Sen. Harry Reid furious over China-made Olympic team uniforms

[Newsjock]

Source: Las Vegas Sun

Sen. Harry Reid is ripping that the U.S. Olympic team’s opening ceremony uniforms are made in China — so much so that he’d rather see American athletes show up for the London ceremonies in original Olympian nude than sport threads made by the United States' biggest economic competitor.

“Put 'em in a pile and burn 'em,” Reid said of the uniforms, which an ABC report revealed Wednesday are designed by U.S. designer Ralph Lauren, but made in China. “If they have to wear nothing but a singlet that says ‘USA,’ that’s what they should do.”

There are too many Americans in the textile manufacturing industry suffering because of outsourcing to China, Reid explained, to allow for the Olympic team’s uniforms to be made anywhere but in the United States.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/jul/12/sen-reid-furious-over-china-made-olympic-team-unif/

[mac56]

1. Good for Harry.

Make some people squirm.

[msongs]

2. so where was "Harry" before the uniforms were ordered and made? nt

[mac56]

5. Seriously?!

Well, I'm sure he had hourly meetings with the Olympic committee, reviewing their contracts and acquisitions.

Jebus.

[cyberswede]

7. Huh?

Would you expect him to predict that Olympic uniforms wouldn't be made in the USA? Was he on the planning committee?

[haele]

9. Reid probably found out the same time everyone else did - when the uniforms were delivered.

Congress has no real control over the US Olympic Committee, and the Committee were the ones who made the decision on where to get the uniforms.
They probably got a deal from one of the big sports clothes chains for the "honor" of advertising on the atheletes, and didn't think twice after taking whatever "donation" was offered.
Anyway, most of the countries are probably using uniforms made in China - or from fabric made in China, so it's not like that's anything unusual.

It was just a business decision, after all. If you asked most businessment, they'd agree with it. After all, saving money never hurts a reputation, no matter how it's saved...

Haele

[obamanut2012]

45. That is exactly what happened

That's what always happens. There are still textile mills running in the US. Not a lot, but there are some.

[PavePusher]

56. Note also that our Olympic teams and atheletes are perpetually underfunded.

So it may have been the difference between uniforms or no uniforms.

[riderinthestorm]

70. +1. nt

[WinstonSmith4740]

11. I live in Nevada.

So Harry's one of my senator's. He's certainly heard my wrath about a boatload of stuff over the last three years, but on this one, I'm about to call him and thank him for this move. Of course, this should have never happened in the first place, but do you really think the Olympic Committee went to the Senate to let them know they were ordering their uniforms from China?

And even if they did, (now, this is one of those statements that women make that causes men to go cross-eyed), but if the Olympic Committee didn't understand WHY this move was wrong, I'm not sure it could have been explained to them.

[cyberswede]

72. "this is one of those statements that women make that causes men to go cross-eyed"

A: did you really need that parenthetical remark in there? Men never make statements like that?

B: Of course it could be explained to them.

[Dalai_1]

3. K&R n/t

[secondwind]

4. K&R !!

[my2sense]

6. K & R

[hollysmom]

8. Honestly, I was shoe shopping the other day

and you just can't find stuff made in the US anymore.

If you want a TV, not made here
if you want a computer, just assembled here, parts imported.

Clothes, even designer clothes mad in china, or Turkey or ??? If it says made in the USA, probably in slave work protectorate, I look for made in the US, but not sure if it is true. The only thing I found made in the US was bathing suits.

[mac56]

10. I don't agree.

The Olympic committee could have found a domestic manufacturer if they had bothered to look.

[KansDem]

14. You mean like this company?

Olympic Uniforms

All Olympic Uniforms are of the highest quality & made in Seattle, WA

http://jmarcelenterpris.qwestoffice.net/

Now, just because their name is "Olympic Uniforms" doesn't necessarily mean they can make Olympic uniforms, but they could have been contacted...

[obamanut2012]

46. US textile mills would ahve loved the work

There are also still performance-fabric mills in the US. Not many, but a few.

