Statute of limitations on dumb statements?

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Was reading about the Braves pitcher who was in hot water because of some insensitive statements he made on Twitter 6-7 years ago when he was a senior in HS.

I imagine these incidents will become more frequent but I’m hopeful we consider that people say and do dumb things when they’re young. I keep preaching to my kids that social media is forever but I’m not sure they always listen.

What do you all think?

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

Was reading about the Braves pitcher who was in hot water because of some insensitive statements he made on Twitter 6-7 years ago when he was a senior in HS.

I imagine these incidents will become more frequent but I’m hopeful we consider that people say and do dumb things when they’re young. I keep preaching to my kids that social media is forever but I’m not sure they always listen.

What do you all think?

As long as it’s statements only and not a crime or an admission of a crime ie a “bad joke” about rape, race etc... then there should be a three year statute of limitations on the “outrage”. To condemn someone for a simple expressed mindset (again, I’m not talking actual crimes like they admitted sexually assaulting a bunch of women or peeping on underage women) is to say that people can never course correct and “fix themselves”. I think back to myself as a kid and I played “smear the qu%^%*”, called someone who made a bad decision “retarded” and if I got ripped off I’d say someone “gypped me”. And in my case it wasn’t anger or hatred I simply was young and dumb and didn’t think about whether I was hurting someone or not. So I’m sure James Gunn’s stupid pedopphilia “jokes” were similar, not really thinking beyond the intent to draw an easy laugh.

So yeah, being a stupid at 17 shouldn't harm your ability to get employed at 29. Unless it continues...

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Great post

 

[KitingHigh]

As long as it’s statements only and not a crime or an admission of a crime ie a “bad joke” about rape, race etc... then there should be a three year statute of limitations on the “outrage”. To condemn someone for a simple expressed mindset (again, I’m not talking actual crimes like they admitted sexually assaulting a bunch of women or peeping on underage women) is to say that people can never course correct and “fix themselves”. I think back to myself as a kid and I played “smear the qu%^%*”, called someone who made a bad decision “retarded” and if I got ripped off I’d say someone “gypped me”. And in my case it wasn’t anger or hatred I simply was young and dumb and didn’t think about whether I was hurting someone or not. So I’m sure James Gunn’s stupid pedopphilia “jokes” were similar, not really thinking beyond the intent to draw an easy laugh.

So yeah, being a stupid dumb%*% at 17 shouldn't harm your ability to get employed at 29. Unless it continues...

“gypped me” is offensive? I honestly did not know that.

It offends gypsies I guess?

 

[SoddyNole]

As long as it’s statements only and not a crime or an admission of a crime ie a “bad joke” about rape, race etc... then there should be a three year statute of limitations on the “outrage”. To condemn someone for a simple expressed mindset (again, I’m not talking actual crimes like they admitted sexually assaulting a bunch of women or peeping on underage women) is to say that people can never course correct and “fix themselves”. I think back to myself as a kid and I played “smear the qu%^%*”, called someone who made a bad decision “retarded” and if I got ripped off I’d say someone “gypped me”. And in my case it wasn’t anger or hatred I simply was young and dumb and didn’t think about whether I was hurting someone or not. So I’m sure James Gunn’s stupid pedopphilia “jokes” were similar, not really thinking beyond the intent to draw an easy laugh.

So yeah, being a stupid dumb%*% at 17 shouldn't harm your ability to get employed at 29. Unless it continues...

So much hate. No way 3 years can fix that.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

“gypped me” is offensive? I honestly did not know that.

It offends gypsies I guess?

That's it exactly. I didn't think about it and still used it in my everyday lexicon until about ten years ago when I inadvertently said it to a woman who was half Roma.

 

[West Duval Nole]

That's it exactly. I didn't think about it and still used it in my everyday lexicon until about ten years ago when I inadvertently said it to a woman who was half Roma.

I didn't even know it was gypped. I was thinking it was jipped.

