THE FIRST AMENDMENT LIVES - BUT NOT IN RUSSIA

There is no such thing! So why are we browbeating the fact the Russian Federation does not want any display of LGBT propaganda, publicity or any public display? I, like most Americans are upset and sickened by their policies, but they are THEIR policies, THEIR laws and governed by THEIR constitution, if there is one.

We have known for some time that the Russian Federation does not adhere to what we feel are common rights and moral ideas. So, why are we shocked? If we boycotted the Olympics, based on their threat to arrest anyone making a display regarding LGBT who loses  - definitely not Russia. Just like Jesse Owens showed Hitler, we can show Putin that sexual orientation, like color, does not affect performance in the athletic arenas. Russia loses if they keep LGBT athletes out of the games and off the Russian team.

So do we if we keep all of our athletes from competing. That is not what Americans are made of. Our attitudes have changed and that change did not come quickly. There are many in the US that haven’t changed their attitude but still support the Olympics and the athletes. With the repeal of the DADT in the military we were told that are soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines would suffer. DID NOT HAPPEN. Our military is stronger now that we have broadened the ability for people to serve.

My idea is to let the Russians play their games, let the Russians demonstrate for the world that the Russian people are not yet free, but we are free to send our athletes to compete. Nowhere on the US Passport does it ask for sexual orientation.

We are all in a tither about the NSA spying on Americans. They are not, well, not so much, but we do value our privacy so why would we publicize our sexual orientation? That is what the Russians are afraid of – our athletes who are LGBT coming out? I have never seen that happen nor do I expect that to happen in Russia. The best that we can do is beat their asses in the arenas. It may be an American LGBT person that takes the gold in an event or a Russian LGBT that did not perform loses the gold.

So why boycott? Who are we showing, what are we showing, who are we hurting? For one, the athletes. They get hurt for not participating – win or lose they need to take part in the games. Set examples, set records, create international friendships – all that goes away if we don’t go. Who else or what else gets hurt – our economy suffers. Just imagine all the advertising revenues that will be lost if we have nothing to broadcast. The American public loses. We cheer our athletes to do well. We create favorites, we invest our emotions in their performances, we are enthused with the games – so why deny that to ourselves. Putin can give a crap! Actually he does. His teams have a better chance of gold with no US competitors. Who knows, maybe that is his end game and I suggest that we do not give it to him.

We boycotted he games in 1981 and it did no good. It was a bad idea and we are listening to the litany of more bad ideas. Yes, the Russian government sucks, let’s show that many of their athletes also suck. They are worried about LGBT but they never check some of the suspicious women that are built like men on their teams or vice versa.

I further suggest that those with the loudest voices calling for a boycott turn those voices to the athletes by inspiring them to win. They cannot win if they cannot compete. Boycotting will change nothing.

Remember that is their country, their laws, their rules. Want to change them, become a Russian. Or show them that it doesn’t matter, winning is a matter or skills not sexual orientation. Screw ‘em – let’s beat ’em.

That is my take – you decide.

Please note: That the second largest audience for my blog is Russia,