I have yet to understand why people get lambasted for stating that they oppose a certain "view". America is WIDELY divided over homosexual behavior so why is it such a shock that a basketball player has some issues? He didn't say "I'd kill the gay guy", he said he would distance himself. The NBA getting involved is just another instance of a corporation dictating what type of personal life, and personal thoughts a person can have IMO.

One of the best lines I've ever heard goes something like this, in regards to America:

"..the only way you can claim America is free is when you can stand up and claim your beliefs AND sit down while another claims those that vehemently oppose you..."

As for the NBA's positions, they are still trying to clean up their rep and this is just another blemish in their eyes.

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An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

It goes to the heart of the "it's a choice" debate. Most gay people I've ever known would tell you that they were born gay, just like Chinese people are born Asian and just like Tonto was born American Indian. He did use the word "hate" when he was speaking as well.

With that in mind...fill in the blank from Hardaway's own quote: "You know, I hate ____________ people, I let it be known. I don't like _________ people and I don't like to be around _____________ people."

Try some of these words for instance, and read it out loud and see what kind of effect it has on you:

Old
White
Black
Rich
Poor
Fat

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JV

What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know...it's what we know for sure that just ain't so

It is his opinion though, so what is basically being said is he can't express his opinion if society thinks it is out of the norm. Again, he didn't say "I would beat, kill, mutilate....etc" he simply said he *hate's* someone. I hate a lot of people

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An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

"viamintly" Wag?

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Thanks

__________________

An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I can see where he is coming from, it's his opinion and he is intitled to it. If I were on a sports team and there was a openly gay person on it I would also distance myself from him, I think it would be quite uncomfortable to be in a shower or locker room and feel like you are being looked at in a sexual manner. Again just my opinion...

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"To become a member of a crew you've got to be 100% Italian so they can trace all your relatives back to the old country. See, it's the highest honor they can give you. It means you belong to a family and crew. It means that nobody can f@ck around with you. It also means you could f@ck around with anybody just as long as they aren't also a member. It's like a license to steal. It's a license to do anything"

I guess Hardaway is entitled to his own opinion just like any person is, but when he decided to state his opinion publicly to the press, that changes a few things. First of all he is a highly compensated NBA basketball player. With that title comes some responsibility. Not only is he a role model for many young people, but his forthright public opinion not only reflects himself, it reflects upon his team and the NBA. Lets not forget that the NBA is a business. A multibillion dollar business. Publicly stated opinions of players that are of a controversial nature can be damaging to the business interests of the team and the league. So its no surprise that the NBA snubbed him from the all star game to show the public that they did not agree with his opinion. That should be no surprise to anyone whether you agree with Hardaway's statements or not.I know if I publicly made statements as he did, it would hurt my business. There would be fallout. I would probably lose hospital privileges, and there would be patients who would likely find another provider to see. It would cost me. Thats why I keep my opinions pertaining to controversial matters to myself. Of course I can speak freely about such matters with my family and close friends, but going to the media with them would be another matter entirely.I personally don't care what Hardaway thinks about anyone. But his statements reflect bad judgement on his part. A guy who has been in the league as long as he has should know better than to do that. Its a rookie mistake made by a veteran.He is lucky that his only penalty thus far is a minor one. Mark

With this in principal. What happens is when people say this kind of stuff it often sound like their spouting off. Perhaps he should have express that he does not agree or support that kind of behavior and would prefer not associating with those who practice it. That would be his right to do so and to say so. IMHO.

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"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

Political correctness in America is beyond ridiculous.

If you don't like something, and say so, you are crucified for saying it.

When did we decide in this country that every aggrieved individual gets to make the rules for the masses? And, since msot of those aggrieved individuals are participating in some activity that is offensive to the masses, why should acceptance of said activity be a prerequisite of a happy life in the masses?

If you choose to live outside the norm, you do so for a reason, usually to gain attention for yourself.

I don't like people with pierced noses and eyebrow rings. I don't understand why they live that way, and they make me nervous. I don't have time to research their lifestyle to try to understand it, so there are not any people with those features in my circle of close friends.

Oh shit, there goes my political career. Now, I will be outed by the Friend of Eyebrow Rings Advocacy Coalition.

Right, wrong, or other, there is a certain code that goes along with the privilege of being involved in competitive sports. Break the code, and you're out of the circle.