Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 at 5:05 pm  |  62 responses

Michael Jordan to Headline a Barack Obama Fundraising Event


NBA folks — past and current — have helped out U.S. President Barack Obama by taking part fundraising events throughout the years, and as the 2012 election draws closer, some of the big guns are coming out in support of the Prez yet again. Michael Jordan (who has been notoriously apolitical throughout his basketball life) will headline a fundraiser for Obama later on this month. Per the AP: “The Obama campaign is planning a fundraising ‘shoot-around’ and dinner in New York on Aug. 22 featuring several NBA stars, including Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, John Wall of the Washington Wizards and others. Jordan, who played for the Chicago Bulls, Obama’s favorite NBA team, and NBA Commissioner David Stern are co-hosting a $20,000-per person fundraising dinner with the president later in the day. [...] The campaign is holding a ‘shoot-around’ with players at New York’s Chelsea Piers sports complex, including Anthony, Rondo, Wall, Paul Pierce, Kyrie Irving, Joe Johnson and former NBA centers Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning. WNBA stars Sheryl Swoopes and Dawn Staley are also participating in the event, which will cost $5,000 for a parent and child or two people to have a ‘shoot-around skills session’ with the players. A $250 donation provides an autograph session with the players. Obama’s campaign plans to raffle off the chance for grass-roots supporters to attend the events.”

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  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Someone had to create the religion at some point. So you are IMO following another persons tenets and guidelines. I know that this is your faith and you believe that these are God’s laws, and I will not demean your faith at all, but allow me to make some points from my view.
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    Islam, Judaism, etc. is a just different vein’s of the Abrahamic religions. To believe your religion is greater, I realize, is part of ‘the faith’, but you have to understand how absurd that looks to those of us that look at it from a historical count, and a physical point of view, and not a religious POV. It’s strange to see one religion become a dozen and each of them claiming their own as the ‘one true religion.’ Essentially they battle it out via word wars or physical wars.
    I’m not saying one should not have faith. What I am arguing is that if we truly break down the foundation that has transformed our minds from our impressionable youth; from that point you can see more clearly.
    Many people argue that at a time the world was harmonious and peaceful. Now this probably goes against your faith i’m sure, but as I have come to learn in research there was a much reduced ego at one point. Before religion and before the organized world we know of in our history books in school. Everyone wants ‘theirs’. Whether it be their religion. Their family. Their country. Their personal possessions… There is no community on the earth. IMO, not the only reason, but one of the big reasons is organized religion. Each religion gives ‘power’ over the earth to their followers. So followers of Islam, Christianity, Mormonism, etc. all feel they have a stake to claim on making an impression on the world through their faith. If people of all faiths would just recognize this fact, and thus by, not try to rule over one another, then we would be better off because we would no longer need to rule based upon a blue print that has been handed down for thousands of years saying we are to change everyone else.
    All this is of course my opinion, but would love to continue the conversation if it interests you, but I also understand it’s not easy to defend the faith to someone without it, and don’t want to put you in a position you don’t care to put yourself in.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvBC7tmgFFM Teddy-the-Bear

    While it’s true that humans have always fought each other, I don’t agree that the past is the same as the present. We’re living in a unique period of time. Due to 500 years of imperialism, the dominant form of exploitation is white supremacy. The Anglo-European empire is something not even the Romans could have dreamed of… Now blacks are oppressing blacks *on behalf* of white people, Asians are oppressing Asians *on behalf* of white people–in a nutshell, that’s what neo-colonialism is. The European imperialists no longer have to occupy a country militarily to control it–they now do, with banks/financiers/corporations, what the military used to do (and still does).
    And that’s another thing plaguing Western Commun!sts. They still view the world through the lens of the oppressor and not of the oppressed due to their own wh!teness. I think you’re conflating Western leftists with Global South (aka Third World) leftists. More on that in a second.
    But first, without the Soviet Union and communist countries, most of the liberation movements of former colonies in the mid-1900s wouldn’t have succeeded. The Soviet Union (and later China) was invaluable. It’s interesting to note that most people in Eastern Europe still prefer Commun!sm, now that they’ve tasted capital!sm again.
    The liberation movements to overthrow colonialism are HUGE material gains for mankind. Likewise the improvements to standard of living for people in China and Cuba are very real. For example, China’s poverty relief program is possibly the most successful in human history, as it literally lifted 300 million people out of poverty from the 1970s onward.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Lakeshow where is your proof that that people ever lived in harmony?
    All archaelogical research disagrees with this. Family structures were different, community structures were different, but humans have always fought over resources.
    Hunter and gatherer societies fought over resources, the first domestic societies fought amongst themselves and against outsiders. “Othering” has always been a popular human pastime.
    There is always a belief among those who do not subscribe to an organized religion that those who do believe cannot have examined what they believe critically. This is idiotic. Throughout recorded history, some of the foremost thinkers among human kind have been believers in one faith or another. Clearly, religion and intelligence can co-exist.
    Religion, just about all of hte world’s religions, are not about ruling. Most of them point towards a closer relationship with God, with small and large difference about how that relationship can be obtained. The atrocities committed in the name of religion were not, by and large, committed because of the religions, but because of human tendencies that were then justified using various religions.
    Humans are humans. This is not based solely on my reading of the Bible but on my observations of humans and various attitudes we tend to have about each other. We are animals at our core, and like all other animals we have certain impulses and instincts.
    Point me to this utopia, or even strife period, you believe existed. There is no historical reference for it, not in Western, Eastern or African history. Conflict is as human as breathing.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Also, Lakeshow if you consider the historical account, particularly using the holy texts of Christianity and Islam, it makes perfect sense.
    There is a clear dividing line between the two religions where no compromise on truth can be achieved. You could make the argument that no such line exists between Islam and Judaism, but when you throw Christianity into the mix, the line is clear.
    I can’t determine if you are unaware of where this line exists, or you have just chosen to believe it’s not that big a deal. Honestly, if you know anything about the three religions, it’s a HUGE deal.
    It’s like the dividing line between DMT and Crack, to go back to your earlier conversation.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvBC7tmgFFM Teddy-the-Bear

