Anti-Bush Sign Has (Game of) Bridge World in an Uproar

[sabra]

Source: NY Times

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.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/arts/14brid.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin

---

From left, Jill Levin, Jill Meyers, Debbie Rosenberg and Irina Levitina of the Venice Cup championship team in Shanghai.

[Dhalgren]

1. Beautiful! The sentiment and the ladies...

:applause:

[Demit]

2. What an amazing, disgusting story.The sign isn't even criticism, but a statement of fact.

Seems like there's the same percentage of jingoistic reactionary hyperbolic loonies in the bridge world as there are in the general populace. You'd think they'd have a smidgen more intelligence, especially after seven years of this insane president.

[rfranklin]

25. The criticism is implicit...

And the wingnuts are smart enough to feel the sting of the implicit message.

[Demit]

44. Please. It's not the George-Bush-is-a-moron kind of criticism, is what I meant.

Voting for someone is always an implicit criticism of the person you didn't vote for, isn't it? The extreme overreaction is from what the loonies are reading into a mild-mannered statement. That some are shreiking treason—with officials threatening to punish the women financially—is extremely scary.

[BridgeTheGap]

99. The sign could be a matter of self preservation - letting potential

terraists know that they didn't support the idiot-in-chief

[ananda]

34. Keep in mind that..

.. bridge is mostly a rich white person's game.

I belong to my local bridge club, and of course
I'm a flaming liberal radical with some great
bumper stickers on my car... but I refuse to talk
politics at bridge centers or games.

After all, it's just a fukkin game... and I like to
enjoy myself.

However, I really admire those women for having
the courage to hold up that sign... I didn't vote for
Bush either. In fact, I've never voted Reep in my
life.

[tom_paine]

95. Are you kidding? After 20+ years of Bushie Propaganda and reprogramming

these poeple are ready in their hearts to be Nazis, or at the very least to stand aside, put their hands over their ears, and let the Bushies proceed with their Final Solutions to the Liberal Problem (whatever those may turn out to be, who can predict details of the future?)

No question nor doubt about it. Not anymore. As soon as they are given Permission by Authority to harass, assault, or even kill Liberals, look out because those things will start to happen tomorrow.

[Joe Bacon]

98. This is right out of the Soviet Union!

I remember how the Soviets treated chess Grandmaster Victor Korchnoy after he denounced the Soviet Government. He went into exile, and the Soviet chess federation treated him in the exact same manner as the US Bridge Federation is treating these ladies. In fact, Soviets boycotted tournaments Korchnoy played in. Amazing. So nice to know that the US has mutated into the Union of Soviet Jesus Republics...

[rodeodance]

3. ha ha good for them

[alfredo]

4. Hooray for them.

[NavyDavy]

5. great job!!!!

:headbang:

[StClone]

6. Let me guess, Hannity, Rush, O'Reilly, Savage etal

Outrages, lies, twist (spin gone awry) they can say on our public airways to millions, but these ladies can't make a statement of fact to a few hundred.

[Cha]

33. Yeah, I hope they're freakin' frothing

at the mouth.

OT, but is anyone else running slooooooooooooo?

[NJCher]

53. exactly

The Moran-in-Chief humiliates us on a daily basis, asking such things as "Are there black people in Brazil?" He can't find the right door to exit the stage. He cleans his glasses on the queen's skirt. He cannot construct an intelligible sentence and he drops Barney smack on his face. He skins his own face over a pretzel and falls down riding his bike.

Worst, however, is the depths of moral degradation to which he has taken this country: torture. The debasement of human beings who did nothing, not one thing, to the United States.

And it's so wrong to distance oneself from this kind of abject stupidity and moral depravity?

Please.




Cher

[Patriot Abroad]

96. clarification?

I can't find any mention of him cleaning his glasses on the queen's skirt (which actually has the possibility of boosting him in the opinion polls in this country).

However, there are great clips of him grabbing a random woman's shirt on Letterman and cleaning his glasses with it . . .

