Annnnd The Mexican Ski Team now has an entry in the worst Winter Olympics uniforms category:

[Are_grits_groceries]

@MeredithFrost:
This is not a drill. RT @BTSP: The Mexican Ski Team unveil their uniform for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics


That should be a sight on the downhill.

[Berlum]

1. Suave!

[gaspee]

2. I am kind of

Oddly fascinated by them... and maybe a little mesmerized.

[chillfactor]

3. personally I like them...

they are very representative of Mexican culture...I think they are much nicer and less chaotic than the US team uniforms

[Are_grits_groceries]

6. A salad bowl is less chaotic than the US uniforms.

I like the Mexican culture aspect. However, these play right into Mexican stereotypes.

[LeftofObama]

9. My thoughts exactly.

The only thing missing from that photo is a rose between his teeth and his foot on top of a dead bull. Stereotype if ever I've seen one!

[HangOnKids]

47. So Very True! I have been laughing for 5 minutes about your comment though

Thank you!

[nadinbrzezinski]

57. It's a mariachi, not a torero (bull fighter)

[theHandpuppet]

30. The US unis...

... look as if the whole cast of Duck Dynasty threw up on them.

[Fumesucker]

4. Ole'!

[sakabatou]

5. We are! The threeeee amigos!

[newfie11]

7. I like them

I have seen worse but can't remember the country.

[shenmue]

8. Wow.

What were they thinking?

[Revanchist]

10. And here's the rest of the team (sorry I couldn't resist)

[JHB]

11. "For others, their El Guapo is to shave a half second off their downhill time..."

[chemenger]

15. LOL

Just watched the Three Amigos last night!!! Very, very funny. And BTW what id your El Guapo?

[Are_grits_groceries]

12. And this is why I think they picked the wrong design.

It will bring laughter and not respect for Mexican culture.
The Mexican art and design aspects are great. They should have been used differently IMO.

[nadinbrzezinski]

53. I agree, there are other aspects they could have modeled it on

Not so much the mariachi, toons bound, but perhaps some stylized feather designs, or draw from Veracruz for inspiration, not Guadalajara.

To me the surprise is the existence of the team. Where the hell do they train?

[Le Taz Hot]

26. OMG, you're right!

Bwahahahahaha!

[baldguy]

13. Like Col. Sanders

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. He's got form: see the slideshow of his past outfits here

http://extramustard.si.com/2014/01/27/mexican-skier-to-wear-skin-tight-mariachi-suit-during-olympics/

[Are_grits_groceries]

17. The first design shown has some Mexican aspects.

A better design concept would have helped. The others are just attention getters.

I still believe he is playing into a stereotype and that a better design with Mexican cultural highlights would have been better.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

16. I love it!

It's a fun representation of a traditional mariachi suit -- I appreciate his sense of whimsy.

[Are_grits_groceries]

18. As I said, he unfortunately will bring up

images of the Three Amigos. His suit will bring laughter and not an appreciation of Mexican culture.

It is sad that the Mariachi Band is a concept that has been used for ridicule and enforce stenotypes. That image has been defined as a laugh in too many minds.

[FSogol]

21. Doubtful. There are many more mariacha bands and fans of that music than there

are people that remember that obscure, almost 30-year-old movie

[Bluenorthwest]

22. Mariachi music is one of the most popular forms

in North America, more musicians make a living playing Mariachi than do so playing jazz or 'pop' music. It is not only a part of Mexican culture itself, but it is a primary musical form in much of the West of the US. I have personally hired Mariachi groups both in the US and in Mexico.
I find you point of view to be culturally limited. Sorry.

&list=PLE913FFFA571FF2A6

[Are_grits_groceries]

25. The West of the US isn't the world nor the whole of the US.

I said that Mariachi bands are a true part of the Mexican culture. I'll admit I am not up on the latest bands or songs. I know they are popular in many areas especially those with shared cultures. I daresay that in other parts of the US there is much more limited knowledge than mine.

I'm sure that in certain world regions that stereotype would not hold. In other areas, not so much. In fact, they would probably have little knowledge of the meaning or have a different view than mine or yours.

I will stand by my statement that I believe a better use of Mexican design and cultural accents would have been better. That is my opinion and it isn't shared by you. That's fine.

You are viewing this from inside out. I am viewing this from outside in. I readily admit I am probably deficient in my knowledge of Mexican culture. That does not mean my perspective is completely invalid.

I respect your opinion and bow to your superior knowledge in this area.(not snark).

