NBC Censors Sexual Orientation Of Openly Gay Gold Medalist Diver
NBC Censors Sexual Orientation Of Openly Gay Gold Medalist Diver
According to OutSports.com, of the 10,708 athletes at the Olympics this year, just 10 have identified themselves publicly as being gay. Of the 10, Australian diver Matthew Mitcham is the only male gay athlete.
Yesterday, Mitcham won the gold in the in the 10m platform diving event, scoring an upset over the Chinese team, which was heavily favored to win. But as Maggie Hendricks at Yahoo’s Olympics blog notes, NBC never mentioned Mitcham’s orientation:
NBC did not mention Mitcham’s orientation, nor did they show his family and partner who were in the stands. NBC has made athletes’ significant others a part of the coverage in the past, choosing to spotlight track athlete Sanya Richards’ fiancee, a love triangle between French and Italian swimmers and Kerri Walsh’s wedding ring debacle.
In his press interview after the event, however, Mitcham stood with both his mother and his partner, Lachlan, thanking them for the support they’ve provided. Watch it:
Mitcham first came out in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald on May 24. Mitcham said that they couldn’t afford for Lachlan to attend the games, so had applied for — and was awarded — a grant through the Johnson & Johnson Athlete Family Support Program to send him to Beijing.
According to the LA Times, the first thing Mitcham did when meeting with journalists after his win was “hug the reporter who handled the story with particular sensitivity.”
Clearly, someone at NBC made the decision NOT to mention it. And in doing so, they denied tens of thousands of struggling younger people the chance to see that somelike like them could be an Olympic hero, and millions more that it is normal to be gay and athletic.
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Of course they would…because they’re afraid of the AFA, those same people whose headlines say, “Homosexual eases into the 100 final.”
August 24th, 2008 at 5:05 pmAn openly gay male athlete is a taboo in the North American sports world. The fact that he won a medal in diving and is Australian gave NBC Sports an easy out. Now if he was a part of the American team, that would have been the 800 lbs. gorilla in the room NBC couldn’t put a blanket over and shoo it’s viewers from.
August 24th, 2008 at 5:09 pmSo?
August 24th, 2008 at 5:10 pm“NBC never mentioned Mitcham’s orientation…”
I see no reason why they would as it had no bearing on his winning the medal. In my mind the whole concept is blown way out of proportion. It is nobody’s fu(king business, literally and figuratively, except the two (or more) individuals involved at the time. If any one who comments here were required to air their sexual proclivities or their participation the night before commenting their wold be a bunch of screamers about civil rights abuses or a bunch of civil people going someplace else. Give the man his Gold Medal, shake his hand, congratulate him and then leave him the hell alone.
August 24th, 2008 at 5:14 pmThe things people do to get a Hallmark card…
August 24th, 2008 at 5:20 pmMention his sexual orientation for what?
August 24th, 2008 at 5:22 pmWhat an awesome story. The kid is a delight, his mum seems great, and he’s proud of who he is and what he’s accomplished.
And the fact that this athlete’s partner was awarded a grant from Johnson & Johnson — I wouldn’t have thought them to be so open-minded.
Good on ya, mate!
August 24th, 2008 at 5:23 pmWhy should they mention that he’s gay? For one thing, it’s newsworthy. For a second thing, sports coverage spends a good deal of its time playing up girlfriends and boyfriends, husbands and wives, and children of heterosexuals. Recognizing somebodys gay partner is not “special treatment”, but the same treatment.
August 24th, 2008 at 5:28 pmYou are absolutely correct, RickD, when you say “Recognizing somebody’s gay partner is not ’special treatment’, but the same treatment.” That is exactly what gay men and lesbians want, expect and deserve: equality with heterosexuals.
August 24th, 2008 at 5:44 pmTanqueray
Nope, comedy routine still unsatisfactory. Have you been reading your 1/2 Hour News Hour comedy manual? Have you been doing the End of Chapter exercises as prescribed?
August 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pmWow, you mean an Aussie MALE is actually gay??
Holy crap, next thing you know you’ll tell me that restaurant patrons in an African-American neighborhood use napkins!
August 24th, 2008 at 5:50 pmPeople should get over worrying about what other people do in their bedrooms.
So what if he is gay?
August 24th, 2008 at 5:51 pmWhat Rick D said…
August 24th, 2008 at 5:51 pmThose gays are weird and scary because theyre different and we don’t know what theyre like, so of course we shouldnt see them on tv
Tanqueray Says:
Flagging the troll.
August 24th, 2008 at 5:52 pmI’m not sure why it’s newsworthy unless you like dividing people. “Gay man actually accomplished something!!!!” The fact that he is gay neither adds or takes anything away from his obviously huge accomplishment.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no, are you suggesting they make a very static list of things to ask every athlete? Not deviate and ensure everyone gets the exact same information posted about them. Perhaps we can get a government regulating committee in charge of it. I guess it would get rid of that whole pesky freedom of the press thing.
There are a whole lot of athletes I know nothing about and it’s fine with me. You don’t have to scream someones sexual preference from the roof tops.
August 24th, 2008 at 5:53 pmTanquary (troll, retarded)
August 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pmNBC erred by not showing his family and partner in the stands, which was right of TP to note. Gay’s and lesbians don’t expect the announcers to blurt out their sexual orientation in shock mode, but to point out – like they do for hetero competitors with family in the crowd – the strong personal bonds that influenced the events leading to their achievements.
August 24th, 2008 at 5:56 pmJust wondering, but is Matthew Mitcham by chance from Queensland?
(cough)
August 24th, 2008 at 5:58 pmre 16
Why is sports itself newsworthy? Who gives a rats ass about any of that crap?
August 24th, 2008 at 5:59 pmyeah cheap gin, they still let idiot trolls prance around.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:01 pmI saw several events where I didn’t see the athletes family (especially from foreign countries) am I to assume they are gay or an orphan?
August 24th, 2008 at 6:02 pmPoint noted.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:03 pmTank, Are you wearing leotards? I’m trying to picture it…
August 24th, 2008 at 6:08 pmTanqueray Says:
Well, I see this place hasn’t changed.
That’s right, it hasn’t changed. One should flag with care, and your presence meets the requirement. Failed comedy attempts aren’t contributions, since conservatives don’t understand comedy.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:20 pmHow will you bide(n) your time after your impending loss on 4 November, Tanq? Selecting one of your seven Cheetos bags to paint your hands orange?
August 24th, 2008 at 6:24 pmMy guess is short-shorts and a halter top.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:26 pmintroducing periferal crap like who these athelets eat lunch with, instead of showing more events pisses me off and helps me not watch. as soon as they break for “human interest” i turn the channel. because i watch sport for the fookun sport not thier sex/food/family/dog/car/jewelry………………..
August 24th, 2008 at 6:33 pmHi Tanqeray:
August 24th, 2008 at 6:37 pmOther than being a mess, what up?
Sorry add a “u” there oddball…
August 24th, 2008 at 6:38 pmAfter seeing the “partner diving” or whatever it’s called and the suits all the male divers wear, if any of them are straight, that would be news.
