Age as an excuse

Something I've been seeing a lot lately has really started to bug me. People (mostly famous people) using their young age as an excuse for the illegal things they have done. First, Michael Phelps, now A-Rod. Both have been caught using illegal drugs. When Michael Phelps apologized he mentions that he is 23 years old and acting youthful. During A-rod's press conference he many times referenced being young and ignorant. Both offered up their age as an excuse for their wrongdoing. As if being young somehow means it's ok for you to break the law.

Now I'm not saying that I think they are bad people or should be thrown in jail, but I am very tired of people excusing or explaining their bad behavior because they are young. There are millions of teenagers and twentysomethings out there that know it is illegal to do drugs and don't. There are many major league baseball players who were young, but didn't take steroids. Why can't you just say you were stupid and ignorant and leave it at that? Which is true, they were stupid and ignorant. But why bring your age into it?

We all make mistakes, but take full responsibility for your actions. I see blaming it on your age as not taking full responsibility for what you have done. "Yes, I did it, but only because I was young." That isn't an excuse or a reason.

Ok, that rant is over... :) I do respect A-rod for admitting what he did and stating that he would like to take part in anti-steroid advertising, but I still think the guy is a scumbag :)

p.s. personally I think that they should put lovely asterisks next to all of A-roids records and stats and if he passes the homerun record it should be met with nothing but boos!!!!