Revolution#110, November 25, 2007
Cheers to Anti-Bush U.S. Bridge Players
When members of the U.S. women’s bridge team participated in the world bridge championships in Shanghai, China in October, they were met with questions from players from other countries about the actions of the U.S. government. Gail Greenberg, the team captain, said, “There was a lot of anti-Bush feeling, questioning of our Iraq policy and about torture. I can’t tell you it was an overwhelming amount, but there were several specific comments, and there wasn’t the same warmth you usually feel at these events.”
The U.S. team ended up winning the Venice Cup, the women’s title, at the Shanghai tournament. At the dinner when the team got their award, Greenberg held up a hand-written sign that read, “We did not vote for Bush.” Greenberg said later, “What we were trying to say, not to Americans but to our friends from other countries, was that we understand that they are questioning and critical of what our country is doing these days, and we want you to know that we, too, are critical.”
The bridge world isn’t usually known for political controversy, but the anti-Bush sign at the world championships has sparked a big uproar. Officials of the U.S. Bridge Federation (U.S.B.F.) are threatening the team with severe and vengeful punishment: a one-year suspension from Federation events, including the World Bridge Olympiad in 2008; a one-year probation after the suspension; 200 hours of “community service” that “furthers the interests of organized bridge”; and signing on to an “apology” to be drafted by the Federation. Officials are also demanding that the team members snitch on each other, by telling “who broached the idea of displaying the sign, when the idea was adopted, etc.” Debbie Rosenberg, one of the team members, said, “I earn my living from bridge, and a substantial part of that from being hired to compete in high-level competitions. So being barred would directly affect much of my ability to earn a living.”
Some bridge players have e-mailed the Federation accusing the women’s team of “treason” and “sedition.” Other e-mails have supported the women’s team; one professional bridge player wrote, “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.” And the French team offered their support for the American team.
A hearing on the case of the women’s team is scheduled during the Fall North American Bridge Championships set to take place in San Francisco from November 22 to December 2. The NY Times reported that three of the team members “have expressed regret that the action offended some people.” But Greenberg and three other team members “have not made any mollifying statements.”
Cheers to the members of the U.S. women’s bridge team. In their own way, they made a righteous statement to the world that there are people within the U.S.—including bridge players!—who do not stand with the torture, the wars, and other crimes of the Bush regime.
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