The Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Here it comes, the Vancouver Winter Olympics. It has not come without a certain amount of controversy. However, thanks to Larry Campbell, a referendum was held on whether or not to host the Olympics and the majority of the people here voted yes to host the bid.

Now, I didn't get a chance to vote in that referendum and although I would have voted no, I am bound to support the democratic will of the City. People like Davie Cunningham who handed out free crack pipes and got people rilled up with lies encouraging them to hold violent protests to high jack the democratic will of the people was absurd. He wasn't from here, he was from Ontario.

I remember attending an Olympic ceremony at Vancouver City hall where these thugs brought air horns and booed a First Nations leader while he was singing a song by Chief Dan George with his prayer drum. It was shameful. I shouted out, "Real Natives Respect their Elders." They had a Mohawk flag they bought on E-bay. Mohawks aren't from here they are from Ontario. Mohawks don't have a claim to the land that belongs to Squamish First Nations.

Someone at work said that all the money they spent on the Olympics would have gotten rid of all the waiting lists in B.C. for people waiting for surgery. That is a valid point. Yet we are morally bound to support the democratic will.

I am relieved to hear they are allowing protest signs during the Olympics. That is a charter right and to say someone may not hold a sign to voice their opinion is wrong. Yet violent protests removing other citizen's right to enjoy a ceremony with their family is equally wrong.

Some people say that the Olympics is just one big party for the rich. Perhaps but let's face it, no one ever protests the Superbowl or the Grey Cup. Many people, I'm not one of them, get really excited about cheering on their favorite team in professional sports. They pay money to support an event which supports the economy and they actually enjoy the highs and lows of being a devoted fan jumping on and off various band waggons in the process.

Take the Vancouver Canucks for example. Many consider Hockey to be a Canadian sport. You don't see protesters outside saying Stop the Hockey Game or Stop the Stanley cup. The Olympics are here. Let's enjoy meeting people from all over the world and have a little self respect which means showing respect for others and their right to participate in the event.

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And yes, I thought the mascots they chose were kind of dumb but look at the average mascot in Football. They're all a little bit silly. The idea is to relax and have fun. I'm actually kind of excited about the torch relay. Let's remember the historical origin of the games. Yes we live in a troubled world but war is nothing new. In fact encouraging countries with differences who might normally be at war, to participate in sports is an act of peace.

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