Warning: Political Takes Bucks and Magic boycott NBA playoff game

QueenCityGator

University of Florida Alumnus
Aug 12, 2014
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I hesitated to respond so as to not seem to be one of the 100 vs. 1, but in my time here, I have seen the few left leaning members do one of three things: totally stay out of the PF, stop posting altogether, or be trolls. While no one has any patience for the last group (and I am not going to criticize mgmt. for banning them), the first two groups I find curious. Assuming they enjoy a political discussion, what is their fear? Someone gives them a negative rating? They get called a name? And I for one think the PF would be more interesting if there was more balance. Sadly, the one's who have left never said why.
One of the things I like about this site is Ox's tolerance for differing opinions. I have seen other places where dissent is not tolerated (which as you probably know is why many folks are here). @Towels 'N Sporks those are the true echo chambers. This is merely a de facto one. As politics seems to be seeping into every aspect of life I sometimes wonder if this is our future. No matter the area of interest all internet sites will be left or right sites - whether by design or not.

I signed up for this website many years ago because I enjoy talking sports, not politics. It was awesome when politics were not involved in sports at all, but that time is gone and it's time to accept reality. I'm human, I want to be able to express my political views sometimes. So that's why I don't mind talking about something political like BLM or the election in the context of sports. But I'd much rather talk about why Trask is going to be the best QB in the SEC than anything political.

I don't want to be in any political forum anymore, even if there was a liberal/conservative balance (or just all liberals). Getting into drawn out online political discussions/debates (even if they're civil) is not worth my time or energy. But to each their own.

PS - I'm deeply afraid of being called names and getting negative ratings. I joined this website with the understanding that we all are supposed to like each other all the time.
 

Gator By Marriage

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But I'd much rather talk about why Trask is going to be the best QB in the SEC than anything political.
Me too.
The lack of sports to actually talk about has probably exacerbated the amount of conversation on the creeping of politics into what sports there is.

PS - I'm deeply afraid of being called names and getting negative ratings. I joined this website with the understanding that we all are supposed to like each other all the time.
I did like this line FWIW.
 

Windy City Gator

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Oct 26, 2017
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I hesitated to respond so as to not seem to be one of the 100 vs. 1, but in my time here, I have seen the few left leaning members do one of three things: totally stay out of the PF, stop posting altogether, or be trolls. While no one has any patience for the last group (and I am not going to criticize mgmt. for banning them), the first two groups I find curious. Assuming they enjoy a political discussion, what is their fear? Someone gives them a negative rating? They get called a name? And I for one think the PF would be more interesting if there was more balance. Sadly, the one's who have left never said why.
One of the things I like about this site is Ox's tolerance for differing opinions. I have seen other places where dissent is not tolerated (which as you probably know is why many folks are here). @Towels 'N Sporks those are the true echo chambers. This is merely a de facto one. As politics seems to be seeping into every aspect of life I sometimes wonder if this is our future. No matter the area of interest all internet sites will be left or right sites - whether by design or not.
I am shocked your post didn't get deleted.
 

TheDouglas78

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I know - you disagree with me ranking Juwanna Man so low. Fine I'll give it #12 seed. I'm sure their game vs #5 Major League 2 will be a good one.

Can't be counted unless you go Major League 3: back to the minors
 

heversle

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The irony of some of these posts is amusing. A lot of you seem awfully incensed and triggered about a league you supposedly “don’t care about” or are “done with”. Seems like an accurate representation of your true feelings...LOL.

It’s a free country. Athletes are not pawns for your personal entertainment and shouldn’t be put in a box. They are citizens just like you who have just as much of a right to express a contrasting opinion on this matter. If you Keyboard warriors were talented enough to play any sport, I doubt you would be willing to use your platform to oppose this awful “politicization” that you speak of. Sports are a luxury and most people refuse to accept this; COVID should have reinforced this fact more than anything this year. The sooner you realize this, the better off you’ll be.
 

