"We didn't vote for Bush"

[jonottawa]

I don't know if this has been linked already, but I liked this article.

 

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...ed=rss.jcarroll

[han]

Enough!

 

I thought it was in bad taste but I thought if they felt strongly about it they need to do it. Who knew you could find 6 bridge players who agree on anything in politics.

Punishment has already exceeded the crime. Time served. Time to forgive, love and move on, please. Justice has been served, time for love.

♥ Mike.

[stacy]

How do I earn my living?  Protecting the proper enforcement of the United States Constitution and of the Ohio Constitution.  If you believe that these documents have added to humanity, then I suppose I'm doing a lot more than most.

Judging from the 2004 Election controversy, you're not very good at your job.

Jon -- not okay to get this kind of personal.

[peterh]

there are people out there who think it is nice to wear T-Shirts with "jdonn smells"

I would probably buy about 10 of those shirts.

 

reminds me of the old story of the australian in london. he went to marks and spencers and asked for 7 pairs of underpants.The lass behind the counter said "why 7 ?" 1 for every day of the week."

Jdonn soon followed and asked for a dozen ! " why a dozen ?" she asked .

He replied January February March .......

[Rain]

This actually made the Singapore papers :D

[kenrexford]

How do I earn my living?  Protecting the proper enforcement of the United States Constitution and of the Ohio Constitution.  If you believe that these documents have added to humanity, then I suppose I'm doing a lot more than most.

Judging from the 2004 Election controversy, you're not very good at your job.

Jon -- not okay to get this kind of personal.

No big deal. I found it actually quite funny.

 

Plus, the 900 arrests per year that were occurring in Cleveland for two laws that had remained on the books until I arrived, reduced to 0 after I arrived and successfully challenged them, gives me quite a few counter votes to jonottawa. LOL Lots of additional stories, of course.

[jonottawa]

How do I earn my living?  Protecting the proper enforcement of the United States Constitution and of the Ohio Constitution.  If you believe that these documents have added to humanity, then I suppose I'm doing a lot more than most.

Judging from the 2004 Election controversy, you're not very good at your job.

Jon -- not okay to get this kind of personal.

No big deal. I found it actually quite funny.

 

Plus, the 900 arrests per year that were occurring in Cleveland for two laws that had remained on the books until I arrived, reduced to 0 after I arrived and successfully challenged them, gives me quite a few counter votes to jonottawa. LOL Lots of additional stories, of course.

Glad to hear it, Ken. The number of people our government incarcerates for trivial offenses is a disgrace. Good on you for doing your part to reduce that number somewhat.

 

Welcome to the forums, Stacy. Nice to see you posting.

 

I'd be happy to discuss with you privately, or on either of our respective blogs, whether it was too personal or not. But I've been asked politely to cut back on posts that stir up controversy and any detailed response I might make here might do that. I'll just say I wouldn't have made a post like that to someone I didn't have a history of 'back and forth' with and hopefully we can leave it at that.

[Bridge_Bain]

Their sign reads likes a personal statement, probably to the other bridge players at the event. It has no element of what I consider a political statement like “Stop the War Now”, “Get Out of Iraq”, “Fund health Care for all”,. “Vote for Hillary”, or “I Don’t Approve of Bush, Just Like 75% of Americans Don’t.

 

Would everyone be in the same uproar if each woman had worn a Pink Ribbon to show their support for Breast Cancer Research. What if they wore two ribbons where the second one was Red for AIDS Research? Do these types of personal statements also deserve sanctions?

 

Clearly, the USBF does not have a clearly defined dress policy or specific uniform the members must wear. Until they do create such a policy that clearly states what is acceptable to display on their person in any public place at the tournament, any talk of sanctions it completely out of line.

[owlhouse]

Hi all, and what is the White House saying to all this commotion?

[SchTsch]

I don't have the time to read the whole topic now, but I have to comment this, so if you have already discussed the issue before please tell me on which page.

 

As far as I know, bridge is the part of the Olympic Movement.

Therefore, the relevant documents should be the Olympic Charter and the Olympic Code of Ethics.

If you look at the Olympic Charter, in force since 2004, you can find several statements:

Fundamental Principles of Olympism:

....

5. Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person

on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is

incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.

 

Furthermore in chapter 16 Members it is written:

.....

1.3 The IOC admits its new members at a ceremony during

which they agree to fulfil their obligations by taking the

following oath:

“Granted the honour of becoming a member of the

International Olympic Committee, and declaring myself

aware of my responsibilities in such capacity, I undertake

to serve the Olympic Movement to the very best of my

ability; to respect and ensure the respect of all the

provisions of the Olympic Charter and the decisions of

the International Olympic Committee, which I consider as

not subject to appeal on my part; to comply with the

Code of Ethics; to keep myself free from any political or

commercial influence and from any racial or religious

consideration; to fight against all other forms of

discrimination; and to promote in all circumstances the

interests of the International Olympic Committee and

those of the Olympic Movement.”

