Translations on US PR speech for anyone confused: "issues that matter" = issues that matter to the speaker "land of the free, home of the brave" = propaganda to swing public support "American values" = feel-good ideals when not personally affected "defending democracy" = they have oil / gold / water / something else valuable on their land and we need an excuse to setup a puppet government "educated" = needs to figure out who is affected financially by what first "staying silent is a political stance" = needs something to get angry about "freedom of speech" = say whatever you want unless it hits you in the wallet
This is so on point and is why this country is so f'ed up. Many people think there is some cabal at the top that keeps people down, but the real problem is there are thousands of wealthy people with differing views and backgrounds that care more about money than morality. It becomes a game to get more than the next guy. When you care more about money than people, your political views all of a sudden start syncing up. Lebron's mentality isn't too far off from the old money rich white guy who is against universal health care because it will raise his taxes.
This is not quite accurate. It's not so much about money as it is about personal livelihood and lifestyle. For some people, that's basic shelter and food. For others, it's mansions and boats. At the end of the day, it’s all about providing that personal livelihood and at a fundamental level, there is nothing morally wrong with wanting to protect that provided you’re not out there killing and stealing. Do the vast majority of people not speaking out or avoiding to comment on the issue feel sympathetic? Most likely. Is it worth providing you and yours less to speak out for people you do not know and are not in your own country? For 99% of the people, definitely not. Now where hypocrisy lies is different. Kerr for example, said (paraphrasing) that we shouldn’t stay silent on issues that matter, where he really means issues that matter to him when everything is said and done. That’s not how he wants to portray himself though. He wants to be known as a beacon of social justice. The same applies for LBJ. When he talks about speaking up, he portrays it on an international scale. This is the hypocrisy, not that they are wanting to stay silent.
Is it ok to be a communist sympathizer if there is big money to be made? Many people at least seem to be tolerant of communism if money is to be made.
Brain power? What’s the definition of this? Quite subjective. I never knocked schooling. I said the logic is flawed. “Brain Power” has never stopped ivy leaguers or “smart” people from smoking dope or getting DUI’s or doing and saying stupid ****. Just because someone is uneducated doesn’t mean they’re stupid. Several successful entrepreneurs never had formal schooling or never finished it. But it lump all players in the same category or generalize players as stupid or less thoughtful or knowledgeable is wrong.
Yeah I get it Kanter, you have legitimate grievances - against Erdogan. LeBron's comments have nothing to do with Turkey or Erdogan, so stop trying to draw everything to your own cause.
swoooosh. Lebron showed the world who he really was when he made "the decision". I will enjoy watching the lakers implode this season.
f*k James. How can a guy barely made out the high school to call anyone else "uneducated"? What a jerk.
Will be interesting to see how ESPN handle this, how much will they try to minimize this story. Normally anything even slightly Lebron related gets talked about incessantly.