Sharpton backs off Isiah Thomas protest: Updated
By John Amato Monday Nov 05, 2007 12:55pm
I'm a Knick fan so I'm wondering---why is Isiah Thomas still coaching the NY Knicks basketball team?
<!-- sphereit start -->A federal jury decided Madison Square Garden and its chairman must pay $11.6 million in damages to former New York Knicks executive Anucha Browne Sanders in her sexual harassment lawsuit.
A verdict earlier Tuesday found that Knicks coach Isiah Thomas subjected Browne Sanders to unwanted advances and a barrage of verbal insults, but that he did not have to pay punitive damages. The jury did find, however, that Madison Square Garden committed harassment against the woman and decided she was entitled to punitive damages.
I guess James Dolan doesn't mind losing a case to a woman. This is outrageous on so many levels. Now Al Sharpton has backed off his promised protest of Thomas:
After meeting with Thomas on Saturday and listening to portions of Thomas' deposition, the Rev. Al Sharpton agreed to call off a protest scheduled to take place outside the Garden before last night's game. The jurors heard Thomas' testimony suggesting he believed there was a distinction between a white man and a black man calling a black woman a bitch, but Thomas maintains his deposition was spliced, and taken out of context. Until he or his employers release the full tape, we can only assume there are things on it either he or his employers would rather not be made public. Dirty details about his boss, perchance?
Forget about the video. Isn't it enough to protest the team because Thomas and the Garden sexually harassed a woman? Dolan should have done the right thing and dumped him, but he has a weird fascination with Thomas.
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Has Sharpton EVER protested a fellow African American?
The crazy part about the whole thing is that Isiah isn't even a good coach or GM. There is no upside here, unless firing Isiah might lead to more light being shed on how absolutely bad Dolan is.
Even Stern piled on.
OT - I hope everyone has been watching Dennis Kucinich tear up the House floor with his resolution HR333 to impeach Dick Cheney. THIS IS WHAT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. I hope you're calling your rep. and telling them to support this Resolution.
1-800-828-0498
1-800-614-2803
(White House Operator, As for your Rep.)
Worthless hypcrite
You're right... it is absolutely all you need to protest the team. Enough bullshit already!
Ah, you are finally recognizing the misoginism of big league sports. You better protest the every team with that attitude.
Bring back Van Gundy
Fiah Isiah.
(And give Nate Robinson more playing time)
We used to have season tickets a few rows behind the visiting teams bench and when Detroit came to town, we flipped the 'Bad Boys' no end of shit.
heh heh. Good times. Really good times.
If there's no difference between a job a white man can have and a job a blck man can have and if there is no difference in intelligence between white men and black men, then there is no difference in a black man calling a woman bitch or a white man calling a woman bitch.
Someone needs to tell Sharpton to shut the fudge up. He's nothing more than a sensationalist and opportunist.
Sorry. I don't want sharpton associated with anything I agree with
The Knicks should be protested for being a terminally bad, boring team. Isiah should be protested for making a mockery of the team as well as being a boorish, self-promoting misogynist. And Jim Dolan should be barred from having any contact with professional sports, much less the Garden.
And I admit that worrying about the criminal Thomas/Dolan regime would be much more relevant if we didn't have to worry about the criminal Cheney/Bush regime...
11.6 million???? That's the crazy part of this story.... Why is she getting 11.6 million dollars?
I have been saying for months and years now that Mr. Al Sharpton is a fraud on so many levels.....
Check out Al Sharpton's relationship to right-wing money-man and former Nixon trickster Roger Stone. Roger Stone and other right wing hacks back Mr. Al Sharpton, so I am not surprised he let this one slide. Where the money men are so too is Al Sharpton. Sharpton is in it for the money and publicity only. He is a preacher my ass!
Where was Sharpton when Bush let Libby off the hook? He was in a huff and a puff over the life of Paris Hilton, who Sharpton took issue with that she was getting off the hook lightly.
