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Can't Keep Politics Out Of Olympics

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 16, 2008

It's All Just Talk

Regarding "Bush's Winning Appearance At Olympic Games" (Our Opinion, Aug. 12):

I am so happy that you are pleased with the president's performance at the Olympics. Yes, he is doing a lot of talking and, of course, he must stay engaged with the Chinese as well as the Russians. But in the end both countries will do pretty much as they please.

Neville Chamberlain talked with the Nazis; wasn't that nice? And we mustn't forget that Madeline Albright and Jimmy Carter talked with the North Koreans. So now we are talking to the Iranians, although Israel may just have the last word on this one.

MICHAEL SMITH

Tampa

Bush Forgot Manners

I was taught that it is not acceptable to criticize your host while a guest in his own home. This is a lesson that George W. Bush apparently slept through.

I am not saying that the Chinese government does not deserve criticism for their human rights record. They certainly do.

For our president to do so while their guest at the Olympics, which are supposed to be nonpolitical, was just plain rude, crude and politically unacceptable.

He has been given the "bully pulpit" in Washington from which he is allowed and encouraged to say anything he pleases. He should keep his criticism of other governments to private meetings or to that bully pulpit.

BENJAMIN R. ELLIS

Tampa

A Case Of Arrogance

Regarding "Didn't Watch 'Propaganda' " (Letters, Aug. 12):

It is of no particular interest that letter writer Maurice Cecchini chose not to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, though some might say it is noteworthy that 800 million inhabitants of Earth did. What is striking is his failure to understand that the repressed population of China is not responsible for what he considers the misdeeds of their government.

His missive is both revealing and self-indicting: "... the opening ceremonies are just propaganda and promotion of the national image and do not deserve to be dignified, regardless of how remarkable." He continues: "I expressed my views to the local NBC affiliate, which aired what to me is a travesty."

One wonders, if he didn't watch the ceremony, how would he have known it to be "remarkable"? How many viewers would have considered the airing of this "remarkable" demonstration of Chinese technology and pageantry, a travesty?

HENRY PIERSON

Odessa

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