I’m back; the Olympics are not
Apologies for going on blogging hiatus last week, but I was ill and out of commission. All’s fine now — to your relief or dismay, as the case may be.
The most interesting story to me while I was out was the awarding of the 2016 Summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro, not Chicago. Finally, the world’s embrace of President Obama does us some good! I’m not trying to be snide — Reason’s Steve Chapman, among others, explains why hosting the Olympics can be a bad thing, financially. And anyone who thinks that taxpayers the federal government wouldn’t have chipped in an Olympic-sized “stimulus” or some such for Chicago, in what could have been the valedictory for Obama’s potential second term, hasn’t been paying attention the last nine months.
So, finally, a sign that the world truly does wish Americans well now that we were so smart as to elect Obama.
Oh, wait. Never mind — it seems this was George Bush’s fault after all.
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41 comments Add your comment
The Anti-Wooten
October 5th, 2009
12:27 pm
To paraphrase others from the last few days, Kyle, it’s time to turn in your flag lapel pin, suspend your membership to any christian church, cease your screeching about how patriotic you are. Your absolute glee at the fact that the President was not able to persuade the IOC to grant the Olympic Games to Chicago means that you are an atrocious person and a horrible excuse for an American.
The Anti-Wooten
October 5th, 2009
12:29 pm
That being said, glad to hear that you’re feeling better. If you and the Wootenanny both croaked off who would I have to set straight about the world.
Kyle Wingfield
October 5th, 2009
12:47 pm
How gracious of you, Anti-Wooten. I’ll cheer on our athletes wherever and whenever the Games are held. But as Chapman points out in the article I linked, the Beijing Games in 2008 cost $40 billion and the London Games in 2012 may be on their way to that level. Billion may be the new thousand for this administration, but I for one don’t think we can shell out that kind of money unnecessarily now or at any point in the next seven years.
I’d like to think the president told IOC members behind closed doors, “Guys, thanks for the consideration but right now we just can’t afford it.” Or would that be too much Hope on my part?
Hillbilly Deluxe
October 5th, 2009
12:52 pm
I think in the long run the taxpayers of Chicago and Illinois will be glad the Olympics went to Rio.
Tall
October 5th, 2009
12:58 pm
Obama’s cronies won’t be happy. They just missed a big payday. Hmmm….you don’t suppose….
Shaneeeeeeee Fananeeeeeeeee
October 5th, 2009
1:24 pm
The IOC was sure to eliminate Chicago first while Mr. Arrogant was still there so they could see the shocked look on his face. Obama is as corrupt as they come. Stay out of the Olympics, the College Football Playoff System, and late night T.V. Obama, watch your campaign highlights to jog your memory of the lies you told to get you elected. “In 2009 and 2010 all existing buisnesses will receive a $3,000 tax credit for each additional full time employee hired.” – Barack Obama. You Lie Mr. President!!!!!!!
blue
October 5th, 2009
1:41 pm
I have mixed feelings about the Olympics. For a short period of time, it would have been a great boost for the local economy in Illinois. Lots of jobs would have been created, and hundreds of millions of foriegn money would be spent here for a short period of time.
However, I look at this city and wonder whether the olympics were worth it. I suppose it depends on where you live in this city ast o whether you think it was. Certainly if you owned a piece of property on what used to be called “Techwood Blvd” you are happy that the city cleaned it up. However, if you live on Memorial, outside of 285, you might view the Olympics in a different light.
In the end, I applaud the President for trying to do what he thought was best for us. Say what you want about the guy, there is no doubt he is working hard. He is like an athelete with all the running around trying to do the best he can.
Churchill's MOM
October 5th, 2009
1:55 pm
When are you going to get after our RINO Senators?? Johnny wants to give $15,000.00 to everyone who buys a house and Saxby wants to Cap and Trade because it will benefit his son’e Ethonal clients.
Churchill's MOM
October 5th, 2009
1:57 pm
That should have been Johnny wants to borrow $15,000.00 from China to give to each person who buys a house. How LIBERAL can you be and call yourself a REPUBLICAN.
Glad to see the AJC didn’t fire you but you need to start acting like a CONSERVATIVE.
Chris Broe
October 5th, 2009
2:04 pm
Hope you’re felling better, Lyle, but the Olympic PR disaster wasn’t the big story while you were recovering.
No, the big story was Obama finally came up with a top ten list for replacing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gays in the military.
