Comments on Is this 2013 or 1947?TypePad2013-04-30T07:17:52ZDavid Bognerhttps://www.treppenwitz.com/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://www.treppenwitz.com/2013/04/1947/comments/atom.xml/Tanya commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901d47b835970b2013-06-12T00:44:07Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZTanyaTrep: Missing your wit and wisdom. Everything ok on your end? For whatever it's worth to your earlier commentators: The...<p>Trep: Missing your wit and wisdom. Everything ok on your end?</p>
<p>For whatever it's worth to your earlier commentators:<br />
The way I understood George Takei's explanation of why the media harps on these 'outings' is that they're hoping for equal civil rights - insurance & death benefits, adoption / retirement, taxes - all of the wonders (whatever they may/may not work out to be!) of being in a civil union. </p>psachya commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef0192aaaa1651970d2013-06-03T06:05:03Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZpsachyaHey, Dave - you OK?<p>Hey, Dave - you OK?</p>Trep Seeker commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef019102c5037f970c2013-05-31T15:55:37Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZTrep SeekerTrep, Long time reader 1st few times commentor (er.. commentator?) from Canada just saying hey.....take your time.... don't force it....<p>Trep,<br />
Long time reader 1st few times commentor (er.. commentator?) from Canada just saying hey.....take your time.... don't force it.<br />
:)<br />
Maybe start with a new technology recommendation to get your creative juices flowing?<br />
Good Shabbos.</p>Nachum commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef019101e3f914970c2013-05-08T11:05:42Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZNachumYou realize that what you call "enlightened" many, including pretty much anyone who lived before forty or so years ago,...<p>You realize that what you call "enlightened" many, including pretty much anyone who lived before forty or so years ago, would call immoral, right? Does that not count for anything, or are you too blind to the propaganda that even here you feel uncomfortable with?</p>treppenwitz commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901be4f4b4970b2013-05-07T06:49:06Z2013-06-16T09:41:57Ztreppenwitzhttp://www.treppenwitz.comNachum... Whose side would that be? I didn't realize this was an issue where people got to decide what side...<p>Nachum... Whose side would that be? I didn't realize this was an issue where people got to decide what side they are on. Out of curiosity, did you make a conscious decision about your own sexual orientation? Do you think you could change your orientation if it subjected you to ridicule, prejudice or violence? I don't need to 'get' anything. The point of my post is that in this day and age where, hopefully, we are enlightened enough to understand that sexual orientation is something that is hardwired and not a conscious choice, what a professional athlete does in the bedroom should not be news... only what he/she does on the field/court.</p>Nachum commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef019101daef7f970c2013-05-07T06:42:01Z2013-06-30T10:44:46ZNachumWhat a sad post. You're on their side, and don't even get it yourself.<p>What a sad post. You're on their side, and don't even get it yourself.</p>Karl commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef017eeac70c37970d2013-05-03T01:53:41Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZKarlhttp://cnsnews.com/node/668272<p>http://cnsnews.com/node/668272</p>weese commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901bbd4525970b2013-05-01T13:23:37Z2013-06-16T09:41:57Zweesehttp://weese.blogspot.comi am pretty sure i was the first openly gay software quality analyst... no one raised an eyebrow. huh.<p>i am pretty sure i was the first openly gay software quality analyst... no one raised an eyebrow. huh.<br />
</p>Tehillah commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901bbc9493970b2013-05-01T10:55:41Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZTehillahhttp://almosteden.co.ilI think the whole "news" sensationalism afforded to "coming out of the closet" is completely inappropriate. It's too much intimate...<p>I think the whole "news" sensationalism afforded to "coming out of the closet" is completely inappropriate. It's too much intimate information being spewed to the masses who don't have a need to know. I don't want to know about Jason's sexual preferences any more than I want to know about yours or the president's, prime minister's, my neighbors or anyone else. Why would that be our business / why should we care? If he was in a relationship with a woman would they have spent an entire 30-minute show discussing that and would he have put up with that type of publicity? What relevance does it have in his professional life?</p>
<p>It makes me question what the agenda is of any sports or entertainment idol for sharing their sexual preferences and practices on worldwide TV/internet? And what is people's obsession with receiving this type of information (because if the network didn't think it would "sell" then they wouldn't broadcast it)? </p>Birdg commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901bbacfe1970b2013-05-01T04:36:48Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZBirdgYesterday, Jason Collins came out as the first openly gay, active, NBA player. Collins is a center for the Washington...<p>Yesterday, Jason Collins came out as the first openly gay, active, NBA player. Collins is a center for the Washington Wizards and is supposedly the first active professional sports player to come out. I don't think that's true. After all, several female players, such as Brittany Griner who is going pro this year, are openly gay. I'd even argue that if you didn't know Martina Navratilova was a lesbian during her time on the pro tour, you just weren't paying attention. Of course, she wasn't 'open' about it. Not sure how more open she could've been, but it was pretty evident to me and I was only a teen.</p>
<p>But Collins is, supposedly, big news. Big enough to be a top story on every major sports and news broadcast. In fact, I can't get away from it this morning. It's getting more than a reasonable amount of coverage on every morning TV show.</p>
<p>I don't see what the big deal is. Nearly every self-centric person who is gay is coming out these days because it garners massive amounts of attention. Many others come out with little or no fanfare, which is preferable. Frankly, I don't care what they are, and I'm not sure why others are so interested.<br />
