Anti - Olympic Protestors.

[Bretty]

You say the city isn't paying a dime? Then how come:

"Vancouver-This city's debt rating has been put on watch by Standard and Poor's after the city's mayor said another injection of $458 million needs to be put into the floundering Olympic athletes' village.

In a statement issued yesterday, Standard and Poor's downgraded the city's credit rating from stable to credit watch, a term to indicate the ratings agency is concerned about Vancouver's increased debt load."

And that's just one of the expenses Vancouver is taking on itself.

You lose, good game.

Its funny because you are quoting something you obviously have no understanding of.

Vancouver has risked (this was actually a few months back)that after the games they will be able to sell these houses at a profit. And Considering a 2b2b condo is going for 700,000, right now in Vancouver, I will not be surprised that they do sell for a profit.

Because of this risk S&P put them on the Credit Watch.

So umm a no brainer money maker for the city of Vancouver, a bad thing? I dont think so. So how does this show Vancouver in a huge amount of debt????

Also please before replying to me tell me how financing of the games have changed from Montreal to now. If you cant anwser that I am just not going to keep arguing with you.

The reason it took me so long to say this as I thought you had a modicom of intelligence to understand this without me needing to explain it.

So to reiterate...

Vancouver is risking they will make profit on selling housing that they built for cheap. Yeah totaly bad business decision...... right

 

[PrimoThePro]

I shall share with you some of the wisdom i have gained over the years of my life here.

People are batshit crazy.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
oh man Pod got it right on the money.
these people... have way too much time on their hands.

 

[Lavi]

First of all, I don't actually give two craps about the olympics. Sports are one of the things I'm least interested in and care nothing about - I paid no attention to the ceremonies and I paid even less to the games them selves.

One thing that did interest me about the olympics is the Anti - Olympic protestors. I simply don't understand...Why are people protesting against the olympics? Animals are suffering, people are dying, so why is it people waste their time protesting against a few jocks playing a few games?

BC has little to no Treaties. It is therefore illegal to hold the Olympics on the land without consorting with Elders.

Vancouver also has a massive drug, crime, prostitution, etc problem. It has been throwing people in jail for months to make sure they aren't seen on the streets. So instead of using the money for the Olympics on its problems, it is busy throwing the evidence in jail and having a grand old time.

Not to mention the Olympics is so fucking elitist and nationalistic. Tell me, do you give a fuck about any athlete not of your own country?

 

[Canid117]

Probably just anarchists protesting for the sake of it

 

[Bretty]

Its funny because you are quoting something you obviously have no understanding of.

It's funny because you are doing the exact same thing. =D Vancouver was in a bad state before the Olympics. It had no business taking any of those risks or extra debt. Try harder.

Also, I believe you missed the part where you already lost.

Also, I looked up something. Your little Olympic effect thing was pure bullshit. Only one city has completely made back what it spent on the Olympics, and only two others even came close. All the others got screwed.

Good game. Go home.

Actually I am sorry to say but at then end of the day you lose.

Vancouver held a referendum and the PEOPLE voted for the games. So regardless whether you understand finance at all, which I think you dont. The People of Vancouver wanted the games and the people got it.

And I am sorry but the people of Vancouver no more about this than you do. So jog on...

 

[e2density]

Damn lugers.

Get it, because it sounds like loser, hahah...Too early?

 

[lacktheknack]

Maybe it's because the Olympics cost tax money.

So does EVERY OTHER POINTLESS BIT OF CRAP THE PEOPLE WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO.

Besides, this is Canada, with the tax dollars flowing into every area, why not here? It changes nothing. Just because we don't hold the Olympics doesn't mean that we spend the money properly.

Why are people protesting against the olympics?

Perhaps because it costs millions. I mean, millions that could be spent on people dying or animals suffering but is instead spent on a bunch of sports which are becoming increasingly about politics rather than being a celebration.

And therein lies the rub. Could be =/= Would be.

 

[Dys]

The amount of tax money going into the olympics is absurd. And as others have said "It's just a bunch of jocks playing games". So to recap: the government is pouring millions into sports, rather than, oh I don't know, paving the streets of Vancouver with fucking gold while feeding all of Africa for a year.

The amount of money injected into the economy due to the Olympics being hosted makes that tax money look insignificant, so that's not really a valid reason to protest, unless of course you protest without bothering to learn any of the facts first....oh right, I see how this works.

 

[Bretty]

Nope, sorry. Already lost.

What, because people voted for it, it's automatically right?

People voted for Bush, sir. Just because a majority of people agree on something and vote for it doesn't mean it's good. Your logic is flawed. GG.

Are you 5? At this point I am not even going to argue with you. Your points are so flawed that it truly makes me beleive you have no maturity at all.

"You already lost"? Huh? Troll on.

