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I wonder why we need athletes to "speak out." Nobody is going to change anything because Carmelo told them to.
....I've been flip floppin' for the last month on how I felt about the Olympics.
I live in America, but I'm not a biggest fan of this country. Don't give me the 'would you live anywhere else in the world' BS, because that's relevant, beacause I could on and on how my people earned the things they have in this stolen land. So I'm not patriotic, but I would have loved to see Chris Paul buss some ass around the world (I saw that one move he did). Then I read an article on how Stern was cool with the players takin' a stand (it was on here) and even soundin' like he was encouraging it, but the players backed down.
Now I just watched this vid and I'm sure I don't give a damn about the Olympic and I'll be damned if I watch...
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/...goryId=2459788
First it sounded like Lebron wasn't the coon I thought he was (remember the Vanity Fair cover). Talked a good game, but like ESPN always does, they got him caught up and flip floppin' now sayin' that the Olympics are no place for politics or 'were just here to play basketball'
I've lost respect for:
- Carmelo (already had little)
- Lebron
- Dwanye Wade
- Daren Williams
I would love to see what the other players have to say
What, you'll do remeber this?
SMH @ these overpayed (some underperforming) athletes...no back bone G
I wonder why we need athletes to "speak out." Nobody is going to change anything because Carmelo told them to.
You have a be a pretty weak minded person to give a what professional athletes have to say about politics.
As I've read before: "Leave politics to the politicians."
But it isn't always a good thing.
Carmelo..."And we let the Gov't deal with Politics"..--So sad, so sad. That's the mindset which is contributing to the deterioration of this country right now.
....I've been flip floppin' for the last month on how I felt about the Olympics.
I live in America, but I'm not a biggest fan of this country. Don't give me the 'would you live anywhere else in the world' BS, because that's relevant, beacause I could on and on how my people earned the things they have in this stolen land. So I'm not patriotic, but I would have loved to see Chris Paul buss some ass around the world (I saw that one move he did). Then I read an article on how Stern was cool with the players takin' a stand (it was on here) and even soundin' like he was encouraging it, but the players backed down.
Now I just watched this vid and I'm sure I don't give a damn about the Olympic and I'll be damned if I watch...
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/...goryId=2459788
First it sounded like Lebron wasn't the coon I thought he was (remember the Vanity Fair cover). Talked a good game, but like ESPN always does, they got him caught up and flip floppin' now sayin' that the Olympics are no place for politics or 'were just here to play basketball'
I've lost respect for:
- Carmelo (already had little)
- Lebron
- Dwanye Wade
- Daren Williams
- Kobe Bryant
I would love to see what the other players have to say
What, you'll do remeber this?
SMH @ these overpayed (some underperforming) athletes...no back bone G
Fixed.
Yeah because this country has really improved since all the bag celebrities starting talking politics out their ass.
The only good thing about all these moron celebrities acting like fake politicians is that it gave us some great moments in Team America.
im not going to say anything more on this matter, but government and politics have accomplished absolutely nothing in human history. i dont give a damn about politics as i feel its waste of time, because there always has been, and always will be starvation, war, crime, and other such things going on. no government in this world will ever solve the problems we face, and many times only adds to them.
let people who enjoy politics, deal with politics. i dont care about them, never have, and never will. and my mindset has not contributed in the slightest bit to any deterioration of this country. ive never been convicted of a crime. i dont promote violence or anything degrading to society. i pay all my taxes and bills on time. i help in providing free community services. people not caring about politics has absolutely NOTHING to do with the degradation of society. its the stupid desicions that imperfect humans make, and thats it.
Celebs are no different from regular people aside from their exposure. Should be utilized.
If you buy a car will you change the car piece by piece into a car you don't want?...I bet you won't. Only difference is, you share this car and refuse to keep it how you liike it. Yeah, gov't has done nothing, nothing but set guidelines around your life with consequences.
I disagree. He helped me find the strength to beat my snitching addiction.