So, at the same time we had the Libby commutation going on and the Paris Hilton thing going on, Sharpton thought less of Libby getting off due to people in the highest places of power in America but put the Paris Hilton matter at that time at the highest point of his priority list. Sharpton was missing in action when power let Libby off the hook which was all about power and privilege that the hypocrite Al Sharpton claims he is out to expose and deal with. Sharpton is a right wing plant and his causes should be held in way more suspicion that it is already. There is a reason why right wing loud mouths like Tucker Carlson, Bill O'Reilly, and Sean Hannity keep inviting him back to their shows all the time---he is one of them. Going after Don Imus was easy because the "I-Man" whom I do not care for, was one of Bush's biggest critics. The righties like Sharpton saw and opening and pounced on it to get rid of Imus. Imus was wrong, but who the hell made Sharpton the moral arbiter of America? Al Sharpton is a right winger who pretends to be a "Democrat or a liberal." The man (Sharpton) is not to be trusted whatsoever!
Not a fan of the sport or of professional sports at all. But I do enjoy watching a game at the local baseball diamond. It's always more fun when you're cheering for friends.
I'm watching in on C_Span right now:
http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan_rm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS
I never liked Isiah as a player or as a coach. He seems like a punk to me but some of it may be his competitive nature, which of course I applaud. But my like/dislike quotient of Thomas is irrelevant.
More to the point, Thomas record as the GM and coach of the Knicks is is abysmal.
Isiah Thomas' legal problems should be beside the point. Let the criminal or civil process play out. He's not a murderer, the question is whether he's a male shovenist pig and in being so, he caused demonstrable damages to an employee.
I hope someone is recording this CSPAN coverage of Kucinich's HR 333 Impeachment Bill taped for YouTUBE and every other outlet americans go to see what's going on.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
Oh, how I love Al Sharpton and his ways. So much in fact that anytime he's out in front of an issue, I try and run away to the Degobah System where I live until he goes into seclusion before the next ridiculous position he takes. I can't say that I support sexual harassment but I can't support ridiculous lawsuits either. Do the Knicks and company really deserve to pay out such a high lawsuit? How about we follow in the footsteps of much of western Europe, in particular France, and put a cap on punitive damages. I'm not advocating we give up on protecting people from various kinds of abuses, but come one, really, $11 million?
As for Mr. Sharpton, I agree with Mr. XXXX. He is Mr. Right pretending to be Mr. Left.
some dude named steevo @ 14:
Apparently, punitive damages. In other words, the jury said, "You're so stupid that the only thing you understand is a hit to your wallet. Maybe next time you'll think before acting in such a manner again."
It's also a message that racism/sexism have no place in a so-called civilized society.
I would like to know how any person who just cost his company $11M could possibly remain gamefully employed with them
Straight Shooter @ 23:
Exactly, steevo. Not in civilized society and not in the White House.
As much as I loved this guy in college- no one I've seen before or since could handle the rock like this guy- I am so glad he wasn't asked to coach at Indiana. Great player, terrible coach, lousy person. And yeah, he's a punk, but without a good mom and having Bobby Knight as his coach at a tough time in his life, it could've been a whole lot worse for him. No one I know that knew him in school is at all surprised by this mess now.
You're a Knick fan and you're wondering why they continue to send themselves down the toilet?
They are the Knicks! They are named after a shaving injury. The most pathetic team in New York, even worse than the Yankees.
Um, say WHAT? I've always disliked Thomas. What an arrogant prick. Why doesn't he retire to right-wing politics so he can drag them down and break them too -- do something useful for a change.
And nice that the Al is so quick to adopt that which he supposedly fights:
"There is no justice, there is 'just us'", right? Why treat people equally? Why defend the persecuted, if the persecutor has the same skin color as you do, right?
Heck of a job, Mister Sharpton.
And?
What was she expecting from guys whose main goal in life is to bounce balls?
It ain't Bridge.
Dr. Acula @ 1:
yes
In the Reverend's defense (which I will continue to do until otherwise) let's see and hear the original tape. Ok OJ fanatics?
dolan is an asshole
isaiah is an asshole
sharpton is an asshole for even getting involved
but here is the story:
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I won't protest MSG just yet, says Al Sharpton
Saturday, November 3rd 2007, 1:24 AM
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I won't protest MSG just yet, says Al Sharpton
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Saturday, November 3rd 2007, 1:24 AM
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The Knicks season opens tonight, but the Rev. Al Sharpton still hasn't decided whether to launch protests over Isiah Thomas' incendiary comments about the "B" word. Sharpton's spokeswoman said he is waiting to meet with Thomas' boss before making a decision about demonstrations at Madison Square Garden.
