108 Comments
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Robby Kumar's avatar

I was rooting for Canada in the Mens, only more reinforced by seeing KKKashew Patelski destroying taxpayer resources by chugging beer in Milan. Disgusting.

Susan Rose's avatar

I am so proud of them for declining the invitation! Shows their strength and backbone, which is more than we can say for the Republican congress people.

That scene with patel celebrating with the USA team is repulsive. I commented on this earlier, who the hell does he think he is??? What does he have to do with the Olympics? Anything to make himself look and feel important, on our tax dollars no less! The only one who thinks he's important is him. The rest of us know he's a complete disgrace to his position.

Mercedes's avatar

D. Earl, this piece was good to the last drop - leave it to the women's team to show some balls!

Carol Moore's avatar

As a Canadian, I'd like to personally invite the US Women's hockey team to visit Ottawa, where you will be welcomed by a country that values integrity, friendship, honest competition, and a fair win. Congratulations to both the Canadian and US Women's hockey teams for a game well-played, and for winning silver and gold respectively. We are proud of all of you.

Constance Tavares's avatar

That was a disgusting display on Patel’s part.

D. Earl Stephens ✍️'s avatar

Yes it was. Appalling ... until Trump topped it.

Cam Choiniere's avatar

As he always does. Did you see the video he put out with his grungy body as a US hockey player pummeling the Canadians? Totally inappropriate and disgusting.

D. Earl Stephens ✍️'s avatar

Thank God I didn't.

Someday dancing on his grave will be a sport.

Cam Choiniere's avatar

Every few days I get a pathetic email from him because I am “one of his biggest suppprters.” 🤣🤣 And, of course, they’re asking for money. Obviously, replies are not read, or I would be in jail or in a country far far away.

Ethereal Fairy's avatar

My husband gets them constantly, and he's Canadian, and can not even vote here, but they want his money.

Ethereal Fairy's avatar

I look forward to it.

Teri Gelini's avatar

Glad I did not see iy as I can not stand to look at him. Scott Dworkin has taken to covering Drumpf's face with anything so none of us have to look at it...He's used a pumpkin, a christmas tree, a sign just to be sure we don't toss our cookies lol

Liz's avatar

Trump taints EVERYTHING!

The regime is so embarrassing!

enythe green's avatar

i can see him now coming down the aisle

with his long red tie and his smarmy smile

All the back clapping

and the hands out reaching

if they had a backbone they would be him impeaching

He wil be grinning and accepting all

the glory

But we have witnessed a totally different story

We are mortified of his actions every day

The way he bows to Putin and pushes our allies away

Just found out that Navalny was poisoned in prison

Trump ignores the facts- he wont even listen

In his world gas is 2 dollars at every pump

& Bondi says the reps should apologize to Trump

This harridan is screaming and tossing her blonde hair

And cannot even acknowledge the survivors standing right

there

Detention centers opening

it bring us so much shame

As we stand in solidarity and assert not in our name!!!!

Debbie's avatar

This is a very good recap of USA and where we are now. I for one can only say if we can’t be the best example then we can at least be the best cautionary tale.

I believe in my country but not right or wrong. Because now we are reflective of only the worst of us.

The Olympics and all those fit youngsters go through to get there, well it gives me hope.

So, thank you for this piece.

D. Earl Stephens ✍️'s avatar

Thanks, Debbie. Well said.

John McDonald's avatar

The only reason I can come up with to watch the SOTU tomorrow is the slight chance that TRUMP might stroke out during the speech.

Chauncey Gardiner's avatar

Good point John, although I'll pass on the live broadcast and choose to watch the relevant video clip on repeat for the rest of my life if he does happen to have a stroke, shit his pants loudly, and fall dead from the podium.

Joni Jensen's avatar

That will be on every Substack and every cable news by midnight if that happens. I’ll just wait for the recap with snark.

Russ's avatar

How about setting up the lie counter and let us know if he sets a record.

Annie's avatar

Thanks for this, Earl. I knew about Cash Patel once again ripping off taxpayers so he could fly to Milan to party in the men's locker room like the worthless grifter he will always be. Did not know about Cash's phone call to the bloated bigot or BB inviting the team to watch his STFU address.

Thrilled to hear the women's team declined his backhanded invitation. They've got class.

