Curt Schilling: "Be sure to vote for Kerry!"

[WilliamPitt]

Imagine.

I see a lot of outrage here because Schilling used a baseball victory to make a political statement. Even worse, he said support Bush. Suddenly, threads pop up here demanding boycotts of whatever Schilling is affiliated with or advertising for.

Good thing he didn't say "Vote for Kerry." It would then be a moral imperative for us to boycott whatever he is associated with and advertising for because he used a baseball game to make a political statement.

...or is it just that we don't like what he said?

If these cries of 'Boycott!' are coming simply because we don't like the guy Schilling was shilling for, I suggest we have run into a rather nasty little double standard.

Like I said, good thing he didn't say "Vote Kerry."

[Melodybe]

1. Yeah, I thought those threads were dumb too

We aren't freepers, he may be an idiot but he has a right to his opinion.

[rockydem]

2. He sold out

I suppose that qualifies him for Sec. of State.

[dogtag]

3. Gotta agree with you on this one, Mr. Pitt............dammit. (n/t)

[henslee]

4. Great point. May I take pebble from your hand.

[theboss]

5. Thank you

I've maintained all along that it's silly to boycott any "celebrity" for spouting a political opinion. The only difference between their opinion and mine is their access to a microphone. And I also think it's silly to get excited when a celeb states something in agreement with you. It's just a person, who probably is going to release a sex tape in a few months. Don't let it impact your life that much.

[salinen]

6. Schilling was shilling

very cute.

[MidwestTransplant]

7. Shilling blamed Jesus for his first lost against the Yankees and thanked

him for his win.

Last I checked, Jesus didn't care much about baseball.

[WilliamPitt]

9. Maybe we should boycott Jesus?

[Anaxamander]

23. Done! (nt)

[seraph]

40. Can we? Just kidding... (nt)

[saracat]

59. I have no problem with that! Where do I sign up! Grin....

[expatriate]

62. Been doing that for years! n/t

[theboss]

10. He's not the brightest bulb on the tree

But he can throw a 92 MPH splitter. That's really all I care about.

[Cha]

35. Jesus cares about baseball but forgot

The Holocaust!?

Edit~And curt so conveniently forgets about his teammates!

[hughee99]

88. Isn't Jesus playing Center Field for the Sox?

I know he didn't have a good game in Shilling's loss, but he didn't play much better in his win against the Yankees either. Jesus did come up big in game 7, though.

[Jack_Dawson]

8. It's Closer to Disappointment

We wanted to remember his great pitching and the Red Sox improbable victory. Now we have to think of Schilling as a Freeper.

But of course it's his right to say whatever the hell he wants.

:beer:

[0007]

32. .....and its your opinion to say Curt Schilling sucks.

I remember a few short weeks ago Al Michaels, the play-by-play announcer of Monday Night Football, making a political statement favoring junior.
Where was the outrage over his comment? There was some but not much!

I suspect much to do over sour grapes.

[59millionmorons]

11. Idiots

Keep in mind Schilling is part of a group of Red Sox that call themselves "The Idiots". This should tell you enough.


http://www.thetranscript.com/Stories/0,1413,103~9054~2497527,00.html

[newsguyatl]

12. he's an idiot either way

doesn't matter HOW the folks on DEMOCRATic underground respond.

[calmblueocean]

13. Amen. We're better than that, folks! Move on. (n/t)

[Clinton Crusader]

14. I disagree. The MOMENT of this incredible victory was not..

the time to start campaigning for ANY candidate. Is that the first thing he thought of to go on about? The incredible night, incredible victory, end of the curse, etc., and he says that? I would have thought it equally as odd IF he said vote for JK..

IMHO.

:kick:

[d_b]

19. Agreed

[VOX]

33. Yes. Shilling's endorsement: fine. His forum: inappropriate.

Sure he can voice his opinion. But then, we, the audience, having been subjected to that opinion, can choose to react to it, also.

[Blue_Roses]

90. Bingo ! I think this is what the real story boils down to

his endorsement is his business, but he used a public forum that was inappropriate. I personally have been pissed too about it.

[GDoyle]

15. As I said in another thread

Its not his opinion, he has a right to that, it was the forum. If he wants to go campaign at Dubya rallies, fine. But this was an interview about baseball, the championship and GMA could only pick one player to represent the whole organization, all of whom were equally champions. It wasn't about politics. It was wrong for Curt to inject that into the interview.

Like I said, go on stage with Dubya, I don't care. But in an interview about the World Series as a representative of many individuals who have diverse opinions?.....Stick to baseball.

