OT: New Ray Rice video released

AzStevenCal

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The NFL saying today is the first time they've seen this video is just as asinine as the Atlanta Hawks owner realizing after 9 years that the crowd at his games are 70% black.

I believe the NFL and having read the email, I have no idea why anyone is up in arms over the Atlanta owner's comments.

Steve
 

AzStevenCal

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You're joking right?

Which part and no, not at all. If you're talking about the email, everything he said sounded correct and reasonable to me. He didn't accuse the black population of anything. In fact, it was more an indictment of the traditional white Southern male citizens. If you're talking about the NFL, I can't believe they'd be stupid enough to lie about something like this. I'm not saying they are too moral to lie about it but they have to be smart enough to know that the truth would come out in short order. Lying would only compound their image problem.

Steve
 

clif

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Which part and no, not at all. If you're talking about the email, everything he said sounded correct and reasonable to me. He didn't accuse the black population of anything. In fact, it was more an indictment of the traditional white Southern male citizens. If you're talking about the NFL, I can't believe they'd be stupid enough to lie about something like this. I'm not saying they are too moral to lie about it but they have to be smart enough to know that the truth would come out in short order. Lying would only compound their image problem.

Steve


Levenson said "I have even bitched that the kiss cam is too black." "My theory is that the black crowd scared away the whites"

These are just two of the racially insensitive statements he made. Throughout he email... he blamed the poor turnout by 35-55 year old whites on the fact that the games are too black.... WTF??? How about the terrible product that has been on the court for years?
 
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Southpaw

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:hijack: Abortion and racism posts in a Ray Rice domestic violence thread.

I have to look for something religiously controversial now,

:)

OK. Jesus was a charlatan. :eek:
 

AzStevenCal

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Levenson said "I have even bitched that the kiss cam is too black."

"My theory is that the black crowd scared away the whites" are just two of the racial insensitive statements he made.

Did you read them in context? The "scared away whites" comment, for example, was followed by this paragraph"

Please dont get me wrong. There was nothing threatening going on in the arean back then. i never felt uncomfortable, but i think southern whites simply were not comfortable being in an arena or at a bar where they were in the minority. On fan sites i would read comments about how dangerous it is around philips yet in our 9 years, i don’t know of a mugging or even a pick pocket incident. This was just racist garbage. When I hear some people saying the arena is in the wrong place I think it is code for there are too many blacks at the games.

I don't read that email and see racism, at least not on Levenson's part. I'm not saying you called it racism but I've seen it labelled that way elsewhere. I don't even think the comments are racially insensitive though, they are just an accurate depiction of the situation the Hawks have to deal with (or at least one person's description of the situation).

Sorry about the OT. And Ray Rice is more than a fool.

Steve
 

AzStevenCal

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Maybe he stuck a $mil in her savings account, if she agreed to not testify and go on with the marriage.

I don't know what they call it now but looking at that press conference video, Battered wife syndrome came to mind. Somewhere in the Denial to Guilt stages.

Steve
 

clif

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Did you read them in context? The "scared away whites" comment, for example, was followed by this paragraph"



I don't read that email and see racism, at least not on Levenson's part. I'm not saying you called it racism but I've seen it labelled that way elsewhere. I don't even think the comments are racially insensitive though, they are just an accurate depiction of the situation the Hawks have to deal with (or at least one person's description of the situation).

Sorry about the OT. And Ray Rice is more than a fool.

Steve

He himself thought his comments were insensitive. He self reported. His comments are at the very least ignorant and insensitive and why someone in his position would even consider putting those thoughts on paper is beyond comprehension. These are the types of things that may have just come to him when "a light bulb went off" but certainly not something you voice.

I personally don't think his intention was to be racist or insensitive, but you can't even read that email and not seriously wonder what he was thinking about the day he even thought about becoming an NBA owner. Memo to clueless NBA owner... do some market research before you decide to bid on an NBA franchise.
 

Southpaw

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He himself thought his comments were insensitive. He self reported. His comments are at the very least ignorant and insensitive and why someone in his position would even consider putting those thoughts on paper is beyond comprehension. These are the types of things that may have just come to him when "a light bulb went off" but certainly not something you voice.

I personally don't think his intention was to be racist or insensitive, but you can't even read that email and not seriously wonder what he was thinking about the day he even thought about becoming an NBA owner. Memo to clueless NBA owner... do some market research before you decide to bid on an NBA franchise.

