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edhopper

(33,191 posts)
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 02:54 PM Jan 2014

I am torn over the Sochi Olympics

On the one hand i want the athletes to succeed and to have their day.
On the other hand i want the Olympics to be a failure for Russia and Putin, their homophobic asshole leader.

Not sure it can be both, but there you have it.

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Cleita

(75,480 posts)
1. I hope the Olympics are a success for the sake of the athletes, who
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 02:59 PM
Jan 2014

should not be punished because of Putin. The Russians should not be punished either because their present leader is a dick. Remember we hosted a winter's Olympics when George Bush was President, a world leader as bad if not worse than Putin.

edhopper

(33,191 posts)
5. I don't think a success or failure would have any impact on the Russian people.
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 03:13 PM
Jan 2014

Unlike Utah, this is Putin's Olympics. He picked the site and was at the forefront of the bid.
It is the Putin Olympics,

TexasProgresive

(12,148 posts)
2. Makes me think of the 1936 Olympics.
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 03:05 PM
Jan 2014

No I don't remember it personally. I'm old but not that old. Jesse Owens and his black American athletes went to Berlin and rubbed Hitler and his gangs noses in their own shit.

I would like to see athletes from all over with rainbow armbands. Oh and spectators should do the same especially those with children. Putin needs his comeuppance.

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
10. Also at the 36 Olympics, our team removed the only two Jewish athletes from competition to
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 04:54 PM
Jan 2014

avoid controversy. This, mind you, after the planning years were full of calls to boycott Hitler's Germany. The Olympic Committee sent a Mr Brundage to Berlin to investigate, Brundage reported that there was no discrimination against Jews or anyone in Germany, and he added that the false reports of such were a conspiracy by the press and the Jews to harm Hitler's reputation. The Hitler Olympics went on. Just as Putin's go on.

oldandhappy

(6,719 posts)
3. Tis OK to be conflicted.
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 03:06 PM
Jan 2014

You are in good company. I think the situation will take care of itself. The athletes will do well and the media will focus on the security which will be massive and on gays. Putin will not be happy with the stories on the security or gays. I wonder if the Russian people will see anything other than the state-run media?? Maybe they can watch on the internet for coverage from outside the country.

edhopper

(33,191 posts)
4. I had a daydream that the top athletes
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 03:11 PM
Jan 2014

from a dozen countries during the opening ceremonies broke rank and walked together, unfurling a massive rainbow flag.

 

Baclava

(12,047 posts)
6. I enjoy the Winter games, it's not all about the USA - bobsleds, Alpine skiiing - fun to watch
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 03:21 PM
Jan 2014
Russia: Snow covers Sochi ahead of Winter Olympics

Less than three weeks before the start of the Sochi Winter Olympics, the mountains above the Russian host city are thickly covered with snow.

On the ski-slopes above the resort, local Tatyana Alekseeva told reporters: “I think there’ll be snow in any case. It’ll remain until February. There’ll be snow by the ski jump – there’s lots there already.”

Meteorologists warn that, rather than a lack of snow, avalanches and poor visibility are potential problems for the Games, which begin on February 7.

http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/19/russia-snow-covers-sochi-ahead-of-winter-olympics/
 

Vashta Nerada

(3,922 posts)
8. I'm not torn. I refuse to watch it.
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 03:29 PM
Jan 2014

Putin needs to know that his anti-LGBT stance will not be tolerated.

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
11. I hope everyone there is safe. I'd like to see much bad weather. Blizzards look good on TV.
Sun Jan 19, 2014, 04:59 PM
Jan 2014

But at any rate I will not be watching Putin On Ice.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
12. For me there is no conflict
Mon Jan 20, 2014, 07:59 PM
Jan 2014

I won't be watching the Olympics. While I wish the athletes well, two issues the anti-gay laws and how residents are being treated, keeps me from supporting the games.

I just posted this one:

A crumbling Sochi hides behind Olympic facades

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