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Post by ValkyrieNS on Feb 15, 2010 6:44:14 GMT -5
Day 1:Most horrific moment:I watched the luge run that resulted in the death of Georgian athlete, Nodar Kumaritashvili. But only the one time, as it was just too horrible for words. Such a shame. I think it's very respectful of the IOC (or whoever's in charge of these things) to leave the flags at half-mast during the entire games. Most OMG I'm going to pass out now moment:Czech Republic flag bearer Jaromir Jagr! It's been sooo long since I've seen him and he looked gorgeous! He's still my fave hockey player ever  Opening Ceremonies:The bear (that came out of the floor), the wolf/bear/orca(?) in lights, KD Lang, the opera singer... wow! Beautiful all-around. *** Day 2:Women's Hockey Canada vs Slovakia:We could have had an empty net the entire game and still won... the Slovaks had 9 shots on net and we won the game 18-0. *** Day 3:Women's Hockey USA vs China:At least the Chinese managed to score a goal, but they sort of reminded me of the Habs... unable to clear the zone effectively and poor passing  Men's Moguls:Alexandre Bilodeau! What a great young man! His brother Frédéric has been a constant inspiration to him and looked positively thrilled to bits to see his brother win! Dale Begg-Smith... dude, smile, you just won a silver medal 
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Post by duster on Feb 15, 2010 12:56:51 GMT -5
Great games so far. Both Men's and Women's moguls were terrific when you consider the atrocious conditions on Cypress
Easy to understand why Begg-Smith wasn't happy. Not getting the gold probably cost him millions in sponsorship. After all, he is a Canadian skiing for Australia strictly for the money.
One thing I find irritating about the Games so far is the overall negativity of the Quebec press towards Vancouver. Some are whining that there aren't enough Skytrain employees who speak French for example, while others are critical of the lack of Quebec presence in Vancouver as a whole. Talk about sense of entitlement. Can't these people ever put the language nonsense aside even for just two weeks?
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Post by LoupDogg on Feb 15, 2010 13:23:29 GMT -5
One thing I find irritating about the Games so far is the overall negativity of the Quebec press towards Vancouver. Some are whining that there aren't enough Skytrain employees who speak French for example, while others are critical of the lack of Quebec presence in Vancouver as a whole. Talk about sense of entitlement. Can't these people ever put the language nonsense aside even for just two weeks? If "that language nonsense" you refer to is the respect of the secondofficial language of the games and the country, yeah, why not leave it aside? Why not forget completely about French and stop pretending that Canada cares about it? I think that option has been put forward in 1980 and 1995, the other way around. |
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Post by Polarice on Feb 15, 2010 13:29:57 GMT -5
If "that language nonsense" you refer to is the respect of the secondofficial language of the games and the country, yeah, why not leave it aside? Why not forget completely about French and stop pretending that Canada cares about it? I think that option has been put forward in 1980 and 1995, the other way around. I find the further west you go the less you hear French....or a better way to put it...the less they care of french. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 15, 2010 13:45:26 GMT -5
Folks, I'm moving this thread to the non-hockey boards. We have three threads on this and once we make up our minds which one to use I'll lock the other two.
This isn't a huge deal. I'm just trying to avoid starting more threads on the Olympics. Let me know which thread we'll use and I'll lock the other threads.