[hollysmom]

60. news to me, I thought they were all closed

Bought a rug in the US in a Georgia mill, now it just imports and sells. Too bad, love that rug and it was less than the imported rugs.

[obamanut2012]

67. Far from it

It is just difficult for them to compete.

They are approximately 31 mills in the US who are set up to make performance fabric, mainly in the South and Midwest.

[my2sense]

13. I've found clothing items

made in the US but it takes effort. Once I find a brand and I like it, I try and stick with it. Surprisingly, I've found a fair amount of US made women's clothing in small town boutiques.

[hollysmom]

17. ah, but small town botiques

do not carry my size,. I have to lose weight,

I used to be able to get US shoes i Marty's shoe outlet, but most of those companies moved over seas in the last 10 years, only Dexter remains there.

Price is not the issue with me, it is does anyone make anything that could fit. I used to buy from an outlet store that only made in the US, but a few years ago they moved everything overseas, so that was gone. At least I can still get some underwear made here.

Note: outlets are near my house and I get ill in malls (something about the air), the last local store that carried my size and taste closed 8 years ago another of my favorites closed 20 years ago and that one was not cheap but very unique..

I was going though old clothes that I had that still looked good and was surprised at the variety of countries they used to come from - Belgium, Germany, US (majority) etc, Now T shirts barely last a year before they are stained or misshapen. Not sure if I am hurting the economy, but have been giving the clothes away to young relatives (a boy took all my jeans and had his mother switch the zipper!)

[my2sense]

19. I've been buying Flax and Match Point

linen clothing lately because of hot flashes...LOL. You can also find it online. I've also found some deals on ebay and in consignment stores. I live in Texas and was thrilled to find natural fiber clothing for the summer and winter.

If you want specific info, send me a PM. Both brands carry generous (women's) sizes.

[hollysmom]

25. thanks, I will google it. n/t

[eaglesfanintn]

36. FWIW

I wear New Balance running shoes and everyday sneakers - some, but not all, of theirs are either made or assembled in the US (and they tell you if it was). The model running shoe I'm using now (993) are made here. Some information on their website: http://www.newbalance.com/Domestic-Manufacturing/about_domestic_manufacturing,default,pg.html

[myrna minx]

15. Here's a link to a site that features all made in the USA products.

http://madeinusaforever.com/

[hollysmom]

22. oOOH THANKS

i JUST BOOKMARKED IT,

Don't see shorts, but I like the flip flops, perfect for the beach, leather not good there.

[WinstonSmith4740]

16. Google

Still made in USA, or any variation there of. There are places you can go, and sometimes you have to buy on the internet, but in the long run, it's worth the extra effort, and usually money. I simply don't buy it if I can do without it. Granted, some things like electronics are almost impossible to find made here, but you'd be surprised what you can do in the way of clothing, furniture, toys, etc. And after all, you buy stuff like clothes, shoes, and household stuff way more often than you do a new computer or TV. You'd also be surprised how often store employees notice it when I pick something up, look at the "Made In" label, grunt "China!" and put it back.

BTW, Dog lovers!! "Milo's Kitchen" treats are made in China.

[SharonAnn]

79. "Made in the USA" could mean made in sweatshops in the Mariana Islands.

These are the famous sweatshops that Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff supported, where young women were held in locked in dormitories and forced to work long day, 7 days a week, sexually assaulted with no recourse, and received very little pay.

Yet they were entitled to put "Made in the USA" on the items they manufactured.

[awoke_in_2003]

59. Look for New Balance...

and check the box. A good majority of their shoes are made hear of at least 70% domestic product.

[RaRa]

62. How's this for confusion?

I recently tried on a dress that had a collar tag clearly stating "Made in the U.S.A". When I dug into the skirt part to see how to wash it, I found another tag that said it was made in China. Wtf? Maybe the collar tag was made here.

