Seriously, what is wrong with these social justice warriors! It’s as though they can’t resist the impulse to stick their noses where they don’t belong.
First we had to pretend that it’s OK for girls to play sports, even though deep down we all know that ladies ain’t meant to sweat.
And what about all these black fellas running around our game these days, carrying on as though they’re the same as the rest of us. It’s disgusting.
And now, as if these injustices weren’t bad enough, we’ve got to pretend it’s acceptable for homosexuals to play footy. Enough is enough!
Starting today I’m enlisting anyone who’s thinking clearly to join my ‘Keep The Gay Away’ campaign. Together we can put a stop to the mess people like David Pocock are making of our culture. My granddaddy would spin in his grave if he knew I played with pooftahs, and I’ll be dammed if I’ll let some do-gooders tear our society apart with their ‘inclusion policy’.
Gay people can’t get married, so why on Earth should we let them play sport? Riddle me that Pocock! If you want a civil union go bat for the other side, this is rugby union mate, and there ain’t never been nothing civil about it.
Rugby is a man’s game, and real men recognise that gayness is wrong. If we want our sportsmen to be role models we need more people like Waratah Jacques Potgieter, who bravely called out gay when he saw it, or thought it, or felt it… Or whatever, the point is he said the word “faggot”, and if there is one word the world needs more of it’s definitely faggot.
If we don’t stamp homo stuff out of our sport now, where will it lead? The last thing any of us want is a strapping lad like Jacques Potgieter running out to represent his state while being distracted by gay thoughts. We need real men like Potgieter focused on smashing people, not diverted by hot and sweaty masculine fantasies about hairy legs in short shorts.
Call me old school, but I don’t care if there are more cameras and microphones at a rugby game than at a Justin Bieber concert, what is said on the field, stays on the field. We all know that rugby pitches are magical places where the normal rules of decency and fairness don’t apply.
Jacques Potgieter may be an idiot, but being an idiot isn’t a choice, like being gay is. People are just born idiots, and it’s our job to love them anyway.
Can I get an Amen?
Pie_t
Guest
Nice article Clyde. Opposed as you rightly are to discrimination, oppression, injustice and racism, I have to ask when you're going to make yourself heard in relation to the interference in the selection of South African sports teams by the ANC regime. Australia was at the forefront in opposing apartheid. It helped to bring down that odious system. Sadly, nothing has changed except for the colour of the oppressor.
hasbeen flanker
Guest
Amen.....for a good sense of humour Clyde.
Chris
Guest
Agree, it is socially wrong and all exept gay would agree. You were not born that way. You decided you were that way.
Colin Fenwick
Guest
Is it in the same category as misogyny? Besides, who said it was his first response, maybe it was his 13th choice of slur that day. Regardless, I don't see how that matters. I believe Potgieter's actions are more important than any 'nasty' words he may have shouted. There's another quote from Mark Twain regarding profanities that might be relevant here. I let you go look it up.
Sheikh
Guest
That's a very interesting question, and subject to a lot of research; from what I can tell from a quick read of some science papers (and this is by no means exhaustive), homosexuality has both genetic and prenatal, and societal factors. Where one of identical twins is gay, if it was purely genetic, the incidence of the other twin being gay would be 100%; it isn't, but the incidence is well above the rate of homosexuality in the general population. One well-known factor of homosexuality among men is the number of older brothers - it has been conjectured that this is caused by hormones from the mother during pregnancy. If you are interested, I suggest you read something like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_sexual_orientation as a starting point. This page includes a number of biological differences in homosexuals which could only be genetic or prenatal in cause.
BluesMan
Guest
If this is true AussieKiwi, that it is genetics, why isn't Jason Collins(former NBA player) Identical twin also not gay?
Bfc
Guest
Who new that Rathbone had such a knack for satire... Thought the props were supposed to be the 'smart' rugby players:)
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
So not only do you not understand the marginalisation of minority groups, you also do not understand the discipline and effort that scientists and social scientists put into understanding these issues. I suggest that you continue to denigrate and vilify anything which you cannot understand. It is a lot easier in terms of personal effort and in reducing the number of ideas you have to consider at any one time. You should return all of your modern comforts to your nearest "lame university".
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
All of these are offensive and bigoted. However, if you said "you play like a girl" to a girl. You would be ok. Why do descriptions need to be based on some stereotype that invariably puts down the object of comparison? Why not simply say "your Kung fu is no good here?"
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
No Qld'ers were involved as a titanic struggle for victory over the bye was underway.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Your inability to grasp the fact that Pococks concern is about social justice, not personal insult is rivalled only by your inability to match subject and object. Actually that last point of mine is unfair. Plenty of people manage to convey clear meaning without great adherence to the rules of grammar. You are not one of those people.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Gatesey, since we all agree JP was out of line. Why the problem with Pocock going to the ref? Why the big conspiracy theory about the soapbox? Poeys views on homophobia are not unknown. He doesn't take everyone interview opportunity to promote that particular piece of social justice, so why not accept that in this case he spoke up to the appropriate on field authority about unacceptable behaviour? Why does it mean he should have tried to minimise the fuss?
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Lol I saw none that at the game on Sunday with the oddly selective television replays on the big screen.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
I love the way in which you have used so many words (and some not words) to so little purpose. "Mine camp" would be the geological hideaway where Hitler write mein kampf, correct?
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
I don't think that's supported by any of the evidence. We should give pots a chance to demonstrate his sincerity. The early and full mea culpa is a strong indicator this is the case. He hasn't tried to duck, weave and obfuscate.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Can you explain the joke? I don't get it.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Just what political reasons are you referring to? You aren't very clear and your point is too general to carry much meaning. I would appreciate more information. For clarity.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Think you might find Clyde doesn't really regard the game as a "field of battle". No one dies, no one tries to kill the opposition. It's a game. A game many of us are passionate about, but a game nonetheless. Homophobia or any other kind of bigotry for that matter is a real world issue. It splits families and communities and it contributes to individual depression, anxiety and suicide. It's no overreaction to call people out over this kind of sledging. You would need to be some kind of sociopath to put a game before human life.
Clyde Rathbone
Expert
My pleasure PaulT...really important that we don't let Dave off the hook too easily. Like you said he broke the law and if there's one thing we know from history it's that the law is never immoral.
PaulT
Guest
Pockock is a fraud. Here is a man that breaks the law at his convenience, by entering a valid commercial operation (a coal mine) in support of his "beliefs", then has the nerve to cry foul on a rugby field. He will do illegal acts when it suits and then claim the protection of the law the next day. Is this principled behaviour by Pockock? Hypocritical in my view. Thank you Clyde. This may not be your point but the absurdity of Pocock's behaviour has many facets.