Self-serving would be a good description of Senator Blumenthal's actions. And, of course, Solo's. Sunil Gulati is no fool, and nothing if not cautious. I believe he did everything he believed it was within the scope of his authority to do.
And on your second point (i.e. punch in elevator) I have not seen the "drunken brawl" video nor did I know you saw the altercation, If you read the complainant's version it sounds like a jury should here all the evidence.
God forbid there should be a he said, she said Gulati. Don't want to contradict your star player. He and U.S. Soccer have been totally gutless on this -- and many other things. (See Warner & Blazer.) If this was the goalkeeper on the men's national team, he wouldn't be allowed within 10 miles of a game. Yuck!
1
As a longtime constituent of Richard Blumenthal in Connecticut, I can attest to the fact that his regard for Constitutional rights (innocent til proven guilty, due process, etc. ) will be superseded by his lust for publicity every time. We've seen that for years here in the Nutmeg State. Dick is now being outshown by his junior colleague, Chris Murphy, and it must really be grating on him.
Whatever U.S. Soccer decides to do about Hope Solo, it should be totally independent of Blumenthal's PR stunts.
Whatever U.S. Soccer decides to do about Hope Solo, it should be totally independent of Blumenthal's PR stunts.
3
What part of "charges dropped" do people not get?
And it sounds like Solo was involved in an all sides booze filled drunken brawl where all parties share some guilt.
And yes, at a qualitative level, it's just not the same as some guy punching his girl-friend unconscious in an elevator.
And it sounds like Solo was involved in an all sides booze filled drunken brawl where all parties share some guilt.
And yes, at a qualitative level, it's just not the same as some guy punching his girl-friend unconscious in an elevator.
5
Yep, just like "charges were dropped" against NFL player Greg Hardy when the "alleged" victim disappeared. It still doesn't make it right to commit domestic violence. Hardy has still been suspended 10 games by the NFL.
As for "all-sides booze-filled drunken brawl, " remember Ray Rice? Well, Janay Palmer hit him first. They were both drunk. Should Rice not have been suspended by the NFL?
US Soccer--particularly Women's Soccer-- should protect DV victims as strongly as the NFL does, at the very least, don't you agree?
Sorry, this is all part of our culture's refusal to admit that women can be violent creeps just like men can be.
As for "all-sides booze-filled drunken brawl, " remember Ray Rice? Well, Janay Palmer hit him first. They were both drunk. Should Rice not have been suspended by the NFL?
US Soccer--particularly Women's Soccer-- should protect DV victims as strongly as the NFL does, at the very least, don't you agree?
Sorry, this is all part of our culture's refusal to admit that women can be violent creeps just like men can be.
2
Try reading the news bobw! The charges were NOT dropped, the Court dismissed the charges. Not only that but the Prosecution has appealed the court's ruling to the appellate court.( F Y I charges are "dropped" when the prosecution stops the case (dismisses) the case.
1
@ jojojo12 — As discussed below, there are extensive relevant factual distinctions between the Hardy case and Solo’s case. Your claim that they are parallel incidents is, at best, disingenuous.
— Brian
— Brian
The New York Times' tag team assault on Ms. Solo's constitutional rights is reprehensible. Macur took her turn at trampling bedrock American institutions - presumed innocence and due process - when she called for Ms. Solo for being punished for the crime of guilt-by-accusation.
Now, Longman jumps in the ring and uses the same dirty tactics. Appealing to a US Senator's shrill posturing just adds to the hypocrisy.
Bulletin to the NYT : the charges were dropped. As for those policemen who were allegedly berated by a woman, they can apply for disability retirement and nurse their sensitive psychic injuries for the rest of their lives on the public dole.
Now, Longman jumps in the ring and uses the same dirty tactics. Appealing to a US Senator's shrill posturing just adds to the hypocrisy.
Bulletin to the NYT : the charges were dropped. As for those policemen who were allegedly berated by a woman, they can apply for disability retirement and nurse their sensitive psychic injuries for the rest of their lives on the public dole.
