"No Vietcong ever called me ni*ger"

[WilliamPitt]

That was Muhammad Ali, another athlete who should have kept his mouth shut, kept his politics to himself, and just played his non-partisan sport like a good boy.

It was Muhammad Ali who, just hours after he won the title, threw aside his 'slave name' Cassius Clay and declared himself a member of the Nation of Islam. He should never have done so non-partisan a thing so soon after so large a sporting event.

He should definitely have allowed himself to be drafted. If he didn't, he should have accepted the censure he received from the boxing commission like a good boy. He should never have given speeches all across the country, and he should never have taken his drive to get his title back all the way to the Supreme Court. That was so wrong.

Or, in other words, this Curt Schilling issue is absolute crap. He said "Vote Bush."

Big fucking deal.

For years, I have wished athletes would become more socially active, like Ali and Jim Brown and others. Imagine the effect if Michael Jordan, at the height of his fame, had done a widely distributed commercial saying, simply, "Get out and vote."

If you're going to support the right to free speech, you will occasionally have to deal with opinions you don't like. That is the first price of entry. I despise what Schilling said, and if I had him in front of me, I'd ask him why his attention-whoring ass is ruining one of the better moments in my life.

But I am not going to boycott him for speaking his mind. Athlete or not, he has the right to do so. He even has the right to be an asshole and shill for Bush in New Hampshire.

You want to let him know you disagree? Go assert your own rights and protest his ass wherever he goes in the Granite State. Voice your own opinion.

[Bluebear]

1. Sorry. He killed my buzz. And that's not crap.

He said this the minute his ass hit Boston this morning. I stayed up all night last night I was so excited. I don't need Michelle Kwan to hear 5.8 5.9 5.9 and her say "VOTE KERRY!" or Tiger Woods to strut off the 18th green and say "VOTE NADER!". Schilling used his status to divide Red Sox Nation. If he had become "socially active" a week later it would have been fine with me. But he killed my buzz. I wonder if him getting a 15 million dollar bonus for winning the series has anything to do with his newfound tout?

[WilliamPitt]

5. So we're going to start boycotting people who 'kill your buzz'?

Seems like a pretty low standard.

[KoKo]

14. Do you like the guy? What's with this big defense of him?

:shrug:

[WilliamPitt]

25. Congress shall make no law

... respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[KoKo]

26. OFGS....maybe he will get a statue on the WH Lawn.....really Pitt...you

can do better than this...

[WilliamPitt]

51. Did I lose my right to have an opinion, too?

[fujiyama]

71. People are worried

He can swing NH, where he is campaigning for Bush.

That's understandable. It's a close state and it could make a difference. The way he said it was arrogant as well, "I think EVERYONE should vote for Bush".

Guess What Schilling? Not everyone wants to think the same way you do you fundy freak.

And this is not a free speech issue, just as it wasn't when fans became disappointed with the Dixie Chicks. I thought they were crude to go out and destroy their CDs, and I was disturbed moreso by Clear Channel organizing the rallies to do so, but a fan has every right to buy, or not buy a product or support or not support an organization based on their political views.

[incapsulated]

75. Then we need...

A Dem from that team or another New England team to counter-campaign!

I don't think he is really going to change anyone's vote, though. I love my sports heros. As sports heros. Not as political advisors. I think most people feel the same way. Especially in NH where they are likely to meet the next President knocking on their door every other election. That's a tough crowd.

[I Lean Left]

48. And you quoted this

to support our right to bitch and scream about Schilling? As far as I can tell the gov't has nothing to do with this discussion.

[a kennedy]

52. This is why I come to DU WilliamPitt,

to remember the rights EVERYONE has. Thank you for reminding me. *hugs so tight*

[demwing]

86. NO ONE is asking the government to intervene, Will!

Of COURSE he has the right to speak his mind. He even has the right to be wrong! I don't think any one of would suggest that he be boycotted for engaging in a little free speech.

It's the CONTENT of his speech that offends me, not the excercise thereof.

Shilling didn't ruin my high, because I don't get high from the World Series. He threatened my peace, and the future peace of my children, by using his moment of fame to sway people towards the worst president ever selected to the office.

Let me take that a step further, Shilling isn't just supporting a bad president, he's supporting a bad MAN who stole the presidency.