[boilinmad]

100. Yeah, you should have heard..

....that fat, disgusting, ignorant Dennis Prager getting his oversized panties in a bunch over this one.......

[donsu]

7. gold stars for Jill, Jill, Debbie and Irina - fearless women all

and a big gold star for winning

[MindPilot]

8. Stating a personal fact is "treason" but outing a CIA officer is not?

Man it's hard to keep up in bushworld.

[Cha]

35. Yeah, they, the

bridge players who called them traitors, need to keep up.

[n2doc]

9. WTF? Not voting for Bush = "treason"

Since when did Bush become "America"? These people are insane....I fear for the future of Anerica with the nuts we have in charge and supporting them.

[Cha]

36. That's their stupid mindset..

they can't think for themselves so they check in with limpballs.

[tekisui]

57. One of the steps from Democracy to Fascism---

Call dissent treason.

Naomi Wolf talks about this in "End of America"

[Doctor_J]

10. The bridge world is pretty right-wing

Not quite as much as PGA golf, but many of the top players are hyper-rich investors and others with alot of leisure time (*'s base) - for example, the late beer heir Mark Molson was a world-class player. I am not surprised this raised a few hackles among that group, and, mimicking hate radio, they were sure to invoke sedition.

What's a shame is that * is so hated around the world that americans who go to events like this, which should be non-political, are probably swamped with questions about him and his disastrous policies. I traveled to Europe earlier this year for vacation and was routinely told of the locals' distaste for Smirk.

[Demeter]

31. Then All The Better To Have Their Noses Rubbed In It

These ladies deserve a Congressional Medal of Honor, at least!

[Cha]

38. Medal of Valor!

Can you imagine the distaste they have for what bushite is doing to our country to actually get this written down and shown for posterity?

[kimmylavin]

59. My sister

My sister was in Europe (Italy, I think) on election night, 2004.
People were actually yelling at her!
And she just kept yelling back that SHE sure as hell didn't vote for that asshole.

[Diclotican]

64. TOJ

TOJ

Sir

I hope you was told politely what many european really think about mr Bush, and his Administration.. I dont know where you was, but if you get under the skin of many european, you wil see that they dont HATE America, but they are really angry about what USA have become after 7 year with this madness that Bush have been..

He have rutinely since 2001 insulted many european head of state, many have feeled really agry about what mr Bush have been said, and doing, and becouse the US is that a great nation, we can't do a thing, then to smile and say polite word to a man who probely not even can find the contry hi is wisiting on a map, where the contry are marked with a special collor to try to tel mr Bush what contry he is to visit..

Mr Bush have been a trippel catastrope for USA, and maybee even for the world.. I have not a clue howe to try to fix it, and I am afraid that USA must build up the respect, the sympati and the love the rest of the world once had for the country.. And it wil take decades to "fix" what mr Bush have been doing to split the world.. I fear that next time your once admirable country are attaced, or are going into another war, you may even not getting the "bribed and coorched" contry.. That you have once before the Iraqi War...

You had once the posibility to get suport for all the world, to fight the Osama Bin Ladens of the world.. Now you have a lot of the world, who dont excactly are of in their arm to help United States... And it wil take some time to come back from that...

I hope that US are coming back to the top, as the great nation theyr once was, And that we togheter can fight the "bad boys"of the world, and maybee even give the world a better future.. I belive that the United States of America can, and wil found itself, soner or later.. But in the future, you may have to shoose your government, and your president little more carfully.. The man who act as a clown in the election prosess, CAN be a clown.. And as amazing it was to see that US was getting Bush as their "leader" in 2000, it was maybee more scaring to se that many enoug manage to wote for mr Bush twise to get him "elected" in 2004...

In 2000 I was seing mr Bush as a clown, who maybee was not the brigtest light in the room, but a catable man, who "maybee" was given 3-4 year and then out..I belived him to a man who want to do the opposite of what mr Clinton have been doing. But he was not to be afraid of, he was just a clown.. But now I KNOW him to be a Clown. But a verry, verry dangrous Clown... A man who maybee have seriusy medical problems, psykically as fysically. And what he NEED is medical help.. In a closed pattered room, where medical attetion are on standby 24 hour a day, 365 days a year... His is definetly mad. in many meaning of the world...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad engelish, not my native language

[1monster]

65. Diclotican, regarding your signature line (Sorry my bad English...)

Okay, so you are unsure of a few verb tenses and have some minor errors in spelling, but your English is clear and coherent.