Okay, one more post.
Something that has been done long before human governments. Simply read the bible.
then again, some arent bible readers/followers... but everyone is en led to their own opinions and choices.
in some ways, you could argue that these "guidelines" has actually led to crazier people and more crime, as many people dont do crime just to survive, but because they enjoy the "thrill" that it gives to them. im not saying i buy into it, but some people make very good arguments for that.
my point is, it doesnt matter what the consequences are, you make your own desicions in life. consequences may help have an effect, but they dont make the descisions. you make your own. government cannot solve those problems, never has, and never will. as time has gone on, and governments have become more "sophisticated" and "advanced", the issues society face have only gotten worse. why do you think you hear about old people saying "back in my day, you didnt even have to lock the door. you didnt have to worry about going outside and getting robbed, or your kids getting kidnapped. but today on the other hand..." and stuff like that? its an interesting correllation that as government "improves", societies problems increase.
dude, if even they are gonna speak out, they arent gonna just say oh i will speak out, then the chinese government will just be prepared to not broadcast them.
Nah...I didn't have too much respect for Kobe in the first place so...it's whatever
Aren't these guys suppose to be there to represent the USA?
So they are basically reppin' us by sayin "We don't give a damn"
OF COURSE I don't expect Kobe to sign legislation to stop genocide, but an athlete makin' noise on such issues is a loud noise...(Look at the gesture[pic] in my 1st post)
Part of the problem is that these guys know they don't have a leg to stand on. How much money are they making off of companies who protect their bottom line by getting their stuff made in China? Most of them are probably just scared stiff of the prospect of trying to sound important and coming across as a dumbass to the media in the process. And I have my doubts that Stern and company really gave them a green light to speak their minds in China as the NBA expands into that market.
I wish all the celebrities will come out and tell the other countries that if they run their country any different from the great US of A, they will feel the wrath of those who know nothing else but what their idols tell them.
No, they represent USA Basketball.
Uh the less they speak the better. Human beings are already bombarded by propaganda from every direction. Everything everyone says has an agenda to it, people are always trying to convert you to the right side. From the moment you are born and your parents instill their values into you, you are being created by society, not by yourself. I'm glad these athletes aren't saying anything.
We have enough mindless sheep making choices based on popularity, it would be nice for the kids (and even adults) watching these athletes to be able to make an informed decision on their own and not be molded into what the people around them think they should be.
There are people that say that it is for their own good, and this is true but only to some extent. At first people say "murder is wrong" and everyone agrees, but soon you have people saying things like "communism is evil" and "capitalism is evil", things in which people are split upon yet both sides would take it to the grave that their statement is the right one.
Leave politics to politicians, voting people, and parents. I'm watching the olympics to see some basketball, not for a forum on human rights violations. If you want that I am sure Nbadan and Co would be glad to discuss it in the political forum.
Mav fan may have hurt my team in 2006, but they know what they're talking about here.
I hate that celebs feel that they have an obligation to speak their political views. Just because a person is a celeb does not make them more educated than anyone else. I can’t stand idiots like Rosie O’Donnell (sp?) who thinks that she needs to fight against every single group just to get some exposure since she butched out. I don’t even care the affiliation. Even though I can’t stand extreme liberals I feel the same about the super conservative republicans.
Worst thread ever.
The idea and practical application of "government" is too complex for us to dissect on a message board. Likewise, it's too much to expect an NBA athlete to provide some profound ideology in a sound clip when his main focus should be to win the gold medal.
If we were to simplify politics/government, then we could simply describe it in terms of the chicken/egg theory: was there so much disorder that governments formed to better society or has the scope of government grown so much that it has caused unrest and - therefore - more disorder? Likewise, is a poor system of government to blame for Ill Cosby's terrible grammar and spelling or is he just an idiot? Was SpursDynasty born a got or did his environment turn him into one?
You guys obviously don't get it, I'm not askin' for this dudes to refuse to play, wear all black, or chain them selves to a doo. I damn sure don't expect a speech.