Fuck George W. Bush, and fuck every jackass that tells America to vote for his fascist, idiot, war mongering ass.

Shilling has the right to speak his mind, but only if he accepts the responsibility of the consequences of his actions. After all, free speech in America isn't really free. It was paid for, in advance, by the blood of patriots past and present.

Now let Mr. Shilling pay for his speech as well.

[LibertyorDeath]

94. Very well said

"It's the CONTENT of his speech that offends me, not the excercise thereof.

Shilling didn't ruin my high, because I don't get high from the World Series. He threatened my peace, and the future peace of my children, by using his moment of fame to sway people towards the worst president ever selected to the office."

[Bluebear]

17. Are you a Dunkin Donuts shareholder or something?

I didn't say anything about a boycott. I said he sucked the air out of time of joy for me.

[Career Prole]

16. Mine too, PT...mine too.

Maybe he didn't realize the boss was a Democrat.
That helped me get my buzz back. :)
http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=Henry%2C+John+W&txtState=FL&txtZip=&txtEmploy=&txtCand=&txt2004=Y&Order=N

[The Traveler]

2. Righteous

Well said, Will. Free speech ... we all have that right, and if we all don't, then we are screwed. Schilling's right to demonstrate his naivety and ignorance in public is sacred to me! (Down, Robg, down.)

[beniciodeltoro]

3. NO no no no no!!! Ali was right, Schilling is a fuck up!

Schilling should have shut the fuck up.

[Eugene]

38. I don't like his politics but Schilling is a hero ON THE FIELD.

I respect what he did for the Red Sox.
I also respect his right to his sincerely
held opinion, however misguided.

Otherwise he his just another celebrity
with an opinion.

:dem:

[Spiffarino]

77. Bzzzt! Wrong.

That's like saying you should shut up, or I should shut up. He has his right to say what he thinks, and I'm glad he did even if I didn't like what he said. And now that I know he's a Kool-Aid drinker, I can ignore anything he says.

Free speech is a good thing. It helps us weed out assholes!

[KoKo]

4. He got a "payoff." To ruin the BoSox win which was bad for the Chimp...

I think your defending him is okay. If that's what you needed to do to make a "moral" point. But he's only been with BoSox for a year and now he's "on the road with Bush?"

I could understand if he hadn't "gone on the road" and forgiven it.

But, never mind. The REAL WIN was over the Yankees in the "Playoffs." The rest was anti-climatic because they were the BEST team this year...deserved to win...but the Playoffs were the REAL Celebration.

Schilling is a toady Shill.. His name comes out of Dickens..

Blech to him.

edited for typo's.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

11. Well, there starts another jinx. Hope it is not as long as the

last one. Anybody getting on board with Bushy right now is just thumbing their nose at the baseball gods. If I was Shilling, I'd stay out of thunderstorms, wouldn't walk under ladders and avoid black cats.

[Cha]

28. You make a good point about him only being

with the Red Sox for a year and now he's doing his best to ruin for Kerry.

Yeah, curt(Jesus loves only me)schilling can say all he wants about bush but I hope he doesn't lose faith when Kerry wins!

And God answered our prayers, instead!

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. "Big fucking deal" is right

If the asshole wants to use his 3 seconds to say something stupid, I guess that's his due. I could think a number of other much more worthy remarks he could have made, but he isn't much of a wit, so that's what we got.

[Bluebear]

9. 3 seconds?

Schilling is campaigning with Bush tomorrow in New Hampshire, a tenuous swing state, coming through the heart of Red Sox nation to divide us. Sorry, it is a big deal to me.

[The_Casual_Observer]

21. Who's mind is that boob going to change?

Let's see, a guy is going to the voting booth, and says "Hmmmmmm Schilling said to vote for bush....I'll do that!" They would vote for chimp anyway. Forget the asshole.

[KoKo]

24. Agree, he rubs folks face in his "love and toadying" for Bush ...let him

Schill...he's not the issue but the GLORY of such a wonderful win over the curse and giving us Democrats a chance for hope that we can beat the Chimp down. Schilling reminds me of the "Media" who will go after Kerry/Edwards when they win, relentlessly like they always do. He's got his few days of fame. The rest of the team deserve the credit...he's "one year wonder," who will take his money and build a 15,000 square foot house with a swimming pool in an exclusive area with guard dogs to protect his "privacy" with his money.