You certainly are far more understandable than Bush.

I congratulate you on your grasp of English. English is really an impossible language. :D

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/4-20-2005-68792.asp

The Very Funny English Language

English, unless you grew up with its eccentricities, can be a rather difficult and confusing language to learn. The rule is that the rule doesn't always rule.

1. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

2. Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend?

3. When the stars are out, they are visible,
When the lights are out, they are invisible.

4. If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?

5. If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

6. C'mon, let's polish the Polish furniture.

7. The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

8. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

9. How can 'A Slim Chance' and 'A Fat Chance' be the same?

10. How can 'You're so cool' and 'You're not so hot' be different?

11. Why are 'A Wise man' and 'A Wise guy' opposites?

12. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

13. The bandage was wound around the wound.

14. I did not object to the object.

15. The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

16. Boxing rings are square.

17. A guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

18. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

19. There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.

20. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

21. The farm was used to produce produce.

22. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France.

23. If brother becomes Brethren, why doesn't mother become Methren?

24. If tooth becomes teeth, why doesn't booth become beeth?

25. If one goose becomes two geese, why doesn't one moose becomae two meese?

26. If I speak of a foot and you show me your feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?

27. How come Writers write but Fingers don't fing?
And Grocers don't groce and Hammers don't ham?

28. A hat in the plural doesn't become hose.
And a cat in the plural doesn't become cose.

29. A box in the plural becomes is boxes.
But an Ox in the plural never becomes oxes. (It becomes Oxen).

30. A lone mouse can transform into a whole set of mice,
But it's impossible for a single house to become a whole block of hice. (It becomes houses).

31. Although the masculine pronouns are he, his and him, we must be grateful for small mercies of the language that the feminine pronouns after 'She' don't become 'Shis' and 'Shim'.

32. If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

33. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

34. How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

35. He could lead if he could only get the lead out.

36. They were too close to the door to close it.

37. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

38. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

39. You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns down,
in which you fill in a form by filling it out
and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

40. It is only in the English language that people recite at a play and play at a recital.

41. No sooner had my eye fallen upon the tear in the painting, then this eye of mine began to shed many a tear.

42. I was given a number of injections to make the pain number.

43. It's not ridiculous, but entirely sensible to ship by truck and send cargo by ship.

44. We are a strange lot to have noses that run and feet that smell.

45. The buck does funny things when the does are present.

46. I was proven right that I had the right of way.

47. How come you never hear of a combobulated, gruntled, ruly, or peccable person?

48. Why is it that whether you sit down or sit up, the results are the same?

49. Shouldn't there be a shorter word for "monosyllable"?

50. If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented?

51. If people from Poland are called "Poles," why aren't people from Holland called "Holes?

52. If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

53. The human race has been running for a great many centuries now - but we're not tired yet.

54. "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence?

55. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

By Sonal Panse
Published: 4/24/2005p/div]

[Diclotican]

74. 1monster

1monster

Sir/madam

My engelish is not good, I know, so I try to "warn" my engelish speaking audience to be warned... When I try to punch down my bad engelish to you all. And yes Engelish is not easy to use, when you are not used to write ut. But it a great tool, with many words to describe the world too.. I try my best to write, but I am better to read the language, then I am to write it down then;)

Wel, it should be dificult to write og speak better than your currend President.. I have lisened to him speak, and I am verry confused..Why can a man who are so "stupid" and the loss of word, be the president of the ONE most powerfull nation on the face of the earth? I am really confused about that:think: As you may see, I am not a fan of mr Bush, and even that i "won" i 2000, I belived him to be not that a danger to US and to the rest of the world, as hi is today.. If this Administration is not stoped in its tracks, I AM REALLY AFRAID WHAT THEY WANT TO DO NEXT...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad engelish, not my native language

