Anti-Bush Sign Has Bridge World in an Uproar

[babylonsister]

Anti-Bush Sign Has Bridge World in an Uproar


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


By STEPHANIE STROM
Published: November 14, 2007

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.

more...

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

[AX10]

1. If Martel does not like freedom of expression, then...

she should go live in Iran.

[tanyev]

2. Good on them!

I thought it was going to be an article about freeway blogging. :)

[zanne]

3. YOU GO, GIRLS! nt

[TlalocW]

4. Suddenly bridge is exciting and fraught with intrigue...

Soccer should try something like this to make it interesting. :)

TlalocW

[babylonsister]

8. Ha! I was going to

make some snarky remark along the lines of what you did, but I didn't want to annoy any bridge players! :) Good point about soccer, too, but can millions and millions of people be wrong? Maybe we're too narrow-minded.

[fasttense]

5. Punishing someone for expressing an opinion is Not Freedom of Speech.

These neocons and corporatist enablers say things like, "You have the right to say what you want but we have the right to fire you or suspend you for expressing your opinion." But if you are punished for expressing your opinion, how is that Freedom of Speech?

[Beausoleil]

9. They're not even expressing an opinion

They are stating a fact. Now how is stating the fact that I did not vote for Bush equated to "sedition" and "treason". I'll state it anywhere. If that's treason, this is not America.

It's amazing how some idiots in this country think that patriotism is love of George Bush and anything less is "treason". What great Americans.

Embarrassment at hearing something displeasing to you is also no call for shouts of "treason".

[babylonsister]

13. I agree, and it's pathetic. nt

[C_U_L8R]

6. oh dear, don't offend the corporate sponsors

what an ass.

You go girls !! Speak out loudly and often !!

[baldguy]

12. ...corporate masters.

[goddess40]

7. I love it

I wish more American's had the guts

[DavidDvorkin]

10. "Treason" and "sedition"!

The person who wrote that is confused and thinks we're living in a Medieval monarchy.

Or maybe I'm the one who's confused. ...

[DFW]

11. Maybe China will offer them asylum?

That would be a nice comment on Bush's America:

When American women bridge players seek political asylum in China.
Sort of a turnabout from when their ping pong players sought asylum
in the USA. It wouldn't be one for us to boast about, mind you.....

[DeeDeeNY]

14. That is a wonderful photo!

It really made my day.

:applause:

[babylonsister]

15. Yes! I agree, though I'm sorry they're getting so much grief. nt