Thanks,
Dis
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Post by The New Guy on Feb 15, 2010 15:04:15 GMT -5
One thing I find irritating about the Games so far is the overall negativity of the Quebec press towards Vancouver. Some are whining that there aren't enough Skytrain employees who speak French for example, while others are critical of the lack of Quebec presence in Vancouver as a whole. Talk about sense of entitlement. Can't these people ever put the language nonsense aside even for just two weeks? If "that language nonsense" you refer to is the respect of the secondofficial language of the games and the country, yeah, why not leave it aside? Why not forget completely about French and stop pretending that Canada cares about it? I think that option has been put forward in 1980 and 1995, the other way around. And it failed. Both times. Despite careful wording to mask its true intention. But back to what duster said - he's quite right. Of the main performers (Yanofsky, Furtado, Adams, McLachlan, MacIssac, Saulgrain (the guy doing the prarie portion), Koyczan, Lang, Brueggergosman and Garou) at least two are Quebecois (not sure about Saulgrain, although he trains in Montreal) - and if you look at percentages that's about right when compared to the percentage of French-speakers in Canada (23% of Canadians identify French as their native tongue). Perhaps you mean Quebecois culture? Well a large portion of the "Rhythms of the Fall" was dedicated to the Chassie-Galerie. It's certainly more than a number of other provinces got - did they mention the cowboy culture of Alberta? The Ukrainian communities of the praries? Did Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador get anything more than a single fiddler (and frankly the supposedly Cape Breton and Newfoundland fiddlers were not very good exemplars of their style of music) They put together an artistic show. It was well done (except for the torch at the end - mechanical problems, but what can you do) and quite beautiful in some places. Certain portions of the media and certain politicians whining about it smacks of entitlement. It's like saying Leonardo should repaint the Mona Lisa to emphasize Renaissance Italian culture. As for the SkyTrain comments (and I haven't read any of those), well frankly if it's true than it just reflects what a lot of Anglo-Canadians think about our Francophone bretheren. Why should the SkyTrain hire employees that speak French (beyond perhaps a minimum number - much as they tend to do with Asian languages). For two weeks in February? Sorry - not necessary. It's not like the Metro in Montreal goes out of its way to hire english speaking employees and Montreal has a higher percentage of English speakers than Vancouver does French. It's a business. Get over it. |
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Post by LoupDogg on Feb 15, 2010 16:15:50 GMT -5
If "that language nonsense" you refer to is the respect of the secondofficial language of the games and the country, yeah, why not leave it aside? Why not forget completely about French and stop pretending that Canada cares about it? I think that option has been put forward in 1980 and 1995, the other way around. And it failed. Both times. Despite careful wording to mask its true intention. But back to what duster said - he's quite right. Of the main performers (Yanofsky, Furtado, Adams, McLachlan, MacIssac, Saulgrain (the guy doing the prarie portion), Koyczan, Lang, Brueggergosman and Garou) at least two are Quebecois (not sure about Saulgrain, although he trains in Montreal) - and if you look at percentages that's about right when compared to the percentage of French-speakers in Canada (23% of Canadians identify French as their native tongue). Perhaps you mean Quebecois culture? Well a large portion of the "Rhythms of the Fall" was dedicated to the Chassie-Galerie. It's certainly more than a number of other provinces got - did they mention the cowboy culture of Alberta? The Ukrainian communities of the praries? Did Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador get anything more than a single fiddler (and frankly the supposedly Cape Breton and Newfoundland fiddlers were not very good exemplars of their style of music) As for the SkyTrain comments (and I haven't read any of those), well frankly if it's true than it just reflects what a lot of Anglo-Canadians think about our Francophone bretheren. Why should the SkyTrain hire employees that speak French (beyond perhaps a minimum number - much as they tend to do with Asian languages). For two weeks in February? Sorry - not necessary. It's not like the Metro in Montreal goes out of its way to hire english speaking employees and Montreal has a higher percentage of English speakers than Vancouver does French. It's a business. Get over it. Firt of all, give me a break about the wording of the referendum questions. Everybody knew very well what it was all about. Next, I have to say I did enjoy the show. It was well done (overall) and tasteful. Still, I found that there was a profound lack of respect for the French factor in it. You casually compare it to that of the cowboy culture of Alberta and of the Ukrainians. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought that this great country was built by two cultures, one French and one English (a great great place has been left to the native indians. That's all right. Although a few Europeans will probably think we still live in tipis.) My history books didn't mention the Ukrainians as founding fathers. Or Ukrainian as an Olympic language. Or one of the two official languages of Canada (no disrespect to Ukrainians). I didn't want the Vancouver Olympics to feature the Bonhomme Carnaval. But you have to admit that the French in it was marginal. That they translated François-Xavier Garneau's poem, which is insulting. That all we were left with was a horrible rendition of a great song by Garou. And some subtitles, if you were lucky. Now, if that's the place Canada is willing to leave Quebec, go wonder why so many of us don't feel so Canadian. For it's another country. Another reality. A fine one, mind. But not mine. |