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dpbrown]

12. Yeah, like making a political statement at an awards ceremony hasn't been done before...

[Forkboy]

13. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Screw the USBF. You tell 'em, ladies!!!! :applause:

[RamboLiberal]

14. U.S. Team In Hot Water For Anti-Bush Sign

Source: CBS News

From the "declarer" to the "double-dummy," the world of bridge is notorious for being full of words that make very little sense to people outside it. But when a team of women who represented the United States at the world bridge championships in Shanghai last month held up a sign scribbled on the back of a menu during their victory ceremony, no one had any doubt about what they meant.

"We did not vote for Bush," read the scrawled, but entirely legible letters.

The genteel world of bridge was not amused. The New York Times reports that the women are facing sanctions, including a yearlong ban from competition, for their spur-of-the-moment protest.

"This isn't a free-speech issue," said Jan Martel, president of the United States Bridge Federation. "There isn't any question that private organizations can control the speech of people who represent them."


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/14/the_skinny/main3499666.shtml

---

Boo USBF! Lighten up! Good for the team! Will this go down in history like the black athletes raised fists in Mexico City Olympic Games?

[Teaser]

15. Although the parent organization is technically right

I suppose I am badly biased in wishing them to just leave it be.

[Der Blaue Engel]

17. Not necessarily

In response to "there isn't any question...":

Actually, yes there is, according to Danny Kleinman, a professional bridge player 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.

I like this logic. :)

[Supersedeas]

16. note to self: be careful, the President of your organization could be a Bushbot too

[dpbrown]

18. Yeah, like making a political statement at an awards ceremony hasn't been done before...

[SpiralHawk]

19. True American Patriots

I salute them

[LynneSin]

23. "The genteel world of bridge was not amused." - from what I read just the US world of bridge

rest of the world found no problem with it.

[LuckyLib]

70. And the genteel folks of Iraq haven't been amused for quite some time themselves.

[Mountainman]

20. Well, I guess the freepers will have to stop playing bridge!

:sarcasm:

[Orsino]

26. At some point they were gonna have to choose...

...between "supporting America" and actually supporting Americans.

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. The freepers are smart enough to play bridge?

Who'da thunk it?

[LynneSin]

21. Yes, let's waterboard the lot of them!!!

This is FUCKING BRIDGE - I see nothing wrong with what they did. Hell someone's kid is standing in that picture holding an American flag.

I'm proud of these women!

[Mad_Dem_X]

22. Brava!

We must continue to speak out at every available opportunity! They cannot silence us!

Good for them!

[lilymidnite]

24. USBF goes down 6 doubled, vulnerable

Dumb f*cks.

[liberal N proud]

28. We have to let the world know...

We didn't vote for the monster. He was appointed and stole the second election outright.

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[enotsk]

29. contact the USBF and the ACBL

I suggest that we all contact the USBF and the ACBL and let them know how we feel about this gagging! Causing someone to lose their livelihood because of speaking out against their government is another step on the road to fascism in the USA.

United States Bridge Federation
1511 Portola Street
Davis, CA 95616
Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Email [e-mail], [e-mail]
Web site http://www.usbf.org /
(source: http://www.worldbridge.org/zones/nbo.asp?orgid=141 )

American Contract Bridge League
2990 Airways Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116-3847
901-332-5586 direct line
901-398-7754 fax
Website: www.acbl.org
Emails and telephone extension numbers are at http://www.acbl.org/about/departments.html
They seem to also have toll-free numbers at 800-467-1623 and 800-264-2743.

[Schmotastic]

43. Some additional contact info for the USBF

[e-mail] -- Jan Martel, USBF President
[e-mail] -- Rena Hetzer, Administrative Assistant

[e-mail] -- All USBF Board Members
[e-mail] -- Joan Gerard, Board Member
[e-mail] -- Bill Pollack, Board Member
[e-mail] -- Steve Beatty, Board Member
[e-mail] -- Bob Hamman, Board Member
[e-mail] -- Rose Meltzer, Board Member and Chair of Grievances and Appeals
[e-mail] -- Lou Ann O'Rourke, Board Member

Perhaps they need a polite reminder that their behavior is unacceptable.

