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Americans - not Tilghman - need to look in the mirror after Golf Channel gaffe

Friday January 11, 2008 | 04:28:58 pm 333 words, 3570 views

A collection of related thoughts on the ongoing Kelly Tilghman debacle:

-How come whenever Rev. Al Sharpton is in the news it’s because he is demanding someone be fired? I thought “Reverends” were supposed to forgive.

-A more genuine apology and longer explanation from Tilghman, not what seems to have been a prepared statement, may have been more effective P.R.

-Tilghman made the comment last week. Over the weekend, few knew anything about what she said. The apology began making the rounds on Tuesday morning and there were about 60 related articles, many of which informational-only on Google News.

Today, the day after her suspension, there are over 600 articles, many of which emotional in tone, calling for her firing. So in a sense, her apology only made things much worse, the suspension more worse. At this point, it’s hard to believe she’ll still have a job by Monday.

-If live TV personalities must live in fear that one slip of the tongue may result in exile, the future of broadcast is going to feature a lot of frightened talking heads.

-Is this going to affect Duke University’s U.S. News & World Report annual college rankings?

-Our society will never reach racial equality if every situation like this results in a bunch of finger-waiving and name-calling, rather than a civil conversation of what can and can’t be said and the education of why not.

-Do those calling for Tilghman’s firing believe so because they are genuinely offended with what she said - or are they simply drama-cravers who relish in the downfall of public personalities? Is this situation no different than our salivation over Britney Spears’ custody battle, Lindsay Lohan’s rehab struggles and the steroids witch hunt which for some reason includes the resources of our federal government?

The only reason we get fired up about trivial matters like these is because deep down we’re jealous that there are people on TV and we are not.

Breaking down celebrities have become our civilization’s Colloseum.

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Comment from: Bo Mosley [Visitor]

Freedom of speech is not free. It comes with a price and if the so called Rev Al or Jessy gets involved it is not about the words spoken rather about what they can get from it. Does Al or Jessy really care about Golf. NO No.
The Golf Channel made a real bad mistake.
Who watches the Golf Channel?
Not anymore.

Permalink 01/11/08 @ 19:25

Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]

Wow, I actually agree with most of what you said.

Permalink 01/11/08 @ 20:06

Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]

"-If live TV personalities must live in fear that one slip of the tongue may result in exile, the future of broadcast is going to feature a lot of frightened talking heads."

That's the nature of the game. Think about all the live personalities at work in the world...preachers, teachers, lawyers, et al. They live within the same constraints, save for the YouTube access (and even that is changing, with kids provoking teachers while other students record the tirade for YouTube.) Podcasts, blogs, and articles all reserve the right to edit. When you work live-to-air, you must be extra vigilant and resist the over-the-top urge. Trying to keep up with the wit of a Brit, Tilghman lipped out.

Permalink 01/11/08 @ 21:19

Comment from: Brandon Tucker [Visitor] · http://worldgolf.com/blogs/brandon.tucker

Word Smails, Word.

Ron Mon, you ever slip in front of a classroom??? I get the feeling you have :-)

Permalink 01/11/08 @ 21:38

Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Member]

You know this is RonMon, you're talking about right, BTuck? You've seen his "work" right?

I think you can pretty much remove any maybe or question mark from that observation.

Permalink 01/12/08 @ 03:20

Comment from: Brooklyn [Visitor]

Didn't someone once say "I'd like my children to be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." How much do you think Al Sharpton knows about the content of Tilghman's character? Do you think he judged her solely on the color of her skin?

We all know Sharpton is the embodiment of a HYPOCRIT; we all be better served by ignoring his ilk.

Permalink 01/12/08 @ 11:44

Comment from: Bruce Stasch [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-gear-news

I find that Mr. Sharpton acts as an ambulance-chasing man of the cloth. Why don't we ever hear about his good works? We only listen to his defense of sometimes indefensible people. Is he really defending the offended or is he just trying to get his face in front of a camera.

As B Tuck eloquently pointed out, a talking head is always at risk of saying something that might come out of their mouths that might be deemed inappropriate.

Admit it, we've all said something that we later regret. We are all human and we all make mistakes. Unfortunately for Ms. Tilghman, it was on camera.

Permalink 01/12/08 @ 13:31

Comment from: MACK DADDY CADDY [Visitor]

Decisive Action Must Be Taken

Permalink 01/13/08 @ 01:20

Comment from: merrin [Visitor]

"How come whenever Rev. Al Sharpton is in the news it's because he is demanding someone be fired? I thought "Reverends" were supposed to forgive."