Sorry for being politically incorrect but really …
August 24th, 2008 at 6:41 pmSo Tanqued, “queer” really?
And what is this supposed to mean: “Clean and Jerk (fist-tap)2008″? We already know you get all your intel from Fox News. All you 20 percenters do.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:54 pmI’m not sure why it’s newsworthy unless you like dividing people. “Gay man actually accomplished something!!!!” The fact that he is gay neither adds or takes anything away from his obviously huge accomplishment.
-Tundra
His story and accomplishment might have helped young people in coming to terms with their sexuality.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:54 pmI am gay and I am not at all sure that sexual orientation is even relevant in this situation (nor am I sure that it is not). We are not defined – and don’t want to be defined – by our sexuality.
August 24th, 2008 at 6:59 pmWhen the gay-straight topic comes up, notice how heterosexual (?) rightwingers always say it’s nobody’s business what someone does in the bedroom, so why even bring the subject up…
August 24th, 2008 at 7:05 pmFunny, whenever I’m introduced to somebody’s wife, or hear about somebody’s family, I don’t immediately think of them in a bedroom having sex. I usually just say something like pleased to meetcha or whatever. Why is it that every time we gays want our partners and our families recognized, rightards instantly mind-jump to our bedrooms? We have lives that involve other things than sex, you know. Sometimes we even, you know, go to church and restaurants and school plays with our partners.
Sure and there are places for it. The problem is the complaints they didn’t say anything. Somehow NBC is antigay because of it. I’m sure someone had an abusive father in the olympics, but the fact it wasn’t mentioned (regardless of how helpful it could have been to someone else) doesn’t make NBC at fault. If someone was a chronic bedwetter as a child, sure mentioning it may help someone else, but because they didn’t, doesn’t make them antibedwetters. Someone could have been dealing with a loved one with leukemia, not mentioning it doesn’t make them non caring.
They go for the biggest “Shock Story” (so people watch and they can sell ad space) and quite frankly a “Man is gay” isn’t that shocking to most people.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:06 pmMcWars Says: “Failed comedy attempts aren’t contributions…”
But how to know the attempt will fail until it is contributed?
But how to know the attempt was comedy before it failed?
I don’t find your comment amusing, ergo it is a failed attempt at comedy so you should never, by your own standards, have commented in the first place.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:11 pmSure and there are places for it. The problem is the complaints they didn’t say anything. Somehow NBC is antigay because of it.
I didn’t say they were anti-gay. They’re afraid of the lunatic right.
They go for the biggest “Shock Story” (so people watch and they can sell ad space) and quite frankly a “Man is gay” isn’t that shocking to most people.
Nah. They’re afraid of the lunatic right.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:21 pmGay couple attend church “Film at eleven”
Extra Extra read all about it, Gay couple attends school play!!
We interviewed a waitress who served a gay couple dinner and here’s what she had to say!!
Have fun, do all those things and more (even Gasp… get married), I just don’t think it’s newsworthy. Because I couldn’t care less what you do or how you do it, doesn’t make me antigay. If you want your significant other recognized do something together newsworthy (that’s not based on the fact your gay).
Joe and his partner/husband/boyfriend/significant other Jim saved 15 toddlers from a burning building. Then I will recognize that two people selfishlesly helped others, still won’t care that your gay though. Just like I couldn’t care less if it was Joe and Lisa.
Besides the only person in the whole thread to say bedroom was Wayne.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:22 pmNBC purposely, for the most part, left out his significant other in the film clip.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:24 pmhttp://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=1168/bio/
They mention it in his bio.
Would it be better to open every topic about him as “Gay diver Matthew Mitcham…”?
August 24th, 2008 at 7:28 pmWould it be better to open every topic about him as “Gay diver Matthew Mitcham…”?
All they had to do was say he’s here with his mother and boyfriend. That way, they can’t be accused of bringing up his sexuality.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:34 pmThey mention it in his bio.
Would it be better to open every topic about him as “Gay diver Matthew Mitcham…”?
I think the main point is is that his significant other was cropped out of the film…it appears Mitcham was including him in the interview, but this was censored out.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:34 pmNat has pretty much summed this up I think.
“All they had to do was say he’s here with his mother and boyfriend. That way, they can’t be accused of bringing up his sexuality.”
just like they endlessly point out the wifes girlfriends, husbands and boyfriends of hetero athletes.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:48 pmFolks… you have to watch the clip to get the main point.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pmTanqueray Says:
So the graphic should have read..
Matthew Mitcham (Aus,Queer)
Find something important to worry about.
Clean and Jerk (fist-tap)2008
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
Tanki you are such an ignorant piece of garbage. This whole fist taap obsession you have outs you as a hivemind moron with no brain whatsoever. Clearly you have replaced your cerebral cortex with a tape recorder. Sad and pathetic is far to tame a term to describe your constant idiocy
August 24th, 2008 at 8:11 pmI dont see why it should be mentioned, then again they tell EVERYTHING about gold medal winners if he had a hernia operation when he was ten we would have heard about it. It is more telling that they edited his partner out THAT is going the extra mile to omit the information.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:14 pmNBC knew it would detract from the Rethug convention…they would all be headed to Australia.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pmIf this was a hetero couple the partner would be included in the interview as intended by the gold medalist winner.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pmOT, but y’all need to hear this. I’m here in the Philly Burbs and Obama has a new ad on about taxes.
“Can we really afford more of the same? John McCain’s tax plan: for big corporations, $200 billion in new tax breaks, oil companies, $4 billion, companies shipping jobs overseas, keep their tax giveaways (great graphic of inside of abandoned factory) while 100 million Americans get no tax relief at all.
For the change we need, Barack Obama. A plan that cuts taxes for middle class families three times as much as John McCain will.
Barack Obama. President. (yes, that’s actually what is says and reads!)
I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message”
I’ve got to say, this may be one of the best yet this season.
PEACE
August 24th, 2008 at 8:32 pmWe need some sort of UN agreement that the olympics is about one man and one woman. Oh man that sounds almost as stupid as the anti-Gay marriage crapola.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:37 pmThe point here is that NBC skated around Mitcham’s ‘personal and family issues’ but didn’t bother mentioning them. Married to an NFL star? You get the background treatment. Happen to be a French swimmer who got the tabloid treatment when an ex put nekkid pics on the internet? That gets the primetime background profile. A female Chinese diver who’s dating the son of a Hong Kong millionaire? Oh, that got mentioned. I’d be happy for NBC not to do any cliched triumph-over-adversity background profiles at all, but this was a case of oh-noes-don’t-mention-teh-ghey.
This is diving, remember: the sport of Greg Louganis, who waited till he retired to come out. Mitcham’s coming out — and his family’s efforts to get his partner to Beijing — was a big deal in Australia. Scrubbing it out of the coverage is a big deal here.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:39 pmFull congratulations to Matthew Mitcham. It took a gay athlete to defeat the Chinese Commie/Capitalist divers.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:44 pmjb Says:
Full congratulations to Matthew Mitcham. It took a gay athlete to defeat the Chinese Commie/Capitalist divers.
Dont’ disagree, but what makes you think the Chinese divers aren’t gay, too?
