Don't criticize the bully

The Russian Olympic situation is, of course, still brewing. The latest:

Runner Nick Symmonds speaks out now about Russia's anti-gay law. But, he says, while competing in Sochi, he will be a guest and a guest does not criticize the host.

Commenters are not buying it. One of them notes part of the problem is that we consider sports to be more important than human rights.

Gay organizations are looking for a high profile international designer to create a symbol that would "powerfully reject the anti-gay propaganda law" for the athletes to wear. That leaves many to wonder what kind of article of clothing and when would athletes wear it? Would it be a part of the outfit for the Opening Ceremonies? Isn't that provided by the corporate sponsors? Would they allow athletes to cover it with something else?

Russia and the Olympics appear to have problems with more than gay athletes. There are stories of abuse of migrant workers, and environmental damage while building Olympic venues. In response, Russia is now bullying international reporters attempting to cover these stories. That may cause more problems with the IOC than the gay issue.

Some of the pronouncements from Russia can get quite Orwellian. Konstantin Dolgov of the Foreign Ministry says since the anti-propaganda law protects children from harmful information it fulfills all international obligations on human rights.

Activists are asking McDonald's to pull its support for the games. Could be tough because it looks to be a $100 million investment.

NBC is assuring its gay employees they will be safe in Sochi. In its features in the lead up to the games the network is saying almost nothing about the anti-gay law.

Michelangelo Signorlie reports that the Human Rights Watch says the anti-gay law could have been stopped. Putin feels the Olympics are very important to Russia. The IOC, NBC, and top corporate sponsors (such as McDonald's) all tracked the anti-gay legislation through the Duma. If any of them had objected the law would not have passed. But now that it has passed Putin would be seen to be caving into the West if it was rescinded.

If all that isn't enough there are a few minor morsels here.

David Mixner has a collection of five cartoons on the issue. Warning, the last one is obscure.