts at all.....The outcome would have been very much different..."
Dean Morgan
Jan 12, 2016
Travis Hocart Kerryn Edwards Mackenzie Morgan Fergus Morgan John Howell Liz Cowell Mark Stewart I think this is his best yet!
Brad Berry
Jan 12, 2016
Funny read Mark White
Matthew Passmore
Jan 12, 2016
How can a fact be wrong
Tania Lock
Jan 12, 2016
lol Damien Kearney
Daniel Crute
Jan 12, 2016
That's every day for him, anyway.
Sean Lyons
Jan 12, 2016
This story is going to run you out of business, Titus. You only have to cut & paste this stuff. It self-satirises.
Sean Lyons
Jan 12, 2016
Normally if someone adds the word "fact" at the end of a sentence, it tends to lend some suspicion to the fact that the aforementioned fact is indeed factual. Same goes for "That's a fact". Traditionally used only in pubs after 10PM, Hird has seen fit to use it at press conferences/interviews with, it must be said, mixed results.
Simon Wood
Jan 12, 2016
Paul Maguire Peter Clohessy quality
Cody James Miller
Jan 12, 2016
I'm trying to think of a more arrogant person....James Hird - the Kanye West of football?
Damien Kearney
Jan 12, 2016
He gets A for effort
Damien Kearney
Jan 12, 2016
He has destroyed that club. And sadly they allowed him to.
Lynne Featonby
Jan 12, 2016
Facts schmacts. That bloody WADA treated the players like adults, with responsibilities and stuff. How very dare they!?!
Joel Villis
Jan 12, 2016
'Facts Somellier'. This could be your best yet.
John Howell
Jan 12, 2016
Morgsie - you know my position on this - when do you think someone will actually sue young James???
Chris Kendall
Jan 12, 2016
It's always better when James is seen and not Hird.
Paul Murphy
Jan 12, 2016
Even Tanya has left Jimmy.
Julie-Anne Gatehouse
Jan 12, 2016
James Robert Gatehouse "WADA are like some ‘facts Dan Murphy’s" :)
Dave Raus
Jan 12, 2016
Asada said there wasn't enough evidence to prove guilty, so how can they be proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt without any fresh evidence.. Another case of the capital always getting their way.
Ross Butler
Jan 12, 2016
'WADA is a Facts Dan Murphy's' - Top shelf from Titus. (y)
Dean Morgan
Jan 12, 2016
Good question, I have no idea. I this case do the players have any grounds? They have been found guilty for failing to look after themselves, is that anyone else's fault?
Did you read that link? Very funny.
Jed Mahoney
Jan 12, 2016
It's like a pub brawl where all the bystanders wait for the dust to settle before laying the boot in. Salad days.
Craig Lister
Jan 12, 2016
Today is just like Xmas for Titus Greg, Jared & Ashley
Ben Williams
Jan 12, 2016
Jimmy shut up now!
Richard Warren
Jan 12, 2016
Harriet Tolhurst you'll love this
Nadia Paternoster
Jan 12, 2016
James Hird and those in the know, did the wrong thing, and they got found out. People need to take responsibility for their actions. I feel sorry for the players who put trust in people who let them down.
Karin Cullen
Jan 12, 2016
As a PA supporter and member I can't even begin to tell you how pissed of I am.
Stuart Greig
Jan 12, 2016
Mark Robinson - hirdy may have a point here!
Stuart Greig
Jan 12, 2016
Matty a member of mensa?
Rhylie De Graaff
Jan 12, 2016
this is comment is spot on
Dylan Brogan
Jan 12, 2016
Nathan Jackson David Marsh Matthew Pope.
One of the best.
Andrew Worm
Jan 12, 2016
What is the point? The article made no sense...
Peter Moore
Jan 12, 2016
Kyle Kyle Halbert
Lisa Yorston
Jan 12, 2016
Absolute gold, Titus.
Amy Granger
Jan 12, 2016
Lol what an idiot
David Adamson
Jan 12, 2016
What a fkn knob. Hird got Essendon into this situation. He should hang his head in shame. No credibility, responsibility or accountability.
