Interesting.

Rio wins right to host the 2016 Olympics - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-2016bids&prov=ap&type=lgns)


Rio wins right to host the 2016 Olympics

By JOHN LEICESTER, AP Sports Writer 18 minutes ago

COPENHAGEN (AP)—Finally, South America gets an Olympics. The 2016 Games are going to Rio de Janeiro.

In a vote of high drama, the bustling Brazilian carnival city of beaches, mountains and samba beat surprise finalist Madrid, which got a big helping hand from a very influential friend.

Chicago was knocked out in the first round—in one of the most shocking defeats ever in International Olympic Committee voting. Even Tokyo, which had trailed throughout the race, did better—eliminated after Chicago in the second round.

Rio spoke to IOC members' consciences: the city argued that it was simply unfair that South America has never hosted the games, while Europe, Asia and North America have done so repeatedly.

“It is a time to address this imbalance,” Brazil's charismatic president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, told the IOC's members before they voted. “It is time to light the Olympic cauldron in a tropical country.”


The bearded former union leader disappeared into a huge group hug with the joyous Rio team after IOC president Jacques Rogge announced that the city won. Football great Pele had tears in his eyes.

Madrid's surprising success in reaching the final round came after former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch made an unusual appeal for the Spanish capital, reminding the IOC's members as he asked for their vote that, at age 89, “I am very near the end of my time.”

Samaranch ran the IOC for 21 years before Rogge took over in 2001.
Chicago had long been seen as a front-runner and got the highest possible level of support—from President Barack Obama himself. But he only spent a few hours in the Danish capital where the vote was held and left before the result was announced. Former IOC member Kai Holm said that the brevity of his appearance may have counted against him.

The short stopover was “too business-like,” Holm said. “It can be that some IOC members see it as a lack of respect.”

Senior Australian IOC member Kevan Gosper surmised that Asian voters may have banded together for Tokyo in the first round, at Chicago's expense.

“I'm shocked,” Gosper said. “The whole thing doesn't make sense other than there has been a stupid bloc vote.”

He worried that the shock exit could do “untold damage” to the already testy relations between the IOC and the U.S. Olympic Committee. They had recent flare-ups over revenue sharing and a USOC TV network.

“To have the president of the United States and his wife personally appear, then this should happen in the first round is awful and totally undeserving,” Gosper said.

The European-dominated IOC's last two experiences in the United States were marked by controversy: the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics were sullied by a bribery scandal and logistical problems and a bombing hit the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

Obama had held out the enticing prospect of a Chicago games helping to reconnect the United States with the world after the presidency of George W. Bush. He told the IOC earlier Friday that the “full force of the White House” would be applied so “visitors from all around the world feel welcome and will come away with a sense of the incredible diversity of the American people.”

Now, Chicago can only rue what might have been. And Obama's gamble of expending his own political capital on the bid backfired.

The last U.S. city to bid for the Summer Games, New York, did scarcely better. It was ousted in the second round in the 2005 vote that gave the 2012 Games to London.

Tokyo did better than many expected by reaching the second round. It had offered reassurances of financial security, with $4 billion already banked for the games.

But the fact that the Olympics were held only last year in Asia, in Beijing, handicapped the Japanese capital's bid.

Its plans for a highly compact games, sparing athletes tiring travel by holding all but the shooting within 5 miles of the city center, were technically appealing. But the bid failed to generate real enthusiasm, even in Japan. Tokyo had the lowest public backing in IOC polls.

Tokyo's final presentation Friday to the IOC, while smooth and heartfelt, lacked the buzz that the Obamas and Rio generated. In short, Tokyo was simply overshadowed, failing to convince IOC members that it really wanted or needed the games.

AP Sports Writer Stephen Wilson contributed to this report from London.

I guess that Obama isn't quite as convincing as he thinks he is in the public arena. The whole point of him going to Coppenhagen was to "close the deal" and bring the Olympics to Chicago. Speculation was that the decision had already been made in Chicago's favor, and Obama's presence was just supposed to be icing on the cake, but that speculation seems to have been off-base. But in any case, Obama went there to wrap the whole thing up in a nice little bow and bring it home.

