Donald Sterling and Freedom of Speech

Anyone out there have the courage to defend Donald Sterling on his freedom of speech? Looks like he may be punished by the league. Only in a country where we have freedom of speech can a person be punished for what he says. He said it, it's him, it's his opinion, people died to give him that right. So he's a racist, I don't care. If you disagree with him that is your right. He should not be punished. If people don't want to associate with him that is their right. Don't we have greater problems in the country than the remarks of one person?

 

I will always defend everyone's right to free speech, even if I don't like what they have to say. We all make decisions every day where we want to spend our money, so if you don't like Mr. Sterling's POV, then don't buy tickets to Clippers games and don't buy Clippers merchandise. If you are a Clippers player that is offended, then don't play on his team and ask to be traded.

I think he has bigger personal issues with the girlfriend and his estranged wife.

 

Freedom of speech protects you from the government , not a business.

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Freedom of speech protects you from the government , not a business.

 

Freedom of speech is fine, and he has a right to say it. But nothing protects him from freedom of criticism, which he so rightly deserves.

 

and the NBA players and fans have freedom of speech too.

 

I don't see the government going after him. He has the right to say what ever he wants, and fans and the NBA have a right too respond.

 

I've been told that as an older dude, this is unsurprising coming from him. Unsurprising does not mean acceptable.

 

He has freedom of speech sure.

Freedom of speech means freedom to accept consequences. There are consequences for being an outspoken racist public figure. He will have to deal with them.

It doesn't matter to me either way. The market will decide. Bigotry is bad for business, I always say.

 

And what law did he break in this conversation with his "girlfriend?" It would be different if he was paying the players differently based on race......or some other law broken. But you're right; giving his views....racist as they are......in a personal conversation with his girlfriend should not cause him to lose the business he rightfully owns. Now.....if those players want to quit; do it. If the other black sports figures want to not go to the games and/or encourage others to not go; do it. But if you're going to start saying that people cannot make personal comments that are deemed racist and STILL have a job or a business.....then we're going to be seeing a lot of people losing their jobs......including many of the very people who are complaining about what Sterling said.

 

Honestly, one old racist dumbass should not dictate how the rest of the NBA flows and operates.

 

Freedom of speech only applies to the action of government. The government isn't allowed to punish Donald Sterling for what he said, and if they did, I would be in his defense. Freedom of speech doesn't apply to any legal actions (meaning things that they can legally do) that private citizens do to you for saying something they find offensive. If people want to punish the Clippers for their stupid owner, they are allowed to. Freedom of speech is not freedom of consequences.

 

Well said!!!

 

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Sounds like you are the censor of speech and also the one to administer punishment if you disagree with someone's opinion. We must be careful how we treat free speech if we are to retain our free speech.

 

'Suspended'? And what'll that do, give off a token gesture? The last thing I want is to be Europe, with its fascist rules and anti-individualism. All that being said, the NBA is a private business, Sterling endangers that business. The other Owners have a vested interest to protect the sport. What's Sterling going to do? And what judge wants to rule in his favor?

Ban his racist ass, send a message.

 

Heard an interesting view from a black guy (who hosts a radio show... didnt catch his name)... who said if you read the whole transcript, it sounds like a set up by his gf. Since we're only hearing bits and pieces, not too hard to believe she goaded him into a racist rant. Doesn't change what he said, but adds another slimebag to the picture. Wonder who's paying her to ruin the old fool?

 

Freedom of Speech only protects you from the government. It does not protect you from being fired.

Perhaps you should learn the Constitution before you say that his Constitutional rights are being violated.

 

Yeah, the girl's not innocent in any of this either. But truth be told? It's the reality of dating in America. IMHO, you have to be really careful who your friends/coworkers are, and even doubly so for your lover. There may have been a time where a guy can be an idiot and fling over some crush. That time has also passed us.

I'm pessimistic in the dating world. I don't care how 'hot' a woman is, I won't show interest unless it's mutual. It saves men ALOT of hassle. I know some feminine sites/writers complain about how men distrust the dating world, my response to them: Look in a mirror.

 

Yep, good point. An ole codger like Sterling should have known the hot young thing wasn't after him for his boyish good looks.

Women can be wretched... and men can be fools. And sometimes, vice versa.

 

Oh to be sure, I condemn the pieces of trash that constitutes as 'manlihood' these days. But that too is a social dating experiment: "We want our men to be B.A's".
So, which is it ladies? I mean seriously, social media and 'trends' has made us all treat our fellow human beings as an object, not as a person with dignity.

 

Did that guy say he Hates blacks.? That would be racist.Did he used offensive
slang to mock or deride blacks.That would be Racist.
Or did he just complain that he would appreciate that his new girlfriend
start paying more attention to him rather than her black friends.Don't bring them
around any more.Most women usually explain that rite of, passage in the
fiancé stage.
In a private conversation that is more than SOP it is nobody's business.
Just like what people say at the dinner table in private.

Mod Edit ~ Off topic

 

Well said!!! The liberal media won't touch a liberal racists. The liberal media will hound a conservative racists 24/7. Conservatives will denounce a conservative racists. Liberals will circle the wagons around a liberal racists. Not an opinion, just facts.

 

The league isn't government, so freedom of speech doesn't apply.

A private organization has the right to censor or punish its members if their actions are deemed negative for the organization itself.

 

He's definitely racist. I listened to the recording. But you have to wonder whether this would even be news if he had been black and said such things about white people. Or if he had been gay and said such things about Christians.

 

Excellent point. I know exactly what the news would have been if he had been black -- there would be no news.