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Tag: 2010 Olympics

The following was forwarded to us and we felt it worthy of sharing (source unknown…)

So we’re not perfect!

We never claimed to be perfect.
That means we’ve learned to be humble.
We say excuse me and I’m sorry…as well as please and thanks.
Even when its not our fault we apologize.
 
Sure, one arm of the torch didn’t rise,
But when the earthquake struck Haiti, Canadians raised their hands to say…”we’ll help”

And yah, there is a fence around the flaming torches,
But you can walk right up and shake hands with our politicians and most famous Canadians.
 
We put Gretzky in the back of a pick-up, in the rain, not surrounded by police…and he was okay.
By the way… the great one is Canadian…and HE wasn’t complaining!

We do have security at the games, of course, but most people don’t even have a gun they must leave at home.

The medals ARE under lock and key but our doors and our hearts are open to the world.

It has been pointed out that some buses broke down last week….but let’s not overlook the fact that our banking system didn’t.

We didn’t get the “green ice maker” right this time….but we will –  eventually.

Just like we did when we invented the zamboni.

Citius altius fortius
 - The Olympic Motto

If you don’t reach higher how do you get faster and stronger ?

Was the first quad jump perfect?

Should we not have given snowboarding to the world “in case” it didn’t take off?

So, big deal…one out of four torch arms didn’t rise.  Good thing we had three more!  It’s called contingency planning!

But remember…the Canadarm works every time…in outerspace….and insulin turned out to be okay.

We couldn’t change the weather but maybe we can help stop global warming.

We don’t have the tax base of the US or the power of the Chinese but, per capita, we ponied up for some pretty kick-ass venues in one of the the worst global recessions ever .

Sure, some folks couldn’t afford tickets but our health care is universal.

We have shown the world that we can raise our voices in celebration and song but moments later stand in silence to respect a tragic event

…together..spontaneously…and unrehearsed.

What’s more,  we don’t need permission from anyone to have a slam poet, fiddlers with piercings and a talented lesbian singer tell our story to the world while our multilingual female Haitian- born, black, head of state shares a box with her first nations equals. 

We’ve shown the world that it doesn’t always rain in Vancouver, that you can strive for excellence but not get hung up on perfection.

And we’ve learned what it feels like to be picked on by some no name ink-stained newspaper kvetcher, and we don’t have to take it lying down!

So the point is it is not the snow, (or lack of it) the hydraulics, or a couple guys being 5 minutes late to a ceremony.

We know we’re lucky that these are the biggest problems we had to deal with in the last couple weeks.

So take your cheap shots….Guardian newspaper and cynics of the world…

We’re bigger and better than that.

Late yesterday afternoon the police asked or forced or whatever the liquor stores in the downtown of Vancouver to close early. Their rationale was that Friday night’s revellers were getting a little too rowdy and borderline out of control. So in a preemptive move, the police closed the liquor stores early on Saturday.

Now make note that the bars, clubs and restaurants of the downtown stayed open and continued to serve alcohol. People were free to enjoy alcohol at those venues. Places where you have to go in, sit down, or at least settle in, before you can drink. Often, but not always, food is served with the alcohol.

Then yesterday in the twitterverse (did you know you can follow us on Twitter? @theleftcoastca) the conversation turned to “Vancouver is no-fun city” due to the fact that the liquor stores were closed.

The police reported that there were significant numbers of young people entering liquor stores, buying alcohol and then going back out, drinking their purchases right outside the store, in public and then going back in to buy more. They also reported numerous cases of public drunkenness.

Now I have been to Las Vegas and New Orleans where alcohol is openly consumed in public. Of course the Quarter gets pretty wild and Las Vegas, well, what happens there stays there, so I can’t say much about that, but I have never seen the crowds get ugly and out of control.

In Vancouver, every festival that we have where alcohol is served seems to be taken over by a group of young yobs who simply cannot handle their booze, get wildly drunk, and then out of control. So the police limit access to the bulk buying of alcohol. Does that make us a “no-fun city”?

I hardly think so. Anybody care to add to this discussion?

