The Party's Over

[grammafreddy]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... le1486172/

[NAB]

An interesting perspective..

"In these Olympics, Canadians only paid attention to Canada"

""VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- After a spirited torch relay ignited pride in every corner of the country, the Olympic Games began and quickly galvanized the nation.

Flags were everywhere. The country's national symbol hung from windows and was worn on nearly everyone's clothing.

Fervent crowds cheered every victory by the host nation.

But enough about the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

At the opening of these Olympic Winter Games more than two weeks ago, Vancouver organizers expressed the hope that they could show the world a truly "Canadian Games."

That they succeeded in that, there is little doubt.

For 17 days we were barraged with Canadian flags, rode buses and trains with people in sweatshirts and jerseys adorned with Canadian maple leafs, and were serenaded at venues by Canadian spectators, lustily cheering for Canadian athletes.

The first Olympics I ever attended were also in Canada, the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal. For a kid not long out of college, it was a profound experience, seeing Lasse Viren, Alberto Juantorena, Nadia Comaneci-- the athletes of the world -- on the sporting world's grandest stage.

One of the speakers at that Olympics used a phrase that lingers with me still: the family of man.

There is no earthly event that reinforces that notion as well as an Olympic Games. For all of the latter-day Games' inherent commercialism, that ideal persists. I truly believe that.

It persists, despite the overwhelming chauvinism of the past two weeks.

They showed us Canadian Games, all right. And in most cases, nothing but Canadian Games.

Full article and comments:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/28 ... gger-topic

[rookie314]

An interesting perspetive? What that reports are idiots. Didn't need the link to prove that.

Gee the Olympics were in Canada, shown on a Canadian network by Canadian reporters. What did you expect? Your comparisons to Montreal were moronic. Nadia Comaneci made 10's in gymnastics, Canadian's won zero Golds. Who were they supposed to talk about in Vancouver? How about the country that set the record for the most Golds ever in a Winter Olympics. What a waste of newsprint.

[Urbane]

And that comes from Texas Nab? Hilarious. We show a little pride and wear our patriotism on our sleeve a bit and get that sort of reaction. The winners of the World Series are always described as world champions even though the U.S. doesn't dominate anymore in international baseball competitions and we keep hearing about the U.S. having the best healthcare in the world even though their health outcomes are way below that of other countries, including Canada, but somehow we're the blowhards. Funny how that works. Of course we're going to focus on our athletes just as NBC focused on American athletes. What a stupid article!

[NAB]

And that comes from Texas Nab? Hilarious. We show a little pride and wear our patriotism on our sleeve a bit and get that sort of reaction. The winners of the World Series are always described as world champions even though the U.S. doesn't dominate anymore in international baseball competitions and we keep hearing about the U.S. having the best healthcare in the world even though their health outcomes are way below that of other countries, including Canada, but somehow we're the blowhards. Funny how that works. Of course we're going to focus on our athletes just as NBC focused on American athletes. What a stupid article!

Ya Urbane. It appears to be a Texas rag. Don't know where the author calls home however. Whether one agrees with him or not, it do point out that pride can have a price (cost?), particularly if it is perceived as excessive. But comparing the Vancouver Olympics to the 1936 Games in Nazi Germany certainly startled me.

Nab

[Queen K]

I recall the Summer Games in LA, CA. One would have never known another Nation was there if it were for the Gold won by other Countries.

Pot Meet Kettle.

Also, Too bad the writer of that article failed to acknowledge that Canada gave a minute's silence to a young Georgian athlete who had died a day before, to honour that he came here to compete.

[Urbane]

I sense some jealousy on the part of the writer of that article. Canada has earned a lot of respect around the world and long before the Olympics came along. All the adulation during the Olympics was just too much for this guy to handle.

[Cateyes]

I sense some jealousy on the part of the writer of that article. Canada has earned a lot of respect around the world and long before the Olympics came along. All the adulation during the Olympics was just too much for this guy to handle.

[Al Czervic]

I recall the Summer Games in LA, CA. One would have never known another Nation was there if it were for the Gold won by other Countries.

Pot Meet Kettle.

Also, Too bad the writer of that article failed to acknowledge that Canada gave a minute's silence to a young Georgian athlete who had died a day before, to honour that he came here to compete.

I am with Queenie on this one. There was a standing ovation from the crowd at BC Place for the Georgian team, Flags flying at half mast. Comments made in the closing ceremonies. An official statement from the Premier, John Furlong and Roqque.

As far as being all about ourselves....when American Colbert arrived Canadian’s embraced him and came out in droves and it was all over Canadian media – where was the US reporter then?
When the Canadian made Olympia ice machines broke down the Canadian media was front and center broadcasting how the American made Zamboni had to get trucked in from Calgary to save the day.

When the American 4 man bobsled team won the gold and set a new track record once again it was the Canadian media and fellow bobsled drivers that broadcast what a great job the American’s had done.

How many times did you hear sympathy broadcast for Team USA GM Brian Burke and the tragic loss of his son ? And how well he had performed under such difficult circumstances.

As for Lindsey Vonn Canadian media reported at length about her “injury” much as we reported at length about her “spat” with her team mate Jill Mancuso. I could go on and on but I think that reporter was out to lunch and not watching the same games I was watching.

Look at all the PR that was given for the red haired kid that won the Snowboard ½ pipe.....on and on American coverage went and I didn’t even watch NBC coverage...

[Captain Awesome]

It persists, despite the overwhelming chauvinism of the past two weeks.
Full article and comments:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/28 ... gger-topic

Why even bring someone's idiotic perspective in here.

[Queen K]

It persists, despite the overwhelming chauvinism of the past two weeks.
Full article and comments:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/28 ... gger-topic

Why even bring someone's idiotic perspective in here.

Agreed. We have enough perspectives here to choke a Beaver.

[Cateyes]

It persists, despite the overwhelming chauvinism of the past two weeks.
Full article and comments:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/28 ... gger-topic

Why even bring someone's idiotic perspective in here.

Because they disagreed with you or because they did not include any of these smiley icon thingys>> ??

[Captain Awesome]

Because they disagreed with you or because they did not include any of these smiley icon thingys>> ??

Well, I do have tolerance for idiotic opinions (hint, hint, smile, smile) but then Nab brings in more of it. Even I have limits!

[NAB]

Ya just gotta love it when everyone's opinions are deemed "idiotic" except your own or those of folk who agree with you. I guess the Olympics induced phoney love in for your fellow man is truly over, and all that is left is getting rid of the hangover produced by drinking too much of the spiked Olympic KoolAid.

This thread is entitled "The Party's Over", so if ya want to continue peddling optimism and happy days take it to one of those threads where you can discuss to your hearts content with only those who see it your way.

Nab

[Liberty and Truth]

This thread is entitled "The Party's Over", so if ya want to continue peddling optimism and happy days take it to one of those threads where you can discuss to your hearts content with only those who see it your way.

Nab

were it actually the case - post anything postive on other threads and the Black Cloud Gang descends upon you with their standard blathering about "who is going to pay" garbage. If everyone stays on their own threads, then yeah, fine - I'd be happy to let you guys have a giant bag of rain party over on this thread. Doesn't seem to work out that way unfortunately.