[haydukelives]

77. thanks for the links

and welcome to DU

[BallardWA]

104. Just a quick note regarding the 530 area code number...

My first post!  I sent emails to Jan Martel and the Board, but
then decided a call was in order.  The phone number posted is
Jan Martel's personal number, and while we had a cordial
conversation and she listened to what I had to say, I never
would have called a personal number knowingly.
My son is a budding Bridge player, and this just chaps us to
no end..

[Naipes]

30. Of course they didn't vote for Bush...

they play bridge...they're thinkers... the only reason people vote Republican is because it's easier than thinking.

[Cha]

32. I well remember this when it came

out on DU a few weeks ago and mused what the reaction would be?

Fucking, gopervert, bridge limpballsesque, ladies.

Who will win? Will the "Ladies Who Did Not Vote For bushit" prevail as the Dixie Chicks did with their Five Grammies..I think so.

[Exultant Democracy]

37. If you can be idetified as American in a forgien country, you better make it clear

that you didn't vote for Bush, in fact is is a safety issue. Of course it is better to hide your country of origin but obviously these women didn't have that ability since then came on the US team.

[treestar]

41. Naw, I don't think it's that bad

Maybe it depends on the country.

Though I remember family members traveling to Spain right around the time of the conflict with Spain when they withdrew from the war, wanting to learn how to say "We hate Bush," in Spanish! We settled on: "Odiamos Arbusto."

[Exultant Democracy]

55. You are welcome to travel around wearing an American Flag t-shirt

even the US wrestling team won't wear their U.S. gear in public and those guys are pretty tough.

[treestar]

71. Where was that?

I was recently in Europe and everyone was nice. Maybe it's because as a tourist you are economically benefitting them and also not representing the US the way a team is.

[Easy]

93. As a european, I can assure you

... that most of us don't think of tourists in economical terms or as plain business opportunities. And not everything is about politics. If you are nice to people, people are nice to you - it's that simple ;)

~Easy

[bikebloke]

39. Treason?

In the third grade, we were taught that in a free country the people are free to criticize their leaders and government. Countries where that wasn't possible, were not free. Are the eejits with their feigned outrage, the same ones who obnoxiously belch pronouncements of "freedom" and "liberty" in every other sentence?

[treestar]

42. And you can criticize them even if you voted for them!

And you certainly have the right to tell others you didn't vote for him!

These people are truly insane!

[rhett o rick]

40. I sent an email to ms. Martel explaining that most Americans are ashamed of our President.

We feel it is necessary to let the world know that we do not support the policies of this president.

USBF web site: http://usbf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=113&Itemid=1

Ms. Martel email: [e-mail] and USBF Board of Directors: [e-mail]

Please be polite.

[Arugula Latte]

101. I did likewise.

Thanks for the links! :hi:

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

45. K & R.

[lame54]

46. did anybody even know there was a United States Bridge Federation?

well, now we do so Jan Martel should just shut the fuck up

[crispini]

47. K&R for the bridge ladies

[SharonRB]

48. Good job, ladies!

And congratulations on the win!

[KansDem]

I don't understand Bridge...

...but I understand this!
:woohoo:

[MissMillie]

50. ever play Pitch?

It's remarkably similar... but uses the entire deck.

[KansDem]

60. No, never played Pitch either

About the closest I've come to playing Bridge (or Pitch) is Euchre...I think.

[juno jones]

85. Euchre!!!

Gods, I miss Euchre! No one out here in WA knows how to play (sigh).

[MissMillie]

49. don't that trump all!?!

.... ok.... bad pun.

Good for these ladies.

[ejbr]

51. Well done ladies. However, MY sign would read:

"The majority of Americans did not vote for Bush... in either election."