[KansDem]

12. Article from "Business Journal"

Check out Team USA's Olympic uniforms from Ralph Lauren

With several distribution center, nearly 1,500 employees in High Point and more jobs being added, Ralph Lauren Corporation Ralph Lauren Corporation Latest from The Business Journals Ralph Lauren to add 500 jobs in High PointNo matter how you slice it, Ralph Lauren is adding 500 jobsRalph Lauren to add 500 jobs in 2M High Point expansion Follow this company is a major presence in the Triad.

And with the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics, the company (NYSE: RL) will also be a major presence in London as the games begin.

Ralph Lauren designed Team USA's opening and closing ceremony uniforms, and the opening ceremony outfits — which are comprised of blazers and berets — were unveiled on NBC's "Today" show.

The company said the opening ceremony uniforms "feature classic silhouettes in a timeless palette of navy and white with pops of red" and draw "on the spirit and history of the Olympic Games and a tradition of refined American style."

Can't make it to London to see the athletes model the look? The Ralph Lauren 2012 Team USA Olympic Collection is available to purchase online at RalphLauren.com

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/blog/2012/07/check-out-the-olympic-uniforms-from.html

So Ralph Lauren designed them...I wonder who oversaw the manufacturing of them?

[riverbendviewgal]

27. When was the contract awarded and to who

Unfortunately much of the Canadian Olympic wear sold to Canadians was made in china too.

Disgusting, eh?

I tried googling and could not find any Canadian 2012 Olympic uniforms to be seen.....They will probably be made in China too, as most other countries......Well, China will be conquer us with their sewing machines.

[KansDem]

53. LOL!!!

Well, China will be conquer us with their sewing machines.

I remember when it was going to be...The Bomb!!

...but we were prepared!!

But who knew all it would take to conquer us would be a few Singers!

[obamanut2012]

48. They were not made in High Point

Or Greensboro, or Hickory or Shelby, or down in Lumberton. Certainly not in Burlington. And, RALPH LAUREN?!

Someone else asked about Canada -- ROOTS usually makes their stuff.

[Swede Atlanta]

74. The Polo "logo" featured prominently on the blazer is disproportionate..

in my view. Our athletes will be walking advertisements for Polo. Maybe Polo gave them a discount on the design and/or manufacturing if they were allowed to leverage the athletes for advertising. I would have chipped in $10.00 to help if we could have had uniforms that were not ads and made in this country.

[florida08]

18. a national disgrace

The athletes themselves should refuse to wear them. What a slap in the face

[Citizen Worker]

20. Harry, if you don't like it then quit supporting and voting for the slave trade agreements.

[FreeBC]

30. +1

[global1]

21. Now If Rmoney Was Running These Olympics - This Wouldn't Have Happened........

(sarcasm)

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

23. And you don't want to see Harry Reid angry. nt

[RedEarth]

24. I agree with Sen Reid..get rid of them and use

something different.

[patrice]

26. K&R!! Doesn't anyone give a shit?????????????????????!!!!!

[lovuian]

28. It reflects what our government has done to our country

taken our jobs to China slave labor camps

[demosincebirth]

40. We the consumers share most of the blame...we buy the crap.

[demosincebirth]

41. Not the govenment...they do not manufacture anything

[FreeBC]

29. Harry Reid, just in the nick of 20 years too late.

Hey Harry, I'm starting to think this mobile phone thing might catch on too.

I find these statements insulting to the Chinese. This is grandstanding.

[mac56]

33. Welcome to DU, FreeBC

The DU punchbowl is over to your right, just in case you want to take a leak in it.

[DeSwiss]

51. Yes, indeedy.....

...add some more of that TRUTH and REALITY and RELEVANCY into the ol' punch bowl.

[mac56]

54. Oh, so... since he took a stand on only one part of the problem

and didn't address the whole laundry list, he's to be discounted and mocked?!

As Rodney D would say: "Tough room, tough room."

As Voltaire would say: "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

[DeSwiss]

58. Nah, that's not it....

...''the problem,'' as you refer to it, has little to do with uniforms. Although I will say that considering the location of the Olympics and the security precautions they're taking, maybe uniforms made of Kevlar with a more para-military look would be in order. And boots. I'm sure Homeland Security could help us out with a little something from their closets.

