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The Price of US Olympian Arrogance |
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By
Stephen Lendman |
| The behavior of gold medalist swimmer Ryan Lochte and three of his teammates
(Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz and Jimmy Feigen) in Rio was deplorable - explained
in a previous article. They were caught red-handed lying about being robbed. Out of sheer stupidity, arrogance and drunkenness, they caused thousands of dollars of damage to a gas station. Their behavior resembled how America operates worldwide - raping and pillaging countries for power and profits. In Lochte’s case, he learned a painful lesson, losing all his major lucrative endorsement deals. According to ESPN, Speedo, Ralph Lauren, Gentle Hair Removal and Airweave dropped him. Speedo said it would donate $50,000 of his endorsement fee to Save The Children, to be used for Brazilian children. In a statement, Lochte said “I respect Speedo’s decision and am grateful for the opportunities that our partnership has afforded me over the years. I am proud of the accomplishments that we have achieved together.” A Ralph Lauren statement said it “continues to proudly sponsor the US Olympic and Paralympic Team and the values that its athletes embody.” “Ralph Lauren's endorsement agreement with Ryan Lochte was specifically in support of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the company will not be renewing his contract.” His other corporate sponsors issued similar statements. His troubles aren’t over. He and his three teammates face disciplinary action from the US Olympic Committee. CEO Scott Blackmun said it’s coming. International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Anita DeFrantz, blasted the four swimmers, saying “(t)hey have forever put themselves on the kind of list that you don’t want to be remembered for. (They) insulted a whole nation.” A recklessly celebratory night on the town turned Olympian fame into infamy. It’s typical yankee mentality, wanting control over all other countries, asserting America’s will arrogantly, demanding world governments play by Washington rules. In the case of Lochte and his teammates, they apparently think it’s OK to behave anyway they please abroad, perhaps especially in Latin America. Secretary of State John Kerry used the imperial designation “our back yard” in April 2013 comments before House Foreign Affairs Committee members - highlighting Monroe Doctrine arrogance, now extended to mean planet earth and space. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |
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