# Reaction to Chicago's failed Olympics bid **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 2, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372 "2009-10-02T17:43:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/81 "2009-10-06T13:34:33Z")
I mean, the host cities have to spend billions, for an event that lasts a few weeks. yes, they bring in some money, but at what cost? Also, the events are not of interest to most people (how many people attend a “ribbon dancing” competition?) Bsically, the builders and promoters make a fortune-the taxpayers of the host cities get the shaft. I think Rio was the best choice, because they ad already built most of the venues (for the 2007 Pan-American Games). Plus, the scenery at Ipanema Beach is a LOT better than the Chicago city beaches! ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/82 "2009-10-06T13:56:42Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > A telephone call from the White House would be a lot cheaper than the cost of flying a 747 to Copenhagen and back. If the First Lady had not taken a separate plane that would have been cheaper also. And if he hadn’t gone, we’d be hearing complaints about how he “didn’t care enough about the country to go in person”. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/83 "2009-10-06T14:22:14Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > And if he hadn’t gone, we’d be hearing complaints about how he “didn’t care enough about the country to go in person”. It was overly big egos that made them go you know: > [@](#): > > Both Obamas gave heartfelt speeches about . . . themselves. Although the working of the committee’s mind is murky, it could reasonably have rejected Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Games on aesthetic grounds – unless narcissism has suddenly become an Olympic sport. > > In the 41 sentences of her remarks, Michelle Obama used some form of the personal pronouns “I” or “me” 44 times. Her husband was, comparatively, a shrinking violet, using those pronouns only 26 times in 48 sentences. Still, 70 times in 89 sentences conveyed the message that somehow their fascinating selves were what made, or should have made, Chicago’s case compelling. [America really needs a more humble president.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/05/AR2009100502703.html) GW Bush, or John McCain would do, and coincidentally both of them happen to be white, not that there’s anything unusual about that. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/84 "2009-10-06T14:59:59Z")
That’d be the same GW Bush that had a bomber jacket made with his name and “President” on it? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/85 "2009-10-06T15:22:03Z")
President De Silva of Brazil attended the Copenhagen conference. Most bids have the president of the competing countries there. I suppose all the countries that had bids are after their presidents for being ineffectual now. Unless their people have more maturity than ours do.It is so stupid to criticize his effort. He went for 1 day and came back. I suppose he missed out on the Martian attacks and the Canadian war with Michigan. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/86 "2009-10-06T15:24:47Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I suppose he missed out on the Martian attacks and the Canadian war with Michigan. Don’t bother him with the little stuff. The Martians turned out to be allergic to greenhouse gases, and we’re better off letting the Canucks have Detroit! ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/87 "2009-10-06T15:42:59Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Rubbish. Even you must concede that, at the very least, the right-wingers don’t comment _at all_ on some things Obama does or doesn’t do. I thought so til that toilet paper roll facing in vs out controversy at the White House. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/88 "2009-10-06T16:35:21Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > President De Silva of Brazil attended the Copenhagen conference. Most bids have the president of the competing countries there. I suppose all the countries that had bids are after their presidents for being ineffectual now. Unless their people have more maturity than ours do.It is so stupid to criticize his effort. He went for 1 day and came back. I suppose he missed out on the Martian attacks and the Canadian war with Michigan. But Moooooom, all the other Presidents are going. :rolleyes: Brazil also sent Pele’ who is their national icon of sports. We sent Oprah because there is a rumor she knows Michael Jordan. Chicago didn’t have the support of the people living there. The President had nothing to offer on a federal level beyond his smile. It was a photo-op gone awry. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/89 "2009-10-06T16:51:01Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > One can only imagine the Obama media fanfare that would have taken place had the results been different. Oh, I can well imagine it: > [@](#): > > Obama corruption in Chicago nets Olympic sized debacle > [@](#): > > Did Obama call in favors with corrupt mob ties? > [@](#): > > Obama gets Olympics; real people in Chicago dismayed > [@](#): > > Cost overruns for Olympic venues; Obama’s fault > [@](#): > > Olympic corruption scandal; What did Obama know beforehand? > [@](#): > > Obama’s first move towards world socialist government It would have been a complete wet dream for the talking heads on the right. Then the “mainstream media” would of course have reported on the “controversy” ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/90 "2009-10-06T17:05:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Venues built on the former Meigs Field might have enough permanence to them to keep the airport from ever reopening. So this is a good thing. [What airport?](http://media.photobucket.com/image/NORTHERLY%20ISLAND/vrysxy/Northerlyislandexistingpicture.jpg?t=1192575163) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/91 "2009-10-06T17:23:29Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > [What airport?](http://media.photobucket.com/image/NORTHERLY%20ISLAND/vrysxy/Northerlyislandexistingpicture.jpg?t=1192575163) The former airport that pilots like me fly past by on the way to NOT stopping in Chicago. My money spends just as well in other cities. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/92 "2009-10-06T19:36:30Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I mean, the host cities have to spend billions, for an event that lasts a few weeks. yes, they bring in some money, but at what cost? Also, the events are not of interest to most people (how many people attend a “ribbon dancing” competition?) > Bsically, the builders and promoters make a fortune-the taxpayers of the host cities get the shaft. > I think Rio was the best choice, because they ad already built most of the venues (for the 2007 Pan-American Games). > Plus, the scenery at Ipanema Beach is a LOT better than the Chicago city beaches! I do feel rather sorry for Rio though. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/93 "2009-10-06T20:44:25Z")
I missed the thread when Blair went to lobby for the games. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/94 "2009-10-06T20:54:33Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > But Moooooom, all the other Presidents are going. :rolleyes: Brazil also sent Pele’ who is their national icon of sports. We sent Oprah because there is a rumor she knows Michael Jordan. > > Chicago didn’t have the support of the people living there. The President had nothing to offer on a federal level beyond his smile. It was a photo-op gone awry. It was a bid for national prestige. I would think that would be easy to understand. If you don’t like it, I suggest you vote for someone who doesn’t give a shit about America. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/95 "2009-10-06T21:13:22Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > The former airport that pilots like me fly past by on the way to NOT stopping in Chicago. My money spends just as well in other cities. Look at the photo I linked. It’s a good thing you don’t try to land there. A REAL good thing. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/96 "2009-10-06T21:32:03Z")
Ah, well . . . [_Blame It On Rio!_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blame_it_on_rio)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372/97 "2009-10-07T05:07:26Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Look at the photo I linked. It’s a good thing you don’t try to land there. A REAL good thing. :eek: Yah, I see it at least once a year on the way to a camping trip in Wisconsin. In fact, I’m usually pointing at it with one of my fingers as I go by. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-chicagos-failed-olympics-bid/512372.md?page=4)