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Old 04-29-2014, 07:59 PM
 
Location: The Hall of Justice
25,901 posts, read 42,581,550 times
Reputation: 42767

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Quote:
Originally Posted by cindersslipper View Post
This post right here, is a perfect example of why I fear for our kid's future.

We are supposed to be bringing our kids up properly yet here it is, a sociopath posting proudly how he doesn't care about inequality, a safe society, or the less able. And he's not alone.

The Pope came out and said, just two days ago, (on Twitter no less!) that inequality is the root of all evil.

He is so right. It is...and that evil is spreading, as evidenced by the 18th century sentiments regurgitated above.

We have FAILED, babyboomers and Gen x...we weren't supposed to have kids that talked this chit.
He is angrily mocking the people who hold those beliefs, not stating he believes those things. Read the first and last paragraphs again.

Back off the ledge.
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Old 04-29-2014, 08:21 PM
 
19,673 posts, read 10,001,421 times
Reputation: 13034
I don't agree with his attitude, but he should be free to say what he wants. This country was founded on freedom of speech. I would not want politicians at my functions or want pictures of me with them. Is that wrong too?
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Old 04-29-2014, 08:26 PM
 
Location: San Francisco born/raised - Las Vegas
2,825 posts, read 2,067,214 times
Reputation: 1895
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floorist View Post
I don't agree with his attitude, but he should be free to say what he wants. This country was founded on freedom of speech. I would not want politicians at my functions or want pictures of me with them. Is that wrong too?
Yes, you are correct. However, Sterling joined a private organization, the NBA. Their charter dictates how a member is to behave.
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Old 04-29-2014, 09:26 PM
 
6,319 posts, read 7,215,526 times
Reputation: 11987
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustJulia View Post
He is angrily mocking the people who hold those beliefs, not stating he believes those things. Read the first and last paragraphs again.

Back off the ledge.
Maybe...but this should not even be an issue because it should not have happened in the first place.

The thing is, "Freedom of Speech" has it's restrictions.

For example, your libel laws mean I cannot falsely accuse x of y, in a semi private forum or anywhere else.

This mans speech is against a myriad of Human Rights Laws and Charters - International Law, even if not local US law.

Arguably, Hate Speech against a group is libellous no matter where you spout it, the only precondition is someone has to hear it and take offence to it.

Which has happened to this old hypocritical bigot, in spades.

His girlfriend surely cannot need a cheque that badly.
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Old 04-29-2014, 10:04 PM
 
Location: Tucson/Nogales
23,109 posts, read 28,843,965 times
Reputation: 32450
Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words don't hurt at all!

I can relate! I'm Gay, and I actually appreciate it when I'm called derogatory names, as those people, to me, are just being more honest, shooting from the hip!

I'm intuitive enough to spot somebody, quite easily, speaking in politically correct terms! And I want to approach them and say: Spit it out! Spit it out!
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Old 04-30-2014, 12:02 AM
 
437 posts, read 545,668 times
Reputation: 347
Quote:
Originally Posted by luckodeirish View Post
And now the news cameras here in Southern California are at Staples Center showing fans going into the game wearing shirts that say "f the NBA owners" with the F word spelled out of course, and some with "F the rich white NBA owners".

Really?

Are they really saying this? Can you send me a link of this? I'd like to show some people.
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Old 04-30-2014, 12:05 AM
 
437 posts, read 545,668 times
Reputation: 347
What we found out is what a lot of us already know. If you're "white" and say something "racist" you are considered worse than murderers, rapists, gang rapists, people who be-head others, torturers, car jackers, women beaters, terrorists, etc. You are the WORST OF THE WORST in America in 2014.
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Old 04-30-2014, 12:22 AM
 
Location: Sunrise
10,865 posts, read 16,940,154 times
Reputation: 9084
Wow. Really? Worse than murderers and gang rapists, and people who behead others and car jackers and terrorists? Who, besides you, is claiming this?

Most of us just facepalmed and thought to ourselves, "That's a great way to lose a billion dollars."



