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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Syt on July 25, 2015, 02:36:29 AM

Title: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Syt on July 25, 2015, 02:36:29 AM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3173493/Hulk-Hogan-scrubbed-WWE-websites-amid-reports-audio-tape-launching-racist-tirade.html

QuoteHulk Hogan fired by WWE as he admits to racist n-word tirade where he rants about his daughter sleeping with a black man

- Hogan was caught on tape ranting about sex life of daughter Brooke, 27
- In 2007 tape he said: 'if she was going to f**k some n****r, I'd rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n****r worth a hundred million dollars'
- Just before tape surfaced publicly on Friday, WWE cut all ties with Hogan
- Wrestler apologized and admitted tape was 'offensive' and 'unacceptable'

WWE has terminated its contract with Hulk Hogan after an audio tape emerged of him launching a racist tirade littered with the n-word complaining about his daughter's sex life.

The 61-year-old pro wrestler, whose real name is Terry Bollea, made the comments in a recording which recently emerged as part of a legal battle. It features him repeating the phrase 'f**king n*****s' several times.

The recording, the contents of which were reported by Radar Online, features Hogan making a string of racist jibes to Heather Clem, a friend's wife whom he was filmed having sex with in 2012.

Shortly after the contents of the tape became public, Hogan admitted that the tape, recorded in 2007, was real and said his words were 'offensive' and 'unacceptable'.

According to Radar, the audio features him complaining about his daughter Brooke, 27, who was trying to launch a music career.

He said that 'a black billionaire guy' had offered to bankroll her, then speculated about her sex life'.

Hogan told Clem: 'I don't know if Brooke was f**king the black guy's son... I mean, I don't have double standards.

'I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f**king n****rs. But then when it comes to nice people and s**t, and whatever.'

He continued: 'I mean, I'd rather if she was going to f**k some n****r, I'd rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n****r worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!

'I guess we're all a little racist. F***king n****r.'

In a statement confirming the termination, the WWE reiterated its commitment to 'celebrating individuals from all backgrounds'.

A statement said: 'WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.'

After the tape became public, Hogan released a statement apologizing.

The response, sent to People magazine, said: 'Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation.

'It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it... This is not who I am'

Radar said that transcripts of the conversation were filed in a Florida court, where Hogan is suing Gawker Media for publishing part of a 2012 video which allegedly shows Hogan having sex with Clem.
DailyMail.com has contacted Hogan's representatives for comment.

They should bring him back as a heel: "Heil Hogan"

The internet is on it:

(https://ioneadwnews.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/11421970_947960421917258_1436577309_n.jpg)

(https://ioneadwnews.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/11379773_880182638715350_1022361748_n.jpg)

(https://ioneadwnews.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/11311048_486494074861772_817658422_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Josquius on July 25, 2015, 05:57:04 AM
Given that in old age people do tend to lose control of themselves a little and start saying unacceptable things I wonder whether this will be the shape of things to come in the future where the amateur press are standing ready to report on every comment ever said by a famous person.
One by one childhood heroes shall fall.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: celedhring on July 25, 2015, 06:36:53 AM
He was in his early 50s when this was filmed, hardly senility can be an excuse here. I have a bit of trouble by somebody losing his job because of something he said almost 10 years ago, in a private environment, though.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Caliga on July 25, 2015, 06:49:46 AM
*shrug* don't be a public figure then.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on July 25, 2015, 06:51:32 AM
Quote from: celedhring on July 25, 2015, 06:36:53 AM
He was in his early 50s when this was filmed, hardly senility can be an excuse here. I have a bit of trouble by somebody losing his job because of something he said almost 10 years ago, in a private environment, though.
Welcome to the World of Tomorrow!
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Lettow77 on July 25, 2015, 07:04:50 AM
He's making a sex tape with someone else's wife, and the moral outrage is directed at his concerns for his daughter..
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: garbon on July 25, 2015, 07:42:24 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 25, 2015, 06:49:46 AM
*shrug* don't be a public figure then.