No, the problem I'm referring to is the one where our government has allowed the outsourcing of critical industries directly related to our national security, not just the economy in-general (thanks NAFTA!).

Ironically, one of the countries we've outsourced so many of the things we used to do to -- and is also the one to whom we're now gravelly financially indebted -- while we nonetheless continue to berate them and challenge them militarily, as we speak, and are they same ones whose microchips and other electronic hardware which supports a myriad of our defense applications were approved for purchase by Congress. And now it's uniforms. Truth is, we can't trust that either will work. The millions upon millions of counterfeit microchips and electronic parts are riddled throughout the military's defense systems and we don't know whether they can be hacked and/or disabled -- at just the right time. Or, it's just more crap, like the melamine.

I'll go with this as being a more important problem. The one with graver consequences. Oh, and Voltaire had a point. However:

"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth." - John F. Kennedy

[Manifestor_of_Light]

31. They don't make any textiles in the U.S. either.

I live in my grandparents' house and I have a closet full of Fieldcrest and Cannon towels made in the U.S.A. No more.

All the material they sell at wallyworld is cheap thin stuff you can use for quilting but not good for much except lightweight summer wear.

Since clothes are made for the average chinese person, I am a "large" and I am five foot two and weigh 150 lbs. I am not that big except in the ribs. I think it's ridiculous that a size 14 is a "large".


If I want to buy silk or anything other than simple cotton or polyester I go here, in Houston:

www.highfashionfabrics.com

They have another store across the street which sells furniture and upholstery material. I bought my sofa and recliner material from them. I got a dark blue cotton with about a 1mm pile that has a sinewave pattern in it.

[mac56]

34. They may not have been able to do much about the fabric

but certainly they could have about the manufacturing.

[obamanut2012]

47. They most certainly do

There are still textile mills in the US, not many, but they exist, and they would love the chance to make the fabric. Some of the places can also finish the product.

[Clouseau2]

63. Opposite experience for me

Chinese workers make the clothes; they do not write up the specifications sent to their factories.

I'm now in a shrinking (pun intended) minority as a fit, thin person (145# @ 5'9&quot in a nation where 2/3 are overweight or obese.

More and more clothes are sized for the average American, which is to say, huge.

It's much easier for me to go shopping in Europe and find clothes that fit properly.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

77. I have a short skirt that is an "extra extra large"????

And I'm a 12 to 14 Petite.

[Booster]

32. Seriously, the U.S. Olympics committee has some 'splanin to do. WTF was on their minds?

[AJTheMan]

35. That's a shame. They could have at least picked something made here. nt

[libodem]

38. I'm darn proud of him

Thanks for sending a clear message.

[hedgehog]

39. Made in China for facist capitalists:

[Golden Raisin]

42. Oh pul-eeze. That's nothing.

The last time I was in the Statue of Liberty Gift store, virtually every souvenir and item of Americana for sale (all patriotically themed as you can well imagine) was "made in China" or some other foreign country. Ironic, annoying and a sad statement about the times in which we live.

[Earth_First]

43. Oh please! Nice faux outrage...

Reid and his collegues are far more complicit in supporting China than by the Olympic team wearing Ralph Lauren 'Made in China'

Gimme a fu*kin' break, Harry....

[Phlem]

44. Has it been 6 months!?

It's about time for Reid's outrage for the media. This should be nothing by the end of tonight, until around December. I've been watching Reid for a while, he needs to go.



-p

[elbloggoZY27]

49. Made in China

First of all the Olympics is nothing but a show of Professional Athletes and is nothing even close to the original Greek Games. I do however applaud Senator Reid for being so out spoken. The United States uniforms made in China.

Hey how about no American Zippers!

No wonder America has no Jobs.

[DeSwiss]

50. Here Harry.....

...if you want to be furious about Chinese imports, try this:

Counterfeit Chinese Parts Slipping Into U.S. Military Aircraft: Report

Fake Parts are Everywhere

And could this be why the Air Force's F-22's oxygen supply is making pilots pass-out? And in at least one case kill the pilot?