I think Mr. Sterling's comments are repugnant. I think they're embarrassing. I think it proves that America still has a long way to go.

He has the right to say how he feels. He exercised that right. And now he has to deal with the consequences. Freedom of Speech does not protect people from shooting themselves in the foot, verbally. He should have known that if his comments became public, there would be consequences.

That being said, I'm concerned about him being banned from the NBA. Concerned -- not shocked or horrified or anything shrill. Just concerned. I do believe that we are fast approaching Orwell's "thought police." That's even more repugnant to me than Mr. Sterling's comments.

Just because I do not sympathize with an elderly billionaire bigot, does not mean that I am ambivalent about the pendulum swinging too far towards us having to fear the way that we feel. Think about Fred Phelps for a moment -- the most abominable person of this decade. (I would say "my generation" except for Pol Pot.) Fred Phelps did more for gay rights than Harvey Milk. By showing the world how stupid and hateful he was, he nudged millions of people who were "on the fence" about homosexual rights over that fence. That particular societal battle is over. Homosexuals won (and good for them). All that's left is the mopping up of the more backwards areas of this country. Much like the aftermath of the civil rights movement, part one.

So, I would be very upset indeed if we lost the right to voice our beliefs. In some cases, voicing them moves the country quickly in the opposite direction. I think Mr. Sterling has accomplished this very thing in 2014.
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Old 04-30-2014, 12:30 AM
 
12,547 posts, read 9,861,136 times
Reputation: 6927
Quote:
Originally Posted by travel-a-lot View Post
What we found out is what a lot of us already know. If you're "white" and say something "racist" you are considered worse than murderers, rapists, gang rapists, people who be-head others, torturers, car jackers, women beaters, terrorists, etc. You are the WORST OF THE WORST in America in 2014.
I agree with some of those crimes being considered less severe than any comment involving race (made by a white male person).

How about we make a list of bad things someone can do that the NBA doesn't give a damn about.

be accused of rape and take a plea (probably survive a conviction)
DWI resulting in manslaughter
beat the crap out of wife
go to prison for cocaine x4+
fraud not involving NBA

The list goes on - child porn I'm not sure of, but probably depends on the severity.

Sterling would've likely survived any of this...but referring to race as a rich, old white man? Oh hell no - the ban will strike down like the hammer of Thor.
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Old 04-30-2014, 12:32 AM
 
437 posts, read 545,668 times
Reputation: 347
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScoopLV View Post
Wow. Really? Worse than murderers and gang rapists, and people who behead others and car jackers and terrorists? Who, besides you, is claiming this?

Most of us just facepalmed and thought to ourselves, "That's a great way to lose a billion dollars."



I think Mr. Sterling's comments are repugnant. I think they're embarrassing. I think it proves that America still has a long way to go.

He has the right to say how he feels. He exercised that right. And now he has to deal with the consequences. Freedom of Speech does not protect people from shooting themselves in the foot, verbally. He should have known that if his comments became public, there would be consequences.

That being said, I'm concerned about him being banned from the NBA. Concerned -- not shocked or horrified or anything shrill. Just concerned. I do believe that we are fast approaching Orwell's "thought police." That's even more repugnant to me than Mr. Sterling's comments.

Just because I do not sympathize with an elderly billionaire bigot, does not mean that I am ambivalent about the pendulum swinging too far towards us having to fear the way that we feel. Think about Fred Phelps for a moment -- the most abominable person of this decade. (I would say "my generation" except for Pol Pot.) Fred Phelps did more for gay rights than Harvey Milk. By showing the world how stupid and hateful he was, he nudged millions of people who were "on the fence" about homosexual rights over that fence. That particular societal battle is over. Homosexuals won (and good for them). All that's left is the mopping up of the more backwards areas of this country. Much like the aftermath of the civil rights movement, part one.

So, I would be very upset indeed if we lost the right to voice our beliefs. In some cases, voicing them moves the country quickly in the opposite direction. I think Mr. Sterling has accomplished this very thing in 2014.

In terms of public perception it seems white racists are worse than pretty much anything else you could be. Now if you're a black racist you're praised for the most part.
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