Anti-Bush Sign Has Bridge World in an Uproar
In the genteel world of bridge, disputes are usually handled quietly and rarely involve issues of national policy. But in a fight reminiscent of the brouhaha over an anti-Bush statement by Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks in 2003, a team of women who represented the United States at the world bridge championships in Shanghai last month is facing sanctions, including a yearlong ban from competition, for a spur-of-the-moment protest.
At issue is a crudely lettered sign, scribbled on the back of a menu, that was held up at an awards dinner and read, “We did not vote for Bush.”
By e-mail, angry bridge players have accused the women of “treason” and “sedition.”
“This isn’t a free-speech issue,” said Jan Martel, president of the United States Bridge Federation, the nonprofit group that selects teams for international tournaments. “There isn’t any question that private organizations can control the speech of people who represent them.”
Not so, said Danny Kleinman, a professional bridge player, teacher and columnist. “If the U.S.B.F. wants to impose conditions of membership that involve curtailment of free speech, then it cannot claim to represent our country in international competition,” he said by e-mail.
Ms. Martel said the action by the team, which had won the Venice Cup, the women’s title, at the Shanghai event, could cost the federation corporate sponsors.
The players have been stunned by the reaction to what they saw as a spontaneous gesture, “a moment of levity,” said Gail Greenberg, the team’s nonplaying captain and winner of 11 world championships.
“What we were trying to say, not to Americans but to our friends from other countries, was that we understand that they are questioning and critical of what our country is doing these days, and we want you to know that we, too, are critical,” Ms. Greenberg said, stressing that she was speaking for herself and not her six teammates.
The controversy has gone global, with the French team offering support for its American counterparts.
“By trying to address these issues in a nonviolent, nonthreatening and lighthearted manner,” the French team wrote in by e-mail to the federation’s board and others, “you were doing only what women of the world have always tried to do when opposing the folly of men who have lost their perspective of reality.”
The proposed sanctions would hurt the team’s playing members financially. “I earn my living from bridge, and a substantial part of that from being hired to compete in high-level competitions,” Debbie Rosenberg, a team member, said. “So being barred would directly affect much of my ability to earn a living.”
A hearing is scheduled this month in San Francisco, where thousands of players will be gathered for the Fall North American Bridge Championships. It will determine whether displaying the sign constitutes conduct unbecoming a federation member.
Three players- Hansa Narasimhan, JoAnna Stansby and Jill Meyers - have expressed regret that the action offended some people. The federation has proposed a settlement to Ms. Greenberg and the three other players, Jill Levin, Irina Levitina and Ms. Rosenberg, who have not made any mollifying statements.
It calls for a one-year suspension from federation events, including the World Bridge Olympiad next year in Beijing; a one-year probation after that suspension; 200 hours of community service “that furthers the interests of organized bridge”; and an apology drafted by the federation’s lawyer.
It would also require them to write a statement telling “who broached the idea of displaying the sign, when the idea was adopted, etc.”
Alan Falk, a lawyer for the federation, wrote the four team members on Nov. 6, “I am instructed to press for greater sanction against anyone who rejects this compromise offer.”
Ms. Greenberg said she decided to put up the sign in response to questions from players from other countries about American interrogation techniques, the war in Iraq and other foreign policy issues.
“There was a lot of anti-Bush feeling, questioning of our Iraq policy and about torture,” Ms. Greenberg said. “I can’t tell you it was an overwhelming amount, but there were several specific comments, and there wasn’t the same warmth you usually feel at these events.”
Ms. Rosenberg said the team members intended the sign as a personal statement that demonstrated American values and noted that it was held up at the same time some team members were singing along to “The Star-Spangled Banner” and waving small American flags.
“Freedom to express dissent against our leaders has traditionally been a core American value,” she wrote by e-mail. “Unfortunately, the Bush brand of patriotism, where criticizing Bush means you are a traitor, seems to have penetrated a significant minority of U.S. bridge players.”
Through a spokesman, the other team members declined to discuss the matter. Ms. Narasimhan, Ms. Stansby and Ms. Meyers have been offered a different settlement agreement, but Ms. Martel declined to discuss it in detail.
Many of those offended by the sign do not consider the expressions of regret sufficient. “I think an apology is kind of specious,” said Jim Kirkham, who has played in several bridge championships. “It’s not that I don’t forgive them, but I still think they should be punished.”
Mr. Kirkham sits on the board of the American Contract Bridge League, which accounts for a substantial portion of the federation’s financing, Ms. Martel said, and has submitted a proposal that would cut the league’s support for the federation, one of two such proposals pending.
Robert S. Wolff, one of the country’s pre-eminent bridge players, who has served as an executive and board member of several bridge organizations, said that he understood that the women might have had a legal right to do what they did but that they had offended many people.
“While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event,” he wrote by e-mail.
David L. Anderson, a bridge player who supports the team, said it was common to see players at international tournaments sporting buttons bearing the date “1-20-09,” when George W. Bush will hand off to a new president, as well as buttons reading “Support Our Troops.”
“They don’t go after those people,” Mr. Anderson said.
© 2007 The New York Times
I love this news story!
“Ms. Martel said the action by the team, which had won the Venice Cup, the women’s title, at the Shanghai event, could cost the federation corporate sponsors.”
Aha! This says it all. We’re not about america, democracy, or anything else but putting a smiley face on corporations. We’re all in the system, unfortunately, but am still grateful for those who go outside the box. Congratulations, ladies, this voter supports you.
oops….women behaving badly
Good GRIEF!!!!!
I just want to know - people who freak out about those of us who dislike Bush&Co. actually expressing that dislike - did/do they just LOVE Clinton?! Did/do they always speak kindly of him?!
What hypocrisy. Talk about un-American activity - you can’t think/say anything that’s different from the “party” line or, if you do, it’s off with your head! It seems that we’re turning into what we most profess to hate - dictatorships, Communist regimes, and the like.
When the Dixie Chicks expressed their opinion (or at least Natalie’s) in England about Dubya, they were scorned AND threatened. Now, a great portion of country music (both industry and fans) has finally come around to their way of thinking.
It’s a sad day in America and for Americans when opinions can’t be expressed freely.
The Smirk, who parroted a ‘uniter, not a divider’ bit during the 2000 selection, has managed to divide Americans even to this level
PC, PC, PC!!! Remember, If you think for yourself, keep it to yourself. Any independent thought, publicly expressed, may well cost you, financially and perhaps physically.
Always remember, the Bill of Rights is now an interesting historical relic, soon to be expunged from memory along with its parent document, the Constitution of the United States. You may read copies, but do not speak of them in public places. At this juncture in our history, about 60-70% of the people won’t know what you are referring to and about 25% will consider it subversive. The remaining 5% will remember with sorrow and nostalgia what the United States of America once represented.
American Sheeple, follow the nice goat with the bell. You will find peace and contentment in the paradise that awaits you beyond the door. Follow the goat…follow the goat…follow the goat…
“…said Jim Kirkham, who has played in several bridge championships. “It’s not that I don’t forgive them, but I still think they should be punished.”
Well I think a bit of waterboarding is in order to get to the bottom of this horrendous egregious crime…Jim will have to get to work and change the Articles of Association for American Bridge players to include a bit of torture..Cheney said a dunk in the water wouldn’t hurt anyone..So why not?
