Troubling Vancouver Olympics

Permalink +

Mon, Feb 01, 2010, 12:55 pm  //  John Servais

The Vancouver Winter Olympics are two weeks away. And all is not going well. In fact, much is going badly north of the border and could get worse. Huge budget overruns, no snow, warm weather, and much anger. Yes anger.

We've been posting links in the right-hand column and will continue to do so. Dave Zirin's column is the latest and the tale he tells, based on his first hand experience up there, can be relied upon. Zirin is a respected sports columnist. For the first time in Olympic history, we can expect to see street demonstrations. The Canadians seem to be trying to get the street people out of sight - shades of Rio.

The International Olympic Committee is a corporation that is focused on huge profits and total control of all its PR. The IOC brings tremendous pressure on governments to grant police-state powers to host cities and requires those host cities to implement human-rights-violating enforcement of their policies. For instance, during the games this month, Vancouver police can break into homes to remove anti-Olympic signs and protest materials. The British Columbia government passed special laws for this.

Other issues are: banning women ski jumpers, the bankruptcy of the Whistler Resort, the high prices for tickets, and the concerns about traffic congestion - especially along the Squamish highway.

Self inflicted problems are only half the story. The weather may just stay warm and dry for the whole month of February - or maybe warm and rainy. El Nino in the south Pacific Ocean causes late winter warming in our area and that is what is happening. They are trying to make snow, but they need at least freezing temperatures at night in order to do that.

Of course, the mainstream media and our own McClatchy-owned daily newspaper are brought into the process. The Herald has not told us much about the problems up north and probably will not unless they become too large to ignore. Instead, they are running puff pieces about how great everything is.

We in Bellingham and Whatcom County are all wondering what impact - if any - we will feel. Here at NwCitizen we will be watching to see if local, state and federal security authorities start any oppressive programs in cooperation with the Canadians. If any readers learn of local actions, please let me know at john@nwcitizen.com

We citizen journalists need to step into any news vacuum being left by the daily newspaper. In one respect, we do not blame them as they are struggling with a new harsh economic reality. In another respect, we can criticize them for continuing to pretend they are covering all the news. Regardless, the Bellingham Herald is not covering all the news - nor even all the important news.

At NwCitizen, my intent is to continue developing this site for citizen discussion of public issues. We are now able to invite guest columnists and, within a few days, to accept Letters to the Editor. Guest articles and letters will both be subject to comments so we as a community can intelligently seek the truth about issues that impact our lives. And, in the right column, I'll continue to post links to reports from Vancouver.

I recommend you read Dave Zirin's column. It is the last link under '2010 Winter Olympics'. 

Comments (1) Add Comment

David Camp  //  Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 4:50 pm

My observations, as someone who is in Vancouver at least one day a week, is that there has been considerable increased police activity on both sides of the border, and that in Vancouver proper, there are police from all over Canada providing increased security for the Games. I made a point of talking with a a handful of them Tuesday - randomly, I talked with officers from Montreal, Toronto, and Saskatchewan. The only US change is the annoying practice by US Customs of inspecting cars LEAVING the US headed North.

I think that there is a significant minority in the lower mainland (Vancouver area) who are actively against the Games, particularly those whose businesses have suffered with all the construction and blockages. That said, the whole town is buzzing with activity and extra people, and all the retail businesses are stocked to the hilt in anticipation of tourist dollars.

I hope it goes well - I plan on spending a couple of days in WHistler. It could really be a great party!


Bellingham! It’s The Mercury!

Wed, Mar 10, 2010, 7:42 pm  //  Kamalla Rose Kaur

Maybe NOAA knows the truth about our waterfront. Our Port of Bellingham pretends it is not toxic. But it is criminally toxic.

1 comments; last on Mar 10, 2010


The Way I See It - Choose your poison

Wed, Mar 10, 2010, 4:49 am  //  Ham Hayes

How we, the public, choose to respond to growing polarization in our society is crucial.

1 comments; last on Mar 10, 2010



Intraprising Government

Fri, Mar 05, 2010, 10:30 am  //  Craig Mayberry

A novel approach to government monoplies

0 comments


The Way I See It - The Fall of Science

Wed, Mar 03, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Ham Hayes

Enough has been revealed, written and said about “Climate-gate” for me to be alarmed.

7 comments; last on Mar 07, 2010


Aging: The Times Are A-Changin’

Sat, Feb 27, 2010, 6:22 pm  //  Guest writer

By guest writer Nanette Davis, Ph.D. Elder care is a growing crisis nationally and locally.

1 comments; last on Mar 02, 2010


The Way I See It - Beware AHD

Wed, Feb 24, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Ham Hayes

Hockey night in Canada may be replaced.