If Obama lacks the ability to convince the IOC to accept Chicago as the site of the 2016 Olympics... which, let's face it, isn't all that important in the grand scheme of things... what makes anyone think that he can convince Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to lay down his nuclear ambitions? Or convince China to end their abuses of civil rights? Or convince the Taliban to lay down their arms and become allies of the USA? Or convince Kim Jong Il to release the next set of hostages his soldiers kidnap?

Frankly, the whole "messianic" façade is wearing thin. More and more often, "Yes We Can" is turning out to be "No He Can't". Obama ain't all that... even among the European elites he so admires, respects and wants to be like.

Elliot

But hey, he did sign an executive order banning texting while driving for federal employees so he has accomplished something.

I'm glad Chicago didn't get the games. The city's high crime rate was giving it a bad image. It's nice to see that political correctness didn't prevail as usual. I thought that Chicago would be given the games just so the IOC wouldn't look racist.

I guess that Obama isn't quite as convincing as he thinks he is in the public arena.
Oh, for pete's sake, Eliot. Rio was always the suspected first choice. It was time for S.A. to host the games which have never been held there. Mayor Daley was hot for the Olympics and got President Obama on the bandwagon finally. Much of Chicago was against it. Now Daley can use that money to fight crime and drug traffickers and dogfighting.

The world is much friendlier to the U.S. now than it was under swashbuckler Bush.

I heard that Geneva will bid for the 2018 winter games. This would be long overdue because Geneva is a fantastic city.

I also was glad when NYC lost it's bid a few years ago... but for a different reason... It's hard enough to navigate through traffic here now without that specticle .


I'm glad Chicago didn't get the games. The city's high crime rate was giving it a bad image. It's nice to see that political correctness didn't prevail as usual. I thought that Chicago would be given the games just so the IOC wouldn't look racist.

If the President wants to use his exensive influence to some good then perhaps he should huddle with the city leaders and attempt to solve the terrible violent crime that has plagued the city .

Do you think that he would ever own up to his culpabiltiy in the tragic crime wave that crested this week with the clubbing death of Derrion Albert right before the city made it's case to the IOC ? Or the very public triple homicide of the Jennifer Hudson family ? That as a State Senator he helped pass a series of crime laws one more lenient than the next ? He and the State leaders were and are soft on crime and they are reaping what they sowed.

Now ,instead of attempting to throw bones to his corrupt slumlord buddies like Tony Rezko and Valerie Jarrett ,as well as the inevidible graft from the Daley machine when bids for contracts related to the Olympics coming to town ; the city leaders can get down to honestly fixing what is wrong with the 2nd City .

Oh, for pete's sake, Eliot. Rio was always the suspected first choice.

He should not have gone on the junket if he couldn't close the deal. But this is sort of like the way he negotiates with the Ruskies and the Mahdi-hatter .

Oh, for pete's sake, Eliot. Rio was always the suspected first choice. It was time for S.A. to host the games which have never been held there. Mayor Daley was hot for the Olympics and got President Obama on the bandwagon finally. Much of Chicago was against it. Now Daley can use that money to fight crime and drug traffickers and dogfighting.

The world is much friendlier to the U.S. now than it was under swashbuckler Bush.

Swashbuckler Bush ! I love it! I haven't heard that term very often,except in novels but it is so apt as to be comical! :)
I have no greenies but I would give you a bunch just for the laugh!

You know... I'm wondering if the IOC gave the award to Rio as payback for Brazil's giving Zelaya sanctuary in their embassy??

I'm glad Chicago didn't get the games. The city's high crime rate was giving it a bad image. It's nice to see that political correctness didn't prevail as usual. I thought that Chicago would be given the games just so the IOC wouldn't look racist.