[winston61]

52. Let's see, how can I put this tactfully? Oh yeah-

Brava to these fine ladies and fuck the U.S.B.F.

[pnorman]

54. George Bush had put in three long hard and valorous years

in the Texas Air National Guard (TANG), FIGHTING for her FREEDOMS! And in return, she does THIS??? O, the HORROR!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

pnorman

[Maestro]

56. Love it!

Would they have a problem if it said something pro-* or is it that dissent is being stifled?

[lpbk2713]

58. K&R

As I see it, the BushBots are just giving more of a voice to the issue of what a Miserable Failure Dumbya is. Thanks to the delusional twenty percenters more people are getting the message.

[Wapsie B]

61. How can it be treason to speak out against a politician?

Even if that politician happens to occupy the White House? It was patriotic to question Clinton but treason to question * . Moral relativism once again from the righties.

[Bolo Boffin]

62. Shut Up and Bid!

Bravo, ladies!

[LuckyLib]

63. Every public event where there's a photographer should have one of us with a sign.

Raise it high, and speak out!!! Outstanding!

[happygoluckytoyou]

66. IN A RELATED STORY--->

AT A GAME OF CHUTES AND LADDERS AT THE WHITEHOUSE LAST WEEK, DICK CHENEY FELL DOWN A CHUTE AND LANDED ON HIS UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. PRESIDENT DUBYA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION ANNOUNCING THAT HIS MARKER WAS ABOUT TO TURN THE CORNER. CONDI WAS IN A LOSING POSITION, TIPPED OVER THE BOARD, BLAMING IT ON THE PRETZEL SHE WAS CHOKING ON.

IT WAS AT THIS MOMENT LAURA BUSH ENTERED THE ROOM WITH A SMALL CARDBOARD SIGN SHE HAD SCRIBBLED:

ITS NAP TIME... EVERYONE GO TO YOUR ROOMS

THE PRESS CORP WAS THROWN INTO A FRENZY, FOX INTERUPTED THEIR NORMALLY SCHEDULED EXAMINATION OF THE NEW PARIS HILTON PERFUME TO REPORT ON THE INCIDENT. DUBYA USED THE ENSUING COMMOTION TO STAY UP PAST HIS BEDTIME. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

AWWW...COME ON... IT COULD HAPPEN.

[underpants]

67. Don't blame the people-We voted for Gore

Love it!!

[Dukkha]

68. how is simply stating who you didn't vote for treason?

I heard the same thing throughout 2004 that choosing Kerry as your candidate was anti-American. WRONG ASSHOLES!!!
NOT choosing anyone at all or having your choice made by someone else is ant-American to the core, like all the dittoheads out there.

[gtar100]

90. Will they confess to their "treason" during the Clinton years?

Or is their definition of treason based on being "Republican" as opposed to "American".

Be careful standing behind a republican, all that "stuff" flying over their heads is the cold, hard truth.

[rusty charly]

69. shopping:

http://www.collectorsparadise.com/cosoididnotv.html

[stevenleser]

72. Three no trump! Love ya ladies!!!

[Tab]

73. Awww.... all those Republican blue-hairs with their panties in a wad

and they all have closeted gay husbands.

What's a bridge player to do?

[FlyingSquirrel]

75. My blood boils at the "Treason" word. HOWEVER....

The Bridge Federation does have a point. What if, instead of "We Did Not Vote For Bush", the ladies had said, "F--- Bush"? What if they had been Republican and said, "Either you're with us or you're against us"? Surely the Federation should have the ability to sanction members for inappropriate speech. Holding up the sign saying "We Did Not Vote For Bush" makes it seem as though the ladies are speaking for everyone on their team (or even in the entire Bridge Federation) which clearly they are not. Had one lady held up a sign saying, "I Did Not Vote For Bush" her actions would be more defensible.

Although most of us on this board can agree with the sentiment of the sign, the golden rule is to put yourself in the other peoples' shoes and see if you would still think the signholder had the right to do what she/they did. Let's say this happened during impeachment hearings against Bill Clinton, and the sign had said "We Did Not Vote For Clinton". You're a member of the Bridge Federation who DID vote for him and still support him. Still think it's ok?

