Donald Sterling fucked himself, fair and square

In the pathetic backlash of Donald Sterling's life-time ban from the NBA, claims of "what the real point is" are hitting the internet. For example, Allen B. West's article called "Folks, you're missing the point about Donald Sterling" raises the issue of rights to privacy, whether or not the recording of Sterling's racist comments was legal, and how wrong it is that a court of public opinion can deprive a citizen of rights to property and the pursuit of happiness.

First of all, Donald Sterling has not been charged with any crime. While his girlfriend may possibly face some sort of charges concerning the recorded conversation, Sterling himself does not. Illegally recorded conversations cannot be used against someone to convict them of a crime, and since Sterling is not being accused of a crime, the legality of the recording is irrelevant. Additionally, Sterling has not been deprived of anything as of yet, except the ability the show his pig face in public with impunity.

Another point that West raises in his article is the contentious relationship between Sterling's girlfriend (who recorded the conversation at issue) and his wife. West attempts to discredit the validity of the recording by pointing out the "potential nefarious motive" of the girlfriend. Really? Sterling's GIRLFRIEND doesn't get along with his WIFE? Of course she doesn't, and even if she did, secretly recording conversations doesn't exactly project the image of a healthy relationship - the act itself was obviously not motivated by some sort of altruistic notion of improving the life and welfare of Donald Sterling. 

Admittedly, releasing secretly recorded conversations to TMZ raises questions of credibility and ethics, as does a "potential nefarious motive." The girlfriend could have plausibly set Sterling up, altered the recording, taken his words out of context, and this might have deflected the impact of the recording on Sterling...if he hadn't admitted that it was his voice on the recording. To the best of my knowledge, he also hasn't denied saying any of the things he was recorded saying. You know why? Because he doesn't think there is anything wrong with what he said. Why should he? Until now, there have been no real consequences of his bigotry. 

Which brings me to another point being raised in Sterling's defense: if people have known he was a racist for years and years, why is he being "punished" for it now? Because of opportunity: this is the moment in time when the stars aligned staunchly against Donald Sterling. There have been allegations of his racism before, but no one has been willing to call him to task on it. Racism, up to this point, has been largely excused by the American public. If there has been any way to sweep it under the rug, that's what happens, because no one wants to "go there." 

But we have entered a new era in the United States, one in which bigotry and hatred and ignorance are no longer socially acceptable, and therefore, no longer socially tolerated. Additionally, the willingness of operations like TMZ to disseminate controversial information gives the American public a fairly novel platform upon which to make such judgments. The fact that Sterling's girlfriend apparently had enough of his bullshit to make the secret recording at this particular time in history could be seen as an intervention by fate to create the perfect storm of comeuppance.

What happened with Donald Sterling is not a slippery slope threatening constitutional rights; it does not signify a willingness to compromise due process solely on someone's personal views; it doesn't threaten the privacy of individuals; it has not given the court of public opinion a legally binding gavel. 

What happened with Donald Sterling is a direct consequence of Donald Sterling being a gigantic narcissistic asshole, nothing more and nothing less. Karma's a bitch, and so is Donald Sterling.