 Poster: A snowHead
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Published a short while ago on his website www.stephenfry.com - It's a long open letter to our PM and others and worth quoting in full... Can it be ignored?
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Dear Prime Minister, M Rogge, Lord Coe and Members of the International Olympic Committee,
I write in the earnest hope that all those with a love of sport and the Olympic spirit will consider the stain on the Five Rings that occurred when the 1936 Berlin Olympics proceeded under the exultant aegis of a tyrant who had passed into law, two years earlier, an act which singled out for special persecution a minority whose only crime was the accident of their birth. In his case he banned Jews from academic tenure or public office, he made sure that the police turned a blind eye to any beatings, thefts or humiliations afflicted on them, he burned and banned books written by them. He claimed they “polluted” the purity and tradition of what it was to be German, that they were a threat to the state, to the children and the future of the Reich. He blamed them simultaneously for the mutually exclusive crimes of Communism and for the controlling of international capital and banks. He blamed them for ruining the culture with their liberalism and difference. The Olympic movement at that time paid precisely no attention to this evil and proceeded with the notorious Berlin Olympiad, which provided a stage for a gleeful Führer and only increased his status at home and abroad. It gave him confidence. All historians are agreed on that. What he did with that confidence we all know.
Putin is eerily repeating this insane crime, only this time against LGBT Russians. Beatings, murders and humiliations are ignored by the police. Any defence or sane discussion of homosexuality is against the law. Any statement, for example, that Tchaikovsky was gay and that his art and life reflects this sexuality and are an inspiration to other gay artists would be punishable by imprisonment. It is simply not enough to say that gay Olympians may or may not be safe in their village. The IOC absolutely must take a firm stance on behalf of the shared humanity it is supposed to represent against the barbaric, fascist law that Putin has pushed through the Duma. Let us not forget that Olympic events used not only to be athletic, they used to include cultural competitions. Let us realise that in fact, sport is cultural. It does not exist in a bubble outside society or politics. The idea that sport and politics don’t connect is worse than disingenuous, worse than stupid. It is wickedly, wilfully wrong. Everyone knows politics interconnects with everything for “politics” is simply the Greek for “to do with the people”.
An absolute ban on the Russian Winter Olympics of 2014 on Sochi is simply essential. Stage them elsewhere in Utah, Lillyhammer, anywhere you like. At all costs Putin cannot be seen to have the approval of the civilised world.
He is making scapegoats of gay people, just as Hitler did Jews. He cannot be allowed to get away with it. I know whereof I speak. I have visited Russia, stood up to the political deputy who introduced the first of these laws, in his city of St Petersburg. I looked into the face of the man and, on camera, tried to reason with him, counter him, make him understand what he was doing. All I saw reflected back at me was what Hannah Arendt called, so memorably, “the banality of evil.” A stupid man, but like so many tyrants, one with an instinct of how to exploit a disaffected people by finding scapegoats. Putin may not be quite as oafish and stupid as Deputy Milonov but his instincts are the same. He may claim that the “values” of Russia are not the “values” of the West, but this is absolutely in opposition to Peter the Great’s philosophy, and against the hopes of millions of Russians, those not in the grip of that toxic mix of shaven headed thuggery and bigoted religion, those who are agonised by the rolling back of democracy and the formation of a new autocracy in the motherland that has suffered so much (and whose music, literature and drama, incidentally I love so passionately).
I am gay. I am a Jew. My mother lost over a dozen of her family to Hitler’s anti-Semitism. Every time in Russia (and it is constantly) a gay teenager is forced into suicide, a lesbian “correctively” raped, gay men and women beaten to death by neo-Nazi thugs while the Russian police stand idly by, the world is diminished and I for one, weep anew at seeing history repeat itself.
“All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing,” so wrote Edmund Burke. Are you, the men and women of the IOC going to be those “good” who allow evil to triumph?
The Summer Olympics of 2012 were one of the most glorious moments of my life and the life of my country. For there to be a Russian Winter Olympics would stain the movement forever and wipe away any of that glory. The Five Rings would finally be forever smeared, besmirched and ruined in the eyes of the civilised world.
I am begging you to resist the pressures of pragmatism, of money, of the oily cowardice of diplomats and to stand up resolutely and proudly for humanity the world over, as your movement is pledged to do. Wave your Olympic flag with pride as we gay men and women wave our Rainbow flag with pride. Be brave enough to live up to the oaths and protocols of your movement, which I remind you of verbatim below.
