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A Bridge Too Far

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"Oh baby! A couple more hands like this and you'll be seeing me on ESPN's Extreme Bridge Smackdown 2007."

Can no sport be free of scandal? Next thing you know, Putt-Putt Golf will be investigating match fixing accusations:
In the genteel world of bridge, disputes are usually handled quietly and rarely involve issues of national policy. But in a...brouhaha over an anti-Bush statement...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.”
After two years of being rocked by doping allegations, I'm not sure Bridge can survive this and remain a top American spectator sport.
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Rich Horton said…
I find it shocking that the NYT reporter couldn't properly read the sign, which clearly says "We DO not vote for Bush."

Me fail English? That's unpossibile!

And I swear, don't give ESPN programming ideas. Five years from now they might have a little time for baseball, if they can fit in between the poker, spelling bees, scrabble, chess, the NBA and other riveting "sports" offerings.
November 14, 2007 at 12:02 PM
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