finknottle Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 What, no discussion? Obama finally decides to act like a leader by becoming personnaly engaged, and he decides to go to bat for... holding the Olympics in Chicago! Most pundits when discussing this seem focused on the political risks and payoff (if any) to Obama's prestige. I'm more interested in the implications for Foreign Policy. Consider, for example, Brazil. They are competing for the same games which, till now, were not a bilateral issue. But if the Brazilian people see POTUS actively lobbying for Chicago, it elevates it. It won't be Chicago taking the games from Rio, it will be the US taking them from Brazil. Yet another reason to hate us. How will that help us gain cooperation on such issues as climate change, drug trafficing, and Venezuela? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I think no one is discussing it because it's not that big of a deal beyond, as you mention, the political results. This one is slow and easy, right over the middle of the plate, and the only downside to this from any perspective (including foreign policy) is if, by some incredibly ridiculous chance, Obama fails to bring home the bacon. That's not going to happen. So with all the things going so wrong lately in terms of Afghanistan, health care reform, unemployment, bad economy, etc., if he can bring home some good news, there's nothing lost here. On the other hand, if Chicago somehow doesn't get the Olympics, well...Obama will be lucky if America has confidence in his ability to pardon a turkey come Thanksgiving. But it will play out well: he goes, he gets the Olympics, he comes home, life goes on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magox Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I think Chicago is a wonderful, peaceful place to host the Olympics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 On who will win... I really think Rio will get it, always thought that... Especially the way voting goes and that S. America NEVER hosted them. Now... On the other hand, I don't know what to make of the new rule where the IOC hasn't given out the rights to a TV until the choice is made... This may be in Chicago's favor and seeing how crooked the IOC is. Then there is the security issues for a site like Rio. We will see on Friday. And Magox, Chicago would be a dynamite site... And is way more peaceful than Rio! If they win... They will build another rail line and station to the Loop in my town... Literally steps from my house... What is the chance I can rent out my house for two weeks to the woman's Brazilian beach volleyball team? I would head to BFLO for two weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finknottle Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Perhaps if he lobbies to get us both Olympics, the rugby and soccer world cups (men's and womens), and the world series of cricket, the world will open their hearts to America and roll over for us on the world stage. The Czech and Polish base agreements? Scrap 'em, don't want the Russians to get offended. But the Olympics? Who cares if we look heavy-handed, we are talking about Chicago after all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magox Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 And Magox, Chicago would be a dynamite site... And is way more peaceful than Rio! It was up on a tee, what do you expect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 It was up on a tee, what do you expect? Believe me... I have been to third world cities and every time I get back... Even the worst bombed out ghetto and industrial zone (which I work right next to) in Chicago looks like paradise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Great job Obama! Next, see what you can do about artificial turf.....IT MUST GO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1billsfan Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 What, no discussion? Obama finally decides to act like a leader by becoming personnaly engaged, and he decides to go to bat for... holding the Olympics in Chicago! Most pundits when discussing this seem focused on the political risks and payoff (if any) to Obama's prestige. I'm more interested in the implications for Foreign Policy. Consider, for example, Brazil. They are competing for the same games which, till now, were not a bilateral issue. But if the Brazilian people see POTUS actively lobbying for Chicago, it elevates it. It won't be Chicago taking the games from Rio, it will be the US taking them from Brazil. Yet another reason to hate us. How will that help us gain cooperation on such issues as climate change, drug trafficing, and Venezuela? Chicago, the city where Barack Obama and his democratic buddies were such a darn success at community organizing that he shot up the political ladder and into the Presidency...what's that????... http://www.thegrio.com/2009/08/theres-some...l-about-the.php "But in recent years, Chicago's beauty has been diminished by the wanton slaughter of its citizens. In fact, local police and media reports show that Chicago has the highest rate of juvenile homicides in America. Since January, according to the Chicago Police Department, one in 10 homicide victims has been 16 years old or younger. Since the last school year began, an estimated 45 Chicago public school students have been murdered, the majority of whom had no gang or criminal affiliation." and the slaughter continues with honor students being killed with of all things, railroad ties... http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-...0,6285952.story Murder capital, Corruption capital, it's where we picked our President from and it's the place he's so darn proud of he wants the whole world to come and sing kumbaya. I don't think there's a worse city in the country to hold the Olympic games. Those fabulous community organizers helped make that city