Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Weasel of the Week: Jack Burkman

The timing is just too convienent and ridiculous at the same time.

According to media sources, Washington-based lobbyist Jack Burkman is pushing for legislation that would ban gay athletes from ever competing in the NFL, this two weeks after Missouri's Michael Sam came out, and just a few days after the NBA's Brooklyn Nets welcomed back Jason Collins, who came out 10 months ago. Collins is on his 2nd tour of duty with the Nets, having played when the team was in New Jersey at the start of his career.

Burkman, according to those same sources, such as the Huffington Post, has a brother who is also gay and works in Seattle. Jim Burkman spoke out against his brother, claiming that Jack is looking for publicity to promote his firm. Well, no one had heard of either brother before today. Besides, this really isn't for Congress to decide. There is still the NFL Draft, which is in May this year, but that's another story for another time. It's not up to Congress to decide who should play where and why. That is up to each of the major professional leagues.

To push for this legislation, however, is also promoting open discrimination based on sexual orientation, and that is wrong. Jack Burkman won't get very far with his lame idea, except to receive a pair of Weasel ears, which should look pretty good on him, don't ya think?

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