6
Did you see how badly out of position Solo was on the shot Klingerberg saved off the line in the Sweden game? She looked like she was playing for a 12 y.o. rec. team.
Two questions: what is Blumenthal's motivation for wanting to remove Hope Solo from participation in the current World Cup? and does the media bring the issue up at this very time wanting the USA team to be at serious risk for losing the Cup? I suppose all top athletes must be prepared, as are those politicians who represent a threat to others, to dismiss such attacks as dirty fighting.
2
We have a justice system to handle crimes. Universities, sports federations and other organizations are not equipped to render justice and should not be asked or expected to do so.
What these organizations should do/have is a policy on what to do with their members/athletes/students when accused/convicted of a crime.
What these organizations should do/have is a policy on what to do with their members/athletes/students when accused/convicted of a crime.
5
You are right. It sounds like assault and battery.
Somehow, Senator Blumenthal, I don't believe that when the children in our country watch Hope Solo make athletic save after athletic save, they are also thinking "wow, I guess that means it's o.k. to commit domestic violence."
5
I detest domestic violence as a human being and especially as the father of two daughters.
Having said that, as a Connecticut resident, I would have hoped that Senator Blumenthal had something better to do with his time -- and for his constituents -- than weigh in on what The Times referred to as an "alcohol-fueled scuffle" between Solo and her half-sister in Kirkland, Washington.
Having said that, as a Connecticut resident, I would have hoped that Senator Blumenthal had something better to do with his time -- and for his constituents -- than weigh in on what The Times referred to as an "alcohol-fueled scuffle" between Solo and her half-sister in Kirkland, Washington.
7
The world is not black and white. This "domestic violence" case is nothing like other similarly names cases involving NFL players. Mr. Blumenthal should be ashamed for such transparent grandstanding.
5
Wow, soccer officials maintain the notion of innocent until proven guilty. What a great idea! It appears Solo's detractors believe in guilty and banned from employment, until proven otherwise.
5
Solo is violent, rude, ignorant trash but she is athletic. Who better to represent the U.S.?
3
The most likely reason that US Soccer officials failed to investigate further is Ms. Solo is perhaps the best female goal keeper on planet Earth.
Follow the money.
Follow the money.
5
Same reason Greg hardy has an NFL job--his victim made herself unavailable at trial time, so his charges were dropped too. Yet, the NFL still suspended Hardy.
Geez, you'd think the US Women's soccer team would be at least as diligent as the NFL about protecting female victims of domestic violence. It seems they are not.
Geez, you'd think the US Women's soccer team would be at least as diligent as the NFL about protecting female victims of domestic violence. It seems they are not.
2
@ jojojo12 — Since Hardy’s case was dismissed, you might just as readily turn around your reasoning: perhaps the NFL should have been as respectful of due process and the determinations of courts of law, as U.S. Soccer has been.
In any event, the NFL’s explanation of its suspension of Hardy was strongly fact-specific, and is substantially distinguishable from public knowledge concerning the incident involving Solo. The altercation involving Hardy appears to have been more extended than that involving Solo, leaving the complaining witness with substantial and extensive injuries. The NFL also deemed it important that Hardy used physical force against a woman “substantially smaller” than him, and in the presence of “powerful, military-style assault weapons.” Those factors, too, did not enter into Solo’s case.
It’s also relevant that the complaining witness in Hardy’s case became unavailable for further proceedings after she had apparently entered into a civil settlement with Hardy. There has, in contrast, never been any suggestion that Solo’s half-sister and nephew, who declined to comply with the judge’s orders to complete pretrial discovery in that case, ever engaged even in discussions of a settlement with Solo
In view of those facts, you haven’t presented a compelling case that U.S. Soccer is falling short of the NFL’s efforts at protecting female victims of domestic violence.
— Brian
In any event, the NFL’s explanation of its suspension of Hardy was strongly fact-specific, and is substantially distinguishable from public knowledge concerning the incident involving Solo. The altercation involving Hardy appears to have been more extended than that involving Solo, leaving the complaining witness with substantial and extensive injuries. The NFL also deemed it important that Hardy used physical force against a woman “substantially smaller” than him, and in the presence of “powerful, military-style assault weapons.” Those factors, too, did not enter into Solo’s case.
