Quote :

"Anchor suspended 2 weeks for "lynch" comment By DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer January 9, 2008 Tiger Woods tees off on the fifth hole during the second round of the Target World Challenge golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., in this Dec. 14, 2007 file photo. Golf Channel suspended anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks on Wednesday, Jan. 9 , 2008, for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Woods should "lynch him in a back alley." AP - Jan 9, 9:32 pm EST More Photos HONOLULU (AP) -- Golf Channel suspended anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks on Wednesday for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley." Tilghman was laughing during the exchange Friday with analyst Nick Faldo at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, and Woods' agent at IMG said he didn't think there was any ill intent. But the comments became prevalent on news shows Wednesday, and the Rev. Al Sharpton joined the fray by demanding she be fired immediately. Golf Channel didn't know who would replace Tilghman in the booth this week at the Sony Open or next week at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. "There is simply no place on our network for offensive language like this," Golf Channel said in a statement. Tilghman became golf's first female anchor last year when the PGA Tour signed a 15-year deal in which Golf Channel broadcasts the first three events of the year, weekday coverage of all tour events, and full coverage of the Fall Series and opposite-field events. The suspension ends in time for the Buick Invitational on Jan. 24, when Woods will make his 2008 debut. Faldo and Tilghman were discussing young players who could challenge the world's No. 1 player toward the end of Friday's broadcast at Kapalua when Faldo suggested that "to take Tiger on, maybe they should just gang up for a while." "Lynch him in a back alley," Tilghman replied. "While we believe that Kelly's choice of words was inadvertent and that she did not intend them in an offensive manner, the words were hurtful and grossly inappropriate," Golf Channel said in its statement. "Consequently, we have decided to suspend Kelly for two weeks, effective immediately." Woods and Tilghman have known each other 12 years. She was picked to host a club demonstration with Woods in south Florida when he talked about new products from Nike Golf. Tilghman was helped when Mark Steinberg, Woods' agent at IMG, said it was a non-issue and considered the matter "case closed." "Tiger and Kelly are friends, and Tiger has a great deal of respect for Kelly," Steinberg said Tuesday night in a statement released by Golf Channel. "Regardless of the choice of words used, we know unequivocally that there was no ill-intent in her comments." Tilghman had said in a previous statement she apologized directly to Woods, and the immediate support from Woods' camp was critical. After Woods won the 1997 Masters at age 21 to become its youngest champion, Fuzzy Zoeller referred to him as "that little boy," and suggested that Woods not serve fried chicken or collard greens, "or whatever the hell they serve," at the Champions Dinner. Tiger Woods watches his drive at the Target World Challenge golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Dec. 12, 2007. Golf Channel suspended anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks on Wednesday for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Woods should 'lynch him in a back alley.' AP - Jan 9, 9:14 pm EST More Photos Woods, who had a different management team in his first full season, did not respond for three days to Zoeller's apology, and it took Zoeller years to recover from the fallout. Tilghman's comment made the rounds Wednesday on TV shows such as CNN's Headline News, and it was prominently discussed on blogs and message boards on the Internet. It also was a topic on the practice range at the Sony Open. "I'm sure Kelly wishes she never said that," Jim Furyk said. "I haven't spoken with Tiger, but I've been told that they've had their talk and they've discussed it. Anything I say is kind of just like pouring salt in the wound at this point. Obviously, she would love to not have said that and for it not to be news. I'm glad that her and Tiger spoke." Fred Funk only heard about the comment Wednesday morning. "There was no ill intent at all," he said. "I think it was just a slip, and they said that Tiger has already forgiven her. I think when you're in the TV tower for that many hours, you're going to wish you didn't say some things probably, and that was one thing that slipped out. I think you've got to give them a little grace. "Her integrity, how Kelly is respected out here, is pretty good. I think Tiger really likes Kelly, so that helped squash it. Because Tiger could have run off with that if he took it the wrong way. But he didn't, so that was good." Before her suspension was announced, Sharpton spoke earlier on CNN's "Prime News" and continued to push for her firing, saying he wanted to meet with Golf Channel because the comments were "an insult to all blacks." "Lynching is not murder in general, it's not assault in general," Sharpton said. "It's a specific racial term that this women should be held accountable for. What she said is racist. Whether she's a racist ... is immaterial. She's a broadcaster. The channel has to be accountable to the public.""

1/10/2008 12:19:04 PM

This will go over well.

1/10/2008 12:20:10 PM

it was an unfortunate joke to make.

something she should apologize for.

but not that big of a deal since it was just an attempt at humor. (even though it was a bad one.)

1/10/2008 12:21:24 PM

maybe he should serve some collard greens or fried chicken or whatever the hell they eat

1/10/2008 12:23:28 PM

I agree with Sharpton's definition of lynching

and a two week suspension seems alright too

firing her would be ridiculous, however

1/10/2008 12:25:06 PM

What a dumbass. She shouldn't be punished for being a racist. She should be punished for being a moron because only a moron would say this on the air/or off the air for that matter.