Or is China just like Iran? They don’t have any gay people, according to Ahmadinejad.
PEACE
August 24th, 2008 at 8:49 pmI saw his partner in the clip, I saw them kiss and hug put their heads together in a loving way (While one rubbed the others hair). Were they supposed to say more for the less observant people?
August 24th, 2008 at 9:06 pmActually, the reason the LGBT community is sorta pissed about this is because virtually every other gold medal winner has had extensive coverage of the human interest story behind their success. Wives, kids, tragedy, all of it. Mitcham came out, to the public. His love-interest was there supporting him and wasn’t given airtime like everyone else’s family/girlfriend/boyfriend was. That is why. Either do the human interest story behind all of the competitors, or don’t do any of them. Don’t leave out the gay gentleman’s story, or specifically leave out any mention of his love interest, simply because he is gay.
August 24th, 2008 at 9:07 pmWell in my opinion they are crying over nothing.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/diving/
Only one diver listed has any mention of a significant other, guess who?
(Individual links waiting for approval)
August 24th, 2008 at 9:12 pmDamn who writes your stuff?
August 24th, 2008 at 9:27 pmHow the interview should have gone:
reporter: “How does it feel to win the gold medal?”
August 24th, 2008 at 9:39 pmMatthew Mitcham: “I am so happy, I mean when I”
reporter: “And your gay right”?
Matthew Mitcham: “Yes”
reporter: “How long have you been gay”?
Matthew Mitcham: “Um I just won the”
reporter: Was it hard coming out of the closet?”
Matthew Mitcham: “well I started diving when”
reporter: “Is that your gay lover next to you?”
Matthew Mitcham: “Yes, he has been very helpful and stood by me”
reporter: “How did your mom feel about you being gay?”
Matthew Mitcham: “I’m just really happy I won the”
reporter: “that’s nice, so do you two plan to get married”?
Matthew Mitcham: “The Chineese are a”
reporter: “what we really need to know, and our viewers want to know is what it is like diving while gay?”
Matthew Mitcham: “I prefer to think of myself”
reporter: “But your gay, and that’s the real story here not the medal”
Could we maybe give the “alternative lifestyle” barrage a rest? I dont really care who you sleep with but do I have to hear about it every day?
August 24th, 2008 at 9:45 pmWhat else they got to do?
Unless… perhaps you’d like another Ted Stevens thread so you could mount a vigorous defense in the blogosphere?
August 24th, 2008 at 9:56 pmHi JimAK
August 24th, 2008 at 9:58 pmWanna suggest a “story”? I’ll bet it will be objective and thought provoking neutral intellectually stimulating sort of thing no doubt.
WTF:
August 24th, 2008 at 9:59 pmIs that llama some sort of weird doppelganger?
Translation: “among right-wing trolls”
I know Bathtub Gin would like to include the rest of that particular story:
Biden said he was referring to a phrase used by his mother.
“My mother has an expression: clean as a whistle, sharp as a tack,” Biden said.
Obama, in a brief off-camera interview in a Senate hallway, said he thinks Biden “didn’t intend to offend” anyone.
“He called me,” Obama said. “I told him it wasn’t necessary. We have got more important things to worry about. We have got Iraq. We have got health care. We have got energy. This is low on the list.”
Told you before, Bathtub Gin, the Troll Style Manual is reported to mandate “terrorist fist-jab” instead of “fist-tap”.
Get with the program. No wonder you’re so seldom in the starting lineup.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:02 pmdb, it’s obviously a subconscious-channel communication thing. Sort of along the lines of Jung’s Collective Unconscious.
Either that, or our trolls have become so damn predictable.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:03 pmTundra Says:
How the interview should have gone:
reporter: “How does it feel to win the gold medal?”
Matthew Mitcham: “I am so happy, I mean when I”
reporter: “And your gay right”?
Matthew Mitcham: “Yes”
reporter: “How long have you been gay”?
Matthew Mitcham: “Um I just won the”
reporter: Was it hard coming out of the closet?”
Matthew Mitcham: “well I started diving when”
reporter: “Is that your gay lover next to you?”
Matthew Mitcham: “Yes, he has been very helpful and stood by me”
reporter: “How did your mom feel about you being gay?”
Matthew Mitcham: “I’m just really happy I won the”
reporter: “that’s nice, so do you two plan to get married”?
Matthew Mitcham: “The Chineese are a”
reporter: “what we really need to know, and our viewers want to know is what it is like diving while gay?”
Matthew Mitcham: “I prefer to think of myself”
reporter: “But your gay, and that’s the real story here not the medal”
Or, you know, his significant other could simply get a nonchalant mention while he is interviewed, perhaps a question to his SO and mom about how they feel about his winning the gold, and perhaps a tiny amount of airtime of his mom and SO cheering him on in the audience rather than a concerted blackout of such?
Special treatment is what you seem to propose. Absolutely equal treatment, meaning treating his SO the same way you would treat a heterosexual’s SO, as though it were no big deal and not the news, rather then specifically blacking it out (and thus making it news). Not some ludicrous scenario such as the one you describe. @_@
August 24th, 2008 at 10:09 pmAre you sure it isn’t more like that Star Trek deal when the tranporter F’d up and split everybody into their id and ego or some such weird shit?
August 24th, 2008 at 10:11 pm“They are loaded words,” Rev. Jesse Jackson told ABC News. “And that’s why he should interpret what he meant by those loaded words. It was an attempt I thought to diminish Barack’s attributes and dismissive of our previous campaigns that made Barack’s candidacy possible.”
“George Allen got ‘macaca’ – this might be a step past that,” Sharpton warned.
Yeah like those right wing trolls.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:11 pmUmmm…didn’t NBC run a sitcom for almost a decade which had two openly gay characters? Why yes! I believe they did!
From our friends at Wikipedia:
Will & Grace is the first network television series to showcase one or more homosexuals as principal characters as part of the show’s premise. It is also the most successful such series, despite initial criticism for its particular portrayal of gay people, as it went on to become a staple in NBC’s Must See TV Thursday night lineup, where it was ensconced in the Nielsen Top 20 for half of its network run. Throughout its 8-year run, Will & Grace earned 16 Emmy Awards, out of a total of 83 nominations.
Hypo-crites.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:12 pmI haven’t watched any of the Olympics, so I’m asking: Do the announcers usually mention whether an athlete is gay or straight? Seems odd.
Do they say “There’s so & so’s parents and/or wife/husband?”
If so, they should do so for all the athletes. Mention the partner, if the partner is present. Don’t get all stupid over it. Geez…
It would be ridiculous to say an athlete is gay or straight every time they show up on the teevee.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pmHe did, If I recall based on the video above, he himself mentioned his partner. Not nonchalant enough? They should have pushed it further? Seeing as he is the only one talking in the whole video (besides a quick blurb by his mum), they should have interrupted him and mentioned something?
Your the one that wants the story to be that he’s gay not me, I’m not looking for special treatment. I only would recognize the “significant other” of one person in the olympics if I saw them on the street. Due to this whole thread now it’s his, that should make you happpy.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:21 pmTanqueray Says:
Clean and Jerk (fist-tap) Barry America!!!
