Friday, July 13, 2012

2012 Olympic Uniform Controversy

This product image released by Ralph Lauren shows U.S. Olympic athletes, from left, swimmer Ryan Lochte, decathlete Bryan Clay, rower Giuseppe Lanzone and soccer player Heather Mitts, modeling the official Team USA opening ceremony parade uniform. (Ralph Lauren )
The preppy uniforms that Ralph Lauren designed and Team USA will sport during the upcoming Olympic Opening ceremonies are patriotically red, white, and blue… and made in China. China?  Aren't we here in the USA crying out for jobs and Ralph Lauren outsources the making of the Olympic outfits in China!




After it was announced that Ralph Lauren would once again be creating the outfits worn by United States Olympic athletes during the opening ceremonies in London, members of Congress are now upset the clothing will be made in China.  Here’s what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had to say about the blunder:
  “I am so upset. I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again. If they have to wear nothing but a singlet that says USA on it, painted by hand, then that’s what they should wear.”




Here's what the LA TIMES reports,


"A similar controversy arose in 2008, when Reuters reported Team USA’s uniforms, again designed by Ralph Lauren, were made in China.


The current uniform controversy comes amid this week’s declaration of a “Make it in America” initiative, unveiled by Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer on Wednesday, a combination of legislation on building up infrastructure, simplifying Internet regulation, adjusting tariffs and more.


Then there's the proposed All-American Flag Act, which would mandate that American flags purchased by the federal government would be made domestically, in response to a census bureau report that revealed $3.6 million was spent on importing flags in 2011."


This year's uniforms can be seen on Ralph Lauren’s site, available as a full set for men at $1,945, and $1,473 for women.




The turmoil over the U.S.'s imported Olympic uniforms has grown to include nearly all officially-sanctioned Team USA items, according to an NBC Chicago investigation.

Of the 345 items listed on the TeamUSA.org store Friday morning, 30 were clearly listed as having been made in the United States.

What do you think of Team USA's move to import its gear?

Click here to read and watch the story >>> http://4.nbcla.com/PT7x03


Click here to read about Romney and outsourcing in 2002 > > >  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/mitt-romney-olympics-outsourced-uniforms-burma_n_1677791.html?1342479612&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009


What do you think of all of this? Big deal or much ado about nothing?
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