GDoyle

[theboss]

17. Have you never seen Schilling before?

He injects himself into every situation, seeks the spotlight, and will talk about ANYTHING to ANYONE. The man calls into talk radio stations and argues with the hosts. He's the biggest publicity whore in MLB. At least he backs it up on the field.

[DireStrike]

16. I don't care. I boycott because of * support.

So sue me.

[Bluebear]

18. Sorry, I strongly disagee

Sports should be a refuge from politics and the cares of one's personal world. Landing in your home city fresh off the plane was not the time to campaign for EITHER candidate. The fact that he chose this time to bring his personal agenda, whatever it was, into the equation is disappointing to me. He might have considered more than half the fan base is Democratic. But injecting his politics was more important and for that his stock went down in my book.

[theboss]

28. You sound like the Linda Ronstandt booers

There argument is "a concert isn't a place to discuss" politics. Why not? What's wrong with a post-game interview? Do we really need to here another cliche-filled sports interview?

The best interview in the history of sports was Charles Barkley. And the reason was that a reporter would ask him about a 20-20 night and he would start talking about racism, the slave trade, the reporter's ugly clothes and his dream to be governor.

[Bluebear]

30. Sorry, maybe I do.

I said it elsewhere, the Red Sox and politics are my two passions. I always enjoyed keeping them separate. I'm not boycotting donut shops, I'm just saying I am very disappointed that he had to chose this time to alienate part of his fan base.

[WilliamPitt]

34. And let's not forget Muhammad Ali

[Bush was AWOL]

20. Totally agree

Good point

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

21. well a guy protected by a labor union advocating Bush was sacriligious

[beniciodeltoro]

22. That post makes no f*ckin' sense

Don't let your status as a Sox fan cloud your judgement.
We are at war. No prisoners taken, no quarter given.

[WilliamPitt]

24. Yeah. Grab yer pitchforks and attack the donut shop!

Or something.

Shooting wildly at nothing is not an effective tactic in war, and is a waste of ammo.

[geek tragedy]

25. I think responsibility lies with the troops on the ground. eom

[sandnsea]

26. Don't Dixie Chick him

It's just as wrong to boycott him for his political views as it was to boycott the Dixie Chicks. There's bigger fights to fight anyway, like getting that Minneapolis news clip national. People are too easily diverted by minutia around here sometimes.

[JI7]

52. right

people let personal emotions take over even if it means it wont do much in helping us.

[Voltaire]

27. On a lighter note

Did you get really really steaming drunk last night Will? I hope so.

Schill will be Schill. He was the same with Philly. Sumbitch can hum dat pea so as long as he does, I ain't worried about who he votes for.

[WilliamPitt]

36. Not really

Had a few, and a sip of the sweet champagne, but I was in bed relatively early because I had to work today.

The hours after that victory against the Yankees, by comparison, are an alcohol-fogged blur.

[VOX]

29. I disagree, Will. Shilling was on the Today Show to talk baseball...

Not to make political endorsements. Of course he can say anything he wants to. But since he chose to make an impromptu endorsement of *, he will face some fallout for sharing that opinion, just as if he had said, "Stem-cell research is baloney," or "Creationism is bunk" or "If you have cancer, go to Mexico for treatment."

Frankly, if he had said, "Be sure to vote for Kerry!" I would have cringed at the inappropriateness of the remark, even while feeling inwardly pleased at his political orientation.

No double standard here.

[rinsd]

63. And the Dixies Chicks are paid to sing...

...and Affleck is paid to act.

And God knows how many people who have used their celebrity & venues to speak out AGAINST Bush.

We defend them and we laugh at freeps trying to shut them down.

But when we do it, its okay?

[independentpiney]

31. Agreed-Thanks for saying it

I don't have enough posts, someone would have called me out as a freep if I had.

[LVdem]

37. Schilling's reason for Bush...TAX CUT nt

[NicRic]

48. Exactly ,if your income is that of a pro player

then bush is your man .If you are just a working stiff ,trying hard to get buy ,then maybe you better vote for the other guy. Lets see ,how many have major league baseball incomes, compared to the hard working people with middle incomes ! Kerry once agian is on the right side when the issuse is put in perspective !

[leftofthedial]

38. I condemn fascists and their supporters

Don't get all worked up over him playing for the Red Sox. The whole team (indeed the whole sport) is just a bunch of migratory mercenaries. There is nothing particularly "Boston" about them.

Schilling is a RW asshole. I hope he moves on to play with his own ilk, maybe in Houston, or Arlington or Atlanta.

