Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

[WindSpirit5]

I think the French skaters have nothing to worry about. Even if there're a few crazy folks out there who would like to take out their frustration on French skaters, I know there are quite a few Americans (and people of other nationalities) who'll gladly serve as human shields (read the thread at FSU). :rollin:

And just for the record, Joe, I think that The Dixie Chicks said they're ashamed of their president (for what he's doing now). Personally I don't have a problem with that. It's really great when you <strong>can</strong> say that.

Carlantz, if you told us what country you came from, maybe someone would be as "kind" as to write a few blanket statements about it, just like you did about Americans.

[thvudragon]

Before I start, I am American.

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the audience starts to "boo" when a French skater takes the ice, this is, after all, America, the land of intolerance. I see it everyday, people going out of their way to make someone feel different or to be callous towards someone. To be honest, I expect boos. Oh well, that's enough of my cynicism.

TV

[Jules Asner]

Lad, the Dixie Chick said she was ashamed to come from the same state as the president (Texas). Texans were not amused with her statement, nor was Nashville. The south is known for being manyl things -- two of which are patriotic and polite - the statement was seen as being rude. If she had said "I hope for peace" I don't think anyone would have been offended.

[JillLaQ]

As far as the chixi dicks, whoops, I mean dixie chicks, what they say at home, at the bar, at their friends house, etc, is one thing. When they go on stage in a foriegn country and slam the President, then people have the tendency to get pissed off. That's probably why some people are boycotting them. They never did much for me anyway, but I digress.

As far as Team France goes, since the figure skating community at large will be in DC, and will be there to watch the skating, I don't think they'll have any problems. I will assume that they have a little more smarts than the dixie chicks and not slam my President, at least where the press can hear about it.

[Joesitz]

Jill - And let's hope the Americans don't blast the French while they are visiting us. America, the land of intolerance as one poster put it.

WindSpirit. Thanks for the info on exactly what the Dixie Chicks said. I know lots of people who said worse.

Joe

[Jimmy Hoffa 2]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the audience starts to "boo" when a French skater takes the ice, this is, after all, America, the land of intolerance. I see it everyday, people going out of their way to make someone feel different or to be callous towards someone. To be honest, I expect boos.[/quote]
In this land of Freedom Fries and fake patriotism, let's hope boos are the worse thing the French skaters get.

[JillLaQ]

Five will get me fifty that I'm probably THE most politically incorrect poster on this board. Having said that, I feel the French skaters have nothing to worry about. What do they have to do with foreign policy? Nothing. What do American skating fans care about foreign policy when the Worlds are on? Not much.

[dizzydi7]

The problem will come if some skater says something political. So far, the skating world has managed to keep their focus on figurekskating and has refrained from using their fame for spouting their personal political views.

My opinion is that as long as everyone behaves perhaps the audience will follow suit.

Fingers crossed!

Dizzy

[Jules Asner]

The New York Islanders and Star Spangled Banner were booed and heckled at a hockey game in Canada over the weekend --

Darn it! I knew being nice to New Yorkers wouldn't stay 'fashionable' for long <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">

Hopefully the same behavior will not be present at The World Championships of Figure Skating. But if so, at least we'll only be as bad as our neighbors to the north.

[3axel]

I don't think that the Dixie chick said that she was ashamed to come from Texas, just that she"s ashamed of Bush.
But she appoligized for being disrespectful, I think she realized that she's only a singer and it wasn't her place to make a political statement. But, I don't think the yahoos will forgive her, once they start up the hatred, it goes on and on.
And yes, I think some of the backers of this war will probably exhibit some of their loutish behavior when the French skaters are introduced. Yahoos rarely let an opportunity pass, if there's a chance to express themselves and show how small they are. And they will never appoligize. after all, as Bush has said, he feels that God has appointed him to do this, and they belive him.
So if there are many of that type in the crowd, there will probably be some embarassing moments in DC.

BTW, I'm also ashamed of Bush, but I'll spare you my long list of reasons for my displeasure with him.

3axel

[Jules Asner]

actually she did say "I'm ashamed to come from the same state as President Bush" the state being Texas. She did apologize and I for one, forgive her. But I was ever mad at her in the first place so I guess that doesn't count.

all it takes is one yahoo to ruin everything - the majority will be civil and hopefully cheers will drown out any boos.