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Accept or Decline Donald Sterling Apology?

Should Donald Sterling be forgiven?


  • Total voters
    16
You offended me. And anyone with children should be offended by you comparing the abuse of a child to what Sterling did.

And Sterling did not commit a crime. If you want to be dramatic about what Sterling did, you may want to pick a non-criminal act for comparison.

Forget that you equate child abuse to some words...holy ****.

Well, if you're gonna be like that about it. Racists do significant damage to society. Racists are of similar evil to child abusers. I'd say they're in the same realm, perhaps adjacent rings of hell in Eco's Inferno. Really, it's the drug dealers who should be offended by my comparisons.

You really think racists are not so bad, what would you compare them to?
 
Well, if you're gonna be like that about it. Racists do significant damage to society. Racists are of similar evil to child abusers. I'd say they're in the same realm, perhaps adjacent rings of hell in Eco's Inferno. Really, it's the drug dealers who should be offended by my comparisons.

You really think racists are not so bad, what would you compare them to?

I don't want to get an infraction so I'll refrain from saying what's on my mind to someone who thinks Magic Johnson's feeling getting hurt compare to harm inflicted on an innocent child. I'll bet money on the fact that an innocent child would rather hear that Johnny doesn't want him at his party than having a man sodomize him.

I never said "racists" aren't bad. Did I?

My life is too complex to worry about who Sterling's girlfriend takes to basketball games or takes selfies with. That in importance to me ranks slightly behind what my next door neighbor had for breakfast. Welcome to the world of most grown ups.
 
I never said "racists" aren't bad. Did I?

What would you compare them to?

My life is too complex to worry about who Sterling's girlfriend takes to basketball games or takes selfies with. That in importance to me ranks slightly behind what my next door neighbor had for breakfast. Welcome to the world of most grown ups.

She's not really his girlfriend. She's his favorite female slave from his fantasy plantation to whom he also bequeaths cars and other luxuries.
 
What would you compare them to?

People who don't invite everyone in the world to their Christmas party because they happen not to like some people.

Women who turn down an offer of a date with men who they don't want to date.

Cheerleaders who don't want to be seen in high school with the boy who has acne scars all over his face.

BFD, all of them.
 
People who don't invite everyone in the world to their Christmas party because they happen not to like some people.

Women who turn down an offer of a date with men who they don't want to date.

Cheerleaders who don't want to be seen in high school with the boy who has acne scars all over his face.

BFD, all of them.

Racism is like someone not being popular?

Racism is 'BFD'?

Well.

Do you realize how racist the bolded statement is?
 
Racism is like someone not being popular?

Racism is 'BFD'?

Well.

Do you realize how racist the bolded statement is?

Acne is racist? OMG.

I can't even post with you anymore. Child abuse is like a grown man being hurt because another man doesn't want his girlfriend to take selfies with him, and acne is racist. Brilliant!

I'll post with you again when you're serious.
 
The problem is how to know if it's sincere or not.

That's right. It's quite possible that he's just saying that to get himself off the hook. On the other hand, he could be really sorry. He does have quite a bit of money, and quite frankly he does have to apologize at all.
 
That's right. It's quite possible that he's just saying that to get himself off the hook. On the other hand, he could be really sorry. He does have quite a bit of money, and quite frankly he does have to apologize at all.

Meant to say:

He does have quite a bit of money, and quite frankly he DOES NOT have to apologize at all.
 
He shouldn't have to apologize for something he said in a private moment. He doesn't practice racism in the owning of the team, obviously. Thus, he had no reason to be fined nor banned. If anything the NBA should be apologizing for their vast over-reaction.
 
well he doesnt owe me an apology.

He is a very weird version of a bigot and racist and he has the right to be.

Do I think his views are disgusting? yes

But he didnt owe me an apology and apologizing doesnt change the fact he is a bigot.

Im not "MAD" at him lol

as far as the NBA, thats thier choice but his punishment was more than fine by me, taking it back would be worse.
 




I don't know why he needs to apologize for a comment he THOUGHT he was making in private, that he assumed would never be made available to the general public.


It's almost as ridiculous as apologizing for something you thought in the privacy of your own mind.
 
An "apology" that blames others, attacks Magic Johnson in a bid to create a false equivalency, and in which he remains in denial of his own problem isn't very convincing. I'm not persuaded and have real doubts about any sincerity. There have been no actions to match his supposed apology. The NBA should not abandon its agreed approach to dealing with him. The sooner he has been removed from the NBA, the sooner the League's healing process can begin.
 
An "apology" that blames others, attacks Magic Johnson in a bid to create a false equivalency, and in which he remains in denial of his own problem isn't very convincing. I'm not persuaded and have real doubts about any sincerity. There have been no actions to match his supposed apology. The NBA should not abandon its agreed approach to dealing with him. The sooner he has been removed from the NBA, the sooner the League's healing process can begin.
He apologized for his words and took ownership of the fact they were wrong. I'm good with that.

The Magic Johnson thing is on a whole different level . I think it's fair to call magic out on this. After all, MJ was with Sterling's gf. If DS thinks Magic was using her or ****ing her or whatever, those are more than fair accusations to make.

Magic is acting like a clown, BTW.
 
I don't know why he needs to apologize for a comment he THOUGHT he was making in private, that he assumed would never be made available to the general public.


It's almost as ridiculous as apologizing for something you thought in the privacy of your own mind.
It is scary to see that what is said in private can be made public. But, when it does an apology is in order.

