Say Anything Blog

Just so we’re clear, the union is fine with the players in the league who are criminals (both petty and not so petty), but a man who engages in a perfectly legal business enterprise and is only controversial in so far as he uses his 1st amendment rights to voice opinions others disagree with somehow isn’t fit to participate in the league?

In an e-mail to the union’s executive committee on Saturday specifically addressing Limbaugh’s bid, [Players Union Executive Director DeMaurice] Smith said, “I’ve spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages. But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred.”

Limbaugh and St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts are among six potential ownership groups that have discussed buying the Rams. League sources say the current sale price has ranged from $700-to-$750 million but that there did not appear to be an imminent transaction.

On Sunday, Smith briefly elaborated, “This communication is more about what we stand for than the reality of our role in any franchise sale. While it’s true the subject matter was related [to Limbaugh’s bid], I do understand that the NFL does not present ownership bids to me or the NFLPA. I encourage our players to express their views.”

Glad to see that these liberals are tolerant of other people’s beliefs.  By the way, ESPN saw fit to include at the end of their article the fact that there are some black people who want to buy into the team as well.

Limbaugh has expressed a number of controversial racial ideas in the past. For example, he suggested that Gen. Colin Powell supported Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy simply because he was black, and he also stated that the media wants black quarterbacks to do well and that Donovan McNabb doesn’t deserve much of the credit he has received for the Eagles’ success.

Among the half-dozen interested buyers of the Rams, there are strong African-American ownership groups interested in buying the Rams, including businessmen Donald Watkins and Dave Steward.

First, Limbaugh wasn’t wrong about Powell or McNabb.  Second, what does the skin color of potential buyers matter?  Is the suggestion here that these black men interested in buying the team have a more valid purchase offer than Limbaugh because they’re black and he’s not?

I thought liberals wanted a color blind society?

Discriminating against Limbaugh because of his political beliefs is no better than discriminating against him, or anyone else, because of his skin color or religion or what have you.

Update: On a related note, DeMaurice Smith was a member of Obama’s transition team.  On the Justice Department and Civil Rights team, specifically.