It’s also relevant that the complaining witness in Hardy’s case became unavailable for further proceedings after she had apparently entered into a civil settlement with Hardy. There has, in contrast, never been any suggestion that Solo’s half-sister and nephew, who declined to comply with the judge’s orders to complete pretrial discovery in that case, ever engaged even in discussions of a settlement with Solo
In view of those facts, you haven’t presented a compelling case that U.S. Soccer is falling short of the NFL’s efforts at protecting female victims of domestic violence.
— Brian
News flash! The U.S. public is mature enough to know that celebrities are not perfect. Illegal actions should be handled by police, prosecutors, judges, and juries whether the suspect is an athlete, performer, CEO, U.S. Senator, or average Joe.
5
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
When you're a sports star in a sport that has a world championship once every four years, suspension during that tournament is a major punishment. To suspend a player and then later discover she's innocent is the equivalent of putting someone in jail for 2 years while their case is investigated - you cannot give back what you've taken away.
The NFL cases were very very different. You had more evidence. You had fast resolution. You were talking about missing one or two regular season games while the issue was resolved.
I'm sure many non-sports fans won't agree, because they will not understand the importance and one-off nature of the World Cup for a soccer player. Maybe a good analogy would be to imagine that it's your final year in college and you're ready to graduate. You're involved in an alleged dispute, you claim you're innocent. The college says "we respect your right to a fair trial, but we can't let you take your final exams. And, if you miss those exams, we're going to annul all the credits you've amassed over the past 4 years too. If you're proven innocent, all will be forgiven of course, you can come back and start again as a freshman."
When you're a sports star in a sport that has a world championship once every four years, suspension during that tournament is a major punishment. To suspend a player and then later discover she's innocent is the equivalent of putting someone in jail for 2 years while their case is investigated - you cannot give back what you've taken away.
The NFL cases were very very different. You had more evidence. You had fast resolution. You were talking about missing one or two regular season games while the issue was resolved.
I'm sure many non-sports fans won't agree, because they will not understand the importance and one-off nature of the World Cup for a soccer player. Maybe a good analogy would be to imagine that it's your final year in college and you're ready to graduate. You're involved in an alleged dispute, you claim you're innocent. The college says "we respect your right to a fair trial, but we can't let you take your final exams. And, if you miss those exams, we're going to annul all the credits you've amassed over the past 4 years too. If you're proven innocent, all will be forgiven of course, you can come back and start again as a freshman."
7
Translation: They want to win. They can't always depend on poor referring to secure victory.
2
Apologies. Wee correction: In my comment, at the end it should read that "NOT suspending her would bring the game into disrepute".
2
On what basis should US Soccer have taken any action against their player? I thought that the USA inherited the English Common Law? (With the exception, I would have thought, of the state of New Orleans (Napoleonic Law?) and, perhaps, states, or parts of states, originally Spanish possessions.)
The police have the duty, firstly, to investigate allegations of criminal conduct and then, secondly, prepare a report for and submit it to the appropriate prosecutorial authority. The prosecutorial authority has the duty then to consider the report and decide, firstly, if their is a prima facie case to answer and, secondly, whether it is in the public interest to prosecute before the appropriate court. If both answers are "yes" It then falls to a judge of the relevant court to try the case, I would presume in the presence of a jury. The judge is arbiter of matters relating to law and procedure whilst the jury decides on the facts.
Nowhere is it envisaged that US Soccer has a role to play. Unless, of course, there be a prima facie case that the conduct libelled of their player is of such a horrendous nature that suspending her would bring the game into disrepute. At worst, this is handbags at fifty paces.