Your monumental ignorance is an awesome sight to behold. You are stupider than fish eggs. An embarassment to homo sapiens everywhere. Go away and let the adults talk. In fact isnt it time you cleaned your mommys basement before she kicks you out?
August 24th, 2008 at 10:25 pmJimAK Says:
Why is TP even wasting time with this? Who cares? This is a non-story.
Is that YOUR call? I tell you what why dont you start your own website then tell us all about it so we can drop by and tell you how to run it?
August 24th, 2008 at 10:27 pmNo they don’t, which is what upsets some. They feel that because he is gay, it should be mentioned. Some times there will be a human interest story about how “their dog skippy, fell in a well and they gave it mouth to mouth for 9 hours till help arrived, and point out skippy”. There may be an “Ailing mother with cancer that is in the audience and will die in 3 days” that they will mention and show. Someone who’s father was an athlete and show them and a little clip from the 1932 olympics and them now. Stuff like that.
The complaint by some is that gay is really special interest and not a normal thing. It’s sort if like when your big issue really means nothing anymore you cling to it and still call it out.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:28 pmJimAK Says:
Sure. Why is the Democrat Party, particularly Congress, so far out of step with the American people on energy?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
There is no such thing as a Democrat Party MORON. Since you are so stupid you dont even know the NAME of the largest political party in the United states we can take the rest of your stupidity for what its worth. That is absolutly NOTHING
August 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pmSure. Why is the Democrat Party, particularly Congress, so far out of step with the American people on energy? -JimAK
I recall that Bush created the moratorium on offshore drilling. Oil [except Iran] is traded in dollars and those dollars that OPEC holds is used to buy our debt thru T-bills/bonds.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pmThanks for your concern, jim Wilke. It’s obviously meant for the best interests of the “Democrat Party”.
Only problem, buddy, is there is no such thing as the “Democrat Party”.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:32 pmJimAK Says:
——————————————————————————–
Wanna suggest a “story”? I’ll bet it will be objective and thought provoking neutral intellectually stimulating sort of thing no doubt.
Sure. Why is the Democrat Party, particularly Congress, so far out of step with the American people on energy?
No offense but it seems you have mistaken odd opinion lacking any supporting evidences for a story. Wanna try again? Come on.. Two correct and Carl Castle will record your answering machine message
August 24th, 2008 at 10:36 pmPersonally, I don’t mind if some guy is straight. At least so long as he doesn’t want to shove it in my face by talking about his wife and kids. Or kissing her in public (ewwww…). Or letting his wedding band show.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:38 pmCan’t heterosekshuls just keep it in the bedroom where it belongs?
see 43 Zooey
August 24th, 2008 at 10:38 pmJimAK Says:
Sure. Why is the Democrat Party, particularly Congress, so far out of step with the American people on energy?
You first.
Why is it that Bush refused to support the halting of oil deposits into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve only during presidential election years?
August 24th, 2008 at 10:38 pmHe kissed him on camera (Nobody on here complained)
They did a little embrace thing (Nobody on here complained)
He thanked him for his support (Nobody on here complained)
The complaint is from the gay community that nobody made a big deal about it.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:42 pmMust be that nebulous gay agenda, is that what you’re suggesting?
August 24th, 2008 at 10:43 pmHey TP, instead of saying comments are awaiting moderation why not just say ‘Your comment will never appear’ because they never do after awaiting moderation.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:48 pmYeh, those durn log cabin republicans.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:51 pmhttp://mattmitcham.com/home.html
The only mention of his “SO” on his own site is the same one from the NBColympics site. Him maybe he is censoring himself too?
August 24th, 2008 at 10:54 pmMy comment is awaiting moderation because it has the word a**lyst in it. {heavens to mergatroid] Anyway, go here to read about the SPR [strategic petroleum reserve] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Petroleum_Reserve
August 24th, 2008 at 10:55 pmXisithrus:
August 24th, 2008 at 10:55 pmDid you say the perfectly harmless word which may not be keyboarded? Perhaps this matter requires further A now e sis.
What is it with that word? I’ll bet I can say cornholed donkey punch dirty Sanchez before I can say that I examined the data in a statistically appropriate fashion around here. Damn ass hell!
August 24th, 2008 at 10:57 pmteabag!!!!
August 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pmXisithrus:
Did you say the perfectly harmless word which may not be keyboarded?
I did! I had pasted the A word that cannot be repeated, lol.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pmSomebody decided that an*lyst must be filtered to protect the virgin eyes perusing TP.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:00 pmI have noticed if there is one American in the field of ,say, 15 1500 meter runners, that might be the only one mentioned during the whole race. You are lucky if any of the others are even shown on camera, name or country given. I’m exaggerating a little, but there is a big bias like we only care about Americans.
“hug the reporter who handled the story with particular sensitivity.”
What? He hugged him with particular sensitivity or he handled the story with particular sensitivity? That was ambiguous. I kid. I like Mitcham.
For all we know, every Chinese diver could be gay.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:05 pmHaven’t read thru all the posts but…
I hope someone mentioned that the Johnson n Johnson co. should not only be applauded for their grant $ to send Matthew’s boyfriend, but they should be “showered” with so-called “pink dollars” – at least to counteract the forth-coming Rapurous Free-fall of the Markets, as a result of the Reichwing ban on Hallmark Cards.
Anyways. Congrats, Matthew! 100% is all you can be!
August 24th, 2008 at 11:06 pmI call on Tangueray to shut the hell up or take on some sort of intelligent dialogue. Well of course only if they wanna look less moronic. No offense Tangueray, it just gets so frickin’ old…
August 24th, 2008 at 11:09 pmTanq,
August 24th, 2008 at 11:10 pmHow about McCain calling the little child a “Jerk”? What is your obsession with the fist-tap? I see it every day for many years and I am very ‘old school’.
and tired
August 24th, 2008 at 11:10 pmand lame
August 24th, 2008 at 11:10 pmand basically just sorry assed
August 24th, 2008 at 11:10 pmAnusyst
August 24th, 2008 at 11:15 pmXisithrus, I’ve had comments land in moderation purgatory for using the a-nalysis word, but shit gets through, no pun intended.
PEACE
August 24th, 2008 at 11:16 pmYou would have loved our troll michael.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:17 pmLOL.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:18 pmJimAK
August 24th, 2008 at 11:18 pmI think your “story” is bullshit based on the phrasing and fundamental premise but I think you know that too.
Hey JimAK, your in Alaska and not Arkansas I presume. What can you tell me of the oil under Gull Island?
August 24th, 2008 at 11:20 pmMaybe he just likes Russian assault rifles.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:25 pmYou know, they made it a point to mention the sexual orientation of all the heterosexual athletes, so this is clearly biased.
I distinctly remember hearing, “John Arnold, who prefers the sexual company of women, is struggling to regain the form that made him a champion in 2004.”
