The Olympic Opening Ceremonies

[Shady]

Sutikalh fear the Olympics will once again bring unwanted tourism

For the love of God, not unwanted tourism for a short period of time!!! The horror, the horror!!! You know what. When they actually start paying taxes, instead of leeching off of everybody else, then people may give a damn. Until then, they can STFU.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Shady

[Sir Bandelot]

Ya right.

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

[Oleg Bach]

The quality of the athelete has gone down - so has the artistic efforts of the opening ceremonies - The super powerful and rich are so damned cheap - they do not support the atheletes or the artists - YET they expect to suck up the gradure and status while not contributing anything substatial - they just profit though building and security contracts - what a bunch of weasils.

[Sir Bandelot]

For the love of God, not unwanted tourism for a short period of time!!! The horror, the horror!!! You know what. When they actually start paying taxes, instead of leeching off of everybody else, then people may give a damn. Until then, they can STFU.

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..."

Edited February 14, 2010 by Sir Bandelot

[Oleg Bach]

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..."

This will not but even a dent in economic and social evils. It is very short term. People scream - this will be good for the economy - sorry buddy but you had better tell him that this 1950s apporach does not exist - look at the new wave of doing things - They send billions of dollars in stimulas money and all it does is enrich the greedy...eg....ten million sent - 5 jobs created - so who is getting the bulk - Vancouver will be a victim of the same shit..The trend now is to fool the people into thinking they will benefit and the fools go for it - wealth internationally has become exclusive to a tiny few - and the trend is increasing.

[Sir Bandelot]

When they actually start paying taxes, instead of leeching off of everybody else, then people may give a damn. Until then, they can STFU.

And DANCE, you mofos!

Ok, I'll let it go now...

[Wilber]

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

I would say your links are mostly bullshit and the goings on in Vancouver today put the lie to your "protesters". Where is the violence coming from, certainly not the police? Many of these people are just common thugs who don't have the guts to show their faces when it comes to standing up for what they believe, who maintain that exercising their "rights" give them the right to stomp all over the rights of anyone who gets in their way and will move on to the next "cause" when the Olympics are over, leaving the people of the downtown east side to those who really care.

Much as I hate to say it, got to go with Shady on this one. A few days ago I heard one of these idiot activists say, "whats in it for us". That summed them up for me, all about expecting something for nothing.

[capricorn]

And DANCE, you mofos!

It's amazing how good quality sweetgrass will fuel your endurance.

[Shady]

When 50,000 tourists come and take a shit in your backyard

Actually, they stay in hotels. Tourists aren't allowed on private property. So your whole premise is bullshit propaganda. They think they own the country, and can dictate to us, whether or not we're allowed to allow tourism in Canada. They can go fuck themselves.

[Sir Bandelot]

Actually, they stay in hotels. Tourists aren't allowed on private property. So your whole premise is bullshit propaganda. They think they own the country, and can dictate to us, whether or not we're allowed to allow tourism in Canada. They can go fuck themselves.

Well thats just your view. But as long as they dance for us at our huge corporate sponsored events, it's not a problem. right?

[Oleg Bach]

Well thats just your view. But as long as they dance for us at our huge corporate sponsored events, it's not a problem. right?

We all do the corporate tango whether we know it or not.

[Sir Bandelot]

As I stated earlier, some (like Shady) will insist that the natives are on their own, shouldn't get any more help from Canada and have no basis to make legal claims. I personally disagree with that, but I don't care to argue that point since it would be a useless waste of time.

But the more you show how much you despise them, the more you back up my claim that natives have very little to do with Canadian culture, because they are only a small minority of people, ignored and even hated by many Canadians. To use them in the show is a pathetic joke. We put them on display for the world, like dancing bears. Yeah, I like that analogy. This was done in atonement for the disputes over land and use of native symbols.

Do you have any idea how anal the Olympic committee is about using their logos, or even putting up an unauthorized sign about the olympics on your private property? People went to JAIL for stuff like that. Still, they have no problem borrowing, and bastardizing the native inukshuk for themselves.

Thats exactly what I'm criticizing. But if you want to make this thread into a shitfest on why you hate natives, go ahead. Thats your thing, dude

[Griz]

All you're really proving here, especially with your posts, is that a good chunk of Canadians are DUMB REDNECKS!!

[Griz]

I missed them myself. And apparently, the only video recording made has been transported to Zurich and buried deep beneath a mountain lest anyone who hasn't paid the proper licencing fee show it on the internet. CTV has a few still pictures on its site, but that's about it.

So I hear there were Indians. Did they take over the field and refuse to let anyone else on?

