But I just don't get it. I don't for the love of everything sane in this world understand the whole fascination with the Olympic games. I mean, I might have enjoyed them in the past. Back before multi million dollar corporations took over. I mean, the games now are simply all about making money. "Let's get the games and our city will be flowing with cash!" Ridiculous. Oh, and by the way, who are some of these guys carrying the torch? People who paid pretty penny to get their name chosen? Well, the whole thing really got me thinking late this evening. I went out to get some fresh air and take a bit of a break from work only to notice Yonge street lined with people all the way to Queen street waiting for the Olympic torch pass through. I could only stand there and shake my head. I wonder if these individuals realize it's a piece of metal with fire coming out of it. Metal and Fire! What on earth is the big deal? Is it just me? I don't know, but if it was up to me I'd prefer to go home and cuddle up by television set with my girlfriend and watch a good movie instead of standing in minus some odd temperature waiting for a guy to come running down the street with fire in his hand.
It kind of questions what we really stand for. We as a city have been blasted with tax after tax after tax, garbage strikes, wreckless spending, oh I can go on and on and still for some odd reason we never stand up to say enough is enough. However, when the Olympic torch comes to town we all unify under one umbrella. Silly if you really think about it. If we put half the effort into things that are really important instead of the Olympics, the Leafs, and Team Canada we would be one hell of a city. Unfortunately, that will never happen...and that's a shame. The Pan Am games are coming to Toronto very soon. Another ridiculous venture the City of Toronto went out on a limb to get. Now, when our city is having a hard enough time keeping swimming pools open for children to swim in because we have no money, we're going to build new swimming pools for a games nobody is going to come to. Hmmm, I wonder what happens when the Pan Am games are over? You see, common sense tells me we won't have enough money to keep those pools open either. Maybe common sense is something that's lacking in our leaders.
3 comments:
Here's the thing Pete, if Toronto didn't stand in line waiting for the Olympic torch to pass through, then the rest of the country would mock us for not being Canadian enough. Honestly, I know that the Olympics may not really affect you, but think about all those struggling athletes that the gov't doesn't fund. We have to display our country, we have to show the world how much we care about Canada, it's time for us to be selfish. I don't think this is a time to question the money that many companies make during the Olympics, that's reality. Every thing is about making a profit, but it's the little things i.e. watching a man run down the street with fire, that creates a celebration of a nation. You have to be more open minded to that.
Oh my friend, it's corporate brainwashing. I love the Royal Bank commercial about how "a single flame can brighten a whole country" Give me a break. How patriotic! Not only that but the fact that the hats and mittens and jackets are all made in China. Oh, oh Canada?!?!
While I hope we never get to host the olympic games, I also think its funny to rant about such a thing. People want to bond on any sort of level, give them a reason to do so and they will. I dont buy into the hype and marketing, but if people want to be happy and excited about fire on a metal pole, let em, whos it hurting?
Not only that but supporting the olympics is good for athletes, they dont get enough support. They train hard all year to be the best at what they do. They deserve some appreciation.
I just think it would cost the city more holding it than theyd make having it, so I dont want to be a part of that.
Post a Comment