#10: Don’t T-bag, don’t Tap
#9: Don’t Frank. Don’t Craig.
#8: Don’t be creepy.
#7: Don’t Spoon. Don’t reach around.
I know, U get the bit.
So why don’t you take your silver-spooned, Born-Again Birther politics and fork off?
Jklol
Phil
October 5th, 2009
2:25 pm
I thought Chicago was in the lead, until the O’s showed up. Now the commitee wants to ban heads of state from attending the commitee meeting. Go figure. Go O’s.
JF McNamara
October 5th, 2009
3:06 pm
Look at the brightside, Rio won. From what I’ve heard, it should break the Olympic record for wild, enfettered partying.
Churchill's MOM
October 5th, 2009
3:06 pm
Wingboy, they have taken your link off the opinion page..
Michael H. Smith
October 5th, 2009
4:31 pm
The real story Obama is just so comical bet the liberals can’t stand it.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/99945/saturday-night-live-obama-address#s-p2-sr-i1
jconservative
October 5th, 2009
4:52 pm
Yawn.
Dusty
October 5th, 2009
5:02 pm
Kyle, glad you ae back and sounding frisky. Now keep up the good work and come on strong. You do know Bookman is a champion at liberal mud wrestling? He doesn’t stop even when the sun goes down. That excites the brood of vipers (good liberals, for sure!!!) that support him.
So..be Kyle, the Wonder Chyle who banishes the bad boobies that try to make us into a debt ridden Nirvana. .Make TRILLIONS the word that comes to mind often.
As to the Olympics, who cares? After the fiasco in Atlanta, my interest in such things was only stirred with the wonderful Chinese performance. Now THAT was something. I wouldn’t expect Chicago to come up with anything more than a couple of cheerleaders. Didn’t they give us Obama, Ayers, Wright, Blago and a few others?? Need I say more? (Hi, Churchill’s Grandma! I see you are still on the DNC payroll. How’s it going?)
Chris Salzmann
October 5th, 2009
5:10 pm
Phil October 5th, 2009 2:25 pm SAID: I thought Chicago was in the lead, until the O’s showed up. Now the commitee wants to ban heads of state from attending the commitee meeting. Go figure. Go O’s.
CHRIS SAYS: Obviously you don’t follow the news but maybe you missed it: Every country in contention was represented by its head of state. Now, the right would have had a field day with that if Obama had not gone and Chcago lost, right? Frankly, who ever came up with the rumor that Chicago was the leading contender needs to have their head examined. All the countries in the running had hosted the Olympics except for Brazil/South America. Rio was the prime contender from the word go. Obama was going to be damned for going and damned if he didn’t go. He did the right thing.
Chris Salzmann
October 5th, 2009
5:20 pm
Kyle Wingfield October 5th, 2009 12:47 pm SAID: I’d like to think the president told IOC members behind closed doors, “Guys, thanks for the consideration but right now we just can’t afford it.” Or would that be too much Hope on my part?
CHRIS SAYS: Kyle, it wouldn’t have mattered what Obama had told them, Chicago wasn’t in the running, along with Tokyo or Madrid. All three countries had already hosted the Olympics. The IOC had already made up their minds before the vote. Obama had to show up because EVERY country was represented by their respective heads of state. I can just imagine what the Right would have said if Obama had not gone and Chicago still lost. Now that would have been real cannon fodder for Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck. Plus, lets not forget the hometown factor for Obama. Obama did the right thing by going and making the case for Chicago. We lost but at least he can say he tried. He did the right thing. Now, with the Right making gleeful noises about not winning, now they are the ones looking like, how do some people here word it “America Hating knuckleheads”? The wheel has indeed come a full circle, hasn’t it?
Joan
October 5th, 2009
5:53 pm
Let’s stay on focus here. Who cares about the Olympics, a corrupt group of old men making masses of money from the muscles of its minions? What I care about is stopping the roaring train of “health care” reform. Stay on point. That is what is important right now. For heaven’s sake, let’s focus on what is important and not be distracted by these inanities.
