How Sincere Is Kyrie’s “Apology” and Joe Rogan’s Weird Lie
Undermining Education, GOP Pol Says Giving Birth Perfectly Safe, MT Greene Threatens to Go After Businesses that Don’t Donate to GOP, & More
People are always talking about the great sacrifices of limbs and lives that have been made in the name of democracy. Yet, so many teary-eyed “patriots” will spend more time and money on lottery tickets than on electing good candidates. They complain that all candidates are the same, so it doesn’t matter. If they really believe that, then they have to know that they’re the same because you let them be the same.
To put it all in perspective, about 50% of Americans buy lottery tickets (the average lottery ticket consumer spends $1,038 per year on tickets), while 5% donate to political campaigns.
Your vote is precious, don’t squander it on liars and dunces.
Sports: When the Principal Makes You Apologize for Bullying
NBA’s Kyrie Irving Apologizes for Antisemitic Post After Brooklyn Nets Issue Suspension: Everything to Know (US Magazine)
Summary: Four hours after the NBA suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five games following his antisemitic posts on social media, Irving issued an apology. before that, the Nets issued a statement: “We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify. Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”
Kyrie then posted an apology on Instagram:
“To all Jewish families and communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled antisemitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish brothers and sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the documentary. I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against antisemitism by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the documentary I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all.”
My Take: Everyone loves a redemption story (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Best of Enemies, American History X). Me too. I really hope this is one. But I’m skeptical of any apology that comes only after a suspension and the threat of even more punishment, including Nike suspending their relationship with him. Is he saving his soul—or his career?
It doesn’t really matter whether or not Irving’s apology is sincere. That was never the actual goal here. It is not within anyone’s power to make Irving understand the errors in his thinking. That is up to him. But it is within the Nets’ and NBA’s power to punish the errors in his behavior—and others who would follow—which was broadcasting hate speech to millions. That is the main goal: to stop athletes with influence from promoting hate speech to their millions of followers. Hopefully, this suspension made that statement.