By Michael Smerconish
Follow @smerconish
Let me finish tonight with this.
Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics are just 14 days away, and as you have probably heard, controversy now surrounds the Ralph Lauren uniforms of Team USA. Seems that, like much of our clothing, the uniforms were made in China, and that has caused quite a reaction, especially from politicians.
"The Olympic Committee should be ashamed of themselves," said Senate Major Leader Harry Reid. "I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again.
In the blogosphere, the Majority Leader's words are drawing support, while Ralph Lauren and the U.S. Olympic Committee are drawing flak on Facebook and Twitter. On the Ralph Lauren website, the company says it is a "privilege to be the outfitter of Team USA for the 2012 Olympic Games."
Ralph Lauren has designed uniforms for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, and both times, portions of the clothing were manufactured in China.
I get the emotional pull of what Leader Reid says, but I'd be a hypocrite to join in. See, all this talk caused me to look at my own labels today.
Earlier today, I was wearing a Lacoste shirt. It said designed in France and made in Peru. My pants? Romania. The shoes I am wearing were made in Italy. My sport coat — Canada. Same as my t-shirt. And heaven forbid, my tie is from France! My boxers were made in the same place as the U.S. uniforms — China. In fact, the only thing I am wearing that is made in America is my shirt...that and my pocket square, which was made in Manahattan.
So unless my sartorial selections are unusual, I'd suggest that if we want the team to truly represent America, we let them wear clothing like we all wear — made all over the global economy.
For any who disagree, they can toss their iPads in the fire Senator Reid wishes to set for the clothes.
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If only Senator Reid showed such passion taking a substantive issue before Congress and the public as he did speaking out against inconsequential US Olympic clothes made in China without opposition from Republicans that normally stops him in his tracks. Senator Reid really shows his tough stuff against an unprotected whipping boy.
I agreed. Such righteous indignation is wasted on China this way. Senator Reid, c'mon. Though, it does point out tangentially that the free market will create some odd patriotic and political moments.
Now, changing the filibuster...that, that can use your passion and action today!
Dear Michael. Whereas I understand your view that since much of what Americans purchase is made overseas, including most of your attire this evening, I think you are missing the broader issue. The Olympics is all about national pride. There are plenty of American clothing manufacturers who design and construct right here in the USA that would have considered it an honor to outfit our Olympic team. Perhaps this could be a teachable moment for Americans to pay more attention to where their purchases are being made particularly during these challenging times when unemployment is so high. To suggest we compare the purchase of an iPad to the USA Olympic team’s uniform is narrow minded. I’m not suggesting we only purchase American made products (although it’s not a bad idea to try it for a while), but this is the Olympics. For this occasion, I don’t believe it’s wrong for the outfits to make a statement reflecting national pride by being MADE IN AMERICA.
Ayleen Sims,
You are directly on point and could not make it any clearer, unfortunately, Smearconish is in the habit of having very stupid commentary, nonsense usually about nonsense, he is type of liberal that makes you ashamed for being liberal, I do not know who he is blowing to stay on this blog, but it would let serious people again argue important politics!!
Welcome to blog, hope to see your words again here!!
It is all about representation. Other than the terrible design of the clothes, it is not going to be negative on the team. Where the negativity lies is with the Committee who should have known better and had the uniforms made in the U.S. so the representation could not even be a question as it is now.
You seem to miss the point by going off on a tangent about how we all wear imported clothes. The point is you and I are not representing America (USA) at the Olympics. If you get the point I suggest you also apologize for your insensitive comments regarding this issue.
Nice to see that someone else gets the point.
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I kind of agree with the sentiment Mike expresses. It's part of living in a unified world that allows us to put aside the guns and wave the roses supporting the finer arts of competition; sports, and athletics. So we should be kind of proud that we help keep many Chinese (and other nationalities) alive by buying their goods and services. We have had Olympics in the midst of wars; and it's been a unifying force in the last century. Maybe this gesture is good; clothes, designed by a Frenchman, made by the Chinese, including a French style beret...very international of us, I must say.
Dear Mr. Smerconish,
You are not alone in not knowing that so much of our clothing (and shoes) is now made in other countries. Only 2% of our clothing is made in the United States. I feel it is important to buy American clothing whenever possible. It is not easy, but it is not a real hardship either. There are more than 100 websites than are "Made in USA/America". So, there are people out there that think it is important as well. Clothingmadeinusablog lists many different companies that still make clothing in the USA. By the way, Ralph Lauren does make a small amount of clothing in the US, it is usually under their Retro Ralph Lauren (RRL) line, usually only found in their larger, main stores. Ralph Lauren also makes some US made shoes and belts. Some suits and pants in Canada as well.
Yes, let's put the uniforms in a big pile and burn it. What do we burn next... How about our I phones, IPads, and half the American flags sold in this country. I got a better idea, let's burn the one trillion dollar IOU to China. Get real, beggars can't be choosers. I am all for keeping the jobs here, but you can't achieve it through grand standing.
Everyone here is missing the point. These Free Trade agreements have killed American industry. They are not balanced. They unfairly favor other countries and have allowed corporations to ship American businesses and jobs overseas and to ship overseas products back into America at cut rate prices not allowing American companies to compete.