August 24th, 2008 at 11:25 pmGreg Louganis comes to mind. But I think he was in the closet during his time in the olympics…
August 24th, 2008 at 11:27 pmSo Tanqued, if Senator Obama (I all him that because I’m not on the high school first name basis like you are) doesn’t feel Biden meant any harm when he made that comment what does it tell us. Perhaps that he’s not the radical you people would have us believe. Apparently though you have respect for Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton because you’re giving their opinions on the subject more credence than Senator Obama’s. So what is it you’ve bonded with these two because you’re highly religious. Or your just so dang sensitive about the way non-white people are treated in our society. You’re a real freakin’ humanitarian you know that.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:30 pmWhen it is all said and done I don’t really care. It isn’t that I have any hang ups about the sexuality of anyone. It is more that I think organized sport is a big bunch of wasted time and resources. The Olympics in general is just slightly disquised jingoism wrapped in a pretend blanket of global unity while we pay professional athletes absurd salaries while our teachers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, municipal workers, etal actually do something gay or not…
August 24th, 2008 at 11:31 pmOh look dbadass, Jim Wilke thinks he’s your mother. Oh he’s a mother alright but that has a different ending.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:35 pmTankmoron says
Well obviously no one cares but MY GOD YOU ARE IGNORANT
August 24th, 2008 at 11:37 pmWell, they do try and ignore this kind of thing as much as possible, American has alot of hung up bigots.
I have boycoted them, won’t watch a minute of it because of China’s human rights abuses.
…but that’s just me being me.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:37 pmMust be why I never cared much about watching the olympics.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:38 pmXisithrus, the only thing JimAk can tell you is what his oil industry bosses will let him say. But if it’s on his approved talking point sheet maybel he’ll answer your question.-
August 24th, 2008 at 11:40 pmShayne Says:
I think you were commenting on my post. It was listed as such because :
In #58 Tanqueray Says “Biden was widely called a racist jerk for saying”
in #66 Ralph said “Translation: “among right-wing trolls”
I couldn’t find a Republican who even comented on the story, it was all Democrats. But the “appearance that was attempted to be given by Ralph” was that right wings were all over him for it. When in fact they were not, it was well known democrats. Personally I don’t think he meant anything by it, but in the interest of fairness, pushing that whole issue to the republican party is kinda “Smoke and mirrors and misdirection”
August 24th, 2008 at 11:41 pmKeith Says:
Tanq,
How about McCain calling the little child a “Jerk”? What is your obsession with the fist-tap? I see it every day for many years and I am very ‘old school’.
Morons like Tank cannot think for themselves so they tune into Rightwing screechmonkeys to tell them what they believe. Those screechmonkeys use these hivemind morons to regurgitate the talking points of the week. Whether they make sense or not or how utterly moronic they are dont matter. Once a Limborgian hiveminder has his marching orders he is obligated to repeat them at every opportunity. Tankimoron is just a particularly sad and pathetic case
August 24th, 2008 at 11:43 pmI think hes probably googling Gull Island and figuring out why drilling wont change anything.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:45 pmThe Olympics spend too much time talking about the personal lives of athletes and not enough time on the events. That’s why it’s interesting when they decide not to talk about somebody. In watching a half hour of women’s beach volleyball I knew everything about them but their blood types. That’s why I stopped watching.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:45 pmJimAK Says:
83. Badeye, don’t answer a question with a question.
YOU dont get to tell anyone what to do. You are a moron and no one in their right mind cares what you think much less is going to take seriously you ordering them around. Rent a braincell, till you obtain one let the adults talk
August 24th, 2008 at 11:45 pmTo whom was it unclear, after watching the video, that Mitcham and his friend are gay?
dbadass Says:
When it is all said and done I don’t really care. It isn’t that I have any hang ups about the sexuality of anyone. It is more that I think organized sport is a big bunch of wasted time and resources. The Olympics in general is just slightly disquised jingoism wrapped in a pretend blanket of global unity while we pay professional athletes absurd salaries while our teachers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, municipal workers, etal actually do something gay or not…
August 24th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
______
The earnings of pro athletes compared to teachers, police officers, etc. is certainly absurd. However, that shouldn’t detract from the athletic accomplishments of the Olympians.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:46 pmDon’t flatter yourself. I was responding to Tanqueray’s statement about Biden. I don’t know or care what your post said.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:48 pmOK, since I am the only one who quoted Sharpton and Jackson, I suppose you can attribute it to him though since you are so concerned with facts.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:50 pmShould Ohio State sport franchises distract from the accomplishment of Ohio State student scholars?
August 24th, 2008 at 11:50 pmSorry Tundra, I see you are the guy who brought up Sharpton and Jackson not Tanqueray. That’s fabulous he says something stupid and you make it stupider. You’re like tag team trolls. Just what the world needs.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:54 pm______
dbadass Says:
Should Ohio State sport franchises distract from the accomplishment of Ohio State student scholars?
August 24th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
______
Absolutely not. Athletics should always be secondary to academics in any school. Not that that will ever happen. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t recognize those who are driven to be the best at their sport.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:55 pmDon’t worry Tundra I’m not the person who passes out McCain brownie points so you won’t lose any credit towards your POW mouse pad.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:57 pmHe said something stupid
Ralph tried to push it on Republicans
I pointed it out it wasn’t Republicans that were calling Biden a jerk.
I am not a big fan of republicans either, but figured there were enough real things to get mad at them for as opposed to blaming them for something they didn’t do.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:58 pmBut that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t recognize those who are driven to be the best at their sport. -UL
Im not sure what sport means anymore when poker has become one.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:58 pmI think we would have to first define sport? If we exclude for the moment individual “sport” which I might describe less as sport and more as art, how does team athletics benefit society? What are its cultural underpinnings and why do we elevate it at the expense of many things which actually benefit group survival?
August 24th, 2008 at 11:59 pmWhat do we get on Sunday night, troll benchwarmers. Just pathetic.
August 24th, 2008 at 11:59 pmBecause I don’t blindly accuse the republicans of everything certinaly doesn’t mean I’m voting for Mccain LOL
August 25th, 2008 at 12:00 amXisithrus Says:
Im not sure what sport means anymore when poker has become one.
—
August 25th, 2008 at 12:02 amSeems shooting a gun at a target is a sport but skateboarding remains a crime….
I am reminded of Aldous Huxleys book ‘Brave New World’ where sports must contain as much ball throwing, hoop shooting, kicking, hitting, batting, bells, whistles and flashing lights as possible. heh.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:03 amOK, so in order to “Be on the good side of this fight” I have to sit around and chant:
Reichtwing
Rethugs
Republicants
And blindly believe they are responsible for everything wrong in this world ever? Totally ignore all facts and spoonfeed myself while towing your party line 100% of the time?
Nice, I’m sure you are a great credit to the Progressive movement.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:04 am______
ralph the wonder llama Says:
I know Bathtub Gin would like to include the rest of that particular story:
Biden said he was referring to a phrase used by his mother.
“My mother has an expression: clean as a whistle, sharp as a tack,” Biden said.
Obama, in a brief off-camera interview in a Senate hallway, said he thinks Biden “didn’t intend to offend” anyone.
“He called me,” Obama said. “I told him it wasn’t necessary. We have got more important things to worry about. We have got Iraq. We have got health care. We have got energy. This is low on the list.”
