Sir Bandelot

When 50,000 tourists come and take a shit in your backyard, will you just smile and take it? Maybe you would, if you at least could get some of the money. But you won't. You'll be told, "don't worry, they'll be gone in a month. Meanwhile just stfu..."

Too easy. In October 2009, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia through the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009, gave host municipalities (Richmond, Vancouver and Whistler) the power to enter residences and other private property to seize signs that are deemed to be "anti-olympic", between February 1 and March 31, 2010. Another amendment changed the Vancouver Charter to allow for fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 6 months for sign and bylaw violations. There are several reasons for the opposition, including: The Olympic Village development was originally intended to make a profit, but at least one critic estimates it will be millions in debt. Olympic organizers have not commented on this estimate. The destruction of the natural environment, particularly at Eagleridge Bluffs to build a new highway. According to critics, despite claims of the “greenest Olympics” ever, and statements about "sustainability", the 2010 Olympics will be among the "most environmentally destructive" in history. Displacement of low-income residents and criminalization of the poor and homeless through recent created policies, designed to make the city appear cleaner. Child and women trafficking for the purpose of forced prostitution. Same link as above. police have been cracking down on the homeless, and the promised social housing projects have hardly materialized. Link Government officials and human rights activists in Canada are worried that Vancouver's 2010 Olympics could become a similar magnet for traffickers and their victims. But Canada has yet to successfully prosecute a single person for human trafficking, although the country has been singled out as a major link in the grim global industry in a U.S. State Department report. Human trafficking, says the report, is the world's third most lucrative international crime business after drugs and arms smuggling, and Vancouver is a hub. http://thetyee.ca/News/2008/09/04/HumanTraffic/ The quickly-approaching mega-sporting event is acting as an unwelcome catalyst for many First Nations people living in BC, a number of whom have been embroiled in bitter land rights battles with the Canadian government for most of their lives. Vast areas of unceded land that Indigenous communities depend on for hunting, fishing and general survival are at risk. Rivers, mountains and old-growth forests are being replaced by tourist resorts and highway expansions spurred by the 2010 games. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to build new resorts and expand existing ones in order to attract and accommodate tourists, Olympic athletes and trainers. It's all about the Land --- Despite all that I still admire the athletes. It's the abuses carried out by big business and the olympic corporation that steamrollers over anyone who's in their way that I criticize. Back in a bit- someones knocking on my door

Better still, is to enjoy all the benefits and hard work of someone elses empire.

Exactly, I was not necessarily saying you are in the musty basement, the irony is that many in our own country are. Also, I know you are well aware aware of who is doing the real screwing around. We have been over that a few times in this forum now... Some will call Afghanistan a success because it fulfills the purpose of the imperialists. Regardless of how you define it, all wars are a failure of the human mind. Our brains are too puny to understand what else might be.

I think this is the best post I have ever seen you write! Keep drinking

While living in a musty basement, on Queen Street? At least it's clear to the Afghanis whos f*kin them. Think about it

Well thanks for explaining that detail. That does not mean I am wrong though, because had McCain not accepted her as his running mate the world would never know about Sarah Pain

There is opposition to the Olympics amongst indigenous people and their supporters. A group from the Seton band known as the Statimc of Sutikalh fear the Olympics will once again bring unwanted tourism and real estate sales to their territory. On another front, local aboriginal people as well as Canadian Inuit expressed concern over the choice of an inukshuk as the symbol of the Games, with some Inuit leaders such as former Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq stating that the inukshuk is a culturally important symbol to them. He said that the "Inuit never build inuksuit with head, legs and arms. One chief, Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, said that the design lacked dignity, comparing it to Pac-Man. Edward John, Grand Chief of the First Nations Summit, said some native leaders were so upset about the issue they were prepared to walk out of the unveiling ceremony. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Winter_Olympics#Concerns_and_controversies I am told this is why the indians were given so much airplay, in atonement for the Inukshuk logo. Also, the Harper gvernment wanted to be able to control the content of the ceremony, and the reasons are now quite clear. He certainly didn't seem pleased about it. Vancouver Olympic controversies do not end there. It includes the criminalization and internment of the homeless, and the destruction of the environment is considered to be possibly the worst ever.

