Bridge Ladies Slammed for Anti-Bush Sign

"WE DID NOT VOTE FOR BUSH." Those words were handwritten on the back of a menu by the US women's bridge team and held aloft during the award ceremony at the world team championships in Shanghai last month. The team had just won the tournament, destroying Germany in the final, and were making what they thought was a small political statement. It wasn't a particularly radical message (who else didn't vote for Bush?), and it was made spontaneously, in a moment of international goodwill and humor.

As today's NYT chronicles, the United States Bridge Federation was not amused. Its president, Jan Martel, and executive board are pushing for tough sanctions against the entire team--a one-year suspension, plus a one-year probation, 200 hours of bridge-related community service and a formal apology. Bridge Federation lawyer Alan Falk threatened team members with "greater sanction" if they reject the Federation's offer. Team members have been accused by other players of "treason" and "sedition," according to the NYT. On message boards they've been compared to the Dixie Chicks and Tommie Smith and John Carlos--US sprinters who raised a fist in salute to Black Power at the 1968 Olympics and were subsequently ejected from the games.

This is not your grandmother's card game! I've dabbled in the world of bridge myself, and as anyone who's played a tournament can tell you--bridge is ruthless. Little old ladies, so sweet pre-game, will mercilessly ruff you up once the cards are dealt. But what are the folks at the Bridge Federation thinking? The game's logic is punitive (you get spanked for bidding too high), but the game itself should not be--particularly on matters of free speech. Nothing makes the game look more backwards, small-minded and elitist than punishing a championship team for using their moment of glory to send a political message well within the mainstream of American society. What's next? Banning certain t-shirts? Buttons? Maybe bridge should only be played in uniform?

But take heart, the fabulous ladies at the center of this controversy aren't ready to make nice, and I'm glad they're putting up a fight. All across this country the common but courageous dissent of citizens is being censored and attacked. Anti-war vets calling for withdrawal from Iraq were banned from a parade in Long Beach, CA. High school students in Chicago are threatened with expulsion for staging a peaceful anti-war protest. More than a dozen anti-war protesters, fittingly wearing gags over their mouths, were arrested outside of Boston's city hall.

And the list goes on. As individual incidents, each provoke a momentary pang of sympathy, a head nod, maybe an exasperated email to your bridge buddies. But taken as a whole, I suspect it adds up to a more disturbing picture--of a nation that went quietly mad, except for a few who spoke up and were ostracized for it; of a country where politics became so estranged from everyday life, that the ordinary expression of it was called treason.

If you're mad as hell and want to support the US women's bridge team--email Jan Martel (President, United States Bridge Federation) at janmartel@comcast.net and the board at board@usbf.org. Left-leaning, free-speech loving bridge players are especially encouraged!

Comments (41)

1. wow...effin bridge nazis!

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/14/2007 @ 6:40pm

2. Being overly punitive and harsh will bring more attention to their message than if they'd have just laughed it off. The Bridge Nazis will just make themselves look stupid for persuing this.

   Posted by MATTMAN at 11/14/2007 @ 6:46pm

3. I just sent the following to Ms. Martel, with a cc to the board: Subject: Shame, Shame, Shame on You Dear Ms. Martel, You have no right to attempt to squelch the free speech granted to all Americans under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. I am shocked and appalled at your petty attempt to silence these 4 women, who in their own way, were letting the bridge playing portion of this planet know that not all Americans are in favor of the Bush Crime Family and the antics of this criminal administration. You should be proud of their actions in telling the world that the American people are not being represented by these thugs. This country desperately needs understanding and sympathy from the rest of the world, seeing as how Bush, Cheney, and their minions have turned the entire planet against the misguided policies that are currently in place. You know, things like lying us into an illegal and immoral war against a country that was no threat to us at all, admitting to illegal spying on people in this country, and saber rattling against yet another country that poses no direct threat to us, among other things. I hope that you issue a retraction of your sanctions, and a public apology acknowledging that Americans still--for a while, at least--have the right to speak their mind. And don't give me this hog wash about representing the official views of your organization, either. All you have to do is issue a disclaimer that the actions of some of your people do not represent the official views of USBF. I challenge you to take my recommendations, but I expect neither a reply to my request, nor any action on your part.

   Posted by miamivine at 11/14/2007 @ 7:36pm

4. ...then, they came for the bridge players...and I said nothing, for I was not a bridge player!---Niemoller updated

   Posted by Mask at 11/14/2007 @ 7:42pm

5. Posted by MASK 11/14/2007 @ 7:42pm

   !!!