How could they look racist if they gave it to Rio. I think, in fact, that your comment is racist, suggesting anyone elsewhere in the world gives a damn about about what the US might think and should kowtow to the US because it is led by a coloured man. Do you think rejecting the US because Obama has a permanent suntan is racist, or because some dark skinned Americans live in Chicago. Grow up

Hello again, tom:

You mean the IOC thinks a military coup happened too. Wow. You guys just don't get ANY support, do you?

excon

He should not have gone on the junket if he couldn't close the deal. But this is sorta like the way he negotiates with the Ruskies and the Mahdi-hatter .
Did you notice he didn't spend much of the week there like some of the others did? President Obama was licked before he started - whether Chicago got the games, his presence or absence in Copenhagen would have been under fire. So at least make a cameo appearance to keep Daley happy. Rio was the favorite; Chicago knew that. Even Michael Jordan didn't show up.

Much of Chicago is glad they lost. A large bird and butterfly sanctuary would have been razed, the city would have gone into overdrive with graft and corruption, traffic would have been horrendous during the games.

the city would have gone into overdrive with graft and corruption, traffic would have been horrendous during the games.


On that we agree. I'm sure some of Valerie Jarrett's properties would've been razed also to construct the Olympic village( Grove Parc ?).

He should not have gone on the junket if he couldn't close the deal. But this is sorta like the way he negotiates with the Ruskies and the Mahdi-hatter .



I'm not a hundred percent sure about this, but isn't the term "Ruskie" outdated and a bit offensive nowadays? It would be like calling blacks negroes or colored, or calling Chinese, Japanese and Germans chinks, japs and krauts. People are outraged when non-white people are called names, but white people seem to be fair game for insults. There shouldn't be a double standard.

Frankly, the whole "messianic" facade is wearing thin. More and more often, "Yes We Can" is turning out to be "No He Can't". Obama ain't all that... even among the European elites he so admires, respects and wants to be like.Hello Elliot:

Why do you hate America so much?

excon

It would be like calling blacks negroes or colored

Isn't the term "blacks " outdated ? I could've sworn the PC term was African-American. Hard to keep track .

He should not have gone on the junket if he couldn't close the deal.


There has been a growing narrative taking hold about Barack Obama's presidency in recent weeks: that he is loved by many, but feared by none; that he is full of lofty vision, but is actually achieving nothing with his grandiloquence.
Chicago's dismal showing yesterday, after Mr Obama's personal, impassioned last-minute pitch, is a stunning humiliation for this President. It cannot be emphasised enough how this will feed the perception that on the world stage he looks good — but carries no heft.

Obama’s Olympic failure will only add to doubts about his presidency - Times Online (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6859031.ece)#


Although Mr Obama spent only a few hours in the Danish capital, and although other leaders were there to bat on behalf of their cities, Barack and Michelle Obama couched their pitches in biographical terms. By personalising Chicago's appeal, Mr Obama put his own reputation on the line.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fe009f4e-af88-11de-ba1c-00144feabdc0.html


So at least make a cameo appearance to keep Daley happy.

Exactly... but the President should remember he is no longer in the Daley machine and owes them nothing . This was a bad move that resonates beyond Daley Square.

Exactly ....but the President should remember he is no longer in the Daley machine and owes them nothing . This was a bad move that resonates beyond Daley Square.
Oh, piffle!! And he was never in the Daley machine.

Oh, piffle!!!! And he was never in the Daley machine.

He may not have been "in" the Daley machine but the Daley machine was "in" for Obama (http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/179080,CST-NWS-obama20.article).

He may not have been "in" the Daley machine but the Daley machine was "in" for Obama (http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/179080,CST-NWS-obama20.article).
So what? Obama made his cameo appearance in Copenhagen, took the opportunity to meet with McChrystal who was in nearby London, and then, within a few hours, flew back to Chicago. It was a productive jaunt.

Weird, so many americans happy that the US did *not* win an olympic bid. How odd.

Obama is human. Had a bad week between this and the "public option" going nowhere.

Banning texting while driving - probably the best thing he has done :)


G&P

Even Michael Jordan didn't show up.


A hall of famer no doubt, a champion as a player, but not a very gracious acceptance speech,

Jordan's night to remember turns petty - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-jordanhall091209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)

And not a very good GM.