I'm not expectin too much, but IMO nothing is unacceptable...Mind you DAVID STERN SAID IT WAS OKAY...
I see if they were threatened with fines and what not, but the BIG BOSS o'kayed it, and they would even display a small symbol of disapproval...
even the 'Dream Team' protested...!!!
This thread seems to be full of 'It ain't my business' types
Maybe it's just me who sees the injustice brought upon helpless people and it's supported by the country that is hosting the damn games
what about this?
I guess they should just STFU about that too? SMH @ some of ya'll clownsChinese Paper Says Blacks Banned From Bars During Olympics Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Nsenga Burton What do Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Jason Kidd have in common? They are the starting five of the 2008 Olympic Men’s Basketball team and none of them will be admitted to any bars in Beijing because they are black. No, this is not fiction -- it is fact as reported by the South China Morning Post (7/18/08). Beijing authorities have forbidden bar owners to serve blacks during the 2008 Olympics.
How hypocritical is it that the host of the largest international sports compe ion in the free world would ban an entire group of people based on race? This blanket discrimination is couched in the idea of “controlling” Beijing’s problem with pros ution and drugs, which is primarily driven by Mongolians. Somehow, this policy smacks of impropriety, pun intended, and underscores China’s continuous policies of discrimination. You would think with the global embarrassment over the mistreatment of Tibetan Monks, faulty consumer products, and the suppression of information about deadly diseases, that China would have figured out by now that the systematic exclusion of an entire group of people, many of whom have histories of horrendous discrimination in their home countries, would not reflect well on the mainland. Further, I was not aware that blacks owned drug trafficking and pros ution worldwide. Amsterdam anyone?
Let’s get this straight. Black people can participate in the games, add money to the economy in “permitted” spaces like hotels, lodges and restaurants, but they cannot go to a bar, which may be located in a hotel, lodge or restaurant. This is outrageous. Would the world stand still if in 2008 the United States was banning entire populations of people based on perceived ideas about race?
Pretending to control drug trafficking while controlling the movement of black folks is out of control. To define an entire race of people as drug dealers and pros utes is unacceptable. I guess this is what you get when an international committee overlooks a country that has transgressed human rights without recourse. The world community needs to unite against this injustice and demand that China allow all Olympic participants, athletes and visitors alike, equal access to all venues.
As China prepares to take the world’s stage in celebration of athletes all over the world, and by extension their people, it is tragic that they have decided to add blanket discrimination to the many offerings during this year’s Olympic games. Perhaps our expectations of China are too high? It is kind of ridiculous to have the expectation of moving freely in a country that does not allow its citizens to move freely. Complicated countries have complicated practices. The fact that Beijing is being allowed to ban all Blacks from any place or event, without rebuke or scorn, is maddening. Will the world stand by while China further ins utionalizes another human rights debacle?
Atleast some poster gave a intelligent reason, though I don't agree with some of your points, you atleast have one
Last time I checked we were on the internet, not writing a school paper
Dirk just came out with his own statement on the ongoing problems in the Olympics.
Dirk Nowitzki on Olympic Boycotts
April 17, 2008
The German news channel n-tv just released a statement of Dirk Nowitzki regarding the ongoing problems about the Olympics in Beijng this summer.
Why should athletes do, what politicans aren’t able to do for years? It is wrong, to make the athletes protest now! When they elected China for the Olympic games to be held at, they should have known that two worlds would clash. They also should have known that there will be trouble, but sport itself is non-political and there are athletes that work for the Olympics for four years. There is no reason for these guys now, not to participate!”There is still no news on Chris Kaman getting a German passport to fight for Germany’s spot for the Olympics. Germany is not qualified for the Olympics yet and has to play a tournament in Athens later this summer.
http://www.ballineurope.com/national...mpic-boycotts/
Look to me like many more Americans need express political views when crap is go on. Americans keeps their mouth shut about this all time is what allow such evil as this happen. You will not be forgiven for fail to speak against such things.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle4466512.ece
White House 'buried British intelligence on Iraq WMDs'
MI6 told Tony Blair before the invasion of Iraq that a high-placed Iraqi source said that Saddam Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction. The intelligence was passed to the US but was buried by the White House, according to a new book.