Robson Street during Vancouver Olympics 2010

Robson Street during Vancouver Olympics 2010

Take notice on our blogroll that we have addded a link to BC Mary’s blog, The Legislature Raids. This is a British Columbian who has followed the “BC Rail” trial since day one and will likely (I have no doubt about this) follow it to whatever conclusion it comes to. Pop in and visit BC Mary’s blog and have a look at her latest photo post of the Olympic Cauldron.

Mayor Gregor Robertson walked up to the podium, took out his iphone and told the gathered media to “Say cheese.” He snapped a photo of the audience and said, “We are all media.” And with that he welcomed the non-accredited media to the W2 Media Centre.

Typically the accredited media have a comparatively luxurious centre to work in and broadcast the Olympic Games from, the non-accredited media often have nowhere other than coffee shops from which to work…to read more of this article, visit my Political Junkie blog on the Vancouver Observer. Feel free to leave a comment, we value your feedback and insights.

This morning there are protesters on the Lion’s Gate Bridge. The purpose of their protest is “Justice for Fathers.” Whatever…it is what it is. The protest is a disruption, an inconvenience and an annoyance. But it is peaceful. It is getting the world media’s attention. It is “effective.”

There is nothing wrong with protesting. There is nothing wrong with inconveniences and annoyances.

What took place downtown Vancouver was not a protest. That was outright thuggery and destruction. And there is no place in our society for fringe groups to hijack legitimate protests for the simple aim of acting like thugs. Thuggery is not protest. It is criminal behaviour that deserves a vigourous police response.

If you want to protest, do so. If you want to be a thug, get out of our city. NOW.

I have had a significant number of emails letting me know that people are not on Twitter and they have heard rumours of the Tweets I did during the Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics from my VIP seats. As a courtesy, I have compiled, in the most orderly way possible, the tweets and posted them below. Enjoy.