I'm all for capitalism but these free trade agreements pushed by these corporations have killed capitalism in America. The Free Trade agreements need to be re written so that they are balanced so that we Americans can fairly compete with these other nations or they need to be killed, period.
Additionally the corporations here in America need to broken up into smaller entities so that smaller businesses can also compete. Break out the Sherman anti-trust act.
Bring back capitalism to America. Smerconish knows nothing about capitalism and just gives up on everything and gives in to everything just like the whimp Mittens.
Sed: Was NAFTA written in the balanced manner you prescribe?
Not even close.
Yes Sed I agree when I got out of the Army in 92 I came home to South Carolina. My county was full of textile plants. The first day I went the first palce I went to hired me before I filled out an apllication. Then along came Clinton and NAFTA within 1 year thousands of pople in my county were unemployed because the textiles were the first to go to Mexico. SLowly other industries have followed, but the dot com bubbled came along and overall the Clinton years looked good, but not for my county it wasnt. I never will forget Ross Perot he warned us.
No doubt. The corporations, both political parties and the media have all betrayed us and continue to do so. They all just passed three more free trade agreements to boot.
STOP passing these Free Trade agreements! At least Obama just implemented some sanctions against China for unfair trade practices! Most politicians just bitch about it, say they will do something and never follow through! Good for Obama, and screw the WTO.
There are also laws on the books that require all government contracts to require American made products ONLY! It's called the America First legislation. When I was in the Navy 85% or more of all our goods and products were American made because of that legislation but by the time I got out it was down to 30% because Reagan put that legislation on hold. The legislation is still there and Congress just has to start enforcing it again!
I don't care if people call us isolationists or not this country needs the jobs! Screw the media and screw the political parties, just DO IT!
That's the gist of it. You covered the bases pretty good!
I am 99.9% certain Pres. Obama will get called a negative name, negative policy, or "isolationist" by repubs' and conservative radio 'superstars' instantly were he to be any more forceful. Alas, what to do.
Calbab: What to do is as you said, be more forceful. Obama has position and popular power with plenty of room to be more forceful and grab popularity that forces Congress action via election of the more like-minded in policy this time around, due to that more forceful leadership.
I sure hope so. Something tells me one side or the other has a humdinger of an "October surprise" on the shelf. The way the so-called polls wobble. You try to accomplish your ends without stimulating your opponents base (more than it is already).
The U.S. needs a an extended period of peace and prosperity, and I am now confident the Democrats can deliver it--if, and only if, the Republicans are soundly put on the sideline.
Note: The U.S. is a great country with a purposeful system. President Obama has worked without the full support of the House of Representatives for nearly 4 years. Any of us can attest to have complicated any project can get, when you work with a uncooperative bunch of saboteurs.
The October surprise is going to be all those millions of Citizen United Super Pac dollars slamming the airwaves en masse! I guarantee you the advertising space has already been purchased! It's going to be miserable, non-stop, negative advertising like we've never seen before.
I for one am planning on taking an extended vacation.
I saw your scheduled "bookings" : SEDWINMARS - ALL THE WAY.
I am going to whittle away blogging.... You may find *ash traces of me when you get back! Do me a favor please, pick me up, throw me in a corner, and water for rebirth. HA!
smerconish you can wear whatever you want I don't care. The US Olympic team represents the U.S.A. and it is disrespectful for them to not wear clothing made in our country. It should be a matter of national pride just as it is national pride to represent your country in this event. I am very disappointed that you don't see the difference as I generally like you. On this issue YOUR WRONG PERIOD.
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I thought clothing decisions were made by the International Olympic Committee, not the U.S., and thus a more global decision concern, not one that must be all about America, but all about every country together. This is the only issue on which I've seen Harry Reid straighten his backbone, when there is no other-party opposition. If only Senator Reid showed passion for putting substantive issues before Congress and the people ("the people" not in the pejorative) rather than stepping out in front of a looking-good parade marching towards no enemy rather than leading a column into the good fight.
It's so hypocritical of our politicians! They all stand up before the camera's and act like they're outraged knowing full well that most of America's industries especially America's clothing industry has been outsourced due primarily because of legislation THEY have passed. Legislation pushed by their corporate donors.
I believe the garment industry in America now represents only 2% of the garments made and sold here in this country! The Congress could solve this all simply by modifying the Free Trade agreements and forcing the other countries to play fair. But they wont because the multi-nationals want cheap foreign labor and they want to force U.S. wages down and to force U.S. workers to accept jobs without benefits and they want to bust unions.
This is nothing but pandering by the politicians and the media! Another failed effort by our Congress to create jobs here in the U.S.
Again, the inference is likely one of unintended consequences. Our pols-those souls- are having so much money showered down on them from routine taxation, lobbyists, corporatists, foreign perks, and American perks, that it reaches up to their kazooks!
Who can remember...who was in-charge of making sure a bill came up for a vote protecting the American image abroad? Senator Reid & Speaker Boehner if you both lose a vote or two on this------SORRY, YOU DESERVE IT! *Burp!