12/21/24
December 03, 2010
Giants' Rolle: Booing Us at Home is Like Booing Soldiers: "They want to make it that guys paid this much money for a ticket. Yeah, I understand that, I understand completely. We risk ourselves out there on the field each and every day also. When soldiers come home from Iraq you don't boo them. I look at it the same way. I take my job seriously." -- New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
posted by NoMich at 07:59 PM on December 03, 2010
Another great, analytical mind produced by "The U"
posted by dyams at 08:23 PM on December 03, 2010
What NoMich said. And I'm buying tickets for my Ranger company for the next Giants home game.
posted by irunfromclones at 08:39 PM on December 03, 2010
Aw, come on. Who understands the stress of military life during wartime like a cornerback on a ok but not great NFL team?
posted by yerfatma at 08:52 PM on December 03, 2010
Safe to say he's not the Rolle who earned the Rhodes Scholarship.
posted by tommybiden at 09:02 PM on December 03, 2010
Maybe he'll be hearing a little extra when the Giants play in Philadelphia on Dec 19.
posted by beaverboard at 09:21 PM on December 03, 2010
Absolute fucking ignorance.
posted by sgtcookzane at 10:14 PM on December 03, 2010
He's kind of right, though: war to Americans is just one big football game. They don't care if it's unjust, or a waste of taxpayer dollars such that their children's children will have a poorer quality of life because of it, or even if "our brave men and women" are killers of innocents or torturers of children.
None of that matters, you're just supposed to "root" for our side, no matter what. And really, that is the same as football. I see no problem with his statements, as countless Master's theses have been penned on the same premise.
posted by hincandenza at 01:17 AM on December 04, 2010
Yes, hincandenza, certainly the Revolutionary War was just a game, the Civil War was a waste of taxpayer dollars, and World War 2 was absolutely unjust.
You'll get no argument from me that the war on terror took a wrong turn, and a lot of Americans would say the same. And you know, every nation "roots" for their own side. Is it only offensive to you when Americans do it?
As for our brave men and women being killers of innocents or torturers of children, I will have to respectfully disagree. Considering that millions of Americans have been in uniform over the course of 200 years, a really very small percentage have committed atrocities of any kind. Lumping all of them into that category is not only an exaggeration and a lie, but complete disrespect for their service. But so say many who have never had the courage to put on a uniform.
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." Sleep well.
posted by irunfromclones at 06:34 AM on December 04, 2010
Lumping all of them into that category is not only an exaggeration and a lie, but complete disrespect for their service. But so say many who have never had the courage to put on a uniform.
Well, I've served in the military, and the fact that Americans have engaged in countless war crimes doesn't insult me. Name an empire that hasn't.
Millions killed in Korea and Vietnam -- were they all guilty parties? The hundreds of thousands slaughtered in Central America during the '80s were killed by our proxy forces -- trained by US advisers, paid for by US taxpayers, but we had the locals do most of the dirty work. Currently, most of the killing that's done is by button pushers in Nevada, firing drones in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen. Plenty of women and children are being blown apart, but at least their killers don't look them in the eye. Ah, progress.
Imperialism makes us less safe, which should be evident by now. But most Americans either support it, don't care, or feel so powerless that they don't bother to resist.
Football is indeed a militarist sport, tied in with armed forces recruiting. Maybe that's what Rolle was referring to, but somehow I doubt it.
posted by afl-aba at 07:44 AM on December 04, 2010
He's kind of right, though: war to Americans is just one big football game. They don't care if it's unjust, or a waste of taxpayer dollars such that their children's children will have a poorer quality of life because of it, or even if "our brave men and women" are killers of innocents or torturers of children.
I think you miss the bigger picture here. Just or unjust our troops are securing your sorry ass' children's children futures even if the deficit is going to suffer from it. If you had any idea of what our soldiers are going through you could appreciate "our brave men and women".
worthless
posted by sgtcookzane at 09:13 AM on December 04, 2010
While we could easily turn this thread into a discussion on American "imperialism" (which the war on terror is not), the real point is that Rolle has no business comparing himself to a soldier unless he's going to take the soldier's pay as compensation for what he does.
Yes, NFL players face risk of injury, but they are highly compensated for it. He doesn't like the total package he's receiving he can go drive a truck for all I care. Of course, he'd then find out that he's still facing danger every time he suits up for work, and I'll bet that he'd quickly return to the field.
posted by dviking at 12:11 PM on December 04, 2010
Just or unjust our troops are securing your sorry ass' children's children futures even if the deficit is going to suffer from it.
