International Bridge Goes Political

Reminds me of one of the "Dancing with the Stars" judges, the British guy, who took a shot at W last week as part of his critique.  Also reminds me a bit of an art cooperative in SLO that had a couple of artists displaying some anti-war pieces.  This caused an uproar and ended up in the destruction of the coop gallery.  Will international bridge break into factions and new organizations?  Stay tuned.

Anti-Bush Sign Has Bridge World in an Uproar - NY Times - 14 Nov 07

"At issue is a crudely lettered sign, scribbled on the back of a menu, that was held up at an awards dinner and read, 'We did not vote for Bush.'  By e-mail, angry bridge players have accused the women of 'treason' and 'sedition.'

'This isn’t a free-speech issue,' said Jan Martel, president of the United States Bridge Federation, the nonprofit group that selects teams for international tournaments. 'There isn’t any question that private organizations can control the speech of people who represent them.'

Not so, said Danny Kleinman, a professional bridge player, teacher and columnist. 'If the U.S.B.F. wants to impose conditions of membership that involve curtailment of free speech, then it cannot claim to represent our country in international competition,' he said by e-mail."

International Bridge Goes Political

Reminds me of one of the "Dancing with the Stars" judges, the British guy, who took a shot at W last week as part of his critique.  Also reminds me a bit of an art cooperative in SLO that had a couple of artists displaying some anti-war pieces.  This caused an uproar and ended up in the destruction of the coop gallery.  Will international bridge break into factions and new organizations?  Stay tuned.

Anti-Bush Sign Has Bridge World in an Uproar - NY Times - 14 Nov 07

"At issue is a crudely lettered sign, scribbled on the back of a menu, that was held up at an awards dinner and read, 'We did not vote for Bush.'  By e-mail, angry bridge players have accused the women of 'treason' and 'sedition.'

'This isn’t a free-speech issue,' said Jan Martel, president of the United States Bridge Federation, the nonprofit group that selects teams for international tournaments. 'There isn’t any question that private organizations can control the speech of people who represent them.'

Not so, said Danny Kleinman, a professional bridge player, teacher and columnist. 'If the U.S.B.F. wants to impose conditions of membership that involve curtailment of free speech, then it cannot claim to represent our country in international competition,' he said by e-mail."