Del Rio has been attacked for a statement made this week that “I can look at images on the TV [of the Floyd protests] — people’s livelihoods are being destroyed. Businesses are being burned down. No problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we’re going to make that a major deal. I just think it’s kind of two standards, and if we apply the same standard and we’re going to be reasonable with each other, let’s have a discussion.”
I strongly disagree with the characterization of the riot as a “dust up.” I publicly condemned Trump’s speech while it was being given and I called for a bipartisan vote of censure over his responsibility in the riots. However, the question is whether people are allowed to speak freely in their private capacities without triggering cancel campaigns. I have no problem with Sen. Saslaw condemning the comments. However, his use of the negotiations to tie the new stadium to the exercise of free speech is deeply troubling.
It is a view clearly shared by millions of other Americans. However, Saslaw and many in the media decided to use the $1 billion stadium to add pressure on the team to silence such employees. Saslaw told the media “This obviously was not very helpful, to put it mildly, but there’s so many other things out there,” a reference also to allegations of sexual harassment and financial mismanagement by the team and its owner Daniel Snyder. Saslaw suggested the team might be able to try again next year.
You might be allowed to coach and be conservative, but it is clear that you cannot do both publicly.
Various figures called for Del Rio to be fired. NAACP President Derrick Johnson called Del Rio’s comments “offensive and ignorant”:
“The January 6th insurrection — an attempted coup — was far from a ‘dust-up.'” Each day we learn more and more on just how close our democracy came to autocracy. Downplaying the insurrection by comparing it to nationwide protests, which were in response to a public lynching, is twisted. You can’t coach a majority Black team while turning your back on the Black community. It’s time for you to pack up and step off the field.”
With the FedEx field contract expiring in a few years, the pressure on Snyder is considerable to punish Del Rio. The campaign worked. Del Rio made the expected public apology for daring to offer a dissenting view on the riot and the media coverage.
So the message from Sen. Saslaw is clear to the Commanders: Because you allow conservative employees to speak freely, no stadium for you and come back in a year…
“I strongly disagree with the characterization of the riot as a ‘dust up.’ I publicly condemned Trump’s speech while it was being given and I called for a bipartisan vote of censure over his responsibility in the riots…”
I fear that the unecessessary addition of your opinion here, which assumes the conclusion and supports the false characterization of Jan. 6 and consequent charade (even referencing back to a “condemnation” of a peaceful, justifiable rally and protest over a stolen election) — which has been added, I assume, to keep up relationships with the left and not antagonize them without at least preserving an anticipated defense of nonpartisan objectivity — actually only helps promote the problem you now profess to be against.
Rachel Maddow disagrees. https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1535082158909538304?
As does Jeffrey Tobin https://www.mrctv.org/videos/cnns-toobin-we-saw-less-proof-trumps-responsibility-j6-violence
2nd Amendment
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Duty of Americans
The 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is fundamental law, which necessarily requires citizens to secure the “free State” and its Constitution, through the kinetic action of militias, which are comprised of citizens who keep and bear arms in their domiciles, and who are prepared and stand ready to secure the “free State” on a moment’s notice, and, it is understood, the 2nd Amendment equally allows citizens to keep and bear arms to engage in legal activities including, but not limited to, hunting for food, engaging in sport, and protecting and defending their persons, families and property.
There is a difference in approach. Those of the left want Del Rio to lose his livelihood. They want Del Rio to be shut down. In Florida DeSantis is saying that Disney Land as a private business should not receive special privilege but the Governor is not saying that Disney should be shut down and not be able to operate it’s very profitable business. Their is no correlation between the two courses of action presented by our everyday posters on the left who participate on this blog. In this instance their is no deviance from their common faulty thinking and faulty comparisons. It’s like they say that books are being banned when such books are readily available for purchase on Amazon. They’re told what to say and they say it.
There there
“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
– Declaration of Independence, 1776
Sorry, I cannot remain silent. Delete my post if it breaks any rules.
January 6, 2021 was a putsch by Democrats. They accomplished three goals:
1. Overthrew the sitting President Trump. Big Tech cut off Trump’s communications with the people. January 6 was the last day of Trump Presidency.
2. Interrupted orderly debates and determination of the electors’ lists. There were competing lists from some states.
3. Used force & intimidation against some Congressional Republicans. Congress was under duress when it purportedly certified Mr. Biden, so determining its validity is up to legal minds.