The police have the duty, firstly, to investigate allegations of criminal conduct and then, secondly, prepare a report for and submit it to the appropriate prosecutorial authority. The prosecutorial authority has the duty then to consider the report and decide, firstly, if their is a prima facie case to answer and, secondly, whether it is in the public interest to prosecute before the appropriate court. If both answers are "yes" It then falls to a judge of the relevant court to try the case, I would presume in the presence of a jury. The judge is arbiter of matters relating to law and procedure whilst the jury decides on the facts.
Nowhere is it envisaged that US Soccer has a role to play. Unless, of course, there be a prima facie case that the conduct libelled of their player is of such a horrendous nature that suspending her would bring the game into disrepute. At worst, this is handbags at fifty paces.
4
@ Hugh — Your procedural description of criminal process in a U.S. common law jurisdiction is reasonably accurate. We should note a qualification with respect to one detail. In many jurisdictions, defendants in at least some types of misdemeanor cases are not entitled to a trial by jury. In such cases, whether to try the case before a jury is at the discretion of the judge.
Solo was charged with one or more misdemeanor offenses following the incident last year. I don’t know if, under Washington law, Solo would have been entitled to a jury trial on those charges, had the case gone to trial.
— Brian
Solo was charged with one or more misdemeanor offenses following the incident last year. I don’t know if, under Washington law, Solo would have been entitled to a jury trial on those charges, had the case gone to trial.
— Brian
If the charges were dropped because the so-called victims didn't cooperate and the situation came down to she said/he said. what basis would the Soccer Association have to suspend her? What happened to "innocent until proven guilt" ? It seems like anyone can say anything about any athlete, true or not, and people want that person suspended. To compare this to the Rice incident, where there was absolute proof, is absurd. Domestic violence is a horrible thing, but that doesn't mean we go on a witch hunt and convict people right or wrong, This whole thing could be trumped up by disgruntled relatives who wanted something from her and didn't get it.
10
Greg Hardy's victim disappeared at trial time, so Hardy's charges were dropped, yet the NFL still suspended him for 10 games.
I think Women's Soccer should try at least as hard as the NFL to protect women from violence, don't you?
I think Women's Soccer should try at least as hard as the NFL to protect women from violence, don't you?
2
In his letter to Gulati, Blumenthal calledTthe federation’s approach to the Solo case “at best superficial and at worst dangerously neglectful and self-serving.”
This sounds like a perfect description of Blumenthal's actions.
This sounds like a perfect description of Blumenthal's actions.
3
There's no video--everything these days has to be proved by secondary video eyewitnesses. So although Hope's sister and nephew have photo evidence of harm after the alleged incident, Hope disputes this testimony. This is an old-fashioned (pre-phone, pre-everywhere surveillance) crime. Hope's sister and nephew seem to have a good case, but it would be better if they had their phone at hand at the time of the abuse. If you want to think about how domestic abuse cases or police abuse cases were before the iPhone, think of this case. US soccer has determined that Solo will block this case because the victims didn't make it go viral in time. At least, one can say that this reminder of the past might lead to acknowledgment of the scourge of domestic abuse in the United states for the past 50 years. It might.
1
@ Joe — It’s not the sister or nephew who do or don’t “have a case”; this isn’t a civil matter. It’s a criminal matter, and, thus, it’s the State of Washington that does, or doesn’t, have a case.
— Brian
— Brian
.
.
A photo with another Times article -- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/13/sports/soccer/no-score-to-settle-and-n... -- shows Ms. Solo using a hand to keep an opposing player from making a shot.
The caption begins with the words: "Hope Solo punched ...".
In view of the incidents discussed in this article about Ms. Solo's non-suspension, I'm not sure the Times wants to use that sequence of words.
Just sayin'.
.
A photo with another Times article -- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/13/sports/soccer/no-score-to-settle-and-n... -- shows Ms. Solo using a hand to keep an opposing player from making a shot.
The caption begins with the words: "Hope Solo punched ...".
In view of the incidents discussed in this article about Ms. Solo's non-suspension, I'm not sure the Times wants to use that sequence of words.
Just sayin'.
2
Double standards me thinks
1
So now hitting your sister is "domestic violence." It's been over 55 years since I hit my sister, but she always deserved it. Is there a Statue of Limitations?
