Anti-Bush Sign Has Bridge World in an Uproar

[DeSwiss]

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.

NYT
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.

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

- Cost them sponsors? Budweiser? Shell Oil? Who sponsors Bridge anyways? Do they have jackets like in NASCAR???

[Deja Q]

1. Both sides acting like that, it only proves none of them wants to build bridges.

:hide:

[DeSwiss]

3. They might have just....

...been trying to mollify an angry crowd...

Shades of the Dixie Chicks!!! YES!!! I'm not ready to make nice baby.




Oh, and this is for your snark:

[chaumont58]

9. "Both side acting like that" I don't understand what you are faulting?

What are the circumtances when a free United States citizen does not have a right to tell the truth? I did not vote for Bush. That is the truth. If I were to visit the White House, I can tell the truth. I am not yelling fire in a crowded theatre. The right wing treats it like that, but it isn't.

[walldude]

2. Treason and Sedition? Because they didn't vote for Bush?

Now that is some funny shit...

[DeSwiss]

4. Not for not voting for him....

...but telling everyone they didn't!



New theme song for Bridge players: "Not Ready To Make Nice" - The Dixie Chicks

[Supersedeas]

36. Outing a covert CIA agent is okay; stating your political preference is treason

[kelligesq]

5. Good for Debbie . They already won world recognition, they dont need

the association anymore.

[DeSwiss]

7. Here, here....

:toast:

[Hamlette]

14. actually they do, or they can't play competitive bridge

which is how they make their living.

There is this odd thing in competitive bridge, buying a partner. Say you want to earn Life Master points (you earn them by winning tournaments and some people really want the title) you hire a hot shot bridge player to be your partner in the tournament. Some people pay big bucks for hot shot partners. (It is all above board, you have to tell how many points your partner has and you can't play in games with novices. You have to play at that level game.)

Bridge is the greatest game there is but the bridge world has some odd ducks in it. I'm surprised about the outrage over the sign. The women explained why they did it. I thought we were over the Dixie Chicks crap.

[AspenRose]

6. I predict they'll get *more* sponsors.

and Ms. Martel needs to go pound sand.

(WTG ladies! Congratulations!)

[DeSwiss]

10. Well we now know....

...who SHE voted for. Loser.

[redqueen]

8. I wonder how long this Martel moran keeps her job.

Not many in this country are THAT stupid.

Sedition? Treason? Lady, please... you're embarrassing yourself.

[DeSwiss]

12. Ya know, those talking points....

...just aren't the same quality since Rove left.

[AspenRose]

11. It's a damn shame that Americans who go abroad feel they HAVE to do this!

Why isn't anyone talking about THAT?

[DeSwiss]

13. As someone else said....

...those signs are almost as good as body armor when Americans go abroad.

[youthere]

15. I just love it when freepers say "I support freedom of speech..

but that doesn't give you the right to criticize the nation's leader!"

Uh...yeah, it does...it really does.

[DeSwiss]

18. They support free speech....

...as long as that speech isn't directed against them. Then it becomes sedition and treason.

- Asshats, the lot of 'em....

[leftofthedial]

16. maybe clear channel will refuse to cover their

next bridge club night

[DeSwiss]

19. Yeah.

There's nothing like the sound of cards fapping down on the table to catch your opponents in a trick. Ahhh, those were the daze....

[Quantess]

17. "...could cost the federation corporate sponsors."

It might also gain them a few.

[DeSwiss]

21. Ain't that the truth....

...but I just know Ann Coulter's going to come out spewing her spittle-laced homilies, talking about how the sanctity of the game of Bridge has been violated.

[Quantess]

27. Oh, dear. Can't risk the disapproval of Ann Coulter or Rush Limbaugh.

Actually, their disapproval could be seen as a positive endorsement.

[jgraz]

20. Outside of the Bay Area, the competitive bridge world is Rethug Central

And not the dumbass, unwashed moran Rethugs. These are old-money, high-finance Bush Pioneer Rethugs.

The women had to know the shitstorm they would generate. It took a lot of courage to do what they did.

[DeSwiss]

22. Yes they do have a lot of courage.

And if it pisses off the Blueblood Repukes, so much the better!!!

[riderinthestorm]

23. Does anyone have a link to Ms. Martel?

Seems as though the President of the United Bridge Federation needs some DU love and attention on behalf of the players.

If you have seen that movie "Shut up and Sing" about what happened to the Dixie Chicks, these women are going to need people like us expressing our opinions to people like Ms. Martel.

I'm out the door, late for an appointment but if someone can dredge up an address, I'll check back in later and drop a line or two in support of these bridge players.

[DeSwiss]

25. Here ya go....

Here's her email addy: [e-mail]

More info here:
http://usbf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=57

And oddly, they're also listed as a 501 (c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit. Which underscores even more that this so-called "private organization" can't suppress free speech. She must have gotten her law degree from Regent U.

[riderinthestorm]

30. Just got home and this was the first thing I looked for. Thanks for the link

Sent out a respectful email to Ms. Martel. I'll post any reply I get... I hope others are doing the same. These women need some voices on their side.

[Captain Hilts]

24. Playing bridge isn't for sissies. nt

[DeSwiss]

26. Well, I know I have a new respect for them.... n/t

:thumbsup:

[youthere]

28. "Bridge World"?

Such a thing exists?

[DeSwiss]

29. Apparently.

Hey, its news to me too!!!

[jgraz]

31. Yes, and it's way less geeky than the chess world

At least with bridge, you need to socialize with one other person.

[youthere]

34. Ever wonder what the world would be like if

groups like chess clubs, and bridge teams were more like street gangs?

[jgraz]

35. You've never played a Swiss Teams match against four 70-yr-olds with attitude

Things can get pretty ugly. ;)

[Gabi Hayes]

32. Grand slam bid. Vulnerable (very). Doubled, re-doubled!

bid made!

I LOVE these women!

any of them single?

[Blashyrkh]

33. I don't know if I'd want my gold medal presentation photos tainted with that pricks name.

[Bandit]

37. IMO it is more a sign of personal integrity than anti Bush*

They did not bash Bush* in any manner what-so-ever. All they did is defend themselves from attack. It is a sign of personal integrity that has been so lacking in Americans of late..