Tom Wolfe trying to satirize the absurdity of modern “dissent” couldn’t do any better than this. Feeble, cliched, solipsistic, consumed with foreign opinion, and capable of being vented during even the most ridiculously benign activities. To top it you’d need to come up with “Birdwatchers Against the War” or something.

[A] team of women who represented the United States at the world bridge championships in Shanghai last month is facing sanctions, including a yearlong ban from competition, for a spur-of-the-moment protest.

At issue is a crudely lettered sign, scribbled on the back of a menu, that was held up at an awards dinner and read, “We did not vote for Bush.”…

“What we were trying to say, not to Americans but to our friends from other countries, was that we understand that they are questioning and critical of what our country is doing these days, and we want you to know that we, too, are critical,” Ms. Greenberg said, stressing that she was speaking for herself and not her six teammates…

Ms. Greenberg said she decided to put up the sign in response to questions from players from other countries about American interrogation techniques, the war in Iraq and other foreign policy issues.

“There was a lot of anti-Bush feeling, questioning of our Iraq policy and about torture,” Ms. Greenberg said. “I can’t tell you it was an overwhelming amount, but there were several specific comments, and there wasn’t the same warmth you usually feel at these events.”

Scroll down three-quarters of the way here for photos. As a cherry on the absurdity sundae, the bridge federation wants to suspend them for a year, followed by another year of probation, plus community service, plus an apology written by the federation’s own lawyer. I’ve got a better idea: How about a simple press release noting that anyone who can’t get through a card game without declaring his or her opposition to the Bushitler is an abject moron?

We end with a bit of related eye candy. Julie B. will always have my heart but with this clip and the affected hostility she gins up towards the bridge players, Megyn Kelly officially becomes my favorite Fox babe.