[Bluenorthwest]

29. I did not say the West is anything more than the West. I also said not a word about

'the latest bands or songs'.
M E X I C O C I T Y, Jan. 23 (EWTNews) — Saturday, January 23, 1999, Thousands gather to greet Pope John Paul II at Benito Jarez International Aiport in Mexico City on Friday.
The crowds of thousands waved flags, mariachi bands played, and people chanted in Spanish, "John Paul II, all the world loves you! Viva al Papa"

JP2 in Mariachi hat:

http://www.traditioninaction.org/RevolutionPhotos/A226rcJPIIMariachi.html

[Are_grits_groceries]

27. In addition, let me address this now.

Since we disagreed about the Pope in a thread, you seem to have decided to pop up and leave criticisms of what I say. That includes a post about Prince and this one.

However, you decided to throw in this bon mot when I commented about the Olympic games:

I assume DU's 'We love bigoted preachers' crowd will also love Putin Games. It's not a surprise. Birds of a feather and all. your words.

So now you have decided to lump those who give the Pope any inch of leeway on SOME issues with every person that also has an anti-LGBT agenda. We love the Putin games? Seriously? That is not only dishonest, hyperbolic, and insulting. I suppose you will next say that we are supporting the Ugandan government?

For those new to this particular argument, here is the thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4382470

This was my last reply on that thread to which you did not respond.

I am gay and I am a woman. I also know and am kin to more dirt poor people than you can shake a stick at. In addition I taught and saw how deeply poverty and societal neglect affected my students.

So far Pope Francis is one of my 50/50 people. LBJ is another. His record on civil rights issues and helping those without is stellar. He never forgot what it was like to be that poor. However, his Vietnam policies were disastrous and caused untold suffering.

Life is not a zero sum proposition. One does not cancel out the other and leave a clean slate. The entirety of his actions have to be considered. Some will hate him forever because of Vietnam with good reason. His other accomplishments are ignored. The same goes for many who admire his domestic work.

LBJ is not an easy man to pigeonhole. He can't be because he fits in too many. The best view of him is drawn with infinite shades of gray.

Praise of one side cannot mitigate the condemnation of the other. Life is not black and white. It would be so much easier that way. We can see it that way and miss the real view.

I can't speak for other people, but I don't take his regressive views lightly. If I mention a positive because it is such a new message from that quarter am I required to also list his negative views.

This is the same problem with criticizing President Obama. If a criticism is made, many immediately jump and list everything he has done that is good. That is an insane way to discuss any issue. Each issue has to be taken on its own merits. All the good does not negate the bad and vice versa.

I am not particularly fond of being referred to as the spawn of Satan. I also have a thick enough skin to absorb that and throw it back with some Christian dogma that directly contradicts that view. The same goes for other issues that I don't agree with.

I have dealt with these kinds of contradictions all of my life. I have relatives that I have grown up with who think very differently than I do on many issues. I have also seen a completely different side of them. It is very difficult to deal with when you know and love some people while at the same time
Feeling the sting of their opinions.

BTW I am not angry or yelling at you. It's hard to tell with a post. I think you are very angry with me, but I may have misjudged you.

I thought better of you even with all our disagreements. Your blazing anger and the over-the-top posts are alienating people. They will not alienate us from support of LGBT rights but they don't reflect well on you or others who also deal in such nasty attacks.

I am sure this will bring down the usual haters to throw even more ugly attacks on the fire.

I have been civil and will remain so. You, however, are free to dabble on whatever low road you like.

[Bluenorthwest]

32. Very self serving post. You ranted that anyone critical of the Pope is a 'hater'

The man says my family if from hell, you say to object to that is 'hate'. If you think that is 'civil' you don't know the meaning of the word. Calling people 'haters' for not enduring venomous condemnations from a preacher is wrong. You made an entire OP about how criticism of an anti choice and anti gay cleric is 'hate'. I strongly disagree with you on that. The Pope and others who oppose equal rights for all are haters. Not those who want the rights they smugly preach against. You see him as great stuff, anti gay anti choice and great, any objection to him is 'hate'.
Calling other people 'haters' for defending their loved ones is as low as a person can sink. Now you attack me for objecting to you calling us all haters. Unreal.
Now lecture some more about 'South bashing' and why it is worse than saying gay people are attacking God.

[Are_grits_groceries]

34. Do you hate the Pope

and those who say anything positive about him?

I also don't recall saying that South bashing is worse than saying gay people are attacking God. In fact, I was and have been addressing those who attack the Pope at every turn. Attacking God is an entirely different matter.

[William769]

36. Listening to Mariachi bands while strolling through the parks in Mexico City

It doesn't get any better than that.