PS: Pol Pot in the 70’s in Cambodia did it for entertainment…
I didn’t vote for the nimrod either, and I am remembering all the vitriol that was endured by those who supported president Clinton by the “do as I say, not as I do” Republicans.
As a matter of fact, not as many people voted for him as voted for someone else. In fact, not all of the people that we were told had voted for him actually did vote for him either.
Ooooh nice goat…hmmm, pretty sounding bell….
WAKE UP!
Oh wait, you all are awake, it’s the republicans who are sleeping.
Wonderful. I hope more and more people stop being ascared to expess independent thought. Those that call us traitors are just small minded, fearfull, cowardly bullies. Come on America, we really can change things. All it will take is small gestures like this. The key is, we all have to do it. I’d like to see the day when these pathetic, unAmerican freaks can’t turn around without seeing or hearing dissent. We have nothing to fear but fear itself.
how is telling people whom you voted for or didnt vote for and act of treason? i think more people need to inform the outside world that noone voted for this dictator. we don’t want them to compare us to the germans during hitler.
And another thing:
Ladies, tell ‘em to go take a flying leap.
Freedom of speech!
Last year when I was in Europe I had to tell at least one person per day that more than half of us Americans don’t approve of, and did not vote for, the bonehead Bush. Hey, maybe it’s not much, but I don’t stand behind someone “right or wrong” if they are wrong just because he’s president.
Especially when he stole the office and the shoeple didn’t care enough to protest. And nothing will change as long as the shoeple still have their: Dancing with the house, survivor, stars…
I am delighted to read this because the very thought of a women’s bridge team making such a tasteful, albeit tenuous statement of solidarity with their international counterparts makes my heart sing. It is the quintessential manifestation of just how deep into the fabric of our citizens, the real rebellion goes.
Celebrate folks! If champion bridge player are courageous enough to speak out, surely we can in our own areans. One mighty voice from one end of this land to another.
Just went back and read the article more fully and closely and now I am feeling a sense of the chilling reality that the official resposne to this has provoked in me. All I can think is, ” It is getting really bad, folks.”
Such strong armed tactics against these women for such timorous dissent…. chilling indeed!
hereontheres—- I found that statement about corporate backers telling as well and abit amusing that it was spoken aloud. The naivete of the spokesperson, Ms Matal, so eager to expose such a crass explanation for the rebuke….it was like a massive Fruedian slip. She didn’t even pretend to be disturbed by politicizing auch a genteel event. Hahahahaha. I love it!
Go Natalie!
Absolutely incredible. How can these people bristle at comparisons to Nazi Germany?
Unbelievable. Renders one speechless.
Just what, exactly, does “feedom of speech” mean to these self-proclaimed patriots who demand punishment for a group of smart and politically aware American bridge masters?
There is a very wise Russian joke: “Sure, we have freedom of speech, too. You can say whatever you want from inside the jail cell.”
Wolff said, “While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event.”
What? This guy is a bridge master with such a limited mind?
Authoritarianism and democracy are absolutely mutually exclusive. We are a democracy.
None of these women should issue an apology or accept any punishment whatsoever without a legal battle.
The apology should come from Bush and all his enablers that have participated in what is sure to be known as one of the absolute worst blunders in American history — this immoral, murderous and pillaging War in Iraq and War on Terror more generally.
Just as we’ve been asking “how could the German citizens have supported Hitler” — future generations will be asking “what in God’s name were they thinking re-electing monkey boy and continuing to support the War in Iraq?”
I’m no expert on bridge, but doesn’t Mr. Bush make the ideal dummy? Surely, these women are onto something.
Anyone who supports Bush and Cheney at this point is supporting torture, secrecy, lying, terrorism, etc. This administration has ruined America and all it stands for. We must reject them on every front. Every little bit counts. Hurrah for the bridge players!
This is the most news bridge has ever gotten. They should be elated to be in the spotlight. BTW. I did not vote for Bush either!
Amazing and would be humorous except for lost income. If they are in trouble, so should all the other participants who complained about Bush and our policies to these women.
As a bridge player, I think that that all the critics of these women have ‘reneged’ on the principles(now former, i guess) of free speech.
Fantastic, ladies! Maybe this will encourage other like-minded players to speak their minds at international tournaments, and also to encourage younger people to enter what is now a slowly dying activity.
Hmmm… This happened in Shanghai. This will show those Chinese commies what American free speech is all about — If you criticize your country’s leader, you will be considered a traitor.
I can honestly say that I never imagined a dispute over political speech would break out at a bridge competition. When I saw this headline I thought the article dealt with anti-Bush signs posted to structural bridges.
Everything is political these days. Honestly, everything always was political but it’s only now that this fact is painfully obvious. And, it’s great to see. Bushies desperately want some sort of escape, some refuge where they can comfortably stick their heads in the sand and not have to contemplate the consequences of their Dear Leader’s behavior. It’s up to us to prevent them from finding such a refuge.
From a free speech standpoint, these women are completely right. From a practical standpoint, it might have been better to state “We do not support torture” or some such; no one could argue with that.
Nevertheless, as with all of these uproars over anti-Bush statements, one should ask: would the criticism and threatened sanctions be as acute or even occur at all had they said “We DID vote for Bush and we support him”? I have my doubts.
The hysteria promoted by the NY Times over this is reminicent of the Cold War. So the United States Bridge Federation supports the Iraqi Holocaust and the destruction of civil liberties and finds opposition to such policies as “specious” and that stating how one voted “offended many people.” I wonder if these detractors understand how un-American and pro-authoritarian they sound?
I would think the fallout from this is that many bridge players will desert their corporate organizations and form ones of their own based on democratic principles.
this world needs more bridge players !bravo,ladies !!
Geez, you’d think that the gals had held up a “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” sign.
And the finger-wagging “compromise” offered by the attorney is insulting at best; I certainly hope that the ladies stick to their guns, and don’t break down and beg for forgiveness like “Don’t Tase Me, Bro!” Myers did.
And a pox on those who weigh in with that insufferable, patronizing maxim about there being “a time and a place for everything”. This was as good a place as any to declare a Free Speech Zone, and the women get extra points for style. More like this, please!
Robert Wolf states that “While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event,” he overlooks an important fact. Nothing takes away a person’s right to criticize one’s leader either. Rights are not the property of a private organization despite what Wolff and Jan Martel may think. They don’t own the First Amendment and they don’t own their members’ beliefs. Shame on them both.
The American people should be thankful that these women were brave enough to tell the world that not all the US populace agrees with the actions of their goverment. Punishing them it ridiculous. Disgusting.
LMFAO
“A hearing is scheduled this month in San Francisco, where thousands of players will be gathered for the Fall North American Bridge Championships. It will determine whether displaying the sign constitutes conduct unbecoming a federation member.”
Hey Cindi - how about you make an appearance at the hearing?! Man o man would that be great PR?! Hey Code Pink, can you get some supporters out there.
Way to go bridge ladies! I’ve always wanted to learn to play. Can you come to Iowa and teach me? I’ll even have special decks of cards made up that say IMPEACH CHENEY!
Pretty please with 4 diamonds on top?
“Ms. Martel said the action by the team, which had won the Venice Cup, the women’s title, at the Shanghai event, could cost the federation corporate sponsors.”
Is there any doubt that the federation, the Dems, union leadership and the entire world is under corporate-fascist rule? Why not beat them at them at their own game by incorporating We the People into the largest, richest, greenest, most socially responsible and most powerful corporation, answerable to it’s stockholding and dividend receiving public?
