Conservative pundit Bill Kristol on Sunday suggested that people have overreacted to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist comments.
“The deeds matter more than speech. I do think — look, it’s bad,” Kristol said on ABC’s “This Week” about Sterling and Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy. “Both these people seem to be bigoted and foolish and all that. I don’t think the L.A. Clippers are a bigoted organization, however, they don’t — you know, there’s no evidence of that, obviously.”
“I mean, everyone goes hysterical over two or three sentences, but let’s look at the actual deeds of people. If people discriminate, it’s against the law, they should be punished,” Kristol continued.
He then suggested that such racist remarks should just be dealt with privately.
“People say stupid things — private organizations can deal with — private businesses can fire people, I suppose,” he said.
Sterling told his girlfriend not to bring black people to his games, according to audio obtained by TMZ. Since the audio was published on Friday, prominent figures in the political and sports communities have condemned Sterling’s comments.
In an official statement, the Clippers suggested that the audio might have been altered. The National Basketball Association is investigating the tape.
Image via ABC