I don't believe that any of our current wars are securing anyone's future. In fact, I think our war on terror is making our children's children less safe regardless of the deficit. Supporting troops doesn't mean supporting the mission. I value our troops more than our country's leaders who don't seem to mind putting them in danger for some questionable goals.
posted by bperk at 12:24 PM on December 04, 2010
He doesn't like the total package he's receiving he can go drive a truck for all I care.
Yeah, and if you don't agree with all the decisions our country makes you can move somewhere else for all I care.
Not saying this specifically to you, but if the quoted statement is valid so is mine. Living in the US has many upsides, but obviously it has downsides too so people still strive to make it better (well, mostly complain about it but thats besides the point). Playing in the NFL has upsides (money and fame), but also has downsides (injuries). I see nothing wrong with a player striving to make his career more enjoyable. If anyone disagrees with him saying something, then I don't want to hear them complaining about their job either. I don't see why he has to be content with the way it is now when no one else has to. Because he makes a lot of money? Remember, we are the reason he makes so much. If sports weren't so important to all of us he wouldn't be getting this salary.
posted by Andy1087 at 01:32 PM on December 04, 2010
If anyone disagrees with him saying something, then I don't want to hear them complaining about their job either.
Rolle is certainly welcome to complain about his job. He's just not welcome to compare himself or his job to people who must leave their families to be shot at and (ostensibly) secure freedom to make a very small percentage of his paycheque.
He's risking his own neck to make a lot of money and advance nothing but the cause of himself and perhaps his family.
posted by wfrazerjr at 02:37 PM on December 04, 2010
NFL player: 4 or 5 hours of work usually on Sunday, 5 days of practice at about 6 hours per, several hours per week in film study or weight room training, occasional team or personal social appearances (some for charity), short periods of family separation for road games, some possibility of debilitating injury from employment. Pay rates in high 6 figures or 7 figures (8 figures is the exceptional case).
Military member assigned to combat zone or on shipboard deployment: 24 hours per day on duty, 7 day per week work week, rare opportunities for social functions (for any reason at all), periods of family separation measured in months, high probability of permanent debilitating or fatal injury from employment. Pay rates in the low 5 figures per year, with 6 figure incomes possible for the highest grades.
SHUT UP ANTREL ROLLE!!!!!!! YOU ARE DISGUSTING!!!!!!!
posted by Howard_T at 02:42 PM on December 04, 2010
Why does that remind me of this, from the Onion:
Man Who Fought For Americans' Rights Demands Americans Stop Exercising Their Rights
posted by hincandenza at 03:32 PM on December 04, 2010
our troops are securing your sorry ass' children's children futures
No, they aren't.
posted by Hugh Janus at 05:03 PM on December 04, 2010
No, they aren't? Really? I joined the Army not for college, not for travel but to serve my country. I realize people have their opinions on the war on terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom. But when I come across people like you who take their quality of life for granted I second guess what I fight for. People like you will never get it.
posted by sgtcookzane at 06:50 PM on December 04, 2010
We'll have to agree to disagree, then- another American freedom, I suppose.
Sure in WWII, that was important- it was also a pretty fucking cut and dried situation there. The "war on terrorism"? No, it's a giant swindle from the taxpayers to the Bush family and friends, and their countless defense contractor buddies.
What you will never get, I'm guessing, is that you can claim you're "fighting for our freedom"- and you may believe that- but you aren't, actually. 10 years ago I had the freedom to fly and bring toothpaste with me, to leave my fucking shoes on, and to not have to choose between being photographed naked or being fondled by a complete stranger. 10 years ago, I didn't think the telco companies would open their systems wide to allow warrantless wiretapping of average American citizens, in blatant violation of our most basic freedoms outline in the Bill of Rights.
When a firefighter races to my house to put out a blaze- he protects me and my way of life. When the ACLU defends hardcore pornographers to do what they do even when some might be offended, they protect my freedom to get my freak on however I see fit. When unions band together to demand safer workplaces, and more protections for those who may be injured or disabled on the job, they protect the freedom of American workers to make the right choices for themselves and their families without fear they'll be replaced by the next warm body fresh off a transatlantic steamboat. When librarians or schoolteachers struggle with excessive rules and dwindling budgets to try to keep ensuring that anyone in this country can get an education or have access to knowledge no matter the color of their skin, ethnic background, income bracket, or religious and political beliefs- that makes this a greater country.
These people are maintaining and increasing our quality of life- not because of flag-waving Nationalist jingoism, but because they are trying to improve the quality of life we're actually living, day to day.
But shooting at people I've never met, who are probably only angry at my country because we've spent 10 years bombing their cities and weddings, torturing their husbands and sons, and killing average people going about their lives like it was some high-def video game... no, that does NOT protect my quality of life.