 

[Irishhoodlum]

The amount of tax money going into the olympics is absurd. And as others have said "It's just a bunch of jocks playing games". So to recap: the government is pouring millions into sports, rather than, oh I don't know, paving the streets of Vancouver with fucking gold while feeding all of Africa for a year.

Except the Olympics are a buisness that provide entertainment for the masses. The same could be said about people who pay to make/develop new video games as opposed to putting all their money into finding a cure for cancer.

The Olympics can afford to spend millions because they MAKE millions from TV contracts, merchandise etc. not to mention what Vancouver is undoubedtly racking in from tourism right now. It's not like all this money is being pulled out of thin air (or their asses, like half these retarded comments).

They are for ENTERTAINMENT. Yes I suppose I spent close to $1000 on a gaming computer when I could have instead thrown it in a random charity that would "help the world" and so could you whenever you buy a new TV or a video game; but you DON'T. The people in Vancouver chose to host the Olmypics so let them. If you don't like it and you're in the minority deal with it or move cause that's how democracy works.

Myself I think the Olympics are fun to watch.

 

[Arkzism]

same thing i told the protesters of the Chinese games. STFU!!!!!!!! just deal with it the games are ment to promote peace between nations, im sorry if you're a native who's being repressed i know this next comment wont make me friends but god damn we won its our land now

 

[Erja_Perttu]

Anti-Olympics? What's the justification?

It doesn't do any damage, it's harmless fun. I mean, I'm not interested much, and I don't know anyone who is, but I can't see why people are opposed to it.

Mind you, these days it seems people are opposed to anything, just for fun.

Well, not so harmless considering someone died this tear on a test run.

Spoiler: snip

The amount of tax money going into the olympics is absurd. And as others have said "It's just a bunch of jocks playing games". So to recap: the government is pouring millions into sports, rather than, oh I don't know, paving the streets of Vancouver with fucking gold while feeding all of Africa for a year.

This,

Snip

Think of the amount of money that goes into what is essentially pointless.

this,

Maybe it's because the Olympics cost tax money.

this,

I'm amazed that not a single person is aware of why these people are protesting the Olympics - I suppose it really is a local issue.

Although I'm no expert on it, I do have a fairly good idea. As some of you may know, Vancouver has one of the WORST homeless problems in North America. The Downtown East side of the city is an extremely impoverished, drug-riddled area, and it's been like this for a long time. The idea that the government isn't doing enough to help this problem has long been a contested issue, but it's really been brought to the forefront in the years leading up to the Olympics. The city has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into projects being built PURELY FOR these two weeks in February, yet when it comes to helping people who actually LIVE in Vancouver, the government always seems strapped for cash.

There a number of other factors too - in a recent article, it was revealed that Vancouver has the most expensive housing market in the entire fucking world. With housing costs already at all-time highs, people are worried about the additional price increases the games may bring, not to mention the tax hikes which are likely to follow the games, considering the MONSTROUS debt the city has taken on. To give you an idea of how huge the debt is going to be, Montreal, who hosted the games in 1976, just finished paying off their Olympic debt two years ago. So yeah, as you can see, there are a shit load of reasons why people are against the games being here, and I personally feel the protestors are fully justified in their opposition.

and this.

Seriously, as a person who lives in BC (and grew up in northern BC for that matter) the amount of money shoveled into the Olympics utterly disgusts me. All those billions of dollars (the Vancouver Sun estimates that more than $6 billion, with $1 billion just for security and the new trade/convention centre EACH, will be the total cost) would have been better spent almost anywhere in the province (say, perhaps, in the north). Let's not forget that millions were paid to already-billion-dollar corporations for advertising. And the whole thing with Vancouver passing bylaws making it illegal to place any advertisements near the game venues that are anti-Olympic, then later altering that bylaw to simply make it illegal to "interfere with someone's enjoyment of Olympic entertainment".

Gross misspending of tax-payer money during economic recession.
More tax money given to billionaire private corporations.
Plans to recoup by cutting social programs, education, and jobs in the working class.
Infringing our freedom of speech.

Yep, nothing to protest at all.

tl;dr The four people quoted above know the score. Everyone else, apparently not.

[edit] And Akalabeth. Nice to see people that actually are at least semi-familiar with the situation are appearing in the topic now.

I can see where this is coming from. As someone living in the UK, host of the next olympics, it's really disheartening to see how deep the governments pockets are when it comes to a world sporting event, and yet when it comes to actually helping people, they just sit in their second houses, chortling into their caviar.

same thing i told the protesters of the Chinese games. STFU!!!!!!!! just deal with it the games are ment to promote peace between nations, im sorry if you're a native who's being repressed i know this next comment wont make me friends but god damn we won its our land now

Firstly, I think you need to think before you type, that spelling and grammar is awful. What are you, five?

Secondly, what most people are annoyed about is that tax money is being spent on sports and not the taxpayers, and that the olympics as a rule leaves its host with a massive debt after it's done. You should read before you type, moron.

