Fox News Complains Gabby Douglas And American Olympics Teams Not Showing Enough Patriotism

Ever on the lookout for new ways to divide the country, America Live yesterday discussed how “some folks have noticed” that Americans at the Olympics are not shouting, “USA!” the way they used to. Also, the current uniforms don’t have the “Stars and Stripes look as much as they had in past years.” And while “everybody was so excited” about that great moment when gymnast Gabby Douglas won the gold medal – well, she wore hot pink instead of red, white and blue.

Guest host Alisyn Camerota said:

There was a proud moment at the Olympics yesterday when 16-year old Gabby Douglas won a gold medal in gymnastics. The crowd went wild with cheers – though we’re not hearing the chants of ‘USA, USA’ that we’ve heard in some Olympics gone by. And some folks have noticed that American athletes’ uniforms don’t carry the Stars and Stripes look as much as they had in past years. The famous flag-style outfits worn in years past replaced with yellow shirts, gray tracksuits, pink leotards. So how do we show our patriotism at the games?

Here’s a hint Ali: maybe by cheering on our athletes and their accomplishments rather than whining about their uniforms and questioning people's patriotistic expression.

Rather than interview somebody who might be in the know about the design of the uniforms and the behavior of the crowd, the only guest was David Webb, Tea Party radio host on Sirius/XM’s “Patriot” channel. The choice of Webb as guest was proof positive that Camerota and Fox were looking to politicize the Olympics rather than inform about them. Even though America Live, which airs from 1-3 PM ET, is supposed to be part of Fox News’ “objective news” programming.

Camerota next specifically fingered Gabby Douglas as a suspect in the case of the missing patriotic bona fides:

So, um, you know, Gabby had that great moment – everybody was so excited – and she’s in hot pink! And that’s her prerogative but there were, you know… (her voice trailed off).

Webb agreed the hot pink was Douglas’ prerogative. But, he added accusingly, “(G)ymnasts also adjust their uniforms within boundaries sometimes.” Of course, all the American gymnasts wore the same pink leotard. What was Gabby supposed to do, sew or paint stars and stripes on hers? Make her own out of a flag?

Webb, an African American who is often a designated black attacker on Fox, continued, “But look. Here we go. I’m proud to be an American… What’s wrong with showing pride? What we’re seeing is this kind of soft anti-American feeling that Americans can’t show our exceptionalism. And, frankly, if they are offended about our showing our exceptionalism, then they have that right and I don’t care. And neither do most Americans.”

Newsflash for Webb. Isn’t the best way to show “American exceptionalism” at the Olympics with athletic prowess? Or would Webb and Camerota have been happier if the Douglas had lost but shouted out “USA!” after performing on every apparatus?

Do you like this post?

	Tweet

Showing 28 reactions

Tom Bailey commented 2012-08-09 15:00:36 -0400 · Flag

So the color of the gymnasts uniforms are a sign of soft anti-Americanism. What is it called when you hide your money overseas? Patriotism?

Mark Teboe commented 2012-08-08 02:36:31 -0400 · Flag

These FOX NEWS commentators are the biggest f’ing douchebags ever. These two IDIOT ON AIR FOX CLOWNS are inferring that Gabby Douglas isn’t jingoistic for themâ¦ That she isnât as patriotic as they are. Let me tell you something: Gabby Douglas has more talent, skill and class than ANY of the FOX NEWS on air imbeciles. I’m proud of my fellow American Gabby Douglas. No matter how many flags you FOX people wrap yourselves in, this 16 year-old young women who wore a pink leotard is an Olympic Gold Medal Winner â the Best in the World – she personifies the best of what is America. Congratulations Ms. Douglas!!!!

Ken Rudd commented 2012-08-07 18:27:10 -0400 · Flag

Umm…maybe the real reason no one is hearing “USA! USA!” at the London Olympics is because the London Olympics are being held in London, and the stands are primarily filled with people from London and other Europeans, who probably aren’t inclined to shout “USA! USA!” when Americans win gold medals. This is weapons-grade stupidity we’re dealing with here. And blatant racism, of course. If Gabby Douglas were white, you wouldn’t have heard a word from Fox News about a lack of patriotism.

Sandbaggindog commented 2012-08-07 15:12:35 -0400 · Flag

I did not get the feeling that FNC was questioning an athletes patriotism. I beleive they are questioning some of the decisions made by the Olympic Committee. Uniforms are a statement of our country and should be representative of our countries colors. If the NFL teams changed their colors every year there would be riots in the streets. I find it fascinating that so many people below find this little commentary to be divisive. I am sure it is much more interesting to hear about tax returns or the lack of.

Erica Fance-Davis commented 2012-08-06 22:39:35 -0400 · Flag

I think this is absolutely ridiculous. Why is FOX news questioning the athletes patriotism because of their uniforms, which were chosen by the US Olympic Committee. I’m just curious, is there nothing else more important than a uniform, after all the clothes do not make the person.

Aldo Thee Apache commented 2012-08-06 20:25:07 -0400 · Flag

I totally agree with Fox.
Would it kill them to just duct tape a bald eagle to each arm and whistle the National Anthem while doing the backstroke? Why do they hate America so much??