You go grrrrrls!!!!!
Robert Wolf is an idiot … oh, and so is Bush!
Nobody should have to back down when expressing their TRUE opnions. It’s still in the Constitution (I think, I hope).
I am a liberal who loves her country - and I am PROUD of these women for exercising their rights. As for the man who said ‘they should be punished’ (probably a little excited at the thought of spanking these ladies), I suspect he went home, stuck his head in the vise and said to his wife, “Crank it up a little tighter, Mable: I feel an independent thought coming on!”
Dang I’m funny, but really - I’m PROUD of all Americans who speak up out of intelligence, thought and conviction. I just happen to agree with these women.
Peace. Out.
Turn the bad seed parent group into a pinochle association (fighting words-right?
Well you can come after me with litigation, arrest warrants and sharp-edged playing cards).
It is getting hard to find a distinction between opposing Bush and being a citizen of the world.
I understand the feeling being a many time traveler overseas as recent as this year whenever as an american and world citizen I knew I was an unconscious ambassador and rep in some sort of way and that vibe from 25 years ago to now is quite different as I feel like whenever I tell people where I come from when overseas I get a chill and at times a mini discussion on our terrible presidente to the point I feel the whole world pressing on my shoulders in disgust and sadness that I am representing. It sucks, everyone sees america as a dangerous global threat and that includes the people indigenous to there as well so I feel what these women did so much but banning them??? How immature! Where is the bridge association that puts this competition based out of? China don’t take kindly to free speech but the west is all for it, if this was the work of an american association they need to be handed the bill of rights fast!
The act of the US Bridge team reminds me of the “Silent Gesture” of two U.S. medal-winning sprinters, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, during the summer Olympics in Mexico in 1968. They shook up America with a silent protest, holding fists in the air while on the winners’ stand as the “Star Spangled Banner” was being played on the stadium loudspeakers.
Smith explains why he thought it was important to bring the struggles of black Americans to the world stage: “There’s so many things that happened preceding that stand, different social inequalities, and I was asked by those who were responsible in many parts to act responsibly as a young black athlete.” Some thought Smith was part of the militant Black Panthers. But he was actually part a group called The Olympic Project for Human Rights, which had considered a boycott of the Olympics. What was it he and Carlos were trying to accomplish? “Getting rid of social inequality (and transforming it) to social equity,” Smith said. Smith said he was actually afraid he would be assassinated on the spot. “Everywhere I went, it seemed that I would be harmed in some way, because of the magnitude of the stand and what we believed in, in terms of human rights.”
The gesture was perceived by many at the time as disrespectful and unpatriotic. Smith and Carlos wore black gloves, black scarves and black socks. “These were symbols,” Smith said. “And I think people remember symbols much more than anything else. We didn’t have time to talk, because we were on the victory stand, but the hand (fist gesture) didn’t represent so much black power as it did just power, social power, social equity.”
Smith added that he has “no regrets at all,” for what he and Carlos did. What Smith and Carlos did was the expression of their stand against an evil apartheid system and they did it AT ANY COST. They never regretted for their action.
In contrast to the above, the members of the US Bridge team by writing that they did not vote for Bush are trying to avoid their responsibility as Americans with regard to the American genocidal activities throughout the world. Their action is not a PROTEST against their evil and monstrous government, but like Roman governor Pilate these players through their action WASHED THEIR HANDS OF INNOCENT BLOOD. Unlike Smith and Carlos, they were not prepared to pay the COST for their action. That is why three players expressed REGRET for their action. They did not want to pay with their PERSONAL COMFORT. Their first action was only a reaction to how they were treated. Their REGRET is again the same: it costs them.
THEREFORE, IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE ISSUE THAT PROMPTED THEIR FIRST ACTION IS NOT THE GENOCIDAL ACTIVITIES OF THE US, BUT THEIR DISCOMFORT. THEY ARE NOT OPPOSING THE US ACTIVITIES AND POLICIES THROUGH THEIR ACTION. IN ESSENCE IT IS THEIR SELFISHNESS THAT PROMPTED THEIR ACTION AND THE REGRET.
The contrast between the action of Tommy Smith and Carlos, and that of the US Bridge players is very evident. One is selflessness that was prepared to pay any cost to oppose an evil system and the other selfishness that wants to HAVE PERSONAL BENEFIT at any cost. The latter is not concerned about the human rights of the OTHER.
You have to love the Bush followers, no expressions of your own personal thoughts unless of course it follows the party lines.
Now I know why I am no longer a Republican.
It’s not only cool but “in” to show disdain for bush, it’s everywhere so what they did was commonly normal, If I had the time I would hike to the north pole and plant an american flag that said Impeach (u know who, his name makes me puke)
America, you buffoon! If your completely selfish actions were not so destructive to the rest of us, as a nation you would be the laughiong stock of the world. You are ridiculous - a real buffoon!
Here’s an example of more courage seen in these women than in the government.
Saying she did not vote for Bush is not an opinion but rather a statement of fact. Is there a law that says you can’t state how you voted?
Oh that’s right, logic and facts don’t matter to this administration and their supporters. Sorry, my mistake.
First they came for the bridge players, but I was not a bridge player, so I did not speak out….
In case anyone has forgotten, in totalitarian dictatorships, people have the right to say wonderful things about their leaders, but not criticize them. The whole point of freedom of speech is the right to criticize the government and its leaders. There are no restrictions on this.
Bottom line: we no longer live in a democracy. There is no more free speech. The bill of rights is just about dead. Get used to it or fight it.
When the Democrats take over both Congress and the White House, ALL Neocons and Republicans should be arrested (MAYBE given a trial. Not they deserve one. After all, Neo-cons and Republicans support Americans being shipped overseas to be tortured in addition to arresting foreigners and torturing them indefinitely without a trial for them) for treason - on the grounds of agreeing and promoting that ideology and/or implementing it. Please do this Americans. Granted it will be a few million people but they honestly deserve the same treatment that they would never think twice about giving to others - including other Americans who disagree with their f***up way of thinking. There is nothing to be ashamed of in punishing both Neo-cons and Republicans if “liberals” take over the USA. Political cleansing has happened throughout History in many countries throughout the world. However, in regards to Neo-cons and Republicans this cleansing is something THEY RIGHTFULLY DESERVE! One does not need a degree from College to come to this conclusion as it is quite obvious. In case it is not obvious to some How about making the USA go in debt through their deliberate organization of mass murder, and not being loyal to the USA Constitution?
No need to stick up for them as a way of being moral. I mean…has a Neo-con ever stood up and defended a liberal for exercising rights of Americans? Didn’t think so. In fact, some Neo-cons agree with the idea of arresting Americans for exercising their rights. Let us not forget that Republicans during the 1950s launched a witch hunt against Communist Americans. They arrested and in some cases executed Americans for being Communists. Today, the Republicans are planning or implementing witch hunts against Muslims and those who do not adopt their way of thinking. Neo-cons and Republicans have fired scientists for discoveries contrary to Republican/Neo-con ideology. There are so many reasons why ALL Republicans and Neo-cons should be arrested for treason that it would comprise a novel.
Can’t see the forest for the trees. Seems like these debunkers are so intent on not compromising their “status”, that when a legitimate and seemingly innocent statement opens Pandora’s box, they go ballistic. Picking on such trivialities belies the greater threat that compromises our freedom of speech.
