Legal Commentary

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson: Do As I Say, Not As I Do

By Big Tent Democrat

Is Zen Master a euphemism for hypocrite?

I was caught off guard by [Jackson's take] take on the Phoenix Suns’ peaceful protest of Arizona’s new immigration enforcement law in the form of wearing their “Los Suns” jerseys. First Jackson, who has showed lefty leanings in the past, indicated he had no problem with the controversial state Senate Bill 1070. “Am I crazy, or am I the only one that heard [the legislature] say ‘we just took the United States immigration law and adapted it to our state,’” Jackson said. I told him they usurped the federal law. “It’s not usurping, it’s just copying it is what they said they did, and then they gave it some teeth to be able to enforce it,” Jackson said.

Then he mildly scolded the Suns. “I don’t think teams should get involved in the political stuff. And I think this one’s still kind of coming out to balance as to how it’s going to be favorably looked upon by our public. If I heard it right the American people are really for stronger immigration laws, if I’m not mistaken. Where we stand as basketball teams, we should let that kind of play out and let the political end of that go where it’s going to go.”

Jackson of course does not know what he is talking about. But the hypocrisy he knows pretty darn well. But what else to expect from a 2000 Bill Bradley supporter (my loathing of Bill Bradley is of long standing):

That was surprising to hear coming from a man who not only supported Bill Bradley for the Democratic presidential nomination, he wore a Bradley campaign pin on his suit during games. Jackson reminded me that the NBA made him stop wearing it. And apparently that was the end of his political proclamations…although he did take one parting shot.

“I kind of wish [Bradley] would have been the president,” Jackson said. “After all was said and done, that [George W. Bush] situation.”

If there was the need for anymore reason to root against the Lakers, Jackson gave it to us.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on May 06, 2010 (boomark / email).