Alan2005

He does seem to have hit a nerve with his rant. I must confess that I was more amused when I read it than anything - I could just see the po-faced vanoc people getting upset by it. I really hope it's reported later (global BC seem to report any international coverage of Vancouver - it makes them feel less provincial) just to see the reaction.

The author may be a bit of a twat; but that doesn't mean it isn't nice to see some dissenting voices in the msm. You get precious little of that here as it is.

ann m

That's because they are paying for CPS and probably a whole host of other visiting police officers to come and help and have a play in the Olympic city.

The CPS guys have taken annual leave to go to Vancouver (think many went this weekend) but will earn shed loads while there .... that's your diverted funding right there

dbd33

It wasn't in the paper, of course, CIF is one of the Gruaniad's talkboards.

dboy

i wont make a lick, mind you i dont much like the thought of living on a ship for a month. I was down there today it was odd. I've never seen coppers from Toronto, CPS, Montreal Police , Suerete De Quebec, OPP, all walking the beat and holding security points, it was quite a sight.

dboy

well that makes more sense, given the caliber of the "hipster author"

Alan2005

It was a link off the front page, that's how I found it. I assumed it was obvious that it was opinion - I even said so on third post in this thread. I guess from now on i'll have to tag the links I post for those that have difficulty telling the difference

dboy

no need to be condescending, yes we get that it was an opinion piece. Don't see what that had to do with the price of tea in china.

Alan2005

I like being condescending .... and what it has to do with the tea in china is that the criticism the piece has received has been that it is just opinion from a 'hipster author' (and no I don't know what that is either - but your quote marks are condescending as well you know).

I liked reading what he had to say myself as I like reading rants. The problem he had was he came across like Michael Moore in that he had a point, but his splatter gun approach needed some refinement. Some of underlying facts (and he linked to a fair few sources) were spun to the point of incredulity and this lessened the impact of what he was trying to say (another Michael Moore trait).

I suspect the guy maybe a young and certainly naive idealist, but he had an enjoyable writing style (imo). If you have a strong reaction to what he had to say that would probably be harder to see though.

brizzle

Seeing the words 'vibe' and 'vancouver' in the same sentence is a first for me.

Seriously, I come downtown everyday and there is nowt happening. Lots of pretty artwork/billboards etc going up, but nothing (like the live sites, zip-line etc) will be up and running until the show gets off the ground. I find the atmosphere wierd to be honest. It's almost feels like it's months away and not 11 days. Still, we will be coming downtown to see what's going on when it starts, but dreading the commute !!

As for the article, well I think everyone knew it would lose money, but the question is how much and we won't know that until the whole party leaves town. Apart from the financial aspect, the rest of the piece is pretty much rambling nonsense. The lack of snow on grouse and a lukewarm attitude from the locals is more a current concern for me.

ExKiwilass

I don't see the big deal. He's just articulating what a lot of people are thinking. And some of what he says is true: they are cutting school funding, my school board will be in deficit soon with cuts coming. 800 teachers may well lose their jobs in the VSD. If more of you had young kids in public school, maybe you'd be more concerned about the price of the Olympics too. I've also had friends with small businesses who have been driven into bankruptcy by the canada line.

I agree the locals have a 'meh' attitude. I don't blame them.

JonboyE

No they won't. There is not a single, solitary, chance that 800 teachers will be laid off. It is only a part of the PR campaign the VSB indulges in every time they are negotiating budgets with the provincial government.

It has nothing to do with the Olympics.

ExKiwilass

And yet, the Vancouver School board is operating with a deficit. Something has to give, no?

Oink

It's simple, not enough children and a provincial government whose ideological underpinning is to be tight ***ts.

ExKiwilass

except when elite sports events are involved. Then suddenly the wallet is open and cash is flowing, baby.

Oink

Excuse the unfortunate term, but education is not a sexy issue.