Yep. After all if WWE thinks this is bad for their image then they've an imperative to cut ties.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Josephus on July 25, 2015, 08:08:12 AM
Anyone who's seen Hulk in his prime, know that just as he's down for the count, he will suddenly spring back up as the crowd rallies behind him.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: DontSayBanana on July 25, 2015, 08:26:04 AM
That was the Hulkster in his prime... he's not exactly in his prime anymore.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: dps on July 26, 2015, 12:17:53 AM
Given some of the gimmicks they've promoted, a bit hypocritical on WWE's part.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Syt on July 26, 2015, 12:26:20 AM
Quote from: dps on July 26, 2015, 12:17:53 AM
Given some of the gimmicks they've promoted, a bit hypocritical on WWE's part.

You mean like the Nation of Domination? :P

(https://blog4dat.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/nation_of_domination_display_image.jpg)
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Tonitrus on July 26, 2015, 01:30:30 AM
Dennis Rodman is supporting him, so it's all good.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: DontSayBanana on July 26, 2015, 09:23:14 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on July 26, 2015, 01:30:30 AM
Dennis Rodman is supporting him, so it's all good.

He's also supporting Donald Trump's presidential aspirations, so I wouldn't exactly say, "In Rodman we trust." :P
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: dps on July 26, 2015, 11:08:20 PM
Quote from: Syt on July 26, 2015, 12:26:20 AM
Quote from: dps on July 26, 2015, 12:17:53 AM
Given some of the gimmicks they've promoted, a bit hypocritical on WWE's part.

You mean like the Nation of Domination? :P


I didn't have them specifically in mind, but let's put it this way--if you're a minority, and you spent any significant amount of time wrestling in the WWE, then at some point you were given a stereotypical gimmick or storyline.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: DontSayBanana on July 27, 2015, 12:11:51 AM
Quote from: dps on July 26, 2015, 11:08:20 PM
I didn't have them specifically in mind, but let's put it this way--if you're a minority, and you spent any significant amount of time wrestling in the WWE, then at some point you were given a stereotypical gimmick or storyline.

Just out of curiosity (I'm really not that well-versed in wrestling stuff), does that hold true for hispanics?  The closest I'm aware of to a "stereotypical gimmick" for one is Rey Mysterio, and that probably doesn't count since he actually was a luchadore before ever joining the WWE...
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Syt on July 27, 2015, 12:29:39 AM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on July 27, 2015, 12:11:51 AM
Quote from: dps on July 26, 2015, 11:08:20 PM
I didn't have them specifically in mind, but let's put it this way--if you're a minority, and you spent any significant amount of time wrestling in the WWE, then at some point you were given a stereotypical gimmick or storyline.

Just out of curiosity (I'm really not that well-versed in wrestling stuff), does that hold true for hispanics?  The closest I'm aware of to a "stereotypical gimmick" for one is Rey Mysterio, and that probably doesn't count since he actually was a luchadore before ever joining the WWE...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Qo8r6tRpA

And of course Razor Ramon (though Scott Hall is not ethnically Hispanic).
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 01:41:52 AM
Quote from: garbon on July 25, 2015, 07:42:24 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 25, 2015, 06:49:46 AM
*shrug* don't be a public figure then.

Yep. After all if WWE thinks this is bad for their image then they've an imperative to cut ties.

Hulk Hogan is a bona fide public figure, admittedly, but isn't the tendency these days to make anybody a de facto public figure? I mean, we start to get to the point exemplified by gawker recently posting a story about some nobody executive of some company cheating on his wife. We quickly get to the point when there is no privacy expected or respected at all - and if we adopt the attitude like yours we will get there much faster.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Tonitrus on July 27, 2015, 01:46:26 AM
Quote from: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 01:41:52 AM
Quote from: garbon on July 25, 2015, 07:42:24 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 25, 2015, 06:49:46 AM
*shrug* don't be a public figure then.

Yep. After all if WWE thinks this is bad for their image then they've an imperative to cut ties.

