The Briefing Room
General Category => National/Breaking News => Topic started by: mystery-ak on December 18, 2013, 02:37:20 pm
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/18/obama-selects-gay-athletes-sochi-delegation/print/ (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/18/obama-selects-gay-athletes-sochi-delegation/print/)
By Eddie Pells
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Associated Press
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
President Barack Obama sent Russia a clear message about its treatment of gays and lesbians with who he is — and isn't — sending to represent the United States at the Sochi Olympics.
Billie Jean King will be one of two openly gay athletes in the U.S. delegation for the opening and closing ceremonies, Obama announced Tuesday. For the first time since 2000, however, the U.S. will not send a president, former president, first lady or vice president to the Games.
Russia has come under fierce criticism for passing national laws banning "gay propaganda." Though the White House did not specifically address the Russian laws in making its announcement, spokesman Shin Inouye said the delegation "represents the diversity that is the United States" and that Obama "knows they will showcase to the world the best of America — diversity, determination and teamwork."
The White House said Obama's schedule will not permit him to attend the Games.
"It's a positive sign to see openly gay representatives in the delegation," said Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, which recently sent a letter urging Obama to include gays and lesbians in the delegation. "Hopefully it sends a message to the Russian people and the rest of the world that the United States values the civil and human rights of LGBT people."
King said she was "deeply honored" to be named to the delegation.
"I am equally proud to stand with the members of the LGBT community in support of all athletes who will be competing in Sochi and I hope these Olympic Games will indeed be a watershed moment for the universal acceptance of all people," said King, who will attend the opening ceremony.
Hockey player Caitlin Cahow is the other openly gay representative to the delegation. She'll attend the closing ceremony.
The U.S. Olympic Committee made no comment about the sexual orientation of the delegation. In a nod to its disapproval of the law, however, the USOC recently revised its non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation.
France and Germany are among the other countries who will not send their presidents to Sochi for the Games.
Earlier this year, Obama rejected the idea of a U.S. boycott of the Olympics despite a number of differences with Russia, including the anti-gay law.
This move, however, sends a strong signal: In 2010, Vice President Joe Biden led the delegation, and in 2012, first lady Michelle Obama held the honor.
This year's group is led by former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Others in the delegation include U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, figure skater Brian Boitano and presidential adviser Rob Nabors.
King, the iconic tennis player, might be the most recognizable face in the group.
She's a 39-time Grand Slam title winner (singles, doubles and mixed), a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and one of the most prominent advocates of equality for women in sports and society over the past several decades.
She'll attend the Olympics in a country that is creating tension for several key players because of the laws, including the International Olympic Committee, which awarded the Games to Russia.
Earlier this month, IOC President Thomas Bach said Russia would set up public protest zones in Sochi for "people who want to express their opinion or want to demonstrate for or against something."
Meanwhile, the IOC approved a letter going out to athletes reminding them to refrain from protests or political gestures during the Sochi Games — reiterating Rule 50 of the Olympic charter, which forbids demonstrations on Olympic grounds.
Bach had previously said he'd received assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that gays will not be discriminated against in Sochi. But the Russian law has raised questions about what could happen to athletes who wear pins or badges or carry flags supporting gay rights.
Earlier this fall, skier Bode Miller was one of the few American athletes to speak out against the Russian law, calling it "absolutely embarrassing."
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Bambi is stupid if he thinks he can mock Putin without consequence.
Getcher popcorn ready...
:pop41:
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Related thread here (http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,123571.0.html) (sports columnist praises Obama).
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Bambi is stupid if he thinks he can mock Putin without consequence.
Getcher popcorn ready...
:pop41:
The sad thing is that our athletes whose sports rely on judging are probably going to pay a price for this.
As for Putin? I look for him to swat President Selfie like the annoying little gnat that he is.
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I guess this begs the question, when did this become the President's job? Is O just getting his hands into everything?
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The sad thing is that our athletes whose sports rely on judging are probably going to pay a price for this.
That's a small price to pay for the chance to stroke Bambi's ego...
/s
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The sad thing is that our athletes whose sports rely on judging are probably going to pay a price for this.
As for Putin? I look for him to swat President Selfie like the annoying little gnat that he is.
It's sad when we are actually rooting for Putin....lol
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It's sad when we are actually rooting for Putin....lol
Can you imagine living in a country where Christianity was taught in school? Russia does...
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It's sad when we are actually rooting for Putin....lol
Oh, I am quite sure whatever Putin does, it will not be in the US's best interest.
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Oh, I am quite sure whatever Putin does, it will not be in the US's best interest.
What? A president who acts in his own country's best interest?
Whouda thunk it...
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I guess this begs the question, when did this become the President's job? Is O just getting his hands into everything?
He's got to do something.
He's certainly not being President...... **nononono*
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This is about money for Democrats in American elections...particularly in 2014. Gays are very wealthy, active Democrat donors. Obama doesn't care what any other country thinks or even if he creates a little international incident. More important to him is reminding those gay political donors who is carrying their water.
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Putin must be happier than a mosquito in a nudist colony with Obama as POTUS! :Odance: Only a dumbass would think this sort of thing is going to mean something to Putin. Only a person totally out of touch with the reality the rest of the world does things differently than the US, a person with a messianic complex, a person so enamored with himself could even think of such plan, let alone carry it out. Didn't Barry apologize for the US getting into the business of other countries on his apology tour? And yet, this is EXACTLY what he is doing. :peeonobama:
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Putin must be happier than a mosquito in a nudist colony with Obama as POTUS! :Odance: Only a dumbass would think this sort of thing is going to mean something to Putin. Only a person totally out of touch with the reality the rest of the world does things differently than the US, a person with a messianic complex, a person so enamored with himself could even think of such plan, let alone carry it out. Didn't Barry apologize for the US getting into the business of other countries on his apology tour? And yet, this is EXACTLY what he is doing. :peeonobama:
:beer:
He is so out of touch of international relations.
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He doesn't CARE about international relations or what's good for this country. As Scott indicated, his actions here are about money, which of course translates to Democrat power.
That is all these people care about--that they bamboozle such a large portion of our voting populace who think otherwise never ceases to amaze me.
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Hopefully Russia will simply deny them entry.
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Hopefully Russia will simply deny them entry.
I agree.