What should not happen though, IMO, is having your property stripped from you for what you said in private that was illegally taped and then released to the public without your permission. I suspect DS has a good case in court here.
 
He apologized for his words and took ownership of the fact they were wrong. I'm good with that.

The Magic Johnson thing is on a whole different level . I think it's fair to call magic out on this. After all, MJ was with Sterling's gf. If DS thinks Magic was using her or ****ing her or whatever, those are more than fair accusations to make.

Magic is acting like a clown, BTW.

Did he admit that he's a racist and indicate that he plans to work to change his attitudes? No.

Almost certainly, he waited almost two weeks to put together what amounted to a combination alibi and limited apology (limited to words, not his attitude that was behind those words) in a bid to retain ownership of the Clippers. At least that's the perception that has been created by the large gap between the reporting of the matter and his responding to it. Needless to say, dealing with his attitude would have been taking "ownership" of the problem. He focused on the symptom (his words) not the underlying problem (attitude).

His actions put the NBA at tremendous risk. Prior to the Commissioner's acting, the League was facing an all-out loss of advertisers and a player revolt. The League made a sound business decision in acting decisively to protect its interests. That the remarks were made in private doesn't matter, as they had come out and the NBA was facing a major crisis.

Finally, his comments about Magic Johnson went far beyond criticizing Johnson's friendship with Stiviano. Moreover, even as he didn't intend it, his interview revealed the attitude that led to his remarks. Excerpts:

Cooper asked, "So are you saying that African-Americans don't contribute to African-American communities as much as Jewish people --"

Sterling -- measured for much of the interview -- cut Cooper off and snapped back.

"There's no African-American --," he said, raising his voice. "Never mind, I don't know, I'm sorry..."


Donald Sterling tells CNN he's not racist, slams Magic Johnson - CNN.com
 
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Did he admit that he's a racist and indicate that he plans to work to change his attitudes? No.

Almost certainly, he waited almost two weeks to put together what amounted to a combination alibi and limited apology (limited to words, not his attitude that was behind those words) in a bid to retain ownership of the Clippers. At least that's the perception that has been created by the large gap between the reporting of the matter and his responding to it. Needless to say, dealing with his attitude would have been taking "ownership" of the problem. He focused on the symptom (his words) not the underlying problem (attitude).

His actions put the NBA at tremendous risk. Prior to the Commissioner's acting, the League was facing an all-out loss of advertisers and a player revolt. The League made a sound business decision in acting decisively to protect its interests. That the remarks were made in private doesn't matter, as they had come out and the NBA was facing a major crisis.

Finally, his comments about Magic Johnson went far beyond criticizing Johnson's friendship with Stiviano. Moreover, even as he didn't intend it, his interview revealed the attitude that led to his remarks. Excerpts:

Cooper asked, "So are you saying that African-Americans don't contribute to African-American communities as much as Jewish people --"

Sterling -- measured for much of the interview -- cut Cooper off and snapped back.

"There's no African-American --," he said, raising his voice. "Never mind, I don't know, I'm sorry..."


Donald Sterling tells CNN he's not racist, slams Magic Johnson - CNN.com
There. See. He said he was sorry.


The NBA got what it deserves. Sterling has been a loose canon for decades. I'm surprised it took this long for it to blow.
 
FWIW, the NBA plans to pursue its announced remedy despite Sterling's limited apology. From the BBC:

NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, responded: "I just read a transcript of Donald Sterling's interview with Anderson Cooper and while Magic Johnson doesn't need me to, I feel compelled on behalf of the NBA family to apologise to him that he continues to be dragged into this situation and be degraded by such a malicious and personal attack.

"The NBA Board of Governors is continuing with its process to remove Mr Sterling as expeditiously as possible."


BBC Sport - Donald Sterling: NBA apologises over 'attack' on Magic Johnson

In the end, if Mr. Sterling truly wishes to confront his own personal demons (perhaps even seek professional assistance to do so) and try to atone for them, that's his personal choice. The NBA should act in a fashion that is in the best interests of the League and all of its stakeholders.
 
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I saw a small part of his interview with Anderson Cooper. When AC asked him if he felt betrayed by his girlfriend he said "Yes, I do. Even though I'm 51 years older than her, I was foolish enough to think she really cared about me". Foolish is the operative word here. Oh, and I think his apoligy should be declined.
 
I think it's pretty funny that people are feeling sorry for the sensitive players. They are making millions of dollars playing a game they love while trying to win what they have lived a lifetime trying to win, so exactly what is there to feel sorry for them about? Oh that their employer might not like them? Who the **** cares about that? If I was one of those guys I would only care that he was paying me and I was winning games. I wouldn't give a **** if he likes me or not.

The way they played after it all came out was just pathetic. Get over it sissy boys.

Did you get from his comments that he does not like black people? I didn't.
 
It's clearly marginalizing a minority. And he referred to paychecks as handouts. Both of those things are damaging to the NBA.

I absolutely agree with him onthat point.

All employees come to work put in their time and take their welfare check home with them. The boss has all the worrying to do.
 
Who wants to work for someone that considers ones paycheck (in this case, earned through lifelong commitment to excellence and hard work) to be a HANDOUT?

The millionaires that worked hard to get on the team.

All this crap you hear from the players is just that, crap.

They would never give up what they have to prove a point.
 
Did you get from his comments that he does not like black people? I didn't.

No. All the people that say his comments were racist I don't think fully understand what the word racist means. His comments were at best racial, but there is nothing racist about telling someone they shouldn't go to the game with a black guy.
 
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