The book claimed that the former Prime Minister sent a top British spy to the Middle East in 2003 — three months before the invasion — to dig up enough intelligence to avoid war but that President Bush and Cheney, the Vice-President, dismissed any claims or possible evidence that would stop military action.
In The Way of the World, the Pulitzer prize-winning author Ron Suskind also claimed that the White House ordered the CIA to forge a backdated, handwritten letter purportedly from the head of Iraqi Intelligence to Saddam. The letter, which came to light nine months after the invasion, was meant to demonstrate a link between the Baathist regime and al-Qaeda.
The forgery, adamantly denied by the White House, was passed to a British journalist in Baghdad and written about as if genuine by The Sunday Telegraph on December 14, 2003. The article received significant attention in the US and provided the White House with a new rationale for the invasion, Suskind claimed. The White House called the allegation absurd.
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Suskind said that at the beginning of 2003 MI6 sent one of its top agents, Michael Shipster, to the region. Mr Shipster held secret meetings in Jordan with Tahir Jalil Habbush, the head of Iraqi Intelligence. The meetings were confirmed by Nigel Inkster, former assistant director of MI6.
Mr Inkster also confirmed that Mr Shipster was told by Mr Habbush that there were no illicit weapons in Iraq. Mr Inkster refused to comment last night.
Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of British Intelligence, was also interviewed by Suskind. The author said that Sir Richard confirmed the Shipster meetings and report. He added that he asked why Mr Blair had not acted on the intelligence.
Sir Richard was quoted as saying that the mission was an eleventh-hour “attempt to try, as it were, I’d say, to diffuse \ the whole situation”. He added: “The problem was the Cheney crowd was in too much of a hurry, really. Bush never resisted them quite strongly enough.”
Suskind wrote that Sir Richard flew to Washington in February 2003 to present the Habbush report to George Tenet, then the Director of the CIA. The report stated that according to Mr Habbush, Saddam had ended his nuclear programme in 1991 — the same year that he destroyed his chemical weapons programme — and ended his biological weapons programme in 1996. These assertions turned out to be true.
Mr Tenet briefed Mr Bush and Condoleezza Rice, at the time his National Security Adviser.
Suskind wrote: “The White House then buried the Habbush report. They instructed the British that they were no longer interested in keeping the channel open.”
Rob Richer, a former CIA officer in the Near East division, told Suskind: “The Brits wanted to avoid war — which was what was driving them. Bush wanted to go to war in Iraq from the very first days he was in office.”
Mr Habbush was put on the White House’s list of most-wanted Iraqis but according to Suskind he was paid by the CIA in October 2003 to write the forged letter to Saddam, dated July 1, 2001, saying that the putative September 11 ringleader Mohammed Atta had trained for his mission in Iraq. This was the letter publicised in The Sunday Telegraph.
Of the forgery allegation, Mr Tenet said: “There was no such order from the White House to me or, to the best of my knowledge, was anyone from the CIA ever involved in any such effort.” Of Mr Habbush, Mr Tenet said that the claims in the book were a complete fabrication. He said that Mr Habbush had “failed to persuade” the British that he had “anything new to offer by way of intelligence”.
Delving deep
— Ron Suskind was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal from 1993 to 2000
— His serialised stories, following a religious student from a blighted inner-city school to the Ivy League Brown University, won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing in 1995
— His 2004 book The Price of Loyalty penetrated the inner sanctum of the Bush Administration
— Excepts of his last book, The One Percent Doctrine, were published last month in Time magazine
Get AIDS, Rockets fan.
Getting under your skin eh Mavsfan? We all know how soft Dirk is and that statement even if it was back in April proves it.
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