Tim Hardaway hates gays … so be it
Basketball player Tim Hardaway was asked the other day about his views on gay players in the NBA. He said:
“Well, you know, I hate gay people. So I let it be known I don’t like gay people. I don’t like to be around gay people. You know, I’m homophobic. I don’t like it. It should be (unintelligible) in the world for that or in the United States for it. So, yeah, I don’t like it.”
Okay, that’s his views. After calls from a gay rights organization, fans, and God only knows who else, Hardaway pulled a Barack Obama: pulled his tail between his legs, bowed to the whining of others, and apologized.
What is it with people today? Sure, Hardaway came across sounding like an uneducated goof, but if he doesn’t like, or, even if he does “hate” homosexuals and lesbians, who cares? It’s his life. Here in the U.S. we have this funky thing called the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It means people have several rights, including:
- right to redress of grievances
- right to peaceably assemble
- freedom of religion
- freedom of the press
- freedom of speech
Where in there do you see “right to not be offended” — show me that!
If you have the right to free speech, guess what? That means someone is going to be offended. Yes, that means you will be offended, by someone, some day. Perhaps, even, every day of your life. That’s the great thing about the freedom of speech.
Why must people act like others need to live in this whitewashed world where no one should ever be offended? This is not Utopia, nor will it ever be. This is real life.
The political-correctness police aren’t welcome here. The PC cronies aren’t welcome anywhere near me. In fact, I go out of my way to offend the PC crowd. Yes, at times I really go out of my way just to get them angered at me. It’s just something that gives me this inner smile.
It seems that the PC crowd wants ”free speech” on its terms. Just don’t offend. But by not offending or speaking fully and freely, many others are offended, as many things would never be said. If Hardaway didn’t speak his mind, no one would know he doesn’t like gays. Is that something everyone should know? That depends. If he wants others to know, it’s his right. If he wants to keep it a closely-guarded secret, that’s his right, too.
If people are gay, so be it. If people don’t like you because you’re gay, guess what? It shouldn’t be shocking, nor should it be breaking news. Just because an NBA player said he doesn’t like gays doesn’t mean you have the right to try to browbeat him into some sort of apology. Ah, but you did. Do you feel better with his lie? I hope so, because one thing I can tell you: he sure didn’t have a change of heart overnight.
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