Comments

2
Doubling down in the face of loud, near-universal condemnation. How very... Russian.
4
It is easy to make the analogy to the Nazis beginning their persecution of gypsies, gays, Jews in the 30's. We have the benefit of history, and the IOC cannot repeat the mistakes of the 1930's. IOC has to be dictating the minimum standards, and not the Kremlin what is obviously no more than lip service.
5
Good on you Dan. You, personally, are making a difference, promoting the boycott and putting this issue on the map. You might even save a life.
6
So the mega-yacht "Serene", owned by the owner of SPI (Stoli) is moored in Elliot Bay. Local ship suppliers are creaming over the business it's bringing them for repairs and maintenance. Does it's stay have to be serene? Maybe it can be a focus for protest.
7
The IOC is going earn a permanent reputation as disingenuous, mealy-mouthed cowards if it doesn't sack the fuck up and call out the Kremlin's human rights violations as unacceptable- as its charter already does.
8
Any good video satirists out there who want to make a spoof propaganda video?

With all products now gearing up for the olympics by slapping the rings and, "Proud Olympics Supporter" on their packaging, it'd be awesome to see a video of people throwing away those products saying, "I'm doing my part!" to boycott the olympics and its sponsors.

"Just look for the interlocking rings and 'Olympics Supporters' on packages before you buy, it's placed in a conveniently conspicuous location!"

"They're doing their part to support the human rights of LGBT people. Don't delay, throw away, today!"

Or whatever. A fun, campy, spoof video could have the potential of going viral, especially if it specifically targets well-known brands in a brutally humorous manner.
9
What worries me is, after the Olympics are over, Putin the Tyrant will get much worse, for revenge. I could see him revive the gulags.
10
I'm starting to think that our athletes should just boycott and not go. I wouldn't go if I were them. Let Russia host an under-attended Olympics.
11
Here I was, hating on the Olympics before it was cool, you're welcome.
12
@10: athletes don't have careers of unlimited length. you're at the pinnacle of your sport for maybe 2 olympics, tops. if you were them, you'd go.

i'd rather they went and spoke out than give up their one shot at a lifelong dream.
13
#12: people who aren't willing to give up their: chance at an Olympic dream, money, publicity, political power, etc, over a major violation of human rights--they're all part of the problem.
14
@12, even shorter than that for a lot of athletes. Female gymnasts are famously dependent on the hormones of puberty, and it's common for them to hit their pinnacle of weight-to-strength ratio between games, causing them to miss out entirely.

@6, really? Where is it docked?
15
After they worked so hard I don't really expect the atheletes to boycott. But we can boycott watching, and we can boycott the advertisers.
16
Pier 91, fnarf.
17
@14, its docked over at pier 90, as of this morning.
18
Here's a pic, to aid would-be protesters:

http://photos.marinetraffic.com/ais/show…

so very...vulgar.
19
While the nationalism of the Olympics and implicit favoring of wealthy countries (where there are more people who are going to be able to afford to get formal athletic training as children and pursue careers as athletes) have always bothered me, I like the IOC even less now.

Let's go make our own international pan-athletic competition. With blackjack. And hookers.
20
Perhaps a mass dumping of Coca Cola in the gutters would be appropriate in the near future. Perhaps picketing Sony retailers would get some corporate attention. There are lots of Olympic sponsors and we are a very creative community. Let the Games begin!
22
I think what may be most effective is to simply appropriate the 'rainbow' color olympic rings as a logo of protest. because they are part and parcel of the games, it will allow athletes, spectators and others the opportunity to voice their opposition. Make that logo a large, visible symbol of protest. It is safe, it is obvious, and it erodes the sanctity of the IOC institution at the same time.
23
A vodka billionaire magnate has his yacht moored in Seattle.
24
@ 8, can't find a link but saw an image popping up on Facebook today of the Olympic rings as an bloody knuckleduster, best "iconic" image so far by a long shot
25
I've heard it said that Vancouver should host the winter Olympics again, and I've also heard it said that there's not enough time to make that happen.

But there is if we postpone the winter Olympics by two years to coincide with the same year the Summer Olympics are held! Just like tradition! Solves the boycott-for-four-years problem with athletes' peak athleticism, I think.

Please wait...

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