Posted on 02/15/2007 2:27:25 PM PST by meg88
The NBA today removed Tim Hardaway from its All-Star weekend activities, a day after he said, ''I hate gay people'' in a radio interview with a Miami Herald sports columnist.
''It is inappropriate for him to be representing us given the disparity between his views and ours,'' NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement issued by the league.
Hardaway issued an apology several hours after making the comments on The Dan LeBatard Show on 790 The Ticket. ''Yes, I regret it,'' he told WSVN-Channel 7. ``I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said I hate gay people or anything like that.''
Members of gay organizations reacted swiftly to Hardaway's comments.
''Obviously, I'm disappointed in Tim Hardaway being that Tim Hardaway was one of my favorite basketball players,'' said Donnell Morris, managing director of Black Gay Pride of South Florida. ``It creates a hostile environment for any player contemplating coming out of the closet.''
He added: ``For Tim to be a person from Miami where there has always been a diverse community, he should have been more sensitive to his environment. . . . I've always looked up to Tim as a leader. For him to take a stance that way really hurts me.''
Steve Adkins, president of the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, said Hardaway's apology makes no difference. 'It is a very simple process to say `no' or 'I'd rather not comment' than to go on the record and make malicious and bigoted statements,'' Adkins said.
``. . . Let's just say I'm very disappointed that if someone in this day and age has these kinds of feelings, they're not intelligent enough to keep them to themselves. Beyond that, there is no place in our society for that kind of hatred and bigotry. End of story.''
(Excerpt) Read more at miami.com ...
Because criticizing people for what they say is you exercising your free speech. It doesn't deny them a thing.
Let's here it for the BROTHERS!
"R.I.P."
1st amend only applies to governmental suppression. You have the right to say what ever you want but you may have consequences.
This afternoon Sean Hannity said that David Stern will Veto the Minimum Wage Bill however, Stern is all for the Troop Surge.
I love the NBA players reaction to this so far. One player said "If that's how he feels, well...fine...but he should keep it to himself". Another said "Well to each his own, but you don't have to announce it on the radio". The ESPN communist thought police are up in arms over the lack of outrage or condemnation over Hardaway's comments. Even David Stern merely said the NBA "disagreed". No repudiation. Great news so far.
Well, I agree with that,. I also say he should not be punished for expressing his opinion, even if it disagrees with someone or some organization's opinion. At least this guy is honest. Has he ever been accused, in spite of his opinion, of doing anything to harm gay people?
" I also say he should not be punished for expressing his opinion"
Trent Lott doubtless shares your opinion. Heh.
I don't associate with gay people.
The Herald quoting a prominent activist group. Like all liberal/socialist/democRAT activist groups, all you need is a phone number, fax, and a web site. The msm will use your quotes/opinions as gospel.
Sheesh.
5.56mm
Who, besides you, said it was criminal? Aside from that straw man argument, the issue was the "freedom of speech"...and what the First Amendment says is "Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech". The NBA is not Congress. Therefore there is no violation of that part of the First Amendment.
Tim Hardaway made a statement derogatory to a certain group of people. The organization that he represented, and was to represent this weekend, felt that was out of place and decided to not use him in the promotional events for the weekend. Neither party's First Amendment rights were violated, because Congress wasn't involved.
As to the consequences of his speech, or what they should or shouldn't be, people are free to discuss. But to say that his freedom of speech has been taken away, as it is defined in the First Amendment to the Constitution, just because some disagree and an organization decided not to use him as their representative, is incorrect. Words have consequences.
Its a mistake to badmouth sportswriters.
Nice non-response to my point. Well constructed use of a form of propaganda though.
Personally, I am a raging NBAphobe.
I am sure he does. I don't blame him even though he is a little whiner. Never said a price wouldn't have to be paid in some way. All those little people in Congress are just little self protective "hoes". Who can expect common sense in the house of "hoes". Heh
Tim Hardaway is still playing? That's the real story. I figure he would have retired by now.
Do you ever watch the 'Sports Reporters' (I think) on ESPN on Sunday mornings? They are the dumbest bunch of leftist politically correct idiots on the planet. And, don't ask me why I've ever watched it. Have you ever watched a car wreck?
They never seem to have an answer when I ask them if that means pedophiles can't choose who they love either.
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