Rule 4 Cooperate with the competent public or private organisations and authorities in the endeavour to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace
Rule 6: Act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement
Rule 15 Encourage and support initiatives blending sport with culture and education
I especially appeal to you, Prime Minister, a man for whom I have the utmost respect. As the leader of a party I have for almost all of my life opposed and instinctively disliked, you showed a determined, passionate and clearly honest commitment to LGBT rights and helped push gay marriage through both houses of our parliament in the teeth of vehement opposition from so many of your own side. For that I will always admire you, whatever other differences may lie between us. In the end I believe you know when a thing is wrong or right. Please act on that instinct now.
Yours in desperate hope for humanity
Stephen Fry
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Indeedy, f**k Russia.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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On the other hand though, most russian do not tolerate gays, so it was sort of natural for their representatives to pass such a law. Even if duma passed the opposite law ("everyone should tolerate them from now on") that would hardly change anything. Russia is long way from being a civilized country, decades behind Europe, give them time... It was only about 50 years ago that Alan Turing was led to a suicide here in the UK, bear this in mind.
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Western nations forcing their own values / ideal of democracy & "freedom" on other countries is a dangerous game.... Where do your draw the line ? By the metrics used above would the war-mongering USA be a morally acceptable nation to host the olympic games ?
Politics and sport should be kept at arms length.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| oleksii wrote: |
| On the other hand though, most russian do not tolerate gays... |
That's very true, nor do they tolerate disabled people - I've been there 3 times and you never see wheelchair access or toilet facilities etc and, come to think of it, you rarely see people with disabilities out and about. Yet they'll have to put on a Paralympics and it'll be interesting to see how well supported it is.
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maybe worth thinking about gay athletes being "out and proud" at the Winter Olympcs - might have a more forceful impact on the Russian people than a boycott (which could itself be twisted for political ends by Putin).
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Nice idea - absolutely zero chance of it happening though.
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The last time we semi boycotted a Russian or Soviet Olympics as it then was, was over the invasion of Afghanistan and now look what has happened. China has a pretty poor human rights record and we accepted their games with equanimity. Protesting in the name of the Olympians is probably appropriate I am not sure boycotting is. Tit for tat boycotting and mutual hostility tends to be the end result.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Bode Swiller wrote: |
| That's very true, nor do they tolerate disabled people - I've been there 3 times and you never see wheelchair access or toilet facilities etc |
That's simply lack of proper regulations, not intolerance.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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he's an annoying f***er, there isnt anything he wont bang on about
(funny with it though sometimes "consider the stain on the five rings") 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| pam w wrote: |
| maybe worth thinking about gay athletes being "out and proud" at the Winter Olympcs - might have a more forceful impact on the Russian people than a boycott (which could itself be twisted for political ends by Putin). |
This approach was espoused by an 'out' American figure skater this morning on R4. He described himself as more flamboyant than Elton John as well as already popular in Russia. He made an eloquent case for athletes' hard work (and their family's sacrifices too) not being thrown away giving credence to the bigotry of politics.
SF makes a very eloquent pitch for the opposite too. I am torn between the two excellent arguments.
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booby for tat boycotting
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The profanity filter is a little bizarre sometimes.
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You know it makes sense.
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The last time we semi boycotted a Russian or Soviet Olympics as it then was, was over the invasion of Afghanistan and now look what has happened.
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yeah, well, what has happened is perhaps more a result of the massive Western material and financial assistance given to the brave Taliban fighting the nasty commies.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Reminds me when I took a group of Romanian colleagues to a very expensive (over €100 per head) restaurant in Amsterdam. This was in the heart of the gay area but recognised as very good food (sadly now closed). They spent the whole night complaining about the bar next door that they chose to have a quick beer in and I didn't get a thanks for the meal despite spending over €1,000.
Not just Russia that is prejudiced. A lot of Eastern Europe has the same problem.
Now if that restaurant had been located amongst the 'windows' where exploitation of females could be rife they would probably have loved it!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| A Lurker wrote: |
Not just Russia that is prejudiced. A lot of Eastern Europe has the same problem.
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Perhaps - though tarring all eastern europeans with the same brush also makes you a racist  It was only 20 odd years ago that black footballers in the English premier league (such as John Barnes) used to regularly get bananas thrown at them. Or that Bernard Manning was on the TV.....
Of course homphobia / racism is wrong - but so is the belief that all nations should share "western values".
Either way sporting events should not be used for political purposes.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Haggis_Trap wrote: |
the war-mongering USA and war-mongering copycat wannabe UK be a morally acceptable nation to host the olympic games ?
Politics and sport should be kept at arms length. |
Fixed it for you! And agree with last bit, though sport had always been exploited politically
Fry's a gobshite, if its still acceptable to be in a persecuted minority and still be a gobshite?
Wasnt the Berlin black power salute far more effective than any other protest? (Tommie Smith?)
Do you wanna be just gay or an Olympic Champion?
