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Athletes, Osama bin Laden, and Twitter

by Leon07 on May 2, 2011 10:41 PM EDT

Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall is one of the first (and likely not last) athletes to air his controversial opinions about the death of terrorists Osama bin Laden on Twitter.

The right to free speech is a cornerstone of our country and should, perhaps, be even more sacred when one is expressing opinions that are unpopular. But in the age of instant access to the digital public square, it is all too easy to distribute one's raw thoughts without the filter of timely reason and reflection to aid you.

We've all seen such instances which involving people of some celebrity sharing their questionable thoughts on relatively mundane and inconsequential subjects, only to have an apology or halfhearted excuse quickly follow when they overstep some line. Normally such gaffs illicit responses that are a combination of amusement, annoyance, and/or indifference.

But when athletes venture into politically and socially sensitive subjects, the consequences can be much harsher than they imagined. You have the right to speak you mind, but others also have to right to loudly agree or disagree with you.

And when your livelihood depends a great deal on your marketability to a significant section of the population, it would be wise to either keep your provocative comments to your self or invest greater effort is explaining them in a more nuanced and sensitive manner.

Sadly if past precedent is to be any indication, this won't be the case.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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Mendenhall speaking his uninformed opinion, ugh

I agree with the right to free speech. It’s one of the foundations of this country and one of the things that allows us to have blogs like this. However, it is unbelievable to see the stupidity of some of these guys. How could a plane bring down a skyscraper? Consider almost 100,000 gallons of jet fuel burning at almost 1,000 degrees Celsius. This will definitely weaken the steel, but not quite melt it. Also, the steel is not being heated evenly, allowing for structural distortion. Finally, consider the amount of weight above the weakened steel. Seems to me like it would be enough to collapse the weakened steel.
And maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think people are celebrating the death of a man. They are celebrating the end of an era of terror, the downfall of a figurehead for so much pain and suffering. It was a moment of success for all of those who have lost a loved one during the ongoing war. Their sacrifices and those of the men and women still serving were given a bit of redemption. Is this over? No, but it is a great morale boost and a reminder of the good that our heroes are doing in other parts of the world. While we have our political differences, we can all come together to support our servicemen because they do so many good things for us. They fight to keep us free. And I would say they are doing a damn good job of it. God Bless America!

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on May 3, 2011 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

I think there is room for debate and divergent opinions on all issues big and small but

the 140 characters in a Twitter post is not a good forum to express them.

Use it if you want to tell the world how much the new Batman movie rocked, but please find a better way to make socio-political commentary.

by Leon07 on May 3, 2011 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Maybe he felt he could use his celebrity platform to bring attention to people that normally wouldn't look into the issue?

by YokoFalcon on May 18, 2011 5:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Let's be honest, the majority of people sucked that far into the mainstream aren't reading anything other than what's presented.

by YokoFalcon on May 18, 2011 6:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the support. I happen to be one of the people that directly watches every NK launch missiles while serving in the USN.

The first line of the oath:

I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC.

If I take that seriously, I must advocate a full investigation.

by YokoFalcon on May 18, 2011 5:34 AM EDT up reply actions

typo; "everytime NK lauches missiles" (I track and digitally data record via SPY-1D radar)

Fully trained in anti-terrorism, search & seizure, blah blah blah

Ignorance may be bliss but as Benjamin Franklin said,

“Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.”

by YokoFalcon on May 18, 2011 5:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Mendenhall is going to find those Tweets were not worth their weight in gold

The thing that really bothers me is not the celebration of death thing, but the “we’ve only heard one side.” It would seriously take the guy five minutes to do a little research on the subject, and while it might not change his opinion, at least he’d be informed enough to engage in a debate when the inevitable firestorm arrives at his doorstep.

Mendenhall’s a damn fine player, but maybe he should considering sidelining that account.

by Dave Choate on May 3, 2011 12:17 AM EDT reply actions

I honestly wonder if we'll being to see clauses in players' contracts addressing Twitter and its ilk in the future

From the NFL’s (and organization’s) point of view there is no upside to the players’ having unrestricted access to such a prominent venue while he is a member of a team. If the player is funny or entertaining, the team sees no real positive impact. But if the comments are offensive or controversial, the sports media will (and have) quickly jump on the story and the team will have to deal with some of the backlash.

The Steeler fanbase prides itself on its blue-collar, lunch-pail identity. I can’t imagine that Mendenhall’s “tweets” on such a serious topic will be well received.

by Leon07 on May 3, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Give him a break. He was just ignorant of the consequences of Tweeting.

Of course, it wasn’t HIS bones that were ignorant.

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!

by AnOldBird on May 9, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Of course not

Given that he also Tweeted a slavery remark a while back.

by Dave Choate on May 10, 2011 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

"There's not an ignorant bone in my body."

That I would recognise if it bit me in the @$$.

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!

by AnOldBird on May 11, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

One point he does have is that we will never know what really happened, the people killed during the attacks on the other hand did know.

"In a dog eat dog world, you must have the mentality of a Pit Bull." -Phil Jackson

by waltbabyluv on May 3, 2011 2:29 AM EDT reply actions

No one ever mentions BUILDING 7.

Also, we can also probably agree that the Pentagon has/had more security footage than released.

Isn’t it usually the defense that needs secrets, not the prosecution?

One more thing, Libya has a brand new central bank, The Bank of Benghazi. That leaves Cuba, Sudan, Iran, & NK. Afghanistan was added to the inner circle in 2001. Iraq in 2003.

Now, what will happen if the dollar looses it’s relevance as the world’s standard reserve currency? I do not have the answer to that question.

Love you brothers.

by YokoFalcon on May 18, 2011 5:11 AM EDT reply actions

Not only is it about oil, but money flowing to a single location. You could conceivably with a global carbon tax.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing

-Edmund Burke

by YokoFalcon on May 18, 2011 5:15 AM EDT reply actions

Sorry, got an a tangent.

Anyway, government sponsored terrorism (if that be the case) is to scare people into giving up there rights. A famous example can be found in the case of the Reichstag Fire. Also, through the Freedom of Information Act, you can find official documents regarding OPERATION NORTHWOODS.

by YokoFalcon on May 18, 2011 5:19 AM EDT reply actions