This isn't just anyone... This is a reprehensible human being that has summoned a lifetime of bad Karma to come take a big bite out of his arse.

If he wasn't so universally reviled, he could have weathered this situation with an apology and fine.

Sterling is only new to most because they aren't from L.A. but believe me, if this devolves into a big legal battle, much more will come out about him.

Pete, I respect that position. If what you said above is truly a lifetime of bad karma, why was he scheduled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP in Los Angeles on the 15th of May? If anybody would know about Sterling's "lifetime of bad karma" it would be the NAACP, no? Yet, they were preparing an award for that lifetime! Does this not seem incongruous?

http://i.imgur.com/X2szS1P.jpg

You're free to say and do what you want, but the market can punish you for being an ass. Do you want legal protection for that sort of racist behavior?

Did the market punish him or did TMZ? You know the company that paid the ho for the tapes

Pete, I respect that position. If what you said above is truly a lifetime of bad karma, why was he scheduled to receive a Lifetime Achievment Award from the NAACP in Los Angeles? If anybody would know about Sterling's "lifetime of bad karma" it would be the NAACP, no? Yet, they were preparing an award for that lifetime! Does this not seem incongruous?

No, because he merely gives these organizations blood money in exchange for these "honors".

Then, he takes out full-page ads in the L.A. Times with them thanking him. I am not exaggerating, he has a full-page ad in the L.A. Times with his own picture in it several times a WEEK!

In fact, the day this broke he had that exact thing in the paper about a donation to UCLA medical school. The school promptly returned the money and said that they had nothing to the do with the ad.

http://larrybrownsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/donald-sterling-ucla-nephrology-ad.jpg

Knowing all that, I'm at a loss as to why the NAACP was offering him that kind of award. I guess it's up for sale? More hypocrisy. At any rate, I do not agree with Sterling's privately spoken thoughts. I also doubt we would approve of anyone's privately spoken thoughts at one time or another. The whole compare and contrast thing, it just looks like selective outrage (to me). I can understand the other side of this, but am bewildered why some insist on thinking this isn't the perfect time to discuss the imbalance of tolerance within the NBA itself.

I certainly agree that lots of people are hypocritical on this subject and are loving the chance to wag their finger in order to establish themselves as morally superior.

I think the NBA is going to be in for a huge legal battle. Sterling is a complete scumbag and needs to be kicked to the curb.

But here is another question, which is worse? Making some very racist comments in the privacy of his own home or making fun of a person with a disability on his public instagram account? one will lose his franchise he other will still have his minority ownership in the Kings and be on tv every night. Neither has apologized.....

After Fan With A Disability Was Bullied By Shaq, He Reminded Us All To 'Hug, Don't Judge' (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/29/shaquille-oneal-bullies-jahmel-binion_n_5233441.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592)

I think the NBA is going to be in for a huge legal battle. Sterling is a complete scumbag and needs to be kicked to the curb.

But here is another question, which is worse? Making some very racist comments in the privacy of his own home or making fun of a person with a disability on his public instagram account? one will lose his franchise he other will still have his minority ownership in the Kings and be on tv every night. Neither has apologized.....

After Fan With A Disability Was Bullied By Shaq, He Reminded Us All To 'Hug, Don't Judge' (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/29/shaquille-oneal-bullies-jahmel-binion_n_5233441.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592)

Part of why I was surprised they did not make a bigger deal about the pattern from his past behavior, which would give them at least some latitude to work with in the future.

The Letter -




Apr 29 at 3:36 PM

























Dear Fans,

This afternoon I announced that, following the completion of a thorough investigation into an audio recording obtained by TMZ, I banned Donald Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, effective immediately. Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. I also fined Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution. These funds will be donated to charitable organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and its Players Association.

The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and hurtful. I am extremely proud of this great league's diverse, respectful and inclusive culture, and we will not allow one individual's intolerant views to define us. Let me be clear: Mr. Sterling's views have no place in the NBA.

This has been a painful episode for all members of the NBA family. I very much appreciate your understanding during this process. I also want to express my thanks and admiration to Coach Doc Rivers, Chris Paul, and the entire Clippers organization for their professionalism throughout this matter, and to Chris and Mayor Kevin Johnson for their leadership and partnership on behalf of the Players Association.