[Bluebear]

30. He's got that already. He bought Drew Bledsoe's old spread.

[Count Popeula]

7. The average pro athelete...

has more money than brains. Bush refers to such people as his base. It shouldn't be a real surprise that they like Bush.

[frank frankly]

19. that's a pretty nasty, broad statement there, Count.

and I disagree. that's like saying all manual laborers are stupid, which is also completely wrong.

they are smart enough to remember plays, organized enough to stay in incredible shape, keep themselves together on the road, do interviews with an antagonistical (at times) press...how many of these things are you smart enough to do?

[rockydem]

He's a taint on the team

At least Ali earned his titles himself. Kurt is using the victory (and it's not just his) to piss on the hometown boy. It's fucking disgusting. A shout out out or two for * is ok - but heading on the campaign trail with * is not.

The Red Sox are tainted now IMO.

Tainted.

Fuck Schilling, and fuck the Red Sox for not at least voicing disapproval about it.

[incapsulated]

8. eh, let it go...

I've tried, there is no logic behind this reaction to Schilling. Now he's "human garbage" because he's voiced support for Bush. Just like the Dixie Chicks are "traitors" who should make public apologies for having the oppposite opinion.

The sad thing is that this has been such a buzzkill after the Series win. I wish he could've kept his mouth shut until after the parade, at least. Let the fans have their day to love you as a player, and enjoy the victory for a while without thinking about politics. But I guess that was impossible this time around.

*sigh*

[rockydem]

13. Kurt *immediatly* injected his personal politics into the team win

and he's pissing on the hometown boy.

It's fucking disgusting - and if fellow players or people in the Red Sox don't speak up then they are fucking weak...weak...as.....fuck.....

[incapsulated]

23. What if the opposite happened?

And he IMMEDIATELY endorsed Kerry? Propping up the "hometown boy"?

Would he be a worthless shit then? Should the Sox censure him then?

How nice for you that you alone can decide when and where and who gets to practice free speech.

[Bluebear]

27. It's inappropriate no matter who he would have endorsed

Sports is a refuge from politics. This was not the time nor place. He might have waited and campaigned for Bush....oh wait he's doing that tomorrow in New Hampshire.

[incapsulated]

36. There is no "refuge from politics", unfortunately.

Wasn't one of the owners of the Sox campaigning for Kerry, earlier?

We are political animals and this is the mother of all elections. As disappointing as it is, even the Series win will be "tainted".

It's sad that Sox fans can't enjoy their win without politics involved, but it was there from the start because Kerry is such a big fan. What if Bush was a big fan of your team? How would you feel?

That's life, we are just trying to get on with it...

[a kennedy]

64. No this series will never be tainted in the record books.

The Sox did the unconscionable thing of getting rid of the Yankees, coming from 3 games down to win their division. Then they rid the curse forever from Boston by annihilating the Cardinals in a sweep. No this World Series will never be tainted by one player of the winning team saying he's going to vote for so 'n so. The result of his opinion will be manifested when history writes, the election of 04 was the biggest turning point in the history of the United States.

[incapsulated]

67. That's not what I meant

I meant the moment, the period of time around the Series, has been "tainted" with politics, not that history will remember any of this, lol.

[a kennedy]

70. *blushing* sorry.....

[incapsulated]

74. No prob...

Nothing can take anything away from the Sox and their victory!

:hi:

[rockydem]

31. Like I said - a shout out or two is ok - but campaigning right after

the world series is BS - even if he didit for Kerry it would make me feel uncomfortable...

But Schilling is scum - he represents a team - and a city - and he's deliberately pissing on the hometown boy. That makes it even WORSE. He's trading off of the team's victory (and one Boston has waited for for a long time).

At least a Boxer represents himself, and himself only.

Schilling is a typical freeper - he has NO CLASS.

Of course he has the right to do what he wants - but the Red Sox should disassociate themselves from this classless fool. He's using their victory.

[incapsulated]

39. As I said...

I read that the Sox owner was campaigning for Kerry, so you can't have it both ways.

Schilling is free to campaign for Bush just the same. Just like any celebrity is. You are free to hate his freeper guts, too. That's America!

