 Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 1 |
I am constantly amazed at how far out of the water they can propel themselves for shots and blocks.
***********
"Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
I love the summer Olympics!
-David
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767 |
I will not be viewing any of the Olympics, just as I did for our local games 2 years ago - my little protest I guess.
Given the world's dire economic situation where most counties are financially broke, I think that The Olympics have become a needless & costly white elephant.
Greece, an essentially bankrupt country, held the last Summer Olympics & spent billions that they obviously didn't have. How is Greece doing today?
Two years ago in BC we spent over $7 billion that we didn't have on the Winter Games - money that we'll never fully recover. Amazing considering that we are $50+ billion in provincial debt & increasing by the minute; however, we did acquire a nice multi-million dollar Speed Skating Oval Complex & Bob Sled Track that 99% of our population will never see nor set foot into. It's comforting to note, however, that the waiting list for a MRI procedure in BC is about a year - unless you're an athlete or some other elite of course.
The UK has now spent billions that it doesn't have as it too is an economic basket case - & look at the scores of empty seats!
I understand that Toronto is considering applying to hold the 2020 (or so) games - this with Ontario presently being over $200 billion in debt. Give your heads a shake down there.
Its time to rethink this whole Olympic thing. From the arrogance of the IOC elites to the constant widespread cheating including drug enhancement & doping etc, I believe that the games today are largely tainted.
Furthermore, there's the horrific security concerns with their ensuing staggering costs.
Sorry to rain on the multi-billion dollar parade, but it is sure an exorbitantly expensive reason to have a party every couple of years...
TAM
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357 |
I will not be viewing any of the Olympics, just as I did for our local games 2 years ago - my little protest I guess.
Given the world's dire economic situation where most counties are financially broke, I think that The Olympics have become a needless & costly white elephant.
Greece, an essentially bankrupt country, held the last Summer Olympics & spent billions that they obviously didn't have. How is Greece doing today?
Two years ago in BC we spent over $7 billion that we didn't have on the Winter Games - money that we'll never fully recover. Amazing considering that we are $50+ billion in provincial debt & increasing by the minute; however, we did acquire a nice multi-million dollar Speed Skating Oval Complex & Bob Sled Track that 99% of our population will never see nor set foot into. It's comforting to note, however, that the waiting list for a MRI procedure in BC is about a year - unless you're an athlete or some other elite of course.
The UK has now spent billions that it doesn't have as it too is an economic basket case - & look at the scores of empty seats!
I understand that Toronto is considering applying to hold the 2020 (or so) games - this with Ontario presently being over $200 billion in debt. Give your heads a shake down there.
Its time to rethink this whole Olympic thing. From the arrogance of the IOC elites to the constant widespread cheating including drug enhancement & doping etc, I believe that the games today are largely tainted.
Furthermore, there's the horrific security concerns with their ensuing staggering costs.
Sorry to rain on the multi-billion dollar parade, but it is sure an exorbitantly expensive reason to have a party every couple of years...
TAM TAM, I couldn't have said it any better. I wholeheartedly agree. Panem et circenses....
The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116 |
As an avid sports fan I find the olympics to be very....relaxing. So I just try to soak it all up with a gin & tonic as much as possible. I don't concern myself with the politics of the games. I'm just interested in watching the best athletes perform at the highest level from all around the world. I really don't even care about my country winning medals.
For stuff that I enjoy, I just try to maximize my enjoyment out of it.
I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.
-Max Payne
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767 |
I don't care about the politics either. It's the outrageous expenditures of taxpayer funds that have to be borrowed and/or printed to pay for these events that bothers me. Case in point, Montreal finally paid off their $1.5 billion debt for the 1976 Olympic Stadium in 2006 - 30 years!!
Bunch of disqualifications again today - 4 teams of athletes throwing games. Try to win at any cost I guess - disgusting behaviour that is so prevalent...
TAM
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116 |
I try not to lose sleep over taxes either.
If we get them in Ontario, thats fine by me. But I actually enjoy the games.
I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.
-Max Payne
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,471 |
One would think that, if profit and loss were the driving factors, if things boiled down to capitalism in its pure form, and if the games were such a money loser, then, eventually, no cities would bid for them. The market forces would dictate it.
So there must either be some unseen financial gain - dollars pumped into the local economy by tourists at hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. These companies will then employ more people, purchase more goods, and pay more taxes as a result of greater profits. Or perhaps there are the intangibles of having been an Olympic city and the cache that it brings.
Just thinking out loud.
I enjoy the Olympics. Can't wait for the track and field to start.
Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
For stuff that I enjoy, I just try to maximize my enjoyment out of it. Amen to that. And for stuff that I don't enjoy, I try not to dwell upon it. JP, I think the problem is government deficit spending, which fundamentally undermines the market economics angle. There's nothing "we can't afford". And the ego wants to afford the big party.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: London 2012 Summer Olympics
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767 |
Interestingly this very subject was on local talk radio here this morning. The 'expert' guest stated that the number of cities lusting after the games is dwindling. It is deemed to be just not affordable anymore especially given the dire financial situations in which most government entities find themselves.
Enough said by me - enjoy the games....
TAM
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