G&P

It was a productive jaunt.

Yes productive of yet another photo opportunity, something Obama can't pass up. I wonder where he will turn up next?:D

yes productive of yet another photo opportunity, something Obama can't pass up. I wonder where he will turn up next?
He moves around and the media follow him. When you are President of the U.S. that's what happens. Would you rather have him cutting brush in Crawford, Texas?

He moves around and the media follow him. When you are President of the U.S., that's what happens. Would you rather have him cutting brush in Crawford, Texas?

That's what has beens do isn't it?

That's what has beens do isn't it?
He did it when he was an "is" too.

Most Americans are glad the U.S. lost and yet you guys bash him for losing. If he would have won, then you would say something along the lines of "He is using his fame to win," or some other pointless argument.

According to the NY Slimes
Mr. Obama was in Copenhagen for just five hours and did not stay for the vote. He learned Chicago lost in the first round while watching a CNN transmission whose signal cut in and out as Air Force One passed over Cabot Strait between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

A sense of stunned bewilderment suffused Air Force One and the White House. Only after the defeat did many advisers ask questions about the byzantine politics of the Olympic committee. Valerie Jarrett, the president's senior adviser and a Chicago booster who persuaded him to make the trip while at the United Nations last week, had repeatedly compared the contest to the Iowa caucuses.
But officials said the administration did not independently verify Chicago's chances, relying instead on the Chicago 2016 committee assertions that the city had enough support to finish in the top two. Mr. Obama, Michelle Obama, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Ms. Jarrett worked the phones in recent weeks without coming away with a sense of how behind Chicago really was.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/sports/03obama.html?_r=1&ref=instapundit

And even though the LA Slimes reported that the IOC decision had nothing to do with American internal politics .....
2016 Olympics -- latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-hersh-olympics4-2009oct04,0,2745769.story)
......the left immediately began the meme of last resort....the boilerplate argument that it was Bush's fault.


Though the President didn't mention George W. Bush by name, it was clear he saw the Games as a vital strand of his strategy in rebuilding bridges with the rest of the world which under his predecessor had seen American relations abroad take a hammering.

Games would restore US reputation: Obama (http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-sport/games-would-restore-us-reputation-obama-20091002-ggft.html)


To me this indicates that the White House is tone deaf . They clearly misread the chances and the Obamas broke precedent and put the prestige of the presidency on the line to seal the deal. If they can get something simple as this wrong ....what else are they misreading ?

To me this indicates that the White House is tone deaf . They clearly misread the chances and the Obamas broke precedent and put the prestige of the presidency on the line to seal the deal. If they can get something simple as this wrong ....what else are they misreading ?
What should the WH have said -- "No, Chicago has no chance to win against Rio"?

Chicago had already screwed up any chances they had even before the presentation, plus Rio (South America) had never held an Olympics and was the clear favorite. That's why President Obama's appearance was only a cameo one. Had he not shown up and Chicago lost, the onus would have been on him. Now the onus, at least in Chicagoland, is on Mayor Daley.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/world/asia/05troops.html

He outlined his strategy on Friday in Copenhagen in a 25-minute meeting with President Obama on Air Force One while it was parked on an airport tarmac.




Cameo?? That was Obama's appearance to General McCrystal. He spent HOURS campaigning for the olympics. Priorities?


G&P

Cameo??? that was Obama's appearance to General McCrystal. He spent HOURS campaigning for the olympics. Priorities?
Piffle! President Obama arrived in Copenhagen just before the presentation, made his speech, and then left again after talking with McChrystal, heard about Chicago's losing during the first vote while he was in the air heading back to the U.S. He was in Copenhagen less than three hours.

There is a view that Chicago might have dodged the bullet, so look on the bright side there is always 2020

There is a view that Chicago might have dodged the bullet, so look on the bright side there is always 2020
No, there are NO plans to bid for the 2020 Olympics, nor will Chicago want to. More than half of Chicagoans are thrilled that Chicago lost. Now Mayor Daley will have to fix the potholes, make neighborhoods safer, and stop the dog fighting. Had Chicago gotten the Olympic bid, only the rich would have gotten richer, with no-bid contracts going to political cronies.