[Bluebear]

41. The sox owner did not land at Logan this morning....

get off the plane and say "Enjoy the win, Red Sox Nation! And don't forget to vote Kerry!"

The following took place not an hour after the plane landed, from our hallowed Fenway Park:

>>GIBSON: "Well, well said, Curt and Shonda. You both have certainly lifelong membership now in the Red Sox nation. It was a great thing to watch, and I think everybody – whether they were great Red Sox fans or not -- had to admire what this team did. It was extraordinary, and one of the great stories of sport. And sport always produces such great stories. Curt, Shonda, great to have you with us. Congratulations."

SCHILLING: "And make sure you tell everybody to vote, and vote Bush next week." <<

[incapsulated]

47. And what if he did?

There are plenty of Kerry supporters that are famous. They have been in the media and on the news touting Kerry's virtues. Should they be criticized for using their celebrity status for political reasons?

I'm not going to argue with you that what Schilling did was low class, divisive and tactless. That he ruined what should be a great momemt for the fans, whatever their politics, by inserting his plug for Bush at an inappropriate time.

But as I said, you can hate his guts, but it's his right to be an asshole.

[Bluebear]

57. I did not call for stifling him.

He killed my World Series buzz and screw him. :)

[incapsulated]

62. I don't blame ya

Don't let him ruin it. He's just one guy. The whole team won, and not just them, all the long suffering Sox fans. It's your win!

Congrats! :hi:

[Bluebear]

63. Appreciate it friend!

[saracat]

56. I think he is human garbage foe endorsing Bush.

But I think anyone who endorses Bush is human garbage.He isn't any different and I reserve my right to say so!

[LTR]

10. I agree

What makes this country great is the diversity of opinions. I'm thankful that we have the right to actually choose candidates, and it would be a travesty if there were only one real party to choose from, even if that party was the Democratic Party. A multi-party system is essential for keeping everyone in check. Without competition, is there really any incentive to reach out to the people?

As for Schilling promoting Bush, big friggin' deal! I have never had a problem with celebrities speaking out politically, since they have just as much right to thier opinions as I do or anyone else does.

My opinion is, whoever a person feels strongly about is who they should vote for. I'd like them to vote for Kerry, but people do what they do and believe what they believe for a reason. And the ability to disagree with each other is what really makes America great. I've never believed in over-the-top vengeful anger and acts of violence to get across a political opinion. That's third world bullshit.

[jadedcherub]

12. Your point is fine and well,

But I hardly think "Vote Bush" is in any way similar to a statement about racial treatment in this country such as what Ali was doing, while at the same time he also was reaching out to an enemy in a war we didn't belong in. His opinion was stated on an issue, and an ethic.

"throw off his slave name" and declaring himself a member of the Nation of Islam is much different than expressing presidential support; he was making a statment again about racial civil liberties, racism, oppression. Had Curt Schilling said something based on values, or ethic (even ones I disagreed with) that would be one thing. I think you can still press your point, but I dislike the how you presented it.

Your comparison is a helluva stretch.

[WilliamPitt]

20. Agreed. 'Twas to a purpose.

What Ali said and did was waaaay more dramatic, inflammatory and important...and just about everyone on the board would label him 'hero' for it because we agree with what he did and why he did it to one degree or another.

Schilling said "Vote Bush" and is being called 'human garbage' and 'fascist' and getting comapred to Hitler here...because most people here don't agree with him. If you want a stretch, there it is.

[jadedcherub]

32. ...Hmm.

I don't disagree with the second paragraph, but I certainly don't think that we would label him 'hero' simply because we agree with him. I believe that honestly, most people would look back at what Ali did and recognize it for it's positive qualities. It is, perhaps in retrospect, an obvious 'good.'

That's the point I am trying to impress upon you. What Ali did most would consider to be 'good,' regardless of their political leanings. His was a statement of equality, justice, and peace; perhaps it wasn't recognized for it's objective good then that it is now, it is nevertheless outside the boundaries of partisan politics.

The statement made by Schilling, on the other hand, was not based on any general value or ethical statement. It was an obvious partisan comment made after a 'non-partisan' sporting event. I dunno. Again, I agree that people make to much of a deal about it, all I'm trying to say is that...

Look. Muhammad Ali he ain't.