And now I am eager to turn the spotlight back where it belongs: on the game we all love and on these thrilling playoffs, which have been some of the most exciting basketball I've seen in my 22 years with the league. I hope you enjoy the rest of the playoffs and The Finals.

Sincerely,


Adam Silver

Maybe its just me, but I've often heard far more disparaging remarks during road rage incidents or even from 'friends' who don't think before they tell a joke with subtle or obvious racial overtones.

Will this set a new standard...... Will people be looking to record audio of NBA owners, players, etc. saying off color things in private and then insist on the lowering of the "Sterling Hammer?"

So are against recording people in private then making it public?

So are against recording people in private then making it public?

Drops mic, and walks away.

Guys…this simply isn't about race. It's about $$$. Yes action would be taken against any other player/owner/coach/hired entity whose comments create an internal and external situation like this. When you start hearing whispers of players not playing, of fans boycotting the league, of Free Agents not even considering an otherwise fantastic team, and of the opportunity of this particular event totally reshaping the NBA landscape, you realize that it doesn't matter WHAT the comments were, what the EFFECTS of the comments were.

If at the time Jay-Z owned (part of) Brooklyn, and every white fan of the NBA refused to go to a game because of his racist behavior, you can get the league would have taken the same action. Why? Because $$$. Not because of some moral cause. Not because of piety or doing the right thing.

If it was about moral cause and doing the right thing, Sterling would have been gone a LONG time ago. It's about the $$$.

Dale Hansen of WFAA here in Dallas lays down the boomstick. A good watch for those who are still defending this man for whatever reason....

Hansen Unplugged: 'It's the least they could do' | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth (http://www.wfaa.com/sports/dale-hansen/unplugged/Hansen-Unplugged-its-the-least-they-could-do-donald-sterling-nba-racism-257261721.html)

I think the NBA is going to be in for a huge legal battle.Sterling is a complete scumbag and needs to be kicked to the curb.

But here is another question, which is worse? Making some very racist comments in the privacy of his own home or making fun of a person with a disability on his public instagram account? one will lose his franchise he other will still have his minority ownership in the Kings and be on tv every night. Neither has apologized.....

After Fan With A Disability Was Bullied By Shaq, He Reminded Us All To 'Hug, Don't Judge' (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/29/shaquille-oneal-bullies-jahmel-binion_n_5233441.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592)

I don't know about that. Kind of pointless to own a team when players, advertisers, and fans boycott your team.

So are against recording people in private then making it public?

Actually no comparison.

Sterling wasn't doing anything illegal and appears to have had a legal expectation of privacy.

There also was no third party forcing Sterling to do what he was doing.

Nice try (not really) But at least you showed the inability to not make a thread personal (congrats).

Maybe its just me, but I've often heard far more disparaging remarks during road rage incidents or even from 'friends' who don't think before they tell a joke with subtle or obvious racial overtones.

Will this set a new standard...... Will people be looking to record audio of NBA owners, players, etc. saying off color things in private and then insist on the lowering of the "Sterling Hammer?"

I agree. The statements he made, although boorish, don't really strike me as "racist", especially when compared to statements made publicly by elected officials during the 60's and 70's. A governor of Alabama comes to mind..

Make no mistake, a standard has been set although I would be hard pressed to say exactly what it is.
Seems to be a case of who said it, who heard it, how the media distributes it and how the mob reacts to it. In other words, the way it's always been.

I love all the justification of this bigot. He has a history, of which this is far from the worst he has done. It is amazing how people rationalize this abhorrent behavior and try to soften it. THIS is why racism is still a problem. Those not personally affected by it brush it off as no big deal. "Everybody does it" is not a justification, it is a symptom of the bigger problem.

I love all the justification of this bigot. He has a history, of which this is far from the worst he has done. It is amazing how people rationalize this abhorrent behavior and try to soften it. THIS is why racism is still a problem. Those not personally affected by it brush it off as no big deal. "Everybody does it" is not a justification, it is a symptom of the bigger problem.


I don't think anyone (at least I am not) condoning his remarks. The line that was drawn is the only thing that I think people like myself are looking it. Go watch the commissioner again, he was asked point blank, "is the punishment because of the history or pattern or the one incident?" the commish responds, "it is for the one single incident". So the history played no part in the ruling.

