News: Colin Clark Issues Apology

Discussion in 'Houston Dynamo' started by Art Vandaley, Mar 24, 2012.

  1. Heft

    Heft BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 20, 2011
    Houston
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    It's a fine line that Americans have always walked when it comes to freedom of speech. People of different political persuasions tend to want to limit this freedom. Some don't want the American flag burned, some don't want racial bigotry to be protected. Some want religion in schools to be protected as freedom of speech and religion while others see it as going against freedom of religion and free speech.

    One thing remains the same though is that somebody is going to be offended about something. as long as our freedom is protected by law I think we'll be alright. I don't want to see people being imprisoned for speech or thought crimes like in Europe.

    When it comes to employment and terminations, suspensions, and punishments issued by the employer--it becomes even more interesting to me. How would the courts interpret employees rights.
     
  2. nobius

    nobius BigSoccer Supporter

    Jan 3, 2006
    Houston, Texas
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Marge Schott anyone?
     
  3. Westside Cosmo

    Westside Cosmo Member+

    Oct 4, 2007
    H-Town
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, but Guillen is Hispanic so he would fall into a protected class and so they couldn't fire him for personal comments or they'd get hit with a discrimination lawsuit.

    Only white males can be fired without a claim of racism or sexism for having an opinion or for exercising free speech. Eric Holder is making sure of that.
     
  4. 7seven7

    7seven7 Member+

    May 5, 2008
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    the courts have settled this long ago and consistently held that the employer can fire you or suspend you for behavior and speech. the employer has a right to expect you to follow the codes of conduct that they set up. the federal government can not abridge your right to say what you want (unless you work for them) but your private employer can. if you don't like it, then work for some one else. this is why MLS and MLB can suspend or fire their employees for saying words that they deem are offensive. bottom line is that it's not against the law to be a jerk but you can be fired for it. and yes, in this day and age, some one will be offended by some thing near all the time. in fact, i am convinced that some folks live to be offended. and others even make a large chunk of cash being offended!

    reminds me of an old drew carey bit when he was talking about how sensitive people are. he told a joke that went " a person and a person walk into a place......there that's it. now no one is offended!"
     
  5. 7seven7

    7seven7 Member+

    May 5, 2008
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    all valid points. ozzie shouldn't be fired IMO but the MLB has the right to do so. just like Arkansas firing petrino for being an adulterous pig and lying about it but the PGA did nothing to Tiger for being the same (if not titanically bigger) pig. different employers have the right to discipline in different ways.

    i think that clark is emotionally immature (at least in that instance) because you don't scream homophobic slurs at a minor if you are emotionally mature. ever. even in the heat of battle. doesn't make him a truly bad guy, and the MLS way over exaggerated their punishment, but i think its hard to argue that a mature adult conducts himself in that manner towards a kid. it might have been just a moment of immaturity, but immaturity none the less. good news is that immaturity is easily rectified and i think clark has gone a long way to show that he intends to learn and grow from the experience. a true sign of a maturing adult IMO.
     
  6. nbrooks503

    nbrooks503 Previously Held @Dynamo Hostage From 2008-2019

    Jun 1, 2008
    Disgruntled Former STH - Fairweather Bandwaggoner
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have no problem with an employer exercising it's right to discipline an employee. But it is a fact that the only reason he is being punished is because he offended a bunch of folks who had fled a country that limits freedom of expression. Those same individuals now seek to penalize him for exercising that same freedom they sought here in fleeing.

    Funny thing is that if he had been a University Professor, he'd have had the "Academic Freedom" to say it without fear of sanction - weird country we live in.
     
  7. *rey*

    *rey* Member+

    Feb 22, 2006
    Houston
    the above is very insulting to me. :D not only do i know of Castro but also of Bautista and Trujillo and Papa/Baby Doc. you know me better than that.

    this is where i get off the liberal bus. you should protect everyone's freedom of speech not just the sub groups that you think need your protection. i find holocaust deniers to be deplorable human beings, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to hold and voice their idiotic opinion. in a free society everyone has a right to the podium.

    yes, even Mel Gibson....

    beyond ironic Alanis. you're in America now. land where youre free to say and put stupid sht on poster board. LOL!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  8. 7seven7

    7seven7 Member+

    May 5, 2008
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If by weird you mean double standard, then I whole heartily agree. I think what you might be hoping for is for folks to live by the golden rule. We (mankind) have been failing at following that since before it was even a rule. However, the irony you point out is both valid and cruely humorous.

    And now for something complexity different........ Adding the 3 plus weeks off and the 3 game suspension, Clark will miss something like 7 weeks of play. Has there been a longer "time" penalty than that besides mullans? Was Rico's shoulder,errrrrrrr, heat stomp longer? I hope Clark doesn't come back rusty. Either physically or mentally.
     
  9. Art Vandaley

    Art Vandaley Member

    Feb 22, 2006
    New Hampshire
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think it is a stretch to say that the reason they left was due to freedom of speech.

    This is something that has been really blown out of proportion. Yes, "Academic Freedom" exists (and for good reason), but the way many people assume it works is somewhat analogous to how people perceive "Diplomatic Immunity".
     
  10. El Naranja

    El Naranja Member+

    Sep 5, 2006
    Alief
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Rico missed out on over 2 months of game time (not counting off season). IIRC, it was a 9 game suspension
     
  11. Caddman

    Caddman Member+

    Aug 18, 1999
    Houston, Texas
    Club:
    Houston Dynamo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Does it really matter if they keep trotting him out there at RM? You mean he could be worse?

    :)
     

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