Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is a frequent object of ridicule around these parts, not always for the most serious of reasons, either.  But every once in a while, Cuban does something rather brave that no other sports franchise owner / billionaire public figure would dare.  But enough about green-lighting “Bubble”, Cuban’s been dealing with the fallout from Josh Howard’s flag-football diss of “The Star Spangled Banner”, and yesterday, tackled the controversy in a cut & paste manner that is sadly revealing, though not necessarily surprising. Be they Mavs fans, BlogMaverick readers or just plain numbskulls, the level of rage & invective these individuals aim towards Howard is nothing short of frightening.  Here’s just a couple of the lovely pieces of fan mail Cuban’s received :

[email protected]
to mark.cuban

œI don™t even celebrate that shit. I™m black.

You & Howard¦two peas in a pod.
Don™t think we™ve forgotten about that Brian De Palma anti-military propaganda film, œRedacted, that you produced, Cuban
Ya might tell Howard the next time you talk to him,  that if not for America, he™d probably be be throwing spears in Africa someplace instead of free-throws.

Semper Fi,
M.E. Heffernan

œJeff Kellen
To:   
Date:    09/18/2008 04:22 PM
Subject:    Ask Mark Cuban
Hi Mark,Did you know Josh Howard was an America hater when you signed him or was
it a surprise?I don™t spend my money on this NBA shit, I am white.
Thanks,

– Jeff

From:    œstephen rogers
To:   
Date:    09/17/2008 09:34 PM
Subject:    Ask Mark Cuban
Mr. Cuban,
Just saw your nigger Josh Howard  disresepct the national anthem because he is black. According to the news you say he is a really great guy. Of course he is because he makes you lots of money you greedy bastard.
You would rather sell out your own country that my dead father fought for in WW II than than lose a buck by firing this black bastard.
You are nothing more than a nigger slave owner milking him for all his black ass can get you.
YOU, SIR IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY. YOU AND THAT NIGGER YOU CALL NICE.
There™s lots of black dick on that team, get busy. White power is coming back because of race traitors like you.
Know what you get when you cross a nigger and a white nigger lover ? a  WHIGGER. THAT IS YOU !!!!
Mark WHIGGER Cuban. A White storm is brewing Mr. Cuban, you and those niggers like you better evacuate.

It’s hard to say which is more shocking about the above bits of correspondence ; the absolutely over-the-top racism or the fact someone remembers “Redacted”.