Debating the GOP Debate

With the Mets off tonight and the draw of Donald Trump, there were a lot of eyes (mine included) drawn to the GOP Primary Debate. Prior to the debate, I saw some “sports” personalities already bemoaning the backlash for their opinions:

This is fascinating to me. On the one hand, no one should silence anyone who seeks to offer their personal opinions on any subject, no matter how distasteful we may find them.  However, when offering opinions or rebutting them, we need to always be respectful and refrain from being dismissive or insulting. 

Most sports personas don’t act this way. When told their opinions are wrong or they should stick to sports, they become dismissive. Their usual response is:

  1. The door’s on your left, or
  2. Ask for a refund for your free content.

This is smug and wrong. They’re given a platform for a different reason, and they abuse it. If they tell you not to read/watch them, take them up on their offer. Their salary is predicated upon their viewer/readership. If they push people away, they’ll learn real quick. 

Also, if they’re offering an opinion, they should back it up. If they’re not willing to, they shouldn’t offer it. They shouldn’t treat Twitter like it’s different than their TV show or column. If that’s true, don’t promote yourself on Twitter. 

Speaking of Twitter, Katie Nolan is a humorist. Her Twitter feed reflected that tonight. However, the other sports personas are sports people. The exceptions are Keith Olbermann, Sid Rosenberg, and Craig Carton. If they offer a political opinion, their reputation precedes them and you’ve been fair warned. Despite what Mike Lupica says and no matter how much the Daily Nrw placates him, he’s a sports writer. 

That’s the thing. You don’t go to Bill O’Reilly for Super Bowl analysis. You don’t go to Rachel Maddow for trading deadline analysis. Similarly, you don’t go to ESPN or WFAN for politics. 

I keep that in mind here. This space is for the Mets and raising my son. I do have definite thoughts about the debate, but I won’t offer them here. If you want to know them, please reach out, and I’ll be happy to discuss. If you disagree, I’ll be respectful and listen to your opinions. I hope you’ll do the same. 

I know i want to raise my son to have strong, well researched, and well thought out opinions. I want him to engage in open and honest debate so he can learn from someone with an opposing view. I also hope he can teach someone else about the reasons for his opinions. That can’t happen when someone is dismissive before the debate actually can begin. 

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