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Houston Rockets GM Apologizes For Tweet Supporting Hong Kong Protesters
NPR ^ | October 7, 20196:53 AM ET | Scott Neuman

Posted on 10/07/2019 5:00:28 AM PDT by FreedomPoster

The Houston Rockets' general manager on Sunday apologized for a tweet expressing support for Hong Kong protesters that has sparked a harsh backlash from China's official basketball association.

"I did not intend my tweet to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China," Daryl Morey tweeted on Sunday. "I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives."

On Friday, Morey took to Twitter to show solidarity with a months-long anti-government protest in the Chinese territory. He sent a tweet that read: "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong."

It was quickly deleted, but not before it attracted notice in both China and the U.S.

Soon after, the Rockets' owner, Tilman Fertitta, sought to distance the team from the controversy, tweeting that Morley "does NOT speak for the @HoustonRockets" and that the team is "NOT a political organization."

And on Sunday, the Chinese Basketball Association — headed by former Rockets center and Hall of Famer Yao Ming, announced that it was suspending cooperation with the Houston team. Tencent, a media partner of the NBA in China with a five-year streaming deal worth $1.5 billion, and China's state television also said they wouldn't be airing Rockets games.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement late Sunday that Morey's original tweet was "regrettable."

"We have great respect for the history and culture of China and hope that sports and the N.B.A. can be used as a unifying force to bridge cultural divides and bring people together," he said.

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz took exception to the apology, tweeting, "As a lifelong @HoustonRockets fan, I was proud to see @dmorey call out the Chinese Communist Party's repressive treatment of protesters," adding in a separate tweet, "We're better than this; human rights shouldn't be assisting Chinese communist censorship."


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: chicoms; china; chinesecommunists; hongkong; nba; yaoming
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Twitter images are embedded in the original at the link.

Morey would be feted if he criticized Trump’s policy. Criticize Xi’s, and he’s in deep serious trouble.

We live in interesting times.

1 posted on 10/07/2019 5:00:28 AM PDT by FreedomPoster
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To: FreedomPoster

Kowtowing to communists seems to be a corporate American attribute.


2 posted on 10/07/2019 5:05:25 AM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
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To: FreedomPoster

Someone needs to tell the GM to buy a spine or STFU.


3 posted on 10/07/2019 5:05:43 AM PDT by Salvavida
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To: FreedomPoster

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

George Orwell


4 posted on 10/07/2019 5:06:25 AM PDT by cgbg (Vote Trump or you will _be_ Trump)
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To: FreedomPoster

“We have great respect for the history and culture of China”

Funny, Chairman Mao had no respect for Chinese history and culture and destroyed the past. Treasures of the dynasties of China survive because they were shipped out of China.

Tens of millions of Chinese were killed AFTER WWII.


5 posted on 10/07/2019 5:09:30 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Denounce DUAC - The Democrats Un-American Activists Committee)
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To: FreedomPoster

“We have great respect for the history and culture of China”

Funny, Chairman Mao had no respect for Chinese history and culture and destroyed the past. Treasures of the dynasties of China survive because they were shipped out of China.

Tens of millions of Chinese were killed AFTER WWII.


6 posted on 10/07/2019 5:09:37 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Denounce DUAC - The Democrats Un-American Activists Committee)
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To: FreedomPoster

The GM is hoping to avoid time in a re-education camp.


7 posted on 10/07/2019 5:10:21 AM PDT by Montaignes Cat
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To: Salvavida

the GM is a billionaire Democrat who owns casinos.


8 posted on 10/07/2019 5:10:49 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Denounce DUAC - The Democrats Un-American Activists Committee)
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To: FreedomPoster

So we have American basketball coaches genuflecting to China’s President and Central Committee.

Great...


9 posted on 10/07/2019 5:10:54 AM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: Salvavida

Error, I meant the team owner, not GM.


10 posted on 10/07/2019 5:11:55 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Denounce DUAC - The Democrats Un-American Activists Committee)
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To: BradyLS

...Coach should be general manager...


11 posted on 10/07/2019 5:12:14 AM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: BradyLS

We can’t take a knee against China. And Yao Ming stands with the Chinese Communists.


12 posted on 10/07/2019 5:12:49 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Denounce DUAC - The Democrats Un-American Activists Committee)
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To: FreedomPoster

We live in sad times......and the best of times

Sad because we are at risk of bullying over our values, political persuasion, religion......( if we allow ourselves to be intimidated by the raised eyebrow)

The best of times because God in his infinite mercy saw fit to give us a Patriot Fighter as President!!!!


13 posted on 10/07/2019 5:13:03 AM PDT by Guenevere
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To: mac_truck

Kowtowing to communists seems to be a corporate American attribute.


There is no longer such a thing as Corporate America.


14 posted on 10/07/2019 5:14:58 AM PDT by lodi90
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To: Salvavida
Someone needs to tell the GM to buy a spine or STFU.

Since I doubt that dip wad GM, will get a spine anytime soon, I wish he would STFU.

15 posted on 10/07/2019 5:15:28 AM PDT by Mark17 (Once saved, always saved. I do not care if some do not like that. It will NEVER be my problem)
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To: a fool in paradise

Both stepped in it, I think. One said what he though and both apologized to China for it!


16 posted on 10/07/2019 5:16:01 AM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: FreedomPoster

We live in interesting times.

——————

Which of course is a Chinese curse. Virtually ALL alphabet agencies, hollyweird, media, pro sports, education/universities, Fortune 500 corps, are compromised.


17 posted on 10/07/2019 5:16:49 AM PDT by Levy78
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To: FreedomPoster

“Oops, I’m sorry! Here, take my balls and my spine and put them somewhere safe. I’ll probably never need them again, but just in case...”


18 posted on 10/07/2019 5:17:16 AM PDT by ManHunter (You can run, but you'll only die tired... Army snipers: Reach out and touch someone)
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To: FreedomPoster

“Sorry!Please continue to give the Democrats money through shell donations.China #1!”

Is what the apology actually reads, in parody of course.


19 posted on 10/07/2019 5:17:53 AM PDT by AmericanCheeseFood (Fox Shadowbans People On Comments)
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To: a fool in paradise

>>the GM is a billionaire Democrat who owns casinos.

That explains a lot. The Chinese love to gamble. He can’t be pissing off his clientele. Rich Chinese (who can afford to blow money at casinos) tend to be very beholden to the state.


20 posted on 10/07/2019 5:20:47 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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