|
|
  The Original Cyber Bartender
    
Location: Washington | So Michael Sam get's drafted in the 7th round, that's deemed "news" because he is gay, media is there to watch him kiss his boyfriend, it makes national news, backlash against those who say anything negative about it and or fined. Whatever happened to being allowed your opinion? |
|
| |
|
 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Govt has to try to make money on these dumb fines because they don't have enough to run whatever bogus schemes they come up. |
|
| |
|
 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | 
.......be careful, your opinion on not being allowed to have opinions could get you in trouble...... |
|
| |
|
The Original Cyber Bartender
Location: Washington | Nateracer - 2014-05-12 9:08 AM Govt has to try to make money on these dumb fines because they don't have enough to run whatever bogus schemes they come up.
The NFL fined Don Jones for his comment, not the government. Hell our president called Michael Sam and personally congratulated him. That confused me because, wasn't sure it was for him being openly gay, or the congrats on being picked in the 7th round of the draft and being gay, or making the national news kissing said boyfriend because he is gay. WHAT was the big deal? |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | I hear ya.
Right now in Arkansas they are seeking (and being successful) in overturning a law that was voted on and approved overwhelmingly by the people of the state to ban recognition of Same Sex Marriages. A small vocal activist minority is suing to overturn the wishes of the majority. I have a problem with that. Itf the voters speak...it should stand. If they want to change it...take another vote. It could be any issue...not just this one...and I'd feel the same way. What people do in their bedroom isn't my concern...it's when they push their agenda on everyone else with zero tolerance of other opinions that I take issue.
The wishes of the people mean nothing to this government...but we already knew that. |
|
| |
|
 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Personally, I couldn't care less about his sexual orientation. The media is turning it into their own tawdry circus. It sounds like he is a good player. The rest is just a tempest in a teapot, as far as I'm concerned. I hope he makes it, but not because he is gay, rather, because he turns out to be good on the field. I hope he sets a good example as a good man who does good things off the field, as opposed to some of the spoiled brats we've grown accustomed to seeing in recent years. It sounds like the kid has had to overcome more obstacles than just hiding his sexuality when he was growing up. He was raised by his mother, as his father basically ran off shortly after he was born. Of his 5 brothers, one died in infancy, one disappeared, one was shot right in front of Micheal, and two are in prison. For some time as a kid he lived in a car with his mother. I don't have a clue what kind of person he is, but I hope he proves to be good enough to make it and that he is a good, productive citizen who gives something back. If he does all that, given his experiences growing up, that would really be something to admire. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | You know...If I were him I would want my name to be known because I was an awesome football player. Not for what the media is exploiting and labeling him to be. Good luck to him...I hope he can put all of that nonsense aside and show what he can do on the field.
|
|
| |
|
 Jeter is my second husband!
| I don't get it either...or why people aren't allowed to have an opinion...guess that's why it's not up to me to judge...they'll all face judgement one day :) |
|
| |
|
BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | If he makes it, I hope it isn't because he's gay. I will make one prediction, and that is I think he is a shoo in to make it. The political correctness pressures are going to really make it hard for the Rams to cut him, even if he doesn't meet expectations on the field. |
|
| |
|
 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | It shouldn't be a big deal but it is because it's something that will create a "story" since it's a controversial topic. It can be really easy to say that gays/lesbians/bis "ask for it" and that it's "not a big deal they just make it one" but as a girl with a girlfriend AND a person that does not like attention, I don't ask for it. You'll never see me at a protest or gay pride parade lol. But even if I don't ask for it, I still get dirty looks or smart comments. It might not necessarily be the player himself wanting the attention, it's just the way the media is. For example if I were a NFR level rider and everyone knew I had a girlfriend I'm sure it would be talked about to some extent whether I wanted it to be or not.
Sometimes if I really think about it, it hurts that I can't tell someone I have a girlfriend without a pin prick of nervousness about how they're going to react. It's fine that some people don't agree with it - we have mutual friends that are devout Christian but they're still nice to us and don't lecture us. And then some people are just jerks about it. I guess it's something that people don't really get if you aren't in that position. I'm pretty sure none of you have ever been scared that you were going to get ridiculed for saying you had a boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband.
I'm sure if this guy ends up being a really good football player they'll forget about it to some extent. Kind of like how everyone knows Ellen DeGeneres is a lesbian but it's not really "news" and it's not "why" she's famous. |
|
| |
|
Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| fatchance - 2014-05-12 11:17 AM Nateracer - 2014-05-12 9:08 AM Govt has to try to make money on these dumb fines because they don't have enough to run whatever bogus schemes they come up. The NFL fined Don Jones for his comment, not the government. Hell our president called Michael Sam and personally congratulated him. That confused me because, wasn't sure it was for him being openly gay, or the congrats on being picked in the 7th round of the draft and being gay, or making the national news kissing said boyfriend because he is gay. WHAT was the big deal?