And honestly? If you only joined up because you thought you'd get a fucking parade and a blowjob from the head cheerleader, then you joined up for the wrong reasons. Like the article I linked above, if you think you're actually fighting for freedom- but now think it's a waste of time because you disagree with how I use or value that freedom- then you aren't actually fighting for "freedom" at all. You're fighting to feel important, valuable, and patriotic. These can be good things, but you won't really be doing much driving a hummer around Baghdad.
posted by hincandenza at 09:03 PM on December 04, 2010
I joined the Army not for college, not for travel but to serve my country.
sgtcookzane, no one is saying that you didn't join the Army with that purpose in mind. They're questioning whether that goal is being accomplished (legitimately so).
People like you will never get it.
Perhaps the same can be said for you, if you can't distinguish between your own personal motives and efforts, and the effectiveness of US military policy in achieving its stated goals. And that's really unfortunate, because it is that exact failure to make that distinction by the American public that has utterly destroyed any meaningful dialogue on the purpose and use of military force. We, the non-military public, are allowed to pay the taxes and "support the troops", but we are not allowed to question anything about military policy, we are not allowed to exercise the freedoms that members of the military say they are sacrificing to secure for us, or we are not "supporting the troops". If we don't get beyond this know-nothing "shut your piehole if you disagree with my cherished beliefs" censorship, you can kiss democracy goodbye.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:15 PM on December 04, 2010
I want to apologize to sgtcookzane: I shouldn't attack you personally. Like I said earlier, I'm sure you joined the army with the best of intentions- and a strong military is necessary to secure our nation against foreign threats. Thank you for your service and pride in your country, and I hope every day you were or are deployed you do your nation proud.
I just hope you understand that some of us are frustrated that our political leadership is so willing to waste countless lives and immense amounts of money on efforts that don't help our country, or even debase our dearest principles, efforts that seem more about rewarding certain private interests or drumming up cheap election year boosts. And some of us are all too familiar with cloaking these poor or craven political decisions in the garb of unassailable service men and women.
And I hope you also understand that there are other important parts to preserving our freedom and quality of life that include vigilance on the part of our citizens to ensure their liberties and prosperities are not drained by unsavory politicians and businesses, that agitating for freedoms at home is as important as protecting it abroad.
posted by hincandenza at 12:29 AM on December 05, 2010
Wow.
yes, we could turn this into another political thread, but let's not.
Andy1087, I have no idea how you took my opinion that Rolle is free to go find a different line of work if he's not happy being a NFL player, and somehow twisted it to where I should consider leaving the US if I'm not happy with every decision our leaders make.
I'm not saying that I should be treated like soldiers coming home, just because my job has danger in it too. Rolle is off base comparing his job to that of a soldier, at least in how the rest of us are to respect him. The soldier deserves our respect for protecting our country. Rolle is a well paid entertainer.
As to the other side discussion going on, please remember that the vast majority of soldiers in our armed forces are not in the Middle East fighting the war on terror. They are, in fact, stationed thoughout the world, and most certainly are hard at work defending our way of life.
Someone's "right" to bring a full sized tube of tooth paste on a plane, was changed by terrorists on 9/11. It had nothing to do with George W. Bush's war on terror, as it hadn't started yet. Just for clarity on the timeline.
posted by dviking at 12:59 AM on December 05, 2010
dviking, I specifically said I wasn't saying that to you. I was just explaining why I disagreed with your opinion that Rolle should go elsewhere for work if he wasn't happy with some aspects of his employmet (btw I disagree with the get out of the country statement if I wasn't clear).
Someone risks their life for their country. Someone else risks their well being for your entertainment. Its called a metaphor, and he used it to get his point across. He isn't saying he deserves the same honor that we give soldiers. He is simply asking for people not to boo the home team. Comparing two things does NOT mean they are same like so many people seem to think, it just points out similarities...
posted by Andy1087 at 02:51 AM on December 05, 2010
People like you will never get it.
I said what I said because you don't know anything about me, or my children, or their children. Now you are claiming to know even more about me.
I don't care why you joined the army, and I don't know anything about you. Your possible heroics, your reasons for service, and your opinion on civilians is irrelevant.
I am not saying you are a liar, but what you said is untrue. You don't know what you are talking about.
posted by Hugh Janus at 04:16 PM on December 05, 2010
Holy Fuck1 that is awesome. He just moved to the top of my Must Watch list. I expect completely-divorced-from-reality comments from the rich and pampered in our Reality TV world, but most of the putzes have that gene that starts tingling before you say something offensive to more than 80% of the general population2 or anti-patriotic. It's awesome to find a mouth attached directly to a Medulla oblongata. I wish the NFL had some of the WWE's marketing savvy and could turn Rolle into some terrorist character for the rest of the season.
1. Not the band.
2. Of the US. If you find yourself in a different "Gen Pop", just keep your goddamn yap shut.