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good for them

I'm glad LeBron and D-Wade seem focussed on the job at hand. Another USA basketball loss would be embarassing.

I'm also glad those that want to speak up about the political situations are free to do so.

How about we focus on basketball and leave the political crap aside? If anyone needs to be talked about, it is our government and its support to tens of murderer regimes around the world.

Say something! If the United States is hated by the world for throwing Saddam Hussein out of power and invading Afghanistan how does China supporting/supplying a GENOCIDE get swept under the rug?

Say something! If the United States is hated by the world for throwing Saddam Hussein out of power and invading Afghanistan how does China supporting/supplying a GENOCIDE get swept under the rug?

notbychoice | 07/24/08, 10:03 AM

And who told you that China is loved around the world?

I love ya Seven but we disagree on this one: Pro athletes, more noticably black pro athletes are some the bigger cowards in the world for failing to speak out on anything. Michael "punk a(s)s"Jordan started the trend. Fact is, many people who look up to these guys wouldn't mind a little social stance out of them once in a while. They're so scared of losing endorsements and so controlled by Madison Avenue that they miss an opportunity to truly impact the world and spur change. There's a reason why Muhammad Ali was so special, he took a stance when not only his career, but his life was at stake.

Today's athletes are frauds, every last one of them. You can speak up without losing everything.

I wouldn't feel too safe going to Beijing with all of the human rights issues they have out there. They've gone as far as creating new laws banning blacks from enetring restaurants and other places in Beijing. Is that crazy or what? I don't understand why they'd even allow the Olympics in a place like that.

Moe Syzlak,

More love and respect from me your way.

What Mohammad Ali stood for and what current athletes should do is completely different from the situation we are facing right now. I hate to even sound like a defender of a communist regime that is so oppressive and brutal to its own people (i.e China), but please let's put things in perspective here.

The genocide in Darfur is a horrendous thing, but how come other genocides around the world and ESPECIALLY in Africa are not given the same kind of attention. How come it's China that we are trying to pressure here?

The answer to all of that is one word: OIL. Oil has been discovered in Sudan in large amounts the past few years. The Chinese walked in since the Sudanese regime is Anti American and signed the big contracts. We didn't like that and started this media campaign to demonize the ones, who we knew for decades, for being demons.

I hate to turn this into a political argument. I also regret the loss of a single life in Darfur or anywhere around the world to dictator b-astards who deserve the electric chair 20 times a day. But let's keep an eye on what is politics and what is a real humanitarian issue that deserves the effort to resolve.

Our athletes and celebrities should be standing up for ALL of Africa and its serious problems, not just the oil-rich regions whose governments oppose us and deal with our rivals, the Chinese.

it's great when athletes like Luol Deng step up and make an effort to help Darfurians and educate Americans. However,,this isn't China - they don't have to do anything. I dont think it's that beneficial for some athlete with no more than a cursory understanding of the issues to speak on behalf of the US. We already have an ignorant, selfish Commander -in-Chief who does that for us. And from what I heard, unlike Wade + LeBron, Bush has a real hard time finishing at the rim.
I think it would be awesome if these players were involved with resolving humanitarian crises. But if they're not, they're not. Their job is to put a ball through the hoop in order to entertain consumers.

"Fact is, many people who look up to these guys wouldn't mind a little social stance out of them once in a while. They're so scared of losing endorsements and so controlled by Madison Avenue that they miss an opportunity to truly impact the world and spur change"

I agree with you in principle mo.......on the last point.
But I disagree in part on the 1st point.

To be honest- I don't need a 22 year old - who either NEVER WENT or NEVER FINSIHED college to give me their opinion on world events.
If I am depending on them for their knowledge- we as a society are in trouble.

Now if they truly are committed to world politics & causes GREAT for them-
I agree- they can do alot for the world-

but in reality- I don't want their opininos on politics.....
I want them to act professionally and win a gold medal

The world is a terribly evil place. Not because most people are inherently evil, but because those that aren't won't do anything about it---Albert Einstein

I agree 100% with Moe Syzlak. Jordan started this nonsense, and apparently it has carried over to Tiger and others. As African Americans, if Madison Avenue has that much of a grip on your balls, you are a disgrace. My opinion of them has been significantly reduced this morning. If basketball is more important to them than genocide, they are not nearly as tall as 6'9 would indicate.

T-mac stood up and is making a movie about Darfur, if only his game had as much guts...

I never knew we actually have some intellectuals in the building, its good know that people are trying to be more informed of whats happening at home and abroad. However i think its very sad that with such a large population of Black athletes in America and around the world, that not more is being said or done by them about the conditions in the Sudan and the rest of Africa. But with so many problems at home i can see why.

Why bother with trying to pressure clowns like Wade and James to start spraying about politics while they are in China?

Wade said it all, it's nothing for them to worry about.....

Why not apply pressure someplace that might catch some notice in China?

Right here in the USA you have a corporation called Wal-Mart that transact quite a bit of business with China and records some pretty hefty profits doing so.

Want to get some action, forget Wade and James and hold Wal-Mart's feet to the fire.........

Se7en, thanks for the response and while I agree with most of what you said, it's not even really about Darfur, I just mean speaking up for ANYTHING. I find it funny that black athletes freely throw away careers by shooting pregnant women and getting caught with weed in the car yet they fail to speak up on some of the very issues that plague the environments they left to become big ballers. Look, the turkey giveaways and celebrity softball games for charity are fine, but how about showing the communities that molded you a little social stance?

I remember years back Michael Jordan would not endorse Harvey Gant, who was running against old bigoted Jesse Helms, knowing that a Mike endorsement would probably seal it for him. He ultimately lost, Jordans response: "Republicans buy sneakers too".

For all you Jordan stans in here, he is the ultimate dirtball and I've never respected him since. He may have been a winner on the court, but as far as I'm concerned, that man can't look at himself in the mirror.

So in essence Hollywood, we pretty much agree, thanks for the post.

Its a good thing they spoke up about this, it proves they have character. They are both leaders, that's what seperates them from their friend Carmelo...

high profile people have a unique opportunity to call attention to injustice. when a world famous person is too shallow or too cowardly to voice their opinion, a great opportunity is lost. people pay attention to what athletes and entertainers say. that's why it's so painful when these people do or say stupid things. and that's why it is so admirable when someone risks their career to call out injustice, i.e. mohammed ali.

Moe Syzlak, Thanks for taking the stance that you did on this. I couldn't agree with you more when u said today's athletes are big COWARDS and weak beings outside of their one skilled area. That's why, ALI will always be the Greatest athlete of all time as well as a great, great Champion of worthy human causes, transcending all sports and all celebrity!

It's funny how James and especially Wade sound just like Jordan by saying "we are here on a business trip"! It's all about business. I wanna us to win GOLD and blow everyone away. BUT the Truth is the Truth. Speak against the injustice and carnage in Darfur. Be grown men with balls, conviction and conscience! Be **** respectable!

Thanks Hollywd and Moe for your posts.

Whether you be black or white athletes, Be grown men with balls, conviction and conscience! Be **** respectable!

I am sorry, guys, for the first time ever, I have been endlessly disgusted by these players of my favorite sports. They were never my idols but I never felt such disdain, contempt for them either so much as this day!

Thanks, Hollywd and Moe for your posts.

Whether you be black or white athletes or coahces, Be grown men with balls, conviction and conscience! Be **** respectable!

I am sorry, guys, for the first time ever, I have been endlessly disgusted by these players of my favorite sport. They were never my idols but I never felt such disdain, contempt for them either so much as this day!