  1. @raincoaster We’re there for you. I’ve heard the greatest Canadian, a hologram of Tommy Douglas is the final torch bearer.  
  2. RT @rickmercer: NBC reports Michael J Fox’s mom Betty is a fav to light torch because the actor ran across Canada for Cancer. 7:44 AM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  3. @CathyBrowne They do sports at the Olympics as well? This is even bigger than I thought!! 7:51 AM Feb 12th from TweetDeck in reply to CathyBrowne
  4. Cayman Islands is in the Winter Olympics…for Alpine Skiing? Riddle me that!! #VO2010 6:30 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  5. Czech Republic uniforms…wow!! Turn them down!! #VO2010 6:33 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  6. RT @KyeGrace: Amongst all the #van2010 excitement let us not overlook a come from behind win by the #Canucks over the #Bluejackets 4-3 #NHL 6:36 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  7. Thank you Georgia for showing up in spite of the horrible loss. Canada respects you tremendously. #VO2010 6:39 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  8. Ghana for the Alpine Skiing!! What a riot!! #VO2010 6:42 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  9. Sucks to be Wayne Cox and the Global news crew tonight. #VO2010 6:43 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  10. The Indo-Canadian community in Vancouver supported the Indian team by supplying uniforms and equipment. Cool!! #VO2010 6:46 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  11. RT @johnbiehler: Ed Robertson just leaked to the @Hockey_House that Bubbles(TPB) is igniting the Olympic Cauldron 6:47 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  12. Very fashionable uniforms for the Italian team. Nicely done. #VO2010 6:48 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  13. @hummingbird604 Betty Fox with a hand off from a hologram of Terry Fox would be a real show stopper. #VO2010 6:53 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck in reply to hummingbird604
  14. RT @BobSongs: Raising a glass of Scotch in toast to #Nodar #Vancouver2010 #RIPNodar 6:54 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  15. I find it so freaking hot in BC Place I don’t know how that snow on the floor is not melting. #VO2010 6:59 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  16. Norway chickie….#HELLO 7:00 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  17. @hummingbird604 I’ve had more than a few lump in the throat moments today. #ProudtobeCanadian #VO2010 7:01 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck in reply to hummingbird604
  18. @BobSongs Is it true that 30 Russians in those uniforms failed drug tests? #VO2010 7:05 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck in reply to BobSongs
  19. @AnthonyFloyd Canadians on roids? 7:06 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck in reply to AnthonyFloyd
  20. That Swede guy has the old Steve Nash hair cut!! #VO2010 7:09 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  21. @marcmcpherson I was praying that SOMEONE would notice the massive four penises on the floor! #VO2010 I didn’t want to be first… 7:12 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck in reply to marcmcpherson
  22. Hello MR VP Joe Biden and the USA team. #VO2010 7:12 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  23. @OnlineStrategy Are those the actors from the Sponge towel commercials? 7:13 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck in reply to OnlineStrategy
  24. Is that red-haired snowboarder one a male or female? Team USA. #VO2010 7:14 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  25. RT @hummingbird604: I am going to cry seriously. Canada I love you Go Canada Go!!! 7:15 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  26. Does it get any better than this!! TEAM CANADA #VO2010 7:15 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  27. Clara Hughes rocks the show. #VO2010 7:17 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  28. OMIGAWG did anyone else see that beard!! Stereotypically Canadian #VO2010 7:18 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  29. Nelly!! My goodness. #VO2010 7:20 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  30. Bryan Adams seems to enjoy being on stage with Nelly Furtado. #VO2010 7:21 PM Feb 12th from TweetDeck
  31. Good work by Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams. Good not great. Dress; great. #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  32. Please no more ice-fishing!! #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  33. @raincoaster Snow bats. about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to raincoaster
  34. Omigawd…more fiddling. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  35. Bear-like water balloon! #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  36. RT @StAlison: Shatner shoulda hosted this about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  37. Cultural component…hmmm… #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  38. Symbolic of what is happening on Cypress Bowl. Snow retreating. #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  39. @hummingbird604 Sinatra said; “The bigger the better the tighter the sweater.” Same for Nelly’s dress. #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to hummingbird604
  40. Sarah sings one and asks for a small donation to help the SPCA. #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  41. Sorry folks, stepped out for a beer and hotdog. What just happened? It all looks diffrent? #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  42. The ice seems to have melted. #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  43. Fiddling? WTF #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  44. Why is Batman fiddling in a canoe? #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  45. The bat theme Olympics!! I got it!! #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  46. RT @JackWalkinshaw: This is a lot like an episode of Lost. Without the mystic. about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  47. Scottich whores have taken over the stage. Please come back Batman!! #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  48. Scottish, not Scottich. about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  49. Great all the dirty pervy types digging the short plaid skirts. #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  50. Fiddlers in mohawks….good lord. #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  51. Okay…did someone change the channel to So You Think You Can Tap Dance? #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  52. I’m done. Ashley MacIsaac. I give up. #VO2010 about 24 hours ago from TweetDeck
  53. @Zoeyjane Absolutely FUCKING bizarro. I would have run the show by an un-stoned focus group to see what they had to say. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to Zoeyjane
  54. @Zoeyjane The Shatner is the guy who will light the torch tonight; http://bit.ly/9tF9Mh about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to Zoeyjane
  55. Cool wheat field. Hope we don’t lose another to the rafters. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  56. RT @ikolic: RT @michaeleckford It looks like they compromised with the olympic protesters by letting them perform a dance number. about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  57. Anything on Food Network right now? #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  58. Crowd thinking, “I paid $$$$ for this?” #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  59. Ironically Spiderman is on Global right now. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  60. Same technology will prepare Cypress for skiing competition. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  61. RT @lorene1voice: Inside Harper’s head: “When do Oil Sands get it’s dramatic musical montage as seen through the eyes of a young child?” about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  62. The words I was waiting for, “As this segment comes to a close…” #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  63. Is that my MOM on stage? #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  64. The only place where poetry packs the house. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  65. What is that other language faintly French sounding that John Furlong is using? #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  66. Cue the music to drown out John Furlong. Yawn. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  67. @trishussey Is that what he was doing? French? Really? Hmmm…he did not look comfortable on that stage. about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to trishussey
  68. @rjdempsey Bring back Batman in that canoe. about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to rjdempsey
  69. Why in French first? I swear she just declared a thumb war. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  70. KD Lang…oh YES!! #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  71. Is that Michael Buble or kd lang? #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  72. The highlight so far; kd lang. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  73. Betty Fox is in the house…does she have a lighter? #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  74. Does that singer’s hair have its own agent? My GAWD!! #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  75. Michael J Fox in his Delorean to light the cauldron? #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  76. Rick Hansen rolls in with the flame. #VO2010 about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  77. Hand off to Catriona Lemay Doan. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  78. Now Steve Nash #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck   
  79. Now Nancy Greene #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  80. And then to Wayne Gretzky #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  81. WHY FRENCH FIRST!!! #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  82. Is this going to be team light my fire? #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  83. Steve Nash looks concerned that the snow falling around the flame is burning. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  84. The cauldron won’t come out of the floor! Terrible. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  85. Some mechanic is shitting bricks right now. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck   
  86. Now that is hurting. Poor woman standing there with a torch. I hope she gets a refund. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck   
  87. Now the doors won’t open!! Gretzky cannot leave the Dome!! #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck   
  88. Canada’s first loss at the podium…the cauldrom refuses to rise. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck   
  89. RT @Clippernolan: Does Gretzky have to take a CAB? #Van2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  90. That flame is getting weak! #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  91. I can’t believe they have to drive to Newton to light the other cauldron. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  92. Some irony in the fact that Rick Hansen is in a wheelchair after falling out of the back of a pickup truck. Gretzky now standing in back of a pickup. about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  93. Ed Hardy thugs chasing Gretzky. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  94. Driver thought they said Kelowna, not cauldron so now Gretzky is en route to Kelowna. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck  
  95. @imagicaitlyn That is BC Place….big tv screen over head in VIP lounge about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to imagicaitlyn  
  96. Gretz just lobbed the extra spliff into the crowd! #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  97. @24hoursvan Don Cherry sold him some Cold FX. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to 24hoursvan   
  98. The indoor cauldron uses the same technology as the Toyota accelerator pedal. #VO2010 about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck 
  99. KaerusGrp No negatives tonight. Some amusing choices but AWESOME overall. about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to KaerusGrp
  100. @CTVOlympics Really poor choice to show luge death scene again. RT PLS Peeps. Let them know it is poor choice to rebroadcast death scene. about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  101. RT @girlinthehedge: @CTVOlympics Seriously, stop now, please. #lugevideo about 21 hours ago from TweetDeck
  102. And with that, I prepare to head out into the rain post-Olympic opening ceremonies. Been a blast, other than the cauldron failure. #vo2010 about 21 hours ago from txt.

