NBA banishes Tim Hardaway for anti-gay comments

[Axxman]

The NBA banished Tim Hardaway from All-Star weekend in Las Vegas because of his anti-gay remarks.

Hardaway, who played in five All-Star games during the 1990s, was already in Las Vegas and scheduled to make a series of public appearances this week on behalf of the league. But after saying, "I hate gay people" during a radio interview, commissioner David Stern stepped in.

"It is inappropriate for him to be representing us given the disparity between his views and ours," Stern said in a statement Thursday.

Hardaway's comments

[Oh Hamburgers!]

Well, he DID openly say he "hated" a group of people. Not that he hated actions, or that he hated things that happened, or that he hated something about gay people, but he say "I hate gay people". In a public setting, there is no excuse for saying something like that.

[Axxman]

Well, he DID openly say he "hated" a group of people. Not that he hated actions, or that he hated things that happened, or that he hated something about gay people, but he say "I hate gay people". In a public setting, there is no excuse for saying something like that.

So you agree then with limiting the First Amendment? That in America we can no longer say what we feel/ believe? You support an America in which a persons opinions MUST MEET a criteria of public acceptance before it can be publicly aired.

[Oh Hamburgers!]

Did he get criminally charged for his statement?

[forrestkc]

So you agree then with limiting the First Amendment? That in America we can no longer say what we feel/ believe? You support an America in which a persons opinions MUST MEET a criteria of public acceptance before it can be publicly aired.

The First Amendment prevents the government from restricting your speech. The First Amendment does not protect you from getting fired for saying something hateful while representing the organization that employs you. For example, I could go out every weekend to a park and hold a sign up that said "I hate Gays" or "I hate Blacks" or whatever. The government could not restrict my expression in this regard in any unreasonable way.

However, if I made such a statement at work, or if I were to make such a statement in a public setting or interview while representing the company I work for, then I would most likely be fired and rightfully so.

[georgesbluegirl]

Yup. A private organization is allowed to fire you for saying something that they consider appropriate.

But you can still SAY it - that's not illegal. Hence the hateful actions of the "God hates fags" group (pardon my language, I hate that word). Disgusting.

[Guest LadyC]

i wish the world wasn't so politically correct. i don't agree with what the man said, but i defend his right to say it. it's unfortunate that people get practically crucified for voicing an unpopular opinion anymore.

and no, he didn't get criminally charged. he just felt the backlash of political correctness.

ps.... this in no way compares to the westboro baptist bigots. this man spoke only for himself. the WBC nutcases try to give God the blame for their hatred.

[eagleswings]

What an outrage!!!!!!! the man hates sin!!!!!!!!!

[kat8585]

Of course, if he'd said something bad about Christians, he would have got a pass. In fact, we'd have never heard about it.

[Oh Hamburgers!]

Of course, if he'd said something bad about Christians, he would have got a pass. In fact, we'd have never heard about it.

If he said "I hate Christians" I'm sure he would be in just as much trouble, if not more so.

What an outrage!!!!!!! the man hates sin!!!!!!!!!

wrong. the man said he hates people. He didn't say he hated homosexuality, he said he hated gay people. Big difference.

As forrest, georgesbluegirl and I said earlier in this thread, he was not criminally charged. The place he worked for chose to punish him, but you won't see him go to court for it. Free speech still applies, and a hateful person got in trouble. Everyone wins!