The quickest way for a local lawmaker to go national these days is to say something offensive on Twitter. And while most people will forget the name almost instantly, Google remembers forever. The latest to clown himself using social media is State Rep. Pat Garofalo, a Republican from Minnesota, who thinks the NBA is full of thugs.
After Garofaloâs tweet caught fire last night, thanks to its not-subtle racist undertones, he said in a statement, âI was talking about the NBAâs high arrest rate and that their punishment for positive drugs tests are weaker than other leagues. No intent beyond that. The culture among many pro athletes that they are above the law is the problem, not people like me pointing that problem out.â
NBA blogger Kevin Draper has a pretty thorough dismantling of that excuse here. (Spoiler: The facts donât match Garofaloâs claims.)
He doesnât seem so sure himself anymore.
"âIn the last 24 hours, Iâve had the opportunity to re-learn one of lifeâs lessons: whenever any of us are offering opinions, it is best to refer to people as individuals as opposed to groups. Last night, I publicly commented on the NBA and I sincerely apologize to those who I unfairly categorized. The NBA has many examples of players and owners who are role models for our communities and for our country. Those individuals did not deserve that criticism and I apologize. In addition, itâs been brought to my attention that I was mistaken and the NBA policy on drug enforcement is stronger than I previously believed. Again, I offer my sincere apologies for my comments,â stated Rep. Garofalo."
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/03/minnesota-republican-pat-garofalo-racist-nba-tweet.html
http://thedissnba.com/2014/03/09/mi...-about-basketball-doesnt-claim-he-was-hacked/
After Garofaloâs tweet caught fire last night, thanks to its not-subtle racist undertones, he said in a statement, âI was talking about the NBAâs high arrest rate and that their punishment for positive drugs tests are weaker than other leagues. No intent beyond that. The culture among many pro athletes that they are above the law is the problem, not people like me pointing that problem out.â
NBA blogger Kevin Draper has a pretty thorough dismantling of that excuse here. (Spoiler: The facts donât match Garofaloâs claims.)
He doesnât seem so sure himself anymore.
"âIn the last 24 hours, Iâve had the opportunity to re-learn one of lifeâs lessons: whenever any of us are offering opinions, it is best to refer to people as individuals as opposed to groups. Last night, I publicly commented on the NBA and I sincerely apologize to those who I unfairly categorized. The NBA has many examples of players and owners who are role models for our communities and for our country. Those individuals did not deserve that criticism and I apologize. In addition, itâs been brought to my attention that I was mistaken and the NBA policy on drug enforcement is stronger than I previously believed. Again, I offer my sincere apologies for my comments,â stated Rep. Garofalo."
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/03/minnesota-republican-pat-garofalo-racist-nba-tweet.html
http://thedissnba.com/2014/03/09/mi...-about-basketball-doesnt-claim-he-was-hacked/