 

[Endocrom]

We interupt this pissing match with an urgent bulletin:

I am in love with Madeleine Dupont of the Danish women's curling team.
May a google image search of her face bring peace to this thread.

Hurry Hard!

 

[Bat Vader]

Nope, sorry. Already lost.

What, because people voted for it, it's automatically right?

People voted for Bush, sir. Just because a majority of people agree on something and vote for it doesn't mean it's good. Your logic is flawed. GG.

Are you 5? At this point I am not even going to argue with you. Your points are so flawed that it truly makes me beleive you have no maturity at all.

"You already lost"? Huh? Troll on.

Let's see. You said that if the majority of people in Vancouver voted on it, it can't be wrong. I pointed out why this was flawed, using a well accepted example, aka Bush getting elected president. Twice.

How is this flawed? It proved you wrong. Just because a majority of people agree on something and vote for it, that doesn't make it right. That doesn't make it good for them. Your logic is flawed, and I destroyed it. As I have with all your other points.

You're the only troll here. So, if you'd like to give up and stop 'arguing' with me, then by all means. I accept your forfeit.

How about you both stop arguing and try to have a civil debate instead of insulting one another and calling each other a troll in every post. If you two have different opinions that is great just don't insult each other over the different opinions you two have.

On Topic: In my opinion I think that yes some countries and businesses spend to much on the Olympics. On the other hand though it is nice to see most of the countries in the world competing in good sportsman like conduct.

 

[AcacianLeaves]

It's been said before, but the Olympics tend to cost the host city some money and it usually costs taxpayers something to host it.

That being said, the huge influx of tourism is good for local businesses, it's an international event in which the nations of the world put aside their differences and play together with a good competitive spirit and mutual respect. I love the hell out of the Olympics, it's fun to hear all the stories of all the different athletes and watch the only truly international competition in the world.

Whether you like 'sports' or not, you shouldn't let some weird vendetta against 'jocks' stop you from enjoying some of these awesome events.

 

[Shapsters]

The amount of tax money going into the olympics is absurd. And as others have said "It's just a bunch of jocks playing games". So to recap: the government is pouring millions into sports, rather than, oh I don't know, paving the streets of Vancouver with fucking gold while feeding all of Africa for a year.

I hope you arent being serious?

The games are financed by Companies, McDonalds, Atos, VISA, to name but a few.

Before the games moved to Vancouver the people held a refurendum and overwhelmingly agreed to it.

The only tax money that went into the 2010 Winter games were used to create the tracks in Whistler, Cyprus and Richmond. Now why did they do this? Simple, Richmond now has a Multi Million dollar legacy stadium which all residents can use. It fits Two Olympic Size Ice rinks or 1 rink and 4 tournament size Basketball courts. Not to mention the 5 BLOODY HUGE gyms and rowing facilities in it. I work for VANOC and have seen it.

Oh, and the tracks? Well they can be used almost year round by the constant compititions. And guess what... this brings a shit load of money to these areas YEAR FUCKING ROUND.

Your opinion is so unvalid that it makes me feel sorry your inability to think for yourself.

The games provided not just me a job but 3000+ too. Not to mention the athletes villages which will now be used as cheaper housing for those that need it. How about all the homeless pefab shelters that will be given, from the games, to the city of Vancouver.

I understand the need for people to be free to protest. But when that protest prevents the vetarans a ceremony to show respect to those fighting (for us by the way) and those that have and those that have passed because of it; just makes me angry. Anti Social behaviour is all this was.

Clever people want the games to come to them. Stupid people dont.

Oh and by the way. VANOC just turned down $22million from the Canadian Govt. as they are now in the black (Oh and by the way, a'fucking'gain, any profit that VANOC makes is split evenly between the Cities of BC and the IOC)

I know what you are thinking..... god VANOC is evil... right?

Perhaps because it costs millions. I mean, millions that could be spent on people dying or animals suffering but is instead spent on a bunch of sports which are becoming increasingly about politics rather than being a celebration.

I wont even start on this childishness.

*bows* Oh sir, you are so wonderful, top wonderful for words in fact!

People protest the Olympics because of the economic state of Canada and the homelessness. Who the fuck are they kidding in thinking that if the Olympics weren't here anything would have been different? There would still be homeless people because most of them don't want to be helped and there would still be school/hospital etc closures because thats just the way the government is.

And has anyone ever heard the term, 'You gotta give a little to get a little'? When we put all the money into have OLYMPIC GRADE VENUES like the Richmond Oval and the tracks up in Whistler it brings in such a huge amount of money and infrastructure from athletes all around the world.

Olympic protesters *****, whine and moan. But when it comes down to it they end up enjoying the festivities just as much as anyone else.

 

[Arkzism]

same thing i told the protesters of the Chinese games. STFU!!!!!!!! just deal with it the games are ment to promote peace between nations, im sorry if you're a native who's being repressed i know this next comment wont make me friends but god damn we won its our land now

eh oh well...