No, there are NO plans to bid for the 2020 Olympics, nor will Chicago want to. More than half of Chicagoans are thrilled that Chicago lost. Now Mayor Daley will have to fix the potholes, make neighborhoods safer, and stop the dog fighting. Had Chicago gotten the Olympic bid, only the rich would have gotten richer, with no-bid contracts going to political cronies.
Oh how cynical you are. Think of the urban renewal that could have taken place, all those derelict buildings that could have been bulldozed, roads upgraded, neighbourhoods beautified, transport upgraded, new sports arenas, jobs for the locals. Now no one will have any interest in doing these things. No the Olympics are a great economic stimulus to any city. It makes people do a rethink

oh how cynical you are. Think of the urban renewal that could have taken place, all those derelict buildings that could have been bulldozed, roads upgraded, neighbourhoods beautified, transport upgraded, new sports arenas, jobs for the locals. Now noone will have any interest in doing these things. No the Olympics are a great economic stimulus to any city. It makes people do a rethink
And millions of dollars of debt are incurred for payment over the next 30 years... Daley is now obliged to use the set-aside Olympic funds to do all those things he promised, including low-cost housing where the Olympic Village would have stood. The Chicago papers (columnists, letters to the editor) are full of demands to him.

I told you it was Bush's fault (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/olympics/1804170,CST-NWS-olyresent03.article).


Some Chicago officials say anti-American resentment likely played a role in Chicago's Olympic bid dying in the first round Friday.

President Obama could not undo in one year the resentment against America that President Bush and others built up for years, they said.

"There must be" resentment against America, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, near the stage where he had hoped to give a victory speech in Daley Center Plaza. "The way we [refused to sign] the Kyoto Treaty, we misled the world into Iraq. The world had a very bad taste in its mouth about us. But there was such a turnaround after last November. The world now feels better about America and about Americans. That's why I thought the president's going was the deal-maker."

State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) said she saw firsthand the resentment against America five years ago when she was in Rio de Janeiro. "I feel in my gut that this vote today was political and mean-spirited," she said.

"I travel a lot.. . I thought we had really turned a corner with the election of President Obama. People are so much more welcoming of Americans now. But this isn't the people of those countries. This is the leaders still living with outdated impressions of Americans."

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said she was approached by a consul general at the plaza as they waited for word Friday. "He said ... he was hearing that there wasn't enough time for Barack Obama to dispel the old image.... But I don't know if that's it."

Darn that Bush, he has ruined everything.

Oh, for pete's sake, Eliot. Rio was always the suspected first choice. It was time for S.A. to host the games which have never been held there. Mayor Daley was hot for the Olympics and got President Obama on the bandwagon finally. Much of Chicago was against it. Now Daley can use that money to fight crime and drug traffickers and dogfighting.

I agree with every single word that you have posted here to this point.

So why did Obama waste his time and the taxpayers' money, not to mention his own political capital on what you acknowledge was a lost cause?

The answer is that he EXPECTED to be able to pull it off. Fact is that the US Olympic Committee leadership did a "head count" and thought that they vote was going to be a close thing, and that Obama's presence could make the difference in the vote. Turns out that their head-count was dead wrong... that the USA wasn't even in the running.

So the question is, why did the US Olympic committee get its numbers so badly wrong? Were they just telling Obama what he wanted to hear rather than what was true?


The world is much friendlier to the U.S. now than it was under swashbuckler Bush.

Really?

Do you think that the Pols, the Cheks, and the Hondurans, all of whom have been thrown under the bus in recent weeks, are feeling friendly towards the USA today? Do you think that French PM Sarkozy is feeling friendly towards the USA as Obama undermines him? Do you think that Gordon Brown is feeling particularly friendly toward the USA at the moment after being deliberately snubbed by Obama on at least 4 occasions? Is IRAN being friendly toward the USA? How about North Korea and China?

