Please, I Can't Take It Anymore

[superpunk]

So people can no longer use metaphors or similes?

Grow up.

 

[burmafrd]

Sorry, but hearing any contest referred to as a "war" or the contestants as "soldiers" or "warriors" doesn't offend me in the least. It's a metaphor. It's how humans have been communicating since the development of language. It has nothing to do with any particular soldier or particular war.

I'm tempted to go off on a rant about the culture of sensitivity that has developed, where any little perceived misstep becomes some gross social sin from which delicate ears or eyes must be protected. But I won't. Someone with a fragile sensibility might take offense.

Clearly someone without a clue.

 

[zrinkill]

Save your self-serving ego party. Men are talking in here.

This ......

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I wonder if Peterson should join up with Winslow Jr.

See, they could join the union army and once they serve their term in the army they would be given papers of freedom so they would no longer be slaves. So at one time they were slave warriors but won their freedom.

Ok..maybe not.

 

[Gadfly22]

Well, I appear to have stepped on some toes in here. No matter.

And just to clarify, I was not "offended" by the OP's comment. I just disagreed with his underlying proposition that a metaphor should be understood as in any way literal. There's a big difference between disagreeing with a statement (a rational reaction) and being offended by it (an emotional reaction). And I also recognize the OP's right to state his feelings and for the right of others to agree or disagree with the sentiments expressed.

I suppose I am "offended" by how easily some people can take offense or think others might take offense, especially when based on common metaphorical language. That is an emotional reaction.

For instance, I was not "offended" by Peterson's "slavery" comment. I just think it was a stupid and inappropriate metaphor for his situation and horribly bad PR. I would be offended if someone claimed to be offended by Peterson's comment because of some painful psychic connection to real slavery, historical or current. I think that kind of offense is phony and illegitimate, especially when there are so many real horrors in the world to take offense at.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Well, I appear to have stepped on some toes in here. No matter.

And just to clarify, I was not "offended" by the OP's comment. I just disagreed with his underlying proposition that a metaphor should be understood as in any way literal. There's a big difference between disagreeing with a statement (a rational reaction) and being offended by it (an emotional reaction). And I also recognize the OP's right to state his feelings and for the right of others to agree or disagree with the sentiments expressed.

I suppose I am "offended" by how easily some people can take offense or think others might take offense, especially when based on common metaphorical language. That is an emotional reaction.

For instance, I was not "offended" by Peterson's "slavery" comment. I just think it was a stupid and inappropriate metaphor for his situation and horribly bad PR. I would be offended if someone claimed to be offended by Peterson's comment because of some painful psychic connection to real slavery, historical or current. I think that kind of offense is phony and illegitimate, especially when there are so many real horrors in the world to take offense at.

So your defense is that you are not offended by the same things that some others are offended by but you find yourself offended that someone else is offended by something that you are not offended by.

I find that offensive and I am being defensive about it.

So there.
:

 

[Gadfly22]

So your defense is that you are not offended by the same things that some others are offended by but you find yourself offended that someone else is offended by something that you are not offended by.

I find that offensive and I am being defensive about it.

So there.
:

Yup, that about sums it up.

But my area of offendedness -- at least in these types of cases -- involves a reaction to others taking offense in a way that restricts or could restrict freedom of expression (including when that expression is stupid, like Peterson's comment).

But everyone is offended by something. You don't adopt a screen name with "gadfly" in it without understanding that.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

My own belief is that there are reasonable, thoughtful players out there who can speak to issues that could garner public support. Medical benefits for retired players, a real committment to deal with the concusssion issue, and using the idea of a rookie salary cap to ensure more money for veteran players are issues that should be discussed . I'm hoping that those players are expending their energy to working towards a reasonable consensus and are quietly talking with their teammates. I'm sure that each side has legitimate issues, but the comments on "slavery" and "going to war" simply polarize positions and do nothing to get football back where it belongs. The owners have their share of blowhards as well, but this week seems to be the players' turn to be silly.

 

[Stautner]

I understand the analogy - there is a bit of a warrior type of mentality that a player needs. There certainly is a gladiatorial aspect to the game. But these kinds of comments are used much too mindlessly, and meant by the speaker to be taken seriously, without regard for what true warriors who participate n true, life or death battles face. Playes need to step back and put things in perspective a bit, and maybe they won't feel they have it so rough after all.

 

[jazzcat22]

Well, I appear to have stepped on some toes in here. No matter.

And just to clarify, I was not "offended" by the OP's comment. I just disagreed with his underlying proposition that a metaphor should be understood as in any way literal. There's a big difference between disagreeing with a statement (a rational reaction) and being offended by it (an emotional reaction). And I also recognize the OP's right to state his feelings and for the right of others to agree or disagree with the sentiments expressed.

I suppose I am "offended" by how easily some people can take offense or think others might take offense, especially when based on common metaphorical language. That is an emotional reaction.