 

 

So, there is a Code of Ethics that has been violated by this act.

[glen]

... The IOC admits its new members at a ceremony ...

Sadly at this ceremony, team members had a small sign that said "we didn't vote for this charter", thus are off the hook

 

This reminds me of the nightmare I had the other night. I was stuck in the basement of dreams lamenting my chances of a bridge world championship, when my fairy godmum appeared, turned the pumpkin into Kokish, five mice into teammates, and gave me bifocal glasses. Days later, I was in the finals playing a slam when I noticed the clock go to noon – this was midnight back home. The glasses slipped off my face and broke, causing my partner to squeak. I should have read the small print.

[demeter]

The awards ceremony in Shanghai was a completely inappropriate venue for expression of personal or political views.

 

Any personal or political view. It didn't matter what the sign said per se, it could have said "Free Mumia" or "Hillary Rocks" and it would have been equally stupid and offensive.

 

I was reminded of Sally Field's recent unintelligible political ramble when she accepted an award at the Oscars.

 

You don't take your 15 minutes of fame or moment of glory in the spotlight of your profession or your "sport" to make such gestures.

 

You demean the grandeur of your moment in the sun.

[klutzygirl]

I think it's up to the individual to decide whether or not their moment of glory is "demeaned."

 

Although I understand some people being upset, I must strongly disagree with Roland's call for sanctions. When things get so bad that you're hoping your top rulers will be imprisoned, you become distraught and desperate. And confused--remember that few of us ever envisioned what our beloved country has become. Just as we should not equate Muslims with Islamic fundamentalist terrorists, it's terribly important that the rest of the world understands that the American presidential administration does not represent America or the American people. 75% of us want Bush, Cheney, and Rice out NOW!

[gifster]

It's tasteless and inappropriate to such an obvious extreme that no one would even think of passing a rule against it. Why not "VOTE FOR JOE BLOW" or "DRINK COCA COLA" etc etc. ANY sign or personal statement-even "support world peace" just doesn't fit into this kind of event...I'm not proud I'm a bridge player,a US citizen, or an American if this is appropriate behavior for MY representative-- no matter WHAT the sign said. Their views belong ONLY to them---PERIOD

[Walddk]

Although I understand some people being upset, I must strongly disagree with Roland's call for sanctions.

I recommended a reprimand and an apology in one of my early posts. Sure, you may call that sanctions. On the other hand, it should be something everyone can live with.

 

Roland

[judy3]

Who but Americans would make such a poster? Can anyone see a group from anyother country making such a poster? Think about it. It is true that we have freedom of speech, but why would Americans act in such a manner? I would hope that regardless of political opinions, we would be Americans first. What has happened to patriotism, but more importantly, manners? How sad that these women would act in such a way. I compare them to the Dixie Chicks. Maybe they should just leave the USA. B)

[demeter]

I think it's up to the individual to decide whether or not their moment of glory is "demeaned."

 

Actually, it's not.

[SillyBily]

Americans are lucky. They get to vote every 4 years and their votes count. If this protest was staged by burmese monks or even russians - I mean people who wanted to draw world's attention to the problem which was eating them up, and they simply coudn't do anything by ballot box or couldn't voice their disgust in their own country without being shot at or sent to proson - then I would have understood. But burmese monks or russians - once abroad, they just stay abroad :P

When u represent your country - you get SPECIFIC mandate. Take it or shake it. :huh:

[Aberlour10]

Who but Americans would make such a poster? Can anyone see a group from anyother country making such a poster? Think about it.  It is true that we have freedom of speech, but why would Americans act in such a manner? I would hope that regardless of political opinions, we would be Americans first. What has happened to patriotism, but more importantly, manners? How sad that these women would act in such a way. I compare them to the Dixie Chicks. Maybe they should just leave the USA.  :huh:

I am sure that, Senator McCarthy's The House Un-American Activities Committee (if still exists) would have the same opinion.

 

Robert

[uday]

Who but Americans would

 

Who but Americans would remain calm and well-mannered on the moderated BBO forums, even after that post, if only bec. the moderator needs to bail for the NABC ?

 

Uday

[han]

Although I understand some people being upset, I must strongly disagree with Roland's call for sanctions.

I recommended a reprimand and an apology in one of my early posts. Sure, you may call that sanctions.

That's what you called it in your very first post in this thread: And I do indeed think that some sanction is in order.

 

At the time we took almost opposite positions, right now we seem to have the same: it was inappropriate but not worth being banned for. If only the USBF and VCT could follow our example Roland! :huh:

[jdonn]

Americans are lucky. They get to vote every 4 years and their votes count.

Are you SURE about that last part? Sounds like someone hasn't been paying attention to recent US election history...

[ladylovejo]

ALL CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED!

 

(see USBF website for statement)

[jdonn]

ALL CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED!

 

(see USBF website for statement)

:huh: Drinks all around on me!

 

Edit: I said something wrong here 1 minute ago. I take it back.

[jonottawa]

Group Hug! :huh: