There is no doubt a lot of money goes into the Olympics. For instance, 25 million dollars was spent on the opening ceremony alone. You would have thought another $50,000 could have been spent to "inspire" Bryan Adams to actually sing or even convince Ms. Furtado to not wear that. Critics of these games claim - the money should be given to the poor instead. Although noble in nature, this re-occuring comment is eerily similar to one made by Judas right before he betrayed Jesus Christ. There is a difference between what's righteous and self righteous.
Besides advertising, money has very little to do with the Olympics and certainly is not its point. The point is what it represents and even more, what it means. And after watching our mogul hero Bilodeau win our country's first gold on Canadian soil and then later embrace his family in studio, its meaning is evident. We play these games because at their core exists the elements that make us truly human - passion, drive, determination, commitment, discipline, unity, success, love. And perhaps most importantly, belief in oneself.
Well done Athletes, you have set the bar high.
John
The paradox of insular language
8 months ago
10 comments:
i mostly agree with you. i think there is a first time for everything, me disagreeing with you i mean. i'm not too sure that's ever happened before.
but i do believe the olympics are important. they unify people on the world stage and inspire fat mid-twenties such as myself to work harder at life.
but i do think there is something to be said for the amount of money spent on a show such as this. especially when so much of the show is to say "canada rules!" i do think canada rules. i love living here. but $25 million on a 2 hour event? it was a cool event, and i hesitated to even say this because i did enjoy it. and there is nothing wrong with just enjoying something positive that brings people closer together, even if it means spending massive amounts of money to do so. but i guess i say all that to finish with this...
i'm conflicted. i'm not sure, in light of what's going on in haiti, not to mention the daily travesties occurring on the world stage, that this was money well spent. i don't have a better option. i love what the olympics represent. i just struggle with the spectacle and the necessity of it. just play some sports, and don't pay 25 million for furtado's ugly dress.
I believe... the money should be given to the poor. :) Couldn't we have all that passion and other good stuff but direct that energy towards something more meaningful? Like what if the Olympics was an event where every 4 years the world descended on a needy country and spent billions upgrading their infrastructure, covering their stories, etc, etc, and we handed out awards to the countries that executed the most impactful humanitarian projects? Couldn't we still unite the world temporarily, and still pretty much lift a nation, or at least a region out of poverty permanently every 4 years?
Keep the hockey tournament though... let's not go too crazy :)
Hey guys. I thought we were friends. Goodbye forever. *John signs out of Blogger*
2hrs passes...
*John signs back into Blogger*
Hey guys. So I was thinking, even though your both wrong, that doesn't mean we still can't skip bare foot through the meadow and agree to disagree. But just so you know, we agree more than disagree because naturally using money to help the marginalized is much more important then winning gold in the Luge. I hope you know I'm not suggesting otherwise. The point I'm making is, often the people who are boycotting and protesting aren't the ones who plan to actually help the poor, they're just arguing out of principle - aka Judas. It's one thing to sound noble, another thing entirely to be noble. The Olympics in this case is an easy medium to sound noble.
The bigger issue in my mind isn't neglecting the poor once every 4 years but living greedy, materialistic lives every day. If we all lived generously daily the expense of the Olympics wouldn't sting as bad.
i take it back. we don't disagree. we are still batting .1000, and can continue to be soul mates. don't tell my wife.
i like greg's idea. lets start that. i mean, like john said, live it every day...but i think that is a cool idea. what if...
Just for the record.....every Olympic Opening eremony I can remember has been lip synched since I can remember. And, at least we didn't keep an incredible (though obese) kids voice with the skinny kid's body.....remember?
Also, as far as the cost of the show, it was well worth it. Except for the minor glitch of the Flame missing an arm, it was incredibly well done. Best winter olympic opening for visuals and special effects. Of course, we are a little biast, but it's about time the american audeince (about 35 million - 2nd largest only to 2002 in Utah, but mostly Mormons, ha) learned a bit of their northern neighbors.
Giving money to the poor or "better spending" are mostly cries from the dissatisfied, unhappy folk, whom, for the most part, themselves are not in need. Canada has given millions individually to many causes, including Haiti. This includes Federal and Provincial governments. In fact, Harper was the first political leader to visit Haiti just a couple days ago.
As far as the hockey tourney goes, A Gold by Canada coupled with a top-3 finish in overall medals will make the "Owning the Podium" program a complete success. Anything less will bring out more cries of foul I am sure....
Steve
"Giving money to the poor or "better spending" are mostly cries from the dissatisfied, unhappy folk, whom, for the most part, themselves are not in need."
beacuse i am an argumentative jerk who can't say no to picking internet fights with people he doesn't know...just kidding. but could could you clarify that statement? i'm dissatisfied with our government (whether liberal or conservative) and the state of our world most of the time. i'm not unhappy, i wouldn't say, at least not most of the time. i am not in need. i think i fit the category of people you describe. but i'm just wondering what you mean by that? maybe i'm reading too much into that, but just because we are not in need, i do not think it should disqualify us from speaking out when we think money could be spent on better or more important things. just a thought...
Blair, I was mainly refering to the public displays of protest in Ottawa and more particularly in Vancouver during these games. They have been peaceful, but a mark on the games.
Of course, casting your vote as you see best, and writing or calling your MLA or MP is a priviledge and a more acceptable form of voicing one's opinion.
What you do personally with your funds, of course, is an even better way of making things happen when it comes to helping those who are truly in need.
That's all. I just get tired of hearing people complain about how they could be better stewards of our nation during these events. Heck, we are all allowed to run for political office if we so desire.....but then WE would be under the microscope and not THEM, lol.
No offense about the fight picking....it's just a discussion...that's all. I only get offended at hockey banter, ha.
Steve
for sure. i kind of figured that's what you meant, just wanted to understand. i think peaceful protest can be a good thing, a way of standing up for what you believe in in solidarity with others. but i also think that this is not necessarily the right time or place for that. it seems counter productive to denounce something good for something else that's good. so i think we're close to the same page. i'm not sure i agree with the amount of money spent, but i also think that we shouldn't raise a stink about every penny not given to the poor. there is a time for celebration, and the olympics are one of those times.
Hey Blair. As fellows sports enthusiasts I find it interesting that we don't complain all that much when NHL players routinely recieve millions of dollars a year, and football and basketball players recieve tens of millions all to play for the highest bidder. There's no honor or loyalty involved in this whatsover.
On the other hand, the Olympic athletes, especially our unpaid Canadian ones, put their heart and soul into training all in the hopes of winning a medal for their country. I think the least we can do is spend a few million to honour what they stand for especially seeing how much they have to go through in order to succeed.
I hate to say this but I think I can because #1 You know my heart for the poor #2 It's my blog
Our unpaid Canadian Olympic athletes work their tails off to get where they are at while all to often many of our poor brothers and sisters take the path of least resistance and expect the government to pick up their slack. There is nothing wrong with rewarding people for hard work, dedication, passion and commitment, all things I see in our athletes.
i do have a problem with the amount pro athletes get paid, i am just a hypocrite enough to pretend i don't care when the game is on...
actually, john, i am the moderator of your blog. please remove your posts post haste or i will post a post it note on your doorpost. mostly, i'm tired right now and speaking gibberish. post.
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