2 comments; last on Feb 25, 2010


Dysfunctional - the now acceptable word

Mon, Feb 22, 2010, 7:50 am  //  John Servais

It is now acceptable to say that our governments are dysfunctional. I agree they are. The question is - why?

10 comments; last on Feb 26, 2010


A Pacific Northwest Childhood: A conversation with Nita Clothier

Thu, Feb 18, 2010, 5:03 am  //  Kamalla Rose Kaur

Local elder, Nita Clothier, talks with Kamalla Rose Kaur about growing up in a logging camp

0 comments


The Way I See It - “I’ve got your back.”

Wed, Feb 17, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Ham Hayes

Leaders in government need to rethink their approach.

0 comments


Where Have We Been- Where Are We Going?

Mon, Feb 15, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Craig Mayberry

People and businesses have had to make changes in what they do, when will government do the same?

1 comments; last on Mar 02, 2010


Fair Sports are the only way

Mon, Feb 15, 2010, 4:49 am  //  John Servais

Larry Ellison has won the America's Cup in sailing by playing fair. He is a fine example for us all.

0 comments


The Way I See It - Beauty or Beast?

Wed, Feb 10, 2010, 4:59 am  //  Ham Hayes

Unlike other species, we need more than basic survival strategies.

1 comments; last on Feb 11, 2010


Respect and Services for county residents

Mon, Feb 08, 2010, 5:00 am  //  John Servais

Our county executive, Pete Kremen, has failed us citizens by ignoring the safety concerns of Lummi Nation.

1 comments; last on Feb 10, 2010


Lummi Accolade: Brave, Smart and Honest

Fri, Feb 05, 2010, 12:23 am  //  Tip Johnson

Lummi officials and Lummi Island residents meet -Village to Village

2 comments; last on Feb 06, 2010


Breaking:  Lummi Island Ferry Agreement Reached

Thu, Feb 04, 2010, 4:41 pm  //  John Servais

Negotiations have reached a conceptual agreement. Details this evening.

0 comments


State legislators propose fees for public info

Wed, Feb 03, 2010, 3:39 pm  //  Guest writer

By guest writer Marilyn Olsen. A Bill seeks to impose fees on those requesting access to public documents.

2 comments; last on Feb 07, 2010


The Lummi Blockade: Block Lummi Aid?

Wed, Feb 03, 2010, 1:31 pm  //  Tip Johnson

Whatcom County lacks both authority and leverage to negotiate a Lummi Island ferry deal

0 comments


The Way I See It—Quetzal Talk

Wed, Feb 03, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Ham Hayes

Ham is vacationing in Costa Rica. He sends us his observations.

0 comments


Troubling Vancouver Olympics

Mon, Feb 01, 2010, 12:55 pm  //  John Servais

The Olympic games are disruptive to civil rights wherever they are held. This is proving true again in Vancouver.

1 comments; last on Feb 04, 2010


Northwest Citizen has a Front Page

Fri, Jan 29, 2010, 1:42 am  //  John Servais

NwCitizen adds new design elements to its home page. The publisher explains what and why.

1 comments; last on Jan 30, 2010


The Way I See It - Death by Secrecy

Wed, Jan 27, 2010, 4:59 am  //  Ham Hayes

Issues are no longer relevant when secrecy is the name of the game.

1 comments; last on Jan 27, 2010


The Lummi Blockade

Sat, Jan 23, 2010, 6:15 pm  //  Tip Johnson

The Lummi Nation appears prepared to implement a threatened blockade of Lummi Island commencing February 14th

1 comments; last on Jan 24, 2010


The Way I See It - Upheaval!

Wed, Jan 20, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Ham Hayes

The earthquake in Haiti is a new reminder that we must also be prepared.

0 comments


Racism and Western’s Late College of Ethnic Studies

Mon, Jan 18, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Kamalla Rose Kaur

Profiles WWU's College of Ethnic Studies and racism during the 60s

2 comments; last on Jan 19, 2010


Political Ethics

Sat, Jan 16, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Craig Mayberry

Contrasts business ethics and political ethics

4 comments; last on Jan 17, 2010


The Way I See It - Don’t Eat That!

Wed, Jan 13, 2010, 4:59 am  //  Ham Hayes

What will New York's proposed salt reduction laws do for us?

0 comments


City working to buy Chuckanut Ridge

Mon, Jan 11, 2010, 4:21 pm  //  John Servais

Bellingham council and mayor are working to buy the 80 acres of Chuckanut Ridge development for a bargain price. Washington Federal does…

1 comments; last on Jan 12, 2010


Hippie Jim’s Peace Prize

Sun, Jan 10, 2010, 5:00 am  //  Kamalla Rose Kaur

Local concert celebrates Pete Seeger's 90th birthday--and the efforts of one man to see him awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

2 comments; last on Jan 12, 2010


Horizon Bank closed by FDIC

Fri, Jan 08, 2010, 7:02 pm  //  John Servais

Fate of proposed Chuckanut Ridge development continues to be a concern.

2 comments; last on Jan 09, 2010


The Way I See It - Flying Blind

Wed, Jan 06, 2010, 4:59 am  //  Ham Hayes

The screening of several million airline passengers a day is a huge task--and not being very well done.

2 comments; last on Jan 09, 2010


Sport of Bellingham

Mon, Jan 04, 2010, 11:17 pm  //  Tip Johnson

Port of Bellingham in the news

0 comments


Dear Mr. President

Thu, Dec 31, 2009, 5:15 pm  //  Tip Johnson

Tip writes a letter to President Obama about Health Care and about his concerns that Obama has sold us short.

8 comments; last on Jan 04, 2010


 

New

Current Interest

Citizens of Bellingham
Sea Shepherd
Watts Up With That?

Climate & Weather

Climate Audit
Watts Up With That?
Weather by Cliff Mass

Local

Bellingham Herald
Bham Politics & Economics
Bob Sanders
Carl Weimer
Cascadia Weekly
Ferndale R-J
Foothills Gazette
John Watts
KGMI
Latte Republic
Lynden Tribune
Mainstreampolitics
Northern Light
Sam Taylor
Twilight Zoning
Wally Wonders
Washington Outsiders
Western Front - WWU
Whatcom Watch

Local causes

Bham CofC political blog
Chuckanut Mountains
Citizens of Bellingham
City Club of Bham
Conservation NW
Cordata & Meridian
Futurewise - Whatcom
Lake Whatcom
N. Cascades Audubon
N. Sound Conservancy
Neighborhood Schools Coalition
No Leaky Buckets
NW Holocaust Center
RE Sources
Transition Whatcom
WA Conservation Voters

Cascadia

Crosscut Seattle
Joel Connelly
Orcinus
Portland Indy Media
Seattle Indy Media
Washington Votes

Worth checking out

Al-Jazeera online
Alaska Dispatch
AlterNet.org
Antiwar.com
Arab News
Asia Times
Atlantic, The
Buzz Flash
Common Dreams
counterpunch
Daily Beast, The
Daily Kos
Daily Mirror
Drudge Report
FiveThirtyEight
Foreign Policy in Focus
Guardian Unlimited
Gulf News
Haaretz
Huffington Post
Innocence Project, The
Intrnational Herald Tribune
James Fallows
Jerusalem Post
Juan Cole
Le Diplo
Media Matters
Middle East Times
MoveOn.org
Nation, The
New American Century
News Trust
NMFA
numbers
Online Journal
Palestine Daily
Palestine News
Personal bio info
Politico
Progressive Review
Project Vote Smart
Reuters
Sea Shepherd
Slate
Talking Points Memo
Tom Paine.com
truthout
War and Piece
ynetnews.com

Governments

Bellingham
Bham - PFD
Skagit County
The White House
WA State Access
WA State Elections
WA State Legislature
Whatcom Auditor
Whatcom County

Leisure

Adventures NW
Am Cup - GGYC view
Am Cup legal fight
Entertainment NNW

Other - for whatever

BushFlash.com
Chickehhawks
Doonesbury
George Bush
Info Clearing House
Michael Moore
Reality News
The Crisis Papers
Third World Traveler
Unity08

Election 2009

- Candidate Forum - video
- Mike McAuley endorsement
Auditor election page
Bham #6 - Catherine Chambers
Bham #6 - Michael Lilliquist
Bham At Large - Orphalee
Bham At Large - Seth
County #1 - Dan McShane
County #1 - Kathy Kershner
County #2 - Ken Mann
County #2 - Mary B Teigrob
County #3 - Carl Weimer
County #3 - Michelle Luke
County At Large - Bill
County At Large - Laurie
Port #1 - John Blethen
Port #1 - Scott Walker
Port #2 - Doug Smith
Port #2 - Mike McAuley

2010 Winter Olympics

Amy Goodman Interrogation
No 2010 Olympics
No women ski jumpers
Olympics muzzle free speech
Olympics Resistance Network
Page of Links
Spectacle Vancouver
Zirin on Olympics

Less active

Eye on Whatcom
The American Telegraph

Quiet, offline or dead

David Hackworth
Gitmo prisoner 345
Mega Awesome
Northwest Review
Not in my county
Parkenfarker
Pro-Whatcom