"I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I expected that the commissioner's one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.
The Judeo-Christian ethos. Sin, punish, atone, forgive. ...Sin again? See, that's where it becomes circular and counterproductive. All I have to do is admit, say I'm sorry, take my punishment and then the slate is wiped clean.
"But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible -- that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past. For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury."
Yes. The cycle doesn't work all the time, it makes a nice story, it's easy to remember, but you can't make some things go away by saying "I'm sorry" over and over again. You're not going to be forgiven all the time. It's not just the "current unforgiving" time, that's for all time. The things to which the cycle doesn't apply change over time and with the man but there have always been things and people to whom the cycle is inapplicable.
Man is not the SUM of the things he has done, all things weighed equally, add 'em up whaddya have a net + or a net -? Some things count more. One thing can outweigh all of the opposite that you have done. "I suck one dick." Always been that way.
"In the meantime, I will continue to work on becoming a better person, and continuing to support the community in meaningful ways."
All you can do. Still won't forgiven! Still will be defined by the thing! But that's all you can do. "The wisdom is reaching."