So that begs the question why can't Shaq get banned for his 1 single incident making fun of disabled, or the 1 single interview the Magic owner gave about his view on gay marriage?

I don't really include Jay z as a owner because he owned less than 1% of the team. It was actually like .0653 of a percent. Basically he was a season ticket holder.

So that begs the question why can't Shaq get banned for his 1 single incident making fun of disabled, or the 1 single interview the Magic owner gave about his view on gay marriage?

Because there was virtually no public outcry, no boycott of sponsors, no significant group of NBA players or fans offended, etc.

And no matter what Silver said, of course Sterling's history entered this. He just can't say that publicly because the other stuff was not nearly as concrete as an authenticated audio tape.

Because there was virtually no public outcry, no boycott of sponsors, no significant group of NBA players or fans offended, etc.

And no matter what Silver said, of course Sterling's history entered this. He just can't say that publicly because the other stuff was not nearly as concrete as an authenticated audio tape.


So Silver's private conversations are different than his public ones?

I havent seen this, Did Sterling consent to each and every recording? if not that has the appearance of a fruit from a poisonous tree?

and yes the drive by media hasn't gotten a hold of the Shaq thing yet. my guess is that they write it off as shaq being shaq. I think the shaq thing happened recently

I'm sure Silver is smart enough to be careful what he says to anyone, especially when dealing with a notoriously aggressive and litigious billionaire. Lots and lots of other people have said that everyone knew the type of person Sterling is, they just never had such irrefutable evidence.

Sterling's consent is pretty irrelevant when it comes to the NBA. The tape got out, it's clearly Sterling and how it got out is a matter for civil courts against his mistress.

I love all the justification of this bigot. He has a history, of which this is far from the worst he has done. It is amazing how people rationalize this abhorrent behavior and try to soften it. THIS is why racism is still a problem. Those not personally affected by it brush it off as no big deal. "Everybody does it" is not a justification, it is a symptom of the bigger problem.

I don't know if anyone is trying to 'justify' Sterling's comments and/or behavior - more like putting them into perspective (big difference).

Where do we find the balance between the reality that racists exist (to varying degrees), the public should have the right to respond, and (like it or not) people have the right to hold racist views (its their racist actions that they often don't have a right to). At what point does that mean that every private comment should have a very public and professional reaction?

I have no idea what the answer is, but there are so many bad messages being sent here from all sides its hard to find a middle ground.

Because there was virtually no public outcry, no boycott of sponsors, no significant group of NBA players or fans offended, etc.

And no matter what Silver said, of course Sterling's history entered this. He just can't say that publicly because the other stuff was not nearly as concrete as an authenticated audio tape.

Exactly. Im not sure if people are too dense or just flat out racist but money talks, and if sponsors, players, and fans threaten boycotting or pull out their money, then the NBA will act. They are self governed and can and will do whats in their best interest as a league. And if that means dropping the hammer on a life long racist after a recording was released, so be it.

For those that think because this was in private that he should be given a pass...you dont get it. Sterling is a public figure, a recorded conversation was released and the public and his peers reacted to what they thought was necessary. Its pretty simple.

But for the racists on this board, you arent a public figure and probably arent worth much to warrant some girl getting even with you. So dont let this event keep you from your racist ways.

Thank goodness we have the media to be our thought police. (this was a snarky post in case everybody didn't figure that out.)

This isn't just another rich guy being caught saying something racist and ignorant...

He owns a team in a league that is predominantly black with more black fans than any other.

And he also had to pay out millions due to previous discriminatory actions, apart from the volumes of anecdotal evidence.


Not too worried about a slippery slope or setting of precedent. Sterling is a pretty unique brand of scumbag.

It's not hard to take a side on his statements. Either one is part of the problem or part of the solution. What is so hard to understand on this? The perspective does not diminish the sentiment. The CONTEXT is that he has exhibited a long history of racist behavior and this is just a verbal example of his attitudes. HOW it became known, HOW he came to these beliefs, WHO ELSE believes that way, WHY he said it, all is irrelevant to the fact that these are his beliefs and he has acted on his beliefs in the past and current. Justifying bad behavior with irrelevant context is wrong. It is right that so many are up in arms. He should have been stopped before. Now there is a very visible and impactful event that makes it obvious. Just remember, Al Capone went to prison for tax evasion, not the hundreds of murders he directed. This is Sterling's tax evasion, but it isn't the thing that by itself makes him reprehensible.

