BAD IDEA OF THE WEEK: Domestic violence

Troubled Chicago Bears defensive end Ray McDonald was arrested yesterday on charges of domestic violence and child endangerment after an incident in Santa Clara, Calif., leading the team to release him this afternoon. Santa Clara police said in a release that McDonald allegedly assaulted a woman while she was holding a baby. The Bears announced McDonald's release at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, roughly six hours after McDonald's arrest. "We believe in second chances, but when we signed Ray we were very clear what our expectations were if he was to remain a Bear," Chicago general manager Ryan Pace said in a statement. "He was not able to meet the standard and the decision was made to release him." Fair enough, but it's not enough to simply punish the players who inflict the abuse on women and children. If the NFL wants the good work it's done over the last year to combat domestic violence to actually mean something, it has to go after the owners and GMs who have long enabled them. For instance, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ought to slap the Chicago Bears with a hefty fine and dock them a draft pick or two. Suspend general manager Ryan Pace for four games. Ban owner George McCaskey from the stadium for the first half of the season while he's at it, too, since it was McCaskey's enlightened decision to blow off the alleged victim when he gave the OK to sign McDonald. His conduct should not have been condoned like that. In fact, fighting has no place in any non-combat sport except for ice hockey.