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Agree or disagree with Robert Sarver's message or motives….the man has guts. The spotlight glare of this series was plenty bright to begin with. Suns/Spurs, revenge/redemption, payback/Popovich/Parker. But now that the "Los Suns" era is upon us you can throw politics into the equation. Sarver's team will be on display for the entire nation to see tonight; even (or especially) to those who don't know or care that the Suns lead the series 1-0.

Something tells me CNN just took my seat in the press box. Forget what Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith have to say about this series, I'm dying to hear Bill O'Reilly and Keith Olbermann go back and forth on it.

Upon first hearing the about the "Los Suns" jerseys and the statement the Suns are making by wearing them, I won't lie to you, I wasn't a fan. The only "statement" I'm interested in is the one made by the Suns if they can go up 2-0 in the series with a win tonight and I don't want anything messing with that. The day before Game 2 against your biggest rival, the Suns potentially angered and alienated half their fan base. Pardon the pun, but I hope the Suns didn't just take their collective eyes off the prize. I've read plenty of Facebook messages and emails from fans who aren't happy the Suns and their politics.

I, too, don't like my sports and politics to be mixed up like some vodka martini. If I'm going to rail on Jesse Jackson and his letter to Bud Selig demanding he relocate the 2011 All Star Game, then - following that same logic - I have to do the same about "Los Suns".

All I crave out of my sports is….sports. Entertainment. An escape. I don't want a reminder about the real world, don't need one. I live in the real world, pay taxes in the real world, have publicly educated children in the real world, and vote in the real world.

When I watch a game I want to forget about the real world for two-and-a-half hours.

Is that too much to ask?

But the moment of epiphany I just had - literally just had as I was writing this - is that there is no escape. This is the world in which we live in. Tiger Woods isn't just a golfer; he's a morally flawed sex fiend who has been the headline act on TMZ.com for months now. Tim Tebow isn't just a quarterback; he's a deeply spiritual man who loves God, speaks out against abortion and doesn't care what you think about it. Green Day's American Idiot isn't just a CD; it's a condemnation of President George W. Bush. Avatar, The Hurt Locker and Up in the Air aren't just movies; they're statements about the environment, the war in Iraq and unemployment, respectively.

So what I've come to realize is that while I might not like it, I will choose not to be naďve about it either. It's here. Like it or not it's here. On one channel I've got Hannah Storm talking about illegal immigration on ESPN. On the other, I've got Fox News reporting on "Los Suns". At night it's Letterman bagging on my native state of Arizona. I'll have that vodka martini now, shaken and stirred; it appears I have no choice.

So I'll end this little rant the same way I began it. Sarver and the Suns could have done nothing at all. Could have skirted around the storm and nobody would have said a word about it. Instead they turned their sails into the wind knowing full well the squall was going rock the boat. You may not agree with the message or the messenger, but you have to appreciate the courage of both.