4
Without Solo the US would go out of the Cup in the first round of the group of death.
That's all Gulati cares about. He does not give a damn about domestic violence or anything. It's outtageous.
Solo is a great goalkeeper bu she steps ovef the line again and again. And she knows she can do it because Gulati needs her.
Nice example for the millions of girls and ypung women who play soccer.
All the federation cares is $$$$$
Simple.
That's all Gulati cares about. He does not give a damn about domestic violence or anything. It's outtageous.
Solo is a great goalkeeper bu she steps ovef the line again and again. And she knows she can do it because Gulati needs her.
Nice example for the millions of girls and ypung women who play soccer.
All the federation cares is $$$$$
Simple.
3
@ MF — Were we to allow ourselves to unload the truckload of assumptions you’ve eagerly imported to your “argument,” judgment in complex matters would be easy. Oh, and often •wrong•, but that’s a trifling matter in service of our sanctimony, isn’t it?
To cut to the chase, I place no more stock in your assertion that Gulati is indifferent to domestic violence (“or •anything•”???!!!) than I would any claims you might make about Jürgen Klinsmann’s positions on monetary policy. Of course, the vacuity of your arguments is evident in the unknowability of the proposition you assert as an absolute certainty: that the U.S. wouldn’t get out of its group without Solo in goal. If you claimed it would be “a lot less •likely•,” that would be a reasonable argument — but then, of course, it just wouldn’t be the sort of wild and extreme statement that so many people feel they •must• make when posting online.
It’s true that Solo is the U.S.’s best keeper. But the other keepers on the squad, Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher, aren’t stiffs. You can argue they wouldn’t have made some of the saves that Solo has — and you •might• be right, but you (like the rest of us) don’t •know• that. It’s not even plausibly close to a near certainty. But, of course, admitting •that• would leave your categorical denunciations of U.S. Soccer as, blatantly, hot air. Fear not, however; the rest of us can make that deduction even without the admission.
— Brian
To cut to the chase, I place no more stock in your assertion that Gulati is indifferent to domestic violence (“or •anything•”???!!!) than I would any claims you might make about Jürgen Klinsmann’s positions on monetary policy. Of course, the vacuity of your arguments is evident in the unknowability of the proposition you assert as an absolute certainty: that the U.S. wouldn’t get out of its group without Solo in goal. If you claimed it would be “a lot less •likely•,” that would be a reasonable argument — but then, of course, it just wouldn’t be the sort of wild and extreme statement that so many people feel they •must• make when posting online.
It’s true that Solo is the U.S.’s best keeper. But the other keepers on the squad, Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher, aren’t stiffs. You can argue they wouldn’t have made some of the saves that Solo has — and you •might• be right, but you (like the rest of us) don’t •know• that. It’s not even plausibly close to a near certainty. But, of course, admitting •that• would leave your categorical denunciations of U.S. Soccer as, blatantly, hot air. Fear not, however; the rest of us can make that deduction even without the admission.
— Brian
I am a liberal but this has become a witch hunt by liberals. It IS a "he said, she said" case and forever will be. These people do NOT live together now and they didn't at the time of the incident...but it's "domestic abuse" because that allows self styled activists to yell self-righteously while thumping their chests. Well, I suspect all this will end quite quickly if it ever does come to trial because Hope's half sister has changed her story twice already...and one photo opportunity of the 6'7" 270lbs "boy" next to Hope Solo will put things in immediate perspective for those lacking in imagination. Every domestic incident is not domestic abuse and it's just as likely that Solo was the victim here...for those who absolutely insist upon naming one. It just doesn't come naturally to her to present herself that way. Her sister could give her excellent advice on that score however.
3
Once again the term "liberal" is used as derogatory and a label for those who offend you. I am proud to be a "liberal" ... read progressive ... and I strongly oppose this "witch hunt" . If anything, I am guessing it is a conservative position to harp on punishment for a minor incident that offends the self-righteous. I am wondering what was behind Democrat Blumenthal's furor.