August 24th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
______
You don’t seriously believe that explanation? I like Biden. Obama made a good choice. But, honestly, how many times did he ever refer to anyone else as clean? If he did and I missed it, please point it out. I don’t believe Biden is a racist, but I do believe he was trying to point out the difference between Obama and previous black candidates and he made a poor choice of words. It doesn’t mean he is a racist, just that he was recognizing differences in groups of people. I don’t believe for a minute that he intended to offend anyone, but you can’t just ignore the fact that he said it.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:04 amBack when I used to smoke we used to have bonging contests….never really caught on as a sport however.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:05 amYour concern for “the Progressive movement” is touching really. The “movement” couldn’t make it without you.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:08 amXisithrus Says:
Seems shooting a gun at a target is a sport but skateboarding remains a crime….-dbadass
Back when I used to smoke we used to have bonging contests….never really caught on as a sport however.
Hell if it didn’t. I medaled in it myself.
If ESPN and FSN can broadcast frickin’ poker games, we’ve obviously long ago lost the concept of “sport.”
I do have fond memories of “sport fu(king”, though.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:08 amMonty Python’s International Hide and Go Seek Competition sort of sums it all up im many way. Still a can sort of see some value to Bowl-A-Thons…
August 25th, 2008 at 12:09 amOh FYI Trundra, the topi of this thread was the Olympics, not Obama or Biden or fist tapping. Only you and Tanqueray insisted on leading it there.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:10 amShayne Says:
Tundra Says:
Nice, I’m sure you are a great credit to the Progressive movement.
Your concern for “the Progressive movement” is touching really. The “movement” couldn’t make it without you.
Funny echo in here, isn’t there? “Oh, I suppose if I don’t spend all my time badmouthing Republicans, I must be a troll. . . and you people are lousy progressives.” How many times have we heard that?
And when will you people get it right!? It’s “toeing the line”!!! You “tow a line” if you’re pulling a dinghy (or a dory!).
If people are going to use stupid cliches, could they at least get them right?
August 25th, 2008 at 12:11 amPlease guys, they have outdoor bowling trying to make what has always been considered recreation a “sport”.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:11 amFor EVERYONE who says “so what, this guy is openly gay and he won a gold medal…keep that out of the competition”, you’re missing the point entirely. Women’s basketball here in the U.S. is labeled as being a lesbian sport, supported by lesbians. So when a women’s basketball player…and it has happened…declares herself to be a lesbian, it’s not a shocker in any regards to the media. You don’t have the AFA boycotting the sport, not because of the practice but because no one watches and the weight of that person’s choice will not resonate through the sports fabric of every media stream.
Now if you have an openly gay male athlete, that changes the picture. You have a man who is breaking a taboo, probably putting himself in some sort of physical risk and in the Olympics where every human interest story is covered, no matter how far out there it might get…you don’t think this sort of story WOULD NOT have ANY impact here in the United States?! I’m sorry, but this diver’s story touches the social consciousness of America and could reach other gay athletes who live in the shadows, to give them hope for a better tomorrow. But NBC did the easy thing and covered it up so it didn’t offend a righteous minority. Who needs reality when living in make believe is so much better? We did that with the blacks for how many years? Because human interest stories are that much better when we pencil whip speedsters into this nation as “citizens” from Africa and whine about how our precious female gymnasts need to be handed their gold medals through paper filings, because they blew their chances to get them in the arena.
A lot of us still don’t see that when one person has a stage, they don’t have to be Michael Phelps to make an impact on it. NBC denied Matthew Mitcham a chance to be more than just a gold medalist.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:11 amNobody said that Tundra. However you gotta admit that there is alot of fingerpointing [blamegame] going on in politics and the media today.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:11 amI’m sure someone had an abusive father in the olympics, but the fact it wasn’t mentioned (regardless of how helpful it could have been to someone else) doesn’t make NBC at fault. If someone was a chronic bedwetter as a child, sure mentioning it may help someone else…
Being gay is not equivalent to having been abused or having been a chronic bedwetter. (Though I have no intention of demeaning people who have dealt/are dealing with those issues.) Being gay is just being whom you are. It is natural, normal and healthy, and should be a non-issue for anybody.
Unfortunately, many people in then US don’t see it that way. We have our Donald Wildmon’s and Fred Phelps’es, and many who do not express themselves so radically or hatefully as they do, but still hold disdain for gay people.
Ironically, I feel that saying “Who the heck cares if he/she is gay?” would be the appropriate response to this matter in an ideal world. But since we don’t live in an ideal world, I think that is a good thing when accomplishments by gay people, especially in sports, should be brought to attention. I like seeing role models for young gays being spotlighted in the media. Having grown up gay in a small, very conservative town in South Carolina (wow- I know that phrase reeks of redundancy-what town in S. Carolina is not small and very conservative. btw-born just 20 miles up the road and about 6 weeks before Sen. Lindsey Graham was spawned, I know it ain’t so easy growing up queer.
Just sharing my thoughts on this.
Peace to you all. (y’all?)
August 25th, 2008 at 12:13 amUh oh Gummith, now you’re going to make his head a$$plode.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:13 amYou really lack reading comprehension. You also lack the ability to look at those little numbers on the side of posts. They are an order of when things were said. You have been way off topic since long before I was. Mine wasn’t even a slam on Senator Obama or Senator Biden. I personally like Senator Biden and don’t think there was a better choice to go with.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:14 am______
dbadass Says:
I think we would have to first define sport? If we exclude for the moment individual “sport” which I might describe less as sport and more as art, how does team athletics benefit society? What are its cultural underpinnings and why do we elevate it at the expense of many things which actually benefit group survival?
August 24th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
______
I see no actual benefit to society from team sports. It’s purely entertainment for the observers. It obviously benefits the participants physically, and in many cases financially.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:15 amWell, calories do get burned. =)
August 25th, 2008 at 12:16 amyet it permeates in many ways. How many communities pony up more dough for the teams than they do for the math program’s graphing calculators or hot water in the science labs?
August 25th, 2008 at 12:18 amThanks for helping me out Tundra, without you telling me about that number thing I was lost. Before that I thought my big problem tonight was typos but now I can go back and read the posts by number. Before I was just looking at them by their place on the list.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:20 amupright left Says:
I see no actual benefit to society from team sports. It’s purely entertainment for the observers. It obviously benefits the participants physically, and in many cases financially.
_____________
There are many, many actual benefits to society from team sports.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:21 amI don’t even care if I medal I just wanna be on the sports
August 25th, 2008 at 12:21 amfu(king squad at London. I think I’d better start more rigorous training now… Ah The chance to represent my country…
I fully agree with you about that. I don’t think blaming people is the way to get things resolved. I simply saw a misplaced blame and called it out. Which of course turned me into a Rightwing limbaugh listening to troll. Shayne assumes so much with nothing to back it up with it is quite comical.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:21 amThe Olympics are just like most sports in this country. Thousands of people who need exercise sitting around watching a couple of people who don’t need exercise.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:22 am______
dbadass Says:
yet it permeates in many ways. How many communities pony up more dough for the teams than they do for the math program’s graphing calculators or hot water in the science labs?
August 25th, 2008 at 12:18 am
______
I actually thought my district was different when I saw very impressive figures on spending for academics, technology, GT, etc. Then I saw the budget for athletics and sports facilities. Our admins aren’t skimping a bit there either.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:24 amoops-sorry about leaving out some correct punctuation in that last post.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:25 amThanks for sharing jaymark. And when you say Lindsey Graham was spawned you’re not kidding.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:27 amCool
August 25th, 2008 at 12:29 amSo I’m sure Tundra agrees that blaming Biden for comments he made that came out wrong but meant no harm is silly as well.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:30 amPersonally, I enjoy the peculiar little sports that get some coverage during the olympics. It warms my heart to think there are a few out there working and striving at badminton, fencing, ping pong, rowing, archery, lawn bowling. Cool stuff, bring it on.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:31 amI by no means am trying to belittle anyone for being gay(or bedwetter or abused). I can only imagine how difficult it would have been growing up homosexual in my original hometown. In my personal experience (IE people I associate with) noone cares if you are gay/straight/old/black/asian/missing a limb. Perhaps I am living in a dream world, but I feel labeling people as a whole is not conducive to creating “tolerance”. Just as I feel that calling out a great athlete for something other than their accomplishments diminishes their achievements.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:33 amI dont think Tundra, or myself for that matter, is able to judge what Bidens remarks meant as they were not directed to any of us so I am not offended. Obama apparently wasnt bothered by the remark and thats really all that matters as that is who it was directed at.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:34 amTundra believes that if Senator Obama didn’t get offended, he shouldn’t.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:34 amI watched a family play bocce together on a beach today while the tide was out and the sand was perfect. They were all way into it and everyone won. Still I think the female beach bocce players should have smaller uniforms…
August 25th, 2008 at 12:35 amBadminton was the coolest event I saw jb. Ironically I stopped watching much because they talked too much about the personal lives of athletes.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:36 amThen we agree Tundra.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:37 amY’ever notice that the macho guys (Tundra? As in Toyota?) who keep saying being a gay world-class athlete is not important and asking why TP is wasting space on this issue are the ones who are staying up all night posting comments saying that sexual orientation is not important and TP is wasting space…
August 25th, 2008 at 12:37 amIf it’s no big deal, and if NBC was right in fogging it over, then why are you still here?
And why does it always seem to be the gay thing that gets them their panties in a such a wad that they spend all night saying their panties are not in a wad, but…and they’re off again!
How very self-serving of you dbadass. Or were you just worried that they were getting overheated? :)
August 25th, 2008 at 12:38 amNow JimAK:
August 25th, 2008 at 12:40 amHow might this relate to the topic? Please help make the linkage for me. Thanks-
You know JimAk I’m thinking you could change your name to OilsRUs.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:41 amNow why would Gull Island contain little oil and ANWR and the strategic naval reserve, Prudhoe Bay does?
August 25th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Thanks Xis.
No I am a union type guy. Born and raised in Detroit, wouldn’t be caught dead in a toyota.
I have insomnia, can only look at naked women so long. Was really hoping for a new article that would be good to debate would come up soon. So until that happens I’ll ramble here.
Actually it’s any Liberty related topic. Equal treatment for all regardless of age/race/creed/religous preference/sex/etc.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:46 amspencers mom@49
Great ad!
When Pres. Obama speaks on mcchimpy’s record or his plans, mcchimpy and his buddies, msm, call it a negative ad.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:53 amNo prob. One of my biggest pet peeves is objective/subjective truth which pundits/media/politicians use to sway peoples votes and its frustrating that some many people parrot these opinions put forward as truth just because someone on TV, who are seen as all wise because of their ‘popularity’ [big paycheck], spouts them.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:53 amNotice how Tundra throws in (very strangely) that he likes to look at naked women? Very insecure about his sexual orientation and doesn’t want anyone to think he is gay.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:54 amI think it was probably meant as a joke.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:57 amAh, humour as a defense mechanism. :)
August 25th, 2008 at 12:58 amIsn’t that the truth. It’s hard to find people that take that step back and really look at the facts.
Actually I have a very adventurous girlfriend that likes to bring people along (men/women/couples), so I am pretty comfortable with my sexuality. Not quite as hung up about it as you may think. If you would like to throw some bible quotes out, I’m not into religion either.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:59 amOnly his hairdresser knows for sure. [joking]
August 25th, 2008 at 1:02 amIf there was equal treatment for all, then there would be same sex marriage in every state. Why do we let the majority of voters decide? Do we let the majority decide whether or not African-Americans have the right to vote in each state?
August 25th, 2008 at 1:03 amDOH!!!! haha
August 25th, 2008 at 1:03 amS’all right, Tundra. I wasn’t serious. Should have indicated.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:06 amI turned off the TV years ago. I dont need people feeding me what they consider ‘news’ which today is mostly tabloidal rumor mongering and inane opinionating.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:07 amCurrently it is equal “Any man can marry any woman and vice versa”. Personally I think they should get rid of marriage credits etc (What real benefit to society does it do? Why can’t I live with a person for 10 years and never sign a paper but have to pay more taxes). Foregoing that option I’d say sure let people marry whoever they want, let them write up a contract for credits between 2 friends who codomicile for financial reasons.
It’s the democratic way to do things, although I believe in a more strict definition of the constitution so it shouldn’t even be able to be an issue for voting (In my opinion)
Not if they are American citizens (and over 18) then they have the right to vote
heh, it’s all good
August 25th, 2008 at 1:10 amWell Im off to read for a while before the old glob of pink jelly slides off into lala land.
BTW, I found this online book very interesting if anyone wants to read it, it can be found here in pdf format. It was written by Michael Hudson [economist/historian] who seems to be quite on the ball.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:11 amhttp://www.michael-hudson.com/books/superimperialism.pdf
Me too, been about 3 years now, the thing only gets turned on for the occasional DVD rental. Usually some action flick that I caught a preview for online somewhere. Oh and about twice a month so my daughter can play her Wii
August 25th, 2008 at 1:12 amcool take it easy, I am out soon myself so I can try to get some snooze.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:13 amI visited my brother recently and he had tha damn TV on all day long. I wanted to grab it and throw it out the window.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:16 amG’nite all
August 25th, 2008 at 1:16 amKeith Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
——————————————————————————–
Yeah, there should be equal treatment for couples who are not married, too. But if a couple really wants to be married, they should not be prevented from doing so because they are same sex. And it should not depend on if they live in a liberal state. I was trying to come up with a racial an@logy. It should not depend on what the majority of voters in a conservative state think. The XIV Amendment gives civil rights to ALL.
[I used the "a" word and had to go back and correct it] Dang.
Nite all.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:20 amShayne Says:
The Olympics are just like most sports in this country. Thousands of people who need exercise sitting around watching a couple of people who don’t need exercise.
Yeah, but the difference is NBC paid a ton of money to air extreme niche sports every two years that it tape delays, even if it takes place here in the U.S. and slaps the human interest filler to fill time. Then again, when I watch a football game I don’t turn to SportsCenter and they tell me who won before I ever get to see it hours after the fact.
August 25th, 2008 at 3:46 amKeith Says:
If there was equal treatment for all, then there would be same sex marriage in every state. Why do we let the majority of voters decide? Do we let the majority decide whether or not African-Americans have the right to vote in each state?
