RugbyRebels

Also they didn't want to find against a player with no corroboratory evidence and sanction him with a 4 four week ban, they wanted a 12 week ban which is actually a little alarming. Teams now know if they concoct a story an opponent could be without a leading player for the next 1-3 months which could prove useful chasing a top 4 or top 6 finish, in relegation fight or heading into the play-offs

The RFU reckoned they could hear him say it though, which is why they wanted the larger punishment. The panel disagreed that you could make it out.

I've heard if you play Hotel California backwards it proves Solomona's guilt

I’m trying to hear the words fuckwit in a Kiwi accent and I’m struggling. Though maybe that was the problem.

Mikey Brown wrote:I’m trying to hear the words fuckwit in a Kiwi accent and I’m struggling. Though maybe that was the problem.

I'd be curious to see the RFU's footage which they claimed they could lip-read. While it would be hard to prove that the f-word specifically was said, you could surely confirm that it wasn't fuckwit - there's an extra movement of the lips for the w.

Puja

Gents, it seem we missed an important fact when discussing this - that Shillcock went to public school. Public school boy phobia is bigotry at its very worst. In the letters section of today’s times sports supplement:

Mellsblue wrote:Gents, it seem we missed an important fact when discussing this - that Shillcock went to public school. Public school boy phobia is bigotry at its very worst. In the letters section of today’s times sports supplement:

Awww. It's one of those rugby league fans with a whole packet of McCains on their shoulder. Bless! I'm surprised he didn't work Vichy France into his complaint.

Puja

Puja wrote:

Mellsblue wrote:Gents, it seem we missed an important fact when discussing this - that Shillcock went to public school. Public school boy phobia is bigotry at its very worst. In the letters section of today’s times sports supplement:

Awww. It's one of those rugby league fans with a whole packet of McCains on their shoulder. Bless! I'm surprised he didn't work Vichy France into his complaint.

Puja

Nicholas probably thinks Vicky France is a character from Corrie.

Mellsblue wrote:

Puja wrote:

Mellsblue wrote:Gents, it seem we missed an important fact when discussing this - that Shillcock went to public school. Public school boy phobia is bigotry at its very worst. In the letters section of today’s times sports supplement:

Awww. It's one of those rugby league fans with a whole packet of McCains on their shoulder. Bless! I'm surprised he didn't work Vichy France into his complaint.

Puja

Nicholas probably thinks Vicky France is a character from Corrie.

Now don't insult Corrie, I saw that once and I'm sure it's something other people like

Digby wrote:We'll have to see how this compares to Folau's ban

It does not compare favourably

Digby wrote:

Digby wrote:We'll have to see how this compares to Folau's ban

It does not compare favourably

Apparently, as long as you wrap, "I hate certain people for who they are" in "because God told me so," it's all a-okay! I thought we as a species had had this discussion when "The Bible says races shouldn't mix" wasn't considered sufficient justification for being a racist during the Civil Rights movement in the US.

Puja

Puja wrote:

Digby wrote:

Digby wrote:We'll have to see how this compares to Folau's ban

It does not compare favourably

Apparently, as long as you wrap, "I hate certain people for who they are" in "because God told me so," it's all a-okay! I thought we as a species had had this discussion when "The Bible says races shouldn't mix" wasn't considered sufficient justification for being a racist during the Civil Rights movement in the US.

Puja

Just shows how much RA cares...

Why no-one has told Folau that there's somewhat of a difference between being religious and being a twat. Kind of like Tim Farron. Just a twat.

I feel very much prejudiced against as an atheist in not being allowed to discriminate where I think fit according to my own inconsistent moral standards

Stom wrote:

Puja wrote:

Digby wrote:
It does not compare favourably

Apparently, as long as you wrap, "I hate certain people for who they are" in "because God told me so," it's all a-okay! I thought we as a species had had this discussion when "The Bible says races shouldn't mix" wasn't considered sufficient justification for being a racist during the Civil Rights movement in the US.

Puja

Just shows how much RA cares...

Why no-one has told Folau that there's somewhat of a difference between being religious and being a twat. Kind of like Tim Farron. Just a twat.

Folau is out of contract end of this season and debating a return to league. I suspect he could piss in Castle's eye right now if he signed a contract to go to the RWC afterwarda.

Puja

I’d not actually seen the quote until today and I’m a bit conflicted now. As dumb a belief as it is, he gets asked the question about God’s plan and answers it. I don’t actually see how you can ban him for it.

I mean, he’s right isn’t he? God is a vengeful, bitter homophobe.

I think it’s potentially very harmful what Folau has said, but he has only reiterated a viewpoint. Where is the line going to be drawn? Should there be a ban for any player that hints at their endorsement of the great bigot in the sky? In my opinion? Yes. Yes there should be.