D. Earl Stephens ✍️'s avatar

Class he'll NEVER have.

Steven Dundas's avatar

Earl,

I have felt that way for decades. That moment in 1980 was magical. Nowadays it is a nationalistic chant that presumes our supremacy in the world. It is the height of “ugly Americanism”. I was very happy for all of our athletes who medaled, especially the hockey teams. I was so happy for both the men and women, especially since it was the men’s first Gold since 1980. Patel makes me want to vomit, his actions were embarrassing and unbecoming of his office. Of course everything Trump does is embarrassing and unbecoming his high office. I mentioned that I do not wear team USA gear anymore on social media and was castigated by a retired Army officer. I don’t equate nationalism with patriotism. True patriotism is humble at heart while nationalism is poisonous to the soul.

Thank you for sharing this. I completely agree and understand. All the best and please watch your six.

Steve Dundas, CDR, Chaplain Corps, USN (retired)

D. Earl Stephens ✍️'s avatar

True patriotism is humble at heart while nationalism is poisonous to the soul.

So well said, Steven.

Russ's avatar

Well said. It amazes me how many people say they are patriotic, but would discourage their sons and daughters from serving in the military. Well aware that "ugly Americanism" may well be our downfall. Having pride does not give license to offend.

Ethereal Fairy's avatar

Well said good sir.

Chauncey Gardiner's avatar

The US Mens Hockey Team disgraced themselves, diminishing in an instant what they had worked so hard to achieve, by allowing the nefarious Kash Patel to crash their locker room celebration and claim their victory for Trump and his odious regime.

The mindless, abrasive, and clueless chant of USA, USA, USA has replaced the American values, ideals, and noble acts that used to speak so loudly on their own. That chant is now as clueless, out of touch, and off-putting to decent people as Trump's repeated claim that the US was "dead" a year ago, and is now "the hottest country on earth".

D. Earl Stephens ✍️'s avatar

I'm not sure what they were supposed to do once Patel bombed in there.

But, yeah, it was grotesque.

Chauncey Gardiner's avatar

They should have knocked a couple of his teeth out if he wanted to feel like a real part of the team rather than hanging a gold medal around his neck and jumping around with him like he had scored the winning goal.

Gail Shields-Miller's avatar

I guess the men that are in charge of the team failed to stop Patel from coming in there....which he could have done. The Olympics ar not supposed to be political. Do you know who would have been that person in charge of admitting or keeping out Patel?

Russ's avatar

We all know that politics always casts a shadow over the Olympics. Ask Jesse Owens who upped Hitler in the 1936 Olympics. I am shocked Mr T did not come to take the trophy for himself.

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Russ's avatar

They probably did not any call to block him as I am sure FBI security was all over the place. They may have thought he was just the janitor.

Fred's avatar

Trump creates chaos every single day. Doesn’t Kash Patel have something better to do - like maybe help solve a high profile kidnapping case- than fly on our dime to watch a hockey game 6 time zones away from DC? Can you imagine the head of Scotland Yard doing what this idiot did? And videotaping it for all the world to see him guzzling liquor and being totally out of control. This is what a frat boy does, not the head of the FBI. This administration continues to embarrass itself on a daily basis. What a totally incompetent buffoon

Maura's avatar

The swine Barrow Trump thought his left handed invitation would flatter the women's team. Why would they want to celebrate with a White House that has taken their individual healthcare rights, and downgraded women's professions and the financial ability to pursue higher education? Ketchup and cupcakes didn't seem to be enough of an exchange for their expertise and enormous success!

D. Earl Stephens ✍️'s avatar

His contempt for women matches only his contempt for this country.

Edward Velez's avatar

I never liked the chant myself. I thought it was due to my Latino background and upbringing. I’m glad to hear that what I felt was not incorrect but in touch with the reality of what others felt about it. Yes, it fit in with the “me generation” Carter warned us about. I knew My feelings were about it were substantiated. Thanks Earl.

Patty Mooney's avatar

That USA chant. Comes off super arrogant, especially now when there's nothing to be proud of in terms of our government.

Diane Lee's avatar

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Patel's behavior in the locker room. What an ass.

More shame upon the country 😞 what an embarrassment. Dear God, when will this end. Great article Earl, thank you 🙏💙🕊️