1
I am a progressive democrat. I am from CT. This is a liberal witch hunt. With the paucity of any objective information about what happened here nobody should be trying to deprive Solo of her livelihood. Unless he was hiding in the bushes, Blumenthal can't possibly be privy to any special knowledge. A family altercation took place. That's all we're ever gonna know for sure. End of.
HOW MANY times does the Times have to run essentially the SAME (non) story?
Try some actual reporting and new writing, please!
Try some actual reporting and new writing, please!
3
This is akin to the Palin family fiasco a few months ago. No story here. Let the women play without the meta-drama.
1
She was charged with a misdemeanor -- and then the charges were dropped and the case was dismissed by a judge. I don't know what I am missing here, but on what grounds should she be not allowed to play in the World Cup?
3
Greg Hardy's charges were dropped when his victim didn't show up at trial time. Yet the NFL still suspended him. Don't you think Women's Soccer should defend women from violence at least as well as the NFL?
1
I don't think that its always a good idea for personal issues to be linked to professional life. This goes for men as well as women. Let the legal system deal with any potential crime. But, it is not USA soccer's job to adjudicate whether or not there was a crime.
1
Elsewhere in the Times one can read about police brutality--because the police are always right and they always tell the truth. Tabloid journalism.
The supposed "assault victims" failed to show up for the hearing, correct?
1
I hope Solo is saved to make saves.
5
In many, if not most, jurisdictions, this would not be a domestic violence offense at all. In Colorado, for instance, the domestic violence tag only applies to crimes committed against current or former intimate partners. I think this is the context most people think of as domestic violence. I don't know what happened in Solo's case, and I don't condone anyone behaving violently toward anyone else, but the allegations described here don't seem to match the particularly insidious aspects of domestic violence -- the easy intimidation of the victim, the cycle of violence, the difficulty of prosecution -- that have rightly made violence between domestic partners such a cause for concern.
26
Okay. It's not domestic violence. How about just plain old violence?
1
Athletes are entitled to due process like everyone else. The case was dismissed and is being appealed. Let the process be completed, then take action based on the result.
24
People are entitled to due process before they can be punished under the law. There is no such mandate for job security and certainly not for representing an organization in a sporting activity.
Due process is a very limited entitlement.
Due process is a very limited entitlement.
1
First, ESPN in the name of fancy reporting drops this the week of the World Cup. Is this fortunate,timing or opportunism? Are they telling the whole story?
Question the source as thoroughly as the target. Both deserve thorough exam.
Question the source as thoroughly as the target. Both deserve thorough exam.
12
Remember, ESPN is the *former* broadcaster of the WWC. Consider the motivation. I think in the absence of new revelations, the timing is suspect, at best.
4
Her case was dismissed, and she is trying to move forward. If Hope Solo were a man, the story would be over.
7
This has been in the local news here for months. ESPN reported nothing new. This was a very tacky family situation all the way around. Unlike the NFL domestic violence cases, no innocents were assaulted here.
15
It would be far from over if it were a man. A man has minimal rights afforded to him in a domestic violence case and it would be very unlikely that the procedural dismissal would have ever happened.
11
No, her case is still pending at the prosecutors' insistence.
Solo's case in Kirkland Municipal Court was dismissed by Judge Michael Lambo on procedural grounds, and prosecutors, in a rare move that required city administrator approval, have filed an appeal with the Superior Court of Washington. Prosecutors are scheduled to file their argument by July 13, 2015, with the defense due to respond by Aug. 10, 2015. Oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 11, 2015
If she were a man, she would be under *considerably* more scrutiny and probably would not be playing.
Solo's case in Kirkland Municipal Court was dismissed by Judge Michael Lambo on procedural grounds, and prosecutors, in a rare move that required city administrator approval, have filed an appeal with the Superior Court of Washington. Prosecutors are scheduled to file their argument by July 13, 2015, with the defense due to respond by Aug. 10, 2015. Oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 11, 2015
If she were a man, she would be under *considerably* more scrutiny and probably would not be playing.
12