Get Ready for Fun at Russian Games

If what's causing the much-ado-about-what-should-be-nothing wasn't kinda hateful and so last century, it would be sort of fun watching the self-important International Olympic Committee twisting in the wind over the Russian throw-you-in-jail-if-you-say-the-“g”-word controversy.  Putin's Party Poopers are ready to “host the world”, as we say, for the winter Olympics; they've built venues, stockpiled snow (that's actually true), and, to be sure everyone has a harmonious, Olympic-ideal time, made it illegal to be gay in Russia.  If you quote/unquote “promote” gay, you could go to jail.  And “promoting” gay can be as simple as saying “I'm, ya know, the 'g' word”.  Does the law apply to athletes and visitors, who Russia wants to bring  suitcases full ofgreen backs?  “Yes, definitely” said one Russian official, “We could arrest athletes.” “No, of course not” said another.  So, take your pick, it remains clear as mud. What does the IOC have to say?  Have they invoked the part of the Olympic charter that says stuff about not persecuting people and can't-we-all-get-along?  No, they invoked the part that says that athletes who promote, in any way, anything besides good clean fun and McDonalds, Coke, and Acme, “the official blast furnace of the 2014 Olympics”, can be sent home from the games.  So, come one, come all to the games this winter! Except for, you know, some people.

..........and that’s the way the ball bounces.