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Post by The New Guy on Feb 15, 2010 20:19:52 GMT -5
First of all, give me a break about the wording of the referendum questions. Everybody knew very well what it was all about. Of course it was. That's why 23% of undecided voters mere weeks before the election thought that a "Yes" vote would result in their retaining their full Canadian citizenship. Next, I have to say I did enjoy the show. It was well done (overall) and tasteful. Still, I found that there was a profound lack of respect for the French factor in it. You casually compare it to that of the cowboy culture of Alberta and of the Ukrainians. Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought that this great country was built by two cultures, one French and one English (a great great place has been left to the native indians. That's all right. Although a few Europeans will probably think we still live in tipis.) My history books didn't mention the Ukrainians as founding fathers. Or Ukrainian as an Olympic language. Or one of the two official languages of Canada (no disrespect to Ukrainians). So what you're saying is that because they came to the party late they don't really count. Well, by that logic, the Quebecois culture came to the party late (the English were here first, or going further back the Spanish (although they really didn't come this far north), the Basque, the Portugese, the Vikings, possibly the Irish and finally, the First Nations). Being here first, being a so-called founding father (although only 1/9th of the founding fathers were Francophone - less if you include later "fathers" like Joey or the fellow with the weird name from BC) does not imply that your culture has primacy. Your culture (and I say your culture because I assume, based on your name and statements that you are a francophone living in Montreal) is unique. It is also one of many cultures that are unique. Most importantly, it is part of what makes Canada great. But it is not an integral part - it is no more important than any other culture. The sooner people - particularly those myopic, ignorant creatures like Diane Lemieux - understand this, the sooner we shall see an end of this silliness. I didn't want the Vancouver Olympics to feature the Bonhomme Carnaval. But you have to admit that the French in it was marginal. That they translated François-Xavier Garneau's poem, which is insulting. That all we were left with was a horrible rendition of a great song by Garou. And some subtitles, if you were lucky. So we were lucky if we had subtitles, but translating a French poem so the majority of the listeners can understand and appreciate it is an insult. You also forgot to mention the fiddlers and the Chassie-Galerie. But back to your points - was the French "marginal"? Depends on your definition of "marginal". I think the French certainly got more attention than other cultures. Of course you probably thing that French deserved more air time than these other cultures. However I think a lot of things were "marginalized" to put together a better show. You can only fit so much into the time assigned. In my opinion the show planners decided to focus more on nature and native themes and less on any one culture (excluding native culture), and in that context French received as much - or possibly more - than was proportionate. |
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Post by ValkyrieNS on Feb 16, 2010 6:20:45 GMT -5
I leave you guys alone for one whole day and you go all off-topic on me, lol ;D *** Day 4:Men's Snowboard Cross:Wow! I so want to jump on a snowboard and attack a hill... mind you, it would be a substantially smaller hill and it would take me at least an hour to get to the bottom of it  Watched almost the entire thing, missed the first 8 competitors in the qualifying run. Mike Robertson, who ended up with the silver, was great to watch. Too bad he had to miss a landing in the last bit of the race... I was convinced we had another gold medal coming to us. Men's 500m Speed Skating:Epic fail with all three Zambonis... 90 mins delay in all [so I ended up missing Pairs Figure Skating]. The Korean gold medal winner, Mo, won on his 21st b-day. And supposedly, according to Catriona Le May Doan, he will get a salary for life... nice b-day prezzies  Felt bad for Jer, only placed 9th when all was said and done. |
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Post by BadCompany on Feb 16, 2010 8:12:53 GMT -5
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Post by CrocRob on Feb 16, 2010 9:05:42 GMT -5
"True bilingualism" doesn't exist in Canada except for a select few small regions, but I guess you have to put on a false front when hosting guests.