- Harry? Harry? [font size=4 color=red]HARRY!?!?!?![/font]

[Firebrand Gary]

52. All I care about right now is the athlete's, fuck the uniforms and where they are made.

This is a conversation that needs to take place AFTER the Olympics or PRIOR to the manufacturing contract! We have hundreds of athletes who deserve our full support when they enter that arena, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE WEARING!

[DeSwiss]

55. Good point, however.....

...how about just going back to the way the Olympics were originally played? Sans uniforms??

- Viewership would skyrocket.....




U.S. Women's Indoor Volleyball Team [font color=gray]{click pic}[/font]

[Firebrand Gary]

57. Hahahah, A M E N...... Its about ratings, right? lol

[Phlem]

69. that's what

Reid said.

-p

[4th law of robotics]

61. Truly this is the greatest outrage of this or any other generation

I assume we will insist that their shoes, socks, underwear, and all sporting equipment used were also made here in the good old US.

Also import some American homebrewed water for the pools.

[Incitatus]

64. Who is responsible for this?

Who made that decision? There's a name and a face.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

65. As well he should be! n/t

[Retrograde]

66. So, Harry, why not take away the special perks Congress gave the USOC

and put Olympics back in the public domain, where it's been for 3000 years.

[humblebum]

68. This should not be forgotten. nt

[pmorlan1]

71. Made in China AND a Corporate LOGO

Not only are the uniforms made in China but they have a frickin corporate logo on them. I'm just as appalled by the corporate logo as I am about the made in China issue.

[loudsue]

73. Man! This is stupid to a fault, and about 20 fucking years too late!!

The senate can start writing legislation that quits giving these companies tax breaks for shipping the manufacturing jobs overseas!! That, after all, is why Obama was elected in the first place.

I'm very pleased we're getting health care, but the rest of his last campaign promises were not exactly honored. Instead, he's making new treaties all the time that take manufacturing and business out of the USA.

[gerryatwork]

75. Who Made 2000 US Olympic Uniforms

This is a bit of a long shot but when Romney headed the US Olympic committee in 2000 I am wondering where the uniforms were manufactured? A home run would be 2000 was the first time we ever manuf. the uniforms overseas. A single would be under his leadership they were outsourced overseas.

[rozidays]

76. Harry Reid furious over China-made Olympic team uniforms

Ralph Lauren clothes are all made in China! & way over priced . I agree they should be made in the U.S.A.

http://www.rosebudmag.com/truth-squad/amazon-online-retail-shopping-olejo-mall

[AnotherMcIntosh]

78. Why hasn't he been furious over the job-transferring "free-trade" agreements?

Has he ever met a job-transferring "free-trade" agreement of which he did not approve? Here's the ones that have been signed so far:

1994 - North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

2001 - Jordan – United States Free Trade Agreement
2004 - Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
2004 - Chile - United States Free Trade Agreement
2004 - Singapore – United States Free Trade Agreement
2005 - Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA; incl. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic)
2006 - Bahrain – United States Free Trade Agreement
2006 - Morocco - United States Free Trade Agreement
2006 - Oman – United States Free Trade Agreement
2007 - Peru – United States Trade Promotion Agreement

2011 - Panama - United States Trade Promotion Agreement
2011 - Colombia - United States Trade Promotion Agreement
2011 - Republic of Korea (South Korea) - United States Free Trade Agreement

Why isn't he furious over the pending job-transferring "free-trade" agreement?

Trans-Pacific negotiations have been taking place throughout the Obama presidency. The deal is strongly supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the top lobbying group for American corporations. Obama's Republican opponent in the 2012 presidential elections, Mitt Romney, has urged the U.S. to finalize the deal as soon as possible.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/13/obama-trade-document-leak_n_1592593.html

[GoCubsGo]

80. Or, GOP obsructionism.

Or, a whole host of other things.

[HIlton Brackett]

81. Another company in Romney's

Blind Trust?

[Third Doctor]

82. Soooo

This pisses him off?