Posted on 11/23/2004 4:59:48 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
On the most superficial of levels, Artest was not dislikeable. He wasn't a glaring, angry person giving off violent vibes. But it's hard to like someone who commits violent acts and then refuses to take any responsibility for them. He is not merely dumb, though he is surely that. He is morally obtuse and, ultimately, dangerous.
I would have to disagree with you on that point. You have to look at Artest's motivation in doing this interview. Clearly the only reason he went on TV this morning was to promote his record company. He was dressed like a billboard (t-shirt and matching hat) and held up the CD three times in the course of the interview.
So when evaluating his performance, you have to look at him as a hip-hop record producer, not as member of an NBA team - as a playah, not a player.
By that standard, he performed brilliantly. He promoted the product, which is always job one. He solidified his credentials as a bad-a$$ thug, which is the public image which sells this particular type of record. But most importantly, he did not apologize. Apologizing is a cop-out, an admission of defeat. It is knuckling under to the Man. A hip-hop bad-a$$ must never knuckle under to the Man...
Sure, his NBA career is in shambles, but what else is the Commissioner going to do to him? Suspend him for life? That's just not gonna happen.
With respect, I don't really think you're disagreeing with me. I said that no one would have dressed that way who cared how "society at large" thinks about him. What you're saying is that Artest was appealing to his music market segment, which clearly is not society at large.
Are there no hockey leagues anymore?
There's a labor dispute and the season never began.
moveon.org
Same mindset, same disease.
"Delusional Artest Fails to Apologize"
Did Katie forget her knee pads this morning?
Do these words sound familiar? Anyone?
Hint: Legacy.
Do they allow music sales from the penitentiary?
Thanks for the info..the state of sports in this country is just pathetic.
Good point. And here's another intriguing coincidence: Clinton also became famous for his dribbling ability.
That's for posting, I just missed it. I waw the union guy on saying he's all upset about the harsh treatment of his "BOY".
We fans keep these guys in business by paying exhorbitant prices for tickets and beer. Some fans worship at the alter of some guy who can dribble or throw a pass or hit a ball.
Whta do we expect when we assign so much worth to so little worth-delusional reality.
I thought that Billy Hunter, the union guy, was just going through the motions. He didn't harshly criticize the penalties, saying only that they were "somewhat" excessive.
I get the impression Hunter is a decent guy and was dismayed by what happened and by Artest's interview. That was underlined by Katie's opening observation to Hunter, about having watched him during the interview, with the clear implication that Hunter had been appalled by what he had just seen.
Have done so.
For almost 25 years.
I can't enjoy seeing street gangs doing their thing in uniforms that match.
Bill Cosby was dead on with his comments regarding the current state of a significant percentage of African-Americans. But he's a voice in the wilderness. Artest's actions will be glorified and his punishment will make him a martyr in more places, black and white, than any of us want to think.
In his heart of hearts, Artest believes he occupies the moral high ground. And there are a lot of morally and spiritually confused people who would agree with him.
You are right, what you witnessed on the "Today" show is the current face of the the "traitor" Democrat Party. Elitists and dregs of society!!! Sad, isn't it!!!
"Stern should have inserted a provision in his suspension that requires psychological testing..."
More than that, the powers that be need to tell EVERYONE who is associated or has ever been asociated with the NBA to shut up. From Barkly, to Bird they need to keep quiet. I am not a basketball fan but I have been following this out of morbid curiosity and I have concluded that there is a sociopathic vein in the NBA. They can not understand the law even if they wanted to. They feel it is a right to assault another person. This is a PR nightmare.
Somebody ought to start another basketball league, with much stricter rules for player behavior. Make it a family friendly game with reasonable ticket prices and players who don't think they are gods on Earth. I would plunk down money to see minor league basketball, if it were divorced from the "thug life" nonsense that epitomizes the NBA these days.
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