1/10/2008 12:25:30 PM

that Fuzzy Zoeller comment was fucking unconscionable

I remember that shit

1/10/2008 12:26:54 PM

Quote :

""Lynching...It's a specific racial term...""

How is lynching specifically a racial term? Didn't the old west also have lynchings of white folk cattle russlers and what not?

If the guy the comment was directed against (Mr Tiger Woods) didn't have a problem with it, Everybody else that wants to use it as a cause should go fuck themselves high up in a tall oak tree.

But yeah...she was a dumbass for broadcasting such "advice"

[Edited on January 10, 2008 at 12:33 PM. Reason : .]

1/10/2008 12:31:06 PM

ibterp

1/10/2008 12:31:08 PM

This reminds me of that politician who used the word "niggardly" and had to resign or something because everyone thought that he was making a racist comment. Then the people he was in trouble with found out that the definition of the word was something completely different of whatever they thought and were like "oh... sorry"

1/10/2008 12:31:20 PM

knee grows

1/10/2008 12:40:48 PM

Wraith, I don't see the similarities.

Troop, she said it on TV. Just because Tiger Woods isn't concerned doesn't mean other people can't be. And, no, they don't have to go fuck off.

And there are obviously racial connotations with the word "lynch." To deny that is foolish.

I don't think her comment was a big deal. And I don't think the two-week suspension is a big deal either.

1/10/2008 12:41:04 PM

some people take things too far. if this was said about a white person would the repercussions be the same? i doubt it. and the word lynch isn't purely assigned to one race or another. it wasn't a very nice thing to say but in the context i don't consider it a personal attack or anything. geez

from dictionary.com

Quote :

"to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal sanction "

1/10/2008 1:28:02 PM

i think we should lynch al sharpton instead...anyone can take that as racist or not, i don't really care

1/10/2008 1:28:11 PM

Al Sharpton is a moron, but an entertaining moron. I'm not easily offended but this ranks up there with one of the dumbest TV commentaries ever. David Duke would know better.

1/10/2008 1:31:56 PM

^^^^
1. Sorry for not clarifying. I'll do it now. She was dumbass for allowing it to be broadcast on the airwaves via television.

2. Why should other people be concerned when nothing was directed at them. The target of the comment didn't make a deal out of it and that should be good enough for you people. I'll give you the Imus thing simply because they ("the nappy-headed hos")* got mad about it. Therefore it could-and did- become a cause. Tiger didn't and that should be the difference.

3. It is my opinion that they should go fuck off, not that they have to. You are entitled to a different opinion. We should agree to disagree on this point.

4. Nobody, including me, said that the word "lynch" has a singular connotation (save for the good Rev.). My point was that lynching wasn't "specifically" a racial term as was stated by the Sharpster..


*His words, not mine

[Edited on January 10, 2008 at 1:40 PM. Reason : .]

1/10/2008 1:39:23 PM

yeah i dont like al sharpton either, but whats the first word that comes to mind when you say lynch?

black person, of course.

like some of you, i agree she was real stupid for saying this and that her 2 week suspension is good enough for what she did.

but seriously people, when someone says lynch, and even worse, about someone who is black (half black), i mean it doesnt get any clearer than that. im not saying she was racist towards him, but damn if she wasnt thinkin bout killin dem Niggers

1/10/2008 1:40:24 PM

Al Sharpton is destroying America for blacks

1/10/2008 1:43:18 PM

who's the white guy who told sharpton about this in the first place? dont tell me the reverend was watching golf

1/10/2008 1:44:22 PM

TT10 +5 points, gg

1/10/2008 1:45:56 PM

Quote :

"ibterp "

he's online, i can't believe he hasn't graced us with his insightful musings on afro american culture in this thread

1/10/2008 1:53:45 PM

Sharpton just takes everything a few steps too far; But if he didn't bring it up, she probably would still make those racist comments (whether intentional or not... maybe she's a subconscious racist?) Her being fired for 1 stupid comment that may or may not have been intentionally hateful and racist is ridiculous though.

If she said THAT NIGGER SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON ANY GOLF COURSE - yes, she should be fired... but not for that one stupid comment.

I wonder if Al Sharpton is, or thinks he is, BARGAINING by going over the top all the time? Who knows

1/10/2008 1:56:34 PM

when i first clicked this thread i figured sharpton was going to once again announce he was running for president

1/10/2008 2:06:42 PM

1/10/2008 3:16:18 PM

1/10/2008 3:33:09 PM

Shit now I gotta change my name

1/10/2008 3:34:17 PM

Blacks weren't the only people who were lynched back in the day. I find it offensive that people make that relation. My honorable ancestor, Mad Dogg Smith, was hung just because he stoled a few horses.





and

Quote :

"that Fuzzy Zoeller comment was fucking unconscionable hilarious"

distasteful? yes.

