Billy Packer

[BradleyBrave]

I am NOT a Billy Packer fan, but I do believe he has done nothing wrong, just as Ozzie did nothing wrong but they fall into a politically correct snare that certain media types have invented to show themselves to be of a higher order of thinking.

It's kind of like what we were discussing last week in the "Rants" thread where one media guys rip into the "peons" for being of such
'simple and ignorant" thought processes as to be bigoted or biased. The media types seem to think that by pointing out the biases they see elsewhere, it then defines themselves as being the epitome of perfect thinking/unbiased.

This goes beyond offensiveness versus political correctness, though. He was there because of the Final Four, as a way to promote the coverage. Therefore it was an extension of his job. You can argue that the standards shouldn't be there, but the fact is that they are, and using that word in that setting is going to reflect upon him and the network he works for. You can argue that what he said wasn't offensive (and personally I think he likely was using the old non-derogatory definition), but that doesn't change the fact that it was foolish and unprofessional.

Rush Limbaugh lost his job at ESPN because he said the media was desirous of a black quarterback to be successful. I think that falls in line with what Tornado said, but yet he was penalized with losing his job. I don't see Packer being any different.

[tornado]

Oh I agree, the losing of the job is the politically correct and expedient thing that happens, except in some cases.
Note that a certain "host" of the TV show called "The View" has repeatedly issued loud, obnoxious, and blatant insults, many of a very hateful, biased and bigoted nature, and yet she still retains her job, as have certain ethnic "Reverends" who spew hate towards people of other races, but seem to never get discredited or leave the airways.

You see, part of this whole picture is that the only people capable of violating the perceived rules of political correctness are the middle Amercan-type, white males.

[amckillip]

I am NOT a Billy Packer fan, but I do believe he has done nothing wrong, just as Ozzie did nothing wrong but they fall into a politically correct snare that certain media types have invented to show themselves to be of a higher order of thinking.

It's kind of like what we were discussing last week in the "Rants" thread where one media guys rip into the "peons" for being of such
'simple and ignorant" thought processes as to be bigoted or biased. The media types seem to think that by pointing out the biases they see elsewhere, it then defines themselves as being the epitome of perfect thinking/unbiased.

Normally I agree with your points T but I can't here. There is a difference between being non-PC and offensive. I have to admit I am one to err to the side of PC but that doesn't mean I believe you should have to be PC(if I did me and most on this board wouldn't get along, haha), and I by no means do it to pretend I am of a higher order of thinking, rather because I genuinely do not feel that I should nor would want to offend someone without intention. However when something like that word, as vile as it is comes out of a media persons mouth, it calls for serious consideration. There is world of difference between showing bias and being outright offensive. I completely disagree with you that Ozzie and Packer are in the right. What about decades ago when people called player 'spics' or n*****, It's the same scenario. I can assure you Ozzie would be offended if I called him a 'spic'I really think think your taking your criticism of the media too far here tornado, they SHOULD make a big deal of these cases, because that is what they are.

[tornado]

but nobody called anyone anything.
Did you hear the clip on Youtube? All Billy did was use a word as a VERB in the context of "chicken out on me", he said "f-- out on me"

he did not call anyone a name and may have a different concept of what the word means.
It reminds me of all the uproar recently when a politician used the word "niggardly" (which of course has nothing whatsoever to do with race and is of swedish origin meaning frugal) and many demanded the guy resign thinking it was a racist word.

[romar]

but nobody called anyone anything.
Did you hear the clip on Youtube? All Billy did was use a word as a VERB in the context of "chicken out on me", he said "f-- out on me"

he did not call anyone a name and may have a different concept of what the word means.
It reminds me of all the uproar recently when a politician used the word "niggardly" (which of course has nothing whatsoever to do with race and is of swedish origin meaning frugal) and many demanded the guy resign thinking it was a racist word.

Packer had used the term as a transitive verb - here's the dictionary defninition.

fag1 (f?„?’g)
-------------------------------------------------------------

[From fag, to droop (obsolete), perhaps from Middle English fagge; see fag end.]

transitive verb

To exhaust; weary: Four hours on the tennis court fagged me out.