[Ptah]

38. Linda Ronstadt with Mariachi Los Camperos "La Charreada"

[William769]

39. Thanks! that was a two fer!

The Clinton's were in the audience!

[Scuba]

19. Glorifying the abuse of bovines for "sport".

[nadinbrzezinski]

41. You are confusing toreros for mariachi

And trust me, you do not want a mariachi even close to a calf, let alone a full grown bull.

[Scuba]

42. Mariachi? Really? I could have sworn those were toreros costumes.

Perhaps they all shop at the same haberdashery. Or I could just be ignorant. Oh wait, that's a given.

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. This is a torero

These are mariachis



Nope, not the same thing

[Scuba]

44. Depends on where you shop ...

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/bullfighter-costume

[nadinbrzezinski]

45. Those costumes are pretend costumes

Not the real thing.

Again, you are confusing a guy with a cape and sword, with a guy or gal with a violins, guitar or viola.

[Scuba]

46. I believe "pretend costume" may be redundant.

[nadinbrzezinski]

48. No the term is not redundant

Actual torero clothes have some level of protection, have real gold and silver details, and are made of silk. I don't think your average eBay shopper could afford one on a bad day, let alone a good day.

I showed you what the real thing looks like. I might dislike the sport, and yes, it should end in it's current form go away, but it is older than many current civilizations, including the US. The way the French practice it it in the south is much closer to it's Cretan origins. Now that, I would pay to watch. It involves zero injured or killed bull by the way. But it involves bulls and humans.

But at this point, after being shown what the two things look, you are just being difficult. Oh and so you know, in it's current incarnation bull fighting is in real trouble in both Spain and the Americas.

[Scuba]

49. Hey, that costume was $35.00! It could have been real gold!

[nadinbrzezinski]

50. Have a good day

I will not continue to engage in this slightly racist banter.

[Scuba]

51. You're kidding, right? I thought we were just having fun.

[nadinbrzezinski]

54. Does it look like a joke to you?

Cause it is not.

Please proceed.

[Scuba]

55. Well, the $35 ebay costume sure looked like a joke.

The "pretent costume may be redundant" was certainly a joke. Only the "my ignorance is a given" was meant seriously.

If my comments came across as anything but humorous banter, my apologies. I certainly didn't mean to offend.

[nadinbrzezinski]

58. I was trying to educate, that is all

[Scuba]

61. No problem nadin.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

59. So is ignorance and intentional obtuseness. Sometimes.

[FSogol]

20. LOL, it is like those tuxedo t-shirts.

I hope someone on their team goes down the slope wearing a sombrero and carrying a trombone.

[NCTraveler]

23. Has to be a joke. That is awful. nt.

[WolverineDG]

24. Still looks better

Than what they're forcing the US athletes to wear

[MineralMan]

28. La Banda Mexicana!

Bravi!

[snooper2]

31. They better be careful with that zipper

[Arkana]

33. Mother of God.

Painfully awful looking AND slightly racist.

[lumberjack_jeff]

35. So long as the helmets are shaped like sombreros...

Does a mariachi band play while doing the slalom?

[William769]

37. They beat the hell out of our Gawd awful U.S. uniforms.

[nadinbrzezinski]

40. Wait, Mexico has a sky team?

[Coyotl]

52. The Piñata costumes had too much wind resistance, albeit they were a popular choice too.

[KittyWampus]

56. Why the HECK is it so literal? I could see using the white checkered trim/accents to hint a mariachi

uniforms.

[Boom Sound 416]

60. Dayum

[TlalocW]

62. I hope they win a plethora of medals

Hotcha!

TlalocW

[Lifelong Protester]

63. Except for the "tie" I like the idea

The printed 'tie' and 'collar' look like that fake tuxedo tee-shirt.

[Throd]

64. Worst? The best!

[lonestarnot]

65. Actually, I like that one.

[flamingdem]

66. I am NOT falling for this

[petronius]

67. It seems like the 'team' might be one guy: "...born in Mexico,

had established Spanish residency, had an Italian-born mother, and citizenship in Austria and Liechtenstein." He's 55, and has worn some pretty interesting suits in past Games as well - I particularly like the cardboard box one...

, Hubertus!

http://extramustard.si.com/2014/01/27/mexican-skier-to-wear-skin-tight-mariachi-suit-during-olympics/

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/mexicos-hubertus-von-hohenlohe-going-mariachi-olympic-prince-look-sochi

[Beacool]

68. Meh, let him have his fun.

He is the entire Mexican ski team.



Edited to add:

The Norwegians look worse.

[Liberal_in_LA]

69. wow