Sieg Heil!

I second that Herb.

So many think we live in a democracy.

I wonder if someone were to go to the USA to protest against the SuperBowl, whether they would be detained as well.

If this fellow was known to cause riots, then I would agree with returning him to the USA. But if these are just differences of opinion, and violence is not involved, then this is truly a fascist act as promoted by Vanoc.

We don't need riff raff from foreign countries coming here to protest things that don't concern them.

RUEZ - this is an international event, not a local concern.

Well, History does repeat itself.
You have subversive thoughts ve vill run you out of ze country.

we sure dunt need dem damm ferners coming up here tellin us what! cuz we dont ever go into udder countrys and do dat!

Obviously it isn't nice to disagree with the Olympic circus!
Ya gotta love democracy and free speech!
And keep an eye on Vancouver...we are going to see some pretty scary things happening in the protest department very soon!

Ruez you are right. We have enough idiots right here.

The Olympics are a major exploitation of Atheletes, and Citys and Countrys. Especially taxpayers.

I wouldnt attend these bloody games if I had free tickets, and free accomodation.

They are nothing more than a money maker for the IOC, and a propaganda event for the Governments.

People (sheep) will go to Vancouver in droves, stand in line for hours, dodge traffic like the Key Stone Kops, spend huge amounts of money, and all for what?? To make money for the IOC.


Put the 1936 Olympics in your search engine if you want to see how these games got Politicized.

Funny, I know one of the athletes that has made it to the Olympics and they dont feel exploited at all. On the contrary this is the proudest, most exciting point in their life so far...
If any of these protesters had accomplished anything to be proud of in thier meaningless little existence then maybe they would enjoy thier life a little more.

Amazing it is just fine for the Yankee dictators to stop people entering their country but let CAnada do it and we are all of a sudden the bad guys...grow up people...there is more to this than has been released....and American propaganda to boot I feel, seeing as this story can from them!

Exactly Palopu,but unfortunately, there are far too many people who think it is about sports!
It is not...it is about money,corporate, and political power.
I can't help but wonder how much of our tax dollars simply vanish while holding the Olympics and just whose pockets it ends up in?
I also wonder about the IOC?
Who is paying them off and how much,because they ain't doing this for free!
How did they get so much power considering they are unelected by anyone?
There was a time when it was about AMATURE sports, but that hasn't existed for a very long time.
Funny how people still think it does?
Part of me thinks the Olympics are nothing more than a way for powerful and well connected elitists to help themselves to our tax dollars with no accountability.
Hopefully I am dead wrong about that,but I dunno anymore.

Dragon master you mention democracy. I have never seen a protester yet that was elected. Yet they seem to think that if they don't like something lets disrupt it. That is as far from democracy as it gets. Do I agree with the Olympics Not really but it has been a process that got them to Canada in the First place. In 1998 Vancouver was the city chosen to put in the bid for Canada. At that time the NDP was the elected government. For those of you that are so against the Olympics I would have loved to have heard your comments if The Elected Government of today had canceled the games. Not only would it have been an embarrassment of world wide proportions but I can only image the comments on this page.

Its a fascist celebration from the get go... its all about implimenting fascist norms in our country as an example for the world and really is not about amature sports at all other than to use the sports as a cover to impliment fascist norms.

We are a country that should value free speech and so this kind of activity should outrage any true patriot of freedom and democracy.

Shame on politicians like Gordon Campbell for allowing these kinds of fascist acts to become part of the Olympics in our country.

Charlie no one had a vote on the olympics outside of Vancouver where all th money on venues would be spent. We had no vote in the rest of the province for this provincial expenditure... the ndp may have been involved at the start but they lost the next election and had it gone ahead under the ndp then I'm sure the fascist element would have been toned down a bit for sure and we would probably be talking about unrestrained socialists instead workig hand in hand with the fascist IOC... after all its about enabling power for politicians at the end of the day.

As for protesters that is the foundation of democracy... the right to express an opinion whether shared by you or not, and I for one will defend their right to do that whether you like it or not. Expressing an opinion is not disrupting an event... if it came to that then you arrest the disrupters and not the peacefull protesters... if you don't like it ove to North Korea.

When the Olympics went from amateur status to professional allowing participants to accept money from advertisers is when the games were no longer about sport but a money making venture.

Not only are our tax dollars used to pay for this venture we are hit again as consumers to pay for all the glitz that the ad agencies feed us.
Cheers

If somebody is critical of the olympics - call them meaningless riff raff and send them away.
If you dont like the heat you are taking in parliament - shut it down.
Sure glad I live in a democracy!

I am wondering what the financial gain for Jimmi might be?Did`nt he help bring the Olympics to Van???

Some of you are funny, or perhaps off your medication. Fascist celebration? Get a grip.

"...... if you don't like it ove to North Korea."

