# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/41 "2010-03-04T05:11:59Z")
My favorite line: > [@](#): > > Flags were everywhere. The country’s national symbol hung from windows and was worn on nearly everyone’s clothing. Yeah, we Americans would never flaunt our national symbol like that. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/42 "2010-03-04T05:43:16Z")
“we don’t need permission from anyone to have a slam poet, fiddlers with piercings and a lesbian singer tell our story to the world while our multilingual female Haitian- born, black head of state shares a viewing box with her First Nations equals.” ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/43 "2010-03-04T06:19:16Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > His “apology” says he’s from Louisiana. Ah, and in Louisiana reside the Cajuns, descended from French-speaking Acadians, who came from Nova Scotia and **Quebec**. So let’s just blame this on the Quebecois and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/44 "2010-03-04T11:54:49Z")
The best bit is his complaints about Canadians focusing on their athletes … only to then focus on the successes of American athletes! ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/45 "2010-03-04T12:07:15Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > The best bit is his complaints about Canadians focusing on their athletes … only to then focus on the successes of American athletes! “I’m tired of talking about you. Let’s talk about me!” Yeah, the guy’s a dipshit. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/46 "2010-03-04T14:45:55Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > His “apology” says he’s from Louisiana. That’s almost as bad. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/47 "2010-03-04T18:32:03Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > My favorite line: > > Yeah, we Americans would never flaunt our national symbol like that. That was the weirdest bit for me. The Games were the first time I’d ever seen so many Canadian flags together in one place, outside of a European youth hostel. American flags are on every man, woman and SUV in most American cities I’ve been to. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/48 "2010-03-04T19:42:51Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > Imagine if he had found out about our death camps! The whole country is a death camp from October to March…so is Alaska and Montana and North Dakota and Minnesota. Luv teh vid, **Elbows**. ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/49 "2010-03-04T19:57:46Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > 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. It seems the issue’s been dropped, but I’ll add my two cents. This just seems to me like the equivalent of a movie ending and the credits roll. Some people go right away; some wait to see the actors and their parts; and a very few will stay through the whole thing. Maybe they’re just listening to the song playing; who knows. But the point is, most of the people who worked on a movie probably put in a similar amount of effort, but because they’re not the stars, they’re not rewarded with the audience knowing nor caring who they are. Most people are interested in the winners they know (i.e. the star actors), and the foreign winners are the crew. C’est la vie. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/50 "2010-03-04T21:49:01Z")
While the Godwinizing is over-the-top, I think the author has a point. it seems like there is a double-standard when it comes to display patriotism. When Americans wave the flag, it’s seen as jingoistic, nationalistic, warlike, flag worship, and so on. When other countries do the same, it’s a sincere expression of national pride and identity. I live on the US-Canada border. I see a far higher density of flags and displays of national symbolism (maple leafs in business logos, etc) on the Canadian side of the border than on the American side. At business parks and municipal facilities on the US side, where flags are displayed, usually both the US and Canadian flags are present. On the other side of the border, it’s just the Canadian flag. Buffalo-area televisions stations used to sign off with both the Star Spangled Banner and Oh Canada, while those across the border signed off with the Canadian and _British_ national anthems. Even Canadian commercials for mundane products and services go out of their way to be extra-Canadian, for example: US: “Four out of five dentists recommend Trident sugarless gum for their patients.” Canada: “Four out of five Canadian dentists recommend Trident sugarless gum for their patients.” Same thing in the news: US: “So-and-so died today at the age of 85 after a decade-long bout with some disease. So-and-so was famous for such-and-such.” Canada: "All of Canada mourns for the loss of so-and-so who died today at the age of 85 after a decade-long bout with some disease. So-and-so was famous for the Canadian institution of such-and-such. So-and-so will be missed as a Canadian cultural treasure blah blah blah Canadian blah blah Canadian Canada Canadian blah blah Canada. When Fred Rogers died, the eulogies never mentioned that he was American, or that Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was an “American institution.” When Ernie Coombs (Mister Dressup) died, it was “the loss of a _Canadian_ national treasure”, and eulogies always mentioned his Canadian-ness. (FWIW, Ernie Coombs was born in the US.) In short, Americans taking pride in their nation and demonstrating their patriotism is considered wrong, while it’s acceptable for Canadians and others to do the same. FWIW, this post is coming from a liberal that is actually considering a move to Canada. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/51 "2010-03-04T22:07:40Z")