I know that I'm no racist. I hate it that discussion on race cannot take place, with straight talking about what people are thinking, without the allegations of racism.

I know that I'm no racist. I hate it that discussion on race cannot take place, with straight talking about what people are thinking, without the allegations of racism.
There is lots of talk....rhetoric...on the subject. But when racism is so evident, it needs called out and dealt with. We can talk about cancer all day long, but if you have it, you better get chemo, even if it makes you sick. Talking about it doesn't make it go away.

Exactly. Im not sure if people are too dense or just flat out racist but money talks, and if sponsors, players, and fans threaten boycotting or pull out their money, then the NBA will act. They are self governed and can and will do whats in their best interest as a league. And if that means dropping the hammer on a life long racist after a recording was released, so be it.

For those that think because this was in private that he should be given a pass...you dont get it. Sterling is a public figure, a recorded conversation was released and the public and his peers reacted to what they thought was necessary. Its pretty simple.

But for the racists on this board, you arent a public figure and probably arent worth much to warrant some girl getting even with you. So dont let this event keep you from your racist ways.

Yep. This was as much as a business decision as doing the right thing. Its sad it take the loss of cash for people to do the right thing but that's America for you.

This guy is not a victim of circumstance. Why anyone would pity a billionaire is beyond me. He CHOSE do date a girl that could be his granddaughter, he CHOSE to behave and say the things his did. Case closed. How it was extracted from him is a question a civil court can decide but the fact is the cat is out of the bag and he would not be in this situation if not for the decisions he made.

True, lots of people say terrible things in private. Some get caught, some don't. His number came up this time and others may one day as well. God/fate/karma/etc. work in funny ways. That certainly doesn't excuse what he did. The "hey, everyone is a little racist!" defense says more about the people making those claims than it does anything else IMO.

And yet, as much as I'd like it to not be so and as much as I argued with dcsooner about racism, it was interesting: A family member of mine was in the doctor's office waiting room yesterday when the NBA commissioner held is press conference. There was a lot of conversation about how bad that man (Sterling) acted and was. Then, in comes another person to the waiting room. The banter held back for a bit. The newcomer said (something to the effect of), "What's all the fuss about? It's not like he committed a crime!" I asked what was said back to the man. The waiting room went silent. No. It's not a crime that's punishable in a court of law, but it's sure offensive and could finally be his Al Capone-esque tax evasion (thanks, Rover). All the same, the waiting room went silent and no one defended equality and compassion.

The "hey, everyone is a little racist!" defense says more about the people making those claims than it does anything else IMO.

You are too smart to actually believe this. When reality and truth (and being human) gets smeared as a character fault, that shows only that racism is apparently racism when it's a one-way street. This isn't true in any way. I don't believe that "everyone is a little racist," but I do believe there's a little defense of one's own race in all of us. That's natural in the most scientific and evolutionary sense. And no, I'm not talking about specific cases like Donald Sterling, but in general. It's a defense mechanism that is hardwired and proven, but alas, it's politically incorrect to talk about for reasons we are seeing in this thread. No, this isn't a perfect world with perfect people. Of any race.

You are too smart to actually believe this. When reality and truth (and being human) gets smeared as a character fault, that shows only that racism is apparently racism when it's a one-way street. This isn't true in any way. I don't believe that "everyone is a little racist," but I do believe there's a little defense of one's own race in all of us. That's natural in the most scientific and evolutionary sense. And no, I'm not talking about specific cases like Donald Sterling, but in general. It's a defense mechanism that is hardwired and proven, but alas, it's politically incorrect to talk about for reasons we are seeing in this thread. No, this isn't a perfect world with perfect people. Of any race.

So, you take a "oh well" attitude that he actually has a history of breaking laws to discriminate against a whole race? Because he is genetically wired to be a bigot? That is "defending my race" defense? There are lots of things we might have an animal urge to do but that doesn't make it right. If I have an evolutionary urge to shoot someone because they triggered something in me that angered me, is that okay too? This is a lazy defense that excuses persons who are ignorant and bigoted.