"As he promised, Rev. Sharpton and [the National Action Network] will not take action until they hear what is presented," Rachel Noerdlinger said.
Sharpton last month vowed to picket the world's most famous arena to denounce Thomas' apparent racial double standard over use of the word "bitch."
The Knicks president and coach suggested in a deposition for his sexual harassment trial that it was worse for a white man to use the word about a black woman.
Early last month, Sharpton denounced Thomas for setting a "false standard" that black men have a free pass to use the word about black women.
Thomas claimed the taped deposition had been spliced and his comments were taken out of context.
The Knicks season opens tonight, but the Rev. Al Sharpton still hasn't decided whether to launch protests over Isiah Thomas' incendiary comments about the "B" word.
Sharpton's spokeswoman said he is waiting to meet with Thomas' boss before making a decision about demonstrations at Madison Square Garden.
"As he promised, Rev. Sharpton and [the National Action Network] will not take action until they hear what is presented," Rachel Noerdlinger said.
Sharpton last month vowed to picket the world's most famous arena to denounce Thomas' apparent racial double standard over use of the word "bitch."
The Knicks president and coach suggested in a deposition for his sexual harassment trial that it was worse for a white man to use the word about a black woman.
Early last month, Sharpton denounced Thomas for setting a "false standard" that black men have a free pass to use the word about black women.
Thomas claimed the taped deposition had been spliced and his comments were taken out of context.
Dennis @ 24:
tiny archibald was better
Isiah Thomas should have been fired already despite the current "appeal process" now in motion! James Dolan doesn’t belong anywhere near female employees whether his daddy owns the team or not. Both Thomas and Dolan are sexual predators. As far as I am concerned there is a fine line with those whom engage in such conduct assexual harassment, which both Thomas and Dolan are guilty of.
Al Sharpton should be protesting Isiah Thomas as much as he did Imus on behalf of the Rutgers women's basketball team. His failure to live up to his word in protesting the Knicks and Mr. Thomas is indicative of Sharpton's double talk. If Sharpton is a bonafide preacher, than I am the Pope, which, of course, I am not, thank God!
Sharpton is a con man and not such a "good" or "nice" person. Al Sharpton is nothing but a sociopath with much hate inside of himself as it always shows when he speaks.
Clarification:
As far as I am concerned there is a fine line with those whom engage in such conduct assexual harassment, which both Thomas and Dolan are guilty of, and being a sexual predator. Both in my humble opinion meet such a standard of being predators as serial sexual misconduct was taking place inside the New York Knicks organization at that time as heard by the many witnesses who testified at the trial, including, Stephon Marbury--who gave very embarassing and revealing information not becoming of people who are not sexual predators.
Al Sharpto*, Isiah Thoma*, David Duk* & Hal Turne* deserve each other. Pisses me of that Sharpto* keeps showing up at the anti War demonstrations.
Peace.
Mr. XXXX @ 15:
sharpton does not run the network.
you have the same capabilities to protest as he does.
Sharpton was not the only one going after Imus.
Imus remarks were both racist and sexist and the people in his own network protested to management and THAT had more to do with the firing than anything from sharpton. additionally, sharpton gave Imus a forum on his show for Imus to clear up the issue and Imus could/would not fully apologize for his remarks.
don't blame sharpton for Imus losing his job, blame Imus.
BTW, where were YOU when all this was going on?
Just what I thought, one of the keyboard attack brigade.
pathetic.
and you could show the link between stone and sharpton with more than words.
Off topic, but I just saw a picture of Joe Torre in Dodger blue in the local news rag..... Joe Torre fer cryin out loud...Mr. Yankees hisself, now gonna run the L.A. Dodgers.. Whoa... How weird is that??? It really is a crazy mixed up world now......JD
Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
How in the hell is any discussion of Rev. Al that includes Tawana Brawley off topic, Sitemonitor with the Orwellian tendencies?
That's like telling Keith Olbermann, who I support, that a chat about Bill O'Reilly cannot include references to Andrea Mackris and falafels.
John Amato, lest we want to consider ourselves in the National Review World of Blatant Censorship, please tell your sitemonitor with the KGB Starter Kit to back off.
Thank you.
Jack Damage,
Don't go off topic. The Sitemonitor with the Dick Cheney Fetish will censor your posts.
