Coke and McDonald's to LGBT: Drop Dead.

[Pab Sungenis]

Joe.My.God. has the official announcements from Coke and McDonald's on the Sochi Olympics. I love how they basically say "we love our LGBT customers, however...."

Coke:

We have long been a strong supporter of the LGBT community and have advocated for inclusion and diversity through both our policies and practices. We do not condone human rights abuses, intolerance, or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world. As a sponsor since 1928, we believe the Olympic Games are a force for good that unite people through a common interest in sports, and we have seen firsthand the positive impact and long-lasting legacy they leave on every community that has been a host.

McDonald's:

There’s no room for discrimination under the Golden Arches. McDonald’s welcomes 69 million customers around the world every day representing different races, nationalities, religions, genders, ages and sexual orientations. McDonald’s supports the spirit of the Olympic Games and its ability to unite the world in a positive and inspirational way. We’ve been a proud sponsor of the Games for 37 years. Regarding the recent Russian legislation, we support the International Olympic Committee’s belief that sport is a human right and the Olympic Games should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and athletes.

[MNBrewer]

1. I'm really offended by how "sport is a human right" trivializes the concept of human rights.

That's like saying "growing hybrid tea roses is a human right".

[unblock]

2. "positive impact and long-lasting legacy" -- i.e., host cities becomes mcdonald's addicts!

[DonCoquixote]

3. There is no excuse

But then again, the Olympics have lost a lot of cred. Over in Tampa, we have Oksana Baiul, the one that won the gold that nancy kerrigan and Tanya harding fought for. True to form, her trainers let her be a basket case as long as she had the gold, which left her a drunk. Thankfully she made it, but I realize that for every one that does, there is some kid who is used up and discarded like some horse being boiled for glue.