Interesting that this simple little protest took place in Shanghai. If the Chinese team had held up a similar sign showing non-support for their leaders we all know what would have happened to them.
Is this what the Bushies really want? Americans here at home to be cowed into silence by the powers of a totalitarian Police State…just like in China?
Thank you, ladies! It is too bad that certain members of our government lack even a fraction of your courage.
I still think Roseanne Barr singing the star-spangled banner was the best.
Too bad there are so many women out there who voted for Bush. After
Ronald Raygun, it was a given white males prefer idiots, but come on.
Working and middle class women voted for Bush? Hello, equal opportunity-
equal pay still worth fighting for is it not? Look what the “federation” \
is holding over the professional female card players– their pay check.
Put the blame were it belongs. People in America who support
bridge are “genteel”– Ha. Then again, I bet an anti-Bush sign at one
of those American cage-fight contests would have a negative effect too!
Maybe there needs to be a cage-fight /bridge hybrid. Did you
know Warner Bros got a cage-fighter to promote their film 300?!
You know, the one about “good” Spartans killing “bad” Persians…
I mean, hell, if sponsors can do that kind of thing, what the hell is a little
paper protest sign? What people need to do is think “out of the box” and help
these women out with some plugs on TV supporting the next big movie about
card playing, socialites, or martinis! I bet a bridge champ could sell Gin.
I mean, if Charlie Rose (PBS) will take sponsorship from Coca Cola, why can’t
a international bridge champion sell mixed nuts? Oh, wait. Can I say that?
Oprah sponsors political candidates, why not professional women’s bridge?
really, I’m serious….
What if people demanded the names of the American Bridge Federations
corporate sponsors and put the charge to the corporate sponsor: “Dude,
are you really going to back out over something as chic and hip as saying,
“we didn’t vote for bush”? Come on, the polls are out:
The majority of Americans would really like Bush and Cheney to retire.
Americans need not forget where their power rest in contemporary US of A:
Consumerism You boycott the sponsors that boycott the players.
More people think Bush is an idiot than think he deserves a gilded statute of
himself standing on a aircraft carrier….
Speaking of aircraft carriers, did you here about the Chinese attack submarine
popping up in the middle of a US Naval exercises in the Pacific? Popped up right
next to the USS Kitty Hawk …. think they had a sign saying,
“we didn’t vote in favor of your naval exercises off our coast”?
later days,
Rob
casual_jabber@yahoo.com
o
The political beliefs and actions by the bridge players turned that group of mingers into a group of BPILFs for me.
Plaza,
I love your post. Likening an entire continent to a goofy adjective. Great stuff.
9/11 was like a wet dream blank check for all the most regressive right wing policies all the marginal kooks could dust off.
I do wonder what it will take to restore belief in the direction of the country again. Maybe the passing of the right, the slow migration of the Dems back to the left if they gain the White House.
Things are never as bad as they seem in the worst times, nor as good in times of bounty. Yes, I am trying to take Maya Angelou’s job.
Seriously, now, it’s hard to believe this chapter in American history is anything but an aberration when it comes to these fascist strains that have crept in since 9/11.
The real scandal of this whole thing is that, relatively speaking, 9/11 was not all that terrible an event when compared to the recent histories of most nations. We enjoyed a tranquil isolation here for a long time, insulated from the violence that is done in our name and after which retribution is demanded.
The regression of the US after 9/11 has been immesurably worse than that day itself, except for the victims and their families and friends.
I would like to send that young lady $1,000 for her honesty! You go girl!
Can those “free speech” maestros who are screaming at these charing, genteel, intellectually honest ladies please tell us what free speech is?
If you cannot explain it to the American people, how rae you going to explain it to the Muslim world to whom you are pitching it with bombs and bullets?
Repeat as many times as necessary… The Emperor has no clothes, the Empire has no clothes, say no to Empire. Pull down the Empire. Pull down the Emperor and his Grand Vizier. Voted for or not, thats not the end of duty in a democracy. Lets see more public political action.
Has all the neo-con nazi republicans everstopped for one second to think about what is going to happen to them when the yellow back deserter is out of office? Have you noticed all the prison camps your lover has been building? Pay back for all the repugs for two years no rehab. then a good country hanging would clean out the republican trash. Twenty-two percent is a lot to hang. Of course most of you will change to honest american citizens.
These praiseworthy ladies remind us that when horrendous war crimes are committed by the Bush&Co usurpers of power - IN OUR NAME - not only do they have a right, they have a moral obligation (as we all do) to announce to the rest of the world that most of us are on the side of humanity and not with the mass murderers.
I love the idea that such shit can be stirred up by a bunch of bridge players … has a real “war of the flea” flavor to it.
As the People’s Anti-Imperialist Poker Players Collective, we extend our solidairty and admiration to the Venice Cup championship team. You owe no one any apologies.
I didn’t vote for Bush either. What’s the big deal?
There is a similar incident playing out in a high school where some kids held a protest in the cafeteria. The principal is now trying to get someone to rat out the “ringleader”. Free speech is definitely long gone in the USA.
Typical right wing wig-out. As my folks used to say, the right “flipped their lid.”
Altogether now, “We didn’t vote for Bush!”
Goodbye ‘Soccer Moms’. Welcome ‘Bridge Ladies’.
This should be good for quite a rant on O’Reilly and/or Hannity on Fox tonight! Almost has “shameful” as General Betrayus!
I didn’t vote for the smirking monkey boy either and I dare anyone to tell me I can’t express myself about this, what the hell? If that is treason and outing an undercover CIA agent isn’t this country isn’t worth beans, and fighting for this collection of idiots and syncophants isn’t worth it either, no blood for stupidity. Let the bushies and their ilk have this place, it isn’t worth it anymore, corporations own most of it anyway and the beaches elsewhere are nicer by far.
Al Sharpton scared the Corporetists and had
the Iman-Imus taken of the air. Imus has a lot more integrity then Jackson,and the Billaries.
In the US, the bridge ladies would not have had to hold up this sign. The calculus here is simple.
Bridge masters = clever = Bush hater
But, overseas, they may not be as quick on the taxonomy of homo sapien versus homo neanderthalis.
Who are the sponsors that what’s-her-face is so concerned about? Let me know, and I’ll barrage them with mail and boycott them. How DARE anybody try to block free speech? And YES, free speech is permitted at a sponsored event, you dummy-ninnies who got your panties twisted!!!!!
Are bridge players control freaks? All that keeping your cards in suits and grand slams and memorizing the required best plays and rigid bidding conventions — I dunno. Maybe they are.
I feel the pressing need to express myself - quick, where can I find a free speech zone??!!
gandhi - interesting post. I think you were a little hard on the ladies, although you make a good point about Tommie Smith and John Carlos taking a far greater and braver risk. It’s a good reminder, but lets support our small heroes as well.
Such reactions by conservative Bridge people should not surprise, but they do. It seems that there will always be some people who are much more upset by what they consider impolite behavior than policies that have led to massive slaughter and devastation. Hurray for those who dare to speak out against such ruinous policies.
I hope that the majority of the bridge players in America stand behind these ladies. It is way past time that thinking Americans separate themselves from this incompetent, self-serving Bush regime.
Hey……let your voice be heard.
http://usbf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=57
That’s the link for comments to the USBF website.
