World doesn't care for our new attitude

[HeresyLives]

World doesn't care for our new attitude

Apparently it's OK if Canada kicks butt, we just can't talk about it

By Cleve Dheensaw, Times ColonistFebruary 17, 2010 8:09 AM

The world has seen the new Canada. It likes the old one better.

The early reviews of British Columbia's and Canada's 2010 Winter Olympics are in and many of them are scathing.

Taxpayers from Duncan to Dawson Creek may have paid $7 billion for a PR disaster. Visiting media don't seem to like that the former quiet pride Canadians took in their achievements has been replaced by something more bellicose and jingoistic.

"Their highly unpleasant Own the Podium program ... has alienated the world they are supposed to play host to. Getting ugly about it is neither necessary nor appropriate," wrote the Times of London.


http://www.canada.com/sports/2010wintergames/World+media+impressed+with+Canadian+attitude/2575639/story.html

[HeresyLives]

1. Might It Possibly Be OK If We Kick Some Ass?

Might It Possibly Be OK If We Kick Some Ass?
Why the world finds Canada's quest for Olympic gold strange and adorable.
By Dahlia Lithwick
Posted Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, at 7:02 AM ET



With the Winter Olympics opening this past weekend in Vancouver, the great big story from the Great White North is that Canada is really, truly, finally done with being Mr. Nice Guy/Gal/Person of Niceness. Having failed to score a hometown gold medal in either the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal or the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary, Canada unloosed a $118 million project called "Own the Podium."

In addition to offering gold medal winners $20,000 apiece, Canada has devoted millions to win a little Olympic bling. This has generated great astonishment around the world as reporters, accustomed to images of Canada as the world's great frost-encrusuted doormat, have been forced to contend with the newly aggressive Canuck mindset. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, eh?



http://www.slate.com/id/2244692/pagenum/all/#p2

[polly7]

2. While I don't know how much we as taxpayers support our

own Olympians compared to corporate sponsors, I do know that many countries give their winners bonuses of thousands of dollars. We certainly aren't the first, so why would that be something else to complain about?

"U.S. athletes can also earn a “medal bonus” from the U.S. Olympic committee for each medal won. The U.S. pays American medal winners $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze medals. Some countries, though not all, pay athletes similar medal bonuses. The highest I found is Russia. This year Russia raised Olympic medal awards to $100,000 for gold, $60,000 for silver, and $40,000 for bronze."

http://www.moneyunder30.com/how-much-do-olympic-athletes-earn-unless-youre-michael-phelps-not-enough

[HeresyLives]

3. It's not the money, it's the 'tude.

And not just at the games but with Copenhagen, Davos, Beijing, Afghanistan etc.

Political payback time.

[polly7]

4. You're probably right.

I can completely understand the attitude against us concerning Afghanistan and Copenhagen. Davos, Beijing? You'll have to explain those to me. Using the fact our athletes get bonuses when others have gotten them for years is telling ....... hypocrital and petty. I was just hoping the 'world' could do as it has for other Games and put politics aside to let all those who've devoted their lives to what bring enjoyment to millions could also do it here. Screw em. If they want to demonize us for our Harper disaster, maybe they all need to take a look at their own policies that have hurt so many. I guess Karma will dictate their political payback time, though I hope it's not against an Olympic event anywhere.

[Spazito]

5. Actually, the 'world' could care less about 'tude', the rabid right wing...

media, on the other hand, seems to have an obsession which is, in itself, interesting. I believe Great Britain has the Summer Games in 2012, in London (foggy, smoggy London) and I can't wait for their same media hoopla then.

I have seen Canadian fans, Canadian media celebrate not only Canadian winners but those from the other countries as well.

I despise the Harper cabal as much, if not more, than anyone else but to slime the Olympics and Canada's 'tude' is beyond ridiculous, imo.

[polly7]

6. You are right.

The pictures show happy, involved fans cheering on everyone, it seems. CTV is doing a great job of covering all of the athletes, not just Canadians. It's a world event which just happens to be held in Canada. Let's for once just give each other a break and celebrate how hard these athletes are all trying.

[HeresyLives]

7. The world is the one criticizing. Canadians aren't.

[Spazito]

8. You aren't Canadian?!?

You have done your fair share of complaining yet, I believe, you are, indeed, Canadian. The world ISN'T complaining, a couple of right-wing rags from Britain have written a few articles does NOT equate to the 'world'.

The Canadian media, the infotainment captains, are regurgitating what these few rags are saying not because they really care but because it makes for 'good' headlines.

[HeresyLives]

9. Where....exactly?

I posted items on the criticism...and about all I said was it wasn't our finest hour.

The world is indeed complaining...and now, so are Canadians.

[glarius]

11. You, I'm afraid are in outer space with regards to your criticism!

I, like the other posters, have seen nothing but happy, celebrating fans in the TV pictures. The athletes (from all countries, including Canada) have expressed their satisfaction with the living facilities et al. In fact I saw one American athlete say these are the nicest living quarters she has seen in an Olympic village.
Most importantly....I saw CBC TV interview a man called David Wallechinsky who has worked as a commentator for NBC Olympic coverage and is the author of many Olympic reference books and other reference books. He is the author of The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics and The Complete Book of the Winter Olympics series. He says there always are little stumbling blocks that have to be ironed out at Olympic games, but there is nothing serious at the Vancouver games! He was laughing and said there were much worse problems at the Atlanta games, for instance.
I would suggest you take a deep breath and maybe have a little drinkie poo. It might make you feel better!

[HeresyLives]

12. Sorry...world headlines are critical.

So stop pretending it has anything to do with me, and pay attention to the news and not 'drinkie-poos'.

[glarius]

13. I don't like to be rude....but you are a joke!

Do you seriously believe that the whole world is holding it's breath at what the London tabloids are saying is happening at the Olympic games in Vancouver? Get real!:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[HeresyLives]

14. What is it with you folks?

There are world news stories about the problems at the Olympics, and somehow you think I write them???

Get real, yourself.

[glarius]

15. Forget it! It's obviously over your head.

I have nothing else to say..

[HeresyLives]

16. Good...people here need glasses.

And a helluva lot less 'drinkie-poo'.

I'm tired of being mistaken for the author of news items.

[ConcernedCanuk]

10. neither do I - and it ain't just the Olympics

.
.
.

We have allowed our governments to ally ourselves with the largest warmongers in the World.

I will never have any respect for our government until we disassociate ourselves from the USA's war-machine and it's illegal occupations of other nations

sadly,

I expect to die before that happens

[daleo]

17. Winning is nice

But mindless boosterism, chauvinism, and hype are a turnoff to me. Sometimes this Olympics stuff reminds me of being guilted into cheering on the football team or going to the sock hop back in junior high school.

The thing that saves it is the athletes, who for the most part do still project a lot of the old ideals of sportsmanship, no matter how much governments and corporations try to use them for their own ends.