Kyle Halbert
Jan 12, 2016
Haha I like the one which said "this proves our innocence"
Catherine Digney
Jan 12, 2016
This did make me laugh U0001f602
Harriet Tolhurst
Jan 12, 2016
U0001f602U0001f602 'fact sommelier' haha so good!
Lee Greenhalgh
Jan 12, 2016
He reminds me of Comical Ali who went on live TV to deny Iraq was being invaded as an American tank rolled past in the background
Matthew Pope
Jan 12, 2016
Same as the current channel 9 cricket team ran Billy Birmingham out of a job. For the same reason.
David Reed
Jan 12, 2016
Rick Kreeck. Classic.
Ian Swann
Jan 12, 2016
'Players have received a 12-month suspension, meaning they will miss the entire 2016 season, including finals'. Now there's making a positive from a negative if ever I saw one.
Benno Napier
Jan 12, 2016
Dan Murphys of facts ahaha Hamish Parkour Bigwood Jordan Hounsfield
Adam Gregory
Jan 12, 2016
It's not beyond a reasonable doubt. It's not criminal.
Dave Raus
Jan 12, 2016
Really, wasn't aware of that.. Plays well into the hands of the organisations dishing out the punishments
Peter Cosgriff
Jan 12, 2016
What you have done to the careers of these young men is truly shameful and simply walked away.
Dan Degenhardt
Jan 12, 2016
You have to feel for those Bomber fans who put in the hard yards to become experts on the legal system and banned substances so that they could keep the rest of us so emphatically informed, and remind us how little we knew. I'm sure they're out there apologising to family and friends as we speak.
Grant Harrison
Jan 12, 2016
James Hird is a fallen star. He has disgraced the club he was meant to cherish and ruined the careers and lives of so many players and their families. How dare he blame others. He pushed others under the bus while taking his million dollar salary without a care in the world. James Hird - I used to have you up on a pedastal but now you are nothing but a liar and cheat and you should hang your head in shame, man up and apologise for the lives you ruined. Your a massive sook. If you have any friends on trial I truly hope they are not counting on you to provide supporting evidence for them. They will spend a long time in prison as you are the type of bloke who throws women and children behind them while running from the Sharks. Enough said.
Jeremy Keysers
Jan 12, 2016
Love the John West reference
John Howell
Jan 12, 2016
No didn't read yet - what happens now re bombers list???? Should I give them a call
Deborah Cosham
Jan 12, 2016
The wrong facts???? WTF??? That's like saying there is a different version of the truth! ! Crawl back into your hole James - enough damage has been done
Rod Randles
Jan 12, 2016
Asada never said there wasn't enough evidence, 3 AFL randoms,one being Wayne "Moose" Henwood ex Sydney player......Last I checked he was no rode scholar nor an expert on world drug taking.
Maurice Ferdinando
Jan 12, 2016
How caaan FACTS be wrong they are facts.If Hirds pride had not intervenedthe Dons would have been free like CRonula
Leigh Mcgillick
Jan 12, 2016
It's hard for essendon to say that they even know what the facts are given they went out of their way to ensure there were no records kept. It's the same principal the mafia use - don't keep records so you can't be caught. Well guess what, we can all smell the stench
Dean Morgan
Jan 12, 2016
I thought you should have called them last year
andrewkelly
Jan 12, 2016
Hello Rod
Looks like your no Rhodes scholar either
Nick White
Jan 12, 2016
Extraordinary that Hird has decimated the club that gave him everything.
Peter Moore
Jan 12, 2016
Haha he is gold really
John Howell
Jan 12, 2016
You are a good kid - always pumping up my tyres!!!
Dean Morgan
Jan 12, 2016
How many of their players could run out of defence spinning the ball on their fingers?
Ross Ramsey
Jan 12, 2016
Haha.
Unfortunately his legacy has been tarnished forever.
Dave Raus
Jan 12, 2016
All the need is a comfortable satisfaction, that's the level the need to say yay or nay
Graeme Fish
Jan 12, 2016
Haha, didn't know Tania and James were still in the country. Great investigative journalism Titus!
Libby Kaufman
Jan 12, 2016
If they're facts - they can't wrong
Wes Grainger
Jan 12, 2016
Maybe the bombers were hard done by Clint Grainger U0001f609
Gordon McNeill
Jan 12, 2016
Knew it
Bloody wada use the right facts!
