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Aussie Olympic swimmers ordered to remove gun photos

7K views 59 replies 33 participants last post by  L.E. 
#1 ·
#4 ·
Unless those pictures were posed in some way that's threatening or intimidating they need to have the cajones to tell the Olympic committee to go pound sand.
 
#6 ·
I can understand this. Funding an Olympics team is a tough thing to do even in a booming economy. I'm guessing official photos of the team will be used to raise funds and and photos of the members showing off at a gun shop only dilutes this effort.

If the team was shown gutting a deer, or wearing aprons while washing dishes, or bare-knuckles boxing, or posing with firearms - SOMEBODY is going to second-guess their plans to donate their hard-earned money.

As CONTRACT representatives of their team and country I'm sure they have little say as to how they are allowed to portray themselves and the activities they engage in.

Michael Phelps puffing on a bong a few years ago comes to mind.

No 'run-amok' or 'tsk,tsk'....
 
#7 ·
Michael Phelps puffing on a bong a few years ago comes to mind.
Puffing on a bong in a photo ≠ posing with a hunting rifle.

One activity is legal and one is not.

These photos were at their personal social media site pages, they weren't part of official team photos or sites.

If they signed contracts that specifically forbids them from posing with firearms in personal photos then fine. But I seriously doubt that is the case.

In Phelps' case, the use of illegal drugs is most certainly in the contract so the comparison really isn't valid.
 
#8 ·
The Aussies performed really well under extreme circumstances.

This all happened during the last big war that they were in. Additionally they also performed well in their role during the Vietnam conflict. They were the only coalition force that prohibited the use of tobacco while in the field. And this was before they found out that the VC as well as the North vietnamese regulars could smell tobacco smoke over a mile away.

It will be interesting to see how well they stand up against the chinese when the time comes. :hrm:
 
#9 ·
It's catch 22: you know you are within your rights to post pics on your own personal page, but after working your entire life to make it to the Olympics, would be a shame to lose the dream over leaving a couple of pics up on your page. Kind of hard to tell them to "F" off when they hold the key to you living out your dreams and making all the hard work worth it.

It's not the matter of what's right and what's wrong, more over "conforming" to keep your dreams alive. (and the Australian Olympic Comittee knows it)

Rock (you) Hard Place.
 
#10 ·
The simple fact the AOC and Aussie Swim got their Knickers in a bunch and ordered the photos removal is what caused the bruhaha. Had they ignored the photos or had no commented there would been no story other than a couple of Aussie boys on a road trip to America. :hrm:
This the dark side of social networking. Hang your butt out there and somebody's gonna tell how to wipe it...:dope:

~H
 
#11 ·
There is one issue that I see that could get those Aussies in real trouble. Allegedly they were in an American gun shop... my understanding is that non-resident aliens here on visas cannot be in possession of guns in the USA unless they are here on a specific "gun" related event such as competitive shooting or in they are in possession of a hunting permit issued by a state. There are numerous loopholes that allow foreign tourist to handle guns but that gun shop could not legally rent a gun to someone not a resident of the USA without special conditions.

I am not saying I agree with the law, but there are some legal issues with dealing with foreigners in American gun shops. One of my friends who is a gun shop manager and I once got into a discussion about a possible business venture to market gun range visits to foreigners from countries where guns are restricted such as the Japanese and the British. Gun tourism could be big, IMHO. Many of foreigners I have met online have expressed interest in coming to the USA and visiting a gun range and shooting off guns not legally available in their home country. It can be done, but it involves a host of legal issues and the purpose of the trip has to indicate that that they are coming for some sort of shooting event sponsored by an accredited group such as the NRA.

Anyhow... just my two cents. There may be more in the request by the Olympic committee in Australia telling their "blokes" to take down those pictures... than what is being revealed. It's possible for those pictures to reflect that some sort of legal infraction was committed.
 
#19 ·
Not absurd. You have to look at it from an Australian perspective. I'm not saying the act was illegal. What they did was perfectly legal and I too am amazed at the response by the Australian team. Still, considering the gun climate in Australia, I can see why some might be offended, from an Australian perspective.
 
#20 ·
It does amaze me that the Australian govt. has taken such a hard anti gun stance in their country, honestly have they forgot how close they were to being invaded and maybe occupied by the Japanese during WWII? Seems like they would be a very pro gun country if for this reason alone. But then again they do tend to follow the U.K. vision of total control of their people. I guess if a similar situation comes up in the future ( another war ) they must figure the good old U.S.A. will save their buts again, because their military would have a very hard time saving their country and all the people will be defenseless. Don't get me wrong, they have an awesome military yet it is not large enough for a country that size.
 
#22 ·
They're no different than Great Britain. Both were once great nations, now they are run by Socialists. We're heading in the same direction. The hardest part for me to comprehend is that we don't even have to guess about the future. We need only look at Great Britain, Australia, or nearly any country in Europe to see how this will go. Depending on your point of view, it's either time to stand up for what you believe in, or give in, I guess.
 