So, you take a "oh well" attitude that he actually has a history of breaking laws to discriminate against a whole race? Because he is genetically wired to be a bigot? That is "defending my race" defense? There are lots of things we might have an animal urge to do but that doesn't make it right. If I have an evolutionary urge to shoot someone because they triggered something in me that angered me, is that okay too? This is a lazy defense that excuses persons who are ignorant and bigoted.

I think you missed the part where I wrote that I wasn't thinking of the Sterling case specifically. I think denying what I wrote is denying a truth that everybody knows. And NO, I do not believe that it could or should ever be used as a defense in any criminal wrongdoing. It's a defense of the human race for our sometimes dysfunctional views on others race.

If you ever want to read an interesting book, I'd highly recommend "The End of Racism" by Dinesh D'Souza.

Yes, D'Souza is very far right but he is also from India and as he says in the book "whites are more or less excommunicated from talking about race in America, so I'll do it for them".

I don't agree with all his points or most of his politics, but he's very sharp and makes you think. He's participated in several affirmative action debates (taking the con side, of course) and usually shreds his opponent. Of course, most people get that affirmative action is a pretty bad idea and it's been pretty much abolished.

Nobody with the last name D'Souza can possibly be authentically Indian, even if he is allegedly from there.
Seems to me that it is more likely that he is one of those "wise guys" who a member of "The Family".
No . . . not that "Family" . . . The Family of Mankind (or Human Beings, if one wants to be less "GenderSexualist".)

From wikipedia:


Sousa (European Portuguese: [ˈsozɐ]) or de Sousa (literally, from Sousa) is a common Portuguese language surname, especially in Portugal, Brazil, and India (among Catholics in Bombay, Mangalore and Goa)

One of my good friends from graduate school is from Bombay and has DeSousa as his surname.

White people can and do talk about race in America. I'm in the field of education and this is a frequent topic. However, for most white people you have to start with some humility about your own privilege that exists by being in the majority (just as we can be privileged by speaking English, having use of our legs, or being straight). When you take stock of privileges (which almost everyone is privileged in some way), speak with humility, and engage in dialogue (not debate) then it's not that hard to have discussions about race. I lead classes about race all the time with high school, college students and adults. Rarely are the discussions combative or oppressive.

However, without humility (which is a rare commodity on many message boards), it's not even worth discussing...

The issue is that most people can't admit to their privilege, because they are ignorant to it's existence.

The issue is that most people can't admit to their privilege, because they are ignorant to it's existence.

Hey now it ain't privilege. I worked really hard to come out of the right womb.

White people can and do talk about race in America. I'm in the field of education and this is a frequent topic. However, for most white people you have to start with some humility about your own privilege that exists by being in the majority (just as we can be privileged by speaking English, having use of our legs, or being straight). When you take stock of privileges (which almost everyone is privileged in some way), speak with humility, and engage in dialogue (not debate) then it's not that hard to have discussions about race. I lead classes about race all the time with high school, college students and adults. Rarely are the discussions combative or oppressive.

However, without humility (which is a rare commodity on many message boards), it's not even worth discussing...

All good points. Hope you don't get flamed for stating the truth.

I, as a minority, have had no problem discussing race with my caucasian friends. I have had several admit to me their long standing biases, some very sharp and hurtful, but I have never gotten angry with them, and if anything I appreciate their honesty.

White people can and do talk about race in America. I'm in the field of education and this is a frequent topic. However, for most white people you have to start with some humility about your own privilege that exists by being in the majority (just as we can be privileged by speaking English, having use of our legs, or being straight). When you take stock of privileges (which almost everyone is privileged in some way), speak with humility, and engage in dialogue (not debate) then it's not that hard to have discussions about race. I lead classes about race all the time with high school, college students and adults. Rarely are the discussions combative or oppressive.

However, without humility (which is a rare commodity on many message boards), it's not even worth discussing...

No flames, here. But, you are assuming that this "white privilege" taught in all these university "critical race theory" classes is true. In fact, it is nothing more than manufactured excuses to blame all the problems in the black community on "white privilege" and therefore create this huge vacuum of needless self-hatred we know as White Guilt.

I'm sorry, dankrutka, I may agree with you on a lot of things, but I don't buy this mantra of "white privilege" from the professional race-baiting industry. In fact, dare I say it? It's a racist and slanderous ideology made up by academics.

