Head Coach Dan Muller's Tweet

[WuDrWu]

Has raised the ire of some (certainly not all) Redbird fans.

We don't have to talk about it, I just found it interesting.

To summarize, Coach Muller tweeted that "I love Chick-fil-a! Love their food and love what they stand for" over the weekend.

It has since been deleted apparently.

I know most are polarized here, but it's funny to see the hate from those that oppose what they've HEARD or SURMISED that the owner's of CFA espouse.

I realize this discussion isn't for everyone. So be it. If HCGM tweeted that, what would your response be? Should coaches stay away from all forms of social media, to avoid incidents like this completely, or do you do what the kids are doing and take your chances?

I feel it's an interesting debate.

ISU Thread

[SubGod22]

I've read all 17 pages over there on that tweet. I don't personally see anything wrong with what he posted, but some have jumped straight to the conclussion that Muller hates gays instead of believing he values the Christian values/principles that CFA was built on. But even if you want to jump to the point where you say he's supporting Cathy's stance on believing what the Bible says, it doesn't make either of them hate filled. It's a complex issue that members on both sides refuse to see and it turns into extreme "dialogue" that doesn't serve a purpose. It appears it was only deleted after an ISU fan emailed the AD (or someone above the coach).

I had this debate on the Facebook page of a liberal friend of mine back when all the CFA stuff first hit. I was reading through some of her friends comments on it and they were so hate filled that I had to jump in and present the thoughts from the other side of things. Most of them took the time to read what I was saying and backed off the hate filled talk and I think were able to at least understand where many on the other side of things stand and what they believe. That doesn't mean I won them over, but at least they were intelligent enough to take the time to see the other side of things. We didn't have to agree on the final positions, but we could understand where each other were coming from and ended up having a long, civil discussion over it. A few of them said they'd vote for me if I ran for POTUS even if I did have conservative beliefs.

All the extreme talks from either side on a number of issues does nobody any good. We don't have to agree on everything but we can have civil discourse without it falling into extremes and lumping everyone that doesn't agree with your position a hater, nazi, racist etc... I try to understand others points of view as much as possible. Hell, I've even argued/debated things that I don't personally believe just to hear what someone else has to say about an issue or topic. Or simply because I wanted a friend to see things from another perspective even if I agreed with them.

To sum up, Muller didn't do anything wrong, but people of all walks of life simply look for controversy wherever they can, even if they have to invent it.

[RoyalShock]

If you're a public figure, it is wise not to make public comments that relate to subjects that aren't relevant to your area of fame.

It's why actors and performers shouldn't publicly comment on politics. I may admire some for their positions, but they will surely alienate a significant portion of their fans.

I dislike Muller less for his statements, but he probably didn't do himself any favors.

[RoyalShock]

I just read the first few pages of that Redbird thread. There are some coming very close to saying a litmus test should be passed (support of "marriage equality") if you want to be employed by a public university.

That's some scary stuff and a perfect example of how the supposedly tolerant aren't tolerant at all. Come to find out, they're just as bad as those they condemn.

[SHOCKvalue]

Sad what "open-mindedness" and "tolerance" really looks like, fleshed out.

Reminds me of an old quote by William Buckley:

"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views."

[WuDrWu]

It's a tough issue in that regard @RoyalShock:. I agree that it's something that public figures probably are better off if they keep to themselves.

That being said, what's the old saying? If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything? I think it's refreshing to see people support what they believe is right. It most certainly does not mean they are trampling the rights of others. That's what frustrates this person.

[SubGod22]

It's a tough issue in that regard @RoyalShock. I agree that it's something that public figures probably are better off if they keep to themselves.

That being said, what's the old saying? If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything? I think it's refreshing to see people support what they believe is right. It most certainly does not mean they are trampling the rights of others. That's what frustrates this person.

Royal is correct in that it can be a poor move from a PR standpoint, but if you have a strong belief/conviction you shouldn't shy away from it. I think what irritates me with a lot of celebs is that they act like they know better tha everyone else and fall into some of what I posted above. There are liberal celebs I have no beef with even though I don't agree politically and then there are guys like Sean Penn who attack those who don't believe all that he does. Too many celebs can be like that and I don't see Muller doing such.

[LandStander]

Social psychology tells us arguing will not change someone's perspective only solidify it.

[wu_shizzle]

[wufan]

... I try to understand others points of view as much as possible. Hell, I've even argued/debated things that I don't personally believe just to hear what someone else has to say about an issue or topic. Or simply because I wanted a friend to see things from another perspective even if I agreed with them.

Me too! I don't need someone to agree with me, but it's important to me (for some reason) that they conceded that there are other equally valid views on the situation…for instance, I am happy to argue a creationist perspective in the evolution debate, though I am not a creationist.

[Capitol Shock II]

I am for tortilla chips and guacamole. At least right at this minute.

[DwShock]

I'm upset that the tweet has been deleted. What ever happens to the constitutional right of free speech?

[SubGod22]

I'm upset that the tweet has been deleted. What ever happens to the constitutional right of free speech?

Too many of their fans were bitching about it and the University appears to have chosen to get rid of it. Don't know if he was told to or if it was recommended that he did, but I'd hate to have an employer that was going to dictate everything I could or couldn't do. Especially if I didn't say anything wrong but people wanted to twist it to fit their agenda.

A point to how things can get twisted, ridiculously, someone on the ISU board actually said that Muller used an anti-gay "code" when introducing an AC by calling him a "good family man".

[ripemupshocks]

I'm upset that the tweet has been deleted. What ever happens to the constitutional right of free speech?

Congress didn't pass a law abridging his freedom of speech. His employer made him remove a tweet they felt could be harmful to the employers reputation. Employers do this everyday. In fact, people are fired from their jobs everyday for things they say on social media sites that have absolutly nothing to do with their jobs, but their employer feels could could hurt the employers reputation.

[DwShock]

If he made the post on a school account then yes they can remove it. But if it was on his personal account they shouldn't be allowed to say a word about it.