Eh, I see what you’re saying **elmwood** but American culture is so over-represented everywhere (especially in Canada) that it seems that it would be important to specify “Canadian” where as in the US we don’t even consider other countries. It’s kind of like why there’s a black history month but no white history month. Whites fall under “every other day” and the US is “all our other culture.” ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/52 "2010-03-04T22:13:43Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > My favorite line: > > Yeah, we Americans would never flaunt our national symbol like that. You know who else flaunted national symbols? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/53 "2010-03-04T22:17:00Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > I live on the US-Canada border. I see a far higher density of flags and displays of national symbolism (maple leafs in business logos, etc) on the Canadian side of the border than on the American side. At business parks and municipal facilities on the US side, where flags are displayed, usually both the US and Canadian flags are present. On the other side of the border, it’s just the Canadian flag. Buffalo-area televisions stations used to sign off with both the Star Spangled Banner and Oh Canada, while those across the border signed off with the Canadian and _British_ national anthems. Even Canadian commercials for mundane products and services go out of their way to be extra-Canadian, for example: > . Are you sure? I’ve lived in Canada 42 years, and never heard the TV signing off with the British National Anthem. As for commericals displaying “Canadian-ness” - this is easily explained; if you don’t _specifically mention_ your product is Canadian, the source could easily be assumed to be the US. The reverse is not true - if an American hears a commercial about a product and it doesn’t specifically mention the US, they do not _reasonably assume_ it is sourced in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/54 "2010-03-04T22:52:01Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > Imagine if he had found out about our death camps! Or our death panels (hey, but that’s the price you pay for socialist health care). ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/55 "2010-03-04T23:21:53Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > Are you sure? I’ve lived in Canada 42 years, and never heard the TV signing off with the British National Anthem. I have vague recollections of God Save the Queen being played as well as O Canada for some signoffs. I don’t recall The Maple Leaf Forever being played as a TV signoff. I recall both God Save the Queen and O Canada being played each morning in public school. Prior to 1980, we did not have an official national anthem. God Save the Queen, O Canada, and The Maple Leaf Forever were the de facto anthems. Although God Save the Queen is the UK anthem (I think – don’t quote me on this), when sung in Canada it is not sung as the UK anthem, just as it is not sung as the NZ anthem when sung in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/56 "2010-03-04T23:26:46Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Or our death panels (hey, but that’s the price you pay for socialist health care). When Bush was governor of Texas, he brought death panels to Texas. Have a boo at [section 166.046 of the state’s Health and Safety Code](http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.166.htm#166.046). ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/57 "2010-03-05T00:22:42Z")
British Anthem on sign off? Are you living in the 60’s or what? There is no way that’s true. And hasn’t been since, ever, as far as my experience is. I do remember when they used to do the US one as well, but I never, not once heard the British Anthem played with Oh Canada. I believe you are confused because there was a time when the British Anthem was our anthem. Children sang it in school until the mid sixties or so, when we got Oh Canada. Besides no one does sign offs anymore, just endless infomercials, so get over it already. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/58 "2010-03-05T01:08:47Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > I live on the US-Canada border. I see a far higher density of flags and displays of national symbolism (maple leafs in business logos, etc) on the Canadian side of the border than on the American side. Certainly not my experience. If you’re accustomed to seeing one flag or the other, it may simply be that you tune it out and tend to notice the other country’s flag more. [QUOTE=Muffin] Prior to 1980, we did not have an official national anthem. God Save the Queen, O Canada, and The Maple Leaf Forever were the de facto anthems. [/QUOTE] “O Canada” was certainly the _predominant_ anthem choice long before 1980, though. After WWII, people usually learned just O Canada, sometimes (and less so as time went on) God Save The Queen, and I’ve never heard of The Maple Leaf Forever being used as an anthem by anyone anywhere. I bet most Canadians wouldn’t even know the tune. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/59 "2010-03-05T01:48:19Z")
It’s not a matter of flag displays - Calgary is not the way the border’s described, - but of ego, or something. You never hear interviewers bid farewell to their guests with a “Thank you, you’re a great Canadian.” You never hear the terms unCanadian or Canadian Exceptionalism, there is no Canadian Way or Canadian Dream. And we sure don’t refer to our PM as Leader of the Free World. You don’t hear people here referring to John McDonald in the same way Americans do their founding fathers; we don’t revere the man or argue for or against policy based on how he governed. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153/60 "2010-03-05T02:53:24Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > “we don’t need permission from anyone to have a slam poet, fiddlers with piercings and a lesbian singer tell our story to the world while our multilingual female Haitian- born, black head of state shares a viewing box with her First Nations equals.” Yeah, you know who else had a slam poet, fiddlers with piercings, a lesbian singer, and multilingual female Haitian…ah screw it, I don’t think even Goering would count for some of these things. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pit-the-reporter-who-godwinizes-the-vancouver-olympics/531153.md?page=4)