Shame on Gilmartin

by DrStrom on Feb 23, 2008 10:14 AM MST

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/joegil_blog_080222.html

Great article...mostly. The last line? Not so much:

"The bottom line: Although he's only been here a couple of weeks, The Big Answer has already solved so many problems you wonder if he could lend a hand with the illegal immigration issue"

What a way to splice in your agenda, Joe. Just say whether or not you want the fence built so we can say "fuck it, what's this got to do with the game" and watch the Suns against Detroit.

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Was Gilmartin out of line?

Yes

3 votes

No

8 votes

Yes, but....

1 votes

No, but...

0 votes

PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER

8 votes

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Comments

He's a journalist...get over it

Joe Gil was simply cracking a quip about Shaq's toughness and applying it to our nation's current border problem. Big deal. He's a beat writer which means he has to keep his stuff interesting- funny, and poignant.

~PHX-FIRE~

by willthehawkhawkins on Feb 23, 2008 10:42 AM MST reply actions

the assumption

is, as you stated, a "border PROBLEM".

And I'll get over it the moment he equivocates with something like "The Big Answer has already solved so many problems you wonder if he could lend a hand with the RIGHT TO LIFE issue".

See how three words difference immediately change it from something "interesting- funny, and poignant" into an(other) emotionally charged issue?

It was in poor taste....and as he is the equivalent of an editorial writer, he's open to criticism. Personally, I like his columns, and I don't think he has never taken such a cheap shot.
And I'd rather he didn't do it again...he's better than that.

flim springfield

by DrStrom on Feb 23, 2008 11:15 AM MST up reply actions

Be Reasonable

Literally everyone recognizes illegal immigration as an issue - both Dems and Reps. He did not say "at least Shaq could build a wall" because that would be taking a stance. It's just an large issue in the public sphere. Should he not be allowed to ever mention anything that doesn't involve basketball?

by UASun on Feb 23, 2008 12:36 PM MST up reply actions

I just don't get it

No matter which side of the aisle you are on, we can agree there is a border 'problem'. That isn't to say we all agree on what can be done to mend the issue, but there clearly is an issue. Gil has a right to make a clever analogy. His intention clearly wasn't to offend- rather he does what a great writer from any field does - he took his field of knowledge (the NBA) and applied it to another field (politics) without actually taking a controversial stand. I'm sorry, but come on, with all the crap that is going on, don't get pissed at a guy who recently lost his wife in a car accident. Let him make his jokes.

~PHX-FIRE~

by willthehawkhawkins on Feb 23, 2008 5:35 PM MST up reply actions

man

The election is months away but people are fired up. First the Charles Barkley diary, then this one.
I'm not american, but I don't see any problem with any of the thing they said, altough Barkley sure offended some people.

by Bruno on Feb 23, 2008 12:49 PM MST reply actions

What in the world?

Geez, Strom, Shaq is into law enforcement. Isn't that what this issue is all about, enforcing laws?

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 23, 2008 10:15 PM MST reply actions

politics vs basketball

If I wanted to read politics I wouldn't be reading an NBA article ...

If he wants to talk about enforcing laws, he should talk about Stern, gambling referees and Horry/Nash incident and its consequences ....

by emirem on Feb 25, 2008 10:23 AM MST reply actions

My take

for whatever its worth...

Who is this Gilmartin guy and why do we really care enough about what he says to disect a random comment in a blog post?

Phoenix - where blocks

by Seth Pollack on Feb 25, 2008 10:51 AM MST reply actions

Because

We care because, right now, it's more interesting and less painful to talk about than the Suns.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Feb 25, 2008 11:07 AM MST up reply actions

Gilmartin

SRP, Joe is practically a media god in PHX. The Little team that could (1976)

Also, he's not your usual sportswriter. He has survived the death of his wife to continue to give us great columns. He's a Moses among sportswriters, whereas we bloggers are kids playing in a sand box.

I'm not saying he can do no wrong (Moses wasn't perfect), but Joe deserves some respect!

That said, I agree, it is a random comment, but it obviously got someone riled. Reading the posts, it seems the only one really upset is Strom.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 25, 2008 11:17 AM MST up reply actions