Hooray for these wonderful women! I admit that I’ve always been rather dismissive of women’s bridge groups. These ladies have made me reconsider. I would like to say that I’m flabbergasted that some, like Mr. Kirkham, Ms. Martel & Mr. Wolff, would make such statements as, “This isn’t a free-speech issue,” and, “While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event,” but these attitudes are becoming as common as fruit flies on a rotten banana.
One only wonders what these same (Republican?) ‘philosophers’ would have said had the sign been critical of, oh, let’s say, Bill Clinton. Would they have been aghast if ladies representing Burma (’scuze me, Myanmar) had held up a sign saying that they resented that regime’s actions, then faced sanctions back home?
I agree wholeheartedly that “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism”. Indeed, it is exactly one of the ‘American Values’ we’re allegedly spending trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives to protect. Who’s unpatriotic, these ladies, or those who would seek to muzzle them?
Don’t apologize, ladies, you played the winning hand.
“Robert S. Wolff, one of the country’s pre-eminent bridge players, who has served as an executive and board member of several bridge organizations, said that he understood that the women might have had a legal right to do what they did but that they had offended many people.
“While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event,” he wrote by e-mail.”
Wait a minute? Bush is our leader? Look quick, and see if maybe someone is following!!
Nope, nobody. Just the hired hands, and even they’re dropping out fast.
First the Dixie Chicks.
And now these ladies.
Starting to look like the only ones with any balls in the US are the women!
Bravo!
There ARE no non-political events when the Bushgang is committing murder on a grand scale, showing contempt for every manner of law, and merrily rattling their sabres to drag us all into World War III.
Under those circumstances, you have to stand up and speak out, no matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing. To FAIL to do that is cowardice and treason.
You have to resist with whatever weapons you have — or, as these women might say, play the hand with the cards you’re holding.
I say, “Well done.”
Liberty & Justice,
SJ
www.spartacusjones.com
http://usbf.org
Might I suggest …
Comments and Questions to the Entire Board of Directors
United States Bridge Federation:
mailto:board@usbf.org
Marikken—I’m with you. While gandhi made some valid camparisons, he should not have gone the next step of assuming to know these women’s motives. Wash their hands? Excuse me!!!!!
Many of us who did not vote for Bush are not saying so because we are washing our hands of this criminal cabal. In fact, I would venture to say that the majority of us have been and continue to be the ones most consistently trying to raise the consciousness of the rest to the seriousness of the consequences we are facing.
Give the bridge ladies their due for heaven’s sake. Attacking them becasuse their actions somehow did not measure up to your particular heros from an earlier time, does nothing but make you sound like someone who will never be satisfied because nothing is pure enough for you.
Do one of these women have to be assasainated for you to deem them worthy of your admiration?
NylandJim—thanks for the link and email address I shall send of a brief comment as soon as I finish here.
Just did and it felt awfully good to express my outrage to the ones who merit it. I encourage all to do the same. Let those people know how dispicable their actions are in our eyes.
Dissent is _the_ definitive American right.
If the Bridge Association in any way or manner dares sanction these definitive American representatives, I will boycott and urge my friends to boycott any sponsors of future, post-censorship Bridge tournaments.
For to, in any way, critique a uniquely American right to protest lowers the critic as an American in my book.
Kudos to the champs–in cards, in life and in our finest American tradition!
Once again - women behaving as though they had brains!
While this is a pretty brave move by these women, I don’t see anything bad toward Bush in their statement. They merely state that they didn’t vote for the man.
Nothing treasonous or inflammatory about it.
Maybe it’s time we all put “I didn’t vote for Bush” stickers on our cars.
These women represent the best of us! The Federation the worst. I hope that if the Federation insists on its outrageous penalties that the bridge world would shun the Federation — or better yet, a free and fair competetive federation would be formed. I haven’t played bridge in years, and would never compete, and have limited resources, but I’d be willing to send a small donation to show my support for such an organization.
Ladies, I didn’t vote for him either.
How flippin sad is this? Well those idiots who voted for the nimrod can satnd up and be counted if they have the guts to do it. WHY then can’t those of us who don’t claim him as our presdident tell the world this? Why can’t we tell people “we DID NOT VOTE for BUSH!!?” How and where can I send my Congratulations to these Stand Up women and Americans!
Goes to show how small resistance, by average folks, can have big effects.
Rosa Parks.
Leaders happen there are enough people who share values to support them, and not till then other wise its just a PR campaign.
Holy Goren, I hope that the membership of the United States Bridge Association quits the organization en mass. What a bunch of fools these bridge executives are. The women should be thanked for standing up for our country and showing the world what is really going on–namely, how unpopular Bush and his war policies really are. They all deserve to receive 1000 bonus master points. They can play bridge in my club anytime they want.
To do this in China was hilarious since, if the Chinese team had said something bad about their government in Beijing, they would probably be arrested or at least censured. The fact that these American patriots at the Bridge Federation are advocating the same sort of totalitarian restraints on their own people is mind-boggling.
In a fascist society the great leader is not to be derided. When will people learn?
These champions surely didn’t realize they would stir up the corporate sponsors. Now they know. For those who don’t want to back down it will hit them where it hurts, their livelihoods. I’m sure this is what happened to Myer in Florida who probably faced the possibility of expulsion and loss of funding for his degree. This is why most people, living paycheck to paycheck, try to be careful. This is how people are controlled. When Ashcroft was attorney general, he sent out an order to all the public libraries in the nation to destroy five government publications(book burning). Two of them were volumes of laws passed by Congress. The only thing they had in common were the instructions on how to legally recover your property when unjustly confiscated by the federal government.
In the article Robert S. Wolff, who has served as an executive and board member of several bridge organizations, is quoted as saying the following by email:
“While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event.”
What???????? Is this person even American??????
Free speech is exactly the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue.
Of course it would be nice if we lived in a country where when we spoke of our leaders we had good things to say. But like the citizens of Germany in the 1930s and 1040s who had Adolf Hitler as a leader, we have nothing good to say about our President of the United States, George Bush. If Americans like Robert S. Wolff want US citizens to say good things about their own country’s leaders when they are abroad, then they shouldn’t elect dictators - yes, George Bush is a dictator - he invades innocent countries - he tortures people against the Geneva convention - he spies against his own people against the constitution - etc. If Americans really want a president that they can be proud of, then they should elect an honest, individual, like Dennis Kucinich. Sorry, Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Romney, Guilani, etc are all bought and paid for dictators also. Their disguise is just a bit better than that of George Bush. But you wait until one of them is elected. You’ll see another dictator. Nothing will change, except for the worst.
Like Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, Jill Levine, Jill Meyers, Debbie Rosenberg, and Irina Levitina should be awarded our nations highest award for courage and bravery. Something like the US Medal of Honor would in my opinion be appropriate. Oh and yes, I am a veteran, so I believe I have earned the right to my own opinions about why the Medal of Honor should be awarded.
If the majority of people in America disagree with me, then despite the fact that I am an American citizen living in America, I am obviously living in a very foreign country.
A wise person once told me (and coincidentally it was while I was in the military), “Before you die, everything that you believe in will turn out to be a lie.” I guess he was correct. With people like Robert S. Wolff around, America as I was first made to understand it in school is a lie.
These women are now heroines.
Free speech is under attack by the Bushite proto-fascists, and the proper resistance is to Speak Out!
“While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event,” he wrote by e-mail.”
WTF,O? This guy believes in the right to free speech, then goes on to state that it doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader? Pardon me? Does the man understand what free speech is?
