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.

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!

Thanks for the suggestion, but I do this regularly and have been doing so for some years.

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.

You seem to be suggesting that the Winter Olympics is inevitable "in the real world" whereas homelessness is somehow optional?

haaaaa, inadvertedly funniest post ever.

I agree with you.

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

Can't wait til the Olympics are over.

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.

If the homeless competed in the Olympics they'd get some accommodation for a couple of weeks.

What does that even mean? Just wondering.

Well of course not. Unlike sliding down mountains on a bit of wood.

panhandling should be an olympic sport. along with shopping trolley packing.

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!)

Sounds like fun but i'm not sure i'd be able to rise to the occasion, in public.

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.