We know nothing about their culture and it means nothing to us. The only thing they are useful for at this stage is carving soapstone figures for 1 dollar, which get sold in a white mans souvenier shop on Sparks Street for 50 bucks. And dancing on TV for our international guests. I remember my very old Japanese friend just before he retired, told me he received $15,000 for the time when his family was interned. In contrast that sad lip service given the natives was not any kind of restitution. They knew it too. ''The federal Government is insulting aboriginal people with this response,'' said Marilyn Buffalo, president of the Native Women's Association of Canada. Leaders representing the Inuit, as Eskimos are called here, were upset that forced relocations of their people were not mentioned. And the Metis, people of mixed Indian and European ancestry, said the Government's actions were insincere. Indian leaders also pointed out that the compensation package is less than the $350 million that the Government acknowledged it wasted when it canceled a fleet of rescue helicopters. On Monday, it reordered essentially the same helicopters. Link $245 million for 1.3 million indians, comes out to about 180 bucks per person. Lot of good that will do. Might as well not pay it at all, just a waste of money. Some might chime in and say, let the natives rise up off their knees on their own, which is another argument I don't need to get into here. But the hypocracy of the show is clear to me.

They are still in the same situation. People around the world see this fancy show and think, oh what a great country, look how they love their indians.

I found the whole indian thing was hypocritical. As though we in Canada really care much about the indians and their culture at all. Most of them live in complete squalor, don't even running water or flush toilets. They live their lives completely destitute in their own filth, with no future. Canada atoned for Japanes internment but not for the abuses carried out on indian youth, mentally and physically in roman catholic detention camps. But hey, Haida ho. Dance you mofos.

Tell that one to John McCain. Sarah Plain is essentially his creation.

I know. Ironic, in't it

When massive 200 km long icebergs start floating towards a town near you, no reasonable person can deny something whacky is happening. It's only a question of why, and whether anything could or should to be done. If something has to be done, do we wait until the last possible minute (as we usually do) or would that be too late. Pardon me if I think more research and intelligent debate is needed, less partisan hype.

yeah but just cause, I aint no 'merikkkan

:angry: Ya big meanie

Perhaps but we don't need to get worked up about it in that regard. Obama himself makes no difference. Once you realize, it doesn't matter WHO it is that becomes the president. They only act as the public face. It could be anyone, even Sarah Palin

don't really know if there are laws concerning it in this regard, if the government is obligated to assist any Canadian in a foreign prison. But the last 20 years means it was not done by the CPC.

What about this guy, Ronald Smith. Not saying I think he's innocent or whatever, but I heard he was not getting the usual support from our government to intervene when there is a death penalty. it appears that if the US wants to kill a Canadian citizen, then it's ok. Because they are a "democracy". This comment came directly from Peter Mackay, I think.

In the beginning (with McCain) she was being used by the media. Now she seems to be attempting to use that same sensationalism to her advantage. But to me its self-defeating. The more she draws such forms of attention to herself, the less credible she is to those who have serious concerns in politics. She is at the center of alot of media hype, not unlike a tabloid superstar. In the end it will come down to a simple question- will it be enough to unite the political handicapped in supporting her, in an election that would not be based on real substance, just celebrity megalomania and soundbites, or will real voter intelligence prevail.

Not quite. I do look forward to seeing him judge fairly, not by a kangaroo court or some such. It's been quite a long wait... clearly something is wrong with the case.

Apparently the cafeteria staff eventually opted to return to using the original names, french fries, french toast. No congressional intervention was needed for this decision. Common sense eventually prevails- for the common man.

US Congress opts for "freedom fries" Speaking of "Gong Show" government.

I believe you and appreciate the amount of dedication needed to run this board. Thanks

As if that has anything to do with Banker's bonuses and/or the economic downturn. Seriously, I'm beginning to think this guy is retarded...um..ur..the r-word. Maybe it means he would like to give them a bailout too.