We should be united by class in the war against the .01%, which is not Rich versus Poor, it's the richest of the rich versus everybody else no matter their color. We shouldn't buy into phony, made-up social problems that lie somewhere other than where they actually are.

In other words, I don't believe in "white privilege" and find it racist and offensive.

Zoo...stop embarrassing yourself.

The only guilt i ever feel is that is when other wasp christians b*tch about how much of a victim they are.

Zoo...stop embarrassing yourself.

Well then, a lot of others are confused as well. Many people don't buy into this newfangled concept of "white privilege." I tend to agree with the black conservatives on this issue, that you don't fight racism with more racism. It's offensive. It assumes all whites are suburban-dwelling, SUV driving, white collar workers. Talk to the poor whites who can't find work, and face much the same thing as do poor blacks, about "privilege." If anything, they find themselves on the losing end because of trying to "level the playing field." I'm sorry I don't buy it. It's just another excuse to point the finger somewhere OTHER than the AA community itself for its own problems. They always can say, "Well, you don't understand how it is. White privilege and all..." You've sipped too much of the professional race baiters Kool-Aid if you really believe society should just "see" some kind of blanket privilege for all white people.

Zoo...stop embarrassing yourself.

The only guilt i ever feel is that is when other lighter skinned christens b*tch about how much of a victim they are.

I'm not a Christian. I don't believe it. The guilt is in you saying I am "embarrassing myself" because I don't feel guilty for being what I am. Sorry.

You've been brainwashed by popular culture which glorifies a decadent culture that is all-encompassing in the AA community, but can't be called out on it because they just give excuses - of which "white privilege" is just one. If you don't see the real problem is the coddling of one particular race who can't be held accountable for anything in the discussion of social/race relations - we need a new system of education.

Debate as UCLA rejects Donald Sterling's $3 million gift (http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201404301336-0023689)

I'm not a Christian. I don't believe it. The guilt is in you saying I am "embarrassing myself" because I don't feel guilty for being what I am. Sorry.

You've been brainwashed by popular culture who glorify a culture that is all-encompassing in the AA community, but can't be called out on it because they just give excuses. Of which "white privilege" is just one. If you don't see the real problem is the coddling of one particular race who can't be held accountable for anything in the discussion of social/race relations - we need a new system of education.

You convinced me to change my mind about modern society and the last, o thousand years of european and american history. They really are the problem.

Please teach me more about how I am a victim and how society is out to get me.

You convinced me to change my mind about modern society and the last, o thousand years of european and american history. They really are the problem.

Please teach me more about how I am a victim and how society is out to get me.

Let's just agree to disagree. We can agree that Donald Sterling is obviously a jerk and he's only part of the story here.

But i agree with you - They constructed an entire civilization based on their superiority and our exploitation and have at almost every corner tried to hold us back through violence and oppression of their laws. Its not like you and I cant search the internet and find thousands of historical events where they massacred, lynched, and terrorized our communities(and others) any time we tried to be viewed as equals. Heck, some of those events have even happened during our lifetime.

Now they are mad that they cant even flippantly remark that they don't want us to be brought to their establishments.

You are right - maybe we are just being big ol cry babies and wanting them to coddle us.

------------------

I'm smart enough to read a book or two and realize that i got dealt a pretty fair hand and that i shouldnt walk around going out of my way to be a dick to entire other groups of people i dont know. Since your not a church guy and wwjd doesnt apply, chalk it up to giving out good karma instead of bad.

Back on subject - Don Sterling was a jerk, theres quite a bit of background of him going out of his way to be one. I chalk this up to karma.

Yep. This was as much as a business decision as doing the right thing. Its sad it take the loss of cash for people to do the right thing but that's America for you.

This guy is not a victim of circumstance. Why anyone would pity a billionaire is beyond me. He CHOSE do date a girl that could be his granddaughter, he CHOSE to behave and say the things his did. Case closed. How it was extracted from him is a question a civil court can decide but the fact is the cat is out of the bag and he would not be in this situation if not for the decisions he made.

True, lots of people say terrible things in private. Some get caught, some don't. His number came up this time and others may one day as well. God/fate/karma/etc. work in funny ways. That certainly doesn't excuse what he did. The "hey, everyone is a little racist!" defense says more about the people making those claims than it does anything else IMO.