The Capitol police reports to Nancy Pelosi (Pelosi police). It had no reason to interrupt the session or to move Congress members to another location. Republicans were treated differently from Democrats. By shooting, using concussion grenades and tear gas in the Capitol building, Pelosi police intimidated members of Congress. There were no external threat from Trump supporters or even leftist provocateurs. There was no reason to believe that such threat existed, except for the words & actions of putschists. The purpose of shooting and bombing was to intimidate Congress members.
The police pulled some members of Congress by force. Staffers have been frog-marched with their hands up. Pelosi police had Congress members almost at gun point when they purportedly certified alleged results.
https://defyccc.com/category/dem-putsch/
The staffers with their hands up. Some behavior of Democrats & tweets from John Brennan show they knew “the script” ahead of time: https://defyccc.com/timeline/
More evidence, including unwanted incineration of the body of Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick:
https://defyccc.com/evidence-of-pelosi-putsch/
https://defyccc.com/pelosi-putsch/
Hear!! Hear!!! Leo G.
“. . . while turning your back on the Black community.”
It would be interesting to ask Blacks living in the communities decimated by those riots, and through the daily nightmare of rampant crime: Who turned their backs on whom?
There was a time in America in which consistency was a virtue.
If I had to pick a decade in which that significantly began to change, it would be after Nixon resigned in 1974, when the ‘me-first’ generation began to get traction, and really took hold in the roaring 80’s.
On this blog there are so many commenters with good and great ideas, but also there are those who exhibit the ‘knee-jerk reaction’ behavior referring to Turley as a hypocrite rather than asking him to explain his rationales for the positions he takes. He certainly can, in large part because he is consistent in his views and his positions when writing about the ever-changing societal and political landscape in which we find ourselves today.
I’m confused, but it’s not about this shelving stadium plans topic
Geico auto insurance must pay a Missouri woman $5.2 million after she caught HPV from unprotected sex with her then-boyfriend in his insured automobile, a state appellate court ruled.
The woman — identified in court papers only as “M.O.” — said that she “engaged in unprotected sexual activities in Insured’s vehicle” in November and December 2017 and that he “negligently caused or contributed to” her catching the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection, court papers said.
The woman could have been turning tricks with many “Johns” in other venues. So how does the judge & jury know who transmitted the (HPV) payload? Will China virus transmission lawsuits be next?
You’re right — when I read that GEICO story, I had trouble figuring out what possible rationale a Court of competent jurisdiction could have used to require an automobile insurance company to pay this woman.
“ However, the question is whether people are allowed to speak freely in their private capacities without triggering cancel campaigns.”
Oh they are certainly allowed to speak freely in their private capacities. But that is never guaranteed to be risk free from consequences. Why does Turley seem to think that exercising 1st amendment free speech rights is supposed to be devoid of risk? Protections from cancel culture or being canceled is not what the 1st amendment gives anyone. Especially by other private individuals. Someone calling to cancel someone else is also protected free speech. Oh the irony. Maybe Turley should write a column on why calling for canceling is also free speech.
. But that is never guaranteed to be risk free from consequences
That’s just the veil needed to fire minorities , Democrats, left handed lesbians, that trouble maker in production that has the pic of his grand kids in a bathtub. All out ,because their speech carried consequences.
So no objection for employers in firing employees who speak out in favor of abortion rights, regardless of the exact nature of employment?
JT is just fine when DeSantis does this, but not now. I wonder what the difference is? Oh ya. Party.
Turley’s hypocrisy shines once again. Turley remains silent on Governor DeSantis own punishment of a private company over their own free speech. The clear cut violation of Disney’s free speech rights apparently was not important enough for Turley to mention in one of his columns.
I wonder if it’s actually stated in his Fox News contract that he cannot criticize or disparage Republican lawmakers or conservatives.
Non-disparagement clauses seem to be ubiquitous within right wing media outlets.
Svelaz asks:
“I wonder if it’s actually stated in his Fox News contract that he cannot criticize or disparage Republican lawmakers or conservatives.”
Wouldn’t that be ironic! On rare occasion, Turley does criticize a Republican, e.g., MTG. But you have to remember that Turley is paid by the Republicans to be their go-to Constitutional scholar. So, he has to be mindful of not jeopardizing that gig.
He does level a good amount of criticism at Trump though not enough. He has never actually called him a “liar” which most Trumpists won’t even deny! In Trump’s defense, they ask “What politician doesn’t?”
