OT: Winter Olympics

[WEFFPIM]

[paul]

Our media is playing an active role in exaggerating the problems of these Olympics, as said there are problems at every Olympics and Sochi didn't have the infrastructure to begin with. We didn't hear nearly as much about how evil the leadership of China was or their human rights abuses in the lead up to Beijing did we? Are we going to hear about how police are using paramilitary tactics to force thousands of poor people from their homes in Rio to make room for the World Cup and 2016 Olympics? Think about all the things they could say about America with similar coverage. It seems like a lot of people in this country are still stuck in the Cold War.

There's no question there are some media and athletes going out of their way to try to find issues.

There's big issues without doubt and it looks like the Russians have made some big blues, but many are actively looking for them. Last night Aussie snowboarder Scotty James took the cameras for a tour through the Aussie accom and the mess area, he said the accommodation is awesome, rooms and facilities are great, food is all good and the athletes are loving it. I was surprised because all we've heard is negative stuff but he gave a completely different picture.

Balance in the media is like seeing Haley's comet these days, especially if there's a hint of a scandal.

[El Duderino]

Our media is playing an active role in exaggerating the problems of these Olympics, as said there are problems at every Olympics and Sochi didn't have the infrastructure to begin with. We didn't hear nearly as much about how evil the leadership of China was or their human rights abuses in the lead up to Beijing did we? Are we going to hear about how police are using paramilitary tactics to force thousands of poor people from their homes in Rio to make room for the World Cup and 2016 Olympics? Think about all the things they could say about America with similar coverage. It seems like a lot of people in this country are still stuck in the Cold War.

You're willfully not paying attention. Read the linked articles.

I don't remember the problems at previous Olympics, but i do think Jay has a point about media saturation today compared to the past. Whether it's TV, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and any number of different media avenues of today, pretty much any negative thing will get brought out for the world to see. In the past though where there was far less media both on TV and online, every problem or oddity didn't get brought out for the world to either criticize or mock.

This isn't a perfect analogy, but while there are a variety of reasons as to why our political system is so locked up and a mess, one reason is the vast amounts of media out there today. Any screw up or slip of the tongue can become a big story. Most everything is scrutinized heavily. So while there is good in that, the downside is people in office are often terrified of speaking candidly.

Putting on the Olympics is a massive task. I'm not trying to excuse away every mistake made, but the coverage of some of it can go overboard.

[ReasonablySober]

This isn't the first massive sporting event (let alone Olympics) in the age of Twitter. The reason Russia is being criticized so harshly is because it's been a dumpster fire outside of the actual Olympic facilities. I don't put all the blame solely on Russia. They simply never should have been award the games in the first place, just like Qatar should never have gotten the Cup.

[ReddWing]

Guys, what did you expect when you had wild dogs running through hotel rooms? Journalists being placed in unfinished hotel rooms without operating plumbing. Wild dogs being rounded up/exterminated and hints that there are cameras in bathrooms. Much of the city appearing as a construction site. Cost overruns, warm weather, and the threat of terrorism. I do think this gay thing is beginning to get very obnoxious. It's not as if the U.S. and Europe were always gay friendly. This is only a recent thing in the world and Russia is a bit behind, along with some places in the U.S.

Watching the ceremony now, I think they have done a pretty good job. Got to give the Russkies credit on what they are good at---classical music and dancing. Russian history is pretty interesting. I think having TaTu is sort of a WTF though. That would be like the US getting Afroman or Big & Rich in an opening ceremony.

[ReddWing]

This isn't the first massive sporting event (let alone Olympics) in the age of Twitter. The reason Russia is being criticized so harshly is because it's been a dumpster fire outside of the actual Olympic facilities. I don't put all the blame solely on Russia. They simply never should have been award the games in the first place, just like Qatar should never have gotten the Cup.

Qatar getting the World Cup is a bigger joke. How does a tiny nation with a tiny population deserve that tournament? We are talking about a place less populated than Milwaukee County if you are counting actual Qatari citizens and not the foreign laborers.

I don't think Brazil should have gotten the WC/Olympics in a two year span. Same with the Russians and the World Cup/Olympics so close.

