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The Professor · 10-29-2006, 04:36 PM

Personally, I think it is a non-story.

I am sure I will be proven wrong by angry interest groups, but to be honest it is a phrase that I still use once in a while when I'm not thinking. I was chatting with a gay co-worker once and let slip a "well...that's gay" comment. I think I then blushed about 50 deep shades of red and we laughed it off because a) he recognized it was harmless and b) at least with me it was just an unfortunate habit of speech that I picked up somewhere.

Clearly that is not a good excuse, but there really was nothing behind my usage other than sheer stupid habit. It certainly didn't (and doesn't) reflect my views in any way.

Soooo, I'd hope this flies under the radar. The announcer needs to watch himself and take care not to say stupid things whether it be a bad habit or something that stems from unfortunate (IMO) views. I don't think he should be fired - but I do think he would be wise to defuse the situation should it escalate; apologize, whatever it takes. If they decide to fire him, well, it reeks of PC to me, but I can certainly see why they would do so even if I don't agree.

I can make a stupid comment among friends/co-workers and they know me well enough to shrug it off as just that - a stupid comment. A professional broadcaster/sportscaster isn't that lucky.

(And I'm not entirely sure how this has anything to do with "Free Speech")

EDIT: After all that, well, there is a bit of a contextual difference. I said it because my vocabularly was Grade-A lousy (and lazy) and I was using it as a substitute for "stupid/dumb" ( I think we were discussing 'Futurama' or some other movie/TV show.) This guy used it a little differently (and after the vocal change discussing soft hands etc.)...so, uh, whatever. Carry on.

Where's that rambling smiley when you need it?

10-29-2006, 04:36 PM	#16
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	Personally, I think it is a non-story. I am sure I will be proven wrong by angry interest groups, but to be honest it is a phrase that I still use once in a while when I'm not thinking. I was chatting with a gay co-worker once and let slip a "well...that's gay" comment. I think I then blushed about 50 deep shades of red and we laughed it off because a) he recognized it was harmless and b) at least with me it was just an unfortunate habit of speech that I picked up somewhere. Clearly that is not a good excuse, but there really was nothing behind my usage other than sheer stupid habit. It certainly didn't (and doesn't) reflect my views in any way. Soooo, I'd hope this flies under the radar. The announcer needs to watch himself and take care not to say stupid things whether it be a bad habit or something that stems from unfortunate (IMO) views. I don't think he should be fired - but I do think he would be wise to defuse the situation should it escalate; apologize, whatever it takes. If they decide to fire him, well, it reeks of PC to me, but I can certainly see why they would do so even if I don't agree. I can make a stupid comment among friends/co-workers and they know me well enough to shrug it off as just that - a stupid comment. A professional broadcaster/sportscaster isn't that lucky. (And I'm not entirely sure how this has anything to do with "Free Speech") EDIT: After all that, well, there is a bit of a contextual difference. I said it because my vocabularly was Grade-A lousy (and lazy) and I was using it as a substitute for "stupid/dumb" ( I think we were discussing 'Futurama' or some other movie/TV show.) This guy used it a little differently (and after the vocal change discussing soft hands etc.)...so, uh, whatever. Carry on. Where's that rambling smiley when you need it? __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are." Last edited by The Professor; 10-29-2006 at 04:44 PM.