[theboss]

49. I don't think that's fair to Schilling

I never liked the circumstances of his departure of Philly, but that team was in turmoil then and he was their only asset.

But he came to Boston under circumstances I've never seen before. First, he goes on a fan message board to discuss it with them. Then at his press conference, he thanks the fans and gives them credit for convincing him to come to Boston. Then he basically announces that he is there to beat the Yankees and break the curse for the fans. Then he pitches his ass off, while being as involved in the community as he ever is. Then he actually breaks the fucking curse, like he promised.

Face it. Boston may build a statue to him on top of Bunker Hill. Babies are going to be named after him in New England. I think anyone going after him right now is going to look really foolish.

(And don't get me wrong. I wish he hadn't said this. But I wish my mom's parents weren't Republicans. I'm not boycotting them either).

[louis c]

55. F**k Schilling

He's an asshole.

Another Chicken Hawk for Bush.

[leftofthedial]

56. and if they'd traded for or signed Randy Johnson instead of him

the statue would be of Randy Johnson instead of Schilling.

Schilling is a talented pitcher. He's still a RW asshole who supports fascism. He's a military historian, wargaming kind of guy, so he knows what fascism is. He has chosen that over being civilized. Screw him and all his ilk. I wish them nothing but ill fortune and a full measure of the pain, suffering and death they are dealing out to the country and to the world. I hope he never throws another pitch and that the rest of his life is one of unremitting suffering. I wish the same for all the fascists. It's what they deserve.

[theboss]

57. You are a Yankee fan, aren't you?

I can spot them from a mile away. They're like bad toupees.

[leftofthedial]

60. screw you. I hate the frigging yank-mes

I'm a National League fan, but have liked the Red Sox best in the AL since Ted Williams.

I hate fascists. Period.

Q: You know what a Yankee is?

A: It's like a quickie, except you have to do it yourself.

[Bluebear]

93. snarf just read that :)

[cubsfan forever]

Hear, Hear! n/t

Professor 2

[louis c]

39. Well, You have your wish

Schilling will be in NH with Bush.

He will lend the victory aura to Bush in the only swing state in Red Sox Nation.

Keep apologizing for Schilling, that's OK.

I'll keep working against the tide, thanks to your pal, Curt.

[Killarney]

41. Schilling is stumping for Bush in NH? When? Link?

That would be HORRIBLE.

[Shrek]

44. Here

Sox Pitcher To Appear With Bush In New Hampshire

[rockydem]

42. The POS has NO FUCKING CLASS

He's going to go out and campaign for * now - in New Hampshire - he's doing interviews. Fuck him man! Yeah maybe a one-liner I could ovelookr but he's turning his team's hard fought victory into a campaign prop for *.

It's DISGUSTING - fellow Red Sox players should tell him to shut his fuckin' pie hole.

Bottom line: it shows no fuckin' class whatsoever.

Red Sox fans who defend him are missing the point.

But some of them are already infatuated with Biden.

[rockydem]

43. Schilling is a fuckin' idiot

As far as I'm concerned he taints the entire team and their victory. He's using the victory as a campaign prop for Bush.

It's disgusting. He doesn't fuckin' own that victory. Fuck him and the horse he rode in on.

[Bluebear]

45. Schilling got $15 million dollars last night. Any questions?

Sometimes, though, you just have to play hurt. Schilling is a notorious competitor, and he also had the incentive of $15 million being added to his contract because the Red Sox won the World Series.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-timdahlberg&prov=ap&type=lgns

He needs to protect that big tax cut at the expense of the rest of us saps.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

66. BINGO...Schillings $15 MILLION for winning world serious?

[Randi_Listener]

46. Double standard my ass

Anyone who stumps for Fuckface is worthless.

I don't care if it's Jesus Fucking Christ. That person is permanently on the shit list.

[DeepModem Mom]

47. I would feel no outrage at a call for a vote for GHW Bush, Bob Dole...

or any number of Republican (or Democratic) Presidential candidates in this circumstance, but a call for a vote for the Bush cabal outrages me. I see these people, this faction, as extreme, outside our political traditions and norms, both ethically and legally, and mortally dangerous to our country and our system itself. I would never consider a boycott, or any action against this sports hero, but do I feel outrage? Yes, I do.

[rockydem]

50. Here he is the bastard

Fuck him - I won't root for the Sox as long as he's playing for them. Next year - forget it - he's taints the whole fuckin' team.

