quote:

Originally posted by shavez:

But I definitely don't understand why Oprah (agree) and Obama (disagree) were involved in the Chicago bid...

Because the world likes Obama, duh. And, America thinks the world knows or cares who Oprah is.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
Rugby, and Golf in 2016 .
A nice cash cow. Now, I wonder how they can drag out a Tiger-lead tournament for three weeks?

Mens only. No female golfers

If only they played like the original olympians. Nude

quote:

Originally posted by shavez:
And yes, cities have actually made money off the Olympics (in fact, wasn't LA the first to do so?).

Yes, LA made a profit...

quote:

Originally posted by FL Wino Spouse:
Mens only. No female golfers

If only they played like the original olympians. Nude

Ummm...no thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:

quote:

Originally posted by shavez:

But I definitely don't understand why Oprah (agree) and Obama (disagree) were involved in the Chicago bid...

Because the world likes Obama, duh. And, America thinks the world knows or cares who Oprah is.

Yes the world likes Obama. The world probably also thinks he's got more important things to do with his time....

quote:

Originally posted by shavez:

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:

quote:

Originally posted by shavez:

But I definitely don't understand why Oprah (agree) and Obama (disagree) were involved in the Chicago bid...

Because the world likes Obama, duh. And, America thinks the world knows or cares who Oprah is.

Yes the world likes Obama. The world probably also thinks he's got more important things to do with his time....

Did you happen to notice that ALL four countries in the finals had their leaders go make last minute pitches? I don't see why the world would find it unusual or inappropriate for Obama to make an appearance. The time commitment was minimal.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:

quote:

Originally posted by shavez:

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:

quote:

Originally posted by shavez:

But I definitely don't understand why Oprah (agree) and Obama (disagree) were involved in the Chicago bid...

Because the world likes Obama, duh. And, America thinks the world knows or cares who Oprah is.

Yes the world likes Obama. The world probably also thinks he's got more important things to do with his time....

Did you happen to notice that ALL four countries in the finals had their leaders go make last minute pitches? I don't see why the world would find it unusual or inappropriate for Obama to make an appearance. The time commitment was minimal.

That's right, and I find it unusual for all countries. I guess, as someone else mentioned, this process has become really political, so if one country starts using this approach others are bound to follow.

Anyway, look, I'm not trying to start a fight here. I just think world leaders have more important things to spend their time on. And I wish the Olympic bids could be judged on their merits, and not be influenced by a celebrity popularity contest.

. It's okay to agree to disagree on this one. I love the Olympics, probably more than most people here, and always look forward to planting myself in front of the tube (or occasionally attending) for three week every four years (plus a little of the winter games).

quote:

Originally posted by shavez:


That's right, and I find it unusual for all countries. I guess, as someone else mentioned, this process has become really political, so if one country starts using this approach others are bound to follow.

Anyway, look, I'm not trying to start a fight here. I just think world leaders have more important things to spend their time on. And I wish the Olympic bids could be judged on their merits, and not be influenced by a celebrity popularity contest.

Shavez, your points are well taken.

Obama did not do this for the United States, he did it for Chicago, clearly. He would not have considered the time or effort for say... Houston.

I agree, Obama needs to focus on getting something major passed through the House during his first year in office, as history shows the second year is always more difficult with the Mid-Term elections looming. We can not afford a first year failure, which may happen.

In short, STOP campaigning for goodness sakes, and START governing.

Politics aside, the 2016 Olympics are where they should be, in South America.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
. It's okay to agree to disagree on this one. I love the Olympics, probably more than most people here, and always look forward to planting myself in front of the tube (or occasionally attending) for three week every four years (plus a little of the winter games).

IB, are you going to Vancouver?

If so, make sure to contact DoktaP, he is attending.

I believe that U.S. Olympic pride is a myth, for the most part. Without the juxtaposition of the (former) Soviet Union, do the majority of Americans really care about international athletic competition? A gymnastics meet with the Chinese garners no interest from me.

Additionally, it was difficult to believe that Chicago merited any special attention, considering that a complete commitment was only demonstrated by those that stood to gain something (other than medals).

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
. It's okay to agree to disagree on this one. I love the Olympics, probably more than most people here, and always look forward to planting myself in front of the tube (or occasionally attending) for three week every four years (plus a little of the winter games).

Well, we certainly agree on one thing. I love the Olympics too, winter and summer. If I ever get the chance to attend, I will jump at it (I hear Munich may be bidding for the 2018 winter games...).

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
. It's okay to agree to disagree on this one. I love the Olympics, probably more than most people here, and always look forward to planting myself in front of the tube (or occasionally attending) for three week every four years (plus a little of the winter games).

IB, are you going to Vancouver?

If so, make sure to contact DoktaP, he is attending.

Nah, one of my co-workers is. Lots of mouths to feed unfortunately. I may need to change employers to see another Olympics in the near future.

As far as Obama, I do believe that he would have made his sales call had it been Houston or any other domestic city. As is documented, Obama was not the only head of state who made a similar 11th hour appeal. Even with the occasional scandal, the Olympics are a beautiful set of competitions and a source of pride worldwide for countries fortunate enough to send a medalist. Anyone who's spent any real time at an Olympics knows. If you don't like them, don't watch them. They're obviously not for everybody.

quote:

Originally posted by indyb0b:
Because the world likes Obama, duh.

Only 52% of Americans do, duh, and that number is plummeting rapidly.

I don't see why the world would find it unusual or inappropriate for Obama to make an appearance. The time commitment was minimal.

Like his accomplishments.