The President's decision to not attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sochi sends a mixed and confused message to Vladimir Putin and the Russian government regarding our commitment to basic human rights, regardless of sexual orientation, et al. Our athletes, supporting staff and visitors in attendance, as well as the country and the world should see definitively that the exact opposite is the case. The point needs to be made that the U.S. will not compromise on our fundamntal values of basic freedoms for all citizents of the world, without qualification. "Sitting this one out" is a disservice to the President's family, the gay community and to our Olympic athletes, as well as the People of the United States.