Those wild-eyed protesters who stated in the mediathat their goal is to "DERAIL" the Olympics can stay here and try if they can accomplish it and others (just for expressing an opinion - no threat of violence) are asked to (m)ove to North Korea!

Charlie B, I agree 100% with your comment and I too will not call my travel agent on Monday morning!

Cheers! May the Games begin!

Palopu said: "I wouldnt attend these bloody games if I had free tickets, and free accomodation."

I would not either. Much better or TV. Besides, I paid a lot to corporations I buy for and are giving millions to the TV networks the world over.

Diplomat, there is nothing wrong with being for the olympics. Nobody has said that... my position was that if you don't like people having an opposing view (of which we all have on one issue or another), as in having an opinion against the olympics, than maybe you would like it better in North Korea where that kind of mindset has its roots.

Canada is not a fascist country that shuts down peoples freedom of expression because we are having a sporting event... or is it in your world?

You may be caught up in olympic fever, but it gives you and Charlie no right to advocate taking away the rights of other Canadians that don't want to conform to an agenda they don't agree with.

As for the wild eyed people... if they cross the line we deal with it then and we don't smear everyone and everyone else and their rights with the same brush. That's the Canadian way in case you forgot.

Wasn't North Korea that was beat out by Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics. If so then it should of gone to the dear leader and let them have the games. Why not geez

I rather dear leader then dear Harper bla

How's this for irony- from the G&M:
"VANCOUVER - Despite assurances earlier this week it was "retiring" its promotional torch relay video that included footage from a Nazi-associated filmmaker, VANOC was still showing the controversial video this weekend.

On Saturday morning, the video was being shown to torchbearers as they were bussed to their spots along the relay route in Whistler. The group of 13 torchbearers included two members of the IOC and a 14-year old.

Last Wednesday, VANOC announced it would no longer show the controversial video, called Lights Will Guide You Home.

"It’s basically human error," said a VANOC spokesperson. "One of the [torch handlers], because they’ve been doing it for 100 days, might have forgotten. ... It must have been habit."

The video includes footage from Olympia, Leni Riefenstahl’s film about the notorious 1936 Berlin Olympics, hosted by Nazi Germany. Riefenstahl is best known for making the Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will. The Riefenstahl footage used by VANOC includes shots of the 1936 torch relay, an invention of the Nazis as they tried to draw a link between what they considered to be Aryan superiority and the ancient Greek civilization. It also includes a shot of a torchbearer entering the stadium in Berlin. In Riefenstahl’s original film, people in the stadium are seen performing the Nazi salute. VANOC obscured the salute with a black frame for its video.

VANOC’s decision to use the Riefenstahl footage surprised historians and upset the Jewish community, and its announcement that it would no longer show the footage was applauded by the Canadian Jewish Congress.

On Saturday, VANOC was insistent torch handlers had been told to no longer show the video, and that Lights Will Guide You Home would not be shown again. "We will follow up on this one and make sure it’s retired."

Eagleone, I did not think that it was possible for anyone to so grossly misunderstand and misinterpret my comment.



"That's the Canadian way in case you forgot. "

Insults will get you nothing and nowhere.

I shall - you will be relieved to read - stay away from this so-called opinion sharing site because I don't want to share my views in the future with people like you.

CharlieB, you have me confused. Last week you were an ardent supporter of Olympics
& all the windfalls that the event would create. Now you say you don't really agree with the games???
As EagleOne said, protesting is a vital part of our democratic process. Throughout
history we have example after example of
the power of protest. From crushing
Monarchies (France) to iron fisted
Communism (East Germany, China, Russia)
if not for protesters the world would be a far different place.
Next time you want to ridicule someone who has the grapes to get out & stand
up for their beliefs, pick up a history book first. See how protesting has benefitted your life, maybe you won't be so quick to judge.

While not an olympic supporter; I must acknowledge the great public support within the province.

The tourch relay was incredably well attended in both Prince George and Vanderhoof.

The Vancouver Hudson Bay store has lineups to buy olympic goodies.

I would have rather seen the money spent elsewhere - like making Powder King a world class ski hill or just upgrading the many local tracks and playing fields.

However the popular response seems to favour the Olympics. Maybe the debt hangover will change future opinion - but memory seems to fade fast. Look at Quebec City looking for an olympic slot after Montreal's long term debit costs.

Oh well the olympics are here and nothing is going to change in the short term - I'm just glad I don't have a TV and I'm turning off CBC Radio for the next few weeks!!!

Frank

"I must acknowledge the great public support within the province."

sheeple

My experiences by talking to a number of British Columbians from all walks of life that they are not 100% for the Olympics but are like sheep and just go along with it. I found they are fed up with all the commercial hype the way and how we have been dictated to by Vanoc as to what we should eat and wear. After the the 2 week hangover is over we are hit with reality of a big debt. Then you will see the proverbial $ hit the fan. It does take a certain type of individual that is will to put their reputation on the line and stand up to something they are so compassionate about and I respect that. One poster was correct in saying that if it wasn't for people in that past that stood up to injustices of authorities when they strongly believed in cause. As long as it is done peacefully then in a free society we should let them exercise the democratic right. I feel that it is too late to undo the damage that is already done but by speaking out maybe that voice will inform other countries of the downsides to hosting an Olympic event and the IOC conducts business in the future.