I think it appropriate to use the same phrase used by Dick Cheney, when he uttered those immortal words to Sen. Patrick Leahy on the floor of the Senate.
(As it happens, the exchange occurred on the same day the Senate passed legislation described as the “Defense of Decency Act” by 99 to 1.)
So - anyone who disagrees with the great leader is a traitor, the great leader speaks only to pre-selected audiences who agree with him, any inconvenient facts that point out the error of the great leader’s ways are hidden - is this the USA or the old Soviet Union?
Brava, Ladies! Fight for your right to free speech, and don’t let them threaten you into silence. How often has anyone heard about “Bridge Championships” for gawd’s sake? This will bring more publicity and new sponsorships to the bridge association than they’ll know what to do with. Screw that “stick-up-her-butt” president!
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History - quote attributed to Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
I think only idiots would admit voting for bu$hie and his little dick. You go girls and don’t let them take away our freedom of speech.
Here’s the e-mail I just sent to Ms. Martel, and I’m copying it to the entire board. Their home page has a header relating to the ‘Shanghai Incident’.
* * *
Dear Ms. Martel,
I do hope the USBF will reconsider their decision to sanction the ladies who held up a sign at the International championships in Shanghai. This is, indeed, a free-speech issue. Sanctioning these ladies reflects really poorly on both the United States and the USBF. If our citizens are not free to express themselves, then we are no longer the nation that our founding fathers envisioned, and which generations have fought to protect. If we are afraid to express ourselves, then instead of being the dauntless individuals that characterize the true spirit of America, we are pusillanimous apparatchiks, mindful only of toeing the party line, lest we be labeled seditious traitors. I would think that any organization, the first two words of whose name are “United States” would have more respect for true ‘American values’ than your organization has shown by threatening to sanction these good women. Shame on you, and shame on any who would dare undermine our nation’s true strength by such actions.
* * * *
By the way, I have now decided that everybody on my list for presents is getting the same thing . . . a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution.
I see the Bushstapo are out in force again….
I dont see how this can be constued as “anti-bush”…it is or it is not a statement of fact…either they voted for Bush or they didn’t. They are not saying “Bush is a slimy little Nazi” or “Bush has sex with his Mother”…its like saying “I didn’t have breakfast this morning” or I prefer peas over corn”
evalinsky November 14th, 2007 4:27 pm
“In case anyone has forgotten, in totalitarian dictatorships, people have the right to say wonderful things about their leaders, but not criticize them. The whole point of freedom of speech is the right to criticize the government and its leaders. There are no restrictions on this.” I wonder if the ladies would be under-fire if they had written “we voted for George Bush” on their sign? That also would have pissed off a group of members but I think they wouldn’t have been threatened with the loss of their ability to make a living.
Also interesting is that if the Chinese team had a little sign saying “we did not vote for President Hu Jintao” who in the U.S. would have asked for them to be “punished”? Only in their own country would the Chinese be punished as our bridge players are in our Country-the U.S.= China/no civil rights.
Gandhi is right in being critical about the action of the players of the US Bridge team. The statement of Ms. Greenberg that “she decided to put up the sign in RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM PLAYERS OF OTHER COUNTRIES ABOUT AMERICAN INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES…. She goes on to say: “There was a lot of anti-Bush feeling, questioning of our Iraq policy, and about torture. I can’t tell you, it was an overwhelming amount,but there were several specific comments, and THERE WASN’T THE SAME WARMTH YOU USUALLY FEEL AT THESE EVENTS.”
The action of these players was prompted NOT by their outrage against the US imperial and genocidal policies, and actions (they have been reading about and watching the deaths of thousands of innocent people around the world in the hands of the American terrorists due to the imperial policies of their monstrous government), BUT BY THE QUESTIONS AND ATTITUDE OF THE FELLOW CONTESTANTS. Gandhi rightly pointed out this by contrasting their action with the PROTEST ACTION OF TOMMIE SMITH AND JOHN CARLOS. The latter’s action was prompted by their outrage against the apartheid system of the US (they have seen and experienced), not by the questions and attitue of their fellow athletes. That was why they could risk their own lives for the just cause of bringing social equality in the US society. That was why they never regretted about their action, because their protest action was aroused by their own outrage against the government sponsored apartheid system.
Well, it looks like the bridge Establishment managed to raise their profile and damage any reputation they might have had in one swell foop, as the saying goes. Their crass, anti-democratic, totalitarian reaction to what, I must agree, amounted to a rather timid sort of protest places them firmly in the Republican camp. So does their demonstration of their true credo: MONEY IS ALL THAT MATTERS.
Holy Guacomole, Batman! They might lose some corporate sponsors! Why is it that the images of Hillary and Nancy and nearly all our alleged representatives in D.C., come to mind when that bleat is considered? Gotta get re-elected!
Getting network time costs a mint! MONEY IS ALL THAT MATTERS!
As in, Sieg Heil, Mein Herrren!!!
As for the remark about not showing disrespect to our nation’s LEADER on foeign turf, since when when did King George Lead anyone, anywhere, except an enraged and manipulated public and Congress, into an invasion of a sovereign land that had not attacked us, in as blatant a transgression of international law in all respects as the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia … way back when We the People were still The Good Guys with ample reason to take pride in our nationality?
Georgie Boy doesn’t rate the name of Leader.
And I know scads of folks who never even considered following his dumb ass.
I just sent this email to the Board of this petty organization.
To the Board of the United States Bridge Federation:
I am appalled that your organization would condemn and threaten this bridge team for exercising their free speech rights. What country were you raised in? This is beginning to sound more and more like a Fascist regime than the United States of America. Are you so threatened by some women, in this case, making a statement distancing themselves from the terrorist in the White House that you would threaten their livelihood? Who are your corporate sponsors? I would like a list so I may let them know how I feel and to withhold my business from them.
You should be ashamed of yourselves…
Peace,
st john
Of all the groups out there bleeting loudly in this political campaign season, and of all those who feel the need to rightly bash Bush…. who’d a thought the next right hook would come from a bridge team.
It just goes to show you the depth of his unpopularity. It’s not bad enough that his approval ratings are lower than any other president, including Richard Nixon - but having bridge ladies making such a statement… that truly is telling..
It just may be the last straw that prompts Pelosi to put impeachment back on the table.
I mean, Bridge ladies… LOL…
Good for them.
Olbermann is covering this story tonight…
Thumbs up to the Bridge ladies. Thumbs down to Bridge club who suspended them.
Freedom of speech should be exercised before they ban it…and they ARE trying to.
It never ceases to amaze me how people call freedom of speech and opinion “treason and sedition”.
An administration that blatantly abuses the laws of the country, doing things that you and I would be arrested for….is supported by the very people who scream treason and sedition.
Let me see….the American Revolution was fought to guarantee us certain rights….
I hope more people speak up…
The draconian punishment and labels of “treason” being imposed on a few individuals exercising a truly mild form of free speech during a supposed amusement like playing cards is probably proof positive that the Bush/Cheney philosophy is in reality a nasty disease or toxic waste capable of infecting or contaminating all in sight. It also suggests that if our fearless leaders are not certifiably insane themselves, than they are surely making us mentally ill.
It is long past time for the inoculation of impeachment.
Wow, a lot of comments on this one. I don’t want to feel left out.
How dare these wretches act with such political incorrectness on a global stage? What would godfearingsuperdupergousapatriots have done instead? They would have proudly held up a sign that said, “God Bless the USA…the rest go to Hell!”