We will never know whether Fox and Turley have a non-disclosure agreement, but if he as, it would fly in the face of his espousal of free speech. Just as Trumpists presumed that some of the jurors in the Sussmann trial were not impartial and therefore the verdict corrupt, Turley’s opinions likewise are suspect, if not corrupt, on account of his paid for non-disparagement with Fox.
Using Del Rio’s factual statement shows once again that voices that do not align with “our betters” have to be silenced.
The radical left believes that freedom of speech means unfeted speech actual means “Speech for me, not for Thee”.
The radicals claim that moderate or conservative voices are a threat to democracy. They are the danger to democracy
Turley only focuses on one aspect of free speech while ignoring the other equally important aspect, the responsibility of exercising it. The 1st amendment does NOT protect anyone from the consequences of exercising it. Be it criticism, mockery, and yes, even being cancelled. Even calls for canceling someone is free speech too.
Government should not be funding private enterprises. It’s just that simple.
Cathy, you are absolutely right.
Hear, hear!
When you mix politics and business, you get politics.
Maybe I missed it when Turley complained about Ron DeSantis vetoing $35 million in funding for a Tampa Bay Rays Complex because the team made a statement about gun laws? If he complained about the Governor of Florida doing that and taking away Walt Disney World’s special tax district (Florida has about 850 such districts including The Villages) I apologize, otherwise he’s a hypocrite.
https://nypost.com/2022/06/03/desantis-stands-by-veto-of-35m-in-funding-for-rays-complex/
Both are equally an abuse of government power and suppression of ideas and not actions but that said, I take a lot of satisfaction out of the hit on Tampa Bay since it differs from Del Rio in that the coach was promoting the good (questioning authority) while the Rays were promoting the bad (taking my guns away in time of utter lawlessness brought to you by the Dimocratic Party).
Mespo, you are normally quite reasonable, I read through the Tampa Bay Rays twitter feed and the joint announcement with the Yankees about gun violence. Can you point to anything the Rays said that equates to taking your guns away? Anything?
The Rays were clearly supporting one of those ActBlue NGOs (i.e., Dim Party): “Everytown for Gun s̶a̶f̶e̶t̶y̶ Confiscation” that wants to take guns away from the law abiding. They aren’t fools who will say what they truly want; they’re Soros clones who think we’re too stupid to see the wolf beneath the lamb’s wool.
So it’s not based on anything they said, on twitter. It’s what you believe they meant?
DeSantis has become the dictator of Florida who attacks everyone that says something he doesn’t like. That includes Disney, the Rays, teachers, school boards, City’s and County’s that wanted to use safety measure vs. COVID. cruise lines, and more. You may like it when he comes for those you oppose, one day he may come for you.
enigma…………..You must be a ballerina, because your stag leaps from actual reality/facts to your fantasy narrative are breath-taking.
Hello Cindy, perhaps you could be specific. Based on the conversation I was having with Mespo. I correctly pointed out that the Tampa Bay Rays said nothing about taking away guns. If you are talking about what I said about the dictator of my state, Ron DeSantis. Please point out your area of disagreement and I’ll happily document it. I can deal with specific points, it’s the overall everything I say is trash that is hard to debate factually.
What DeSantis did to Disney and the Rays was different in that both were:
1. Actions against for-profit corporations, not individuals speaking for themselves; and
2. Denials of exceptional public benefits to for-profit corporations.
Though in law a for-profit corporation is considered a legal person and so is entitled to many of the rights of individuals, it has always seemed to me that their free speech rights are more attenuated. They operate under a legal system of fiduciary duties to shareholders that constrains what they can say. We would be better off if their speech remained limited to what is directly tied to their businesses. This point has historically been made by the left, not the right.
In addition, DeSantis had motives unrelated to speech: eliminating a quasi governmental status given exclusively to one corporation affording it a competitive advantage; and eliminating public funding of a private sport stadium.
“In addition, DeSantis had motives unrelated to speech: eliminating a quasi governmental status given exclusively to one corporation affording it a competitive advantage; and eliminating public funding of a private sport stadium.”
You clearly don’t live in Florida. There are several hundred of those special tax districts including The Villages and the Daytona Speedway. DeSantis admits his actions is because they had public disagreements with him. They took no action, Disney stuck up for some of their employees and families, Tampa Bay Rays did nothing to implement any policy unlike say Publix that funded some of the January 6th activities. Don’t give DeSantis motives he doesn’t claim, take him at his word. He’s a petty tyrant. You love free speech when it’s you.
