By Michael SmerconishFollow @smerconish
Let me finish tonight with this.
Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics are just 14 days away, and as you have probably heard, controversy now surrounds the Ralph Lauren uniforms of Team USA. Seems that, like much of our clothing, the uniforms were made in China, and that has caused quite a reaction, especially from politicians.
“The Olympic Committee should be ashamed of themselves,” said Senate Major Leader Harry Reid. “I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again.
In the blogosphere, the Majority Leader’s words are drawing support, while Ralph Lauren and the U.S. Olympic Committee are drawing flak on Facebook and Twitter. On the Ralph Lauren website, the company says it is a “privilege to be the outfitter of Team USA for the 2012 Olympic Games.”
Ralph Lauren has designed uniforms for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, and both times, portions of the clothing were manufactured in China.
I get the emotional pull of what Leader Reid says, but I’d be a hypocrite to join in. See, all this talk caused me to look at my own labels today. Earlier today, I was wearing a Lacoste shirt. It said designed in France and made in Peru. My pants? Romania. The shoes I am wearing were made in Italy. My sport coat — Canada. Same as my t-shirt. And heaven forbid, my tie is from France! My boxers were made in the same place as the U.S. uniforms — China. In fact, the only thing I am wearing that is made in America is my shirt…that and my pocket square, which was made in Manahattan. So unless my sartorial selections are unusual, I’d suggest that if we want the team to truly represent America, we let them wear clothing like we all wear — made all over the global economy. For any who disagree, they can toss their iPads in the fire Senator Reid wishes to set for the clothes.
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