PulicanFan
October 5th, 2009
7:57 pm
Enter your comments here Kyle First time writing to you. Hundreds to Cynthia, to no avail. Enjoy your stay, I’m afraid you might not last that long. The AJC doesn’t cotten to conservative thinking. And it’s either ‘President’ Obama or Mr. Obama, but never just ‘Obama’. Unless you’re writing about former President Bush, then the non title is not only appropriate but demanded. Chicago’s mayor had the ‘fix’ in with Valarie. But what he didn’t understand that the IOC practices its own style of Chicago politics. Dick Pound is still upset with the US cause his mink draped wife was stopped for jay-walking in Atlanta during our ‘most exceptional’ Olympics. Work through those illnesses in the future. A week off with your tenure isn’t healthy. But stay away from Bookman..he’s frail.
Michael H. Smith
October 5th, 2009
8:03 pm
Kyle is on point. It is his blog and his point. He simply chose not to focus on healthcare in this one.
Michael H. Smith
October 5th, 2009
8:17 pm
Obama had to show up because EVERY country was represented by their respective heads of state. I can just imagine what the Right would have said if Obama had not gone and Chicago still lost.
Simon says: The right probably would have said nothing if Obama had not gone and Chicago still lost. Saturday Night Live would not have been as funny. Mr. Ed the talking dunkey and the
MSNBCMSDNC Three Stoolies would have remained as vacuously boring as ever. Snore, snore.StJ
October 5th, 2009
10:44 pm
Which would make a more interesting Olympic experience…Rio or Chicago? Hmmm, let me think…this is a tough one…
Left wing management
October 6th, 2009
1:48 am
This is a surprisingly smart-ass column, if I might say so.
First of all, since when does the IOC represent “the world”. As it happens, Obama has been, and remains, fabulously popular around “the world”, for what that’s worth much to the chagrin of you and your fellow travelers on the right (I personally am not too impressed by that popularity – let’s face it, ‘popularity’ only goes so far in the end). And secondly, the IOC is obviously a rather agenda- and formula-driven entity, maybe even given to bending some rules now and then, to put it lightly. Let’s face it, the decision to go with Rio was made for very calculated reasons and it had nothing to do either with their opinion of Barack Obama or even the United States.
Funny, though, I must admit to being taken somewhat aback by just how visceral the reaction has been coming from your side. Even so canny an observer as George Will on Sunday couldn’t help but recycle this notion that Obama seems to think that his inexorable good will can conquer all the world’s problems. Which is obviously complete nonsense. The man certainly does have a certain good-natured faith in the ability to accomplish things through good will and good faith, but that’s a far cry from saying that he’s hopelessly deluded by his optimism. Let’s not forget, he’s also a hard-knuckled politician who knows a thing or two about playing hard-ball to get where he needs to go. It’s quite possible he even knew exactly what the likely result of the vote would be, but decided to go anyway. Which actually, all things considered, might not have been such a bad decision at all.
Ward
October 6th, 2009
1:50 am
Look, it was made very clear by the IOC after the Atlanta games that the Olympics would ‘require a higher level of government support in all future games’… or something to that effect. Basically that means is that the Beijing Olympics’ $40 billion orgy is much more what they’ll be expecting than what our relatively modest (and need I remind you, just barely PROFITABLE) efforts were.
Frankly, if the IOC is expecting a huge publicly-funded windfall from every future host country, then they rightfully SHOULD go elsewhere. It’s just a sporting event, for god’s sake.
vince neil
October 6th, 2009
5:51 am
Rio got the Olympics because it is one of the few places more corrupt than Chicago……millons are to be made and they didn’t want to have to pay off the Daley machine first!
vince neil
October 6th, 2009
5:57 am
and as to the various “world travelers” who state how poplular obama is and unpoplular GW was…tell me now where you where and who you spoke with….i have experienced quite the opposite from my visits abroad….the people who hated us still hate us….Bush just gave them a particular target….alas, once we get through with this stupid experiment it will again take a real leader to re-take the respect we deserve…
Gerald West
October 6th, 2009
7:39 am
Rio de Janeiro is surely the most beautiful city in the world. Its citizens are proud of their city and country, and welcome the opportunity to show off. Chicago is a dreary place in comparison, and many of its citizens don’t have the civic pride or the skills needed to make it better.
What a shame that many Americans, like Kyle, can find nothing more important in life than “avoiding expense” and “cutting taxes”. And just what is the “saved” money used for: over-priced Asian-made flat-screen, high-definition TVs for watching childish programs riddled with inane commercials, and monstrous Detroit-built, top-heavy, gas guzzling vehicles that take them from one dull, ugly place to another?
Inspiration, accomplishment, and investment for the future built our country from a colony to a bunch of states to a nation. Then, our children got fat, dumb, and lazy, and our collective values, our institutions, and our infrastructure deteriorated.
