Posted on 01/02/2007 12:37:45 PM PST by NapkinUser
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Former Major League Baseball pitcher John Rocker is starting a campaign to encourage English-speaking Americans to start demanding respect from legal and illegal immigrants who do not speak English.
Rocker is also pushing for immigrants to respect the customs, heritage and culture of the United States.
In a news release, Rocker said the "'Speak English' campaign is to encourage people to promote and support the sustainment of the American heritage and the American culture. This campaign is in no way intended to degrade or demean the cultures or heritages of others' nationalities or races, but instead to bolster American nationalism and promote pride in the American culture."
To further his cause, Rocker is selling "Speak English" T-shirts on his Web site.
In the past, Rocker has been called a racist and anti-homosexual for comments made during interviews and drawn heavy fire from New York Mets fans after comments about the city of New York.
While in the major leagues, the Georgia native was a closer for the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Rocker played his first major league game in 1998 and stepped out of baseball in 2004 to recover from shoulder surgery. In 2005 he signed with the Long Island Ducks and retired after 23 games.
Rocker's book is due out in 2008.
What has he ever said that is not correct?
(From an interview with SPORTS ILLUSTRATED)
On ever playing for a New York team: "I would retire first. It's the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the [Number] 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you're [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing."
On New York City itself: "The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. I'm not a very big fan of foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?"
In passing, he calls an overweight black teammate "a fat monkey." Asked if he feels any bond with New York Knicks guard Latrell Sprewell, notorious for choking coach P.J. Carlesimo two years ago, Rocker lets out a snarl of disgust. "That guy should've been arrested, and instead he's playing basketball," he says. "Why do you think that is? Do you think if he was Keith Van Horn -- if he was white -- they'd let him back? No way." Rocker is rarely tongue-tied when it comes to bashing those of a race or sexual orientation different from his. "I'm not a racist or prejudiced person," he says with apparent conviction. "But certain people bother me."
"So many dumb asses don't know how to drive in this town," he says, Billy Joel's New York State of Mind humming softly from the radio. "They turn from the wrong lane. They go 20 miles per hour. It makes me want -- Look! Look at this idiot! I guarantee you she's a Japanese woman." A beige Toyota is jerking from lane to lane. The woman at the wheel is white. "How bad are Asian women at driving?"
So because Rocker saw these people on the subway and commented on what he saw, that makes him racist, homophobic, etc.? That's the most ridiculous post I've read today. Rocker calls a spade a spade and you wet your pants. That's great!
If people were as good at denying the evidence of the weather as they are of the culture, we would never sell umbrellas.
What has he ever said that is untrue, or do you just accept the MSM definition of what he said?
OK, fair enough. I thought it was just the one 7 train remark, which I could live with... I wasn't aware of the rest of it. thanks.
Considering WHAT he said...yes.
I wonder who wrote that for him?
Have you ever actually read the quotes he got skewered for?
Good Man, Rodney King!
Based on what?
Yes many times.
Have you?
You are aware he's said MORE than just what was in that article right?
"I guarantee you she's a Japanese woman. How bad are Asian women at driving?"
I hear that tired old joke on XM comedy every day. You crediting Rocker for making it up or repeating something that's been said by millions of others?
Based on John Rocker.
Amen to that. Most of his detractors couldn't take the idea that he dissed New York. It hadn't nothing to do with racism.
How about this?
"I'm not a racist or prejudiced person," -- John Rocker, Sports Illustrated, December 1999.
I can't believe I'm wasting my time over John 'KKK' Rocker. Take care pal. Go Ohio State!
"Amen to that. Most of his detractors couldn't take the idea that he dissed New York. It hadn't nothing to do with racism."
Nutshell.
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