WOO-HOO...Chicago Wins U.S. Olympic 2016 host competition!!!

[dysfunctional press]

it doesn't really matter, though- as much as the rest of the world hates our country at the moment- i doubt that the u.s. will be chosen for 2016 anyway.

[Kutjara]

1. By 2016 no foreigners will be allowed into the US...

...and no Americans will be allowed out. Makes the whole thing a bit academic really.

[mahina]

5. Why do you say that?

I'm curious.

As to the Olympics, it costs a ton of money and you're left with some buildings. I'd pass if I could. Not that they would hold it here, and not that we could handle it.

[Kutjara]

9. Just the inevitable extension of the War o' Terror.

It's enough of a pain in the ass getting in and out of the country now with all the mini-Mussolinis that have been drafted into the TSA to enforce the increasingly hysterical and idiotic rules and regulations that seem to be cooked up daily by the Department of Paranoia. Roll on another decade and the government will have convinced the sheeple that the best way to deal with all those "terrorists" is total isolation. I'm sure the rest of the world would applaud our decision to take our toys and go home as well. We've caused enough mayhem for one century already.

As for the Olympics, it seems that people have finally worked out that they need to build stuff that has some use after the games. The Beijing and London bids paid a lot of attention to community regeneration, job creation and long-term public amenities. In London particularly, the games will be held in a formerly blighted area, that had previously received little public money. After the Olympics it will have state of the art sports facilities open to all, new relatively low-cost housing, workshops and light industrial spaces, community centers and completely upgraded transportation infrastructure. If it pans out, it will point the way forward for cities that wish to use the games to spearhead important improvements.

[mahina]

10. Cool!

Paragraph two I mean. Paragraph one, let's avoid. Organize~!

[uppityperson]

14. Especially all those highly trained athletic, well, athletes.

scary :scared: And their equipment. double scary

[More Than A Feeling]

2. YEAH!

I'm more hopeful that we will be chosen. It'll have been twenty years since the last Summer Olympics in the U.S., and that seems like a sufficient time for us to have a good sporting chance at picking it up.

[Robbien]

3. Was there any doubt?

Daley just ran roughshod over the competition. He never let California get a word in edgewise.

[Bjornsdotter]

4. We have a friend on the IOC

.....and we've been trying to hype Chicago; however he won't give us any hints as to how things are going.

Cheers

[Ignacio Upton]

6. Congrats!

I'm also glad that the USOC made more stringent requirements in the wake of NYC's failed bid of the 2012 games. Chicago is in a better position of getting the games due to the fact that by 2016 it will be 20 years since the last American-hosted summer games.

[Botany]

7. Start Training Now

[Tatiana]

8. I hope Chicago does not host the 2016 Olympics. n/t

[dysfunctional press]

11. any particular reasons...?

or are you pulling for another city/country?

it would be a FANTASTIC boon for the city of chicago.

[Tatiana]

15. Why should the taxpayers have to support this?

Traffic and security nightmares aside, I think the Olympics will end up costing the city more than any revenue that may be gained.

[dysfunctional press]

17. because a majority of our elected representatives agreed to it.

that's how a democracy works.

boy, i sure wish they would start teaching civics in the schools again.

[Tatiana]

19. Actually, I do understand the basics of democracy.

Living in one, tarnished though it may be.

You asked why I did not want the Olympics in Chicago. I gave my reason. Just because the majority of elected representatives vote in favor of a policy does not mean I should automatically support it (e.g. IWR, Patriot Act, NCLB).

<snip>

Chicago officials have maintained that the nearly $3 billion operating budget can be covered by Olympic revenues, including television contracts and sponsorship monies. However, the city has pledged $500 million in the event revenues fall short, and Gov. Blagojevich is working to develop a $150 million "safety net."

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/olympics/341682,oly041507.article

Taxpayers could be liable up to $500 million dollars if anticipated funding and revenue does not come through. I simply think we could spend our taxpayer dollars on more important things (affordable housing being one of them).

[dysfunctional press]

20. how much property do you own in the city?

when they say "taxpayers" in the context of the city- they're generally talking about the people who pay property taxes.

[Tatiana]

21. One 2-flat building.

But I pay taxes on three. And if the taxes go up significantly, I will be a very unhappy camper.

Don't get me wrong. The Olympics are exciting games. There is the potential for hosting the games to really help out many local businesses. I can see why the Chicago proposal was more compelling than the L.A. one. Maybe the Olympics can revitalize the city. I'll be very happy if the city turns a profit. But the risk of assuming a $500 million debt is discouraging.

[dysfunctional press]

22. same here...although i only pay the taxes on the one.

and i'd definitely be happier paying for the olympics than for the crap that went on at soldier field.

but i honestly don't think that it will become a taxpayer burden, IF we even get the games.

besides- IF chicago does get the games- i'll rent out my apartment and live in the basement or garage for a couple weeks- the money to be made would MORE than cover any tax increase.

[Tatiana]

23. LOL I couldn't live in the garage, though I suppose the basement might work!

Agreed - I'd rather pay for the Olympics, which would at least support local business owners rather than finance Soldier Field. However, it is possible that the Olympics would not have as positive an impact as one would think. If we analyze the Olympics held in Atlanta and Salt Lake, there is a wide difference between the predicted economic impact of hosting the games and the actual economic impact. In fact, due to "crowding out," some businesses will not see any significant increase in revenue at all.

Chicago is already a world-class city and tourist attraction. The only reason I'd support the Olympics coming to Chi-town is if we'd receive a significant economic influx to offset the initial investment. I'm still not convinced that will be the case, but I'm willing to wait and see.

Thanks for your thoughts :)

[kysrsoze]

24. I'm all for the Olympics in Chicago. I can't wait

First of all, I'd like to see an event. The odds of my being in another city during the Olympics are much lower. Now that I've got that selfish part out of the way, I can give some sensible reasons.

Chicago has seems to have historically been in the shadow of NY and L.A. Evidently we're short on culture. Many people are clueless to the cultural mecca we have until they visit for the first time. Exposure is important in keeping business thriving in the city. There would be lots of visitors from elsewhere who could potentially bring additional business to the area. Since the World's Fair in the 40's, we haven't had anything like this to showcase the city - well, other than the '68 Democratic convention and we all know how well that went.

Secondly, we badly need infrastructure fixes and this would certainly happen with the Olympics. The trains right now are a disaster. The blue line is slow due to horrible track conditions, packed with people and train intervals are highly inconsistent. We also badly need a larger circle line. There are numerous other situations like this which would be rectified with this influx of infrastructure upgrades.

We already pay enough taxes, including the B.S. TIF fund charges. It's about time we saw some benefit. Millenium Park is OK, but cost a fortune. I hate the Frank Gehry bandshell. I could also care less about Soldier Field. Sure, it's nice inside, but it's awfully expensive to go and it looks like an abomination. The Olympics may bring some great things to the city.

[Southsideirish]

13. I sure don't want them to ruin Washington Park to do so. I wonder why "The

Friends of the Park" hasn't fought this atrocity?

[Grandrose]

12. Congratulations Windy City!

This Illinoisian is very proud and happy. :bounce: :toast: :thumbsup: :woohoo: :applause: :patriot:

[BenDavid]

16. Happy that Chicago received the

award to host the 2016 Games....Oh and that will be during HRC's second term and the seventh year of her administration....hehe:bounce:

[dysfunctional press]

18. my god what a horrible thought....

although totally laughable- as your "hehe" obviously indicates.

[xchrom]

25. ...

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:
i would love to see the olympics in chicago!