While much coverage stemmed from Sen. Harry Reid’s negative comments on Chinese-made uniforms that the U.S. Olympic team plans to wear at the games' July 27 opening ceremonies, media did not give much attention four months ago when the Nevada Democrat praised the Chinese in a deal involving a solar power plant in southern Nevada, points out Grumpy Editor.
The Senate majority leader, noted for holding back legislation in recent months, seemed surprised about the origination of Ralph Lauren-designed attire for the athletes.
His fuming quote, repeated over the weekend in television news, will go down as a classic: “I think they should take all the (Olympic) uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again.”
In a later call to home-state reporters, Reid emphasized: “Our athletes should not wear clothes manufactured in China.”
While Reid seemed shocked, it indicated the long-time senator hasn’t shopped lately in men’s clothing departments of Macy’s, Target or even Wal-Mart.
Checking labels would have shown him that much garb for men (and women) these days is produced in Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India --- and China.
Xinhua News Agency, China's official news agency, today called the made-in-China uproar "hypocritical" and "irresponsible."
His jab at China contrasted with a March 21 news conference in which he promoted a bargain deal involving a Chinese group that will pay $4.5 million --- less than one eighth of the $38.6 million assessed value --- to buy land from Nevada’s Clark County to build a solar plant in Laughlin.
Chinese-made components would be used at the solar site.
In plugging the benefit of the Chinese-operated plant for the Golden State, not the Silver State he represents, Reid said it “will generate the electricity California must have in just a few years; 30 percent of all electricity must come from renewable resources.”