Hulk Hogan is a bona fide public figure, admittedly, but isn't the tendency these days to make anybody a de facto public figure? I mean, we start to get to the point exemplified by gawker recently posting a story about some nobody executive of some company cheating on his wife. We quickly get to the point when there is no privacy expected or respected at all - and if we adopt the attitude like yours we will get there much faster.

With Ashley Madison recently being hacked, that kind of exposure might explode geometrically pretty soon.  :P
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 01:49:50 AM
These were just idiotic social justice warriors - the fact that big companies and media outlets cave in to their pressure is what is alarming. Given that people do not have decency to respect other people's privacy anymore, the law should step in to protect it with criminal sanction, I'm afraid.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on July 27, 2015, 02:12:48 AM
It is not as if Mr Hogan is a Bishop or High Court judge.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: garbon on July 27, 2015, 02:12:58 AM
I'm confused, what exactly are you saying should be criminalized?
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2015, 02:13:05 AM
Quote from: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 01:41:52 AM
Quote from: garbon on July 25, 2015, 07:42:24 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 25, 2015, 06:49:46 AM
*shrug* don't be a public figure then.

Yep. After all if WWE thinks this is bad for their image then they've an imperative to cut ties.

Hulk Hogan is a bona fide public figure, admittedly, but isn't the tendency these days to make anybody a de facto public figure? I mean, we start to get to the point exemplified by gawker recently posting a story about some nobody executive of some company cheating on his wife. We quickly get to the point when there is no privacy expected or respected at all - and if we adopt the attitude like yours we will get there much faster.
Didn't they pull that story almost immediately because they realized the law wouldn't protect them if he sued, since even under the most charitable of definitions he was not a public figure?
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Syt on July 27, 2015, 02:16:39 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on July 27, 2015, 02:12:48 AM
It is not as if Mr Hogan is a Bishop or High Court judge.

He was for years, though, the icon of the American DreamTM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKM1AAzeRCg
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 02:53:41 AM
Quote from: garbon on July 27, 2015, 02:12:58 AM
I'm confused, what exactly are you saying should be criminalized?

Publishing private information about people, unless the publishing party can prove public interest. This is how it is done in Europe, by the way.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 02:56:04 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2015, 02:13:05 AM
Quote from: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 01:41:52 AM
Quote from: garbon on July 25, 2015, 07:42:24 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 25, 2015, 06:49:46 AM
*shrug* don't be a public figure then.

Yep. After all if WWE thinks this is bad for their image then they've an imperative to cut ties.

Hulk Hogan is a bona fide public figure, admittedly, but isn't the tendency these days to make anybody a de facto public figure? I mean, we start to get to the point exemplified by gawker recently posting a story about some nobody executive of some company cheating on his wife. We quickly get to the point when there is no privacy expected or respected at all - and if we adopt the attitude like yours we will get there much faster.
Didn't they pull that story almost immediately because they realized the law wouldn't protect them if he sued, since even under the most charitable of definitions he was not a public figure?

Yeah but I am saying the threshold should be higher (i.e. the way it is in the UK, France or Poland) - if you public potentially defaming information about another person (even if the information is true), you need to show public interest. The threshold for a public figure is lower than for a private person, but even a public figure is not a free game, so to speak.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: alfred russel on July 27, 2015, 10:47:21 AM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on July 26, 2015, 09:23:14 PM
Quote from: Tonitrus on July 26, 2015, 01:30:30 AM
Dennis Rodman is supporting him, so it's all good.

He's also supporting Donald Trump's presidential aspirations, so I wouldn't exactly say, "In Rodman we trust." :P

But he was so good at rebounding.  :hmm:
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: The Larch on July 27, 2015, 01:53:29 PM
Quote from: Syt on July 27, 2015, 12:29:39 AM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on July 27, 2015, 12:11:51 AM
Quote from: dps on July 26, 2015, 11:08:20 PM
I didn't have them specifically in mind, but let's put it this way--if you're a minority, and you spent any significant amount of time wrestling in the WWE, then at some point you were given a stereotypical gimmick or storyline.