[KidA24]

Watching the ceremony now, I think they have done a pretty good job. Got to give the Russkies credit on what they are good at---classical music and dancing. Russian history is pretty interesting. I think having TaTu is sort of a WTF though. That would be like the US getting Afroman or Big & Rich in an opening ceremony.

I was gonna go snow boarding, but then I got high. I was gonna win the gold medal, but then I got high. And now I'm just a ginger and I know why....

[ReddWing]

Watching the ceremony now, I think they have done a pretty good job. Got to give the Russkies credit on what they are good at---classical music and dancing. Russian history is pretty interesting. I think having TaTu is sort of a WTF though. That would be like the US getting Afroman or Big & Rich in an opening ceremony.

I was gonna go snow boarding, but then I got high. I was gonna win the gold medal, but then I got high. And now I'm just a ginger and I know why....

[WEFFPIM]

This isn't the first massive sporting event (let alone Olympics) in the age of Twitter. The reason Russia is being criticized so harshly is because it's been a dumpster fire outside of the actual Olympic facilities. I don't put all the blame solely on Russia. They simply never should have been award the games in the first place, just like Qatar should never have gotten the Cup.

Qatar getting the World Cup is a bigger joke. How does a tiny nation with a tiny population deserve that tournament? We are talking about a place less populated than Milwaukee County if you are counting actual Qatari citizens and not the foreign laborers.

I don't think Brazil should have gotten the WC/Olympics in a two year span. Same with the Russians and the World Cup/Olympics so close.

That's what massive bribery does.

[ReasonablySober]

Yea, it helps to be one of the richest countries in the world. Then people seem more amenable to looking past 110 degree temps.

[Ayt]

[trwi7]

Women's hockey vs Finland coming up in 35 minutes on NBCSN. Finland is ranked 3rd in the world, USA is ranked 1st.

[BUCKnation]

This isn't the first massive sporting event (let alone Olympics) in the age of Twitter. The reason Russia is being criticized so harshly is because it's been a dumpster fire outside of the actual Olympic facilities. I don't put all the blame solely on Russia. They simply never should have been award the games in the first place, just like Qatar should never have gotten the Cup.

Qatar getting the World Cup is a bigger joke. How does a tiny nation with a tiny population deserve that tournament? We are talking about a place less populated than Milwaukee County if you are counting actual Qatari citizens and not the foreign laborers.

I don't think Brazil should have gotten the WC/Olympics in a two year span. Same with the Russians and the World Cup/Olympics so close.

FIFA is corrupt and dat Qatari money is why Qatar has it. Its a disaster though.

Oil money runs world soccer.

[El Duderino]

Women's hockey vs Finland coming up in 35 minutes on NBCSN. Finland is ranked 3rd in the world, USA is ranked 1st.

Speaking of hockey, the Badgers sweep No. 1 ranked Minnesota

[trwi7]

Women's hockey vs Finland coming up in 35 minutes on NBCSN. Finland is ranked 3rd in the world, USA is ranked 1st.

Speaking of hockey, the Badgers sweep No. 1 ranked Minnesota

Yeah, that was an awesome atmosphere tonight. Record crowd at the Kohl Center and they were into it all game.

USA leads Finland 1-0 after 1. Finland has had maybe two good chances while the US has spent a ton of time in Finland's zone.

[blazza18]

Women's hockey vs Finland coming up in 35 minutes on NBCSN. Finland is ranked 3rd in the world, USA is ranked 1st.

I'm watching this for some reason.

[trwi7]

Women's hockey vs Finland coming up in 35 minutes on NBCSN. Finland is ranked 3rd in the world, USA is ranked 1st.

I'm watching this for some reason.

It's not great or anything but it's 3 am and the only other thing that's on right now is the replay of the opening ceremony which is boring as hell. At least Finland can actually give USA a game, I watched USA play China for about 10 minutes in 2010 before I had to turn it off, China was so bad.

[AussieBuck]

True or false? A black figure skater figured out some kind of flip that nobody else could do so they banned it because the white folk couldn't do it on some sort of safety excuse.

[Dwade03]

Amanda Kessel is hawt

[AussieBuck]

Don't see it. Looks like a totally average white chick.