Thomas was a great player, but a bust in management. As a black man, I am offended that he thinks it's okay for even black men to call my sisters "bitch." Does he love his mom, sisters, aunts cousins?
Isiah must have capitulated to Sharpton's 'Consultant Fee' demand.
35 BaScOmBe Says
Dear BaScOmBe:
I never condoned what Imus said. I am not an Imus fan and understand he made both sexist and racist remarks. This does not absolve Al Sharpton from his own hypocrisy and fraud he is as well. Read my post dude and comprehend my point. Sharpton is nothing but a charlatan, plain and simple. He is nothing but a fraud, and preacher my ass! I never condoned Imus' comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team but he had been doing that kind of stuff for years. I rooted for the Rutgers team as a Big East fan to begin with. So, yes I do blame Imus for what he said, but this does not make Sharpton a "hero." Sharpton exploits situations for his personal gain. The Rutgers women did not even know or ever meet Sharpton. He simply exploited those women in an effort to boost his own resume.
Where was Sharpton when Bush commuted Libby's sentence? Nowhere of course! I thought Sharpton was against power and privilege exploiting their status and position? Sharpton was a no-show during the Libby case.
No, I do not want to pattern my life after Al Sharpton who is a fine hypocrite in protest after protest, in mere exploitive activities. My life is not about protest in the streets which Sharpton does but to no effect any longer.
I hope you (BaScOmBe) continue your success in being an Al Sharpton sycophant as well.
Shag @ 39:
He didn't say it was ok for a black man to call a black woman a b!tch. He said it has more racial under-tones if a white man calls a black woman a b!tch as opposed to a black man saying it. He also said that he felt any man saying it one was wrong and intolerable. I think he's an ass hole myself but I not going to stack sh!t up on the guy to make him look even worse then the a-hole he already is. I'm black and I live in Georgia and if I went into a country and western bar and yelled to a white woman "hey b!tch" out loud, my chances of getting my ass stomped has drastically increased because I'm black. That's why Imus got fired. It's just the fu@ked up society we live in here in the great U.S.
I dont know anything about this guy, but there is a sexist raxist if I ever saw one.
The Rev. Sharpton may back off him, but I never will. He is vile and disgusting in my book to even say or think something like this.
It just shows that some of these guys did not get the right education from their black mothers and fathers.
I have one son and two grandsons and I know they had better not call a black woman or any other woman a bitch and I find out about it and I know countless black women that think and feel the same.
I am so tired of this media running this kind of shit, I could scream. The people that are so enchanted by this kind of crap really need to look at their own problems and there are many and leave black people alone with this kind of shit.
Thomas is a great coach need i remind you all that the Ind, Pacers haven't made it to the playoffs after Thomas was fired by LOL G.M Bird and Bird lied to Jermaine O"Neal to get him to sign another contract, tell him he would not fire Thomas. So all you Thomas haters please go away this is a civil case. "Tuesday found that Knicks coach Isiah Thomas subjected Browne Sanders to unwanted advances and a barrage of verbal insults, but that he did not have to pay punitive damages. The jury did find, however, that Madison Square Garden committed harassment against the woman and decided she was entitled to punitive damages."
(JURY FOUND MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMMITTED HARASSMENT NOT THOMAS)
what about that statement you all don't understand. LOL
Thank you, Robert. This was a classic he said/she said case. Brown-Sanders had no witnesses or other corroborating evidence that Thomas sexually harassed her and asked to sleep with her. The jury chose to believe Brown-Sanders. Thomas has never, ever been accused of this before in all the places he's worked. Who do I believe? I don't know who to believe, but the whole bunch are a group of type-A personalities, climbers and very successful people. Brown-Sanders has now formed a kinship with the very conservative right-wing Anita Hill. She's no hero of mine. In Brown-Sanders tenure at IBM and MSG did she mentor young African-American women and help them advance? Don't think so. The jury chose to believe that a black man was guilty of a sexual crime. Quel surprise. A black man guilty of wanting to bang a woman? No jury in America would believe that. Please.
BTW: Can I sue my boss because she goes around of the office calling everyone a bitch?
I may be a bit naive, but just how does MSG sexually harass, well, anyone? Seems to me that if the only punitive damages are paid by entities other than Mr. Thomas, nothing will have been learned.
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