Robert Ritchie commented 2012-08-06 20:00:58 -0400 · Flag

How strange…while I was watching the London Olympics, I was thinking that design elements of the U.S. Olympic team gray track suit were very similar to design elements found on the U.S. Army Improved Physical Fitness Uniform (IPFU) - except that the U.S. Olympic team gray tracksuit apparently has a U.S. flag on the athlete’s left should while the U.S. Army IRFU does not:

U.S. Army IRFU
http://thepotvinreport.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/ipfu.jpg

The Nike 2012 U.S. Olympic Team tracksuit design deserves a gold medal itself…

Shecky Greener commented 2012-08-06 16:30:38 -0400 · Flag

Oh how stupid. Gabby Douglas just won the gold and you are complaining about uniform colors? Please just shut up.

Neth commented 2012-08-05 12:19:57 -0400 · Flag

They do realise that the uniforms the swimmers wear are, well, black and not covered in stars and stripes right? Don’t see them having a go at a certain record breaker on the swim team.

d d commented 2012-08-05 00:24:43 -0400 · Flag

The color of their uniforms is a problem? Are you freakin’ kidding me, FOX?! If one isn’t in red/white/blue & stars/stripes, that means that they aren’t being a good patriot? That they are a poor example of American exceptionalism? WTF?!

Let’s see here…the US Olympics athletes who have dedicated years of their lives to training and sacrifice so that they can excel as the best in the world and represent the US with honor vs. whining, right-wing propagandists full of divisive intent flapping their yaps from the comfort of the FOX “news” teevee studio. Hmm, hmm…

Yeah, it’s pretty damn clear just who’s the best example of American exceptionalism here. Webb and Camerota need to get a grip and say thank you to our athletes instead of trying to whip up bogus outrage against them.

Hart Williams commented 2012-08-04 22:35:20 -0400 · Flag

Yeah, when you’ve sold your soul to a foreign newspaper sleazebag, who sells at least two other forms of “patriotism” (UK and Australia) you REALLY know a lot about “patriotism.” Right. Sure. Probably not white enough for ’em either.

Antoinette commented 2012-08-04 21:38:57 -0400 · Flag

Alisyn Camerota and David Webb whine too much. Perhaps the masses should send cheese with their whine.

We would make this short and sweet.

NOTE TO DAVID WEBB AND ALISYN CAMEROTA

Your hot air is causing global warming.

Visitor 55 commented 2012-08-04 20:25:59 -0400 · Flag

Really, joe? Who here has demeaned Gabby because she wants to thank Jesus for her victory? Huh? NOBODY has. But I can tell you this…if she thanked Mohammed, all you neocon/teabagger assholes would be accusing her of being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and of deeply penetrating American athletics or something else as equally stupid. You know it. I know it. No use for you to even try to deny it.

JoeandEmma Martin commented 2012-08-04 19:29:26 -0400 · Flag

I pretty sure the world has seen us sing our national anthem on the podium more than any other nation, and most of our athletes are holding American flags not to mention the American flag that is raised higher more often than any other nation on the podium. These athletes already represent our country and do it proudly do they really have to paint little flags on their face and wear an obnoxious amount of red, white and blue to be patriotic? I know at my house and my work place we are yelling USA, and cheering the teams on. Looks like people are digging up problems that don’t exist. And if gabby wants to thank Jesus for her victory she has that right. If she thanked Mohammed, all you clowns would be too timid to say something so as not to offend our perfect little Muslims. Ridiculous.

mlp ! commented 2012-08-04 18:02:35 -0400 · Flag

Priscilla, you should know by now that Gabby will not allowed to be a christian, at least until she appears on Fox to bash Obama.

Richard Santalone commented 2012-08-04 14:48:45 -0400 · Flag

@Lakeview Greg You’re absolutely right — may I presume you’ve seen how FNC is always “Russian” to declare war?

:^)

Lakeview Greg commented 2012-08-04 14:40:23 -0400 · Flag

Oh dear, the US just choked big time in men’s volleyball, losing to Russia. FNC will no doubt want to declare war or something.

mj - the same one commented 2012-08-04 14:23:14 -0400 · Flag

Fox News Complains Gabby Douglas And American Olympics Teams Not Showing Enough Patriotism

TRANSLATION: There’s too much brown/black — and not enough “Anglo-Saxon” — in the Team USA makeup . . .

.

Priscilla commented 2012-08-04 14:17:05 -0400 · Flag

Wait a minute. Stop the presses. According to the super, duper, Christians at Newsbusters, Gabby is also a super, duper, Christian who was mocked, I say mocked, by a Salon writer who dared to snark about how Gabby is so into Jesus who helped her win the medal. Somebody let Fox News know there’s another persecuted Christian out there!!!!!

Visitor 55 commented 2012-08-04 13:06:48 -0400 · Flag

@Rich S. You’re damn right it’s because Gabby Douglas is an African-American.

How petty can the FoxGOPTV pukes and neocon/teabaggers get? I’ll tell you how.

This morning I watched Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova in tennis to win the gold medal for the U.S. Serena Williams, an African-American had the nerve to beat a white Russian who has lived in the U.S. since she was 7 years old and has inspired hardons across America for the past 10 years. And during the medal ceremony as the National Anthem played, the camera stayed on Williams and G A S P!!!! she didn’t put her hand over her heart!!!!!! How soon before the FoxGOPTV pukes call her unAmerican and unpatriotic because she didn’t put her hand over her heart and ignore that she just won a gold medal for the U.S.? I give it a couple of hours.

1 2 Next →