I don't much care about language issues. It feels like that well has been tapped so often it's dry in my mind.
As for the Olympics, I'm pretty much taking a pass. Too much on my plate right now, and I won't go out of my way to watch any of it.
Val, you're allowed to be disappointed with a silver medal. Begg-Smith is the best mogul skier in the world and anything less than gold ought to be considered a failure for him.
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Post by ValkyrieNS on Feb 16, 2010 9:34:35 GMT -5
Val, you're allowed to be disappointed with a silver medal. Begg-Smith is the best mogul skier in the world and anything less than gold ought to be considered a failure for him. That would work double for a bronze medal then? So how come the USA Bronze medalist was pretty darn thrilled? |
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Post by The New Guy on Feb 16, 2010 9:55:28 GMT -5
[/color] Its easy for people who don't live here to automatically assume that everytime the word "French" comes up that its some sort of knee-jerk, separatist racism. Unfortunately they usually miss the irony in their own knee-jerk, federalist racism. And that's unfortunate.[/quote] But to me it's not a reaction to knee-jerk seperatist racism. That's another kettle of fish altogether - I have problems with language laws in Quebec and their intense desire to negotiate a better deal (when frankly many of us outside Quebec think they get a pretty sweet deal to begin with) but that's not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about this nonsense about how Quebec culture should, for some reason, be enshrined within Canada and elevated to a place above all others. I'm talking about Diane Lemieux, who outright said that there was no culture in Ontario. I'm talking about a completely different sense of entitlement, one that is perhaps tied to the seperatist sentiment, but which can be examined on its own as well. I belong to another one of Canada's great cultures. It is as old and as distinct as the Quebecois culture with traditions that are as venerable as any in Canada. I get cheesed when the Quebecois act as if they are the only show in town. But back to the opening ceremonies - what you and LoupDogg and the Gazette and Charest seem to miss is that French culture was never meant to be examined in the opening ceremonies. Probably because they felt that they had the choice to focus exclusively on the French or hear complaints about how the French were underrepresented. They chose instead to focus predominantly on two things - native culture (because it's really tough to say they focused too much on First Nations culture) and the natural beauty of Canada - the great rain forests of the west coast, the Rockies, the Pacific Ocean, the Arctic and the Praries. Even then they deigned to include a few of the cultures from east of the Praries and amongst those Quebec took top billing (well, Quebec and Ashley MacIssac) - top billing amongst all the "cultures" presented (excluding Native cultures) is still not enough for a group of people who make up 23% of Canada's population. Sounds like a lot of complaining about nothing to my ears. |
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Post by CrocRob on Feb 16, 2010 10:07:05 GMT -5
Val, you're allowed to be disappointed with a silver medal. Begg-Smith is the best mogul skier in the world and anything less than gold ought to be considered a failure for him. That would work double for a bronze medal then? So how come the USA Bronze medalist was pretty darn thrilled? It's a matter of expectations. He wasn't expected to medal at all. When you're ranked 5th, medaling is a thrill. When you're ranked 1, coming second is a disappointment. |
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Post by Cranky on Feb 16, 2010 12:26:24 GMT -5
Sounds like a lot of complaining about nothing to my ears. Unless of course your ears where on the other side. This thread is about the Olympics. Let's keep it THERE and not in the devisive and sensitive language issue. |
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Post by duster on Feb 16, 2010 13:03:37 GMT -5
To be fair, Begg-Smith is not exactly the most eloquent of athletes at the best of times. In fact, his lack of media "friendliness" has created some criticism in 'Oz.
