Bonehead of the Week

[StandOnIt]

It probably does belong there. I just think a handful of posters rule over everything down there and thoughtful responses are rare.
I am not trying to send this thread to the podium I am just an old codger (dare I say) trying to understand Dye's situation.

Here is Dye's situation. He is free to go elsewhere and race for a racing organization that doesn't have a rule like this OR he is given a pathway back by the Nascar organization for reinstatement. Probably there could be a court battle about it. Just about everything is these days.

Dye, driver of the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Ram in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, was penalized under Section 4.3.C in the NASCAR Rule Book, which states in part, “NASCAR Members shall not make … a public statement or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.”

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Exactly, deal with the competition side and leave the rest to the team and their sponsors

Because he's representing NASCAR too.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Question, if Dye had mocked SVG with an Australian accent would the consequences be different?
This is the type of thing that happens that I don't really understand and I am curious as to what's the difference.

If Dye was making fun of just the accent itself, without inferring anything about SVG's personal life beyond his way of speaking, there probably wouldn't any actions from sponsors, team, or NASCAR. How SVG would take it probably depends on how well it was done and what words were quoted.

Make fun of me for being a bird nerd. Take shots at me because network administrators don't do 'real' work. Run your mouth about me being a short fat old white man. Crack on National Guardsmen as 'weekend warriors' in the most derogatory sense of the phrase. All of those are demonstrable aspects of my public life. I've probably been slammed better than most here can do and laughed back at much of it.

Don't go with stuff that has no basis in reality because you make incorrect assumptions with no supporting evidence.

 

[StandOnIt]

If Dye was making fun of just the accent itself, without inferring anything about SVG's personal life beyond his way of speaking, there probably wouldn't any actions from sponsors, team, or NASCAR. How SVG would take it probably depends on how well it was done and what words were quoted.

Make fun of me for being a bird nerd. Take shots at me because network administrators don't do 'real' work. Run your mouth about me being a short fat old white man. Crack on National Guardsmen as 'weekend warriors' in the most derogatory sense of the phrase. All of those are demonstrable aspects of my life. I've probably been slammed better than most here can do and laughed back at much of it. Don't go with stuff that has no basis in reality because you make incorrect assumptions with no supporting evidence.

You are way far away from what Dye was suspended for. Read their rule.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

You are way far away from what Dye was suspended for. Read their rule.

Yeah, I wandered a bit. But you're correct, rules are rules. Failure to enforce them leaves the door open further violation and accusations of inconsistent standards. Violations require penalties, the same as a loose lug nut or unauthorized test sessions. There's no expectation to leave it up to teams and sponsors to penalize pit road speeding.

 

[StandOnIt]

Yeah, I wandered a bit. But you're correct, rule are rules. Failure to enforce them leaves the door open further violation and accusations of inconsistent standards. Violations require penalties, the same as a loose lug nut or unauthorized test sessions.

What you said above in most work places would at the very least get you a talking too by the powers that be in that organization. Harassing an employee and letting it go could get them sued in a court of law by the employee who was being harassed. But it doesn't apply here IMO. This is a black and white rule written by Nascar.
But hey we could argue about did Dye get a copy of the latest addition of Nascar's rule book?

 

[Formerjackman]

I believe that far too many people are far too sensitive about someone making a little fun at their expense. That is why Blazing Saddles is one of the greatest movies of all time, because it makes fun of EVERYONE, all at the same time. That being said, when you are being paid to represent other companies, everything you do or say reflects on that organization, and you have to adjust your behavior accordingly. Been there, done that, STILL doing it in a different form. Dye should have known better.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

That is why Blazing Saddles is one of the greatest movies of all time, because it makes fun of EVERYONE, all at the same time.

That's how Don Rickles got away with his act. Off stage, he was said to be the nicest man in the entertainment industry. On stage, no one was singled out because literally everyone was fired upon unmercifully. It was like singers today honored to be parodied by Weird Al - stars would go to Don's shows with the goal of being insulted.

 

[DIDIT]

I have read all the replies and the rules. That’s helped some. It's nice to see thoughtful replies.