Obama to skip Olympic games, selects gay athletes for Sochi delegation

[babylonsister]

Obama to skip Olympic games, selects gay athletes for Sochi delegation
JOSH LEDERMAN | Associated Press
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Tuesday, December 17, 2013
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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama named openly gay athletes to the delegation that will represent the U.S. next year at opening and closing ceremonies for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, sending a clear signal to Russia about its treatment of gays and lesbians.

Tennis champion Billie Jean King will join the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremony, while Caitlin Cahow, a women’s ice hockey player and Olympic medalist, will represent the U.S. at the closing ceremony. Both athletes have identified publicly as members of the LGBT community.

White House spokesman Shin Inouye said that the delegation “represents the diversity that is the United States” and that Obama was proud to cheer America’s athletes on at the 2014 Olympic Games.

“He knows they will showcase to the world the best of America — diversity, determination and teamwork,” Inouye said.

The decision follows a public campaign by gay rights groups to urge the White House to include gays, lesbians and their supporters in the delegation in hopes of drawing attention to Russia’s national laws banning “gay propaganda.” Those laws and the broader issue of discrimination against the LGBT community in Russia have become a flash point as the world looks to next year’s Olympic Games in Sochi.

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http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/12/obama-selects-gay-athletes-for-sochi-olympics-delegation/#.UrDkAXov8Os.facebook

[KoKo]

1. Are you SERIOUS? He's going to do a Carter? I think it's over Snowden

and not what he's putting out there for LBGT Community. But, who knows...?

A part of him is certainly supportive of the GLBT Community...but, there's a side of me that says he doesn't want Snowden brought up.

Who knows. He's a Politician. They do what they do.

[dsc]

3. No Carter refused to send the team

Obama is merely refusing to go himself. This action has already been taken by several heads of state including the Presidents of France and Germany.

[KoKo]

4. Ahhh the Euro Alliance... As I said...it's politics.

Assume you are supportive of the Euro Trade Alliance and the TPP?

????

[dsc]

5. No

but I don't think our President should go to the 21 century version of the Berlin Olympics. Russia is literally treating gays very close to the way Hitler's Germany was treating Jews in the early 30's. I can't say what the late 2010's will hold for gays in Russia but we know how it went for Jews.

[KoKo]

7. You are saying there are secret LBGT Internment Camps with Showers of Poison

and Gas Fired Furnaces?

Are you Serious?

[geek tragedy]

8. Can you please set aside your personal animus towards the president long enough

to stop crapping on a statement of support for the LGBT community, pretty please?

[11 Bravo]

39. ^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^ (But sadly, the answer is probably "NO".)

[LynneSin]

40. +1 to your comments

I think Obama is doing a smart move!

[Humanist_Activist]

9. Did you fail history? Look up the history of the pink triangle.

[KoKo]

11. You think Putin has "Pink Triangle" activities going on in Russia in Secret?

Where is the evidence he's culling out Homosexuals and making them wear badges?

[Humanist_Activist]

12. I have a question, did Hitler immediately gas Jews after the Nuremberg Laws were enacted?

Yes or no?

[Blue_Tires]

32. FWIW, there is evidence the Putin (or at least his people)

have been arresting/kidnapping/murdering investigative journalists...

If you can't find outrage for Russia's treatment of GLBT, at least find some outrage for that....

[dsc]

13. I SAID EARLY 1930'S NOT LATE 1930'S

You might, just might, want to read both posts and maybe a history book or two. In the EARLY 30'S there weren't concentration camps, nor the showers. Again pick up a history book before you lecture.

[arcane1]

16. The poster said "close to the way", not "identical to the way" n/t

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

19. What the hell is wrong with you?

Seriously, I'm sorry the Ruskies and Putin aren't the perfect angels you want them to be. They hate gays and don't want them around. You've made your choice that Eddie Snowden is more important than that issue, show some backbone and own it at least.

[Blue_Tires]

33. +1

[Bobbie Jo]

38. +1

This poster is not the only one doing this.

[Cali_Democrat]

22. You should probably delete this post

It makes you look very foolish.

[arely staircase]

35. that is absolutely disgusting nt

[Lordquinton]

10. Treating gays

the way Nazi Germany was treating gays.

[dsc]

14. fair enough but I don't know what NAZI's were treating gays like in the 30's

[tridim]

6. Knock off the crap please. The article describes exactly why he is not attending.

Personally, I don't want him to get shot.

[DRoseDARs]

15. He didn't attend the '10 or '12 Games either. You fail. nt

[davidpdx]

24. Knee jerk much?

The anti-gay policies of Russia have been all over the news this year. Our president IS supportive of the GLBT community. That is why he is sending a delegation of openly gay athletes to the games in his place.

If you can't see that then you are blind.

I certainly agree with other's comments, the statement you made is embarrassing yourself.

[MADem]

25. Huh? Carter boycotted the Olympics--i.e., no one competed.

Obama is just sending gay athletes to represent HIM. He's basically telling Pootie that he's gonna have to deal with a team of Big Old Gay US Representatives at the opening and closing ceremonies who are there speaking FOR him, and FOR the American people.

Apparently you missed all the anti-gay laws that were brought forward/doubled down on in Russia?

If The Pootster wants to talk about Fast Eddie with POTUS, he knows how to use a phone.

[Cha]

2. So proud of President Obama, babylonsistah! Thank you..

"The presidents of France and Germany, and the Commissioner of the European Union, have also said they will not attend the games."

[tabasco]

17. Great choice with Billy Jean King!

She's as classy as you get.

[WowSeriously]

18. I like his selection of athletes for the delegation.

That shows distinct support for LGBT athletes. Can't he also attend to show support for all athletes and the ideals behind the Olympics?

[tritsofme]

20. Many Western leaders are not attending.

I like this response, a thumb to the eye of the Russians while not punishing athletes.

[MADem]

26. I'd like to see all of them send gay reps to the thing--make it the Gayest Olympics EVER!

Just the photo ops would be grand!

[SoCalDem]

30. I think the possibility of being a terrorism magnet played into it too.

With fewer high-profile leaders there, it may be an inherently safer place ..

[kelliekat44]

21. I only hope they will be safe. nt

[MADem]

29. They will be travelling as Official Envoys of the POTUS...they will be there representing him.

They'll be as safe as any diplomat.

If anyone fucks with them, Pootie will pay dearly. He's been wedged into a circumstance where he'll have to keep them safe, or he'll look like the vicious shitheel that he is in the eyes of the world.

[Hekate]

23. KnR for excellent choices on Obama's part. May they all be safe in the Bear's den. nt

[get the red out]

31. That's what I was thinking

I hope our delegation has a kick-ass security detail.

[Scurrilous]

27. Putin wins again!!1!

Wait...what?

[Whisp]

36. Snowden may be right after all...

that Putin, he's sooooooo humany righty.

[SoCalDem]

28. He should have sent Martina Navratilova

But then maybe she's not a US citizen .. That would have been a real smack in the kisser (maybe she was asked & declined )

[geek tragedy]

41. Dual US-Czech citizen. nt

[arely staircase]

34. I am filled with

PRIDE

[Whisp]

37. K&R. What a great thing to do. Thank you, Mr. President. n/t