# In Which I Pit the Reporter Who Godwinizes the Vancouver Olympics **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 3, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153 "2010-03-03T17:29:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/1 "2010-03-03T17:29:42Z")
Dear Canada, I apologize on behalf of right-minded Americans everwhere for the Jackhole, [Gell LeBreton of the Fort-Worth Telegram](http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/28/2003874/in-these-olympics-canadians-only.html) who wrote this gem: > [@](#): > > After a spirited torch relay ignited pride in every corner of the country, the Olympic Games began and quickly galvanized the nation. > > Flags were everywhere. The country’s national symbol hung from windows and was worn on nearly everyone’s clothing. > > Fervent crowds cheered every victory by the host nation. > > But enough about the 1936 Berlin Olympics. yes, that’s right, this imbecile is comparing the Canadian pride shown during the Olympics to the Nazi sympolism o f the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Ohh he is might annoyed with the Cnadians for rooting for and cheering on Canadians. > [@](#): > > It persists, despite the overwhelming chauvinism of the past two weeks. > > They showed us Canadian Games, all right. And in most cases, nothing but Canadian Games. Yes, here in America we are equally concentrated on every athlete in every sport from every corner of the world. > [@](#): > > China sold 6.8 million tickets to its 2008 Summer Olympics. Vancouver only made 1.6 million available. The Canadians wanted to “Own the Podium,” but organizers made sure that they owned the grandstands at each venue as well. Umm, there are about four times as many Summer Olympic events…and they take place predominently in stadiums, not on thesides of mountains. > [@](#): > > I didn’t attend the '36 Olympics, but I’ve seen the pictures. Swastikas everywhere. > > No political reference is meant, just an Olympic one. What on earth were the Canadians thinking? > > An Olympic host is supposed to welcome the world. This one was too busy being (their word) “patriotic.” > > “Now you know us, eh?” chief organizer Furlong said. > > We thought we did two weeks ago. Now, I’m wondering if Canadians can even recognize themselves. Ugh, this guy makes me sick to my stomach. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/2 "2010-03-03T17:34:23Z")
The comedic value of an American journalist complaining about somebody else’s jingoism is… well, pretty fucking immense. Still, I don’t remember them apologizing for Ben Johnson. Damn Canucks. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/3 "2010-03-03T17:46:51Z")
Comparing people to Hitler is passe. Have the balls to come out and say the Canadians were _worse_ than Hitler and you’ll at least have my respect. For example, the 1936 Berlin Olympics did not interrupt my TV viewing plans with curling displays. Therefore last month’s games were worse. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/4 "2010-03-03T17:49:30Z")
I am upset that Stephen Harper didn’t shake hands with Jesse Owens, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/5 "2010-03-03T17:53:16Z")
At least I’m left thinking that perhaps the over-the-top Canadiana of the closing ceremonies was done with a wink, unlike the chrome pickup trucks with spotlights in the beds during the opening ceremonies when the Olympics were in Atlanta. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/6 "2010-03-03T18:04:12Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Dear Canada, > > I apologize on behalf of right-minded Americans everwhere for the Jackhole, [Gell LeBreton of the Fort-Worth Telegram](http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/28/2003874/in-these-olympics-canadians-only.html) who wrote this gem:… Hey, unneccessary apologizing is so Canadian. Forget it. The reporter has a point, that frankly I, a Canadian had considered as well when I spent a couple of days in Vancouver during the party. Comparing the profusion of maple leafs (maple leaves) with swastikas appears valid but misses a very significant point. The erruption of Canada’s emblem was citizenry inspired while the Nazi emblem was provided for by the state. Our emblem represents altruistic principles. And I’m not going to apologize for our nationalistic fervour. It was not at anyone elses expense. In fact I’m sure our foreign visitors were uplifted to see our exhuberence, and shared in the joy of the event. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/7 "2010-03-03T18:18:43Z")
I remember some people (including at least one Canadian of my acquaintance) saying something similar after the 2002 Salt Lake City games. There was particular ire about that one policeman who sang God Bless America. It was stupid then and it’s stupid now. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/8 "2010-03-03T18:24:22Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The comedic value of an American journalist complaining about somebody else’s jingoism is… well, pretty fucking immense. It really can’t be put any better than this. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/9 "2010-03-03T18:40:40Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Our emblem represents altruistic principles. Huh, all this time I thought it was a leaf, and only now do I learn it’s some abstract representation of principles. Strange coincidence. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/10 "2010-03-03T18:43:07Z")
This line has been removed from the editorial: “I didn’t attend the '36 Olympics, but I’ve seen the pictures. Swastikas everywhere.” ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/11 "2010-03-03T18:47:11Z")
Check out his last name. Could he possibly be Quebecois in origin? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/12 "2010-03-03T18:48:36Z")
Still there as far as I can tell. Near the end of page 2. ETA: Dunno where he’s from but he’s one slovenly looking son of a bitch. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/13 "2010-03-03T18:49:36Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Still there as far as I can tell. Near the end of page 2. > > ETA: Dunno where he’s from but he’s one slovenly looking son of a bitch. Didn’t see second page. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/14 "2010-03-03T18:56:52Z")
This is what we’ll cop to - > [@](#): > > Cod-kissing, Moose-buggering, unarmed, self deprecating, poutine-eating, dope-smoking, beer-drinking, hockey-playing Nazi curler Dudley Do-Right hosers with gay marriage, healthcare, two official languages, musk ox, and the most stable banking system in the world, eh ? I for one have zero shame about being patriotic and proud of Canada putting on a most excellent World Party. About all I have to say about the author of the linked piece in the OP is, slow news day? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/15 "2010-03-03T19:05:33Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Huh, all this time I thought it was a leaf, and only now do I learn it’s some abstract representation of principles. Strange coincidence. During my upbringing in the heart of UEL territory, along the Niagara River, I was taught that the maple leaf was pinned on the Canadian militia to distinguish themselves ( in a subtle way) from Americans during the war of 1812. I’ve never been able to verify that story, but in some ways, I believe the maple leaf represents our distinction from Americans to this day. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/16 "2010-03-03T19:14:52Z")
If it helps, he did apologize. [http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/01/2006364/dont-let-the-games-message-be.html](http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/01/2006364/dont-let-the-games-message-be.html) ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/17 "2010-03-03T19:26:44Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > If it helps, he did apologize. > > [http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/01/2006364/dont-let-the-games-message-be.html](http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/01/2006364/dont-let-the-games-message-be.html) Not much of one, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/18 "2010-03-03T19:33:38Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > If it helps, he did apologize. > > [http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/01/2006364/dont-let-the-games-message-be.html](http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/01/2006364/dont-let-the-games-message-be.html) From your link > [@LeBreton](#): > > On the eve of the final day of these Games, I attended the team pursuit finals at the Richmond Olympic Oval. There were two medal ceremonies at the conclusion of the day’s events. > > In the first, the gold medal went to the Canadian men’s team, and the Canadians in attendance cheered heartily and sang along with O Canada. > > The women’s medal ceremony was next. But as the gold medals were being placed around the necks of the Germans, much of the crowd was busy filing out. I am truly ashamed, and this will be a blemish on my memory of these games. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/19 "2010-03-03T19:43:00Z")
Eh, people do that. I don’t know how many hockey or lacrosse games I’ve been to where people started filing out during the last five minutes of the game. I wish they wouldn’t, but I don’t think I’d take it as an international slight. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/20 "2010-03-03T19:43:04Z")
Sorry, cannot resist; [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/mWQf13B8epw/maxresdefault.jpg "Canadian, Please | gunnarolla & Julia Bentley") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWQf13B8epw) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153.md?page=2)