Since when are forgivenss & social justice seperated in the BIble? We're called to forgive others as God has fogiven us, but that doesnt negate the need for justice among God's people. (i.e. the Book of AMos). In fact we're called on to PRESERVE justice, especially among the poor & those with the least voice among us. It IS possibel to preserve justice & forgive, because justice is not vengeance. There IS a difference, so the discussion then shifts to WHAT action provides justice.

Speaking of SHaprton, he could drop dead tomorrow & these stories would continue. Those of us who see SHarpton as "The real problem" would prefer an easy scapegoat than to look around our world & truly acknowlege how far apart we are in many ways. There is a huge gap in America that we dont EVER deal with, instead we sweep things under the rug & think Sharpton the rabblerouse is blowing things out of proportion or the always prevalent 'reverse racism' (a truly idiotic term since racism never stopped being racism long enough to reverse. And if racism was reversed, by its very definition, it would be equality.).

Sharpton simply speaks for a segment of our population that doesnt have the same respresentation-in government, media, or economic equality.

Permalink 01/14/08 @ 13:21

Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]

Merrin,

You're so full of it, it isn't even funny. If you want to talk about justice, let's start by throwing fat Al -- who has blood on his hands, not to mention a lot of other things -- in prison.

With quotas and affirmative action, blacks get a lot more representation than their accomplishments warrant. Cry me a river, pal.

Permalink 01/14/08 @ 13:54

Comment from: joltin Joe [Visitor]

"Sharpton simply speaks for a segment of our population that doesnt have the same respresentation-in government, media, or economic equality."

Don't forget causing the first pogrom since the Kristallnacht. Never forget Yankel Rosenbaum. Murdered for being Jewish by Al Sharpton and his followers.

Permalink 01/14/08 @ 16:23

Comment from: Rick [Visitor]

Great article. I have suspended the Golf Channel from my home for 2 weeks. That will coincide with Kelly's suspension. Further, I have fired Al Sharpton. He will no longer be allowed in my home, so when he comes on TV, the channel will change or the TV be shut off.

Permalink 01/14/08 @ 17:00

Comment from: ronmon [Visitor] · http://mon

Actually, Tuck, I haven't. Knock wood, but I have to date an uncanny ability to avoid taking risks. I've seen teaching colleagues mess up in assemblies, all because of the same risk-taking. I know which colleagues (usually the English Dept.) can kick my derriere in a contest of wit, and I avoid taking the bait. In class, it's a different ball game...a few jokes to lighten the mood, but keep them clean and docile. As far as Baldwin, my thinking is he purchased his diplomas and GEDs, so his authority is nil for me. I'd look elsewhere for an answer to your questions, and for a mentor.

Permalink 01/15/08 @ 12:52

Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]

Rick,

That's a good idea, but you'd better tell the GC why you're doing it. Otherwise, they'll assume that you've suspended the service because of Tilghman's remarks.

Permalink 01/16/08 @ 17:39

Comment from: Rick [Visitor]

Judge Smails--
I've e-mailed Golf Channel several times, but no reply. I didn't have the channel disconnected, I just don't watch it. I was quite clear to the Golf Channel how I felt. They are letting Al Sharptongue program their channel. I even wrote to the DISH Network.

I also reminded the Golf Channel that Tiger quite frequently curses. That is far more offensive to me than anything Kelly said. How come they don't censor him? In reality, without Tiger there wouldn't be much of a Golf Channel. I mean, watching some has-been golfer play a round of golf by himself doesn't quite have the same excitement. Kelly Tilghman is the brightest commentator they have--should reinstate immediately and give her raise. Her side-kick, Nick, is tolerable.

Permalink 01/16/08 @ 18:37

Comment from: Lester Hinson [Visitor]

>>>>>"-If live TV personalities must live in fear that one slip of the tongue may result in exile, the future of broadcast is going to feature a lot of frightened talking heads." Where have you been!? You could have written this 15 years ago and it would have been prophetic. But now it reads like you're "predicting" what's already come to pass.

Permalink 01/17/08 @ 05:13

Comment from: Oui Oui Oui [Visitor]

Tucker,

You are telling us to turn away while Ms. Tilghman lynches Tiger?

Permalink 01/17/08 @ 07:27

Brandon Tucker

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WorldGolf.com blogger Brandon Tucker offers his unique perspective on golf and travel destinations from Scotland and Ireland to Myrtle Beach. He also chimes in on news events on the PGA and LPGA Tours, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and other happenings around the world of golf.