In fact, can you name a single country in the entire world that is more friendly toward the USA today than it was under Bush? How is that country demonstrating that friendliness?

Wake up, Wondy... the world is NOT a friendly place, and Obama isn't making it any better.

Elliot

Hello Elliot:

Why do you hate America so much?

excon

I love America. I hate Obama for trying to destroy the very fabric of what it means to be American. His economic and social plans disincentivize the very thing that makes America great... the "Protestant work ethic" and the knowledge that if you work hard enough, you can become rich and keep what you earn.

The question is why do you hate America so much that you want Obama to change it for the worse and eliminate that which makes America great?

Elliot

Hello again, El:

Irony is totally lost on you guys...

excon

Y'know what's ironic?

Ironic is when the President of the USA goes around the world telling everyone how awful his country is for forcing its will upon others, how awful a place it is now that the rich aren't so rich and the poor are poorer, how terrible a place it is where we are rude and selfish and greedy... America is such an awful place, he says...

... and then he expects the IOC to grant the 2016 Olympics to this awful place.

After the world-wide sales pitch he's been making since last November in speech after speech and international appearance after international appearance, what exactly did he expect was going to happen?

THAT'S irony, excon.

Elliot

Y'know what's ironic?Hello again, El:

Yes, I understand the word irony. Like others in the dictionary, it's clear that you don't. You think politics is irony. But, nope. Irony is when you get caught engaging in behavior that you excoriated others from partaking in.

Just like I did here. I mentioned the irony, because you post here as though the recent past has slipped your mind. But, that's OK. I'm used to you trying to change what went on before. That's why I'm here.

You, like Rush Limbaugh, want Obama to fail. I guess you don't realize that thing about your NOSE being attached to your FACE.. But, again, I'm used to Republicans who have NO grip on reality.

I ask you again, Elliot, why do you HATE America sooooo much?

excon

Hello again, El:

Yes, I understand the word irony. Like others in the dictionary, it's clear that you don't. You think politics is irony. But, nope. Irony is when you get caught engaging in behavior that you excoriated others from partaking in.

That's not irony, that's hipocracy. Which makes it clear that you DON'T understand the words.


Just like I did here. I mentioned the irony, because you post here as though the recent past has slipped your mind. But, that's OK. I'm used to you trying to change what went on before. That's why I'm here.

Which posts would those be? Would they be all the OTHER posts where I excoriated Obama for his apologist, anti-American rhetoric?


You, like Rush Limbaugh, want Obama to fail. I guess you don't realize that thing about your NOSE being attached to your FACE.. But, again, I'm used to Republicans who have NO grip on reality.

Yes, I want Obama to fail. And I want him to do so MISERABLY and COMPLETELY and in a BIG WAY.

Want to know why?

Oh, I've explained it about a million times, but you just don't get it. So I'll try one more time... in the vain hope that this time you MIGHT pick up a new insight.

I want Obama to fail, because if he succeeds, WE fail. And I don't want to fail.

You see, if Obama succeeds, he will eliminate any incentive for the citizens of this country to work hard, develop new products and technologies and become better than they currently are. His policies reinforce mediocrity and failure at the expense of success. And if those policies succeed, this country will fall into a state of mediocrity and failure as a result.

His policies have BANKRUPTED the nation for the next two generations. His policies of "wealth redistribution", corporate takeovers, cap & trade, energy-dependence, no-growth, anti-capitalism are killing the economy and the ability of this nation to RECOVER from the recession... for generations to come.

I don't want that. And therefore I want Obama to FAIL. And I want him to fail so badly that anyone who comes along with similar policies for the next hundred years will have no chance whatsoever of being elected.


I ask you again, Elliot, why do you HATE America sooooo much?

I LOVE America so much that I am hoping and praying that Obama fails, so that this country can return to the policies that have made it the greatest country in the world. If he succeeds WE fail. The only way for US to succeesd is for HIM to fail.

So, why do you hate this country so much that you would support Obama's policies and destroy it?

