by Mark Silva
Sending Yuengling to Canada may sound more like a balancing of the trade deficit than the honoring of a gentlemen's wager.
But bets are bets - though all bets may have been off when the United States faced Canada for the gold medal in men's hockey on Sunday.
Not even that stunning tying U.S. score with seconds left in the third period (*) could quench the thirst of the Olympics-hosting Canadians for victory on the ice - and so an overtime goal by Canada's Sidney Crosby cost the U.S. more than another gold medal. (The U.S. ended up with nine, the Canadians 14.)
It will cost President Barack Obama a case of Yuengling, America's oldest brew - his wager with the Canadian prime minister over the game.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper had pledged a case of Molson, his nation's oldest.
Now, Opensecrets.org, which can find a connection between money and influence in virtually anything, had tried to imply something bigger than a bet in all of this, noting that MillerCoors, the merger of two big U.S. brands which owns Molson, is one of the most powerful lobbying forces among alcohol-related special interests. With $2.22 million in lobbying expenditures last year, MillerCoors trailed only the Distilled Spirits Council, Anheuser-Busch (Belgian) and Diageo (international.)
But the president, who opted for a Bud Light when he hosted the famous "beer summit'' with the professor and the policeman at the White House last year, will be shipping the Canadian a true home-brewed Philadelphia brand.
Consider, too, the possibility that the U.S. had won: Obama would have to consume a case of Molson -- and have Opensecrets to answer to.
But as it turned out, Harper, this Yuengling's on the U.S
(*period -- we stand corrected on the slip-up.)
Comments
Cue the right wing hate machine in:
5....4...3...2...1...Ding Ding Ding!!!
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Posted by: I wanna be a Republican idiot | March 1, 2010 1:57 PM
What a great game!! It was thrilling to see team Canada win on their own ice. Several Canadian players were actually from the NHL. So sorry for Patrick Kane. He needs to grow up. The best team wins. I can taste those ice cold Molson's.
Posted by: Doug R. | March 1, 2010 2:15 PM
Cue the right wing hate machine in:
5....4...3...2...1...Ding Ding Ding!!!
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Posted by: I wanna be a Republican idiot | March 1, 2010 1:57 PM
It doesn't matter what party you are affiliated with. Once an idiot always an idiot.
Posted by: What a Joke | March 1, 2010 2:26 PM
Thanks for the link Mark. A brief search revealed that 75% of the $ from the oil and gas industry went to Republicans.
Bruce, you have a new tool.
Get busy.
Posted by: Bubba | March 1, 2010 2:50 PM
Doug R. yes it was. But, sorry to say its time Obama pays up. But, WOW what a game. The end of the 3rd I could sit down.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | March 1, 2010 2:58 PM
Mark - Not much of a sports fan, huh? It is the third period, not the third quarter...
Posted by: Barry J | March 1, 2010 3:07 PM
So, where was Obama when he made this “friendly” gentleman’s bet?
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In relevant part, District of Columbia Code section 22-1708 provides that:
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“It shall be unlawful for any person, or association of persons, within the District of Columbia to … make or place a bet or wager, accept a bet or wager, gamble or make books or pools on the result of any athletic contest. For the purpose of this section, the term "athletic contest" means any of the following, … a … hockey … game…. Any person or association of persons violating this section shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 180 days, or both.”
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Hmmmm.
Posted by: John W. | March 1, 2010 3:50 PM
J.W.
Get a life.
Posted by: dt☢ | March 1, 2010 4:47 PM
Posted by: John W. | March 1, 2010 3:50 PM
'
There are many stupid laws that are still on the books, such as laws requiring the Mayor be presented w/ a hen at the beginning of each fiscal year, you cannot engage in sodomy, etc.
Posted by: Science is Fun | March 1, 2010 4:51 PM
John W.
Gambling with other peoples money is the closest the bumbler in chief gets to exhibiting a competency. Picking the losing bets seems to be the norm. Picking beers by political calculus is just plain stupid.
Posted by: Hans | March 1, 2010 6:18 PM
At least Canada is one less country BO will have to go and apologize to for America's success in the olympics.
Posted by: Terry | March 1, 2010 6:25 PM
dt☢ :
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I see you exhibiting the typical pseudo-liberal disregard for the rule of law. If the law attaches a punishment to his conduct, then the law says he’s a lawbreaker, a criminal. Just remember that the President is not above the law; for it is the law that makes him President. That is the lesson Richard Nixon learned the hard way.
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Science is Fun:
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Call it stupid if you wish, but a law is a law until it is repealed. Lest we forget, the President is in command of the chief law enforcement officers of the federal government. Thus, our President sets a bad example if he broke even this stupid law. Between this and his inability to find cabinet members who aren’t tax cheats, he has done a fine job of tarnishing the reputation of his office.
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Oh, and “Science is Fun,” failing to give a mayor a hen at the appointed time is not a crime; but betting on sports contests is. Furthermore, sodomy between consenting adults isn’t a crime anywhere in the United States. Think of some better examples of stupid laws.
Posted by: John W. | March 1, 2010 6:27 PM
Was the president not aware that Yuengling withdrew its recognition of the Teamsters and is a non-union shop? Labor called for a boycott of Yuengling products. What do his labor supporters think of that? (Source: Phillyunions.com).
Posted by: Marcus | March 1, 2010 7:50 PM
How about we send Nobama to Canada?.
Posted by: Paul | March 3, 2010 3:09 PM