As a veteran who served to protect your right to hold up that sign, I thank you. America needs more couragous patriots like yourself if our Noble Experiment has any hope of surviving what Bush and his gang have done to it. Their Achilles Heel is being disrespected, so mock on!
Alternative ending: as far as I’m concerned, he’s just a Wolff in sheep’s clothing.
I couldn’t make up my mind.
By e-mail, angry bridge players have accused the women of “treason” and “sedition.”
I guess they haven’t been paying attention to their representatives or the majority opinion in this country.
“David L. Anderson, a bridge player who supports the team, said it was common to see players at international tournaments sporting buttons bearing the date “1-20-09,” when George W. Bush will hand off to a new president, as well as buttons reading “Support Our Troops.”
Maybe Debbie will pin the next sign to her blouse and call it a large rectangle political button. Hand held political statements seem to make some bridge players very angry.
Keith Olberman made the correct call on his show tonight. He said if the USBF wants to use the words United States in their name to select people to represent our country they must also represent our value of free speech.
End of discussion, now sit your ass down and play!
Well what do you know, more elitest, hostile, and bitter far right loony comments from hysterical, out of touch crackpots. It’s easy for these neo-con imperialists to ignore the consequences of war when they’re so disconnected from the reality of it, and not affected by it. Another couch potato warmongerer eh?
Maybe, since you think the ideological neo-con faction is so benevolent, we should let some of the 4.3 million displaced Iraqi Civilians find refuge in America? You seem to care so much for the Iraqis. eh?
By the twisted, fallacious Neocon standards, 70% of Americans are Anti-American… and the neo-cons belligerently lash out against these people, so when can only conclude that is actually they who hate America since they’re so bitter and angry towards nearly everyone around them.
If you hate our basic freedoms so much, like freedom of speech, press, expression, questioning government etc maybe you should try living in a nation like Pakistan where they crush dissent, supress free speech, and are violent toward anyone who doesn’t blindly follow everything their government tells them to do. You’ll fit in well there.
Or perhaps instead of whining about everyone, you could actually do something to contribute to and support the war effort. And bumper stickers, and lapel pins don’t count.
Couch potato far right wing warmongers. I love it. Completely disconnected from the reality and consequences of the war. Never met a war they didn’t like, as long as they don’t have to lift a finger fight in or support it.
Nice to show the Communist Chinese how some of the nuts in this country operate. Criticize your Government, even one sentance (one written sentance), and a portion of nuts in this country will belligerently cry a temper tantrum and call you un-American. Paradoxically, it is these same nuts who hate America, and American freedoms. This marginal fraction of people are the greatest threat to America and our democracy because in a split second they would not only sit idly by as a Totalitarian government ripped apart and burned the Constitution and Bill of Rights, but they would be right there to cheer and defend it while it happened.
Which is why they’d fit in better in a country like Pakistan or Saudi Arabia.
I was amazed to discover this incident happened last month; the story was buried in todays Arts section of the New York Times.
The Bridge Association is requiring the four ladies to jump through numerous hoops…or else “zee boom vill be lowered!” The Bridge Assn. apparently exists in a Fascist bubble.
Among the hoops, the four (five?) are supposed to sign a letter of apology. To whom is not clear, either to their assn. or the dummy. The women will lose their income for a year, be banned from competing in the bridge “Olympiad” etc etc if they don’t sign, kow tow, perform 200 hours of community service (promoting bridge), etc.
When Keith read off the list of requirements, I was amazed at how much it all sounded like the Loyalty Oaths required during “The Red Scare” in the 50s.
Zee scheiße is hitting zee fan!
This is the kind of thing that keeps our rights from being upheld! I love to play bridge, but I feel lke refusing to play any more if fellow players are going to have their rights trampled like this.
I live near Cumberland, MD, home base for the (now) infamous 372nd MP Company of Abu Grahib torture photos of several years ago. The other night in downtown Cumberland they were holding a big cross-town high-school football pep rally (morphed with a pro-war rally complete with military honor guard, etc…) and the company NFL Films was in town to make a documentary of the event.
So I made myself a sign, complete with American flags that read: WE SUPPORT OUR TORTURERS (and of course, the discussion around here had more to do with whether Joe Darby (the soldier who turned them in) was RIGHT rather than whether what the 372nd MP Company did was wrong.
After perhaps 10 minutes of standing there holding my sign, two upstanding citizens walked up to me, got right into my face and assaulted me and grabbed the sign. When I turned to run after one of them (in an attempt to retrieve my sign) I was tackled from behind by police and handcuffed as I lay on my face on the pavement.
Of course, the real reason for the assault was simply for the police to confiscate the sign (while saying that it would be used as “evidence” in court). If my sign was in poor taste, then having a pro-war high school football pep rally preparing high school kids to go off to Iraq for the benefit of war-profiteers is in poorer taste.
Anyone here ever own a lab or golden retriever? Or pretty much any dog that loved playing fetch?
Here’s the interesting thing. Anyone that’s played catch with a dog, say using a tennis ball, knows that a dog will chase after a ball even if you fake throw it; that is you pump fake, make the motion like you’re throwing, but don’t actually release the ball. So you pump fake, the dog goes and chases at what isn’t there, only to realize that the ball is still sitting in his masters hand. But the interesting thing is if you keep doing this, pump faking two, three, four times, and so on, nearly everytime the dog will go chase what’s not there- gravel back to his master… go chase, gravel back to his master. etc. And it goes on like that. Now you, as an owner/master, look at this behavior and laugh; it is pathetic- this being has inferior intellecutal capacity, limited cognative memory, and abolutely no concept of critical/comprehensive analysis. What’s interesting is that it seems the more times the dog has been blatently tricked, the more obstinate he will become towards his master; he’ll never question why he’s been had, he will be a loyal obedient dog that continues to be fooled over and over again, while the master and everyone around him is laughing at him, and mocking him. He’s lost an awareness of the situation right in front of his face.
And with that in mind. As history tends to repeat itself, and since you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, 30% of our country will be fooled into another illegal, unjust war with Iran. Most of which are the same people who go around preaching to everyone else that they’re traitors, unamerican and treasonous.
Get ready conservatives. Your master is about to pump fake again… get ready, wait for it… wait for it…
“Circus dogs jump when the trainer cracks a whip, but the well trained dog turns sumersaults when their is no whip.”
George Orwell
A little handwritten sign stating a fact “we did not vote for Bush”, has turned into this fiasco? 200 hours of community service? written apologies?, banned from playing?
Actually they got off fairly easy this time. Had that sign been just a little bigger they would have faced a firing squad the next morning, with no trial.
No Trump? How can you make all the kings and queens equal to each other? Must be a communist plot.
Baaaaaaa!
Americans who travel overseas are embarrassed to say they’re American, that’s the reason behind this ’spur-of-the-moment levity.’
And funny that this happened in China, truly the world’s only superpower. The minute the Chinese decide to cash in the US debt, the collapse of the American empire, which started under Reagan, will be complete. Maybe that’s what these ladies were trying to do: ‘hey go easy on us, we didn’t really vote for the creep.’
Too late, ladies, you’re going down.
Here’s my email to them:
Dear Folks,
This statementabout the “I didn’t vote for Bush” sign is outrageous:
It is also not true. No one in America has a right to “control” the speech of people. America is a Constitutional government in a Constitutional crisis created by the GW Bush administration, and you guys think these women should be PUNISHED for saying they didn’t vote for Bush at a dinner where he was discussed a great deal?