   Posted by drhammer at 11/14/2007 @ 8:18pm

6. I'm still trying to get my head around the concept of "bridge-related community service".

   Posted by drhammer at 11/14/2007 @ 8:19pm

7. Somebody please help! Come to http://www.liberalforum.org

   and help me defeat the right wingers that have invaded!

   Emergency.

   Posted by Waltz at 11/14/2007 @ 8:28pm

8. even Happy! anyone!

   Posted by Waltz at 11/14/2007 @ 8:30pm

9. perhaps when nazi hobby organizations are recognized, non nazis should form non nazi versions...

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/14/2007 @ 8:30pm

10. Posted by DRHAMMER 11/14/2007 @ 8:18pm

    1/4 joke, 3/4 serious, Doc

    Posted by Mask at 11/14/2007 @ 8:32pm

11. "You have no right to attempt to squelch the free speech granted to all Americans under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

    Posted by MIAMIVINE 11/14/2007 @ 7:36pm

    MV, these old ladies were in Shanghai, China. There is no freedom of speech over there. Had they offended the Chinese, they'd be in jail.

    Posted by ACook at 11/14/2007 @ 8:44pm

12. Posted by ACOOK 11/14/2007 @ 8:44pm

    yeah, but they wuz uhmuruhkuns!

    i mean the uhmuruhkun federation of fascist bridge players can do what they want...i guess...but whats chinese commernists got to do with red white & blue american bridge? dammit! lol

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/14/2007 @ 9:09pm

13. click on the first link provided and you will see the coming face of anarchy.

    first bridge, next pancake breakfasts.

    where will this campaign of terror end?!?!?!?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/14/2007 @ 9:46pm

14. Americans abroad have to make this kind of disclaimer or face the contempt of their hosts. I get it every time I meet Americans. They are SOOOOO embarrassed to be seen as Americans. One understands why, and forgives them, but only if they make the sheepish disclaimer.

    Cape Town, South Africa

    Posted by mikecope at 11/15/2007 @ 01:47am

15. I hope they're hearing the outcry resulting from this absurd decision. Here was my response to them, and I hope to hear others'.

    The United States Bridge Federation's censorship of a peaceful political statement on the part of the women of the championship U.S. bridge team in Shanghai borders on fascist. After all, let us not forget that fascism in the West has more often than not been born in democracy and carried out through actions that, individually, were overlooked as unimportant. At best, your decision is proof of the ignorance and fear that pervades this country and shames us in the eyes of a world where friends are rapidly becoming enemies and we've only got ourselves to blame. Or, rather, we've only got people and organizations like yourself to blame.

    Your decision is appaling and undemocratic, and another point on a sadly growing list of why I and so many others are embarassed to call ourselves Americans. I can only hope that you will recognize what I can only at this point term the insanity of your decision, and revoke it immediately with your apologies to the women of the bridge team and the people of this country.

    Posted by vlcassidy at 11/15/2007 @ 02:04am

16. But then, why write a book when the blog site of the nation mag. is so dedicated to the proliferation of perfidies, hatred, and such parallel cultural pervereseness and divisiveness?

    Posted by RIO BRAVO 11/14/2007 @ 11:34pm

    RIO, So are you saying these women don't have the right to say they didn't vote for Bush? How uncivil of those meanies. I mean, it's all Bill Clinton's fault. If he had never been president, nobody on the planet would know what a blowjob is, but now thanks to Bill, everyone knows what one is, and this took place in the White House no less. And now, we have ladies on a bridge team saying they didn't vote for George Bush!!! What's the world coming to. The end is near.

    Meanwhile, your republican party members solicit gay men and boys in bathrooms, in congress, and hookers while passing bills and legislation damning the very acts they commit. Get your head out of your ass. Your party is the hypocritical party with zero morals, class, disrespect for their fellow citizens, and common decency. Who else would cut funding for social issues like insuring lower middle class children while demanding billions of dollars for the pentagon at the same time.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/15/2007 @ 07:09am

17. the USBF Grand Poobah's email - janmartel@comcast.net. Tell'em what you think. Tell your friends to tell'em too.

    Rio....take your meds.

    Posted by leftofcenter at 11/15/2007 @ 07:16am

18. "1/4 joke, 3/4 serious, Doc"

    Posted by MASK 11/14/2007 @ 8:32pm

    I can appreciate that.

    Funny how a trickle-down economy doesn't.

    But fascism does.

    Posted by drhammer at 11/15/2007 @ 07:33am

19. "LIBERTARIAN" JO-MAMMORIES (ALSO KNOWN AS "TIT GUY JOHN MAASCH") SPEAKS IN FAVOR OF AMERICAN FREE SPEECH PUNISHED:

    "who gives a shit who a bunch of card players voted for"

    Posted by JO-MAMMORIES 11/15/2007 @ 01:38am

    Here, JO-MAMMORIES behaves as a typical conserval-imal*. Notice the total incomprehending contempt of proven global excellence, of winning the prize for America.

