The craziest thing about the World Bridge Championship "controversy"

[sabra]

is that the world's disdain towards the US is so high that it has seeped in to the world of Bridge!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/arts/14brid.html?_r=2&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin&oref=slogin



<snip>

Ms. Greenberg said she decided to put up the sign in response to questions from players from other countries about American interrogation techniques, the war in Iraq and other foreign policy issues.

“There was a lot of anti-Bush feeling, questioning of our Iraq policy and about torture,” Ms. Greenberg said. “I can’t tell you it was an overwhelming amount, but there were several specific comments, and there wasn’t the same warmth you usually feel at these events.”

Ms. Rosenberg said the team members intended the sign as a personal statement that demonstrated American values and noted that it was held up at the same time some team members were singing along to “The Star-Spangled Banner” and waving small American flags.

[C_U_L8R]

1. It's not like they were slandering anyone.

Or even offering their opinion of the current occupier of the White House.

It's a simple statement of fact... we did not vote for Bush.

[Warpy]

2. Equally puzzling is the heavy handed response from the officials

One might almost think Stupid appointed the lot of them.

[Dhalgren]

3. The sad thing is that most Americans in a foreign venue feel compelled

to address the issue of the psychopath in our White House. They have to somehow comment on the blood-thirsty miscreant, squatting at 1600 Penn. Ave.

"...there wasn’t the same warmth you usually feel at these events.” Everyone I have talked to who has returned from anywhere overseas says the same thing - a chillier reception, less camaraderie, and lots of pointed questions about what the hell America is doing! It's sad...

[murielm99]

5. Over the last few years, I was worried about how people would

treat my girls.

I got my youngest one of those shirts that says, "I'm sorry," in about five different languages. She went to Bolivia, Peru and Mexico for varying lengths of time to study. She says, shirt or not, no one treated her negatively. She says they have their own concerns. She tried to learn everything she could about the local issues where she was living. The fact that she was actually living there and speaking the language may have made the difference.

My oldest went to Germany for a summer as an exchange musician. I gave her an "I'm sorry" shirt, too. She traveled in Germany after her work there was concluded. She tried to immerse herself in local and historic issues. She was especially interested in the differences between the former East and West Germanies. They are still adjusting to reunification. Maybe the fact that she was living there and speaking the language made a difference for her, too.

My girls are not children. They are 28 and 23. They are perhaps unusual Americans in that they speak foreign languages fluently. We talked about what they would say if anyone brought up anti-American sentiments. We expected it, and I worried about it. It did not happen.

[pansypoo53219]

7. i was in denmark in april 03'

i had no problems and if i mentioned my disdain for georgie, they liked me more. obviously i wasn't a stupid american. and i don't speak danish.

[mzteris]

4. when my daughter and her friend

visited Amsterdam right after the start of the Iraq invasion, they told everyone they were from Canada!!

[Bandit]

6. I can not see how this is "Anti-Bush*" in any way

It is completely personal integrity. It is about them and not Bush*. They were defending themselves and not attacking Bush* or America..

[Quantess]

8. They acted in self defense!

That's how globally unpopular the Bush Administration is.