Behar Defends Pelosi Warning U.S. Athletes Not to Protest China’s Abuses

On Thursday, Nancy Pelosi (D.CA), a speaker caused outrage when she warned U.S. Olympic medalists not to protest China. Or else their families could be affected. But on ABC’s The View on Friday, co-host Joy Behar and special co-host Star Jones defended Pelosi’s warning by suggesting she was just being “maternal” because “she cares about the kids.”

“Just a few hours ago, the Olympics officially kicked off in Beijing, but the controversy started before the torch was even lit. Here are the warnings that Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of Congress, is giving to Olympic athletes: Keep your political views in China!,” Behar announced before playing the soundbite of Pelosi.

Behar and Jones were able to voice support for Pelosi but Ana Navarro, co-host of the show, stepped up in protest. “I don’t like this at all. I don’t like her having to say that at all,” she said.

Navarro slammed Pelosi’s request as totally “un-American.” “What China has done to the Uyghurs is something that should be protested, and if there is any athlete who wants to have the courage to do that, and I understand this is about athleticism, but it’s also a huge worldwide platform,” she declared.

The International Olympic Committee was then rebuked by her for its affinity with authoritarian countries.

My anger is directed at the International Olympic Committee, who keeps looking at different places to host things. They are constantly hosting events in Sochi. If China is known to have persecuted Uyghurs and committed genocide, then why should they be allowed to host an Olympic match, which is such a big honor for any country.

Jones spoke up next suggesting she saw the importance of protesting but argued “The Speaker is concerned about making sure the athletes do not step on it, and to keep them safe.” And noting that China’s treatment of COVID-positive athletes “freighted” her, Jones stated: “Every day, we are aware of allegations that human rights violations have been committed. Our athletes should be able go and compete safely..”

She then suggested that the U.S. had “no diplomats there” to negotiate. “[O]ur athletes wouldn’t even have anybody to advocate for them,” she warned.

Behar jumped in to back up Jones by praising Pelosi’s motherly instincts and doted her incessant claims she’s thinking about the children:

JONES It seems she is just trying make certain–

BEHAR: I believe she is being maternal.

HAINES: This feels just like it.

BEHAR: Nancy is Momala. She’s always like, “I think about the children. It’s for the children.” She cares about the kids. This is her..

Navarro dismantled Jones’s false claims about diplomats by noting we still have “a full embassy. We don’t have people such as the first lady, the president, or any diplomats from America. The United States is not sending any dignitaries to America. So we have — they better not imprison one of our athletes.”

While these three were focused on China’s human rights abuses and how they would treat our athletes, Sara Haines was more concerned about the fake snow:

It will be the first time that 100 percent of man-made snow is used in winter Olympics. This project is expected to draw in 49 million gallons water from the natural resources. It has pesticides to keep it cold. It melts in the groundwater and poisons everything it touches, including the plants that depend on it.

“Now, this has been an ongoing trend because the Earth is warming. They have usually had at least 70% man-made. This is the first 100 percent,” she huffed.

This support for Speaker Pelosi’s anti-protest stance was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from CarShield and Downy. You can find their contact information here.

You can find the transcript below. To read it, please click on “expand”.

ABC’s The View
February 4, 2022
Eastern, 11:05:00

JOY BEAR: Although the Olympics were officially launched in Beijing a mere hours ago, there was much controversy before the torch had even been lit. Here is Nancy Pelosi’s warning to athletes that they need not express their political opinions while in China. Watch.

SPEAKER, NANCY PELOSI, D-CA: My advice to athletes is to be there to win. Avoid provoking the fury of the Chinese government, they can be ruthless. Some people may be tempted to criticize them while they’re there. Although I understand that sentiment, I am also concerned about how the Chinese government will affect their family’s reputations.

BEHAR: Wow.

ANA NAVARRO (Male): This is not something I like. It’s not something I like to hear.

BEHAR: Diplomats protest by skipping games, but she is telling them not to — don’t begin.

NAVARRO That’s what you should know. This is so shocking.

My anger is directed at the International Olympic Committee, who keeps looking at different places to host things. They are constantly hosting events in Sochi. If China is known to have persecuted Uyghurs and committed genocide, then why should they be allowed to host the Olympic Games, which are a tremendous honor for any country.

STAR JONES: Actually, I can see both sides. I believe the Speaker wants to ensure that athletes are safe and don’t get in the way. You do know what? It is common to think about allegations of human rights violations and want athletes to be free to compete and return home safe. The young girl who tested positive for COVID was scared, so they brought her along in a strange way. She wasn’t brought to the village. It brought me.

The Speaker’s message is clear to me. Of course, speaking out is a natural thing when given the opportunity. But, without diplomats, athletes would not have anyone to support them.

SARA HINES: Yes.

JONES It seems she is just trying make certain–

BEHAR: I believe she is being maternal.

HAINES: This feels just like it.

BEHAR: Nancy, Momala. She’s always like, “I think about the children. It’s for the children.” She cares about the kids. That’s her.

NAVARRO

JONES: Yes.

NAVARRO : We do have full diplomatic, we have an embassy. We don’t have the First Lady, the President or any diplomats from America. The United States is not sending any dignitaries. We have that — it’s better to not lock up one of our sportsmen.

JONES: Our athletes shouldn’t be in the trick bag. They told us not to take your phones.

HAINES: Yeah.

JONES You need a throwaway phone to prevent people from monitoring you. This makes me nervous. It’s not fair for us to have an honest conversation. A global pandemic is sweeping the globe.

HAINES : I was referring to the political implications of what we have here. The International Olympic Committee is not more concerned with the environment.

JONES: We are grateful.

HAINES: The first ever winter Olympics will feature 100 percent man-made snow. This project is expected to draw in 49 million gallons water from the natural resources. It has pesticides to keep it cold. It melts in the groundwater and poisons everything it touches, including the plants that depend on it.

Therefore, my thoughts are that why is there a winter Olympics being held in areas that don’t have enough snow? This is a continuing trend due to the Earth warming. They typically have at most, 70 percent of their manmade. The first 100 percent is this.

(…)