    @ Allen: The social!sm I support is rooted in the Global South and inextricably tied to anti-imperialism. While a lot of Western leftists claim to be anti-imperialist, their way of thinking is still deeply entrenched in European “universalist” ideals. I call it social-imperialism.
    Why do I say social!sm is the solution to racism? Because social!sm essentially means that black people are able to control their own destiny. Africa is really where anti-imperialist social!sm is most needed. Some of the best Marx!st revolutionary theoreticians were African, which makes sense, because it’s absolutely necessary for black people to overthrow capitalism and control their own resources and labor. That’s how you eliminate racism: by destroying white supremacy, i.e. removing this coercive, forced dependence upon white institutions. Not an easy task, considering their (the white Western world’s) entire way of life depends upon the subjugation of 88% of the world’s population.
    One example of Arabs and black Africans co-existing and thriving in a social!st environment was Libya. Zimbabwe today is another great example of black people taking control of their land and resources. Of course, Robert Mugabe is vilified like crazy by the Western media because he dares to break up the monopoly that wh!te Zimbabweans once had on land and resources.
    The main setback for social!sm has always been imperialism–i.e. Western subversion. In the span of a decade, I believe from 1960-1970, the US/Europe assassinated (or funded/supported the assassination of) 6 African leaders (i.e. the presidents or leaders of 6 different nations) all of them pan-African social!sts.
    I think you should watch a documentary on Youtube called “Thomas Sankara: The Upright Man.” It’s only about 50 minutes long… It talks about the former president of Burkina Faso (a former French colony), the achievements made under his Communist government, and his eventual overthrow by traitors/French collaborators. It’s a huge eye-opener. Please watch whenever you have time and lemme know what you think (just click my name).

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvBC7tmgFFM Teddy-the-Bear

    @ Allen: Doesn’t Islam accept/recognize Jesus as the messiah, just like Christianity? Can you explain?
    Also I don’t think religion is as divisive historically as people say. IMO religious conflicts are often a byproduct of racial/ethnic tension, not necessarily over differences in theology. I donno.

