‘Shameful!’ Morning Joe Pans Pelosi Warning US Olympians Not To Protest

There was an egregious contrast between the members of today’s two parties when it came down to how they reacted to Nancy Pelosi warning US Olympians to not protest China’s violations of human rights. Morning Joe casting and its panelists 

Co-hosts are welcome to join the show at least for the first segment. Mika Brzezinski did not comment on Pelosi’s warning. Other than to say “wow!” The Speaker’s comments are at the end. You can also find these videos.Willie Geist claimed that Pelosi is “genuinely concerned about their safety as athletes.” Geist said, “That’s not an argument for it,” but it certainly sounded like one.

The panelists weren’t as reserved. 

One hand Richard HaassMild-mannered, mild-mannered, head of the Council on Foreign Relations began his comments with a statement: “I respectfully disagree.” He did make a comment.I don’t love the thought of an American official telling Americans to stop speaking out against injustices, and leave their principles alone. Your only job is to be an athlete. No!”

Al Sharpton, a leftist who is careful to say that he’s “usually supportive of Pelosi,” even though he was not a fan. Haass agreed and said that he “respectfully disagreed” with her.Sharpton asked “So, are we supposed to abandon our principles of protest when checking in at customs?” “I don’t believe so.” 

Professional protester Sharpton could say more, but that’s just the beginning. Protests to me and not thee

The most surprising were “MSNBC Republican”, and Never Trumper Elise Jordan.It is hard to recall the last time she harshly criticized a Democrat. However Jordan took aim at the Speaker and called her “shameful, shameful” for trying to silence the Olympians. Ending her remarks, she said that Pelosi’s warning “just blows me mind.”

On Morning Joe, Richard Haass, Al Sharpton, and Elise Jordan crticizing Nancy Pelosi’s warning to US Olympians not to protest Chinas’ human rights abuses was sponsored in part by Liberty Mutual, Applebee’s, and Walgreens. 

You can find the transcription here.

Morning Joe
2/4/22
6:14 am ET

MIKA BRZEZINSKI : Nancy Pelosi (House Speaker) warned American athletes currently in Beijing to not use the Games as a place for protest.

NANCY PELOSIOur athletes should know that they are there to compete. You don’t want to risk the anger of China.Because they are so ruthless. You know that I do. Some people are tempted to be loud while they’re there. While I appreciate that, I worry about the Chinese government.To their families and to their reputations

MIKA: WOW . . . Richard, how do you interpret that statement? How do you react to Speaker Pelosi’s remarks?

RICHARD HASSS: I get where she is coming from. Respectfully, I disagree.It is risky for athletes, yes, but it’s fair to admit that. The backdrop for the Olympics is China’s massive repression. The United States government calls it genocide. This is clearly an act of genocide against humanity. 

China isn’t interested in these Olympics being undermined. There is a little bit of deterrence. Because of the possibility that they could take action against athletes and cause a huge, major disruption at the Olympics, I believe they will think twice. 

The Speaker is wrong to suggest that athletes may have less leverage. Mika, I will be truthful. While I can understand the risk, individual athletes should make an informed decision. Nonviolent protests are a part of the country’s history, they are in our DNA.

It’s not something I like to hear from an American official saying, “Don’t speak out!” against massive injustice, Leave your values behind, because you’re an athlete. No. As citizens, athletes are citizens too. Also, let me repeat, we are not all on the same page.

. . . 

ELISE JORDAN : I believe Richard is right. Nancy Pelosi may not be giving them enough credit, but they have more leverage. 

Also He was diplomatic and more professional than I am.In just a few words it’s It is shameful What she said was it? It is shameful Tell our athletes, who represent their country abroad, to not allow their speech.Because we are worried about repression. 

If we fear for the safety of our athletes, why send them to China? What’s happening, you know with Uyghur camps? It’s just.This is mind blowing.

WILLIE GEIST – And Rev, If You Listen To Speaker Pelosi: She sounds concerned for the safety of these athletes. This is not a defence of the issue, but it was what she said yesterday.

AL SHARPTON – I understand that because it is real. ButRespectfully disagreeing with Speaker, but I am usually supportive of her. 

It’s impossible to normalize the behavior of Chinese people. It is impossible to act normalized in China, especially when they are doing some extremely brutal things. 

. . . 

Are we to give up our protest principles at check-in at customs? It’s not my opinion.