Posted by
CPT on Sunday, February 18, 2007 8:30:05 PM
Tim Hardaway has dominated the sports talk genre on due to his strong negative comments regarding homosexuals and homosexuality. The thing I've heard virtually EVERY talking head say is that "I don't condone his remarks" (paraphrased) followed by their point supporting (rare) Hardaway's opinion or right to express it or the more frequent condemnation and excoriation. Of course they are sure to have thier kid race gloves on if they don't happen to be black.
I'll grant that Hardaway's comments were harsh and even intemperate. He probably could have expressed the opinion with more skill and tact. So what? It is HIS OPINION and he is entitled to it. He is a free person. The NBA is free (though stupid) to exclude him from their activities. It is a FREE COUNTRY and so many of the talking heads, "activists", professional offense takers and lawyers who feed on them don't know that. Or wish it wasn't.
I completely *
CONDONE* Hardaway's remarks and opinions. Condone means, "To overlook, forgive, or disregard (an offense) without protest or censure." Something many won't acknowledge is that Hardaway's opinion is shared by a large proportion of Americans. Probably not exactly and many would deny any "phobia" associated with their dislike and/or disapproval of homosexuality. It is an aberrant lifestyle choice and many if not most people recognize that. Some people's opposition/dislike/disgust is more visceral than others. Hardaway obviously disapproves of it and wants the behavior to not be around him. Others (such as I) simply want to oppose governmental and societal endorsement/approval of it in law. People's sexual preferences are their own business but that doesn't require others to approve of it or protect it by law. I'm not in favor of laws against homosexual practices between consenting adults even though a strong public health case could be made. I am against redefining age-old institutions and against the cultural push to approve of homosexuality and to equate an aberrant (physiologically) practice with heterosexuality. I'm against trying to legislate people's thoughts and opinions by government. Private (or psuedo-private) enterprises such as the NBA may decide to exclude or punish people for incorrect thoughts and speech but are stupid to do so. People and businesses are free to be stupid.
I don't endorse or agree with Hardaway's opinions necessarily and I certainly don't agree with his means of communicating them but I certainly condone the free and honest speech of all Americans. It is amazing to see the intolerance of those screaming loudest for tolerance.