.jc.

[rockydem]

43. you're making excuses

there is no excuse...

[sonicx]

15. everyone has double standards somewhere

some have em with celebs supporting politians. I do. I don't care.

that said, I'm not a BB fan, so the guy can shill for whoever he wants.

[knowbody0]

18. so true

listening takes loads of patience and tolerance
dialog is the only way to treaties
we need to hear the other side ALWAYS

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

22. Another thread on this issue?

[Uzybone]

29. Wow...lets get over Schilling

He is a right wing moron. And a great and gutsy pitcher. Lets end it there. There really is no need to boycott anything, but there is no need to have to keep loving him now that he has exposed himself on national TV to be a Bush loving idiot.

[Howardx]

33. jeez, who cares?

schilling isnt gonna singlehandedly defeat kerry with his statement or his stumping.

[Bluebear]

35. So if he tips a couple thousand working stiffs in NH

by going around the state with Bush tomorrow, where Red Sox fever is at an all time high, this isn't anything to worry about?

[Howardx]

40. do you think new englanders

are gonna just forget about the last four years and vote bush just because the red sox won? like will said its the ugly side of free speech. i bet freeper springsteen fans are just as righteously angry today.

[Bluebear]

42. I live in New Hampshire

We are working hard to get Kerry elected. It is close. Schilling is a hero. He made an immediate celebrity endorsement. I can understand why this is no big deal to some, but it is not "crap" to some of us. :)

[Howardx]

45. admittedly

im not in new england and just got on the sox bandwagon because the dodgers failed miserably this year so perhaps you see this issue as more important than i do. for the record i never said "crap";)

[Bluebear]

49. I know you didn't

And we have plenty of room on the bandwagon. The OP said the issue was crap. :toast:

[Howardx]

60. it was a great ride

best baseball ive seen in a long while. im sorry some of you feel schilling's statement tainted it, i dont see it that way myself. good luck in NH next week!

[Bluebear]

66. Thanks Jonesy

We are working hard to make NH blue!

[sbj405]

53. Exactly, anyone dumb enough to vote based on baseball players endorsement

was probably dumb enough to already be voting for *.

Hmm wonder where Tom Brady(who had never voted, btw) has been since his buddy buddy moment at the State of the Union?

[Lars39]

34. His endorsement of Bush has consequences.

Stem cell research. If Schilling truly wanted to support stem cell research, he'd be endorsing Kerry, not Bush. Schilling is a big donor for Lou Gehrig disease research, but his endorsement of Bush doesn't seem to follow through on his commitment.

[VOX]

37. Ali was stripped of his title and livelihood for speaking **his** mind...

The mentality of the men who threw the book at Ali for speaking his mind in 1966 is the ***very same mentality*** that Shilling is pimping for.

Ali was protesting an entire war. Schilling is scrabbling for votes, in a very opportunistic way, for a radical right-wing president, in an election that's only days away.

Of course Shilling can say whatever he wants to, he has that right.

Ali had that right, too, and he was sentenced to five years in prison (overturned on appeal three years later), stripped of his title, and not allowed to participate in his livlihood-craft during three of his prime years.

Sticking to the high road a is noble ideal, something to be strived for, but while our country rapidly degenerates into a fundamentalist-fascist state, I will not necessarily stick to the high road. Not when our two-party system and our very basic rights are at stake.

[AntiCoup2K4]

44. I'll say this much in Schilling's defense

At least he said "Vote Bush" and was done with it. He didn't go on and on with a string of hateful neocon fascist bullshit like Ron Silver, Ed Koch or Zell Miller. All of whom still claim to be Democrats, incidentally, which Schilling doesn't.

Anyway, just as Steve Largent can be one of the greatest recievers in NFL history, yet still practice some sickening politics, the same will have to be said of Kurt Schilling the pitcher vs Schilling the Busheep.

And I'm sure Pat Robertson will have him on the 700 Club tomorrow :puke:

[Rose Siding]

46. You have nerve comparing those two

Ali took a stand. Schilling is serving his millions or his ignorance.

You want respect for that? No.

[Lefty48197]

50. Bill Walton was very active in the anti-war movement too

.

