Eddie McGuire makes on-air gaffe about Adam Goodes and King Kong

[Ron The Bear]

Our entire society is fueled by emotional manipulation.

Politicians couldn't get away with their crap without it.

Absolutely. We're terribly distracted, myself included.

 

[DonsRule]

I don't think Eddie is/meant to be racist with the comment, but it was a very very poor attempt at humor all things considered. More very poor judgement than intent.

 

[Mr Magic]

Every time I see Harry O's name mentioned, I don't even think of his skin colour.

I think of the TV show..................

Honestly , when i hear Harry Obrien;s name after his sermon , I think boat people, even if they come from asia, africa, south american, USA or even UK. Doesn't matter I just sense the handout and need to depend on others claiming a need rather than stand up for themselves against their own battles with positive action avoiding manipulation and or deception, and striving for earn't respect!

 

[plough]

lol

eddie, you can't self report this one

 

[worthy]

This whole silly week of exaggerated outrage, moronic attempts at social engineering, trial by blog...stirred with the usual and purposeful lack of understanding with no ability to pass off anything as just a mistake or be understanding....yeah its totally desensitized me to it all and now dont give a rats arse about anyone's social judgments and agenda's.
As far as i;m concerned its not in the slightest bit important anymore, nor even remotely interesting...after being a disappointing incident last Friday, now all thats left is a collection of flogs trying to outdo each other hoping to look like social engineer of the year, and trying to tell others what they should think.

All this silly little faux pas by Eddie has done is to highlight just how many absolute morons there are with zero ability to concede a mistake, zero tolerance for others, and maximum need to lay a guilt trip on others...or mock anyone that doesnt agree with their own little perfect version of how society should be.

It's been said, but it's worth saying again, brilliant post.

On Eddie, he's been in the media how long? How many times has he made a mistake like this? One poorly timed mistake and suddenly those who are desperate to judge so they can feel good about themselves, jump all over it, some posters on here need to take a good hard look at themselves.

 

[tinyballerina]

Eddie just has to go. For no other reason than being a complete and utter dick.

It's the context that defines it.


...end of.

 

[Chief]

Like a forum administrator who has the opportunity to read and re-read everything before they post it? It's amazing how people's views on this are so influenced simply by the football club they support.

WHat's the forum admin thing got to do with it?

I've made my views on this very clear earlier in this thread, so I wont repeat them but I'll ask you a question: what do you think is worse, racism that is said and not meant or racism that is meant but not said? Someone made this point on triple m this morning, it's probably the most relevant thing I've heard on the topic so far.

But when verbalised it confirms the silent views of idiots.

I've already said he's not intrinsically racist, but the unsophisticated older white bloke jovial racism is one of the things that should be defeated. He only meant to make a joke, but it was a poor one, even more poorly executed and said at a sensitive time.

He should man up and take his medicine, not repeat slip-of-the-tongue 20 times in one interview.

Which is more the mark of a person with rock solid principles?

"I stuffed up completely. It was a stupid attempt at a bad joke and I'm ashamed of how my offensive remark made others feel. I don't blame Goodes or anyone else for being offended. They have a right to be. I will be following to the letter the rules I have applied and demanded be applied to other people. I hope this is a lesson to others to think before they speak."

or

"I'm sorry if anyone was offended at my slip of the tongue. If my board thinks I should step aside I will wait for them to say so."

 

[Leg End]

I've made my views on this very clear earlier in this thread, so I wont repeat them but I'll ask you a question: what do you think is worse, racism that is said and not meant or racism that is meant but not said? Someone made this point on triple m this morning, it's probably the most relevant thing I've heard on the topic so far.

Let's be frank.
Eddie Maguire is like Rupert Murdoch - sociopathic egotists, totally self-focussed, interested only in self promotion.

His on air comments simply show that Friday night's gestures with Goodesy were typically empty posturings, acting instinctively to go where the publicity angle shone brightest.

Even his position on "Millionaire" is laughable because his lack of knowledge and education comes shining through - he is actually quote ignorant.

And for all those Pies supporters bleating "look what he did for our club", well, to reference JFK, Eddie looks not at what he can do for the club but for what the club can do for him.

 

[Snake_Baker]

He's got the eloquence of a fairground cryer. He should stick to game shows and footy and leave the social commentary to someone whose brain is attached to their mouth.

I can't deny that it was crass, but the extreme level of response which undoubtedly correlates to McGuires level of celebrity, also reeks of glib opportunism, contributes to cynicism, and diminishes understanding as a result.

 

[the distributer]

What does it matter what ANY of the aboriginal players think when they have people like you who can tell them what they should and shouldn't be offended by?

He brought it up.

If a young girl calls a large hairy man an Ape, and that man also happens to be black i think the young girl deserves the right to explain what she meant by the comment, you know, before defiling her and her family/upbringing, just a thought.

 

[Snake_Baker]

But when verbalised it confirms the silent views of idiots.

See, this is what this is really about, the (understandable) fear of idiots.

There's a cure for that you know, and it isn't emotional hysteria.

 

[Chief]

I can't deny that it was crass, but the extreme level of response which undoubtedly correlates to McGuires level of celebrity, also reeks of glib opportunism, contributes to cynicism, and diminishes understanding as a result.

What level of response is extreme? McGuire made a tepid apology in some interviews, will do a bit of counselling and may or may not stand down.

Wow. Practically a lynching.

As for the general response of people, it seems about 50/50 between sack him and he's apologised let it go.

 

[Big_Birdy]

And we have evidence of Aboriginal culture and lifestyle through archaeological findings. What's more, there is a written history, in stories told through cave paintings and the like.

Which is all taught. And cave drawings is not written history, I mean seriously.

