Add Nathan Chen to the list of Olympic athletes who won't be going to the White House

[VGThuy]

I disagree with you about Trump's motivations and there's a reason why POC and immigrants and children-of-immigrants reacted highly negatively to that. But back to the point, if Chen was from Louisiana, like me, or Texas, like my husband, or Mississippi and said he was gladly going to the White House and started spouting similar statements that Trump made about how Mexicans (in general) were dangerous and that Haitians (in general) were bringing AIDS here and went on a rant about how Obama had a militia and had a fake birth certificate from Mexico, would you also say he was a product of right-wing propaganda and indoctrinated by the educational system there? Or would you say "he gets it!"

My point is that as much as our upbringing and environment influences our thinking, there does come a time where we observe things for ourselves and question things to see what we truly believe. Most people may just conform to what they learned, but others may not. I think it's a bit insulting to think Chen does not have a mind of his own to make that determination...at least as much of a mind as we all do as human beings since we're all limited somewhat in that we can't be completely taken out of our environment.

 

[starrynight]

As a foreigner it is sometimes hard to understand.

I was told by a lady from the US that if you were sitting around a table with a group of people in America, it would be readily apparent to everyone whether they were Democratic or Republican. Such a thing does not really exist in my country as the politics are not overly divisive and are not a dominant factor in regular day to day lives. It all sounds incredibly exhausting.

Because of this, it is difficult for me to understand how people expect teenage athletes to take political stances. But it is a different universe in the US I am sure. Has something like this happened with other presidents in the past?

I'm sure if I was an athlete I would be too afraid to be involved in any of this in any way. I think it takes a brave person to put themselves out there and not everyone has the personality to withstand such a storm.

 

[sk9tingfan]

As a foreigner it is sometimes hard to understand.

I was told by a lady from the US that if you were sitting around a table with a group of people in America, it would be readily apparent to everyone whether they were Democratic or Republican. Such a thing does not really exist in my country as the politics are not overly divisive and are not a dominant factor in regular day to day lives. It all sounds incredibly exhausting.

Because of this, it is difficult for me to understand how people expect teenage athletes to take political stances. But it is a different universe in the US I am sure. Has something like this happened with other presidents in the past?

I'm sure if I was an athlete I would be too afraid to be involved in any of this in any way. I think it takes a brave person to put themselves out there and not everyone has the personality to withstand such a storm.

I think that this woman's statement is simplistic and not based in reality. There are well educated, affluent individuals who support both parties, although driven by different ideologies and value sets. As far as the term, "rabble", these individuals could be found on both sides of the aisle. What constitutes "rabbleness" is up for interpretation. Any rabble that is outright racist and/or would like to see others dead and have already perpetrated those acts, are those that I cannot tolerate. There are those on one side of the aisle that would prefer me dead

For those athletes who cannot tolerate the current administration's stances with respect to same, I applaud their right not to meet with this current administration for those reasons. It is their civic duty as citizens to do their own thinking and follow through with appropriate actions.

 

[CoolGuy]

Chen is in Artesia, LA area.. next to Hollywood.. no further comments required.

Whether or not Artesia is liberal or conservative, the basic logic underlying this statement is ridiculous. La Habra Heights and La Mirada are also in the LA area (Southeast LA County, along with Artesia) and they are closer to Artesia than Artesia is to Hollywood, and yet they are Republican leaning areas.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Whether or not Artesia is liberal or conservative, the basic logic underlying this statement is ridiculous. La Habra Heights and La Mirada are also in the LA area (Southeast LA County, along with Artesia) and they are closer to Artesia than Artesia is to Hollywood, and yet they are Republican leaning areas.

What happens in schools and at homes are different things. I've seen too many conflicts between parents and liberal teachers in upper middle class North Cal. area. Teachers win, because they can take it out on students in various ways which can't be argued with. It's almost one for one what we experienced in Soviet schools if we were not "perfect little communists" giving periodic but regular odes to "socialism" and not participating in "communal activities".

 

[DimaToe]

It's his right and choice, but i think he is under "peer-pressure" given his surroundings. The Left can be and are nasty, voicy, vindictive and violent, especially in States like California. If he accepted and went, i would not be surprised if his car was egged, or if he would received threats, or some kind of negativity from other skaters/parents/people in person or on social media.

How is this different from the Right? I think that type of action comes down to the individual, not necessarily on them being liberal or conservative, extremeism exists on both sides.

On another note, given the turn this thread has taken, I'm surprised that none of the moderators have moved this thread to the Politically Incorrect section.

 

[Japanfan]

Bullshit you need guns. You don't need the fcuking guns. Funny how America is the only country in the world with this problem and you're so dumb you can't even see the wood for the trees. So up your own arse that you think America is the only country in the world with social issues. Newsflash: there aren't mass shootings like yours in other CIVILISED countries. I'll give you one guess as to why, but since you side with the psycho ammosexuals, you'll guess wrong.