Sorry, I missed the story. But still, I agree, who cares what sexual orientation you have. That doesn't make you or break you as an athlete. BUT right now, it seems that it is news and/or newsworthy. |
|
| |
|
 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | livexlovexrodeo - 2014-05-12 11:49 AM It shouldn't be a big deal but it is because it's something that will create a "story" since it's a controversial topic. It can be really easy to say that gays/lesbians/bis "ask for it" and that it's "not a big deal they just make it one" but as a girl with a girlfriend AND a person that does not like attention, I don't ask for it. You'll never see me at a protest or gay pride parade lol. But even if I don't ask for it, I still get dirty looks or smart comments. It might not necessarily be the player himself wanting the attention, it's just the way the media is. For example if I were a NFR level rider and everyone knew I had a girlfriend I'm sure it would be talked about to some extent whether I wanted it to be or not. Sometimes if I really think about it, it hurts that I can't tell someone I have a girlfriend without a pin prick of nervousness about how they're going to react. It's fine that some people don't agree with it - we have mutual friends that are devout Christian but they're still nice to us and don't lecture us. And then some people are just jerks about it. I guess it's something that people don't really get if you aren't in that position. I'm pretty sure none of you have ever been scared that you were going to get ridiculed for saying you had a boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband. I'm sure if this guy ends up being a really good football player they'll forget about it to some extent. Kind of like how everyone knows Ellen DeGeneres is a lesbian but it's not really "news" and it's not "why" she's famous.
I think the way to acceptance is to do what you're doing. Live your life like what you're doing is perfectly normal, because it is to you, right? It's when it is shoved down people's throats and they are told you must accept this without a peep and no honest, negative reaction allowed that they will get their hackles up about it. The media is making acceptance harder instead of easier because of their greed for ratings generated by controversy. It's in their interests to keep the antagonism going, just like they do with the race issue. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 432
Location: Tennessee | livexlovexrodeo - 2014-05-12 11:49 AM
It shouldn't be a big deal but it is because it's something that will create a "story" since it's a controversial topic. It can be really easy to say that gays/lesbians/bis "ask for it" and that it's "not a big deal they just make it one" but as a girl with a girlfriend AND a person that does not like attention, I don't ask for it. You'll never see me at a protest or gay pride parade lol. But even if I don't ask for it, I still get dirty looks or smart comments. It might not necessarily be the player himself wanting the attention, it's just the way the media is. For example if I were a NFR level rider and everyone knew I had a girlfriend I'm sure it would be talked about to some extent whether I wanted it to be or not.
Sometimes if I really think about it, it hurts that I can't tell someone I have a girlfriend without a pin prick of nervousness about how they're going to react. It's fine that some people don't agree with it - we have mutual friends that are devout Christian but they're still nice to us and don't lecture us. And then some people are just jerks about it. I guess it's something that people don't really get if you aren't in that position. I'm pretty sure none of you have ever been scared that you were going to get ridiculed for saying you had a boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband.
I'm sure if this guy ends up being a really good football player they'll forget about it to some extent. Kind of like how everyone knows Ellen DeGeneres is a lesbian but it's not really "news" and it's not "why" she's famous.
I agree 100%. Sometimes it's not the Michael Sams of the world who are creating the "media frenzy", they just have to live with it.
Edited for spelling
Edited by kdb2qq 2014-05-12 12:17 PM
|
|
| |
|
I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | Three 4 Luck - 2014-05-12 10:09 AM
livexlovexrodeo - 2014-05-12 11:49 AM It shouldn't be a big deal but it is because it's something that will create a "story" since it's a controversial topic. It can be really easy to say that gays/lesbians/bis "ask for it" and that it's "not a big deal they just make it one" but as a girl with a girlfriend AND a person that does not like attention, I don't ask for it. You'll never see me at a protest or gay pride parade lol. But even if I don't ask for it, I still get dirty looks or smart comments. It might not necessarily be the player himself wanting the attention, it's just the way the media is. For example if I were a NFR level rider and everyone knew I had a girlfriend I'm sure it would be talked about to some extent whether I wanted it to be or not. Sometimes if I really think about it, it hurts that I can't tell someone I have a girlfriend without a pin prick of nervousness about how they're going to react. It's fine that some people don't agree with it - we have mutual friends that are devout Christian but they're still nice to us and don't lecture us. And then some people are just jerks about it. I guess it's something that people don't really get if you aren't in that position. I'm pretty sure none of you have ever been scared that you were going to get ridiculed for saying you had a boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband. I'm sure if this guy ends up being a really good football player they'll forget about it to some extent. Kind of like how everyone knows Ellen DeGeneres is a lesbian but it's not really "news" and it's not "why" she's famous.
I think the way to acceptance is to do what you're doing. Live your life like what you're doing is perfectly normal, because it is to you, right? It's when it is shoved down people's throats and they are told you must accept this without a peep and no honest, negative reaction allowed that they will get their hackles up about it. The media is making acceptance harder instead of easier because of their greed for ratings generated by controversy. It's in their interests to keep the antagonism going, just like they do with the race issue.
