OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 21, 2021

Share Your Thoughts:

Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

TheMesaTribune.com | @EVTNow /EVTNow

Anonymity denigrates ESPN’s Sarver story

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ

Tribune Columnist

In my first newspaper job 30 years ago, I worked for higher-ups who were, to put it mildly, cretins. One boss, dead now, stood out for his screaming, insults, and the glee he took in being outrageously offensive. Part of my job was taking part in afternoon news meetings, where this head honcho presided over a discussion about what would make tomorrow’s page one. In one such meeting, the focus turned to a homicide committed in a poor part of the city. The big boss had a question. “What persuasion” was the dead man? Informed the victim was Black, he uttered a word I’ll never forget. “Next.” The killing was buried deep inside the paper. We all left there disgusted by where we worked and for whom. But nobody objected. I didn’t say a word. Maybe because this was the 1990s, or because I was a coward, new to the job and afraid to be fired. Regardless, I am ashamed to retell the story in print. I do so because, to hear ESPN tell it, working for the Phoenix Suns under owner Robert Sarver may be a lot like working for that despot – a bully, a misogynist, a racist. These are charges Sarver has denied through his attorneys, including in a lengthy denial released weeks before ESPN published its Nov. 4 story, written by senior writer Baxter Holmes. Holmes’ piece accuses Sarver of frequently using the n-word, including in the presence of Black employees like thenCoach Earl Watson. Holmes says he interviewed more than 70 former and current Suns employees, including executives and at least one co-owner. The story describes “a toxic and sometimes hostile workplace” during Sarver’s 17 years owning the Suns. Sarver’s denials have been emphatic. “I’ve never called anyone or any group of people the N-word, or referred to anyone or any group of people by the N-word, either verbally or in writing,” he said through his lawyers. “I don’t use that word. It is abhorrent and ugly and denigrating and against everything I believe in.” The NBA has hired law firm Wachtell Lipton to investigate the charges. Media reports indicate the investigators have offered team employees confidentiality in exchange for their participation in the investigation. That confidentiality bothers me, as does the confidentiality granted by ESPN to virtually every accuser in the story – essentially everyone quoted with the exception of Earl Watson, who Sarver fired only three games into the 2017 season, after a 48-point defeat that ranks as the worst opening night loss in NBA history. After three decades writing news, I understand the desire of sources to stay anonymous. But Holmes’ 70 interviewees are not risking their safety or lives in calling out Sarver. The former employees may be risking some career impact. The current Suns employees? They’d be risking a job they might be better off leaving, given the workplace they’ve described. Had ESPN’s sources used their names, they very well might have been hailed as heroes. In 2021, in the more supportive culture of whistleblowing that exists today, I’d say the chances were 50-50. Regardless, we will never know. Criticizing their anonymity is easy for me to do. It even brands me a hypocrite. After all, I didn’t have the fortitude to confront a bully when I had the chance, even anonymously. I’m still ashamed by that failure. I’ve never been a Sarver fan, so denigrating those who have attacked him feels uncomfortable. But I have come to feel strongly about speaking truth to power. Holmes’ story is thorough, but its rampant anonymity leads me to wonder how much of it is gospel truth. I think it’s better to put your name on the things you say. Every last word. ■

Energy hearing indicated Democratic reps’ hypocrisy

BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist

What is the strongest combination in the history of “Filmdom?” The combination fused together tighter than popcorn and hot butter is Hollywood and the American Left. The closeness between Tinseltown’s “creative community” and the political causes supported therein can be found in the plot lines of major motion pictures and television shows, the high-dollar donations lavished on Democrat candidates, and the sheer “star power” that energizes campaigns when a candidate’s charisma is in short supply. Hollywood has even contributed one of its terms from the film industry lexicon: projection. Production runs its course on location and the sound stage; projection is the “perpetual process.” Whether in a theater, at a drive-in, or via video, films depend on projection for viewing and ultimately, for revenue. But in “Hollywood for the cosmetically challenged”— the place we commonly call Washington, D.C.— politics provides a different meaning for “projection.” In a recent column, Victor Davis Hanson describes it as “the psycho-political syndrome of attributing all of one’s own sins to one’s opponents.” Examples abound. One of the most vexing problems we face as a nation is now called “Bidenflation.” In less than one year, Ol’ Joe and his crew have triggered an inflationary spiral by clamping down on energy production, shutting down domestic pipelines and imposing even more excessive regulation on the oil and gas industry. Democrat poll numbers have tanked. Under the guise of oversight, Democrat Reps. Carolyn Maloney of New York and Ro Khanna of California held a hearing titled “Fueling the Climate Crisis: Exposing Big Oil’s Disinformation Campaign.” This Democrat duo hopes to evade the jaws of defeat, having ignored the actions of “The Biden Bunch,” but impugned energy companies. Maloney, chair of the House Oversight Committee, made it clear she would overlook any cogent responses offered by the energy executives “invited” to testify, as in her scripted remarks she claimed that those executives were obviously lying. Maloney chose to define differences of opinion as devious deceptions – even when some who testified agreed that there is, in fact, climate change – but not to the apocalyptic degree enshrined in Democrat dogma. One glaring omission in this “oversight” hearing was obviously a deliberate oversight: the extent to which energy dollars have fueled the campaigns of Maloney and the personal fortune of Khanna. Nonpartisan campaign finance watchdogs have documented that the New York congresswoman has taken campaign contributions totaling over $100,000 from the energy industry—including $12,000 from oil and gas interests for next year’s midterms—even after signing a “no fossil fuel” pledge in the last election cycle. In attempting to publicly shame energy executives, Maloney believes it will deflect attention from her oil-soaked campaign coffers, which at one point had her ranked ninth among all 435 House members. seeHAYWORTH page 21

Khanna obviously believed that he took his “star turn” during the hearing when he demanded that oil executives commit to an “independent audit to verify that none of [their] funds are going to climate denial.” He never speaks publicly about the energy investments found in his family’s ample portfolio.

“Newsweek” recently reported that Khanna’s family purchased between $30,000 and $100,000 in stock from Chevron and ExxonMobil. That same report states that they also purchased $3,003 to $45,000 worth of shares in natural gas companies.

Those revelations have put Rep. Khanna on the defensive, but still he’s in denial. How else to explain that oil and gas have made up as much as $1.6 million of assets in his fortune? He now claims he’s divesting from the fossil fuel industry, but his recent campaign reports record over $11,000 in oil contributions for the current cycle.

No one is claiming that either member of this Democrat duo is laundering funds – just pointing out that they’re both stuck in a permanent “spin cycle. ■

Mariposa Point of Mesa is now Sky Vista, an MBK Senior Living community!

With our new ownership comes a new name. By referencing Skyline Park, our new name pays homage to our local Mesa community and the beauty that surrounds us. Rest assured that while our name has changed, our people and passionate approach remain the same. With over 30 years of experience and a portfolio of 34 locations in 6 different states, MBK has utilized its unmatched experience to develop innovative programming that focuses on high-quality service, enrichment, and a culture of genuine care. Experience the MBK difference today.

1248 S. Crismon Rd., Mesa, AZ 85209 • (480) 448-5465 • SkyVista@mbk.com ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

Explore Saguaro Lake on a tour boat cruise. Beautiful sightseeing tours daily.

Desert Belle has been cruising the waters of Saguaro Lake for over fi fty years. Relax in air-conditioned comfort on one of her 80 minute narrated cruises and see exotic Arizona wildlife, towering canyon walls and dramatic desert vitas. Available Cruises Include Narration Cruise, Live Music Cruise, Wine Cruise.