Watch the Rio games carefully on your TV! Marvel at the grand natural setting and the beautiful people. See what pride of accomplishment and faith in the future can build: a magnificent infrastructure of highways, boulevards, bridges, buildings, airports, parks, and beaches.
Will
October 6th, 2009
7:42 am
Why do republican radio entertainers and newspaper writers rejoice in the rejection of the United States as a future host of the Olympics?
Just as they believe about health care for Americans, republican radio entertainers and newspaper writers believe that partisan political gain is more important.
Left wing management
October 6th, 2009
8:35 am
To vince neil:
Obama is hugely popular among the masses – and the elite as well – around the world. That’s a fact. And that despite a certain knee-jerk anti-Americanism in expressing disapproval of certain policies. But for all that, the Bush of the 2nd administration was apparently reasonably popular himself, certainly among the ruling elites.
William
October 6th, 2009
8:40 am
Will
October 6th, 2009
7:42 am
When you reject socialism you reject IT ALL! Get it!
GEORGE AMERICAN
October 6th, 2009
8:59 am
GOOD THING CHICAGO AND OBAMA WERE REJECTED!!!
THE OLYMPICS WERE A FINANCIAL DISASTER FOR ATLANTA. OUR CITY WAS RUINED BY INTERLOPING FOREIGNERS AND YANKEES!!!
dw
October 6th, 2009
9:03 am
To left wing management,
Of course BHO is popular among other places in the world. They figure and hope he drives the U.S. into the ground.
Cutty
October 6th, 2009
9:05 am
Didn’t see Saxby on the ABC Nightly News taking lobbyists money for his PAC I guess then.
William
October 6th, 2009
9:09 am
GEORGE AMERICAN
October 6th, 2009
8:59 am
Oh yeah! Wasn’t there a bombing in Atlanta? Well, maybe Chicago gangsters(Obama’s friends) would have prevented that sort of thing with fear!
Left wing management
October 6th, 2009
9:10 am
To dw: “Of course BHO is popular among other places in the world. They figure and hope he drives the U.S. into the ground.”
Nah, you’re being too generous. Most people react to America and its leaders on a much more gut level and not at the level of some desire to do it in through devious means. Besides, hard as it may be for you to believe, many people in countries all over the world actually really LIKE America. After all, most of them get their popular culture from it, their TV programs, music, and the mythology of modern life (gangsters and Westerns, etc.)
brad steel
October 6th, 2009
9:13 am
dw,
i’m sure you share their sentiment.
David Axelfraud
October 6th, 2009
10:19 am
Kyle, um, this blog topic is old news by now. America now realizes how impotent this president is. You may want to read up on how Japan, France, Russia, China and Saudi Arabia are about to drop the dollar. Oh, and read up on how Eugene Robinson, bozo racist columnist from the Washington Post, told our Generals to shut up and listen to Obama. You know, since Obama has a vast amount of military experience.
David Axelfraud
October 6th, 2009
10:20 am
Kyle, also, you may want to read up on how Obama and General Mcrystal are fighting with each other.
Chains we can believe in! Mmmm mmmm mmmm
Left wing management
October 6th, 2009
10:43 am
Axelfraud:
Eugene Robinson, bozo racist columnist from the Washington Post, told our Generals to shut up and listen to Obama.
Number one, Eugene Robinson is black, so he can’t be racist. At least not the way say a James von Bronn (Washington capitol shooter) can be.
And second, you say “told our Generals to shut up and listen to Obama”. Yeah, that’s sort of what they do, as generals who are under Obama in the chain of command, you know? I mean, it’s a chain-of-command thing, right? Do you have a problem with how our military chain of command is set up?
Suzanne
October 7th, 2009
3:07 am
I don’t hold my words so I am going to be very honest here. I am SO HAPPY that Chicago did not get the Olypic bid. Mr. & Mrs. Arrogant and a Ms. TV host Arrogant went over to Copenhagen and thought they had it in the bag. Ha Ha!! Now Mr. Egotistical knows what it is like to loose. But this won’t be the last! He has three more years and he is going to loose BIG. He will not even begin to get everything done that he promised from the campaign trail and he WILL be moving back to Chicago a looser. Just as he came to DC he leaves DC. An arrogant egotistical liar, un-American, Muslim. Can’t wait to see the moving vans at the White House.