    Conserv-imals's idea of "accomplishment" and being a "tuff guy" is to be a washout in athletics after Little League, a cheerleader, a legacy admission (affirmative action for the rich) into a university to which one would never have been otherwise admitted, being a deserter from the Air National Guard "defending" Texas from a non-existent So.Vietnamese airforce, and a "business" career solely driven by crony-nepotist connection to the executiove branch.

    That's JO-MAMORIES and the conervaLosers's idea of "accomplishment" --- and not winning in a global forum, fair & square.

    *Take your pick: "conservative-criminal" or "conservative-animal"

    Posted by John_Shaft at 11/15/2007 @ 08:47am

20. Here we go again. Maybe RIO can explain why this guy lied about the fact that his brother is on the Blackwater Board of Directors while he was investigating the Blackwater incident / incidents.

    RIO talks of morals, decency and all this crap while the cronyism from the White House and the republican party continue to appear time and time again. Go to the link below to check out this article. These people never cease to amaze me. Lying is an artform to these guys.

    http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3866602&page=1

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/15/2007 @ 08:48am

21. Posted by WOLFGANG1 11/15/2007 @ 08:48am

    Actually the funniest part of any RIO BRAVO post is when...after grrr'ing and growling and talking about how he loathes and detests Bill Clinton, "Hillary Rotten", "Demoncrats", and liberals....

    he finishs by saying how they're "all about hatred!"

    heheh

    Posted by Mask at 11/15/2007 @ 09:12am

22. Yeah, Rio is like South Park's Cartman in the schoolyard yelling "My God can kick your God's ass!"

    Posted by leftofcenter at 11/15/2007 @ 09:15am

23. I just sent an email to Jan Martel. Good for the ladies, and as to ever increasing sanctions: If I were them I tell you to "Take Your Best Shot"

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 11/15/2007 @ 09:19am

24. One response to KIM, though: Buddy, RIGHT leaning free speech lovin folks respond as well.

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 11/15/2007 @ 09:23am

25. These women should not have done what they did specifically on the grounds that they were in an international arena. As Americans they should have more respect for their flag, and country than to embarrass themselves globally for such anti-patriotism. They should be repremanded for their wrong doing, and in my opinion should be required to be re-naturalized to be allowed back on our soil. Throw the book at them!!!

    Posted by yourafool at 11/15/2007 @ 10:06am

26. These women should not have done what they did specifically on the grounds that they were in an international arena. As Americans they should have more respect for their flag, and country than to embarrass themselves globally for such anti-patriotism. They should be repremanded for their wrong doing, and in my opinion should be required to be re-naturalized to be allowed back on our soil. Throw the book at them!!!

    Posted by YOURAFOOL 11/15/2007 @ 10:06am

    You are correct, you are a fool. So, speaking your mind in other countries is un-American? What kind of dipshit reasoning is this Mr Hitler? So, saying you didn't vote for our jack-ass-in chief is somehow un-American, but lying out your ass as president is as American as applie pie?

    This country is supposed to stand for justice and liberty, not stomping on peoples' constitutional rights via sensoring what they say like our book burning Nazi friends as well as Stalin.

    You have the right to be stupid and say stupid things...people like Rush Limbaugh make a living at it, but don't deny others the right to say what they think you un-American form of defication.

    How do you define patriotism? Blindly following the leader even if the leader leads us off a cliff? If that's patriotism, I sure think we are in for a sad state of affairs in this country.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/15/2007 @ 10:31am

27. Posted by WALTZ 11/14/2007 @ 8:28pm

    I'll jump in this evening. Enough with the freeper BS spewing monkeys!

    Posted by Dr Decibels at 11/15/2007 @ 10:42am

28. Posted by RIO BRAVO 11/14/2007 @ 10:53pm

    Take 50 Nembutal and DON'T call me in the morning.

    Sweet dreams, moron.

    Posted by Dr Decibels at 11/15/2007 @ 10:43am

29. I see your period has begun again...you can get help, you know.

    Posted by JOMAMMA 11/15/2007 @ 10:26am

    Do they make oral Tampons? If so, let's order a case for Rio, LUVVY, PONTI and the rest of their ilk.

    I volunteer to "insert" (or is it ram?) them into their thorats.

    Posted by Dr Decibels at 11/15/2007 @ 10:48am

30. Posted by YOURAFOOL 11/15/2007 @ 10:06am

    HSUBFOOLS has a brother?!?!!!?

