Sam Newman on same sex marriage, political correctness and what’s wrong with America

SAM Newman said Australia is “rooted” on Thursday night, but that’s not the most interesting observation to come out of his mouth this week.

Sam Newman has some interesting views.

SAM Newman said Australia is “rooted” on Thursday night, but that’s not the most interesting observation to come out of his mouth this week.

The AFL legend and Channel Nine Footy Show panellist was referring to a photo Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull posted at an AFL game, and he gave some other thought-provoking answers in an interview with former Labor leader Mark Latham on his program Mark Latham’s Outsiders this week.

In the chat Newman addressed matters such as the AFL’s involvement in the same sex marriage debate, political correctness, whether the Footy Show is offensive, Eddie McGuire’s dramas and what’s wrong with America.

ON AFL’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE SAME SEX MARRIAGE DEBATE

When told a rainbow flag was flying next to a Swans flag at the SCG during Sydney’s win over Essendon on Saturday Newman said the AFL should keep its nose out of the political arena.

“The AFL has set themselves up as the arbitrators of everything that’s righteous and proper in the world. They think they reflect public attitudes,” Newman said.

“People go to the football to get away from political agendas and I don’t know why we have any political agendas. I will save one agenda if you like and that’s the appeal for women’s breast cancer — if it’s about health (then it’s OK) but that’s about it.

“People go (to the football) to get away from the frustrations and barrage of political content from agenda seekers and that is their outlet and I honestly don’t know why they (the AFL) do it and I don’t know why there’s not a more strenuous demand for it to be left alone.”

ON THE PROBLEM WITH DIFFERENT OPINIONS

Not everyone agrees with Newman’s views.

Newman didn’t disclose whether he was for or against same sex marriage, saying it was a private matter and he didn’t want to engage in a debate. He said everyone has the right to their own opinion, but believes too many people are shot down for having differing views to those sprouted by the most vocal groups in society.

“The world is evolving and people have a right to be whoever they like. The only problem with that is if you do have an opinion one way or the other about gay marriage or whatever, you are condemned if you have a contrary opinion to those who push an agenda,” Newman said.

“You are branded one of those three great things — either a sexist, a racist or a homophobe — and of course what’s creeping into the lexicon now is you are a bigot and a white supremacist because you might have a difference in opinion with those who have a right to have their opinion.

“Never forget this — an opinion is neither right or wrong, it’s only an opinion.”

ON POLITICAL CORRECTNESS: ‘DELUSIONAL MINORITY’

“Maybe they’ve heard of (former US president) Harry Truman who said political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, analogical minority,” Newman said.

“Political correctness is almost cringe-worthy. For those who are partially educated it’s annoying really because you stifle any meaningful conversation you want to have about someone or something because you are intimidated into not having it.

“(In Victoria) There are a couple of councils who have cancelled Australia Day because they don’t believe we should celebrate the fact Europeans came to this country. I’m from part of European settlement, I like to celebrate Australia Day and we are inclusive.

“There’s plenty of examples of being politically correct that are really just driven by people with agendas and people who have a political point to make. They’re the vocal minority running the world — just have a look at what’s happening in the States.”

ON AMERICA’S ‘HOLLYWOOD ELITE’: ‘PSYCHOTIC ANARCHISTS’

Newman appeared to take aim at those who have blasted Donald Trump supporters.

He might not like the political correctness he sees in Australia, but Newman is no fan of what’s going on in America either.

“People use the term racism at the drop of a hat for expedience. Racism is if you defile, degrade or decry someone, think you’re superior than them or try to control them — none of those things are ever when you’re accused of racism. None of those things ever come into it, it’s just one of those catchphrases that rolls of the tongue,” Newman said.

“The Hollywood elite exploits it beautifully. The Hollywood elite are a disgrace, what they’re doing in America.

“They are nothing more than psychotic, treacherous anarchists. Most of them are mentally unstable and half of them are on opioids and just speak absolute nonsense about their country and it’s frightening to see what’s going on over there.”

ON HERITIER LUMUMBA’S RACISM CLAIMS

Heritier Lumumba has spoken out against racism in the AFL.

Former Collingwood and Melbourne star Heritier Lumumba has spoken out recently about the ingrained culture of racism within AFL clubs, claiming he was nicknamed “Chimp” for many years at the Pies.

“Harry (Lumumba was formerly called Harry O’Brien) of course exploits the narrative and gets away with what he says because people don’t wish to challenge him or what he believes in because you automatically get pigeonholed into one of those three areas (sexist, racist or a homophobe) that I suggested,” Newman said.

“He’s entitled to his opinion, he would not be aware of the fact that I could not care less about what he thinks about me and that’s a fact ... I have no interest in him at all so it’s probably mutual.”

Newman also addressed accusations the Footy Show can be racist and sexist.

“We’re crude and gratuitous but we are the most non-discriminatory show on television. We don’t have parody or satire with people based on their race, their ethnicity, their sex or their gender. We just have a go at everyone,” he said.

“We are into parody and satire on our show, we take the piss out of every section of society — we try to — we don’t take ourselves too seriously. The first people we have a go at are ourselves and we think everyone’s fair game after that.

“Sometimes we step over the mark and that is one of the legacies of doing live television.”

ON EDDIE MCGUIRE’S CONTROVERSY

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire found himself in hot water last year.

Collingwood president and media personality Eddie McGuire was heavily criticised last year for saying he’d pay $50,000 to see female AFL journalist Caroline Wilson stay under freezing water. Latham said McGuire should never have apologised for what was clearly a joke, while Newman blamed “agenda seekers” for the uproar.

“That’s the pressure — he (McGuire) has to remain credible, he’s a captain of industry. He has to remain at the forefront of his career and what he does and they are the community standards his employer requires he adhere to,” Newman said.

“That was completely hijacked by the agenda seekers because exactly the same comments were made on a different radio station but because it was Eddie they like to tap into people who will get some mileage and get some oxygen.”