The highlight of the opening ceremonies for me was the slam poet Shane Koyczan. Even now, when I hear his reading or read it myself I get a lump in my throat and my pride for Canada grows stronger. To read it yourself, visit the Vancouver Sun for a transcript of his words. Feel the pride!

I have not copied Shane’s words here because I am not yet sure of the copyright issues. Once I have that straightened away, I will post his words…if I am legally able to do so.

Premier Gordon Campbell issued the following statement today on the death of Georgian athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili today in Whistler: 

“On behalf of all British Columbians, I want to extend our deepest condolences to the people of Georgia and to the family and teammates of Nodar Kumaritashvili in the wake of this terrible accident.

“The loss of a gifted, talented young athlete training for the opening of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games is heartbreaking for people around the globe.

“We all want to see athletes compete hard and succeed in their chosen sports, but at the same time our paramount concern is always for their safety and health.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Nodar’s loved ones during this tragic time.”

Today COPE unveiled what they call the Oppressometer to gauge the level of oppression that is taking place in Vancouver in the days leading up to the 2010 Olympics and for use during the Olympics. Keep in mind that COPE is affectionately known as the Committee Opposed to Practically Everything.

According to the COPE press release, the site is “a tongue-in-cheek take on the US Homeland Security threat levels, documenting civil liberty concerns in the months leading up to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver”.