https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755425831669735425
In case you missed it, last night, sportswriter Nathaniel Friedman, aka Bethlehem Shoals, caused an uproar with his reaction to Pat Smith’s speech at the RNC:
https://twitter.com/realkingrobbo/status/755285350155706368
Here’s a sample of the blowback:
https://twitter.com/gradearadio/status/755421383719579648
https://twitter.com/JJBoomBoom1776/status/755426344196902912
https://twitter.com/TexasYankee001/status/755366520520314881
https://twitter.com/_Arcy__/status/755373120635088896
https://twitter.com/Drew_Homan/status/755377759451504640
It took a while for Friedman to consider the possibility that he’d done something wrong.
https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755204014946394112
https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755209320363532288
https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755392044969955328
But he got there eventually, at least:
https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755460519969034240
https://twitter.com/freedarko/status/755461104298446848
Friedman’s apology concludes with this:
Under no circumstances is it okay to invoke violence against women. As outraged as I was by parts of Pat Smith’s speech, to use this kind of language as a means of expressing that feeling was completely out of bounds. I also completely understand how, regardless of my intent, it was extremely triggering for a lot of people. And for that I am genuinely sorry.
I’ve also heard a lot this morning from people on the other side of the political spectrum. While I may disagree with these people on a number of matters, I know that what I wrote is utterly indefensible. The last thing this country needs is statements that make the climate even more toxic and divisive.
I generally believe the world to be a messy, confusing place. But in this case, there’s no ambiguity about it: I fucked up and should have just owned that. I’ve learned my lesson and at this point all I can do is reiterate that I’m sorry and promise to do better in the future.
But for many people, it’s too little, too late:
https://twitter.com/nationofseals/status/755497202064195585
Can't even imagine speaking those words in the first place! How hateful you are!
— Jill (@BellaLolaGirl) July 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/vostrain/status/755497154802626560
yeah, you're an asshole….fuck off…
— Edd Benson (@ebommi) July 19, 2016
You can be sorry and still be a horrible person. So apologize away, you are still scum for being the type of person to say that.
— Kyle Beckley (@Kyle_Beckley) July 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/womackphotokc/status/755476609608536064
sorry…this was NO apology. He basically deflected blame onto the RNC
— Craig Daliessio (@craigdaliessio) July 19, 2016
you're a despicable "journalist." take a break and do some soul searching. @GQMagazine
— melaney (@Melaney__) July 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/Stormin1775/status/755494362600116224
https://twitter.com/Stormin1775/status/755493667935232005
Sorry because you got called out. Takes A true piece of trash to say such a thing. My goodness. Sick. Sick. Sick. Hope u lose job
— AIRBUSFAN (@Cory62964761) July 19, 2016
What do you think?
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Related:
‘I blame Hillary Clinton!’ At RNC, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith pulls no punches
‘Chris Matthews is garbage’: Pissy Chris pitches fit, trashes ‘that woman’ Pat Smith
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