[amckillip]

but nobody called anyone anything.
Did you hear the clip on Youtube? All Billy did was use a word as a VERB in the context of "chicken out on me", he said "f-- out on me"

he did not call anyone a name and may have a different concept of what the word means.
It reminds me of all the uproar recently when a politician used the word "niggardly" (which of course has nothing whatsoever to do with race and is of swedish origin meaning frugal) and many demanded the guy resign thinking it was a racist word.

I agree Billy Packer did not call anyone as I stated above, he used f** in a textbook way(as I stated earlier), nonetheless Packer knew EXACTLY what he was saying and knew the context in which the comment would be taken. And Ozzie DID call Marriotti a name.

I agree that also Rosie should be fired, I also agree the reason she is not is because she is left slanted and her boss does not mind that. But even she has not used words to the scale of f**.

As far as Rush losing his job for that comment I don't think he should of been fired, and agree with him, that is no where near the same situation as Packer. In what sense are they related.

Here's a situation for you: I am a political commentator and I say 'I wish our country did not have the problem of n*****s' I would be fired instantaneously(with good cause), however I used that in a dictionary definition as people who are socially and economically disadvantaged.

As much as you guys would like to argue otherwise it is not what you say that matters, but rather how it is perceived.

[tornado]

I hear you, and I agree Ozzie used the "F" word in a demeaning way, but his defense is that some people, especially "Latinos" use the language in a "salty" way....and sometimes that excuse flies.

Bob Huggins and Royce Waltman used to get away with an awful lot of filthy words on the sidelines using the argument "that's just the way I talk..." ......but then Jim Molinari uses the same word one time and gets hit with a "T"!

In the end, it seems everyone and his brother (and mother) is getting all upset with words and feel insulted anymore.
It's hard to read a kid's fairy tale without some "minority" or "victimized" subgroup of the population feeling that they are being disrespected.
But then just as soon as they are in private, that population subgroup uses the very same word they seem to hate, and they use it freely to describe each other........go figure.

[jabbarbattler]

I usually can't stand when anybody goes on anti-pc rants on this board, but I agree with tornado in this case (well most of it anyways). What would give anybody the idea that Billy Packer knew EXACTLY what he was saying at any point in his long, storied career? I honestly don't think he's in touch with pop culture enough to realize that what he said might be perceived as offensive. You can tell in the clip that he meant no malice and definitely wasn't thinking about gay people. And remember, this was an interview for PBS, not Carlos Mencia.

[GObravesGO1981]

Lets worry about the sticks and stones people...the sticks and stones.

[Average Joe]

Packer says he has no plans to stop using the term, and says
"he's not backing down. In fact, while CBS said Packer made a "bad choice of words," Packer says he'll say it again.

"I can assure you I will use that phrase again and I won't think twice about it," Packer told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

http://nba-videos.aolsportsblog.com/2007/04/05/billy-packer-on-fag-controversy-i-will-use-that-phrase-again/

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20070405_On_Sports_Media___Packer__Not_insensitive__despite_word_in_interview.html

[amckillip]

Packer says he has no plans to stop using the term, and says
"he's not backing down. In fact, while CBS said Packer made a "bad choice of words," Packer says he'll say it again.

"I can assure you I will use that phrase again and I won't think twice about it," Packer told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

http://nba-videos.aolsportsblog.com/2007/04/05/billy-packer-on-fag-controversy-i-will-use-that-phrase-again/

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sport...interview.html

See, this the kind of blatant defiance is why I hate this guy. To me it's pretty obvious by now he knew what he was saying and knew it could be taken as offensive. And he didn't he does now and as he said, will continue to use it. I understand decades ago that was an acceptable term, but so was negro, but times have changed, because it was ok 30+ years ago doesn't make it OK now. Billy Packer, I'll give it to you got guts... but thats about it.

[shaunguth]

In fact, while CBS said Packer made a "bad choice of words," Packer says he'll say it again.

"I can assure you I will use that phrase again and I won't think twice about it," Packer told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Once an elitist.....always an elitist! No surprise here.