1980 US Olympic boycott

[Actuary321]

Originally Posted by Zakk Wylde

I think the lesson from 1980 was that boycotting the Olympics was pretty stupid. I'm not even sure how Carter enforced it -- pulling visas?

That was a horrendous year, as I recall. Hostages, failed rescue mission, Three Mile Island, interest rates sky-high, and lots of stupid shows on TV. Anyone remember Real People? CHiPs? Dukes of Hazzard?

But it ended on one of the highest moments of the 20th century for America. The election of Ronald Wilson Reagan.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

Originally Posted by Zakk Wylde

I think the lesson from 1980 was that boycotting the Olympics was pretty stupid. I'm not even sure how Carter enforced it -- pulling visas?

That was a horrendous year, as I recall. Hostages, failed rescue mission, Three Mile Island, interest rates sky-high, and lots of stupid shows on TV. Anyone remember Real People? CHiPs? Dukes of Hazzard?

Come on CHiPS was good. (Alright, fine, it was good to a 7 year old.)

Originally Posted by Actuary321

But it ended on one of the highest moments of the 20th century for America. The election of Ronald Wilson Reagan.

[SirVLCIV]

It must be nice to be able to worship a man.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

Revere, not worship.

He was a principled man who did his best to live by the same guidelines he espoused to others. He tried to look out for his fellow man. There are a lot worse role models out there.

[Loner]

And yet he couldn't get elected in today's Republican party.

[homeys66]

Originally Posted by The Drunken Actuary

I don't really see a problem. The Olympics are in London this year so no reason for the US to boycott. Now, if the Olympics were being held in the US this year, then obviously, for consistency's sake, the US should boycott.

I'm just glad the games aren't being held in Arizona or being sponsored by ChickFla. Pretty sure those two provocative acts would make 1980 look like a party.


Anyway, unless the Soviets got 3000 innocent people killed in an attack by Afghanistan....I'm not seeing the parallel.

[E. Blackadder]

Originally Posted by Loner

And yet he couldn't get elected in today's Republican party.

That's because he's dead.

[Actuary321]

Originally Posted by E. Blackadder

That's because he's dead.

And there is a constitutional amendment against electing him more than 2 times.

Have there been any polls pitting Reagan against Romney? What about 4 years ago against McCain. I would think Reagan would have won in a landslide against either of them.

[soyleche]

Originally Posted by E. Blackadder

That's because he's dead.

But at least he can still vote.

[soyleche]

Originally Posted by Actuary321

And there is a constitutional amendment against electing him more than 2 times.

Have there been any polls pitting Reagan against Romney? What about 4 years ago against McCain. I would think Reagan would have won in a landslide against either of them.

That would be pitting an idealized memory of Reagan against a living, breathing, fallible human, so not really a fair race...