Elliot

So what? Obama made his cameo appearance in Copenhagen, took the opportunity to meet with McChrystal who was in nearby London, and then, within a few hours, flew back to Chicago. It was a productive jaunt.

Productive? Oprah and the Obamas' "sacrifice" was productive? Turns out Obama's 25 minute meeting with McChrystal was to chastise him (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6259582/Barack-Obama-furious-at-General-Stanley-McChrystal-speech-on-Afghanistan.html#) for showing leadership in asking for a decision from the Commander-in-chief. Perhaps he should be just as furious with Petraeus (http://www.julescrittenden.com/2009/10/05/chaos-istan/) as well.

Productive? Oprah and the Obamas' "sacrifice" was productive? Turns out Obama's 25 minute meeting with McChrystal was to chastise him (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6259582/Barack-Obama-furious-at-General-Stanley-McChrystal-speech-on-Afghanistan.html#) for showing leadership in asking for a decision from the Commander-in-chief. Perhaps he should be just as furious with Petraeus (http://www.julescrittenden.com/2009/10/05/chaos-istan/) as well.
Who said "sacrifice"?? That Telegraph article sure puts an uninformed spin on things! Talk about yellow journalism!

Who said "sacrifice"??

Michelle Obama said i (http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Michelle-Obama-Its-a-sacrifice-to-travel-to-Europe-to-pitch-for-the-Olympics--For-Oprah-and-the-president-too--But-were-doing-it-for-the-kids-62928957.html)t was a "sacrifice" to make the trip to pitch the Olympics.


That Telegraph article sure puts an uninformed spin on things! Talk about yellow journalism!

Yellow journalism? Uninformed? Which part, the part where national security adviser Gen Jim Jones was quoted on CNN or where he was quoted on CBS?

Do you think that the Pols, the Cheks, and the Hondurans, all of whom have been thrown under the bus in recent weeks, are feeling friendly towards the USA today? Do you think that French PM Sarkozy is feeling friendly towards the USA as Obama undermines him? Do you think that Gordon Brown is feeling particularly friendly toward the USA at the moment after being deliberately snubbed by Obama on at least 4 occassions? Is IRAN being friendly toward the USA? How about North Korea and China?

In fact, can you name a single country in the entire world that is more friendly toward the USA today than it was under Bush? How is that country demonstrating that friendliness?


Elliot

Yep that Bush was a fairly friendly guy, no doubt about it. One summer does not a swallow make and Obama has had just one summer. Obama obviously chooses his friends carefully, look how chummy he has been with the Russian President and he positively swooned for the king of Saudi Arabia

It was a "sacrifice" to make the trip to pitch the Olympics.
Please reread what she really said.

Yellow journalism? Uninformed?
Yeah, the spin, the twist.

Please reread what she really said.

Do you think I'm illiterate or something?


Yeah, the spin, the twist.

What spin, what twist?

Do you think I'm illiterate or something?
No, but you've been reading the misquote. Tell me what she actually said in her speech.

No, but you've been reading the misquote. Tell me what she actually said in her speech.

No, I read it just fine. "As much of a sacrifice as people say this is for me or Oprah or the president to come for these few days...so many of you in this room have been working for years to bring this bid home."

Who said it was a "sacrifice?" Who on earth would think hopping on a 757 with Oprah to Copenhagen to rub elbows with Danish royalty was a "sacrifice?" Anyone? Anyone?

Now tell me what spin you're referring to.

"As much of a sacrifice as people say this is for me or Oprah or the president to come for these few days...so many of you in this room have been working for years to bring this bid home."
That's a wee bit different from your original comment: "Michelle Obama said it was a 'sacrifice' to make the trip to pitch the Olympics."

That's a wee bit different from your original comment: "Michelle Obama said it was a 'sacrifice' to make the trip to pitch the Olympics."

It would be if that were what I first said (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/current-events/chicagos-olympic-bid-results-401976-5.html#post2014680), which was "Productive? Oprah and the Obamas' "sacrifice" was productive?"

Now are you going to explain the spin in the Telegraph article or not?