2012 Summer Olympics: US Uniform Controversy Updates and Reaction

In case you haven't already heard, the U.S. Olympic opening-ceremony uniforms—made by Ralph Lauren—have generated a massive amount of controversy.

Here are the reasons why people are up in arms:

• The uniforms were reportedly made in China, according to Brian Niemietz of the New York Daily News.
• The uniforms feature a beret—a decidedly French hat.
• The uniforms feature a prominent Ralph Lauren pony on the front left breast.

Okay, so the pony I can understand, even if I don't agree with it. Ralph Lauren is entitled to put his brand on the uniforms. I wouldn't have done it in his shoes, as the event is about America and the Olympics, but I won't begrudge him for his capitalistic approach.

Where things go off the rails as far as I'm concerned is the beret. The Americans should be wearing a baseball cap or something else American.

That's just a minor issue for me, though. What really grinds my gears is that Ralph Lauren had these uniforms made in China. I mean, come on, man. At least have the Olympic outfits made in the good old US of A. Go ahead and have everything else made in China, if you must, but please have some sense of national pride.

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According to Niemietz's report, celebrity stylist Robert Verdi isn't sold on these uniforms, regardless of where they were made, saying:

"

It was a combination of things to me: rich, British private school kids . . . and Mr. Howell from ‘Gilligan’s Island.’ I wasn’t sure if they were really chic crossing guards or Olympians. It was unclear to me.

"

I'm no celebrity stylist, but I think Verdi has hit the nail on the head with this one.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi isn't happy about the fact that the uniforms were made in China, according to the National Journal, saying: "They should be wearing uniforms that are made in America."

Whether you agree with her politics or not, I can't find a reason to argue with Pelosi on this point.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wasn't quite as measured in his response, according to the Wall Street Journal, saying:

"

They should take all the outfits, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over...If they have to wear nothing but a singlet saying USA on it painted by hand, that’s what they should do.

"

The real kicker here for me is that, for once, Donald Trump and Reid agree on something:

"

America's Olympic uniforms are manufactured in China. Burn the uniforms!#U.S.OlympicCommittee

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 13, 2012"

Finally, according to ABCNews.com, a word from deputy White House spokesman Josh Earnest:

"

Maybe for future Olympics, those kinds of things should be considered...The United States Olympic Committee has said that they are a—they are privately funded.  This isn’t a government decision.

"

I'm sure that's not what many Americans want to hear from their leaders, but that's just the way it goes in diplomatic circles.

Tell us what you think about these latest developments and the reactions from our country's leaders in the comments section below.

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