Fuck the whole damn works of you RETARDED REDNECKS! BUNCH Of lOSERS!! Big tough men behind your keyboards--frickin Arsehole losersssssssssssssssssssss PHONEYY RIGHTWINGERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS--Dream of ways yo wipe out your family for the insurance money you sickoSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[CANADIEN]

Well thats just your view. But as long as they dance for us at our huge corporate sponsored events, it's not a problem. right?

Actually, there were too many of them in his view. After all, First Nations should have ceased to exist a long long time ago and the "Indians" should have disappeared.

[Oleg Bach]

[/size]

Some times the red necks have more class than those supposedly that have class but can not over see the proper construction of a luge run or the good appointment of a Colonel that is not a serial killer...we are not that red neck - the people further up the food chain sitting in padded leather chairs are the real red necks.

[CANADIEN]

Fuck the whole damn works of you RETARDED REDNECKS! BUNCH Of lOSERS!! Big tough men behind your keyboards--frickin Arsehole losersssssssssssssssssssss PHONEYY RIGHTWINGERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS--Dream of ways yo wipe out your family for the insurance money you sickoSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Idiot (ignored)

[Oleg Bach]

The big letter boy must understand those of us at our meger keyboards live what we right. I for one even supply my real name and address to any that want it - can the big letter boy do that?

[Guest American Woman]

.....natives have very little to do with Canadian culture, because they are only a small minority of people, ignored and even hated by many Canadians. To use them in the show is a pathetic joke. We put them on display for the world, like dancing bears. Yeah, I like that analogy. This was done in atonement for the disputes over land and use of native symbols.

Natives, being such a small part of your population, may not have a lot to do with Canadian culture, but they have a lot to do with Canadian history since they were the first inhabitants of Canada, and I'd say it's as important to represent history as it is culture. When I visit another country, I'm every bit as interested in their history as I am their present day culture, and in that respect, I disagree with your view that it's a "pathetic joke" to "use" them in the show.

They weren't "on display like dancing bears." First of all, they have a mind of their own, and as such, can make the decision as to whether they want to be involved or not. And obviously the did. And by doing so, they were showing the world a part of their history/culture, a history/culture which they are proud of. You are looking at it from the "Canadian" point of view, but they weren't doing it for you, they were doing it for themselves, to show Olympic visitors some of their culture and history. And I think it was beautiful.

[Sir Bandelot]

[/size]

All you're really proving here, especially with your posts, is that a good chunk of Canadians are DUMB REDNECKS!!

I never wrote this, and I don't appreciate being misquoted.

Don't start this kind of crap or next time I will report it to the admins.

[Argus]

I for one found the First Nations part of the show cliched, when their was a good opportunity to showcase roday's Aboriginal cultures.

What would today's Aboriginal cultures consist of? Glue sniffing, alcoholism and wife beating?

[CANADIEN]

Natives, being such a small part of your population, may not have a lot to do with Canadian culture, but they have a lot to do with Canadian history since they were the first inhabitants of Canada, and I'd say it's as important to represent history as it is culture. When I visit another country, I'm every bit as interested in their history as I am their present day culture, and in that respect, I disagree with your view that it's a "pathetic joke" to "use" them in the show.

They weren't "on display like dancing bears." First of all, they have a mind of their own, and as such, can make the decision as to whether they want to be involved or not. And obviously the did. And by doing so, they were showing the world a part of their history/culture, a history/culture which they are proud of. You are looking at it from the "Canadian" point of view, but they weren't doing it for you, they were doing it for themselves, to show Olympic visitors some of their culture and history. And I think it was beautiful.

I tend to agree with you, to a point. A good occasion was missed to show the world that First nation cultures are more than dancing and drums... I have mentioned Bufy Ste. Marie and Susan Aglukark, but there many yound talented First Nations artists in ths country that all Canadians (starting with myself, I will admit) should know better.

Sir Bandelot has a point, though. Many of us do not want to know First Nations beyond the clichés, or dismissed them as not worthy to be Canadians. And while the organizers of the opening ceremony were more than happy to show the side of First Nations cultures that makes for good television, this does nothing to break the cyclle of poverty and despair.

[Smallc]

I tend to agree with you, to a point. A good occasion was missed to show the world that First nation cultures are more than dancing and drums.

I don't know where you live exactly, so I don't now if you know this....but I do. Aboriginals like to show off their historical culture. They do it all the time. I'm sure this was as much their decision as it was VANOCs.

[Sir Bandelot]

I'm sure this was as much their decision as it was VANOCs.

We can imagine things based on our personal perceptions and beliefs, and stay happy in that comfortable world, or we can read the news and learn what really happened.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Sir Bandelot

[Smallc]

We can imagine things based on our personal perceptions and beliefs,

And I'm quite sure you know far less about today's aboriginal people than I do.