Really, this is too much and certainly not flattering to the USBF. News travels fast. Maybe you guys should reconsider unless you and your sponsors are all Bush supporters. If that’s the case, then the world should know that, too.
Signed
Bravo to the people from other countries who pointedly questioned the Americans about their evil government’s behavior, contributing to the reduced warmth the women cite and making the team members feel it was incumbent upon them to say something. Since Americans these days are either too Reaganized/right-wing/fascist to admit their behavior is immoral or too cowed by conformity to acknowledge the damage the US is doing, it will take the rest of the world to make us look at ourselves. If only we’d stop killing and torturing people in the meantime.
I recently attended a conference with a “no border wall” tshirt. No one said anything. Should I be worried? Everything we do is a political statement, if we say nothing it is still political.
I wrote to the board and Ms. Martel last night, and received the following response (I have abbreviated the URLs but the letter is, otherwise, complete as sent to me):
“Thank you for your email.
The USBF Board appreciates everyone’s input. I and the other USBF Board members are not participating in discussions of the incident because it is inappropriate for us to do so. But I assure you that we are listening to everyone.
You can read a Summary of Board Actions at http://tinyurl.com/28vay5 and a Statement regarding the Damage to USBF at http://tinyurl.com/ywwssw. ”
Among the fascinating statements on the web sites she sent is the assertion that they have received a lot of e-mails, but most have been critical of the women and supportive of USBF. I find that hard to believe. You can find the board’s e-mail addresses at http://tinyurl.com/2ctue2.
Just because this is bridge players does not make it less of a free speech issue than the Dixie Chicks. It is the same issue, and for many of the same reasons. I hope this blows up in the USBF’s faces.
One thing that makes America uniquely American is the idea that we have the freedom to openly say what we think about our government.
If the United States Bridge Federation wishes to sanction it’s members for offering up their personal opinions, perhaps they should change their name to the Gestapo Bridge Federation… they don’t represent MY country.
…and the U.S.B.F. doesn’t HAVE to use the photo.
You can make a living playing bridge? Looks like these ladies will have to cross that bridge when they get to it!
Well, it’s not like they could lie & say there were from Canada, Eh?
If they are not allowed to write a sign, how about matching T shirts- black w large white lettering, with the word TORTURE, and the internation *no* sign, the slash mark across it, to express themselves?
Some bridge saavy person can have fun using bridge terminology to write up a funny editorial. I came across these terms:
Palooka: A weak, usually clueless player. A woodpusher. Also: fish.
Squeeze: a technical play in which a player is forced to give up a trick regardless of what he discards.
Sluff: to discard a card that is not trumps. This card cannot win the trick
Albatross: 8410 shape.
Well, hell, at least the Veteran’s for Peace are not alone in being denied free speech.
Grand Slam, Ladies. Well done. I’m sending an email to the USBF in support of you.
miftin:
Next time, make a bunch of signs. When they take one, go back and get another one. Maybe they’ll tire of harassing you before you run out.
Poor Bushies! They still can’t seem to accept the reality that their beloved hero is a disgrace to his country.
Ship them to Syria for interrogation!!!
Yes, this is what ‘democracy’ has come down to: one is ‘free’ to speak as long as the speech pleases the masters. Or put in another way: democracy: the freedom to tell you what to do. It is a disgrace and this from the nation that wants to lead the world. Lead the world? Yup, to disaster.
Hummm…
*Thinking* independent-minded women?
~ Sounds all a bit too challenging and threatening to the ‘Powers That Be’, (and their tiny-minded minions).
Quite rightly, they ought be hauled off to the ducking stool and / or be roasted at the stake. Check out where they live — probably have broomsticks, black cats and books of spells at home?
Why can’t they just play *NICELY* -and quietly, and dress r-e-a-l pretty, and not go poking their noses into *men’s stuff* and all?
haha.
As someone else here pointed out, there do seem to be an increasing amount of *women* who are making the headlines with *PEACEFUL* protests. Dang, - that must scare the monogrammed knickers off the Fools on the Hill!
As to these valiant womenfolk of the Bridge playing world, well, *thankyou lots* for offering us _your_ version of *A Bridge Over Troubled Water* …
…even though the tiny brainwashed minds of America think that this was *A Bridge Too Far* !
I work abroad, and the weird thing was in 2004 when everyone really, really wanted to get rid of Bush but they were afraid to talk to me about it — like people just stopped talking to me. So I got a rainbow-colored Kerry poster and put it on my door & everything went back to normal.
I can totally see these women wanting to get back to their normal interactions with their colleagues. They had no expectation that anyone would really care about their award ceremony — no one had before — they were just trying to communicate to their colleagues, their friends, the people there. It isn’t the team that politicised this. The sanctions are ludicrous. I hope they can afford good lawyers.
And people are right to hold us citizens responsible for the torture, extra-legal imprisonment and preemptive invasion of our government. We held the Nazis and the Iraqis responsible for their government, why shouldn’t we be held responsible for our own?
BRAVO!!!
These people at the US Bridge Federation are asses. Look at their thinking below. Maybe the ACLU will file a lawsuit against the USBF for violating these women’s rights to free speech, who I hope will stand their ground.
I just sent the following message to the Board:
“I hope the USBF take immediate action to protect the brave women who exercised their democratic rights in Shanghai. Any attempts to attack these women financially must be LOUDLY opposed by the USBF.
“If the Board cannot stand up for its champion members, then I look forward to the next visit of the US Bridge Team to Australia, where I’m sure we’ll be able to organise a fitting public expression of the value of freedom of speech.
“And any USBF corporate sponsor that decides to withdraw their support can be assured of a vigorous global boycott!
“Sincerely,
“[Name & address provided]”
Also, thanks to the USBF statement for revealing at least two of their sponsors, the Generali Group and Microsoft.
Good job! That’s what every American should do, at every opportunity, unless you want to be labeled as “Bush’s henchman”
Dysphoria
Good for you.
I’m going to have to find out more about the Generali Group, but I really wonder if Microsoft would pull their funding support for these bridge tournaments because these women held up a sign saying they didn’t vote for Bush. Maybe they would, but it seems like an inconsequential act in the larger scheme of things, not much to get bothered about.
What struck me even more was this part of the claim of damage to them:
It leaves me sputtering. In the first place, you don’t change your stripes and violate your participants’ CONSTUTIONAL rights of free speech to get sponsorship from a country that does not permit free speech. That’s pandering to the very worst dictatorial aspects of a government. You have no integrity if you do.
Second, why would China CARE if some American women held up a sign saying they didn’t vote for Bush? It’s no skin off their backs.
I just think this board is made up of garden club Nancy Pelosis who think that life must be lived as a tea party having absolutely nothing to do with reality. They are passengers on the fabled “Ship of Fools” headed for Germany in the 30s, partying, speaking frivolously, being stupidly and willfully oblivious to or uncaring about the black cloud of Naziism spreading over Europe.
I know in the larger scenario of the loss of Constitutional rights under Bush, this is just one of many violations of American rights by a usually-invisible organization, but it’s something people can get a handle on and protest vigorously instead of standing by and just watching it happen.
The Generali Group is an Italian-based insurance company with worldwide operations. I wonder who the USBF thinks is violating Generali’s ethics code — those women who held up the sign, or the Board of USBF?
W