#25 ·
Maybe we should invade them, easy Target
 
#26 ·
Thanks for posting the pic, La Grenouille. I don't see anything here that anyone should apologize for. I imagine even a picture of them standing in front of a row of guns in the same store would have brought the same results.


'This incident serves as a warning to all athletes ... about the dangers of social media,'' Nick Green, Australia's chef de Mission for the London team, said in a statement. ''We say again to our athletes, do not put anything up on social media that you would not share with your mother or your grandmother.

I'd be interested in hearing from the grandmothers. I bet Nick might be surprised.

L.
 
#29 ·
I completely agree that this destroys their "nice boy image"! Also it would be a good idea that the one on the left no longer wear the leather jacket! (that could give the wrong idea about being associated with bikers! ) And while we are at it, it would appear that they both need hair cuts! (the scruffy appearance could denote drug use!) :hrm::hrm::hrm:
 
#30 ·
I can not believe.

That these people have nothing better to do than get their panties, or knickers as they call them. All in a bunch over something like this.:eek:
 
#33 ·
Hi guys,
The general media down here are socialist leaning, and there is a long term agenda to vilify any shooting related activities.
Combine this with a government that is based on a flawed Political system and still treats its citizens like subjects that need constant hand holding "we know what you want, even if it is not what you want" and throw in a big influence from an extreme left wing environmentalist party called the Greens (let's ban fishing, horse riding in national parks, and anything else fun) and you have Australia.

The photos and the ruckus are just an example of what we as shooters are hit with every day. When our olympic shooters get gold, they are public heros, when the Olympics are over they are dirt...no hesitation. Anyone touching a gun is tainted according to the media.

Our shooting population is about 5% I think. That is registered numbers, there would be a lot more out on farms etc. that have never bothered, but penalties are severe, so it is a lottery.

As to handguns, they are evil baby killers according to our Government, and are strictly controlled, available only to Clubs members (after about 8 months of wating). Outside of Clubs, private individuals cannot have possession of one , unless it seems you are from an Outlaw Motorcycle gang, or a Middle Eastern crime family, then it seems to be o.k.
The official response to these gangs is to put more onerous laws onto the legitimate shooters...sounds fair doesn't it?

Our military is bleeding dry, constant budget cuts and outright slaps in the face to serving troops (removal of right to free flight home to visit family for troops stationed away from home is the latest one) means the incentive to join becomes less and less each year.

I could go on for a lot more, but my blood pressure is rising...

Oh one final thing...

Maybe we should invade them, easy Target
You'd have a heck of a lot of help from a lot of Aussies...
 
#44 ·
Hi guys,
The general media down here are socialist leaning, and there is a long term agenda to vilify any shooting related activities.
Combine this with a government that is based on a flawed Political system and still treats its citizens like subjects that need constant hand holding "we know what you want, even if it is not what you want" and throw in a big influence from an extreme left wing environmentalist party called the Greens (let's ban fishing, horse riding in national parks, and anything else fun) and you have Australia.

The photos and the ruckus are just an example of what we as shooters are hit with every day. When our olympic shooters get gold, they are public heros, when the Olympics are over they are dirt...no hesitation. Anyone touching a gun is tainted according to the media.

Our shooting population is about 5% I think. That is registered numbers, there would be a lot more out on farms etc. that have never bothered, but penalties are severe, so it is a lottery.

As to handguns, they are evil baby killers according to our Government, and are strictly controlled, available only to Clubs members (after about 8 months of wating). Outside of Clubs, private individuals cannot have possession of one , unless it seems you are from an Outlaw Motorcycle gang, or a Middle Eastern crime family, then it seems to be o.k.
The official response to these gangs is to put more onerous laws onto the legitimate shooters...sounds fair doesn't it?

Our military is bleeding dry, constant budget cuts and outright slaps in the face to serving troops (removal of right to free flight home to visit family for troops stationed away from home is the latest one) means the incentive to join becomes less and less each year.

I could go on for a lot more, but my blood pressure is rising...

Oh one final thing...



You'd have a heck of a lot of help from a lot of Aussies...
Looks to me that you will be the first Western Nation that China takes over when they feel they have enough economic and military power to get away with it.

Carl
 
#34 ·
After reading that Telegraph article it sounds like these two were on "double-secret probation" with the Aussie Olympic Committee already. This is all pretty ironic seeing as the US allows NBA players in the Olympics and those guys have their fair share of run-ins with the law. Former US player Allen Iverson had a few gun-related arrests during his career.
 
#40 ·
I think you need a better example then NASCAR, I have had the opportunity to meet many drivers and crew and they by and large are all PRO-GUN, I know you are using the example of keeping sponsors happy but I think you need to find a different Corporate example.
 
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