Windy City Gator

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The irony of some of these posts is amusing. A lot of you seem awfully incensed and triggered about a league you supposedly “don’t care about” or are “done with”. Seems like an accurate representation of your true feelings...LOL.

It’s a free country. Athletes are not pawns for your personal entertainment and shouldn’t be put in a box. They are citizens just like you who have just as much of a right to express a contrasting opinion on this matter. If you Keyboard warriors were talented enough to play any sport, I doubt you would be willing to use your platform to oppose this awful “politicization” that you speak of. Sports are a luxury and most people refuse to accept this; COVID should have reinforced this fact more than anything this year. The sooner you realize this, the better off you’ll be.
BLASPHEMY! You make way too much sense to be posting on this board! You will be banned soon!
 

Double Gator Dad

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Your last statement is pretty dead on. As much as I agree that the PF is right leaning, in this case's thread there are several good takes from guys like Crete and G.Gordon stating that the cops mishandled some aspects of the arrest. And I think it's universally agreed that there are some bad apples, and definitely some that don't have the right demeanor for the job. That's a measure of balance and honesty. This guy probably didn't need to be killed. Contrast that with the NBA players, Webber(who was one of my favorites growing up and still seems like a good guy) and the all the talking heads. You really think that no one in the back of their mind is asking, "why don't these guys just cooperate?". Of course they are. Resisting arrest has never been a recipe for anything positive. Nor do they truly believe these career criminals actually "weren't doing nothing". They were being arrested for a reason. Every single black person with a platform should be begging people to simply cooperate with LEO in these situations, and let the struggle take place elsewhere. It would solve the problem and allow a broader "fix" if it's in fact deemed necessary. But they can't speak up with any type of balanced view because they'd be ostracized on social media, called every name under the sun, and lose their jobs. That's the core issue, imo.

You touched the core issue. Resisting arrest

Who is teaching people that it’s okay to ignore the police?

The overwhelming majority of incidents with police that turn out badly are tied directly to a lack of respect for authority.

Say what you want but I have always treated police with respect and courtesy. I guess that makes me privileged or something
 

soflagator

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The irony of some of these posts is amusing. A lot of you seem awfully incensed and triggered about a league you supposedly “don’t care about” or are “done with”. Seems like an accurate representation of your true feelings...LOL.

It’s a free country. Athletes are not pawns for your personal entertainment and shouldn’t be put in a box. They are citizens just like you who have just as much of a right to express a contrasting opinion on this matter. If you Keyboard warriors were talented enough to play any sport, I doubt you would be willing to use your platform to oppose this awful “politicization” that you speak of. Sports are a luxury and most people refuse to accept this; COVID should have reinforced this fact more than anything this year. The sooner you realize this, the better off you’ll be.

I don't disagree with you that people should have freedom to express their opinions. But unfortunately, as seen in the case of Drew Brees, it's not acceptable to deviate at all from what a certain group considers right. The guy was lambasted by everyone from his own team mates to NFL commentators, etc. So the "freedom" comment kind of goes out the window when you see stuff like that. As Ox said, dialogue is dead.

I'd also add, just to be clear, I'm fine with whatever rhetoric and/or stances people want to take. I personally feel it has no place in sports, but that's just me. But understand it's not achieving anything positive when a) groups who are calling for destruction and chaos (BLM) are being supported by these athletes, and b) when most of what is being spewed is a complete fabrication that only makes matters worse. The average person looks at that and shakes their head because it's ridiculous.

Lastly, the ultimate irony is the NBA players talking about poor treatment while speaking glowingly about China, or the player who was tweeting his support for the "protesters" burning down buildings in downtown LA, but suddenly not wanting them to behave this way when they got to his neighborhood.

So again, I agree. If these guys want to make fools of themselves, and further damage their own future generations, then by all means, it's their right to do so.
 

Double Gator Dad

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The irony of some of these posts is amusing. A lot of you seem awfully incensed and triggered about a league you supposedly “don’t care about” or are “done with”. Seems like an accurate representation of your true feelings...LOL.

