Posted on 08/28/2004 5:16:27 PM PDT by Hildy
America's biggest Olympic hero yesterday accused George Bush of exploiting the Athens Games for his own political advantage in the run-up to the presidential election. Carl Lewis, who won nine Olympic gold medals in athletics in a record-breaking career, condemned Bush for using the presence of Iraqi and Afghan teams in Athens in a television advertisement to boost his chances of re-election.
Criticising Bush for linking his foreign policy with the two countries being allowed to compete here, Lewis said: 'I felt that was disingenuous. It is funny that we boycotted the 1980 Games [in Moscow] in support of Afghanistan, and now we're bombing Afghanistan,' he told the Athens News yesterday.
'Of course, we've invaded Iraq and are in there and are using it for political gain. It bewilders me, and I understand why the Iraqi players are offended.
'To support the players or the community is fine, but for political gain I disagree.'
Iraq's footballers, who unexpectedly reached the semi-finals here, made clear last week they disliked the advertisement and regarded American soldiers in Iraq as occupiers rather than liberators. Bush was planning to visit the Greek capital and attend yesterday's football final if Iraq had been involved, but they lost in the semi-finals last week. He was also criti cised for misusing without permission Olympic symbols, which are protected emblems.
I guess the fact that Afgani women don't have to wear Burkas and can now vote doesn't make Carl happy either
Things change in a dynamic world Carl! Get used to it!
Forget what I said. Nevermind. Get it out of your head. He was a bigtime partier at Indiana University, that's all.
So now athletes, as well as celebrities are appointing themselves international experts on American politics? Screw him. Maybe he'll throw away his medals in contempt for his countyr just like his hero, John F'n.
Obviously, Carl is a *(^*&%^& idiot.
Don't know if he still lives here but I'll send out a HOUSTON PING anyway
America's biggest Olympic hero yesterday accused George Bush of exploiting the Athens Games for his own political advantage in the run-up to the presidential election.'Of course, we've invaded Iraq and are in there and are using it for political gain.'
Carl never dated Jackson!
It was his "mini-me".
Or maybe that last word should read "Drudge"....neither Lewis nor Drudge has been known to be much of a womanizer, if you know what I mean...
Carl shut the hell up and go count your money.
What is funny is that if you read some of the Iraqi blog, the regular folks are pretty ticked about the athlete's comments.
Carl does need to zip it.
OT: Drudge does seem to be drifting lately over to the dark side.
His front page is practically a pro Kerry advertisement at times.
If I'm wrong, "straighten" me out.
Carl's just upset because he has to postpone his Gay Wedding Plans...
No one cares what you have to say, Carl Lewsi. Sit down, eyes front, and keep your yap shut. Your fifteen minutes are up.
I'm guessing by the keywords on this thread . . . Does ol' Carl bat for team two? Does he do the pole vault?
not that it matters . . . it's not gay thing. In his case, it's just a lame thing.
Emmanuel Lewis?
He wouldn't have any trouble not looking at naked women, if you know what I mean!
ESAD, Carl.
1. they're both black . . naw that's not it
2. same heighth .. nope
3. from same state . . . wrong again
come on help me out here!
When people talk about "bombing" a place, it conjures up images of fleets B-52's flying over dropping enormous quantities of bombs, 24/7, when in reality, we may drop 5 or 6 bombs a week in Iraq, and I doubt if we drop even a bomb a month on Afganistan. But liberals love to hear this stuff, because they can then parrot it to each other to make themselves feel special.
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