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Re: Coach McMakin's joke then apology
To Tunnl: The only thing that is "untrue" is your misapplication of the differentiation between a public official and a comedian that I made in my earlier post. If I have to spell out exactly what I talking about so that you understand, here goes: (sigh!)
It is an *obvious* given that a public official (be they a politician, NCAA coach, university president, etc.) can say whatever they want (even George Carlin's 7 dirty words), as many times as they want and not suffer any consequences,...... IF the words are uttered off the record and never in the presence of anyone who would reveal it to the public. So yes, of course Coach McMackin can get away with saying "f----t" to anyone without punishment if it is only in the presence of people who will keep the matter confidential and off the record, whether it be family members, assistant coaches, or reporters he can trust. No duh!!!!
The difference between a comedian and a public official I was talking about is this: A comedian can say many taboo words on the record and in public and get away with it, by and large. (Although there are some words that are so controversial and incendiary that even the hardiest of stand-up comics will steer clear from, lest they sabotage their own career by alienating too much of their fanbase.) A public official who wants to keep his/her job and remain in good standing can't make the same kind of statements in public without suffering consequences. Alas, that was what I was talking about.
To Jim: Bravo for demonstrating how slurs aren't just simple schoolyard teasing. Slurs based on gender, race, religion and sexual orientation don't merely insult and demean. They can figuratively "dehumanize" whoever it is directed against. Am I wrong? Read some quotes from people who are guilty of committing hate crimes and have no sense of remorse. It's not unusual to hear things along the lines of, "I killed him because he's a &%@*^* good-for-nuthin' n----r," or "F-----g f-----s all deserve to burn in hell and die!" People who commit hate crimes have no sense of compassion and mercy for their targets, because they think of those folks as being less than human. To them, the targets of their hatred have no feelings. They don't think of them as being someone else's beloved father, husband, friend, etc. More than merely being different, they consider their targets of hatred as nothing more than a crude caricature/stereotype of whatever comes to their mind when you mention the slur.
With all this said, it should be pointed out that there is no reason to believe that McMackin's heart and mind is filled with hatred against gays. More than likely, he uttered his slur out of ignorance, not realizing how loaded and offensive it is. The punishment, while severe, was fitting, IMO. A few years ago, a very successful baseball coach for Oklahoma was fired for uttering "n----r" to a reporter. It didn't matter that he won a national title in the past and was at the school for 15 years. If a public official lets a racial slur slip from their lips in front of a microphone, they don't get a warning or a suspension. They get fired, on the spot. In a few years, it's likely that homosexual slurs will be treated with the same level of seriousness.
Originally posted by TuNnL
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It is an *obvious* given that a public official (be they a politician, NCAA coach, university president, etc.) can say whatever they want (even George Carlin's 7 dirty words), as many times as they want and not suffer any consequences,...... IF the words are uttered off the record and never in the presence of anyone who would reveal it to the public. So yes, of course Coach McMackin can get away with saying "f----t" to anyone without punishment if it is only in the presence of people who will keep the matter confidential and off the record, whether it be family members, assistant coaches, or reporters he can trust. No duh!!!!
The difference between a comedian and a public official I was talking about is this: A comedian can say many taboo words on the record and in public and get away with it, by and large. (Although there are some words that are so controversial and incendiary that even the hardiest of stand-up comics will steer clear from, lest they sabotage their own career by alienating too much of their fanbase.) A public official who wants to keep his/her job and remain in good standing can't make the same kind of statements in public without suffering consequences. Alas, that was what I was talking about.
To Jim: Bravo for demonstrating how slurs aren't just simple schoolyard teasing. Slurs based on gender, race, religion and sexual orientation don't merely insult and demean. They can figuratively "dehumanize" whoever it is directed against. Am I wrong? Read some quotes from people who are guilty of committing hate crimes and have no sense of remorse. It's not unusual to hear things along the lines of, "I killed him because he's a &%@*^* good-for-nuthin' n----r," or "F-----g f-----s all deserve to burn in hell and die!" People who commit hate crimes have no sense of compassion and mercy for their targets, because they think of those folks as being less than human. To them, the targets of their hatred have no feelings. They don't think of them as being someone else's beloved father, husband, friend, etc. More than merely being different, they consider their targets of hatred as nothing more than a crude caricature/stereotype of whatever comes to their mind when you mention the slur.
With all this said, it should be pointed out that there is no reason to believe that McMackin's heart and mind is filled with hatred against gays. More than likely, he uttered his slur out of ignorance, not realizing how loaded and offensive it is. The punishment, while severe, was fitting, IMO. A few years ago, a very successful baseball coach for Oklahoma was fired for uttering "n----r" to a reporter. It didn't matter that he won a national title in the past and was at the school for 15 years. If a public official lets a racial slur slip from their lips in front of a microphone, they don't get a warning or a suspension. They get fired, on the spot. In a few years, it's likely that homosexual slurs will be treated with the same level of seriousness.
; I took no offense to it. I giggled at his faux pas. I'm secure in myself. Same giggle I give when I'm called a faggot and everything else under the sun. 
hi,i imoh that coach mac said an inappropriate slur only i as a viewer when it come's to the game's is able to forgive him,it's one error he'll never make again and when he was remorseful in apologizing,i agree with the term's that the U.H. shared with him and if another culture many year's ago,
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