  • Allenp

    Nah Islam recognizes him as a.profit on a lower level than Muhammad. Muhammad is the highest profit who received the Koran through direct inspiration from an angel. Jesus was a profit and the Bible contains truths but has been corrupted where it is at odds with the Koran. That is one of the core Muslim tenets.
    Christianity says that Jesus is the Messiah and son of God and God incarnate in the flesh. Huge difference.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    He’s a Prophet in Islam Teddy. Not the “redeemer” as in Christianity.
    Allen, Where is your proof that God exists?
    I implied that as a theory and not fact, hence why I said “Many people argue.”
    Your speaking on what what wikipedia explains as history. I’m talking about unknown times. The time when the Sphinx in Egypt was originally built. The time they don’t tell you about in history class hence why there is no recorded history. This was about 10,000 years ago. Just before the Ice-Age. A time when you don’t think there were humans on the planet. So this is all in jest because as we have already spoken on the fact that each person holds certain things to them as truth. Whether it is fact or not is what remains to be discovered in most cases.
    I have more proof than you (IMO) for my theory of a peaceful time than you do for God being real. Sources (whether you like them or not is up to you) like the Bhagavad Gita speak on a completely peaceful time. I am speaking on peace as in there being no hatred between people, not as in a time of no war of course like Pax Romana and pax Britannica. Facts have lead some men (ie. Terrence McKenna) to believe that there was a time when man was virtually ego-less and thus peaceful. Terrence was one of those guys “who just likes to get high” though so you wouldn’t bother with him. So no point in going forward on that.
    Your speaking on all these battling prior humans and sub species. Yes. They did battle. That is man’s innate desire. To have his. To protect his. To FIGHT for his. What i’m saying is that at some point it was figured out how to reduce ones ego, or that there was no ego at a certain point. No longer was man looking to be better than another, but rather just do what was best for everyone. It’s not possible today because of the vast expanse of humans throughout the earth and all the things tearing the world apart. Be it (lack of)natural resources, religion, or cultural indifference or whatever.
    You said “There is always a belief among those who do not subscribe to an organized religion that those who do believe cannot have examined what they believe critically. This is idiotic. Throughout recorded history, some of the foremost thinkers among human kind have been believers in one faith or another. Clearly, religion and intelligence can co-exist.”
    Of course religion and intelligence can co-exist. I never implied otherwise. They were critical about light not being able to be contained and mathematics added up to strange conclusions, but not so concerned with being critical of the idea of God himself. Because of the lack of physical matter in spirituality as compared to what one can see and manipulate with his mind they tackled the “easier” subjects.
    I have believed fully in Biblical Christianity for 16+ years of my life, so I know what it’s like to “believe” and not “believe”. What I have learned is that you CANNOT critically view what you believe. Why? Because you believe it. (Bringing it all back around lol) I believed Kobe was the best player on the planet until last season. Truth be told, he probably wasn’t the best even a season or two before I realized. Now, obviously I truly thought Kobe was the best, otherwise I don’t know why else I would have believed he was. I was not thinking critically because I already believed. In order to be critical of God and Christianity or Islam or Judaism, or Buddhism you must not believe. Which would make one not a Christian or Muslim, or faithful Jew. So inherently one cannot truly believe and (doubt) be critical.
    I have read the Bible, and the apocryphal books that for some reason are not deemed good enough for today’s modern Bible. I have read parts of the Qumran, but not even a decent enough amount to act like I know much about it. Your right that Christianity is much different, but you cannot deny the fact they originated from the same patriarchs, and there is no clue as to which one is “right” more than another.
    What is the dividing fact that makes Christians and followers of Islam absolutely uncompromising? I’m curious. You said something in regards to religion not wanting to rule over everyone, then why so uncompromising? I’m assuming you mean the differences in how to hold one culturally which the Qumran speaks on elaborately.
    But scratch all that, how about Judaism vs Christianity. Both believe the same God, but one believes in Jesus as a redeemer coming to earth already, which makes them saved in their eyes and the Jews condemned for not believing Christ came. How can you tell them (the Jews) that they are wrong. They are God’s chosen people after all. What makes what you believe better, and therefore uncomprimise-able to you?
    .
    Crazy long day and don’t know if i’ll be back on. So we can banter about this later on another thread or come back here, or if your done that’s fine too, whatever works.

  • http://gmail.com z

    Just wanna say im really impressed with the knowledge and outside the box thinking of Teddy bear and allenp. Yall have always impressed me basketball wise; now i am impressed with your knowledge of social issues. Even danpowers made some interesting (not necessarily accurate) arguments. Teddy especially tho you have dropped my jaw with your points about euro-centrism, Cuba and in general your open minded approach to the few flaws but overwhelming benefits

  • http://gmail.com z

    Of communism. Allenp made some good points about some flaws to communism (or rather flaws inherent to ppl).

  • http://gmail.com z

    Islam/Christian dont HAVE to be at war (which lets be honest, they basically have been for at LEAST the last decade), but if they are more often than not, theres undeniable corruption to their very core in both religions at this point, and both are ancient religions (which only means the corruption is more thorough), then i wonder if these faiths are each more trouble than theyre worth at this point. Just my opinion

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvBC7tmgFFM Teddy-the-Bear

    Thanks a lot z, props to you too man.
    @ Lake, Allen: Not gonna add much to your debate but I do want to add that Islam definitely views Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The Jews do not, but Muslims definitely do. He is not just a prophet to them; during the final hour he does return, in the flesh, to kill the Dajjal (anti-Christ). The only difference is that they don’t view him as Allah in the flesh. They don’t believe that God could be born on the Earth as a human being, even as the Messiah. Now of course that’s a world of difference, but they definitely do view Jesus as the Messiah, as he’s the one who leads humans to the Last Judgement.

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