Community Chat

[terrier3]

On 2/8/2014 physicsnut said:

But bob costas says putin is a "statesman" and a "peacemaker" - this is why I refuse to watch...

Also --

An athlete who wins gold at the 2014 Olympic Games under way in Sochi, Russia, stands in line to pay $10,000 to Uncle Sam.

The U.S. Olympic Commission awards cash prizes to Olympians who win a medal -- $25,000 for a gold, $15,000 for a silver and $10,000 for a bronze. But the money is considered earned income abroad and subject to IRS taxation.

“The only thing colder than the slopes at Sochi is the fact that any prizes awarded by the USOC will be taxed,” writes the group Americans for Tax Reform, which has calculated the federal tax that medal winners could face.The group also argues the United States is one of only a handful of developed countries that taxes such income, which means other Olympic competitors will likely not have to pay such taxes.

Just ridiculous - IRS..

Do you always get your news from Drudge?

Why wouldn't money from an Olympic sport win be taxed? The Nobel Peace prize is taxed too...income is income. Plus if the money is coming from the US Olympic Committee - these are the same people who subsidize the training and support our athletes...

Re: Bob Costas - he is one of the finest, most well respected sports commentators in the world.

Why are you denying yourself the pleasure of viewing the sports b/c you disagree (and I believe took out of context) some comments by one man?

That's pretty short-sighted.

[hsawaknow]

Watching or not watching is a personal choice for anyone and everyone. The bottom line is I support the team USA no matter where they play!

[terrier3]

On 2/8/2014 beammeupscottie said:

Caravaggio the government of Russia is the issue. Do you approve of it?

You have been very touchy about any reproachment of Russia. I don't think anyone said we are perfect or any other country is perfect. Just that they are doing wrong. And yes the wrongs in our own country are pointed out plenty of times on here.

The Olympics is supposed to be the one time everyone comes together and supports the world's best athletes.

Why turn it into a big, hyper-sensitive protest???

[brii]

I will always support our athletes no matter where they are. That's what they deserve.

[AngusandBuddhasMom]

This thread is about animal abuse. Not going to get into any politics but by all means have at it. I do not understand where support of our athletes equates with that.

[Melania]

Did anyone post this that the ski team got it's own accommodations and their own chef. I would too considering the crazy stuff going on there.

I hope they all stay safe and do well in their particular events.

[QueenDanceALot]

Some of you seem to think that because I don't want to watch that I don't support the athletes.

And some of you go so far as to imply that I'm un-American if I don't watch.

What a crock on both counts.

[QueenDanceALot]

And I support athletes from ALL countries, not just Americans.

They all work hard to be where they are, don't they?

Doesn't mean I have to WATCH.

[SydneyH]

On 2/8/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

Some of you seem to think that because I don't want to watch that I don't support the athletes.

And some of you go so far as to imply that I'm un-American if I don't watch.

What a crock on both counts.

Afternoon Kitty, a couple of things, there isn't a country on earth that does not participate in some disturbing practices against animals, it is strange that PETA has not weighed in on the Russian practices. That being said, no one has the right to tell others they are being 'over sensitive' imho.

[terrier3]

On 2/8/2014 KittyLouWhoToo said:

And I support athletes from ALL countries, not just Americans.

They all work hard to be where they are, don't they?

Doesn't mean I have to WATCH.

But people are working to save the dogs too.

And in China, they eat dogs, cats and horses...did you boycott watching that event too?

The people working hard to save the dogs are a great story, IMO.

I feel just as bad for all the human beings who were forced to see their homes bulldozed, had to give up their pets and were moved into poorly constructed apartment buildings. Not just animals were hurt by this...people's lives were upended too.

It will be the same in Rio - the slums are being bulldozed and the people will be "relocated".