It’s a free country. Athletes are not pawns for your personal entertainment and shouldn’t be put in a box. They are citizens just like you who have just as much of a right to express a contrasting opinion on this matter. If you Keyboard warriors were talented enough to play any sport, I doubt you would be willing to use your platform to oppose this awful “politicization” that you speak of. Sports are a luxury and most people refuse to accept this; COVID should have reinforced this fact more than anything this year. The sooner you realize this, the better off you’ll be.

I don’t have the privilege of shoving my politics down your throat while I am at work. Do you?
 

Gatorraid81

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Any of you who believe that our beloved Gators aren't going down this same road are nuts. How many college players are now going to refuse to play? Only takes one group of idiots to start something, and the others follow along with NO end game.

There are no potential solutions to this problem unless we can have honest discussions. And we cannot.


My money is on Copeland to be the one to start something.
 

oxrageous

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The irony of some of these posts is amusing. A lot of you seem awfully incensed and triggered about a league you supposedly “don’t care about” or are “done with”. Seems like an accurate representation of your true feelings...LOL.

It’s a free country. Athletes are not pawns for your personal entertainment and shouldn’t be put in a box. They are citizens just like you who have just as much of a right to express a contrasting opinion on this matter. If you Keyboard warriors were talented enough to play any sport, I doubt you would be willing to use your platform to oppose this awful “politicization” that you speak of. Sports are a luxury and most people refuse to accept this; COVID should have reinforced this fact more than anything this year. The sooner you realize this, the better off you’ll be.
I really can't disagree with much in your post. If their employers will allow it (because they are afraid of the mob), then so be it. The consequence is that this "luxury" will not be able to sustain itself if people stop supporting it. NBA players care about one thing: MONEY, which is why they support China. If you told them that their actions are going to mean a HUGE cut in their future paychecks, I have a feeling they would suddenly stop feeling so woke.

The NFL is next on deck. If the owners want to take their multi-billion dollar empire and burn it to the ground, so be it. It's their money. Millions of viewers will be taking THEIR money elsewhere.
 

heversle

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I really can't disagree with much in your post. If their employers will allow it (because they are afraid of the mob), then so be it. The consequence is that this "luxury" will not be able to sustain itself if people stop supporting it. NBA players care about one thing: MONEY, which is why they support China. If you told them that their 8actions are going to mean a HUGE cut in their future paychecks, I have a feeling they would suddenly stop feeling so woke.

The NFL is next on deck. If the owners want to take their multi-billion dollar empire and burn it to the ground, so be it. It's their money. Millions of viewers will be taking THEIR money elsewhere.

This isn’t as much of a deal breaker as you make it out to be. Just because people complain about a product, it doesn’t mean they will stop buying it. iPhones have gotten more expensive and are severely lacking in quality and innovation compared to their competitors year after year. People consistently complain about their clear agenda of planned obsolescence and argue they are deliberately hijacking their phones. But, guess what? Their stock price goes up every year and business is booming. You’ll complain today and begrudgingly buy next year’s phone anyway. The NBA and NFL aren’t going anywhere.
 

oxrageous

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This isn’t as much of a deal breaker as you make it out to be. Just because people complain about a product, it doesn’t mean they will stop buying it. iPhones have gotten more expensive and are severely lacking in quality and innovation compared to their competitors year after year. People consistently complain about their clear agenda of planned obsolescence and argue they are deliberately hijacking their phones. But, guess what? Their stock price goes up every year and business is booming. You’ll complain today and begrudgingly buy next year’s phone anyway. The NBA and NFL aren’t going anywhere.
You honestly believe that by alienating TENS OF MILLIONS of paying customers that they aren't going to feel it in their bottom line? If they think they are too big to fail, they are sorely mistaken.

Your comparison of an iPhone and groups of entertainers insulting their country and their audience personally being the same kind of thing is absurd. I'm one of the biggest NFL fans ever. I will stop watching. Do you think I'm alone?

If every time you opened your iPhone it announced you're a racist, do you think it would affect sales?
 

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