Fry, you're a gobshite
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| barry wrote: |
Wasnt the Berlin black power salute far more effective than any other protest? (Tommie Smith?)
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Actually it was in Mexico City (1968 Games), but I agree with you about its effectiveness.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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barry, but a major part of the problem is that under recent Russian legislation, anyone performing a "rainbow Power" salute is liable to be arrested and duly imprisoned.
Now, fair enough one might say, anyone on a mixed gender team hugging or kissing after a victory runs the same risk were the games ro be held, in, say, Dubai.
But still. All rather distasteful. And noteworthy that Putin's repressive bill was passed only some two months ago whereas Sochi was awarded hosting mid-2007 with great support from Putin.
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under a new name, Then far better to have podiums doing a "rainbow Power" salute than to boycott, shirley?
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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
| under a new name, Then far better to have podiums doing a "rainbow Power" salute than to boycott, shirley? |
Yep, if a podium winner were to do a "rainbow power salute" and then "be arrested and duly imprisoned" as under a new name says the Russian legislation provides for, I would imagine that the resulting international furore involving the athlete's country, National Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee would not be to Putin's liking....
Just one question - what does a "Rainbow Power" salute look like. 
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| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| what does a "Rainbow Power" salute look like. |
IIRC its a complex manouver which starts with both arms extended up in the air, spread apart with palms forward. Then both hands brought down to point at the head a la the 'Mo-Bot'. Then smoothly transition the arms to the left, left arm out from hip-height, right over the top of the head (this is often performed incorrectly to the right). Finally raise both arms back above the head, this time into a point skyward.
Repeat as necessary till rainbow nation established or embarassment sets in.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Just one question - what does a "Rainbow Power" salute look like.
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A good question as it appears Google hasn't heard of it either
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Y. M. C. A.
I confess to coining it only minutes ago. A bit like a black power salute, but more colourful.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Alastair Pink,
Hmmm, if I was lgbt and considering making a unilateral gesture of defiance, I am not too sure how much I would want to rely on awkward PR to come to my defense.
See also Pussy Riot...
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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under a new name,
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See also Pussy Riot...
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Yep, they'll imprison their own people, but of course they won't imprison foreigners making empty gestures, particularly under the aegis of the Olympics. But, failing all else, I think I too would favour protest - however futile - against boycott. It's a difficult one: like flowa, I'm torn between the first two, strong arguments which were put forward.
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Surely we've solved it for Fry - he devises a rainbow power salute and using his immense Twitter power gets the vast majority of athletes to commit to using it on the podium regardless of their personal sexuality. Hugely difficult for Russia to arrest every medal winner even if Russian medal winners might be circumspect about using it.
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You know it makes sense.
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under a new name, LOL! I genuinely didn't realise you'd just made it up when I wrote my response. I think a meme has just been born.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Richard_Sideways, i hope so!
fatbob, I think you are genius. That's the way forward.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I wonder if he'll write one for the World Cup in Qatar too as they have much more extreme views on homosexuality or is that allowed under the guise of religion?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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medlington, Fry is an atheist as well as gay so I'm sure he'd be up for criticising them as well so you should ask him.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I used to quite like Stephen Fry (I even attended a lecture he gave a few years ago), but he gets further up his own @r$€ with each passing year.
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laundryman, +1, I reckon he's close on losing his 'National Treasure' status. Plus his autobiography is deadful.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Whilst laudible, unfortunately these international sporting events are little more than an advertising board to sell products.
Money talks, and Russia and the IOC will carry on regardless. Could you imagine the contractual obligations that have been signed and how much it would cost to stop it? Never going to happen.
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I am totally against the Football WC being awarded to Qatar.
I also believe big TV sports lke Tennis,Golf etc should stop playing in the UAE
where the human rights & equality are very very questionable.
The UAE & other Middle Eastern nations use their wealth to stage these events
& to hide what goes on.
The Sportsmen & players need to take a serious look at themselves!
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Fri 9-08-13 11:32; edited 2 times in total
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Well Qatar aren't gonna be getting them before 2024, and even then you'd have to fancy Paris or one of the US cities. Unless of course they pull a FIFA trick.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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medlington, that's just football. Who cares?
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| andy wrote: |
| Well Qatar aren't gonna be getting them before 2024, and even then you'd have to fancy Paris or one of the US cities. Unless of course they pull a FIFA trick. |
It was interesting listening to Sepp Blatter (incorruptible FIFA chap) talking about the Qatar WC the other day. Seems he's been over for a visit and, guess what, discovered that it really is hot in Qatar in summer. Who would have thought it? They are thinking about moving the event to winter. I wonder how all the national football associations are going to accommodate that!
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Fri 9-08-13 13:16; edited 2 times in total
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