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  • Abuse
    Jeff J. wrote...
    Los Suns
    I don't have a problem with the Suns wearing their Los Suns jerseys to honor their latino fan base in honor of Cinco de Mayo, but I am greatly disappointed in the Suns for outwardly displaying their marked opposition to the new immigration law. The Suns are perpetuating the nationwide notion that the law promotes racial profiling; giving credence to the myriad false gossip regarding this law, when in fact it expressly states that racial profiling is not allowed. The allows local officials to enforce federal immigration laws that are already in place. What's the big deal?
  • Abuse
    voiceofreality wrote...
    Well
    said and agree. Perhaps he to benifits from the cheep labor and has his motives. Not so brave.
  • Abuse
    Jeff J. wrote...
    Los Suns
    I'm OK with the Suns honoring their latino fan base on Cinco de Mayo by wearing the 'Los Suns' jerseys, but I'm not OK with the Suns wearing the jerseys to make a political statement against the new Arizona immigration law. By doing so, they are perpetuating the false notion that the new immigration law encourages racial profiling, when in fact it expressly prohibits it. The new law simply allows local officials to enforce federal immigration laws that are already in place. What is wrong with that?
  • Abuse
    Peter L. wrote...
    Los Suns
    I agree with you Jeff. If people don't like the law, then they should go to their Representative that they voted for and take it up with them.
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    Asichacker wrote...
    Suns Slap Us All In The Face!!!
    Regardless of anyone's nationality, the Phoenix Suns have slapped every US citizen in the state right in the face. The arena that "The Suns" play in was paid for, and continues to be maintained by, the Legal Citizens of the State of Arizona that pay their TAXES! As a 24 year fan of "The Suns", I hate to say it...but I'm no longer a fan. Go Spurs! Go Anyone playing the Suns!
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    Peter L. wrote...
    Suns Slap Us All In the Face!!!
    So long Asichacker!
  • Abuse
    Justin S. wrote...
    Dear Fair Weather Fan,
    Asichacker- To go away from your loyalty as a Suns fan over this is ridiculous. A true fan is loyal regardless. js
  • Abuse
    Thecrow wrote...
    2 way street
    What about a little loyalty from the organization to the fans? They knew they would alienate a lot of their fans but didn't care. Loyalty is a two way street, unless you just don't hold anybody accountable anymore.
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    Kevin J. wrote...
    Go and be a Spurs fan!
    Go and be a Spurs fan! The Suns fan base doesn't need your ignorance. The Los Suns jersey has nothing to do with supporting Illegal Immigration, only support for the Latino community that Phx largely is! The Suns are saying they are opposed to how the State is handling the situation and could possibly lead to racial profiling, that's all! If you can't see that, then that's a YOU problem! You belong to the Spurs crowd with your idiocy. Where did you get that the Suns are pro-illegals? I'm all for the AZ Law but unlike you, I can clearly differentiate my own stance from theirs.
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    Jeff J. wrote...
    I disagree
    When asked, Sarver stated specifically that the reason for wearing the 'Los Suns' jerseys was to show their opposition to SB1070 and NOT to honor the latino community on Cinco de Mayo.
  • Abuse
    BDawg2421 wrote...
    true, but not the time
    I agree with you, but i just don't think this is time to do this. this is a big game and if they lose, they are going to be scrutinized for worrying about anything other than the game tonight. It might make sense for Sarver because he doesn't have to play, but these guys need to be focused on the game.
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    azreba wrote...
    suns slap us in the face
    Asichacker..I agree with everything you said up until your statment of no longer being a fan..true fans stand by even through adversity. You my friend, are a fair weather fan.
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    azus2010 wrote...
    He's a smart fan..
    These Los Sols need to keep to basketball. They will loose their fan base. But maybe they can fill their seats with illegals? Give away free tickets. My only hope is that someday they can experience an auto hit and run accident. Have an illegal hit them, leave the accident scene. And then they will have to pay all costs. Oh I forgot..They have millions$$$$ so it really doesn't matter, does it. Only the peasants (fans) have to pay with increasing insurance costs and medical costs due to illegals, and live with it every day! So long Suns!
  • Abuse
    James C. wrote...
    Courage?
    I think maybe you are confused as to what courage is. Courage - the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. Here's a word that I think better describes Sarver's comments. Tendentious - having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose.
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    Jimmy L. wrote...
    Suns Just Lost a Fan
    Hey Sarver, you just lost a 20 year fan. There is no courage here, you are speaking from your pocketbook. 70% of Arizona residents like 1070. 23% dont like it... who knows if they even are here legally?
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    Paddy B wrote...
    Los Suns
    There's a time and a place for everything, but a basketball court is no place to spew politics. It is disgraceful for the Phoenix Suns to turn the court into a political arena. When I go to a Suns game, I want to see one thing: a basketball game. A talk show host on another station wondered if the Suns don't think immigrants need documents, how they'd like it if we attended the game without tickets. Betcha they wouldn't!
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    Minuteman wrote...
    "The NBA Where Bias Happens"
    the new NBA slogan. As they have said they represent 43 different countries by wearing only one jersey. They are being bias to the latino community and not representing the other 42 countries. I find that deplorable, America is about diversity not pandering to one ethnicity over the others.
    Protect our borders and our communities
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    Jarrod P. wrote...
    Not well thought Out
    The Suns actions have not been well thought out. I am ok with Los Suns jerseys, especially on Cinco de Mayo and especially in a city with a large Hispanic community. They are a business. Lest you think Sarver really has deep seeded interest in this bill. Sarver has his thoughts on making the largest demographic on the city of Phoenix happy. He is a businessman doing what he can to make sure his business stays successful.The display tonight will go further to make Hispanics happy than it will to make non-Hispanics upset. I still think that sports and politics shouldn't mix.
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    Jim Sanson wrote...
    @ Dave Burns
    I hate to say this, but the suns lose tonight, and lose the series. I do not want this, but if they are not 100% focused on the prize- taking out the Spurs to play for the Western Championship then they will fail. Please make me eat my words. I am a total SUNS fan. I love them. However, they need to leave the 1070 alone until the season is over- fair? You know the NBA commerical Focus- it is so true- the SUNS have lost focus...
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    CPalmer wrote...
    Without a ticket
    So, would it be OK with the SUNS if somehow I was to sneak in to the Arena to watch the game without a ticket? Would I get thrown out? Would I be asked to show my ticket?
    "If you do drugs, you are just as much of a low-life as the Drug-Dealing Mexicans you are always bashing"
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    javier g. wrote...
    aswome!!!!
    Nailed it!!!!
  • Abuse
    HawaiianTime . wrote...
    Sarver
    Never thought to put it in perspective I guess. Good analogy. Stick to basket ball Sarver, Nash, Grant. Until you face the community as part of this community, than you don't know where this community is coming from.
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