I'm not intolerant, and I am happy for Jason that he is able to come to terms with his sexuality. But it's really just not my business, nor do I understand why anyone makes it theirs. So why does the media have to make it our business?</p>
<p>It's a political agenda. There is a belief that by blasting it on the airwaves 24/7, somehow it will 'solve' the 'gay problem'. No, the 'problem' isn't making gay people straight, it's making people who dislike gays suddenly like them, or at least start voting to approve gay marriage. Unfortunately, this focus really just reinforces my belief that the media is disconnected from society. My sons, and virtually all their friends, are not interested at all in someone's sexuality, and won't be denying people their rights. </p>
<p>That the government needs to 'approve' gay marriage ignores why the government got involved in marriage. Typically this involvement was to restrict who could marry, either within certain religious groups, to prevent miscegenation, or restrict polygamy by groups who practiced it. Marriage today is viewed as a right imposed by government rather than an agreement between two people to form a bond and a family, and having this bond witnessed and consecrated by friends and/or a religion.</p>
<p>The last time I reviewed the Declaration of Independence, we are all entitled to a 'pursuit of happiness'. This is not a governing document, but I never saw anything in the Constitution which limits rights to only straight people, nor are there any restricting rights for gays. Maybe I misread it.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I heard Mark Cuban state that Collins has the right to come out and not be criticized. He's wrong. Freedom of speech does give us the right to criticize anyone we want, whether the criticism is considered tolerant or not. Maybe Collins and Cuban won't like it if someone criticizes Jason's personal story, but opinions are what opinions are. If we are truly tolerant, then we have to accept that some people are just uncomfortable with and cannot accept the fact that some people are gay. I haven't cared one way or the other for as long as I can remember, but I'm not about to spend time trying to convince someone their views on the gay issue are wrong. It's a bit petty if they feel this way, but we all have things in our life we get petty about.</p>
<p>I wish Jason Collins luck and all the best in his life. I'm glad he's more comfortable today by coming out. But honestly, I'm tired of the focus by the media on whether or not someone is gay. If you're a person who makes someone's personal life an issue in your life, that's your problem, not theirs.</p>Karl commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef019101b04977970c2013-05-01T03:11:08Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZKarl"..and being gay today is supposed to be a non-issue." But it is, and always will be. Religion, human nature,...<p>"..and being gay today is supposed to be a non-issue."</p>
<p>But it is, and always will be. Religion, human nature, sexual attraction..all are powerful factors affecting people's attitudes and beliefs and they won't go away. </p>Amy commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901bb8d3b1970b2013-04-30T21:39:52Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZAmy4 major professional sports in the U.S.: baseball, basketball, football, hockey. NASCAR and golf don't count, neither do tennis or...<p>4 major professional sports in the U.S.: baseball, basketball, football, hockey. NASCAR and golf don't count, neither do tennis or soccer.</p>Ed commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901bb6f002970b2013-04-30T15:38:49Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZEdJason was raised with an indentical twin brother who has said he is not gay. Having seen both brothers play...<p>Jason was raised with an indentical twin brother who has said he is not gay. Having seen both brothers play since HS, Jason`s anouncement was a real surprise. </p>Elisson commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901bb6de41970b2013-04-30T15:26:30Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZElissonhttp://cheeseaisle.blogspot.comI was going to make a comment to the effect that you make a good point, but then I realized...<p>I was going to make a comment to the effect that you make a good point, but then I realized it might sound like comment spam - you know the type. But you make a good point, anyway. The fact that we talk about this stuff as much as we do indicates that we still think it’s a Big Deal. And here, in the Year of Their Lord 2013, it shouldn't be.</p>treppenwitz commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef019101ac2638970c2013-04-30T13:48:37Z2013-06-16T09:41:57Ztreppenwitzhttp://www.treppenwitz.comJosh Sussman... My point was that there was never a ban on gays in the major sports leagues, and being...<p>Josh Sussman... My point was that there was never a ban on gays in the major sports leagues, and being gay today is supposed to be a non-issue. So why is an openly gay player suddenly an issue?</p>
<p>Jordan... He either means NASCAR or PGA Golf. On second thought he couldn't be referring to Golf since the Womene's PGA roster is, um, well integrated already. :-)</p>Jordan commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef01901bb551cf970b2013-04-30T10:34:46Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZJordanAre suggesting there is a fourth major sport?<p>Are suggesting there is a fourth major sport?</p>Josh Sussman commented on 'Is this 2013 or 1947?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8341c581e53ef019101aa7659970c2013-04-30T08:13:14Z2013-06-16T09:41:57ZJosh SussmanAs always, I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Here I disagree a bit. The fact of the matter is that, until...<p>As always, I appreciate your thoughtful comments. Here I disagree a bit. The fact of the matter is that, until yesterday, no active player in any of the 4 major professional sports leagues in the US had ever 'come out of the closet'. The fact that Jason Collins, clearly a remarkable person by any definition, has now crossed that threshold IS a story. The bigger story is that this announcement has been almost universally praised and supported throughout the sports world and beyond. I think your point would be more accurate if this was the 2nd or 10th or 50th male professional athlete to come out. When that happens and it is still a full 24 hour news story then I agree with you 100%, not much progress has been made. </p>