77 “Like Beating a Dead Horse”- But it is something I have to say.
Freedoms, are they really free?
I have put a lot of thought in what has happened to Donald Sterling and I may make some enemies by writing this hub.
I too, just like at least 90% of the country, if not the world, am completely appalled by the words that came out of his mouth on that recording during a supposed private conversation.
Anyway, Donald Sterling was speaking his mind in this supposed private conversation. His supposed “mistress” recorded this conversation and made it public, I guess because she had not already gotten enough from him. That is the same as making public thoughts. How many times have you or I had “private” thoughts that could have gotten us in trouble at one time or another in our lives? Maybe not very often, but I would be willing to bet they are there.
And the last time I checked this is still a “free country”, where we were free to think and feel the way we want. This man wasn’t giving a speech or saying these things at the time to hurt anyone. He was discussing something with someone and showing jealousy, even though I don’t think he realized at the time that’s what it was.
But I will defend to my death his “right” to think and feel the way he wants. I have heard public speeches and rants where there were worse things said than what Donald Sterling said. And they didn’t have to sell their business or pay a fine of two and a half million dollars.
He has said a lot worse things in public since and has now dug himself into a hole. But I don’t think anyone has the right to force him to sell the team. If people are so down on what he did they will stop going to the games and supporting him and then he will be forced to do something and far as the fine is concerned, WHY? Who will get that money? He really didn’t “hurt” anyone. The only person that actually hurt anyone is the person (not pointing fingers, but we all know who) that recorded this and then released.
There is one thing that bothers me also. Where was this conversation recorded? Every time they play the recording they show pictures of them in public. This could have been said completely in a private conversation, which doesn’t really make any difference, but would have a whole new twist and would support his story that what he was saying was out of jealousy and not actually a racial comment.
Like I said at the beginning, I DON’T agree with his feelings, but I will defend to my death his right to feel and think the way he wants. If not, we are all in trouble.
These are my opinions and no one has to agree with me.
Greg
