Tag: Politics

Amid a widespread backlash, the …

Amid a widespread backlash, the 45-year-old has also had to put his tail between his legs and apologize for the outburst that has already been seen close to 3 million times online. “In re-listening to this week’s podcast, I recognize that I come across as lacking empathy,” began Palihapitiya in a short statement. “I acknowledge that entirely.” “As a refugee, my family fled a country with its own set of human rights issues so this is something that is very much a part of my lived experience. To be clear, my belief is that human rights matter, whether in China, the United States, or elsewhere. Full stop,” he finished.

Social Capital founder and CEO Chamath …

Social Capital founder and CEO Chamath Palihapitiya made the remark in a Jan. 15 debate with his All-In podcast co-host Jason Calacanis, who had complimented President Joe Biden for condemning the atrocities but lamented it had not fortified Biden’s flagging poll numbers. Palihapitiya interjected that “nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs” and defended that disinterest himself. “If you’re asking me, do I care about a segment of a class of people in another country — not until we can take care ourselves will I prioritize them over us,” Palihapitiya said. “Every time I say that I care about the Uyghurs, I’m really just lying, if I don’t really care. And so I’d rather not lie to you, and tell you the truth: It’s not a priority for me.”

Jonathan Isaac writes book with conservative pundit Ben Shapiro

The Daily Wire announced Monday morning that NBA star and outspoken Christian Jonathan Isaac will publish his first book with the media company’s imprint, DW Books. Isaac was the sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, taken by Orlando Magic. In July of …

The Daily Wire announced Monday morning that NBA star and outspoken Christian Jonathan Isaac will publish his first book with the media company’s imprint, DW Books. Isaac was the sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, taken by Orlando Magic. In July of 2020, he was one of the only the NBA players to stand for the national anthem as other players kneeled during league-wide demonstrations for the Black Lives Matter movement. The book titled, “Why I Stand,” shares Isaac’s story of how, through a series of divine connections and unwavering faith, he found the courage to stand for his beliefs in the face of unprecedented pressure to follow the crowd.

Source: Tim Meads @ Daily Wire

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Khobi Price @khobi_price
Updated: Wendell Carter Jr., Robin Lopez traveling for Magic’s road trip; plus updated on Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando… – 3:32 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Magic forward Jonathan Isaac co-wrote a Fox News editorial that argues vaccination is not needed for those with a previous COVID-19 infection, and against vaccine mandates. foxnews.com/opinion/covid-… – 12:25 PM
Jonathan Isaac @JJudahIsaac
I’m excited to share that “Why I stand” is live for preorder today! In it I share my story of what has changed my life and why i felt the need to share it before the world! Thank you to Everyone who has helped along the way! 🥲🙏🏽 Pre-order Today!!! 🙌🏾
https://t.co/lXYXaS68YW pic.twitter.com/ZkjRGCYlOn – 12:03 PM

David Baumann @DavidBaumannORL
Grant Hill went 657 days between games for the @Orlando Magic. (Jan 16, 2003 – Nov 3, 2004).
Jonathan Isaac is at 526 days, hasn’t played since Aug. 2, 2020.
Markelle Fultz is at 368 days, hasn’t played since Jan 6, 2021.
It’s a shame what injuries has done to their careers. – 1:20 PM

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Enes Kanter Freedom: If you want another contract, you have to keep your mouth shut

“He said, ‘I have so much things that I want to say, but I cannot because these teams got us,'” Kanter Freedom said. “If you want another contract, if you want more endorsement deals, if you want other companies to work with you, you have to keep …

“He said, ‘I have so much things that I want to say, but I cannot because these teams got us,’” Kanter Freedom said. “If you want another contract, if you want more endorsement deals, if you want other companies to work with you, you have to keep your mouth shut. You cannot criticize the league, the companies, Nike, or whoever – the players or superstars.”

