But I'm asking you: Did Phil Jackson err, or is he a victim of PC? Why could Jay Leno undoubtedly have gotten away with that comment but Phil Jackson got reprimanded? Is it alright that that double standard applies? Where should energies be placed by institutions such as the NBA? Without taking sides for or against Phil Jackson, I think it's clear that many people of real criminal bent are associated with professional basketball. Maybe the NBA is dealing with all of them too, but there's always a question of priorities and publicity.

In the end, this incident is not a big deal. But I take a few moments of your time on it, because it represents for me the intersection of lightening up and tightening up. Is a joke sometimes just a joke? Or must we be vigilant for even the smallest insults? Or is Phil Jackson just not yet ready for prime time? Or...well, what do you think?

Sincerely,
Stephen Listfield,
slistfield@aol.com

From Our Rabbi, page 1

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