For instance, I was not "offended" by Peterson's "slavery" comment. I just think it was a stupid and inappropriate metaphor for his situation and horribly bad PR. I would be offended if someone claimed to be offended by Peterson's comment because of some painful psychic connection to real slavery, historical or current. I think that kind of offense is phony and illegitimate, especially when there are so many real horrors in the world to take offense at.

I am right there with you, as I was not offended either. This is part of everyday life. These Metaphors are used everywhere by everyone. People will get offended no matter what the issue is.

What other analogies are people to use anyway. This is what people are taught, how they grow up. And it's everywhere. Poor neighborhoods, rich neighborhoods, mid-income neighborhoods....who's to blame....the education system maybe? Schools don't teach what they really should be teaching. But then again, that gets into an entire new perspective on what should be and what not should be.

In conclusion.....it's life.....Where is FOOTBALL....

 

[DCBoysfan]

AP's comment has simply cemented a long-standing issue I've had with professional sports in general, but the NFL in particular.

Maybe I'm all alone here - but I simply cannot stand to hear NFL players talk about themselves and the game in military terms.

I know there are others here who, like me, actually served. I don't know if everyone shares my combat experience, but I do know we are all brothers-in-arms and, IMHO, the only ones qualified to refer to our endeavors as combat/war/battle and/or ourselves as warriors.

Some may not agree, I understand. But when I hear some athlete - in any sport - speak of themselves as warriors, the game or match as battle/combat/war or invoke any other term which holds what I consider a very narrow and special meaning, it just really gets to me.

None of these guys - save any who served and then came back into the sport - have any notion whatsoever about what it takes to be a warrior and certainly are completely ignorant of combat, battles and war. And for this I'm grateful.

I just think they use terms likes this in an effort to enhance their public persona and/or because they are completely clueless as to what they are talking about - and it rubs me the wrong way (if you couldn't tell).

And yes, I'm aware of the the War on Drugs, Poverty and any number of policy positions invoking the word, but for me, in sports, its different. And there are some here who may point to the condition of the neighborhoods where some of these players grew up and as harsh as some of them may be, they are not battle, combat, or war zones - by any stretch - including Compton, S.Central, The Greens, Oak Cliff, or any other less desirable neighborhood in this country.

If I'm alone or off-base here, I understand. Just my position. Do I expect it to stop? Unfortuantely, no. Do I beg, hope and pray it does? Indeed.

I can't truly speak to the "slavery" comment - outside the obvious idiocy - since I'm not black, but I can imagine its about the same.

Very well put

 

[links18]

Most players are 20 something year old kids, who have no idea what they are saying. Don't take it personal.........

 

[casmith07]

Most players are 20 something year old kids, who have no idea what they are saying. Don't take it personal.........

Then these organizations need to start giving blocks of instruction on public speaking and media relations as part of the off-season program.

You're Adrian Peterson - you're the face of the franchise. Commercials, ads, the whole 9 yards. And then you go and tweet some garbage? Reflects poorly on yourself, the Minnesota Vikings, and the National Football League.

 

[Stautner]

Then these organizations need to start giving blocks of instruction on public speaking and media relations as part of the off-season program.

You're Adrian Peterson - you're the face of the franchise. Commercials, ads, the whole 9 yards. And then you go and tweet some garbage? Reflects poorly on yourself, the Minnesota Vikings, and the National Football League.

The NFL and the teams are thrilled to have players speak so stupidly when their is an ongoing labor dispute.

 

[casmith07]

The NFL and the teams are thrilled to have players speak so stupidly when their is an ongoing labor dispute.

Well, that's most likely true at this juncture.

 

[Stautner]

Well, that's most likely true at this juncture.

I agree with your point though about players needing training in speaking and dealing with the meida. I believe they get a little of that in their rookie orientations, along with dealing with money and avoiding bad situations, but obviously it isn't enough.

 

[links18]

I agree with your point though about players needing training in speaking and dealing with the meida. I believe they get a little of that in their rookie orientations, along with dealing with money and avoiding bad situations, but obviously it isn't enough.

Don't these kids go to high school and college?

 

[casmith07]

Don't these kids go to high school and college?

They go, physically.

 

[gmoney112]

Don't these kids go to high school and college?

Going is a very loose term. Their college experience revolves around sports, banging everything that walks, and having professors pass them.

It's a pretty sweet deal. No book learnin' necessary.

 

[Stautner]

Don't these kids go to high school and college?

A lot of people go through high school and college, but that doesn't mean they would say the right things everytime someone stuck a microphone in their face. You don't get do overs in that situation - once something blurts out of a player's mouth it's on tape. Hell, some of the brightest people in the world would fumble or freeze if having to make public statements on camera.

Besides, college football teams aren't populated with kids who's first priority is academics.