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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   The Maple Leaf (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/)
-   -   Vancouver Winter Olympics (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/vancouver-winter-olympics-648410/)

zmartin Jan 11th 2010 2:06 am
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by The Aviator (Post 8236804)
I would far sooner my taxes went to helping genuinely in need than funding a bunch of people trying to win a pointless race.
And that is very admirable but the original post was regarding whether anyone would be doing anything for the Olympics - maybe we could try and keep it on topic rather then being opinionated for opinionateds sake.

No doubt what you say has it's own merits but the winter Olympics has been going since 1924 and will, undoubtedly, continue for many years to come. And for some it is an enjoyable spectacle and the pinnacle for many athletes careers. Plus the Paralympics, albeit smaller, gives those athletes a time to shine and showcase their sports.

If the 2010 games were not being held in Vancouver/Whistler they would have been held in either Berne, PyeongChang or Salzburg. But I suppose lots of money would not have been spent to hold the Olympics there and homelessness doesn't happen in those cities so no-one would be displaced and taxes would be spent wisely! Or that it doesn't really matter as you don't live there!

Now lets all live in the real world! Alternatively, you could turn off your tv and leave your nice warm house and go and volunteer for a charity that helps those less fortunate than yourself whilst I enjoy my pointless 2 man bobsled race.

vancouverism Jan 11th 2010 2:19 am
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Well said. I was of course being purposefully contrary in my previous post simply because on another thread about credit cards "The Aviator" had opined that;

The world is full of those who want to blame someone or something else for their misfortune rather than accept responsibility for their own actions.

And I get annoyed when people use this forum simply for the purpose of opposing whatever the original OP has said with no depth or consistency.

I just hope it stops raining for the Olympics so that I can walk instead of relying on transit!

Aviator Jan 11th 2010 3:10 am
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by zmartin (Post 8237936)
you could turn off your tv and leave your nice warm house and go and volunteer for a charity that helps those less fortunate than yourself whilst I enjoy my pointless 2 man bobsled race.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I do this regularly and have been doing so for some years.

Aviator Jan 11th 2010 3:13 am
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by vancouverism (Post 8237967)
The world is full of those who want to blame someone or something else for their misfortune rather than accept responsibility for their own actions.
Quite true. I have not come across anyone living on the street blaming anyone else but themselves, if they blame anyone at all. Many seem to accept their lot as it is, some are trying against the odds to get out. What is so irritating is sanctimonious people who bitch and moan about situations they created for themselves and then proclaim that it was not their fault, it was the credit card company, the bank, their boss, the government, someone else made me do it.

Novocastrian Jan 11th 2010 12:55 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by zmartin (Post 8237936)
No doubt what you say has it's own merits but the winter Olympics has been going since 1924 and will, undoubtedly, continue for many years to come. And for some it is an enjoyable spectacle and the pinnacle for many athletes careers. Plus the Paralympics, albeit smaller, gives those athletes a time to shine and showcase their sports.

If the 2010 games were not being held in Vancouver/Whistler they would have been held in either Berne, PyeongChang or Salzburg. But I suppose lots of money would not have been spent to hold the Olympics there and homelessness doesn't happen in those cities so no-one would be displaced and taxes would be spent wisely! Or that it doesn't really matter as you don't live there!

Now lets all live in the real world! Alternatively, you could turn off your tv and leave your nice warm house and go and volunteer for a charity that helps those less fortunate than yourself whilst I enjoy my pointless 2 man bobsled race.
You seem to be suggesting that the Winter Olympics is inevitable "in the real world" whereas homelessness is somehow optional?

ExKiwilass Jan 11th 2010 1:38 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by vancouverism (Post 8236651)
The games are coming anyway, but sorry, some folks just strive to get shelter and eat - to me the fastest guy down a snow hill does not seem to be all too important in the scheme of things. Imagine how many less fortunate that money would have housed and fed!

Why should taxpayers pay to house people who cannot handle their finances? Many of them are in debt of their own choosing. They have only themselves to blame.
haaaaa, inadvertedly funniest post ever.

ExKiwilass Jan 11th 2010 1:41 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by The Aviator (Post 8236804)
I seriously doubt the homeless are in debt. Some are used to the streets and now accept it as their lot, others would get out given half the chance, but without a home they have no chance of a job. Many quite likley did not suddenly wake up one morning and decide to live on the streets. Some of those you seem to think have only themselves to blame are kids escaping abusive households and had nowhere else to go & veterans who could not integrate back into society and were abandoned. I would far sooner my taxes went to helping genuinely in need than funding a bunch of people trying to win a pointless race.
I agree with you.

My impression of the athletes is that they are mainly concerned about themselves, not the wider society. MUST. WIN. GOLD. :rolleyes:

Can't wait til the Olympics are over.

ExKiwilass Jan 11th 2010 1:43 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 8239916)
You seem to be suggesting that the Winter Olympics is inevitable "in the real world" whereas homelessness is somehow optional?
It's a 'choice', you see.

Some people really get off in sleeping in the rain, carrying big bags of cans around, and begging for money. It has nothing to do with mental illness or anything like that.

Oink Jan 11th 2010 1:45 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by vancouverism (Post 8237967)
Well said. I was of course being purposefully contrary in my previous post simply because on another thread about credit cards "The Aviator" had opined that;

The world is full of those who want to blame someone or something else for their misfortune rather than accept responsibility for their own actions.

And I get annoyed when people use this forum simply for the purpose of opposing whatever the original OP has said with no depth or consistency.

I just hope it stops raining for the Olympics so that I can walk instead of relying on transit!
If the homeless competed in the Olympics they'd get some accommodation for a couple of weeks.

ExKiwilass Jan 11th 2010 1:46 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by zmartin (Post 8237936)

Now lets all live in the real world!
What does that even mean? Just wondering.

Novocastrian Jan 11th 2010 2:00 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by Kiwilass (Post 8240029)

It has nothing to do with mental illness or anything like that.
Well of course not. Unlike sliding down mountains on a bit of wood.

Alan2005 Jan 11th 2010 2:13 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by Oink (Post 8240036)
If the homeless competed in the Olympics they'd get some accommodation for a couple of weeks.
panhandling should be an olympic sport. along with shopping trolley packing.

zmartin Jan 11th 2010 6:54 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by Kiwilass (Post 8240038)
What does that even mean? Just wondering.
Oh whatever.

Find someone else to pick on as I can't be arsed with the opinionated drivel that has eminated from this forum.

(Guess I'll be abused again then!)

el_richo Jan 11th 2010 9:51 pm
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 8240087)
...sliding down mountains on a bit of wood.
Sounds like fun but i'm not sure i'd be able to rise to the occasion, in public.

Lord Vader Jan 12th 2010 3:05 am
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
 
Originally Posted by Kiwilass (Post 8240029)
It's a 'choice', you see.

Some people really get off in sleeping in the rain, carrying big bags of cans around, and begging for money. It has nothing to do with mental illness or anything like that.
the choice to not spend money on crack, meth, heroin, alcohol, cigarettes, weed, etc. Unless Vancouver is somehow different from everywhere else, the homeless can receive welfare from the state and have access to homeless shelters. They choose the street.


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