So everyone that is letting Thomas exercise his "freedom of speech" for voicing his opinion on politics and taking a stand, wants Hodge fired for his "freedom of speech" in a twitter message that was an obvious joke.?
- fiveandagame

Obviously you don't work in the corporate world. Implying racism and making racist remarks even as a "joke" takes the "freedom" right out of freedom of speech....

Wow, you seriously equate the two? Do you understand what slander is? You think that a personality attached to a National Media Outlet implying that an athlete is a member of the Klan with absolutely zero basis, even in a joking manner, is kosher?
- Double_A

It might have been a tastless joke, but it was still as joke. I din't think Hodge really thinks Thomas is a member of the Klan

Please don't tell me you are really that sensistive to a joke. If you are, I'm sorry and I feel sorry for you.

Aside from the clearly racial aspect, Hodge just made "an obvious joke" using Thomas' 3 young children as the punchline. Their names are now out in the media and I would be willing to bet those three will also face the results of it in their respective schools. Paul might be able to answer this more, but I don't believe the media (and Hodge is a main stream media) should ever reference any athelete's children unless they are already famous on their own accord, particularily one's who are just kids.
- Lohaus

You do realize that his kids name are on his wikipedia page for the whole world to see.

It doesn’t change his responsibility for the disrespect shown to a constitutionally mandated office, you know, the document he says he is so committed to?

Cant I fully respect the office without meeting the man?

How is going to the office and taking a picture with a Bs jersey that says Obama showing respect to the office?
- buelleo

Meh...I can't say not showing up is being disrespectful. Not standing up when the President comes in. Talking when he is talking .....

I would say there is more issue with disrespect with his organization and his teammates. He needs to take them out (IMO).

It might have been a tastless joke, but it was still as joke. I din't think Hodge really thinks Thomas is a member of the Klan

Please don't tell me you are really that sensistive to a joke. If you are, I'm sorry and I feel sorry for you.
- fiveandagame

Oh no you're right, having someone imply that you are a klansmember, while involving your children is (frank)ing hilarious.

You actually think this is ok, and you feel sorry for me?

Edit: If you make this joke its tasteless and offensive, when a national journalist makes this joke its libel and grounds for serious consequences.

Paul might be able to answer this more, but I don't believe the media (and Hodge is a main stream media) should ever reference any athelete's children unless they are already famous on their own accord, particularily one's who are just kids.
- Lohaus

I am 100% in agreement there...

If I'm Tim Thomas, I'm looking for him... Hodge was completely off base there

I am 100% in agreement there...

If I'm Tim Thomas, I'm looking for him... Hodge was completely off base there
- pmccann

Hodge...put on some skates...

Obviously you don't work in the corporate world. Implying racism and making racist remarks even as a "joke" takes the "freedom" right out of freedom of speech....
- MedicineMan

I acctually have a government job and I am glad I don't work with a bunch of sensitive people with no sense of humor.

Gang...

Pretty reasoned discussion so far on what could be considered a pretty highly charged topic...

I knew I had the best readers in the world... best looking ones too!!!

Oh no you're right, having someone imply that you are a klansmember, while involving your children is (frank)ing hilarious.

You actually think this is ok, and you feel sorry for me?

Edit: If you make this joke its tasteless and offensive, when a national journalist makes this joke its libel and grounds for serious consequences.
- Double_A

I never said it was good joke. I agree it was tasteless and it should have not invovled his kids But I respect Hodges right to make the joke and I don't think the guys should be fired and lose his job and source of income over a joke that and the end of the day was not inteded to be malicious.

Wow, excellent blog Paul! By far the best take I've read (in blog form) of the Thomas incident yet!

I never said it was good joke. I agree it was tasteless and it should have not invovled his kids But I respect Hodges right to make the joke and I don't think the guys should be fired and lose his job and source of income over a joke that and the end of the day was not inteded to be malicious.
- fiveandagame

OK - lets turn it around for discussion.

Would it be a joke if Wallace skipped the Presidential invite (as posted earlier) and the "professional journalist" (NOT a blogger) made a tweet implying that Wallace named his kids after members of the Black Panther Party?

Either way completely tasteless, insensitive "joke". People have gotten fired for far less.....

Now...DP do a "Forsberg-like" trade AND sign Suter.

… It is his right, and I will fight to death to keep those rights.

lets hope it doesn't come to that!