[VOX]

54. Okay, Will: A newbie posts "Vote Bush" on DU. How long does he last?

Would not such an expression constitute an inappropriate behavior on DU, and carry the consequence of being tombstoned?

Have we thus violated the newbie's free speech? Is it just a "big fucking deal," and he should therefore not be tombstoned?

IMO, it all boils down to time and place. Shilling's surfing the Sox Nation tide in an opportunistic manner, and, while speaking his opinion, is doing what he can to elect a right-wing government.

He can speak, certainly. But you're damned right I'm going to object to what he says.

Strenuously.

[WilliamPitt]

58. False premise

The DU rules make it clear what is and is not acceptable here. Anyone signing up to post here must agree to those rules.

Outside the confines of DU, the First Amendment is the rule. Your comparison fails.

[VOX]

68. All right, then -- what if Shilling said "Vote for Hitler?"

I'm **kidding**, Will! ;-)

I hear what your saying. I guess what bothers me so much is that the administration that Shilling supports (possibly in a somewhat naive manner) is running our country into the ground, pushing an immoral war, fouling the planet, tapping the communal till, and God knows what else.

It's hard as hell (read impossible) to sit idly by when your house is clearly on fire.

[coreystone]

55. Has anyone done any research concerning.....

the outcome of a Presidential election and election day occurring six days after a full moon? Inquiring New Englanders Want to Know!

rEAlLY!

:crazy:

[rockydem]

59. Ali was going to get his ass DRAFTED

He didn't win the heavy-weight championship and then the next day run out on the campaign trail.

Besides as I've already noted - Schilling represents a team, and a city. Fuck Schilling - he's scum.

[Carolina]

61. sorry Will but you're way off base this time

Ali has/had zip in common with Curt! The situations were totally different. Ali was right in his protest against our last misguided war; his claim that no Viet Cong had ever called him a niggah was right on the mark! Curt is not about to be shipped off to war or in anyway threatened by an unjust system. He's exercising his free speech ... which is OK too. But unlike Ali, Curt is an ass!

You're comparing apples to oranges and you're wrong.

[meow mix]

65. is it Kurt or Curt? and he told me to vote for more of this?

and now he's ali? whoa..
i guess thats sort of a martha stewart/nelson mandela type thing going on there.

[I Lean Left]

69. Not a first amendment issue

Teachers getting arrested at a Bush rally for wearing shirts that say "Protect My Civil Rights" is a first amendment issue. A jerk using the success of his team and the exultation of its fans to unexpectedly promote his personal political agenda is not. It's insulting and selfish and boorish. The government certainly has no right to restrict it, but we are very right to condemn it.

[Rebellious Republican]

72. Myself being a white southern middle aged male, and you being a northerner

probably do not understand the connotation of the word "Boy" when referencing people of color down here.

"he should have accepted the censure he received from the boxing commission like a good boy".

Some may take that the wrong way Will, you might as well have said..

"Like a good Niga" (imagine a slow southern draw) as in "Toby be a good Niga".

:wow:

[coreystone]

73. If we only support our democracy for those with whom we agree..

then, we have no democracy. If we don't defend the right of those to exercise the freedoms mentioned in POST#25, then someone will have to redefine those freedoms that we feel BushCo is undermining; and, are so nauseated by.

"25. Congress shall make no law... respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

:boring:

[Zorra]

76. I am not going to boycott Schilling for speaking his mind.

I am going to boycott him because he asked the people of my country to support the unelected murderous despot that is destroying my country.

Bu$h has killed tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of innocent people.

The difference between Ali and Schilling is that, Ali's way, no one gets killed.

I realize that Schilling is just another stupid jock that pretends to be a christian, and who believes that it is just peachy to send others to be maimed and die for him and the war and his glorious leader so he can make a big pile of cash, but hey....ya know....Curt Schilling can just go fuck himself.

Yeah, of course he has a right to express his opinions, he has the right to say Hitler and Stalin were heroes and that their policies were wonderful if he wants.

And I have the right to boycott him for being part of the destruction of my country, and supporting a fascist dictator like Bu$h.

[Howardx]

78. how are you gonna boycott him?

not buy his jersey? not support the sox (assuming you do)?

[meow mix]

80. uhhhh.. will said it best in the opener

this part..

"You want to let him know you disagree? Go assert your own rights and protest his ass wherever he goes in the Granite State. Voice your own opinion."