Source: Brian Flood @ FOXnews.com

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Wait. Did Stan Van Gundy really say freedom isn’t always good when Enes blew a rotation? 😂😂😂😂 – 2:40 AM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Enes on the floor when a few guys hit 3-pointers he had nothing to do with is going to make for an annoying +/- discussion later – 8:09 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Taj Gibson is on the floor, so instead of putting someone out there that will challenge Gibson and force him to guard in space, Udoka goes with Kanter-Freedom and allows Gibson to hang around a small area near the rim. I don’t understand this one – 7:57 PM
Enes Kanter @EnesFreedom
Shame on @elonmusk for supporting the Genocide
Shortly after the U.S passes the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act-aimed at stopping slave labor
Elon Musk turns a blind eye to the Cultish Chinese Communist Party’s abuses & has opened a @tesla showroom in #Xinjiang
What a parasite – 1:03 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56
Per Ime Udoka – Jayson Tatum and Enes Freedom returned to practice today – 12:08 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Enes Freedom and Jayson Tatum are back in practice per Ime Udoka. Jabari Parker was out with dental work and Aaron Nesmith is waiting to return negative texts before he hits the floor. – 12:08 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Jayson Tatum and Enes Freedom both practiced today. – 12:07 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Jayson Tatum and Enes K. Freedom are back – 12:07 PM
Enes Kanter @EnesFreedom
Staying silent only increases the appetite of authoritarian governments.
We must take a stand and be on the right side of history.
@TGlobePost
theglobepost.com/2022/01/03/ene… – 10:20 AM

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Outspoken NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, who has frequently criticized LeBron James for refusing to speak out against the human rights violations in China, claims a teammate of the Lakers superstar encouraged him to keep it up. “One of the teammates that LeBron had came up to me and said, ‘Dude, keep doing what you’re doing. What you’re doing is right. Don’t give up,’” Kanter Freedom said on “The Will Cain Podcast” on Fox News Radio. “I was very shocked. I thought he was gonna be like, ‘Dude stop talking,’” Kanter Freedom added. “He’s going to try to defend LeBron, right? He’s like, ‘Dude, do not stop.’” -via FOXnews.com / January 7, 2022
Enes Kanter Freedom: “I remember doing a basketball camp and I was signing autographs for kids. And while I was signing, one of the parents turned around and said, ‘How can you call yourself a human rights activist when your Muslim brothers and sisters are in pretty much genocide in China. And you’re still using your platform and focusing on only one region?’ And I was shocked. I turned back to that parent and said, ‘I’m going to get back to you. I promise.’ And I started to learn about China using their power to abuse many countries around — like Tibetan, even Mongolians, Taiwanese people, Hong Kongers and stuff. -via basketballnews.com / December 11, 2021
Enes Kanter Freedom: “Whenever I talk about it was never about Black or white athletes, or red or purple athletes. It was never about a color. I even had a conversation with many of my teammates, and a thing people don’t understand is that many of the Black athletes in the league are telling me to call out these people and [those] people. Not many people know that. They are the ones telling me to call out the hypocrisies of LeBron James, the hypocrisies of Michael Jordan, but they are the ones actually sending me talking points about you can’t say this, you can’t say that. I remember having one conversation with one of them, and he’s like, ‘Listen, these teams got us. We cannot talk, but you’re talking and you’re already out there, so you might as well just say this and say that.’ I don’t follow them blindly. I actually do research and if I believe it, I’ll go out there and say it. So, not many people know about it, but many Black athletes in the league are the ones reaching out to me saying you should talk about this and that.” -via basketballnews.com / December 11, 2021

You have been urging N.B.A. players to …

You have been urging N.B.A. players to focus on this issue because the N.B.A.—and not just the N.B.A. but shoe companies such as Nike—have business in China. What has been the response from your fellow-players? What have you heard and what have they said to you personally? Enes Kanter: I remember that the first time I talked about these issues, I sat down with almost all of my teammates and had conversations with them because their support was so important to me. And the response that I got from them gave me so much hope and motivation to fight. I remember them saying, “Listen, what you’re doing is right. Stay strong, and obviously not many people are going to like what you’re saying, but whatever happens, we got your back. Just keep speaking the truth.” I pretty much got the same response from all my teammates. And not just my current teammates—even my ex-teammates. Actually, not many people know this, but many of them are texting me privately and giving me talking points. So, players want to talk about this, obviously. Because of the N.B.A., because of the endorsement deals and Nike, they are scared to say something, but I know in their heart they want to say something.