Oops I proof read my previous post and reedited it....

My experiences by talking to a number of British Columbians from all walks of life is that they are not 100% for the Olympics but like sheep just go along with it anyway. Most that I have talked to are fed up with all the commercial hype and the way and how we have been dictated to by Vanoc as to what we should eat or wear. After the the 2 week hangover is over and we are hit with reality of a big debt, then you will see the proverbial $ hit the fan. It does take a certain type of individual that is will to put their reputation on the line and stand up to something they are so compassionate about and I respect that. One poster was correct in saying that if it wasn't for people in that past that stood up to injustices of authorities when they strongly believed in causes we would not have the freedoms we have today. Those that appose the protesters should keep that in mind. As long as the protest are done peacefully then in a free society we should let them exercise their democratic right. I feel that it is too late to undo the damage that is already done but by speaking out and exposing the lies maybe that voice will inform other countries of the downsides to hosting an Olympic event and how the IOC conducts business in the future.

Oops I proof read my previous post and reedited it....

My experiences by talking to a number of British Columbians from all walks of life is that they are not 100% for the Olympics but like sheep just go along with it anyway. Most that I have talked to are fed up with all the commercial hype and the way and how we have been dictated to by Vanoc as to what we should eat or wear. After the the 2 week hangover is over and we are hit with reality of a big debt, then you will see the proverbial $ hit the fan. It does take a certain type of individual that is will to put their reputation on the line and stand up to something they are so compassionate about and I respect that. One poster was correct in saying that if it wasn't for people in that past that stood up to injustices of authorities when they strongly believed in causes we would not have the freedoms we have today. Those that appose the protesters should keep that in mind. As long as the protest are done peacefully then in a free society we should let them exercise their democratic right. I feel that it is too late to undo the damage that is already done but by speaking out and exposing the lies maybe that voice will inform other countries of the downsides to hosting an Olympic event and how the IOC conducts business in the future.

Charlie B writes..."Dragon master you mention democracy. I have never seen a protester yet that was elected. Yet they seem to think that if they don't like something lets disrupt it. That is as far from democracy as it gets"

You're absolutely ridiculous. Your statement is completely anti democratic. Protesting is everyones right in this country. To deny anyone the right to protest is completely against democracy.

Politicians are elected and ram their garbage down our throats against our will. That must be the kind of democracy you're into, hey Charlie?

What a joke!!!

Dragon Master you seem to be getting personal. I am sure that every coup started as a protest. Every Four years we have a chance to do our protesting at the polls. Self interest groups that don't get their way at the polls then seem to think it is their democratic right to go against the majority and disrupt. What I am against is when people try to disrupt and event or remember the spiking of trees because they didn't get their way. I do have a question for you, At election time do you get out and support the party that portrays your beliefs by volunteering or do you just bitch about all governments.

diplomat don't let them get too you . I enjoy your comments . Small minds seem to think that if they insult you they are making a valid point.

CharlieB, do you understand how corrupt our current system is? Every 4 years we have a chance to protest at the polls???
OK. I "protested" at the polls at the last
provincial election. The party I voted for
lied to us about the state of our fiscal affairs. They decieved us about a tax they are about to implement against the wishes
of the majority of BC residents. So according to you we should bury our heads in the sand, suck it up & wait until the next election? If everyone in the world had that attitude, we surely would deserve what we would get. Thank god there are people willing to stand up for what they believe in, popular or not.
Yes it is their democratic right to protest. That is the beauty of the democratic system. What you are suggesting
is a path that leads to tyranny, where
only those who toe the party line have a voice. Be careful what you wish for.

Diplomat, I am sorry to see that you were offended. The intention was not to insult you, but rather to illustrate a point. I must have struck a sore spot and the point was missed. I see now why you don't like opposing opinions. I have no idea who you are, so wouldn't have anything personal to say only the topic under discussion, which was my intention.

If you do come back I would suggest not taking anything a person says in a forum like this personally, because people are not always going to agree and for the most part that is a healthy thing... also I believe when a person does insult another on a forum like this it reflects poorly more on the person doing the insulting, than the person who it is directed at... so in your eyes that would make me a jackass and I'm ok with that even though I don't think I insulted you in my comment.

Hey Diplomat. If that is all I had to worry about,I'd be laffin'. Go to the thicker skin store and get yer self some. Worked fer me.

It is nice to see that none of the contributors to this ( OPINION ) site are stooping to insults against fellow opinionators ( as the site moderators have requested a time or three ) Still, it makes for interesting reading. I like the one about the thicker skin store, that's my kinda humour.
metalman.