Mikey Brown wrote:I’d not actually seen the quote until today and I’m a bit conflicted now. As dumb a belief as it is, he gets asked the question about God’s plan and answers it. I don’t actually see how you can ban him for it.

I mean, he’s right isn’t he? God is a vengeful, bitter homophobe.

I think it’s potentially very harmful what Folau has said, but he has only reiterated a viewpoint. Where is the line going to be drawn? Should there be a ban for any player that hints at their endorsement of the great bigot in the sky? In my opinion? Yes. Yes there should be.

Based a selective and regressive interpretation of his literature, then yes. Considering Jesus mentioned nothing about homosexuality and healed the male partner of a Roman Centurion, it's unlikely that any actual god cares.

As I referenced earlier, there were plenty of preachers and religious people in the American south who could reference the Bible and how God's plan was for the races to stay separate. It isn't acceptable anymore to be bigoted against black people, even if you sincerely believe God says to do so. Why should it be the same for any other prejudice?

Plus, Jesus was pretty firm on the "Judge not" business, so frankly even if you believe it's a sin, it's not your place to tell anyone that they're going to hell.

Puja

It really makes me wonder why all individuals in the public eye, including sports-people, don't just keep their mouths shut. In the long run it has to be easier and cheaper.

Mikey Brown wrote:I’d not actually seen the quote until today and I’m a bit conflicted now. As dumb a belief as it is, he gets asked the question about God’s plan and answers it. I don’t actually see how you can ban him for it.

I mean, he’s right isn’t he? God is a vengeful, bitter homophobe.

I think it’s potentially very harmful what Folau has said, but he has only reiterated a viewpoint. Where is the line going to be drawn? Should there be a ban for any player that hints at their endorsement of the great bigot in the sky? In my opinion? Yes. Yes there should be.

Bear in mind that all this was kicked off with him posting his belief in the nature of homosexuality unbidden on social media. He can't be the warm fuzzy centre of Jebus's love for everyone and choose to reject a sector of society based on a preconception founded in the anecdotal musings of a mythical space zombie. If he can't see this as a civil rights issue then the bible sepsis has spread to his brain.

I've been thinking about this and I think the thing that really pisses me off is that he's done hundreds of interviews about rugby matches where he's said little not nothing of interest. He's a professional sportsman - dodging awkward questions and saying vague things about taking the opposition seriously and no easy matches are part of his job. So he knows how to think one thing and keep his gob shut in public.

Yet someone asks him what he thinks god's plan is for gay people and not for a second does he think, "I should evade this one," but instead decides he's going to become Pastor Folau and preach his interpretation.

In short, he can think and believe what he likes. Opening his mouth was either an act of gross stupidity or one of gross selfishness, where he decided offering his judgement was more important than any other consideration.

Puja

I don’t know if it’s a bit backwards to post it in this thread but there’s a very interesting interview with Nigel Owens on James O’Brien’s podcast that I’d recommend to anybody.

His story is pretty wild really and very moving. I’ve been as much of a critici as anyone of his celebrity reffing style but he touches on that and the Folau issue and does it all with a lot of class. Definitely worth a listen.

Puja wrote:I've been thinking about this and I think the thing that really pisses me off is that he's done hundreds of interviews about rugby matches where he's said little not nothing of interest. He's a professional sportsman - dodging awkward questions and saying vague things about taking the opposition seriously and no easy matches are part of his job. So he knows how to think one thing and keep his gob shut in public.

Yet someone asks him what he thinks god's plan is for gay people and not for a second does he think, "I should evade this one," but instead decides he's going to become Pastor Folau and preach his interpretation.

In short, he can think and believe what he likes. Opening his mouth was either an act of gross stupidity or one of gross selfishness, where he decided offering his judgement was more important than any other consideration.

Agreed with all of that. He can have his belief, regardless of what I think about it personally; but he's experienced enough to spot a loaded question and play it with a straight bat.

Mikey Brown wrote:I don’t know if it’s a bit backwards to post it in this thread but there’s a very interesting interview with Nigel Owens on James O’Brien’s that I’d recommend to anybody.

His story is pretty wild really and very moving. I’ve been as much of a critici as anyone of his celebrity reffing style but he touches on that and the Folau issue and does it all with a lot of class. Definitely worth a listen.

Have you got a link?

Mikey Brown wrote:https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.joe. ... ens-173065

Cheers; I'll have a listen if I get to do any gardening this afternoon

Which Tyler wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.joe. ... ens-173065

Cheers; I'll have a listen if I get to do any gardening this afternoon

Does that mean sitting on an adirondack with a mojito?

Fraid not; its been too cold/wet to do anything so far this year; but I do have the afternoon off today; so I'm going to get some weeding done, and give the pond its annual clean. Decking needs treating too, but I can't be arsed with that.