The Sign

Earlier at what if?, I congratulated the U.S. players who performed admirably during international play in Shanghai.  And I regretted that some players failed to demonstrate thoughtful manners by parading their own political expression during an awards ceremony.

Well, most people on the planet don't pay much attention to what happens in my little bridge world. Now, perhaps, we will get a bit more attention.

You might also be interested in a statement from the bridge organization that oversees high level competition.

Comments

[JAMMEN]

Peg, I'm curious if your response would be different if the sign had said "we support bush".
I agree with the Europeans that this is much ado about nothing.
Are "support our troops" lapel pins also to be banned? Of course with will end up in the courts.

[Peg]

My gut feeling would be less if they held up a positive sign - though "We support Bush" is POLITICAL...and POLITICAL signs were verboten.

Is "We support the troops" political? Not sure. Maybe; maybe not. One would like to think that almost all Americans support the military people who protect us.

Still - my bottom line is that if political expression (along with racial and religious) is proscribed - then follow the rules. Period.

By the way - do not be so sure that "Europeans think it much ado about nothing."

I know many, many liberals and foreigners who also think it was in poor taste - to say the least.

The NYTimes hasn't been reporting the Whole Truth for a while now. No reason for them to start in an article like this.

[JAMMEN]

Peg, as you know this is all over the internet, news, and bridge sites. The consensus is that holding up the sign was in bad taste, but the over-reaction by the usbf & acbl (a board member said he wants heads to roll) is extraodinary.
What really bothers me about the rightwing is how often they are disingenuous. This is about Bush. It is not about the usbf's policy on decorum.
And the proposed sanctions are laughable. 200 hours of community service!! get real.
The acbl & usbf members are mostly in their 60's & 70's. By this proposed action they are revealing how out of touch they are with the majority of americans.
Is it any wonder that young people are not interested in joining?

[Peg]

All I can tell you, Jammen, is that much of what is in the media about "factual data" is false.

And many of the so-called "right wing" people to whom you are referring that serve on these boards are either apolitical - or liberals.

So much for that theory, too.

[JAMMEN]

Peg, check out rec.bridge.com and bridge base water cooler forum for more of the bridge community reactions. Bobby Wolf wants heads to roll, and Jan Martel is masterminding the usbf actions. So much for your apolitical/liberal
theory.

[Peg]

Jammen, I'm afraid your comments are misleading and not accurate.

I'm not sure what Wolff thinks ought to occur - although I have read statements that he thinks this is a serious matter. Wolff, however, no matter how great a player, is just one of the masses as far as this is concerned. What he thinks really carries no more weight that what you, or I, or anyone else in a non-governing position in the bridge world thinks.

As for Jan Martel - what do you mean by "masterminding"? She is the President of the organization. She communicates with the public as to what the Board is doing.

So far, as Martel says, nothing has been levied for punishment; nothing. A grievance committee (as per the by-laws) will meet in San Francisco.

These are the facts. If you have anything you think contradicts them - please feel free to weigh in.

[JAMMEN]

What remains is how poorly the board reacted to the "incident".

From the USBF website:

The USBF Board has dismissed all charges against the players on the Venice Cup team.

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