 

[KitingHigh]

I didn't even know it was gypped. I was thinking it was jipped.

I did too.

 

[KitingHigh]

That's it exactly. I didn't think about it and still used it in my everyday lexicon until about ten years ago when I inadvertently said it to a woman who was half Roma.

I saw that after googling it. Apparently our last first family used it and got called out on it.

 

[cfbfan23]

That's it exactly. I didn't think about it and still used it in my everyday lexicon until about ten years ago when I inadvertently said it to a woman who was half Roma.

Ignore her. She was a grifter.

 

[West Duval Nole]

I saw that after googling it. Apparently our last first family used it and got called out on it.

Had no idea on what was meant by Roma either. I don't typically use gyp anyway I would probably use cheat, stole or ripped me off.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I think Gen X neighborhoods were the last anything goes zones. Our parents were all working!

 

[kc78]

I said so many dumb things 10 years ago and I've grown to a point where I'm embarrassed by them, but they are there. I certainly don't think it would be fair to try to destroy me over them. There's a far difference in me saying something terrible now and expressing something stupid years ago. The James Gunn thing is driving me crazy. He was trying to be a comedian and made some offensive jokes on twitter? What comedian hasn't said something offensive trying to make it, that's how the business works.

 

[Fijimn]

Was reading about the Braves pitcher who was in hot water because of some insensitive statements he made on Twitter 6-7 years ago when he was a senior in HS.

I imagine these incidents will become more frequent but I’m hopeful we consider that people say and do dumb things when they’re young. I keep preaching to my kids that social media is forever but I’m not sure they always listen.

What do you all think?

There is a very fine line between just "being a dumb kid" and one that, instead, harbored and may continue to harbor racists, misogynistic or offensive beliefs.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

There is a very fine line between just "being a dumb kid" and one that, instead, harbored and may continue to harbor racists, misogynistic or offensive beliefs.

Yes, but from what I read there was nothing other than these 7 year old tweets. Is that enough time to explain it away?

 

[Fijimn]

Yes, but from what I read there was nothing other than these 7 year old tweets. Is that enough time to explain it away?

To be honest, I do not know what he tweeted. I was making a general statement that, in cases that I take the time to look at what the person said or did, I try to avoid immediately placing the person in either "he was just a dumb kid" camp or the "he's a sociopath." camp.

 

[NDallasRuss]

To be honest, I do not know what he tweeted. I was making a general statement that, in cases that I take the time to look at what the person said or did, I try to avoid immediately placing the person in either "he was just a dumb kid" camp or the "he's a sociopath." camp.

Conversely, I like to initially place everyone in the "he's a sociopath" camp, and then let them try to work their way out of it.

 

[West Duval Nole]

I sure am glad social media wasn't around when I was a teen.

 

[DanC78]

When in high school I was waiting for the bell to ring one day. I was standing by the door with other students patiently waiting.

Someone knocked on the classroom door while we waited. I opened the door and no one was there. I then said, “it was a N-word knocker”.

There was a black girl, who was a friend of mine as well, standing right beside me when I said it. The moment before I said the phrase, I had never thought it to be a racist term...it was just what you called it when you knocked and ran.

I apologized to her and said that I didn’t mean anything by it. She was incredibly nice about it and asked that I never say that word again, which I have not.

I’ve said gyped, smear the queer, retardated, fag, and other insensitive words and phrases 1000 times when I was younger...never once did I say them with hate in my veins, it was just simply a word.

Complete ignorance on my part. It’s refreshing to see kids nowadays being more aware of the ugliness of the words.

 

[iowanole1]

I guess it really all depends on who the offender is and if someone wants to make a big deal of it or not. Funny that Disney fires Gunn, but turns a blind eye to the kind of jokes/topics Jimmy Kimmel was part of while on The Man Show. I don’t believe either should be punished, those were different times. But at the same time, it’s pretty hypocritical, imo.