I have been in the marketing business most of my career. Demographics are a huge factor in any plan. What he said goes on in every strategy session. Demographics are targeted and/or avoided. It is called product appeal. If someone wants to call it racist then every Popeye's Chicken commercial (for example) is guilty. Levenson and his group dumped the Atlanta Thrashers a few years ago. His group is in for the investment and resell of the Hawks franchise. He wants out, or so it seems. There are about 10 partial owners and he is the majority owner. If he gets his money back with interest, he made a business decision.

Sorry to feed the hijack, but I couldn't find a dedicated thread for this subject. Please move this if it is inappropriate for this thread.
 

BurqueCardFan

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Did you read them in context? The "scared away whites" comment, for example, was followed by this paragraph"



I don't read that email and see racism, at least not on Levenson's part. I'm not saying you called it racism but I've seen it labelled that way elsewhere. I don't even think the comments are racially insensitive though, they are just an accurate depiction of the situation the Hawks have to deal with (or at least one person's description of the situation).

Sorry about the OT. And Ray Rice is more than a fool.

Steve

That's kind of like saying "no offense but", right before you're about to offend someone and thinking that makes it ok.
 

crisper57

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Steelers' William Gay, whose mother was killed by her husband as she tried to leave him, commented. He said the League should not run away from Ray Rice, they should help him to make sure this never happens again. If anyone had authority to speak on the issue, it is him, so I found his comments interesting.
 

clif

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I have been in the marketing business most of my career. Demographics are a huge factor in any plan. What he said goes on in every strategy session. Demographics are targeted and/or avoided. It is called product appeal. If someone wants to call it racist then every Popeye's Chicken commercial (for example) is guilty. Levenson and his group dumped the Atlanta Thrashers a few years ago. His group is in for the investment and resell of the Hawks franchise. He wants out, or so it seems. There are about 10 partial owners and he is the majority owner. If he gets his money back with interest, he made a business decision.



Sorry to feed the hijack, but I couldn't find a dedicated thread for this subject. Please move this if it is inappropriate for this thread.


So.... Why did he self report something that goes on in every marketing meeting? My guess is he saw Donald sterling get 2 billion and after his own previous failed attempt to sell in 2011 he decided it was time to strike while interest is at an all time high. I don't think he really feels any differently than he felt the day he sent that email.

It's just so preposterous to me to be so shocked that in a city that is predominantly black that your fans are largely black. This guy is an idiot. You need a come to Jesus moment to realize that 9 years into ownership?


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Reddog

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That's such garbage. He's making up for a wrong decision....nothing like trying to cover your own rear end for a previous mistake.

Interesting how they do this after the Ravens cut him. Kind of like the guy that cowers away in the bar fight and as soon as the bouncers get the guy under control starts talking crap.
 

speedy

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Looking for the guys who defend Domestic violence. What's the line they were selling? Men are victims? What happens in another mans house aint my business even if he's beating the crap out of his wife? Poor Ray Rice was just defending himself? I've seen a lot of excuses for Domestic Violence made on here by a select few posters over the past few weeks.




I'm telling you dude, there is a DISTURBING amount of women haters in this world. People are watching this video and still blaming the woman. Yeah Ray Rice sure looked like his life was in danger there. He was totally justified in hitting her once, then hitting her again knocking her out, watching her hit her head on the rail, dragging her halfway out of the elevator then dropping her on her face. Poor guy, is he ok?

Indefensible. Anyone who can watch that video and still defend Ray needs to go see a therapist about their issues with women...

I don't think anyone was condoning or minimizing Ray's behavior, at anytime, on this board. I believe both Ray and his (now) Wife BOTH played a role in this situation. It seems pretty clear to me she either takes a slap at him or sticks a finger in his face before they get in the elevator. Once in the elevator, he gets in her face and slaps or pushes her. He stands on the opposite side of the elevator and she lunges at him (aggressively); he then delivers a blow which puts her out.

I do not condone the behavior of Ray Rice, but I don't find the Mrs behavior to be excused, coincidental, or unremarkable either. Did Ray take things too far? Absolutely. Conventional wisdom tells you that if he has been sufficient enough to pick-up the blitz from a ILB/OLB/DE in the NFL, he surely could have diffused/avoided/defended himself from a 120-150# female with much less effort than a left hook to the face.

