As the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court were
looking at two cases involving cellphone privacy from the standpoint of police
access, NBC Commissioner Adam Silver announced that he had banned Los Angeles
Clippers owner Donald Sterling from attending any NBA team practice or game for
life and was being fined $2.5 million. Interestingly, given the tenor of the
public discourse, the Clippers’ owner had not made a public pronouncement
regarding his negative view of black people; rather, a tabloid had taped and broadcast
a private cellphone conversation. That is to say, Sterling would have to pay a
multi-million dollar fine for what he had said in a private conversation with
his girlfriend. I contend there is reason to pause at this news, lest such
public pressure establish the precedent wherein the passions of the mob is
effectively given such reign as to render property ownership and the rule of
law as so contingent that might makes right.
The essay is at WR - Government & Markets: “NBA
Team-Owner Faces Wrath of the Mob For Racist Conversation”