[Edited on January 10, 2008 at 3:40 PM. Reason : ]

1/10/2008 3:38:48 PM

your honorable ancestor had a pretty bad ass name

1/10/2008 3:44:14 PM

he's got two G's

like snoop

1/10/2008 3:46:52 PM

George Hang-a-black-man

1/10/2008 3:56:53 PM

THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE DISBANDED AT ONCE

1/10/2008 4:05:01 PM

hah, i sent him an email at show@SharptonTalk.net about ^

1/10/2008 4:11:15 PM

lynch isnt a racial term, "lynch" is on par with "jumped" or "attacked"


im pretty fuckin sure she meant no racial historical connotation whatsoever

als sharpton should grow up, and these networks need to grow some balls

Quote :

"who's the white guy who told sharpton about this in the first place? dont tell me the reverend was watching golf"

haha and the John Lynch caption, TreeTwista is batting 1.000

[Edited on January 10, 2008 at 4:55 PM. Reason : c]

1/10/2008 4:53:22 PM

especially since it seems like she and woods are "friends"...at least genuine acquaintances...'twas a mistake (albeit a stupid one), but sharpton jumps off the deep end on everything

1/10/2008 4:55:18 PM

there actualy arent many african americans who give a shit about al or jesse

probably the same one that dont vote (bout all of em) but still

its all bullshit and it gets old, when something serious happens no one really care then because these two buffoons done fired the gun empty on this type of shit

1/10/2008 4:57:28 PM

[Edited on January 10, 2008 at 4:58 PM. Reason : ]

1/10/2008 4:58:39 PM

fixed that for ya

1/10/2008 5:00:01 PM

its kind of funny too when people want to compare her to imus

Imus intentionally was talking shit about the Rutgers womens team
Tilghman was basically talking shit about every golfer BUT Tiger and saying the only way to beat Tiger in golf is to assure that he didnt play...she was just very very sloppy with her word choice

1/10/2008 5:05:45 PM

while we are at it, we should change the name of the Neuse River because it sounds like noose

1/10/2008 5:09:53 PM

blacks to the top

1/15/2008 11:23:36 AM

are we going to have a funeral for the word 'lynch' now?

btw, is michael irvin still on espn for his outburst a year ago? what happened with that one?

[Edited on January 15, 2008 at 11:45 AM. Reason : .]

1/15/2008 11:41:25 AM

Quote :

"She should be punished for being a moron because only a moron would say this on the air"

Exactly. The point is her ill-conceived joke, regardless of whether it indicates deeply seeded racism or not, caused somewhat of a shit-storm for the channel's PR people. If you had to give a presentation for work and made a joke that inadvertently insulted not only one of the key people there but several shareholders as well- don't you think you'd get shit for it, possibly even fired?

She's not being suspended for being racist or because of Sharpton. She's being suspended because she screwed up at her job. They've been trying to grow viewership by branching into 2 groups in particular who don't really watch that much golf statistically- young people and black people. Her poorly worded joke jeopardized growth into both of those mostly untapped markets.

As far as racism here goes- I think it's more an issue of racial/cultural insensitivity than racism. Everyone is guilty of that though and the only reasons someone should be especially chastised are when they are unwilling to both realize and change it.

[Edited on January 15, 2008 at 11:54 AM. Reason : ]

1/15/2008 11:52:04 AM

Quote :

""It's a specific racial term that this women should be held accountable for. What she said is racist. Whether she's a racist ... is immaterial. She's a broadcaster. The channel has to be accountable to the public.""

I'm jealous. Blacks own so many words.

oh yeah, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/niggard

honest to god, people need to shut the fuck up and drink a beer. if that girl's slip bothered you at all, you aught to sterilize yourself

1/15/2008 12:28:47 PM

Quote :

"Al Sharpton is destroying America for blacks"

1/15/2008 1:22:54 PM

Quote :

""While we believe that Kelly's choice of words was inadvertent and that she did not intend them in an offensive manner, the words were hurtful and grossly inappropriate," Golf Channel said in its statement. "Consequently, we have decided to suspend Kelly for two weeks, effective immediately." "

I'm confused......Tiger was hurt by her comments? Her suspension is supposed to be a consequence of some harm she inflicted. Were any of you hurt? Show of hands......who cried?

1/15/2008 3:47:06 PM

LOL BLACKS

1/15/2008 3:49:29 PM

Tiger wasn't mad

Also I guess the people who were hurt were the other golfers since she informed them that they all sucked compared to Tiger and that the only chance they'd have to beat him would be to physically harm him

1/15/2008 3:49:39 PM

LOL BLACKS

1/15/2008 3:50:33 PM

Quote :

"lynch –verb (used with object) to put to death, esp. by hanging, by mob action and without legal authority. "

I don't see why this word is a racist issue. It mentions nothing about race, and shouldn't be tied to blacks. Sure, blacks were lynced, so were whites, and many other races. Hell, lots of black people have died by getting shot, should we make "shot" a racist word too?

1/15/2008 3:57:36 PM

leprechaun is a racist term too

1/15/2008 3:58:33 PM