I agree with everything you said except for the part about Canadian values. What Canadian values are there and how are they different from American or Western values?

Own the Podium was no different from what many host countries have done leading up to the Olympics.

I don't hate americans, I hate being led around by the nose and being told how to feel. I'd feel a lot prouder about being Canadian if we didn't have to subvert Canadian values in order to hold the Olympics.

Go ahead, stick your head in the bright red and white sand. Actually, I'll backtrack: I don't know you, maybe you DO campaign for things that you believe in (besides "Canada" as a marketing device I mean) as well as jump around in a maple leaf. But don't think that the latter is a substitute for the first. None of us should forget that.

If your pride in being Canadian is preferred to remain in the deep dark corners of the mind then so be it, stop trying to ruin for the rest of us who are, and always will be, proud to be Canadian and don't care if it is now brought to a different level.

Hope you resolve those US hatred issues, because that shit will eat you alive....

Were they the best ? No. Were they the worst ? No. Do any of these questions matter ? No.

Let's just take the Olympics for what they were - a big party. Sure, there wasn't enough dip to go around, and the music was at times not quite to my liking, but overall, I'm glad I came. Can't we just be happy and proud for once ?

...and those Russian articles are just plain bizzare.

http://www.theconcordian.com/can-t-we-all-just-get-along-1.1217402

Honestly I'm not happy with this jingoist movement in Canada, of which these Olympics have fanned the flame. I was much prouder of our quiet dignity rather than becoming Americans. That the medals, i.e. this Olympic Spirit, was _bought_ also sits wrong in my craw.

John M, your definition of open is unclear. Do you mean the outdoor venues, y'know, like how they used to have public hangings? Those were open. Perhaps you're referring openness about distribution of funds? Maybe you forget the way that people were harassed at the border and doctors and their families were harassed by police based on fear of what they might say? I'm glad you caught that outdoor venue.

Not that foreign media is any better. So the British and Russian press were critical of the Games? Is that fact or are they just padding things over before their own countries show what they can do with organizing? Ummmm......latter?

But the saddest part will be in Canada itself. Maybe Quebecers will be the exception to the rule but, 10 years from now (maybe even four....or less), the only thing that will be remembered about Vancouver is, just like Salt Lake City, the mens' hockey team winning the gold. Yeah, okay, on home soil this time but basically in a tournment no more historic than the 1977 Canada Cup.

Anyways, opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one and they don't think their's stinks...