Regarding my comment pertaining to the Quebec media in Vancouver. I didn't mean to create a fuss. As a local who goes to Whistler frequently and understands the enormous effort that it took to stage the event, I found it a little petty that some members of the Quebec press and a few politicians could only focus on the language issue and the lack of services in French rather than concentrating on the Games themselves and following Canada's athletes. I just feel that for once they could give it a rest and realize it's not all about them or their fears of Quebec becoming another Louisiana. Why not enjoy the Games as much as any anglophone? If there has been a faux pas, an insult or something lacking, it can be addressed after the Games. Is this racist?
Besides, for all we know, maybe the closing ceremonies will now feature Bonhomme Carnaval, Plume Latraverse and La Bottine Souriante. Celine Dion refuses to leave Las Vegas which is only a couple of hours away.
Onwards!
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Feb 16, 2010 13:30:18 GMT -5
Besides, for all we know, maybe the closing ceremonies will now feature Bonhomme Carnaval, Plume Latraverse and La Bottine Souriante. Celine Dion refuses to leave Las Vegas which is only a couple of hours away. Onwards! You beat me to it, duster, and I'm glad you did. It's entirely possible the closing ceremony may very well represent all cultures within Canada. We don't know for sure, unless someone has the scoop on it. My heritage is Micmac, French (mostly Acadian) and Irish. I never mind mixing it up providing we have a drink first ;D As for the Olympics themselves, well, I'm kind of disappointed for Mr Wotherspoon. He just couldn't bring his "A" game to the Olympics. Still, he's had a good run over his career. Looking forward to the long-track and short-track speed skating races, though. I don't know how anyone cannot like short-track speed skating. Just love it. Cheers. |
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Post by habernac on Feb 16, 2010 13:51:31 GMT -5
to be fair to Wotherspoon, I think it was more the media hyping him to win the 500. It isn't his specialty, the 1000 is much more suited to him.
Begg-Smith is an ass, as is his coach who has been whining non stop since Bilodeau beat him fair and square. He can go home and have his spam software keep him company.
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Post by LoupDogg on Feb 16, 2010 14:00:05 GMT -5
Begg-Smith is an ass, as is his coach who has been whining non stop since Bilodeau beat him fair and square. He can go home and have his spam software keep him company. That made me laugh more than Begg-Smith will ever do in his whole life!!! |
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Post by habernac on Feb 16, 2010 14:10:46 GMT -5
Just tired of seeing his miserable mug on TV. Glad he can just go away now.
Anyone else disappointed at how negative media coverage has become? Badgering Heil and Robertson about losing gold instead of winning silver? Basically insinuating that Wotherspoon is a failure?
And what a long line of jinx's this games seems to have. Between the horrible accident at the luge track to hydraulic failures, crappy weather, Olympia ice surfacing machine debacles (I hear a real Zamboni has been shipped in from Alberta to save the day). Bad luck or what?
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Post by clear observer on Feb 16, 2010 14:11:04 GMT -5
To be fair, Begg-Smith is not exactly the most eloquent of athletes at the best of times. In fact, his lack of media "friendliness" has created some criticism in 'Oz. Regarding my comment pertaining to the Quebec media in Vancouver. I didn't mean to create a fuss. As a local who goes to Whistler frequently and understands the enormous effort that it took to stage the event, I found it a little petty that some members of the Quebec press and a few politicians could only focus on the language issue and the lack of services in French rather than concentrating on the Games themselves and following Canada's athletes. I just feel that for once they could give it a rest and realize it's not all about them or their fears of Quebec becoming another Louisiana. Why not enjoy the Games as much as any anglophone? If there has been a faux pas, an insult or something lacking, it can be addressed after the Games. Is this racist? Besides, for all we know, maybe the closing ceremonies will now feature Bonhomme Carnaval, Plume Latraverse and La Bottine Souriante. Celine Dion refuses to leave Las Vegas which is only a couple of hours away. Onwards! Problem is it's not JUST the press and/or media that is sensitive to this. If the shoe were on the other foot I'm sure those who dismiss this (poor form, I might add) as "petty" and "whiny" would feel MUCH differently. I'm somewhat sensitive to this as well, and I'm neither an Anglo or a Francophone. Remember, people can be BOTH "sensitive" AND "INsensitive". As always, just my opinion. |