[quote=buelleo]OK - lets turn it around for discussion.

Would it be a joke if Wallace skipped the Presidential invite (as posted earlier) and the "professional journalist" (NOT a blogger) made a tweet implying that Wallace named his kids after members of the Black Panther Party?

People have gotten fired for far less

This is what really bothers me.

OK - lets turn it around for discussion.

Would it be a joke if Wallace skipped the Presidential invite (as posted earlier) and the "professional journalist" (NOT a blogger) made a tweet implying that Wallace named his kids after members of the Black Panther Party?

Either way completely tasteless, insensitive "joke". People have gotten fired for far less.....

Now...DP do a "Forsberg-like" trade AND sign Suter.
- buelleo

It would be way different because basketball sucks.

Again. It was a tasteless joke, but I think people are being way to sensitive and I don't think someone should lose their career over a joke on twitter.

If Tim Thomas ( not everyon on HB) is offended, Hodge should apoligize to Thomas and everyone should get on with their life.

Wow, it took me forever to figure out what the joke was from that Hodge tweet. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why it was bad, except for maybe mentioning his children. Now I feel dumb, thanks guys.

It would be way different because basketball sucks. Again. It was a tasteless joke, but I think people are being way to sensitive and I don't think someone should lose their career over a joke on twitter.

If Tim Thomas ( not everyon on HB) is offended, Hodge should apoligize to Thomas and everyone should get on with their life.
- fiveandagame

This is hilarious... Is that why the Grizzlies moved?

It would be way different because basketball sucks.

Again. It was a tasteless joke, but I think people are being way to sensitive and I don't think someone should lose their career over a joke on twitter.

If Tim Thomas ( not everyon on HB) is offended, Hodge should apoligize to Thomas and everyone should get on with their life.
- fiveandagame

So by that reasoning nobody but Wayne Simmonds should be offended by that idiot in London throwing a banana on the ice? Is that what you're saying here?

I never said it was good joke. I agree it was tasteless and it should have not invovled his kids But I respect Hodges right to make the joke and I don't think the guys should be fired and lose his job and source of income over a joke that and the end of the day was not inteded to be malicious.
- fiveandagame

Maybe, maybe not, but apparently it wouldn't be the first time Hodge was fired for a controversial on-air (or public) outburst. His employers have the right to dismiss him - free-speech is not an issue. He, like Tim Thomas, is absolutely free to say what he wants but not without consequences, significant or otherwise.

I am curious as to why you think Hodge was making a joke? There is absolutely zero indication in his choice of words or context to suggest a joke. That's a conjured excuse, and I have no doubt it's one Mr. Hodge will use to try to cover his ass.

Interestingly, Hodge has deflected much of the criticism away from Thomas. Hodge is now the pariah. Deservedly so.

Should anyone choose to exercise their right as a "free citizen" ( ) and express their displeasure with Mr. Hodges comment:

[email]audiencerelations@tsn.ca[/email]

Nice blog, Paul.

Unfortunately billions of dollars are being spent every year to keep America dumb, frightened, and therefore divided.

It's good business for some.

See y'all tonight at the UC. Leave those stupid whistles behind, will ya?

Nice blog, Paul.

Unfortunately billions of dollars are being spent every year to keep America dumb, frightened, and therefore divided.

It's good business for some.

See y'all tonight at the UC. Leave those stupid whistles behind, will ya?
- John Jaeckel

stupid whistles.... Oh man, don't tell me we're going to have to add insensitive remarks about Native Americans to the discussion now.. God Help Us!

JJ for shame..

stupid whistles.... Oh man, don't tell me we're going to have to add insensitive remarks about Native Americans to the discussion now.. God Help Us!

JJ for shame..
- coaster28

Good one. Took me a minute.

So everyone that is letting Thomas exercise his "freedom of speech" for voicing his opinion on politics and taking a stand, wants Hodge fired for his "freedom of speech" in a twitter message that was an obvious joke.?
- fiveandagame

Hate speech is not protected in all instances in US law. In this case it would be but used differently he could be in big trouble.

So by that reasoning nobody but Wayne Simmonds should be offended by that idiot in London throwing a banana on the ice? Is that what you're saying here?
- shoogabear

Look at the intent. The banana incident was malicious. There was no intent for comedy. Hodge was attempting to be funny even if it fell short.