 

[Sloth]

Maybe I'm missing the point? My religion is not as important because its by choice?

If we can't question people's choices then we can't question their actions. That is a slippery slope

 

[Mr Magic]

"Every day I will experience a form of racial discrimination. Whether its through social media. Whether I am walking on the street and there will be someone in their car that, you know, that is the courage that they will have, they yell something out to me".

Not here to downplay elements of racism in Australian society or Eddies comments but these words from Harry O'Brien stood out to me.

He does not say that he is actually racially abused by people from car windows or on social media. He seems to infer that abuse he does receive even if non racist is motivated by the colour of his skin.

If he was being called the N word from a car window I am pretty sure we would all be hearing about it from him based on his history of telling life stories. If someone calls you a flog Harry it is probably because of the colour of your teams jumper and your self absorbed demeanor rather than your heritage.

Any racial abuse he does cop is clearly unacceptable and I feel sorry that he is on the end of it. However his words here may paint a picture of him seeing a more hateful society on the basis of race than is the reality.

Well Melbourne is hardly Australia anyway. Once cities get to a certain size in the millions they are all the same except language and landscape, it is called globalisation.

But these days Harry needs to realise, people might not be having a issue over his skin colour but the fact he is of external origin, relatively recent presumably, and the fact a lot of Australians simply see such people, unless they have specialised skills, as a unnecessary burden caused by incompetent politicians that do not represent the public majority!!

Gillard lets a lot of people in, but many people in Aust do not want to carry the load based on economics and other values that have nothing to do with race. Australia is a country has only been successful from sheep, agriculture, and minerals, little else has worked of genuine export GDP value long term based on free market will of the global populous!! Until Australia can survive from serious export service competence/competitive goods production many fear implosion ala Greece etc...

 

[Chief]

He brought it up.

If a young girl calls a large hairy man an Ape, and that man also happens to be black i think the young girl deserves the right to explain what she meant by the comment, you know, before defiling her and her family/upbringing, just a thought.

Who was defiled??

And no, the comment was absolutely unacceptable. Ignorance is no excuse. It's the root cause.

I think there is a bit of hysteria in response to the justified disappointment at these events.

 

[Snake_Baker]

What level of response is extreme? McGuire made a tepid apology in some interviews, will do a bit of counselling and may or may not stand down.

Wow. Practically a lynching.

As for the general response of people, it seems about 50/50 between sack him and he's apologised let it go.

A mildly irresponsible off the cuff comment is on the front page of the newspapers today.

 

[Pie eyed]

Not to Adam Goodes it doesn't.

Everybody seems to be looking at it from everyone's view except for Goodes. He is clearly angry about it.

The biggest, saddest, fall-out which seems to be coming from this issue now is a polarization of opinion, with many in both camps over-reacting totally in regard to the offense.
I think this will actually set back anti-racism gains. Many are now swinging wildly against what they see as a over zealous political correctness.
While Eddie's comments were clearly racist, the intent was not.
I think he should stand down as president of the Collingwood Football Club for the rest of the season though, if only to silence the media commentators pushing their personal dislike for either the man, the club or both.

 

[Chief]

Gillard lets a lot of people in,

As did Howard, for all his chest-beating.

 

[conodie05]

But he will only do it if the Collingwood Board members think he should. Weak and gutless flog in my view. He should man up and take responsibility for his own actions and not rely on others to make the decision for him. Poor leadership IMO.

So apologising in print, visual and sound media and offering to stand down from a voluntary position which he has devoted 11 years to isn't enough for you?

I would hate to be one of your children. I would never do enough to please you.

 

[Mr Magic]

As did Howard, for all his chest-beating.

as did fraser.

When was the last competent govt?? before my birth I am sure

 

[Affidavit]

This whole country needs to harden the * up. Seriously.

 

[Chief]

A mildly irresponsible off the cuff comment is on the front page of the newspapers today.

As has been said, context is everything.

The context of the comment from that particular person with the events of the weekend is brain-mashingly unreal and a worthy point of discussion and examination.

 

[childeric]

I'm laughing at the over-reaction to this

Sure it was clumsy of him to say this but people are getting carried away because of their hatred for Eddie

 

[neroblack]

WHat's the forum admin thing got to do with it?


But when verbalised it confirms the silent views of idiots.

I've already said he's not intrinsically racist, but the unsophisticated older white bloke jovial racism is one of the things that should be defeated. He only meant to make a joke, but it was a poor one, even more poorly executed and said at a sensitive time.

He should man up and take his medicine, not repeat slip-of-the-tongue 20 times in one interview.

Which is more the mark of a person with rock solid principles?

"I stuffed up completely. It was a stupid attempt at a bad joke and I'm ashamed of how my offensive remark made others feel. I don't blame Goodes or anyone else for being offended. They have a right to be. I will be following to the letter the rules I have applied and demanded be applied to other people. I hope this is a lesson to others to think before they speak."

or

"I'm sorry if anyone was offended at my slip of the tongue. If my board thinks I should step aside I will wait for them to say so."

"Man up and take his medicine" - how has he not done that?

As for your question, he's pretty well said both of those things already. People with rock solid principles can still make mistakes. I've never defended what he said in the slightest, but the conclusions a lot of people have reached about the man on the basis of that single comment are ludicrous. I don't think he even meant it as a joke himself, it was more a reference to what other people may have thought in the past (this is not meaning to excuse him making the comment in the slightest, just my first observation when I was listening to it yesterday morning).

The question I asked was from an observation by an Indian man on the radio this morning, who clearly thought that the reaction to this single comment is absurd, in comparison so what he's had to put up with through his life. I wonder whether he feels any better that people think right now is a sensitive time for these issues? He's probably just thinking that next week it'll be back to 'normal' again.