 

[BelemNole]

All depends on what was said and the intent behind it. If you’re the mouthpiece for stormfront it’s gonna take more than 3 years before I decide you’re not a POS.

 

[SoddyNole]

All depends on what was said and the intent behind it. If you’re the mouthpiece for stormfront it’s gonna take more than 3 years before I decide you’re not a POS.

But that is an easy one. Can you access intent without bias on someone who is of like mind?

 

[RangerNole]

Was listening to sports radio in SD last week and I guess the pitcher was cheered or something for returning to the mound in Milwaukee. The talking heads were appalled and compared the guy to John Rocker. Not surprising as being outraged is turning into an American past time. Saying dumb things when you are in HS is pretty normal and posting dumb things is even more normal. IMO if you did a few things like that and it wasn't a pattern, didn't attend Klan rallies on the weekend etc. apologize for being a dumb HS kid and move on. You do need to realize though a certain percent of the public will never forgive you and brand you for life.

 

[OrlandNole]

Was listening to sports radio in SD last week and I guess the pitcher was cheered or something for returning to the mound in Milwaukee. The talking heads were appalled and compared the guy to John Rocker. Not surprising as being outraged is turning into an American past time. Saying dumb things when you are in HS is pretty normal and posting dumb things is even more normal. IMO if you did a few things like that and it wasn't a pattern, didn't attend Klan rallies on the weekend etc. apologize for being a dumb HS kid and move on. You do need to realize though a certain percent of the public will never forgive you and brand you for life.

I'm pretty sure the point of that was not what Hader Tweeted, which everyone generally understands was a stupid kid thing and has accepted his apology as sincere. It's the fan reaction. It's OK to support him, but the applause just didn't seem appropriate in that context.

 

[RangerNole]

I'm pretty sure the point of that was not what Hader Tweeted, which everyone generally understands was a stupid kid thing and has accepted his apology as sincere. It's the fan reaction. It's OK to support him, but the applause just didn't seem appropriate in that context.

Fair enough I didn't see it; but comparing the guy to John Rocker seemed pretty stupid and over the top.

 

[OrlandNole]

Fair enough I didn't see it; but comparing the guy to John Rocker seemed pretty stupid and over the top.

Agreed. I can't speak for those radio hosts...just the media reaction in general. Sounds like those guys were trying to get a reaction.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I don't think there's a statue of limitations on dumb statements.

Anything you put out there, no matter how long ago, is fair game to be dug up and attached to your name.

To say to kids, what you say now doesn't matter, is a lie. A 16 year old today who sees adults being let off the hook for racism or homophobia will take that as a sign that they can do the same without repercussion. Which is false.

Now as far as these three MLB pitchers, a couple things:
- This seems to be a bit of a trend in baseball, which begs the question is there an underlying issue in youth/HS/college clubhouses? If so that needs to be brought to light and addressed/steps taken to create more awareness.

- It's not what you said 10 years ago but how you address it today when it's exposed. Own up to it, describe in some detail why it was wrong, how and when you realized and matured beyond that, and then pay your penance by working to eradicate that mindset among younger generations. Show that you're genuine. If you put out some boiler plate, "that doesn't reflect who I am today" crap, then the statue has not expired on you just yet.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Nationals player Sean Doolittle posted a very good series of tweets about these old racist/bigoted tweets from other players.

Highly recommend reading it.

https://deadspin.com/nationals-sean-doolittle-does-some-good-and-wise-tweets-1827987323

 

[kj9127]

I'm pretty sure the point of that was not what Hader Tweeted, which everyone generally understands was a stupid kid thing and has accepted his apology as sincere. It's the fan reaction. It's OK to support him, but the applause just didn't seem appropriate in that context.

This

 

[ReliableOstrich]

It's OK to support him, but the applause just didn't seem appropriate in that context.

The ovation he got seemed to come from an icky place.

It didn't seem to be a polite "young man, we're proud of you for manning up and admitting you were wrong" applause but rather a raucous "screw all these people anti-racism / anti-bigotry people, you be you, 1st amendment, woo hoo" ovation.