Don’t get it twisted. African-Americans struggle and the gay struggle are not the same.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:16 amClearly, someone at NBC made the decision NOT to mention it. And in doing so, they denied tens of thousands of struggling younger people the chance to see that somelike like them could be an Olympic hero, and millions more that it is normal to be gay and athletic.
Boy, that’s laying it on thick. I’m sure he will be written up and seen on other media. It’s not like he won’t get his gay accolades.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:22 amThe NBCOlympics web site is forthright in the bio section about his being gay. For what that’s worth.
Interestingly enough, however, the 28 minute final dive competition did not play all the way through in their video section. Maybe somebody didn’t want viewers admiring a gay diver for that long a time. Who knows what it could lead to. :-)
August 25th, 2008 at 8:33 amSorry to be blunt, but I don’t care.
Matthew Mitchum is a gold medal Olympic champion.
His sexuality has nothing to do with his accomplishment.
I presume Michael Phelps is “straight”, but I don’t need a commentary on his heterosexuality.
They are all humans, after all, albeit very athletic.
After the Olympics, what Matthew decides to do with his “openness” is his business, not NBC’s.
That being said, I hope his victory encourages others to dream, to not be held back by a bigoted society. To believe in themselves to matter what. To encourage those who feel shunned or unaccepted.
That may be his true accomplishment.
Peace.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:53 amThe editor of Think Progress obviously thinks it is important to celebrate a person’s homosexuality.
Frankly speaking, I would rather not hear aout a person’s sexual proclivities. It has absolutely no bearing on my thoughts of that person profession.
The editor of Think Progress is way over the top on this one.
No wonder average Americans groan when Liberals celebrate homosexuality. Most people do not want to picture other people’s sexual desires. That shit should remain private.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:21 amWhen are we going to get over the homophobic thing??
August 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am#203 – desertflower1 Says:
————————————————-
“When are we going to get over the homophobic thing??”
August 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
When a persons sexual orientation is no longer an issue. Had Mitcham been a heterosexual, would they have censored his wife/girlfriend? I seriously doubt it.
August 25th, 2008 at 10:20 amis it discriminatory if NBC doesn’t mention the sexual orientation of a heterosexual or bisexual?
August 25th, 2008 at 11:35 amif it happens to come up that he likes boys, so be it. but NBC doesn’t have to go out of its way to point out that he likes boys (just in order to not offend gay or civil rights’ activists)……
it’s time that we all grew up and got over this…..
August 25th, 2008 at 11:37 am#206 – darladooner Says:
———————————————————–
“if it happens to come up that he likes boys, so be it. but NBC doesn’t have to go out of its way to point out that he likes boys”
August 25th, 2008 at 11:37 am
The problem is that NBC went out of their way to AVOID mentioning his partner!
Would you feel the same if a straight person’s wife/girlfriend of a heterosexual was specifically left out of coverage that other news agencies reports on, or would you be saying “Why did they avoid the same reporting as other agencies?”
Once equal rights are given to EVERYONE, then it’ll be a non-issue. As long as there is a double standard, expect it to be an issue that people refuse to “get over”.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:57 pmFirst does anyone remember Greg Louganis?
More to the point would be why NBC did not allude to, or out right mention that Mitchum was gay. Either it is because the network has become squeamish about the sexual orientation of atheletes or they are afraid of being sued over any negative repercussions from publicizing this information. After all they were in China, a country known for its civil rights violations and who have very strong anti-gay laws, and Mitchum is from Australia also know for its anti-gay laws. As it is Mitchum and his partner maybe headed for government harassment when they return home.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:49 pmThe “right” is afraid of homosexuals the same way they’re afraid of their own shadows.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:46 pmThis is another example that the “old world jounalism of Murrow, Cronkite and Rather is dead and buried. In the case of the Time Magazine reporter Ms Tumulty, she seems to think the finding out the who, what, where, when and how have been replaced with a steno pad, which she records what ABC said in rebuttle to the complaint of Congressman Kucinich. There is a great disconnect with what happened and the points made by ABC. She asks little of no questions to ABC. She takes what is handed to her and repeats it vebatim and then calls that reporting. I call is stenography. Lida Sohbet sohbet sesli chat Gelinlik Modelleri
January 11th, 2009 at 11:06 amGiGi is under the mistaken impression that anyone here is going to believe anything it posts. cam balkon sistemleri Since everything he posts links to a right wing website, cam balkon sistemleri cam balkon – triko – film izle – online film izle
January 20th, 2009 at 9:36 amIf you’re referring to Karl Schwarz’ articles, if they are true, how will we ever know unless the news media gets involved without bias? The military under orders not to speak out may never convey Karl Scharz’ expose’. Sesli Sohbet If Cheney was truly involved in 9/11 and protected in some way, then he’s being protected by what may be going on in the Caspian Sea area as well. That pre-9/11 August 10, 2000 article drives the point home to me that Cheney had a vested interest in the oil at the Caspian Sea area (before 9/11). Fx15 From all I’ve read in Schwarz’ articles, he claims the Taliban was working on a deal with Argentina with that pipeline in the Caspian Sea area and UNOCOL wanted the deal instead. Orjinal Lida It’s too much to get into here and I’m not able to convey in here what Schwarz has presented in his articles. Sikis Dig into Schwarz’ articles to learn more about the unnamed soldier’s experiences related to so-called Black Ops missions in the Caspian Sea area in Schwarz’ article. What Schwarz had to present in this article is an eye opener: kurtlar vadisi pusu izle
January 30th, 2009 at 2:34 pmthanks
January 31st, 2009 at 6:49 amThank you.
http://www.mertdalda.com
http://www.hrngndz.com
February 1st, 2009 at 10:52 amI want suits in Colorado, New Jersey, and any other state where illegal suppression campaigns are being conducted. And some real looks at the polling methodology would also be eye opening.
mynet
February 4th, 2009 at 2:35 pmdizi izle
sohbet odalari
ttnet sohbet
According to the LA Times, the first thing Mitcham did when meeting with journalists after his win was “hug the reporter who handled the story with particular sensitivity.”
February 9th, 2009 at 3:41 pmyo nunca habia visto a Eugenio Derbez haciendo el papel de malo pero esta pelicula esta muy bonita y si le cae ambos papeles pero lo disfruto mas cuando hace el papel de comedian
March 12th, 2009 at 8:34 amk?z oyunlar? | araba oyunlar? | flash oyun | oyun sitesi
yo nunca habia visto a Eugenio Derbez haciendo el papel de malo pero esta pelicula esta muy bonita y si le cae ambos papeles pero lo disfruto mas cuando hace el papel de comedian
March 12th, 2009 at 8:35 amk?z oyunlar? | araba oyunlar? | flash oyun | oyun sitesi
yo nunca habia visto a Eugenio Derbez haciendo el papel de malo pero esta pelicula esta muy bonita y si le cae ambos papeles pero lo disfruto mas cuando hace el papel de comedian
March 12th, 2009 at 8:35 amk?z oyunlar? | araba oyunlar? | flash oyun | oyun sitesi