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Post by OopyDoopy on Feb 16, 2010 14:39:03 GMT -5
Speaking of petty...hehehe....I just can't resist being petty.  The term racist is not correct as French, English, etc are not races they are ethnics or nationalities, the term you are looking for is prejudice. I for one am really enjoying the games and I really like the new attitude from the Canadian athletes as it is more of a winning orientated attitude and not just a happy to be here attitude like it was before. Begg-Smith is the Canadian that left Canada for Australia because he couldn't have his internet company and compete for Canada, right? |
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Post by habernac on Feb 16, 2010 14:48:56 GMT -5
that's him
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Post by The New Guy on Feb 16, 2010 15:36:01 GMT -5
Sounds like a lot of complaining about nothing to my ears. Unless of course your ears where on the other side. This thread is about the Olympics. Let's keep it THERE and not in the devisive and sensitive language issue. Well, I'd like to point out that I haven't complained about the lack of Newfoundland culture in the ceremony (a fiddler in the Newfoundland tartan playing some generic tune that might be identified as Newfoundland folk fiddling says very little about the rich culture out here on the rock) so no, I'd have to say my ears were on the other side and they still heard a lot of complaining. However you are right - this thread went way off topic very early on and I did nothing to correct this by jumping into the fray. Especially given my viewpoints on the language issue as a whole and my proclivity to use polemic language when I write. Consider me muzzled with regards to the topic in this thread. |
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Post by ValkyrieNS on Feb 16, 2010 17:22:03 GMT -5
BLNY was telling me [after my mini-rant that I would have to take a nap before the Canada/Norway game and another quick nap right afterwards, so that I could watch the Russia/Latvia game] that Eastlink Digital Cable is offering "Olympics Coverage" using the "on demand" feature. So, all excited, I just tried it to watch the Pairs Figure Skating I missed last night... and it doesn't work  Says my digital box is unable to show my video... guess I'll be taking a couple of naps after all, because I need to check out Markov and see what he's up to... but not because I like him or anything... nope, not me |
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Post by Skilly on Feb 16, 2010 18:45:49 GMT -5
If the shoe were on the other foot I'm sure those who dismiss this (poor form, I might add) as "petty" and "whiny" would feel MUCH differently. A totally innocent question .... but one that immediately popped into my head when reading this discussion. But, would anyone know what kind of culture representation occured in the opening ceremonies in 1976? |
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Post by habernac on Feb 16, 2010 18:47:34 GMT -5
you read my mind, Skilly.
Congrats to Maelle Ricker for winning gold on a tough snowboard cross course!!
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Post by Cranky on Feb 16, 2010 19:52:45 GMT -5
To me, the malfunctioning fourth arm of the Olympic torch was embarrassing. It's a simple hydraulic (or chain driven) device and to see it dead on arrival in front of the entire world....OUCH! If we hold the Olympics in Toronto (which I hope is NEVER), I'm going to volunteer my services on something like that. If I have anything to do with it, six billion people will NEVER witness another Canadian erectile dysfunction. |
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Post by roke on Feb 16, 2010 20:14:09 GMT -5
I'm watching the Norway-Canada game, first non-Habs-related hockey game I've watched all season.
I'll tell you, Norway reminds me of the Habs... except without a powerplay. Canada's dominating puck possession and the Norwegians can't sustain any pressure. They're going to be in really tough in the 2nd period with the long change, much like the Habs. It really hurts to go the extra length to the bench when you aren't controlling the puck, and Canada should have ample opportunity in the second period of play when the Norwegians have to have longer shifts.
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Post by roke on Feb 16, 2010 20:52:19 GMT -5
Canada's roaring along quite nicely, playing good hockey and actually shooting pucks. I wanted to see how they would play tonight, and while they were tentative in the first, they're going now. Should be fine until the knockout stages.
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The term racist is not correct as French, English, etc are not races they are ethnics or nationalities, the term you are looking for is prejudice. 
