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!
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:
America really needs a more humble president.
GW Bush, or John McCain would do, and coincidentally both of them happen to be white, not that there’s anything unusual about that.
That’d be the same GW Bush that had a bomber jacket made with his name and “President” on it?
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.
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!
I thought so til that toilet paper roll facing in vs out controversy at the White House.
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.
Oh, I can well imagine it:
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”
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.
I do feel rather sorry for Rio though.
I missed the thread when Blair went to lobby for the games.
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.
Look at the photo I linked. It’s a good thing you don’t try to land there. A REAL good thing. :eek:
Ah, well . . . Blame It On Rio! 
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.