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Ex-NBA Player to Haitians: 'Use Condoms'

Paul Shirley snidely offers 'kudos to poorest in hemisphere'

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 27, 2010 4:36 AM CST
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(Newser) – Former NBA player and sometimes ESPN contributor Paul Shirley tells Haitians to "use a condom once in a while" and snidely offers "kudos on developing the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere" in an open diatribe posted on the Flip Collective. Shirley, who played for the Phoenix Suns, explains that he won't give money to the nation "for the same reason I don't give money to homeless men on the street."

He insists it was crazy to put 10 million people on an island threatened by hurricanes and earthquakes. "Shouldn't much of the responsibility for the disaster lie with the victims of that disaster?" he asks. Responses to Shirley's post have been mostly scathing. Writes one reader: "Yeah, the Haitians 'chose' to build their homes on that island if by chose” you mean they were put in chains and shipped to that island to work as slaves."

Paul Shirley poses on the beach in Menorca, Spain, where he is now playing with a professional basketball team there.
Paul Shirley poses on the beach in Menorca, Spain, where he is now playing with a professional basketball team there.   (AP Photo/Villard, Kiko Martinez)
Paul Shirley in his glory days.
Paul Shirley in his glory days.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 40 comments
gonzo1390
Jan 29, 2010 12:51 PM CST
cmon guys, really? sure, there are widespread social and political issues in Haiti, but, if you examine the reasons behind those problems you see that very little of the responsibility lies with the people of Haiti. they don't choose to live in extreme poverty, that is just the hand that life dealt them. the fact is that they are people, human beings, and their lives have just as much value as yours and mine. don't be a heartless prick and don't take for granted that you were fortunate enough to be born in a wealthy country.
Fondue
Jan 29, 2010 2:39 AM CST
And another 16% are Protestants.
spraynard
Jan 28, 2010 11:28 AM CST
@atomick - ALEISTER crowley. And wasn't he a cult leader? Hardly a great example of "non religious." @kokua&rob - most of those voodooinites are also catholic

 
NBA • Chicago Bulls • Haiti • Iowa Hawkeyes • earthquake • hurricanes • Haiti disaster • Paul Shirley

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