Tim Hardagay - Who Cares?

Howard Stern was talking again this morning about Tim Hardaway's problems over the past week. For those that live in a cave, Hardaway was asked last week (after former NBA player John Amaechi came out as being gay) how he would have dealt with a gay teammate. Hardaway went off and said that he is a homophobe who hates gay people. I heard the entire clip again this morning and he says some other stuff, but the meat of the problem was that he hates gays. So what? Who freakin' cares? The NBA apparently. They said that Hardaway could no longer participate in NBA events or represent the NBA. I am not homophobic. In fact, I think there is nothing more beautiful than two lipstick lesbians being together....although I bet Timmy doesn't have an issue with that. But, since I am on record as not being homophobic, does that mean I can't support Hardaway's right to his opinion? I heard the apology today and all he's sorry for is that he said it while being interviewed. He didn't all of a sudden change his mind. It's not like he's going out with Elton John and Andy Dick this weekend to tear up the town. The man said he doesn't like gay people, he didn't say he wants to kill the president! I'm of French descent and embarrassed to admit it. Do you know how many people hate the French? I hate the French! Does it bother me when people say that? No! George W Bush got elected with the help of the religious right. I voted for W twice, but I am in no way, shape or form part of the religious right. I'm more of the religious.....riiiiiiiiight. But the really really religious right thinks the same was as Tim Hardaway. Get Billy Graham or Oral Roberts on tv to talk about homosexuals and see if they don't "swing" the same way as Tim. A lot of Christians think homosexuality is plain wrong and they quote the Bible to prove it. So think about this - ministers can preach that it's wrong and a sin, but an NBA player can't say it's not right. True, there is a small difference between saying it's not right and declaring your hatred for the entire group - but from hearing the clips - it's clear to me he was just saying that he hates the basic idea of being gay. I'm not going to crucify the man for saying what he truly believes. I find it refreshing that someone speaking into a mic actually said what they felt instead of listening to D-Wade stumble through his politically correct answer. You know in the locker room that these guys are talking smack on the gay community, probably just to prove their "manhood". It's no big deal anymore that a pro athlete is gay. Like I said, who cares? It's 2007, not 1957. I think the media created this by sticking a mic into everyone's face to ask them how they feel about it, just waiting - praying - for one Tim Hardaway type answer. They got one. Do I want everyone to be tolerant of everyone? Not sure. I'm not exactly thrilled with Muslim extremists right now. Am I allowed to say I hate all Muslim extremists? Yes, because I'm a nobody. What if one of the Oscar winners from Sunday night got to the mic and declared that they hate all Muslim extremists? A tabloid bonanza would have occurred! I could care less if Tim Hardaway hates gays, Jews, Baptists, the crippled, the mentally challenged, cab drivers, Jamaicans..... Aren't we allowed to do and say whatever we want as long as we don't infringe upon our neighbors? We don't all have to hold hands and sing Michael Rowed The Boat Ashore. It's never gonna happen. What's even funnier is that some people probably read that quote and thought "man, I hate professional athletes!".