[KansDem]

51. It's a matter of class...

What Schilling represents is the celebrity status of wealth and power. For him to say in essence "Vote for Bush so I can continue my life of ease and luxury" is, in my opinion, despicable. He is asking for us to maintain the status quo for his benefit. He is asking us to support an immoral, illegal war; unfair taxation; mediocre environmental standards; endangered schools; haphazard health care; a weakening of civil rights, etc., just so he can enjoy his world of less taxes and greater comfort.

Personally, he is asking me to continue to pay for high-priced prescription medications while I ready my children to go to war for oil...

In essence, his choice is one of selfishness based on pure greed...

If, on the other hand, he told us to "vote for Kerry," then we would see someone who has "made it" in this country asking the rest of us to vote so that others might make it too. We value modesty, humbleness, and civility in this society, in spite of what has happened in the last few years. Someone who has succeeded in this country while still possessing these qualities would be an inspiration to us all and whose true value to society would far surpass that derived from throwing a ball well.

Shilling chose not to follow this route.

He is a perfect example of what I mean when I tell my children "Class doesn't come from a wallet..."

[okieinpain]

53. my only problem with is the dixie chicks, and others got raked

over the coals for bringing up politics, shilling will get a pass. it's like the local sports station, the host make their little comments about kerry and libs being stupid, but the minute you call in about it, it's "hey this is a sports show".

[RummyTheDummy]

54. You're definately right about the double standard, but......

I couldn't disagree more that this is at all appropriate. He's just particpated in what may be the sports story of the decade, and if you live in NE it's the sports story of the century.

Any athlete with an inkling of respect for this historic moment, what it means to his fans, what it means for BoSox fans would be savoring the moment for all it is worth. And it's worth a lot.

Instead of contemplating the significance of it through a few days of reflection, he's been taken into BushCo's demon fold and he's become a cheap, two bit whore for the Bush Military Industrial God Complex.

Fuck him. I pray Tommy John surgery is in his immediate future to go along with what will hopefully be a permanently gimpy foot.

[theboss]

58. Seriously. That's insanity.

When did being political in this country mean losing all fucking perspective?

[RummyTheDummy]

70. Nov. 7, 2000

That's when.

[rinsd]

67. Sox fans were intently watching GMA?

I would think most missed it.

So you agree its a double standard. Think its okay and then wish injury to the one who offended you?

Nice.

[RummyTheDummy]

71. It's hyperbole

How bout I just wish him a 4-15 season. Is that better?

[rinsd]

72. As a Yankee fan I would be inclined to do so as well

:-)

[incapsulated]

61. EXACTLY

A private citizen voicing their opinions is their constitutional right, yours and mine.

A huge company using their money and influence to try to determine the election is another issue altogether.

Boycotting a company that hired him as a spokesman is silly. That company may hold completely different views, we don't know, they didn't hire him to support Bush, they hired him to sell fucking donuts, or whatever.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

64. bow tie boy said Schilling was going to do stump speaches for bush*

[mitchum]

65. I hope that stupid overpaid jock's goddamn arm falls off

Fuck Schilling

[Walt Starr]

68. Schilling has every right to support Bush

and I have every right to call him a dickhead for doing it!

[rinsd]

69. Forget it Will.

The difference between DU and freepers is unfortunately declining to the point that the difference is the team they root for.

Boycott this, I hope he gets injured, the bush twins are drunken sluts blah blah blah.

Good work is still done here but there's alot more chaffe than there used to. Hopefully things will settle a bit post-election.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

73. I want them to all express their opinions

as long as they are Democrats.

;)

To be fair, this is the first thread I've read on this so I have very little idea what you are talking about. Don't you love the person who chimes in on a topic they came in late on?

Me, too.

[frylock]

74. would you feel the same way if alex rodriguez endorsed a vote for bush?

:shrug:

[Voltaire]

75. I believe that ARod HAS endorsed Bush

I saw a letter that he and some other athletes signed for that purpose a couple days ago.

[Bluebear]

76. ARod is a Bush contributor

RODRIGUEZ, ALEXANDER ENMANUEL MR.
STOCKTON, CA 95208
TEXAS RANGER/SHORTSTOP BUSH, GEORGE W (R)
President
BUSH-CHENEY '04 INC $2000 08/12/03

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=CA&last=Rodriguez&first=Alexander

[Cha]

77. Stupid jerks care more about their

overpaid ass taxcuts than Our Country!

[frylock]

80. i'm stunned..

no wait, I'm not.

[Democat]

78. If someone supports Bush they deserve what they get, including a boycott

How can you say that people helping get Bush elected shouldn't be held accountable.