Thank you (: Honestly, it is never my intention to shove it down anyones throat. But while I don't seek attention, I AM confrontational and can get very defensive. That's how I am with anything though. Barrel racers have a bad rap, I get the same little nervous feeling when I tell someone I barrel race, especially if they have an english or performance background because I already feel like I have to defend it.
As far as being openly gay and sports, I think you're ****ed if you do, ****ed if you don't. If you don't mention you're gay upfront then it's like you're "hiding it" and everything explodes if it comes out later (when maybe the person thinks like me and didn't think they had to mention it!? Does everyone else announce that they're straight before they drafted?) If you mention it upfront then it becomes a big deal and people think it's being flaunted. It's one of those things that in reality shouldn't matter, but like I said, the media dictates that it does.
I definitely understand people where it is against their religion. My girlfriend's mom is very religious and didn't speak to her for 3 months after she came out. But shunning someone that you think is sinning isn't going to get yourself into Heaven. |
|
| |
|
BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | As far as I'm concerned, the guy has an opportunity to make a big difference. There will be a lot of pressure on him, but if he does well, that could go a long ways to ending this senseless debate on gay rights. We now have gay soldiers and all that hubub from the 90's is now largely behind us. I haven't heard of any people traumatized or harmed by fighting alongside a gay soldier.....but I do know that several have been decorated for heroism and several have died defending this country. I honestly think a lot of people who are anti-gay are this way because they themselves harbor some abiguous sexual feelings. That's just my opinion. This gay debate and the circus that always follows is rapidly coming to a close. Just like masturbation has not led to blindness, being gay is no threat to anyone, and there's no reason why they should have to disguise it. Time to move on to issues that really matter. |
|
| |
|
The Original Cyber Bartender
Location: Washington | He has his work cut out for him. Not because he is gay, because his stats were not that good, but the Rams felt he was worth taking. Sure he is a great guy and has over comed a lot, but haven't we all. I know I did, but it's not news worthy it called life.
Livin, I am so happy you find no need to say much about your choices. Because they are just that.
My husband good friend was here with his then girlfriend, and out of no where decided to tell me that her prior relationship of 7 years was with a woman.....I just looked at her and said "Thats relevant how to this conversation?" SHE was looking to shock me. She felt I had a right to know? I assured her I didn't care, but hoped she shared this information with my husbands friend, he might find it relevant?
I swear most media tries to stir up more crap about nothing, hubby blames it on that they see the high ratings of reality TV and goes for it.  |
|
| |
|
BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Here is the headline by the Huffingon Post from 2 days ago:
"Watch Michael Sam Kiss His Boyfriend After Making History"
Shame on them. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | HotbearLVR - 2014-05-12 11:41 AM
If he makes it, I hope it isn't because he's gay. I will make one prediction, and that is I think he is a shoo in to make it. The political correctness pressures are going to really make it hard for the Rams to cut him, even if he doesn't meet expectations on the field.
If he makes it in the NFL Doc, it will BE because he is a good player. The media(oker) just hams it up because he is the 1st OPEN gay in the NFL. I've very proud of my home state Missouri (Tigers & Rams). I can remember when this would never happen there. |
|
| |
|
 Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| The media will cover anything that draws viewers so they can please the advertisers. The more viewers the more they charge those advertisers the more exposure the product. They are talking about Sam not because he is gay but because Proctor and Gamble need to sell more deodorant. Same concept applies to anything that might make a person throw thier hands in the air. THEY WANT you to get upset because then you'll watch thier news like a train wreck.
I don't care what the dude choses for his personal life. Good luck and go play good ball. But If I were him, I would want to be known for my skills in my profession, not that i'm attracted to cowboys that look like Luke. LOL |
|
| |
|
BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | fatchance - 2014-05-12 12:49 PM He has his work cut out for him. Not because he is gay, because his stats were not that good, but the Rams felt he was worth taking. Sure he is a great guy and has over comed a lot, but haven't we all. I know I did, but it's not news worthy it called life.
Livin, I am so happy you find no need to say much about your choices. Because they are just that.
My husband good friend was here with his then girlfriend, and out of no where decided to tell me that her prior relationship of 7 years was with a woman.....I just looked at her and said "Thats relevant how to this conversation?" SHE was looking to shock me. She felt I had a right to know? I assured her I didn't care, but hoped she shared this information with my husbands friend, he might find it relevant?
I swear most media tries to stir up more crap about nothing, hubby blames it on that they see the high ratings of reality TV and goes for it.
I would say that being a consensus All-American and SEC defensive player of the year is pretty impressive. I also think that the obstacles he has had to oversome is pretty amazing, and noteworthy. The kid experienced abandonment, murder of two of his siblings, the imprisonment of two others, homelessness....along with a life of having to hide who he is. I think that is something worth noting and it can serve as a good story that can inspire other kids. His kissing his boyfriend is not newsworthy as far as I'm cocerned.
Edited by HotbearLVR 2014-05-12 1:06 PM
|
|
| |
Folks on-line