a disgusting hell hole, but let's award them with the Olympics. It's unbelievable that their even in the running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Murder capital, Corruption capital, it's where we picked our President from and it's the place he's so darn proud of he wants the whole world to come and sing kumbaya. I don't think there's a worse city in the country to hold the Olympic games. Those fabulous community organizers helped make that city a disgusting hell hole, but let's award them with the Olympics. It's unbelievable that their even in the running. Oh, ye of little faith! Doncha' know that before the Games arrived Obama & Co would pass a multi-billion $ Chicago Stimulus bill to provide for union slushfunds and local graft and Ted Kennedy centers that will make the city all bright and shiny for two weeks before everyone leaves and it collapses back into a sh--hole again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1billsfan Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Oh, ye of little faith! Doncha' know that before the Games arrived Obama & Co would pass a multi-billion $ Chicago Stimulus bill to provide for union slushfunds and local graft and Ted Kennedy centers that will make the city all bright and shiny for two weeks before everyone leaves and it collapses back into a sh--hole again? Yeah, kind of like how Obama flushed 30 billion of our tax payer dollars to the gold plated auto union members in Detroit with everyone in the country knowing full well GM would soon be going belly up. Which they did like clockwork three months later. Richard Nixon is starting to look like an alter boy compared to the crooks that are running the show today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Chicago, the city where Barack Obama and his democratic buddies were such a darn success at community organizing that he shot up the political ladder and into the Presidency...what's that????... http://www.thegrio.com/2009/08/theres-some...l-about-the.php "But in recent years, Chicago's beauty has been diminished by the wanton slaughter of its citizens. In fact, local police and media reports show that Chicago has the highest rate of juvenile homicides in America. Since January, according to the Chicago Police Department, one in 10 homicide victims has been 16 years old or younger. Since the last school year began, an estimated 45 Chicago public school students have been murdered, the majority of whom had no gang or criminal affiliation." and the slaughter continues with honor students being killed with of all things, railroad ties... http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-...0,6285952.story Murder capital, Corruption capital, it's where we picked our President from and it's the place he's so darn proud of he wants the whole world to come and sing kumbaya. I don't think there's a worse city in the country to hold the Olympic games. Those fabulous community organizers helped make that city a disgusting hell hole, but let's award them with the Olympics. It's unbelievable that their even in the running. Still Chicago is a light-weight compared to Rio. IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Still Chicago is a light-weight compared to Rio. IMO. The day that Rio becomes an American city will be the day your argument makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Yeah, kind of like how Obama flushed 30 billion of our tax payer dollars to the gold plated auto union members in Detroit with everyone in the country knowing full well GM would soon be going belly up. Which they did like clockwork three months later. Richard Nixon is starting to look like an alter boy compared to the crooks that are running the show today. What do you want? To turn America into a third world country... Then will you feel more high and mighty. Again, go to other parts of the world... We live in a paradise... Don't even get me started on the enviro ecology of the US too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 What do you want? To turn America into a third world country... Then will you feel more high and mighty. Again, go to other parts of the world... We live in a paradise... Don't even get me started on the enviro ecology of the US too. Let me get this straight. If the government doesn't throw shitloads of money at every company that !@#$s up we're going to turn into Brazil? Got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1billsfan Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 What do you want? To turn America into a third world country... Then will you feel more high and mighty. Again, go to other parts of the world... We live in a paradise... Don't even get me started on the enviro ecology of the US too. So let me get this straight, not making a 30 billion dollar union payoff at the expense of current and future tax payers would be tantamount to turning America into a third world country???? Really???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outsidethebox Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 What do you want? To turn America into a third world country... Then will you feel more high and mighty. Again, go to other parts of the world... We live in a paradise... Don't even get me started on the enviro ecology of the US too. You been to Detroit lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I think Chicago is a wonderful, peaceful place to host the Olympics. Chicago has been preparing for the Olympic 100 Yard Dash. They shoot a gun and send everyone sprinting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 You been to Detroit lately? Forget Detroit, what about Buffalo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Forget Detroit, what about Buffalo? Forget about Buffalo. Have you been to the religion threa......oh wait, never mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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