He is trying to use his celebrity to get a crook elected so that he can kill people and hurt America. If you think that's ok, good for you.

Some of us don't.

[incapsulated]

79. Boycott who?

People are suggesting that we boycott any company he works for, ie, Dunkin Donuts has him as a spokesperson.

This is no different than saying Clear Channel should ban the Dixie Chicks because they dissed Bush.

A celebrity is a private citizen, unless they own the company they work for. A private citizen shouldn't lose their job because some people don't like their political views.

Should all the movie studios refuse to hire actors that stump for Kerry because the freepers don't like it?

Where does this end?

[SoCal]

81. ESPN... Schilling to campaign w/ Bush

I saw it on ESPN that 10 minutes after Schilling said vote for Bush... A teammate who they were interviewing said Bush called Schilling from his Helicopter and asked if he would go to some campaign stops with him and Schilling accepted. His teammate said he'll attend 3 stops along the East Coast with Bush.

[Uzybone]

82. Schilling is a right wing fool

but that isnt news to me. Anyone who kinda follows baseball should have known that he has a rightward tilt to him. I heard him once on the Jim Rome show going on and on about Clinton and Castro back in 1999. He makes no secret of it.

Im glad the Sox won (so they can get back to sucking soon), but at least Schilling has burst the bubble on those deluded folks who somehow thought the Red Sox were "liberals" or on thier side.

[ydya]

83. Any attorneys here who can comment on this?

He asked people to specifically vote for Bush. Can I sue his or ESPN's ass for Bush-peddling? If its a 527, he cannot refer to candidate by name. If its not a 527, I think the Bush campaign should be charged for the length of the interview for the normal value of that time on ESPN. Hit the fuckers where it hurts....in the checkbook.
Fuckin shill. I hope he takes a line drive right into his tiny nuts next season.

[hughee99]

85. I don't think an attorney can help.

Can you sue any other tv network for interviewing a celebrity who publicly endorses Kerry by name (anyone interviewing Springsteen, Ben Affleck, Rosie, Cher...)? A person has a right to endorse anyone in a public interview, that doesn't make them a political action committee, nor do they need 527 status to endorse an unnamed canidate based on an issue. If this were the case, and you can charge a campaign for what a private citizen says in an interview, then we should start a channel where all we do is have people endorse *, and then drain the repukes campaign war chest until they're broke. I don't agree with Schilling's choice of canidates, but he has every right to say what he wants to in an interview.

[DemocracyInaction]

84. It's inappropriate, tasteless and tactless for a person at a high

point of athletics like this Sox win to spew any political shit. If he went from the locker room out on the stump with Bush that is his perogative and one can decide from there whether they love or hate him. But to use a "sports" moment for a cheap shit fucking plug for any candidate is horseshit and you know it. Lance shouldn't get off his bike and say "vote for Bush". Tiger shouldn't hole the putt and say "vote for Bush". Brady shouldn't throw the winning TD and say to the reporter "vote for Bush". That's just fucking crap and cheap shit crap period. Anymore than any of the Hollywood stars should put into their performances or at the end of them "vote for Kerry". Bruce Springstein outright joined the Kerry campaign and makes no bones about his performance. If Curt wants to suck off George, then let him campaign state by state with him (and George is probably on the phone to him as we speak). But, this was the true republican, born again asshole shit that doesn't belong on national tv.

[robmc88]

86. Lets just curse them for another 86 years...

[Bluebear]

89. Well said, thanks for that DI

[WilliamPitt]

91. Like Ali declaring himself a member of the Nation of Islam

and changing his name because he didn't want to use his 'slave name' just hours after winning the title?

Like Ali refusing to be drafted?

Like Ali saying "No Vietcong ever called me nigger"?

Likie that? Or is that different, because it's OK, because it's an athlete spouting liberal opinions?

[mitchum]

94. Specious, but you already know that

And to just what oppressed group does Schilling The Shill belong?

BTW:People with sports "heroes" are truly pathetic

[frank frankly]

87. thanks for his, Will

I remember "Shut up and Sing." That was wrong.

Silencing Curt Schilling is wrong, too.

I wish he wasn't supporting a fascist, but that is his RIGHT and we can't forget that, not for a second.

Once again, thanks. I'm glad you put into words what I was struggling to enunciate.

[Democat]

92. He has no right to support Bush and not be attacked for it!

Just because a person can legally support a man who sends innocent people to death does not mean he has the right to do that and not be boycotted, insulted, and called out for the lying crook that he is.

Too many of the left are weak and it's not helping our cause.

This guy deserves everything legal he gets in return for his support of a criminal.