OK, I wrote my column in last week's issue of The Echo about Dale Earnhardt and how he is put on a pedestal as this great guy who changed the world or something. In the column I was trying to make the point that athletes shouldn't be put on such a high pedestal.

I think I did a pretty good job of making that point. When I was writing it, I did feel that I was just hammering Earnhardt because of my distaste for him and the "sport" of NASCAR. But upon re-reading it, I feel it was pretty valid.

I have received several comments on it, some good, most bad. But I still haven't changed my mind and found something yesterday that really helps be believe in my point so much more.

That's the front page of the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times NASCAR preview section. Correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm sure a lot of folks will attempt, but stained glass is usually reserved for religious figures. Earnhardt is anything but a religious figure. If that's how America thinks of a NASCAR driver, people may need to rethink their lives.