Since you wish to bring The Villages into the discussion tell us how they are the same as Disney and tell us about their tax district. I do not wish to say I have expertise about the law or the Villages but it sounds like the Villages are PUDs common all over Florida and I don’t see the relationship to Disney World that was made into a virtual kingdom of kingly rule.
Skip the politics. I am more interested in understanding Florida Law. I will deal with the politics after I understand the law.
A constant flow of recirculating prevarication based on his belief in the ostensible difficulty of making solid contact with a moving target.
Fact: By law, Enigman may not even be a U.S. citizen.
His convoluted, meandering and incoherent conjectures are moot.
Enigma says: DeSantis has become the dictator of Florida….,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I’m confused if you live in Florida and your unhappy there why do you stay? There’s NY, NJ, Michigan, California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nevada a number of states run by Democrats. That dictator and his policies you mentioned are the reason so many from all over the nation and Europe are moving to Florida. That’s moving to Florida, not moving from and just to be clear they’re not moving there because of their love of Orange juice.
I was in Florida before DeSantis came to power and hopefully will be here after. People were coming to Florida for decades before DeSantis as well. Could be the weather and no state income tax?
Illegally, of course.
Is it even possible to pay taxes with government/taxpayer funds obtained circuitously and variously by government/taxpayer check?
Disney was a company taking a position against Florida and its families. Plenty of people said such things in the past and no one suggested any actions. There is a difference between a company using its resources and the people that work within the company.
Disney was punished because it exercised its free speech rights. DeSantis retaliated because Disney disagreed with the governor’s policy. What DeSantis did was unconstitutional.
Svelaz, if you don’t know the difference between a company and its employees. Use the dictionary you badly require.
I own stock in Disney. Disney took a political action based on the management’s “feelings.” “personal needs,” and “desires.” Legally that is wrong because they represent me and my bank account. They have breached their fiduciary duty. I am thinking of suing for breach of contract.
You need to be able to focus on the law and details. You don’t sound intelligent and find a need to demonstrate your stupidity. Take my insults to mean I am not interested in discussing things with an absolute dummy. Such discussion is a right, so I will continue to point out how ignorant you are.
At this point in time, you can either stand tall, push back aggressively and repudiate the left’s fatal agendas or you can STFU and go stand in the corner with your head down low and take it.
Lefties feel empowered to openly crush dissent.
But the peasants are stirring.
Remember backlash is ugly; probably not in DC which is 90% lefty, but certainly in the thinking parts of the country.
Backlash is not crushing dissent. Republicans or conservatives seem to think that any criticism or backlash are censorship.
Many don’t seem to realize that free speech is not freedom from criticism, mockery, derision, and even punishment by private organizations which the 1st amendment doesn’t prohibit. Remember the prohibitions against punishment are limited to government. Not private individuals or organizations. That’s why entities like Twitter and Facebook can freely censor others content on their platforms.
Well we keep hearing about how the counties around Washington D C are the richest in the nation. So obviously they could afford a new stadium and it was only proper to deny the stadium for someone daring to speak out in dissent. On the other hand maybe they just made a good economic decision and decided that if a baseball team wants a new stadium maybe the team should build the stadium the old fashioned way by arranging the financing and taking the risk and building the stadium themselves. In the long run that would just make the team more valuable, if managed appropriately. I don’t approve of local governments building sports stadiums and then having the public (who financed the stadium) to pay out of site costs to attend the events and eat barely palatable and grossly overpriced food. I might change my views if the residents of the financing counties or cities got free tickets until the stadium was paid for. That might be a sort of quid pro quo.
As far as Mr. Del Rio is concerned. I applauded his bravery, disagree with his timing, but understand his point of view to an extent. Measured actions and appropriate statements are not the tenor of the day.
Jack Del Rio just parroted what the majority of Americans feel.
So what? They have the power… and YOU don’t.
https://youtu.be/sFGS8IxJU2M
When are we going to put an end to this kind of thing…..Ball Teams can fund their own Stadiums….Tax Payers should not.
If that means Pro Ball….returns to the old days and stops making instant millionaires out of Jocks and billionaires out of Owners….what is bad about that?
Perhaps Pro Sports needs to look in the mirror and question themselves about their idea that the taxpayers owe them nothing more than the price of a ticket to a game.
Go Woke….go Broke!
Sports should stick to sports and Democrats should stick to the Constitution and that First Amendment thing.