I Did Not Vote for Bush

You wanna make something of it?

In the genteel world of bridge, disputes are usually handled quietly and rarely involve issues of national policy. But in a fight reminiscent of the brouhaha over an anti-Bush statement by Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks in 2003, a team of women who represented the United States at the world bridge championships in Shanghai last month is facing sanctions, including a yearlong ban from competition, for a spur-of-the-moment protest.

At issue is a crudely lettered sign, scribbled on the back of a menu, that was held up at an awards dinner and read, “We did not vote for Bush.”

By e-mail, angry bridge players have accused the women of “treason” and “sedition.”

Okay, that's it. The Bush Brigade has now officially lost all right to be considered civilized adults. They know nothing; they are nothing. Nobody at this point has to take anything they say seriously again, ever, until they recognize three basic facts and admit them out loud:

1) George W. Bush is not the United States.

2) The people of the United States are the United States, and they can vote however they want and say whatever they like.

3) If they've actually got the luxury of getting flipped out by what some bridge team says, then they must admit that they are not facing any real threats in their lives, and they need to go home and STFU.