To be fair, there are mass shootings in other countries. I edited an article about mass shootings in Germany some years ago.

However, I think the number of such shootings are much greater in the US than anywhere else.

And the citizens of other countries aren't so concerned about their right to bear arms. There are a lot of guns in Canada, particularly for hunting in the north, but I've certainly never had a gun, nor thought to get myself one.

My view is that the problem with guns is that people will use them. I had one occasion in which I was so blinding mad at a person who had put a dear friend in harm's way, that I was grateful I did not have a gun because I might have used it.

 

[Japanfan]

The idea that Nathan Chen (or Adam, for that matter) is some left-wing radical is laughable. He is as middle of the road as those who keep telling themselves they are middle of the road. He just has certain principals he abides by.

Even some Republicans find Trump/Pence offensive and reprehensible.

 

[Tinami Amori]

How is this different from the Right? I think that type of action comes down to the individual, not their political beliefs.

There are "crazies and radicals" on both ends, true. But since Obama, and now Trump, average people who are on the Left are talking and behaving like they are fighting the Holy War, and in their heads it justifies bluntly illegal, unethical and undemocratic behavior and acts - end justifies the means. Exact patterns of behavior, i can give a long list on Trotsky, Lenin, Stalin, Dzherzhynsky, etc.

Never has been such open call for action from people in politics and entertainment to "kill the President" or "Burn the White House", and i am sure you don't need me to list all. The Left invite violence against all who disagree.

Berkeley campus was partially burned down and vandalized because the Left did not want a Conservative Public Speaker on campus. It was an offense on free speech, and injuries to people and damage to property. Left physically attacked Trump supporters who were just standing there. Even non-conservative media was concerned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzwq7qMIV88

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-berkeley-protests-20170827-story.html
http://time.com/4800813/battle-berkeley-free-speech/

 

[DimaToe]

There are "crazies and radicals" on both ends, true. But since Obama, and now Trump, average people who are on the Left are talking and behaving like they are fighting the Holy War, and in their heads it justifies bluntly illegal, unethical and undemocratic behavior and acts - end justifies the means. Exact patterns of behavior, i can give a long list on Trotsky, Lenin, Stalin, Dzherzhynsky, etc.

Never has been such open call for action from people in politics and entertainment to "kill the President" or "Burn the White House", and i am sure you don't need me to list all. The Left invite violence against all who disagree.

Berkeley campus was partially burned down and vandalized because the Left did not want a Conservative Public Speaker on campus. It was an offense on free speech, and injuries to people and damage to property. Left physically attacked Trump supporters who were just standing there. Even non-conservative media was concerned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzwq7qMIV88

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-berkeley-protests-20170827-story.html
http://time.com/4800813/battle-berkeley-free-speech/

Are you a student at Berkeley though? Or are you basing your conclusions on what your newsfeed tells you to read? I work at an extremely diverse college campus, there have been recent acts of vandalism which have been done by individuals who would be seen as conservative. Yet I nor those around me are jumping to the conclusion to label every one who identifies as being conservative as ignorant and violent. Violence to try and make a political view as the "correct" one is nothing new, I'm not saying that extreme actions are non existent on the liberal side. I'm just disagreeing with you on labeling all liberals as extremists and insinuating that Chen is acting on peer pressure and not on his on personal beliefs.

 

[MsZem]

I think that any teenager, of any gender, sex-pref, ethnicity, etc. in California is heavily subjected to Left Wing pressure by the educational system in school and university. The sentiments, the pressure, the methods, the retaliation from the peers and educators are extremely similar to what took place in Soviet Schools. Students are forced not just to repeat the liberal mantras, but are forced to participate in "left wing agenda" events, such as demonstrations, protest actions and other events, which complexities they often don't understand and given only one-sided argument.

Nathan Chen grew up in Utah and did much of his schooling there. He graduated from an online school in California.

Oh, and apparently he doesn't have a car.

 

[BaileyCatts]

....... I was told by a lady from the US that if you were sitting around a table with a group of people in America, it would be readily apparent to everyone whether they were Democratic or Republican. Such a thing does not really exist in my country as the politics are not overly divisive and are not a dominant factor in regular day to day lives. It all sounds incredibly exhausting. ..........

What country do you live in? I want to move there. And yes .... its exhausting.

If there is an SOI show the same night, I think that pretty much sums up that none of the skating Olympic Team will be going. Aren't they all on the SOI tour? I feel bad for all the athletes that such a traditional, fun perk of being an Olympian has to be turned into a political stance. If they go, they'll be crucified on social media for going when its supposed to be a celebration of the fact that they are Olympians. And if they don't go ... same deal from the other side. Its lose/lose no matter what they do.

 

[Excidra]

What country do you live in? I want to move there. And yes .... its exhausting.

Canada.

 

[SHARPIE]

Ok, this thread is way too political for GSD now so I'm closing it down.