    LOL!

    Posted by Mask at 11/15/2007 @ 10:53am

31. I thought not voting for Bush was a community service.

    Posted by freemanellis at 11/15/2007 @ 11:02am

32. The sign did not say "We hate America.".

    It said "We did not vote for Bush.".

    It was a graphic display of our right to free speech, and a reminder to the world that all Americans, including women, are enfranchised. Furthermore, it was not done from the safety of a keyboard here at home, but from the soil of a nation that does not offer its citizens the same protections. Those who would take issue with its apologetic implications no doubt suffer from introspection deficit syndrome.

    I found it charmingly patriotic; provoking thought without contributing to our already alarming level of jingoism pollution.

    You go, girls.

    Posted by drhammer at 11/15/2007 @ 11:06am

33. Two additional thoughts:

    One, now that these ladies have been declared champions, they should disassociate themselves from the silly fascist twit organization that their victory would have otherwise aggrandized.

    And two, any poster who would assign her/himself an insulting screen name right out of the box should go back to torturing cats in the basement.

    Posted by drhammer at 11/15/2007 @ 11:15am

34. Posted by DRHAMMER 11/15/2007 @ 11:06am

    Doc, time and time again, you should have learned the RIO/29% Club paradigm by now....

    Criticize Bush, even say you didn't vote for Bush....

    means you "hate America!"

    Duh!

    Posted by Mask at 11/15/2007 @ 11:19am

35. Posted by MASK 11/15/2007 @ 11:19am

    I am a slow learner, no doubt about it.

    Posted by drhammer at 11/15/2007 @ 11:46am

36. Posted by WOLFGANG1 11/15/2007 @ 10:31am

    It is true.

    Degenerate rightwingers believe that elections should ideally be puppett theater that triggers a 100% "vote" for the Maximum Leader as in North Korea or Musharraf's recent charade in Pakistan. That is their unevolved DittoHead mentality and it easily leeches out like puss in cases like this where anyone who is superior to them, like the world champion card players, tallies short of 100% for the Maximum CheerLeader.

    The rightwing idea of the "model society" is where everyone strokes themselves in unison at the Maximum Leader's patently false, infantilizing nonsense -- or else one's tongue is ripped out by illiterate brownshirt thugs and one is then farmed out to the "re-education camp".

    That's what these assClown rightists fantasize about -- all the while requiring two chairs to prop up their elaphantine fat asses as they courageously mouth breath at the keyboard that their beleagured parents have furnished for them.

    Posted by John_Shaft at 11/15/2007 @ 12:59pm

37. What the Agitated AssClown Means to Say:

    They should be repremanded for their wrong doing OF FAILING TO VOTE FOR THE MAXIMUM CHEER LEADER, and in my opinion should be required to be re-naturalized to be allowed back on our soil. Throw the book at them!!!

    Posted by YOURAFOOL 11/15/2007 @ 10:06am

    Posted by John_Shaft at 11/15/2007 @ 1:10pm

38. Posted by JOMAMMA 11/15/2007 @ 10:26am

    In case anyone is wondering, JO-MAMMORIES's latest "business venture" is his one-man "company", the SECURE SOME STEAMING SEMEN SELF-SERVICE CENTER.

    He figured he would make a business out of something with which he has .. y'know .. "hands-on experience."

    Posted by John_Shaft at 11/15/2007 @ 1:26pm

39. How can we convince the Far East that we are sincere about supporting free speech in Myanmar when we punish free speech of our own citizens? And don't these acts lend credence to the belief we are moving inexorably toward becoming another Myanmar ourselves?

    Posted by Egads! at 11/16/2007 @ 2:55pm

40. OMG

    To the US Bridge Federation,

    I've just read about the "incident," the situation in which the women's bridge team was charged with "treason" and "sedition" for their "We did not vote for Bush" statement.

    That the US Bridge Federation would lift this to that level is hilarious!

    But can you not see your actions as reminiscent of the Gestapo in Hitler's Nazi Germany?

    I think it's time for you folks to take a lesson from pro wrestling and lighten up.

    Posted by l0l101l0l at 11/19/2007 @ 7:53pm

41. I sent the following message to the Bridge folks -

    Dear Ms. Martel -

    The sanctions threatened against the winning U.S. Women's Bridge Team make your organization appear petty and a true expression of everything that America does NOT stand for.

    While it may be arguable that such an expression violates decorum, your response violates free speech. Of the two, the latter is a weightier matter. You will note that the U.S. Constitution protects speech, but doesn't waste its time on decorum.

    I suggest that you do the same.

    Posted by revdave at 11/20/2007 @ 09:13am