Donald Sterling, racist NBA owner--a heretical view

So--the owner of the LA Clippers was recorded this weekend making racist comments, and now there's a lot of outrage, demands that Sterling be stripped of his team.  And that's all wrong.

Don't get me wrong.  Racism is sad.  It's bad, and as a society, we should strive to educate our kids to eliminate it wherever practical.  Sterling's paid money in fines for discrimination before--so I have no doubt he said these vile things.

However:

1 - Should someone--whether Sterling, you, or me--have the right to say what he wants in his own home?  I've threatened to kill people in talks with my wife--including running them over with a  car and backing up to make sure I got them.  I didn't do it.  But in my house, shouldn't I be able to speak freely--even if my views are horrid?

Sterling's comments were recorded in his own home.  Have we sunk to the point as a society when it is acceptable to tape someone without their knowledge to achieve this sort of end (removal from the league)??  That's a sad comment.

2 - People are demanding the NBA Commissioner boot Sterling.  Of course, they should realize that power doesn't belong to the NBA commissioner.   He can't boot Sterling, not without all the other owners agreeing to change the rules, but that sets a precedent.  What will the line in the future be for removing an owner?

3 - There's a ton of outrage now at what Sterling said.  Why?  Where have people been for the past 20+ years.  He's spouted this crap longer than that.  He's KNOWN to be racist across the league, so why now?  What's different this time--because his comments are more than similar to his past comments.

4 - Sterling was supposed to receive his SECOND lifetime achievement award from the NAACP.  Seriously.  A known racist.  What does this tell us about an organization like the NAACP?  Sadly--it says "His money is as green as anybody else's."  Either the NAACP believed Sterling was a good man doing good deeds, or they determined that history-be-damned, we're taking his money and giving him a plaque for his efforts.

No one's looking good in this.
Looks like we've got more work to do for equality.