But to minimize (or disregard/ignore) the role the Mrs played in this event is making excuses for her behavior; it's sexist. Had this been 2 men (not in a homosexual relationship), people would think nothing of it (most of you are going to the game this evening; take a look around and you will see what I am saying). If it were two women, people would laugh. If it was a woman completely unrelated to the man, and she was getting physically aggressive with him, the punch may raise some eyebrows, but I certainly believe people would say, "that crazy chic was trying to fight him!"

DV involves much more than one person controlling/dominating/abusing the other. It's the result of a dysfunction of 2 people. It takes "2-to-tango," but why is DV not looked at in similar regard? My wife is the sweetest lady you would ever meet, do anything for you, but she has her buttons. I know when to leave her alone or get off my butt/change my plans to help her with whatever self-imposed catastrophe she signed herself up for. Since I know how to keep her happy (at least most of the time I hope), I surely know what could set her off, trigger her, or cause her to explode on me. She possesses similar intel on me.

I'm a white guy in my late 30's. If I walked into a black neighborhood and started using racial slurs (not threatening anyone, just talking ish) and became very bold, intentional, and conspicuous in my intent (i.e.- walking up to a group of black men and calling them "this" or "that"), would anyone be surprised when I got my A beat? Stabbed? Shot? If I did get "victimized" during the course of my above actions, the (presumably black) person who did it would most likely get charged. However, mitigating factors would, and should, come into play. It should be notorious that Speedy went into a predominantly black neighborhood, using racial slurs, wearing a white shirt, red suspenders and laces, LOOKING to start a confrontation. And found it. Most certainly, if I had not choose to walk into this neighborhood, confront a black male, and start picking a fight using racial and demeaning language, I wouldn't be beat up/shot/stabbed/dead, and the black male seated on the left side of the courtroom in the defendants chair wouldn't have been charged. Bottom line: I would be ultimately responsible for the series of events.

In no way am I defending Ray Rice. His actions were wrong. However, the Mrs has some culpability here. I feel as though this point is clearly being lost.
 
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crisper57

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So after he spits on her and then slaps or punches her the first time, you can't condone her lunging at him?
 

82CardsGrad

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In no way am I defending Ray Rice. His actions were wrong. However, the Mrs has some culpability here. I feel as though this point is clearly being lost.

The only culpability she has is that she chose to be with a seriously troubled man... As I always tell my kids, life is about choices and consequences... Good choices typically bring good consequences. Bad choices typically bring bad consequences...

It's been debated on this board time and again, but IMO, there is never, ever a reason for a man to knock out a woman.
 

speedy

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The only culpability she has is that she chose to be with a seriously troubled man... As I always tell my kids, life is about choices and consequences... Good choices typically bring good consequences. Bad choices typically bring bad consequences...

It's been debated on this board time and again, but IMO, there is never, ever a reason for a man to knock out a woman.

You're absolutely correct, life is about making the right choices, and might I add, having a plan. I am in no way trying to stick up for Ray or diminish his actions. I don't care if the guy ever plays another down in the league. That ball is out of our court though; it's entirely up to the NFL and NFLPA to decide on what they need to do to protect their shield/product, what their expectations are going to be.

Very rarely are the issues in life a simple one-way equation. I think, as I have clearly indicated, they were BOTH wrong, and quite possibly, they are both troubled. They both made bad decisions this night, and I am sure alcohol was most likely a factor, for both of them.

I feel people believe I am condoning, or somehow am a proponent of DV. It's quite the opposite. I actually spend quite a bit of my time on the legislative and social action fronts to address this particular issue (amongst others). In my experience, I have come to view DV through a different paradigm and perspective. I have my own personal experiences as well (as do many).

This conversation most definitely belongs in other forums, but seemed to flow with the topic at hand. I believe the issues surrounding DV to be more robust than given the recognition for, and I believe their answers more complex than writing new and creative laws to punish violators.
 

Azlen

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Very rarely are the issues in life a simple one-way equation. I think, as I have clearly indicated, they were BOTH wrong, and quite possibly, they are both troubled. They both made bad decisions this night, and I am sure alcohol was most likely a factor, for both of them.

I don't see anywhere here where I can say they were BOTH wrong. He was wrong. Nothing she did can justify anything he did. It's ridiculous to think otherwise.
 
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