Yes he is. He absolutely deserves what's coming, but victims can deserve really bad s*^* happening to them as well. It's both. It's not okay nor will it ever be okay to record someone else in a private setting and release that to a website like TMZ. He was a victim. He's also a dick who fully deserves what's coming to him.

Don't obfuscate the issue by making it less complicated than it is.

I find it funny that......
13% of the population commits 40-50% of violent crime.
Unemployment in same said group is at an all time high.
Broken fractured and not functioning family units.

But there is outrage over what someone said behind closed doors which is surely worse then the aforementioned.

Ya id say our priorities are straight........

No flames, here. But, you are assuming that this "white privilege" taught in all these university "critical race theory" classes is true. In fact, it is nothing more than manufactured excuses to blame all the problems in the black community on "white privilege" and therefore create this huge vacuum of needless self-hatred we know as White Guilt.

I'm sorry, dankrutka, I may agree with you on a lot of things, but I don't buy this mantra of "white privilege" from the professional race-baiting industry. In fact, dare I say it? It's a racist and slanderous ideology made up by academics.

We should be united by class in the war against the .01%, which is not Rich versus Poor, it's the richest of the rich versus everybody else no matter their color. We shouldn't buy into phony, made-up social problems that lie somewhere other than where they actually are.

In other words, I don't believe in "white privilege" and find it racist and offensive.

You couldn't be further off from how I discuss race and I think you have a pretty warped understanding of critical race theory and privilege. Discussions I've led and participate in never are meant to incite guilt in white people or anyone else. I certainly don't feel guilt or think that would be a healthy place to start a dialogue. There's a huge difference between guilt and privilege. No point in carrying on the discussion here, particularly because you seem interested in a debate, not a dialogue... But I'd be happy to discuss it in person anytime I'm in town. Just DM me. I bet we could have a good discussion face-to-face. Best.

... However, for most white people you have to start with some humility about your own privilege that exists by being in the majority (just as we can be privileged by speaking English, having use of our legs, or being straight). When you take stock of privileges (which almost everyone is privileged in some way), speak with humility, and engage in dialogue (not debate) then it's not that hard to have discussions ...

In fact, [white privilege] is nothing more than manufactured excuses to ...
We should be united by class in the war against the .01%, which is not Rich versus Poor, it's the richest of the rich versus everybody else no matter their color. We shouldn't buy into phony, made-up social problems that lie somewhere other than where they actually are.

... 13% of the population commits 40-50% of violent crime.
Unemployment in same said group is at an all time high.
Broken fractured and not functioning family units. ...
I wanted to bring these three posts together to say something.
I think dan's got it right. Whether institutionalized or subtly societal, some privilege exists in almost every relationship and if there's to be an honest discussion about that relationship, the privilege must be acknowledged.
zoo, you don't have to have guilt to acknowledge privilege and I think you're spot on in pointing out where the real divide is in today's society. It's a much more tangible privilege, but the other privileges that dan mention still exist.
achilles, you're right, but only when you see race as the right way to slice and dice the data. Household income is a much better correlation.

'Good luck' to the NBA in the tug-of-war battle to get the Los Angeles Clippers from:


The Donald!

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQmXTaMH4ZWe5E9Tc2YF7qGlZEeKDSCM BWx6cDuRy1ngK1D2ge3https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSd_DNxZ1j-TENHz-5AlQmrWS69vxoSZmWqsHAcmMKhZ-oziMZj

Is that Trump or Sterling?

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Excellent post dubya.

As I predicted, now that Sterling has become a complete pariah, all types of things are starting to come out. As is typical in these types of situations, it's only once a rich person or company hits bottom and money stops flowing does the real truth start to emerge.

Today, there was an article in the LA Times (subscription only) that started to dig into the Donald Sterling Foundation. As I had mentioned, Sterling very frequently takes out huge ads in the Times promoting some honor he is to receive or some charity he is helping. They all look very similar with the same picture of him; clearly put together and paid for by Sterling. All of this started after the large settlement he paid over discriminatory housing practices.

The garish ads claim things like $20 million in charitable gifts, but the LA Times reports it's more like $1.4 million. Several big things announced and promoted over and over that never got done at all, like a ranch for underprivileged kids and new shelters on Skid Row.