 

[SoddyNole]

The ovation he got seemed to come from an icky place.

It didn't seem to be a polite "young man, we're proud of you for manning up and admitting you were wrong" applause but rather a raucous "screw all these people anti-racism / anti-bigotry people, you be you, 1st amendment, woo hoo" ovation.

project much?

 

[ReliableOstrich]

project much?

Not sure I get what you're saying. Can you elaborate?

 

[LesClaypool]

The ovation he got seemed to come from an icky place.

It didn't seem to be a polite "young man, we're proud of you for manning up and admitting you were wrong" applause but rather a raucous "screw all these people anti-racism / anti-bigotry people, you be you, 1st amendment, woo hoo" ovation.

I didn't see it, so I can't comment, but I did hear he got quite an ovation.

I suspect he won't get the same reception from visiting fans when he pitches on the road though.

 

[dero316]

project much?

Not sure I get what you're saying. Can you elaborate?

 

[ReliableOstrich]

 

[seminole97]

The ovation he got seemed to come from an icky place.

It didn't seem to be a polite "young man, we're proud of you for manning up and admitting you were wrong" applause but rather a raucous "screw all these people anti-racism / anti-bigotry people, you be you, 1st amendment, woo hoo" ovation.

Interesting perception. Dan Lebatard, who doesn’t shrink from the race angle, thought it was fans happy to have a good pitcher back and that turning into a larger commentary on race was misplaced in this instance.
Maybe Dan’s just taking contrarian to a new level.

 

[LesClaypool]

Interesting perception. Dan Lebatard, who doesn’t shrink from the race angle, thought it was fans happy to have a good pitcher back and that turning into a larger commentary on race was misplaced in this instance.
Maybe Dan’s just taking contrarian to a new level.

Just watched a video where all the sports writers on 'Around the Horn' agreed that it was at best, in very poor taste for the fans to give such a rousing ovation. A couple thought it was indicative of things far more sinister.

Just 4 other talking heads. Their opinions are no more important than yours or mine (or Lebatard's) but interesting nonetheless.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Just felt that the rousing ovation he received didn't square with what I thought was a pretty boiler plate apology presser.

His classless statements paired with a pretty bland apology doesn't warrant such a full throated round of applause, unless something else is going on.

 

[KitingHigh]

Interesting perception. Dan Lebatard, who doesn’t shrink from the race angle, thought it was fans happy to have a good pitcher back and that turning into a larger commentary on race was misplaced in this instance.
Maybe Dan’s just taking contrarian to a new level.

No,

He apparently is the voice of reason in this instance. It's gotten far beyond ridiculous in this country. Not only is everyone just itching and reaching to be offended by anything and everything, but they even get mad when reasonable people aren't offended enough for their pathetic childish desires.

 

[kc78]

With any movement of correction, it almost always swings to an extreme angle before correcting back a bit. We've almost always fell on the side of ignoring the victim and siding with the abuser, especially if that abuser is a celebrity or rich and powerful in some manner. We've finally recognized the danger of that and we've quickly moved to course correct as simply disbelieving accusers unless they somehow have irrefutable proof has left many victims hurt and simply allowed abusers to feel more empowered in their actions.

However, before we find a proper balance, we move to a new ludicrous standard for a while where every person accused is immediately guilty and must be destroyed and then we take it even further to the point that any celebrity or person of power who's ever even said something stupid must immediately be destroyed. That is just as dangerous and unfair as the prior situation.

Right now we're in this over-corrected world as we don't want to allow any victim to be ignored again, which is good, but it's turned into lynch-mob hysteria to some people looking to scapegoat any person who's ever publicly made a mistake (And with a level of reproach that they would never consider fair if applied to themselves). Somehow we have to get to a point where those who make accusations are actually listened to and believed rather than immediately discredited, without also turning into a process of immediately tarring and feathering anyone who makes the slightest misstep.