LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Donald Sterling Has His Supporters

Usually, when people want to register an opinion on Patch, they use the "Speak Out" feature. But the controversy surrounding Clippers owner Donald Sterling and comments he made that many have interpreted to be racist have prompted a surprising number of letters to the editor in the good, old-fashioned way: email.

And mostly, they're backing up Sterling, even offering to help with his legal battle with the NBA, which has decided to oust him from the league.

We present them (some edited to adhere to our Terms of Use) here for your consideration:

A MAGIC JOHNSON SETUP?

Mr Sterling,

Without a doubt you have been set up by Magic the so called saviour of LA badlands. I wonder how many contracts his development corporation will be awarded post this media frenzy.

Funny that it happened as the Lakers value is at an all time low and the clippers an all time high.

Additionally with the new commissioner of the NBA having such a short tenure it was an ideal time to do this.

Unfortunately the black white split will ensure you'll be the bad guy despite the leading questions and the general insult you were being made to endure, having Magic in your box and life unnecessarily.

Anyone with any sense can see the truth but that will have no bearing. I was studying at SUNY Albany during the O.J. trial and watched friends split over race. As a person from the UK I took the view of looking at the facts not the colour despite being of Caribbean heritage.

I hope sense prevails and owner follow Mark Cuban and not MJ.

My colleagues in the UK and Dubai cannot believe the tape, I guess as they say "only in America." Don't sell!!

And good luck.

Kind regards

Christian Bathews, May 5

AN OFFER OF HELP

Dear Sir:

When People misuse the trust of others for profit ; their profit from that situation has to be stopped.

I have no knowledge of the situation other than it just seems that you were asking to leave you a little dignity.

Please do not let the individuals that instituted this plan win. Taking the property of others, is not an option.

If you need me, sell me the options until the court lawsuits are finished for $1.
With an option of buy back for $2 when the court lawsuits are finished.

Please take care.

Charlene Goodman

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO STERLING IS 'DOWN RIGHT CRUEL'

Hello,

I know Sterling has not yet made a statement about what has been happening recently in the news but I’m on his side. What is happening to Sterling is not only outrageous but down right cruel.

Most are blinded by words but none have the full story and its apparent this was not a race issue but an issue of adultery. In my opinion, Donald composed himself better than 90 percent of Americans could.

I could tell through the conversations that he was instigated to give remarks that MIGHT appear racist but actually are not. The NBA as well as Johnson have taken this wayyyy out of proportion and I believe Sterling should apply some defense, and I’d love to help.

Please send my regards.

Parker W. Dodd

SUPPORTING STERLING

Dear sirs,

I have read about that Donald Sterling was banned for life today by the NBA over racist remarks he made in a recorded telephone conversation. I want to express my support to Donald Sterling.

First , it is a private telephone conversation. He should not confirm nor deny the content of a private telephone conversation, at least in the main democracy all around the world.

Second, USA is proud to be the main democracy in the world. If someone Expresses he does not like someone in colour, it is his personal opinion and we have to respect it.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is acting like a dictator in South America telling people what they have to say or to think in their private telephone conversations.
Donald Sterling has not showed racism nor violence, he has just expressed his personal desire about certain black people in LA. He can express the same opinion about white people and in that case nobody speaks about racism against white people but about a personal preference.

If I were Donald Sterling, I would apologize only for any misunderstanding and make it clear that it is a personal preference about some kind of people like Magic Johnson and other black people in LA county (by the way, LA is very famous all around the world for violence, drugs and murders mainly among black people). It is statistics, not racism, and it has nothing to do with racism. 

In fact, there have been always  some extraordinary black people (a minority, just considering statistics in Africa and USA , with violence and murders mainly in black neighbourhoods) and some very awful white people. It has nothing to do with racism; it is about personal preferences related to certain black people in LA.
The same preferences can be or should be expressed (also during a private recorded telephone conversation) about some other white people and nobody would speak of racism. 

Let's make it the same punishment if someone says the same about some white people; the same punishment from Adam Silver. If it does not happen, we can say it has been proved that Adam Silver is a racist against white people because he does not apply the same punishment in both cases. 

It is unfair blaming Donald Sterling for the slavery history in the USA because of his personal preferences about certain groups of people in LA. That is not fair, mainly in a country that presumes of justice.

I have not relation to Donald Sterling and I am not American, but this is not fair.

Regards,

Carlos Diaz

'DON'T TAKE THIS LYING DOWN'

Mr. Sterling,   

Please don't take this lying down. I would go after the NBA,your ditzy girlfriend, and Adam Silver with everything you have! Regardless of right or wrong the 1st amendment is there for a reason! Please, teach them a lesson!   

Stephen Presti       

P.S.  Good Luck 

STERLING CAN GET OUT OF THIS IF HE TAKES THE HUMBLE ROUTE

To whom it may concern: 

I would hope that Mr. Sterling receives this email, it will rescue his reputation and allow him to keep his team.  My name is Tony and I am black.

I am going to be very frank and to the point.  I do not believe that Mr. Sterling is a racist. I believe that is is an 80-year old man with a much younger woman and expressed her running around with other men in the best way he knew how, but that's neither here now there at this point.

He will lose the team if you do not ensure that he gets this message. The only way out of this is for him to take the spiritual counseling approach with extreme humbleness. People will not deny repentance.  if interested, I will give instructions on how to overcome this situation.

Thanks and God bless.

Tony Owens