They also interviewed some of the organizations featured in these ads and all said they did not authorize the advertisements and some not only asked him to stop using their name and logos, they actually sent cease and desist orders. And this all before the recent crapstorm of horrible publicity.


The guy is just a world-class sleazeball. Virtually anyone who has come in contact with him has been saying this for years.

Particularly if he puts up a fight against the NBA, there is going to be an absolute parade of people who will step forward. His only defenders will be his wife and mistress who both still have a big financial interest.

As I predicted, now that Sterling has become a complete pariah, all types of things are starting to come out. As is typical in these types of situations, it's only once a rich person or company hits bottom and money stops flowing does the real truth start to emerge.

Today, there was an article in the LA Times (subscription only) that started to dig into the Donald Sterling Foundation. As I had mentioned, Sterling very frequently takes out huge ads in the Times promoting some honor he is to receive or some charity he is helping. They all look very similar with the same picture of him; clearly put together and paid for by Sterling. All of this started after the large settlement he paid over discriminatory housing practices.

The garish ads claim things like $20 million in charitable gifts, but the LA Times reports it's more like $1.4 million. Several big things announced and promoted over and over that never got done at all, like a ranch for underprivileged kids and new shelters on Skid Row.

They also interviewed some of the organizations featured in these ads and all said they did not authorize the advertisements and some not only asked him to stop using their name and logos, they actually sent cease and desist orders. And this all before the recent crapstorm of horrible publicity.


The guy is just a world-class sleazeball. Virtually anyone who has come in contact with him has been saying this for years.

Particularly if he puts up a fight against the NBA, there is going to be an absolute parade of people who will step forward. His only defenders will be his wife and mistress who both still have a big financial interest.

I wonder if those people would come forward out of the goodness of their hearts or for some kind of financial reward/benefit?

Many will come forward just to cover their own arses and disassociate themselves from Sterling.

But even apart from that, he has a huge amount of enemies. I think you could put most the NBA owners in that group long before this incident.

As I predicted, now that Sterling has become a complete pariah, all types of things are starting to come out. As is typical in these types of situations, it's only once a rich person or company hits bottom and money stops flowing does the real truth start to emerge.

...

It kind of sounded like a chicken and egg problem on the word spreading beyond the local fans though. Stories written about him before were not getting much attention, may not have been the in the most likely spots to be spotted in papers and not many people were searching that out online. One author stated that even ten year old stories they had done about Sterling's racism were getting more page hits the day the recent news spread than in all the time since they had been written.

Yes, and it's why people in the NBA and those living in L.A. were so quick to condemn him and why to others those judgments might appear overly harsh.

Being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every New Yorker's God-given right. -the Mayor, Ghostbusters 2


I don't think the people "defending" Sterling are really defending anything he has said or done. I think people are understandably cautious about giving a thumbs-up to a media-led cruxifiction.

Donald Sterling may be a grade A scumbag, but I'd never heard of him before this scandal broke. I think he's clearly a racist, but this is not nearly as bad as, say, Mel Gibson's drunken rant. To me this looks motivated purely by money. Sterling clearly had a lot of enemies, and with this tape they found a reason to get rid of him. The punishment here seems well out of proportion to the offense, and I think there's a lot of hypocrisy going around. I'd bet that a good number of the owners (and media people, and players) who are slamming Sterling have had very similar conversations in private. They just weren't caught on tape, or they don't have nearly the number of enemies. I was joking around a bit earlier when I said "but I like Shaq", but there's some truth there. I like Shaq and so I'm going to give him a whole lot of leeway. This is coming from the league that produced Charles Barkley and his mouth.

The lesson here is that you can say whatever you want as long as you're charming.

Donald Sterling is looking at losing perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars on a forced sale of his team. I haven't read the NBA bylaws or any of the ownership agreements or anything like that, so I don't know any legal authority they may possess to force such a sale. But such an event would clearly be the time to low-ball Sterling on the price. The Clippers are really good, the old man is denied control of operations, a new CEO is being appointed by the league, etc. I don't see how he's going to get what the team is really worth out of any sale. And I am not comfortable at all with the idea that someone can take your property because you've voiced a politcally unpopular opinion.