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Broken Olympics

Aug 10 2008

Broken Olympics

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Op_ed

By Bob Boldt

Translation

Broken Olympics

"A lot of people say the slogan of the Olympics—well, the famous slogan is "bigger, faster, stronger," or whatever it is. And I think the slogan should be "Something wicked this way comes," because wherever the Olympics go, they leave behind just a wreck of a city behind it and a busted economy.

Just ask the people of Greece, who are going to be paying off the '04 Olympics for a generation, or the people of Montreal. The 1976 Games in Montreal made big news in 2006, that they finally paid off the debt from the '76 Games three decades later. That's what the Olympics bring. It's a feeding frenzy for corporations, but it's not so good for the people who actually live in the city."

Dave Zirin

I wish I could find it in my heart to watch the Olympics this year. Being a sportsphobe, it is interesting for me to see games that are truly unique and not imbued with all the macho and idolatry that so dominates this country's three big B's. I guess this year just reminds me too much of 1936.

The presence of George W. Bush has a lot to do with it. It is so sickening to watch some of the athletes genuflect before our own mad, "Little Boots" Emperor. I must admit I do envy those lucky few commoners that have been so fortunate as to get within striking distance of this war criminal. I wish I could be lucky enough to have my chance at him - "up close and personal" as Howard Cosell used to say.

Does anyone really take Bush's mild critique of China's human rights record seriously? Here we have two of the greatest human rights abusers in the world tarnishing an already irredeemable event. Forget sponsoring this fiasco, both China and the US should be banned from competition. Of course there is the little matter of those big US corporate sponsors.

Robert Boldt an editor of MWC News, is a freelance film/video producer living in Jefferson City, Missouri. He is active in local politics, worked on the Howard Dean and John Kerry campaigns and is a cofounder of The White Rose Collective. Articles by Bob Boldt at MWC News http://mwcnews.net/bob-boldt

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Comments (4)

1. 11-08-2008 17:52

Broken Olympics

Please, Bob Boldt: '...this country's three big Bs.' Which country do you mean and what are its 'three big Bs'? Sorry about this, but it's not at all clear to me.
Cheers,
Seosamh

Registered

Seosamh

2. 11-08-2008 18:24

Broken Olympics

Perhaps, broken patiotism applies to you, Bob.

You are doing the same type of posturing you accuse the athletes of displaying, in reverse. Instead of kneeling, your gnashing. This serves no purpose, but to make you look the bitter fool.

Ever occur to you, you're just one of a real minority who hate George W Bush.

For all his foibles, really, you're a tad paranoid.

Guest

3. 12-08-2008 17:43

the Big B's

Seosamh wrote,
“Which country do you mean and what are its 'three big Bs'?” The country is of course the USA and the big Bs are Base Ball, Foot Ball and Basket Ball. You can’t spell Tennis and Golf with a “b” and Soccer is not a very big sport over here anyway.

Hi dj,
I’m glad to see the Right is still reading MWC News. Who knows, some day we might just be able to turn you-all around.

I bet you wish I were in the minority in my opposition of Bush.

Peace,
Bob

http://myspace.com/bboldt2

Guest

deboldt@gmail.comNOSPAM! ">Bob Boldt

4. 13-08-2008 01:31

the Big B's

How sad for you, Bob, that you imbue athletes with something other than their wish to perform. How utterly narrow-minded of you to write off masterly performances. But, of course, you're probably right: the Indian who, at the last minute, fell from first to second in skeet-shooting did not spend 10 mins crying for personal failure but for the political-nationalist-prideful failure of India. Right?
In reality, you are NOT a sportsman or you'd be watching.

Guest

znzfqlxskj@gmail.comNOSPAM! ">jimsecor

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