The State of Affairs in Russia

[garbon]

So it didn't get counted as it is a bizarre feature specific to the UK?

[derspiess]

To limit the meaning of clause 6 to simply not banning gay athletes requires a significant amount of Derspice Right Think.

So what does it mean then?

[DontSayBanana]

There is also this little quote at the bottom:

The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." –Olympic Charter

Which seems odd since I did not think Russia was banning gay people from competing. 

Still anything that directs world outrage towards such a repellant bunch of assholes like the Russian Government is good.

Sure, they're allowed to compete... as long as they act straight.  A gay medal winner couldn't even thank their partner publicly.

[derspiess]

Sure, they're allowed to compete... as long as they act straight. 

So did I miss the news that male figure skating was cancelled? 

A gay medal winner couldn't even thank their partner publicly.

Really?

[Admiral Yi]

I heard on NPR that the IOC was telling athletes to keep the medal ceremonies clean, but to do whatever they wanted to in their press conferences.

[garbon]

I heard on NPR that the IOC was telling athletes to keep the medal ceremonies clean, but to do whatever they wanted to in their press conferences.

That'll keep the afoul of the IOC but that doesn't mean it'll be okay for Russia.

[Grey Fox]

I heard on NPR that the IOC was telling athletes to keep the medal ceremonies clean, but to do whatever they wanted to in their press conferences.

That'll keep the afoul of the IOC but that doesn't mean it'll be okay for Russia.

but Russia isn't going to mess with any Western Athlete. Sucks if you are Russian & gay but that's nothing new to those people.

[DontSayBanana]

but Russia isn't going to mess with any Western Athlete. Sucks if you are Russian & gay but that's nothing new to those people.

Is that supposed to be reverse psychology?  Russia's almost as bad as the UAE for arresting foreigners for violating local morality laws.  In fact, ten seconds of googling brings this up: http://www.towleroad.com/2013/07/meet-the-four-dutch-citizens-arrested-under-russias-new-anti-gay-law.html

Note that wasn't a protest or anything like that, they raided a human rights seminar.

[grumbler]

but Russia isn't going to mess with any Western Athlete. Sucks if you are Russian & gay but that's nothing new to those people.

Is that supposed to be reverse psychology?  Russia's almost as bad as the UAE for arresting foreigners for violating local morality laws.  In fact, ten seconds of googling brings this up: http://www.towleroad.com/2013/07/meet-the-four-dutch-citizens-arrested-under-russias-new-anti-gay-law.html

Note that wasn't a protest or anything like that, they raided a human rights seminar.

GF said "Western athlete."  Your example doesn't refer to any athletes, so isn't a counter-example that impacts his point.

[Eddie Teach]

It might be sarcasm, but I don't see how it could be reverse psychology, unless GF thinks high level Russian officials are browsing Languish. 

[derspiess]

Is that supposed to be reverse psychology?  Russia's almost as bad as the UAE for arresting foreigners for violating local morality laws.  In fact, ten seconds of googling brings this up: http://www.towleroad.com/2013/07/meet-the-four-dutch-citizens-arrested-under-russias-new-anti-gay-law.html

Note that wasn't a protest or anything like that, they raided a human rights seminar.

Putin said as long as they stay away from children, gay athletes should be fine.

But seriously, the Russians won't do squat during the Olympics.

[Tamas]

Is that supposed to be reverse psychology?  Russia's almost as bad as the UAE for arresting foreigners for violating local morality laws.  In fact, ten seconds of googling brings this up: http://www.towleroad.com/2013/07/meet-the-four-dutch-citizens-arrested-under-russias-new-anti-gay-law.html

Note that wasn't a protest or anything like that, they raided a human rights seminar.

Putin said as long as they stay away from children, gay athletes should be fine.

But seriously, the Russians won't do squat during the Olympics.

Especially when they are trying to gobble up Ukraine while the world is busy with the Olympics

[grumbler]

The ambassador to the US from Georgia* spoke at my school recently, and had a wonderful line (attributed by him to an unknown Russian author) about how "Russia has an unpredictable past."

*I had lunch with him! 

[DGuller]

The ambassador to the US from Georgia* spoke at my school recently, and had a wonderful line (attributed by him to an unknown Russian author) about how "Russia has an unpredictable past."

*I had lunch with him! 

In all your years that was the first time you heard that? 

[grumbler]

The ambassador to the US from Georgia* spoke at my school recently, and had a wonderful line (attributed by him to an unknown Russian author) about how "Russia has an unpredictable past."

*I had lunch with him! 

In all your years that was the first time you heard that? 

  I was talking about a Georgian ambassador who only spoke on Monday.  How could I have heard him "in all my years" when he spoke less than a week ago?