Comments on: Don’t These Uppity Negroes Ever Get Tired of Being Uppity?

By: WhiskeyJim

WhiskeyJim — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:06:50 +0000

This is the issue that raises my ire, and which constitutes a fantastic practical argument for limited government absent of all ideology.

Why are taxpayers building sport stadiums for monopolized capital, most without any ROI. That we can not rely on lawmakers to protect free societies and its concepts is obviously true, even as it bankrupts us. It appears citizens must stop what they are doing, and become re-engaged.

Like Wilt, I am disappointed in Stern’s stance, although in the bigger picture it is difficult to be sorry for millionaires who voluntarily engage in a rigged closed monopoly and then cry foul too loudly. I contend most of them would ultimately play just as hard for $1 million per year. I am more disgusted with politicians who believe they have anything to say in adjudicating the issue, especially when it comes to using my hard won treasure.

By: Wilt Alston

Wilt Alston — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:23:37 +0000

…point taken.

By: Nicolas Martin

Nicolas Martin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:35:44 +0000

Don’t discount the immense efforts the owners have put into stroking politicians who bilk the public on their behalf. Taxpayers are the real slaves on the pro sports plantation.

By: Steve LaBianca

Steve LaBianca — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:12:47 +0000

*sigh* I shoulda known.

By: Wilt Alston

Wilt Alston — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:38:27 +0000

Sure…I’d like to think so, Steve, but as you and I both know, corporatism has had a long and successful history in the U.S. For instance, I’m told that one of the NBA owners serves on the Senate’s antitrust committee. The fox is subletting the hen house, and running a numbers game out the back.

By: Steve LaBianca

Steve LaBianca — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:26:31 +0000

OK, I understand your point, wilt. Don’t you think , though, that if the NBA players, who comprise, BTW, the lions share of the top players in the world, would be far more difficult to drive out of business, simply because of the stature of these players, and the quality of play they would provide?

By: Wilt Alston

Wilt Alston — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:17:10 +0000

That’s not the irony of which I speak. Consider the case of the WNBA. The ABL was a league, formed essentially by players, many of whom were part owners, playing in cities that LOVED women’s basketball. The players barn-stormed to generate press and attendance, and almost everyone in the league was paid the same. The WNBA, a league based upon one premise–having something to do in the gyms when the boys aren’t playing–drove them out of business, with a model based upon the NBA collectivist, monopoly, model. I find it ironic now, that the men could, in fact, start their own league, but if they did, it would very much resemble what the ABL used to be! Anyway…

By: Wilt Alston

Wilt Alston — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:11:27 +0000

I think you’re over-reacting to the fact that Gumbel is himself black. Gumbel’s analogy applies to slavery generally, despite their skin color. The quote just happened to draw more ire *because* Gumbel is black. (…a special case of Godwin’s Law!) The analogy is also particularly germane to the NBA *because* Stern does tend to treat the men like boys and because so many of them are young black men. Maybe Bettman, et.al. do the same thing, but to some of us, it seems different.

By: Steve LaBianca

Steve LaBianca — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:06:12 +0000

Regarding “irony”, I don’t find it ironic at all that established pro sports organizations try to quash competition. However, while players, in a union hold a great deal of negotiating strength, they can simply walk out and create their own competition by forming a new o separate organization. Alas, even though unions seem to be able to keep their members in solidarity in strike situations and negotiations, they would probably NOT be able to get anywhere near a consensus in forming a new league.

By: Steve LaBianca

Steve LaBianca — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:25:24 +0000

“what you seem to be suggesting is that Gumbel’s analogy *is* in fact, apt.” Yes, but not in the sense of African originated slaves in America. In fact, in the NHL, which has only a handful of black players, I would use the analogy the same with regard to professional ice hockey players being Gary Bettman’s (the NHL Commissioner) “players”.

I may be wrong, but I believe that Gumbel used the “plantation overseer” analogy with regard to black slaves.