Just out of curiosity (I'm really not that well-versed in wrestling stuff), does that hold true for hispanics?  The closest I'm aware of to a "stereotypical gimmick" for one is Rey Mysterio, and that probably doesn't count since he actually was a luchadore before ever joining the WWE...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Qo8r6tRpA

And of course Razor Ramon (though Scott Hall is not ethnically Hispanic).

The Mexicools used to get to the ring riding lawnmowers.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F24.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lvle4ygYaw1qzzcb0o1_500.jpg&hash=8963ae820e699f289cb7cddd70a47acc5e3ab9c8)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0y5ndEtqGs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0y5ndEtqGs)

Check this Grantland article for more info on racism in wrestling since the 80s:

http://grantland.com/features/excerpt-david-shoemaker-new-book-concise-history-racism-wrestling/?ex_cid=GrantlandTW%3Fex_cid%3DGrantlandFB (http://grantland.com/features/excerpt-david-shoemaker-new-book-concise-history-racism-wrestling/?ex_cid=GrantlandTW%3Fex_cid%3DGrantlandFB)
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: lustindarkness on July 27, 2015, 02:14:04 PM
Now, that is :cool:.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: The Brain on July 27, 2015, 02:17:04 PM
They sure like moving that lawn.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Malthus on July 27, 2015, 02:25:13 PM
Is the guy driving the lawnmower wearing Siege's sunglasses?  :hmm:
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: dps on July 27, 2015, 04:31:30 PM
Quote from: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 02:56:04 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 27, 2015, 02:13:05 AM
Quote from: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 01:41:52 AM
Quote from: garbon on July 25, 2015, 07:42:24 AM
Quote from: Caliga on July 25, 2015, 06:49:46 AM
*shrug* don't be a public figure then.

Yep. After all if WWE thinks this is bad for their image then they've an imperative to cut ties.

Hulk Hogan is a bona fide public figure, admittedly, but isn't the tendency these days to make anybody a de facto public figure? I mean, we start to get to the point exemplified by gawker recently posting a story about some nobody executive of some company cheating on his wife. We quickly get to the point when there is no privacy expected or respected at all - and if we adopt the attitude like yours we will get there much faster.
Didn't they pull that story almost immediately because they realized the law wouldn't protect them if he sued, since even under the most charitable of definitions he was not a public figure?

Yeah but I am saying the threshold should be higher (i.e. the way it is in the UK, France or Poland) - if you public potentially defaming information about another person (even if the information is true), you need to show public interest. The threshold for a public figure is lower than for a private person, but even a public figure is not a free game, so to speak.

Our standard always has been (well, since 1734--before we were even a nation) that the truth of a libel is a valid defense.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: The Minsky Moment on July 27, 2015, 06:10:52 PM
Quote from: Martinus on July 27, 2015, 02:53:41 AM
Publishing private information about people, unless the publishing party can prove public interest. This is how it is done in Europe, by the way.

Here we have freedom instead.
Different strokes for different folks.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Martinus on July 28, 2015, 05:59:25 AM
Perhaps, given that the ways of communicating have changed drastically, it is time to change your ways? I sure thing that European level of protecting privacy is more appropriate to the Internet age.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: garbon on July 28, 2015, 12:51:31 PM
I don't think Europe has made a compelling case on why the US should be less free.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: The Minsky Moment on July 28, 2015, 12:53:30 PM
Also I don't think significant changes in the US constitution are required simply because some people elect to "communicate" via sex tape.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: garbon on July 28, 2015, 12:57:13 PM
:lol:
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: Siege on July 31, 2015, 02:17:58 PM
Garbon, love your new signature.
Title: Re: WWE drops Hulk Hogan after racist 2007 rant surfaces
Post by: garbon on July 31, 2015, 03:30:06 PM
Hasn't changed in a long while, buddy.