[Howardx]

81. slight difference

between protesting and boycotting. i just wondered how the poster planned on "boycotting" a single baseball player.

[meow mix]

92. oh fine, split hairs then

i still like wills option best but it should be carried out nationally. =)

[Zorra]

87. If I had the chance to go to a game and he was pitching,

I would not go.

The thing is, IMO, we have to make it clear to people (this is an analogy) that it is wrong to be a "nazi" or to support "nazi" leaders.

Bu$h is a genuinely evil, dangerous person that has killed a whole lot of people. Supporting him is little or no different than supporting someone like Hitler or Pol Pot.

In all honesty, I would not associate with my parents if they supported Bu$h. Bu$h is a cold blooded mass murderer.

[Howardx]

88. so what youre saying is

you would essentially boycott any team schilling was on.

[Spiffarino]

79. You most certainly do.

The only question was should he or shouldn't he have endorsed Boosh. You answered that most eloquently. Now that you know what he's about, you can act as you see fit.

You are what I'd call a real American. </truth>

[meow mix]

82. support rush limbaugh, um because i say so..

he has a right to express his opinion.
and you will support him for that and try to help his career, and give him money too.

[Bluebear]

84. Come again?

>support rush limbaugh, um because i say so.
he has a right to express his opinion.
and you will support him for that and try to help his career, and give him money too.<

[meow mix]

91. oops yes your right , that goes for coulter too..

doesnt she play golf?

[Arkana]

83. Somehow I get the feeling

that Boston fans are a LITTLE too hungover to notice who Curt is voting for.

[leftofthedial]

85. he has the first amendment right to say vote for satan if he wants

and I have the right to say he is an asshole and a hypocrite.

and I have the right to "boycott" him for any reason I choose (and being a fascist is a plenty good one).

I don't get your point.

[Bluebear]

90. Asshole & hypocrite works.

[leftofthedial]

97. I absolutely get the point about Ali

but this seems like a preemptive Schilling defense against something that hasn't even happened.

I think it's great that every person uses whatever "pulpit" they have to exercise their free speech rights, but that doesn't make them or their opinions immune from criticism.

[SoCalDem]

89. If this is for an article, I spotted a slight "boo-boo"

It was Muhammad Ali who, just hours after he won the title, threw aside his 'slave name' Cassius Clay and declared himself a member of the Nation of Islam. He should never have done so non-partisan a thing so soon after so large a sporting event.


what he did was VERY partisan..:)

[Nexus7]

93. Um.. not comparable

There's a difference between taking a stand on being drafted into the Vietnam War, and a gratuitous endorsement in a presidential election.

Schilling was on TV because he was in the championship team, not because of some political event. In that context, his 2 bits were certainly uncalled for.

[Generic Other]

95. If Kerry loses doesn't the sox curse go back in effect again?

Why would some dumb jock want to go and risk that, eh?

[sir_captain]

96. Why are you getting so upset about this?

I don't think the vast majority of people are censuring Schilling's right to free speech--hardly. But they are, rightly, calling him an asshole--just like they'd call anyone on TV who said "vote Bush" an asshole. He gets bashed more because he's a celeb. It was inappropriate for him to use a sports interview to espouse his political views, though it was not "wrong" and certainly isn't illegal. He absolutely has every right to be an asshole, and I similarly have every right to call him one. So where's the disagreement?

[Bluebear]

98. Goody! 11 pm Boston news: "Why one Sox is making a PITCH for Bush!"

Make it stopppppppppppppp

[ydya]

99. I have a question for those who are defending Shilling for

misusing the forum he was in. If the Daytona 500 was held this week and the winner had said this when interviewed about the race the next day, OR if the Yankees had won the world series and A-Rod had done the same thing Curt "Shill"-ing had done, would you have responded with the same equanimity?
In my opinion, I dont think so. I think the fact that he played a significant role in the Sox winning after 86 years is clouding at least some people's opinion.

Also, I think comparing this to Ali is comical and insulting. Ali had a lot on the line and he was an independent contractor.
Shill is a paid employee of the BoSox and was participating in an interview regarding the team's success.

While I think he had the right to say what he said, I also think it was absolutely bush-league (pun intended) of him to exploit that forum.