Despite the psychotic, irrational response from the Bush faction which is clearly also wrong, the ladies who have not done so should apologize for their action (however lighthearted and spontaneous and well-meaning) and respect the fact that many of their fellow Bridge players do not agree with the anti-Bush sentiment and feel that the ladies were inappropriately speaking on their behalf.

[liberal1973]

80. Get back to me on that

When the bush faction is removed from the Bridge Federation. The Federation should lose the United States. There was no treason only the right-wing fascist dimwits think that. The way these ladies were treated was unAmerican.

[NJCher]

81. Let me give that a shot

Let's say this happened during impeachment hearings against Bill Clinton, and the sign had said "We Did Not Vote For Clinton". You're a member of the Bridge Federation who DID vote for him and still support him. Still think it's ok?

OK, I visualized this with Clinton in the place of bush. The answer to your question is yes, it's OK. Not just OK but an act of bravery. If Clinton had tortured people, made a complete and utter fool of himself, and run the economy into the ground,it's not just OK but commendable.

Brava bridge team!!



Cher

[Eric J in MN]

83. I wouldn't care if the sign said "We didn't vote for Kerry."

I wouldn't want them punished either way.

[Jimbo S]

102. I agree

The four women were representing a private group at a non-political event. They were representing all the members of the USBA. I don't think stating a political opinion at that stage was totally appropriate.

The Dixie Chicks were on stage representing themselves.

Should the four women face consequences? Yeah, maybe a letter of reprimand but nothing more.

Did they have their free speech violated? No.
Did they commit treason? NO!!

[DrDan]

76. criticism and/or sanctions will do infinitely more harm abroad than that sign

these repigs should realize that

[99th_Monkey]

78. i LOVE this!! Keep it up America. Screw Bush/Cheney/Pelosi

this is STILL America!! Speak out at every opportunity!! It's the American thing to do.

thanks for posting this..

[roxnev]

79. All Republicans

Are losers and cowards

[Eric J in MN]

82. The management of the "United States Bridge Federation" is bringing intolerance to a new low.

If their sign had said, "We didn't vote for Kerry," I wouldn't care.

Punishing someone for either sign at a bridge tournament is ridiculous.

Regarding the legal questions, if the players were never given any kind of warning that they could be punished for this, they may have a case.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

84. WTG ladies!!!

[lonestarnot]

86. ewwweee. I once let the dog lick all the donuts that were fed to the prissy

bridge club ladies and heard them remarking how gooooooood they were. Teehee! I was just a teenager heh, these days I would be tortured for that confession.

[spirit of wine]

87. Excellent to see!

Being president means you must be strong enough to be able to put up with constructive criticism and abide by the constitution, which #43 is hardly doing. History will write a better account than what we can now say about what is happening. Be patient.

-Peace Out.

[LiberalFighter]

88. What do their rules state regarding this type of situation?

I couldn't find anything on their website. Maybe they use the Super Secret Probation method?


I wonder if their president, Jan Martel is brave enough to attend future international competition considering that many of them hate hate hate Americans. I'm sure those foreign competitors now know her political persuasion.

At least the women were trying to take the edge off from their winning the competition. Those in attendance might have a little hatred towards Americans.

[dweller]

89. a never ending battle ...

“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.”

recall Lysistrata.

:patriot: ladies,
dp

[samsingh]

91. more brave ladies - they should share the stage with the chicks

[samsingh]

92. who are the assholes attacking these brave ladies

that is so three years ago.

haven't the idiots supporting bush learned anything? how could they with peas as brains.

[stellanoir]

94. The bridge ladies are coming. . .

the bridge ladies are coming. . .the bridge ladies are coming. . .

e-gads

[DrDan]

97. let 'em know your thoughts - I just did

[e-mail]

their site . . . http://usbf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=57

[Dr Fate]

103. It's not even anti-Bush, per se. It's just a statement of voter preference.

I dont see the "controversey" here, other than the manufactured type.