Rosie Williams
Jan 12, 2016
Don't be ridiculous !! They WERE crooks and, received the appropriate sanctions!!
At last !!!!
Rusty Bolt
Jan 12, 2016
disgraceful how that was handled
Shavenewok
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily any truth to the rumour a win against Essendon will only be worth 2 points this year?
magpie_042
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily is el Chapo available again?
pwoiter
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily
Don't understand why these players get punished whilst Goodes gets away with pointing at someone who calls him an ape.
brknhed
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily as we all know there are good facts, bad facts and facts that suit the story. Hard for those who wish to deal only with facts.
GlennMcCallum
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily current queue for his $33 a head extravaganza at the end of the week #standbyturd http://twitter.com/GlennMcCallum/status/686843479444471808/photo/1
Rosa Frassoni
Jan 12, 2016
...and you know the principals the mafia use? Interesting!
bacardi_jr
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily Quite possibly. Your best yet. I read it three hours ago and have got my explosions of laughter down to a giggle now
TitusOReily
Jan 12, 2016
bacardi_jr cheers mate
raineoo5
Jan 12, 2016
TitusOReily Excellent work Titus!
TitusOReily
Jan 12, 2016
raineoo5 thanks
Doug Pell
Jan 12, 2016
I saw the Godfather movies,lol
Matthew Drane
Jan 12, 2016
Looking forward to the day all the facts are on the table, so that Hirdy & the boys are in a very good place.
Doug Pell
Jan 12, 2016
They were guilty of lack of governance of a system of cheating to obtain an unfair advantage. the drugs that were jabbed into their systems at the time were on the WADA list of banned drugs, when are you Essendon supporters going to accept that this decision is final and your club has let you down, simple as that.
Rick Kreeck
Jan 12, 2016
Ha! Doesn't James know that even if you call it Grange, you rave about it like it's Grange and you have players signing a form consenting to drink their Grange on the quiet, it doesn't mean jack when Dank is in the kitchen with a goon bag and a trade account with Chateau Dapto.
Clint Grainger
Jan 12, 2016
Facts schmacts. You can prove anything with facts. 40% of people know that!
Dave Raus
Jan 12, 2016
It's called being blinded by loyalty to your club & your an arseclown if you think you wouldn't do it to your own club either.
That's ok next time a players knee has blown out & can't walk & they jab him with cortisone so he can play on I'll turn a blind eye.. That's a "legal steroid". But still highly beneficial even more so than the peptides. Next time I read that players take a hand full of uppers before a game to benefit from the effects & then jump on the stilnox to come down & sleep I'll pretend it doesn't happen. Next time I go out to a club & a group of players smashing lines in the toilets I'll go yeah thats ok they want to gain an advantage on the dance floor.
Don Joiner
Jan 12, 2016
It was all his fault the AFL should ban him from all AFL grounds and activities for LIFE. He has dragged the name Essendon into the gutter and pretends everything is OK. The man has NO SHAME
Adam Dahl
Jan 12, 2016
Hird is a sociopath.
Gio Felicia
Jan 12, 2016
James hird and his Co horts should be deported to Syria !
Andrew O'Keefe
Jan 12, 2016
Eh dood pls
Norm Baker
Jan 12, 2016
Georgia Georgia Murphy, Mata Hari.
Mata Hari
Jan 12, 2016
Its a Jimmy Thing !
Norm Baker
Jan 12, 2016
No it's an arrogant, egotistical self absorbed, contentious thing!
Mata Hari
Jan 12, 2016
Ha! Yes, all of those. "Jimmy Thing" is a Dave Mathews Band SONG U0001f3b6U0001f601
Mandarin Soy
Jan 12, 2016
Thanks for making me laugh this morning Titus! If anyone saw AFL360 Essendon special last night, Robbo might as well have worn his Bombers Guernsey on the show last nite..
StephenKaye
Jan 13, 2016
Would love to read your comments Titus on Robbo's performance on AFL 360 last night. What a train wreck......reckon Gill is still giggling.
Joanne Everett
Jan 13, 2016
As the song goes,(In these shoes? Let's do it here). Will the truth ever be hird?