In Comunist Canada only Party Members may see the torch

[GGG]

I am currently in Vancouver for the olympics and one of the things I wanted to do was to get the same picture as all of the media have been showing with the torch in front and the olympic rings that are floating in the Harbour in the background.

I was excited as I treked accross downtown Vancouver through the paties outside of BC place and on Granville and Robson. Then we get to the International Broadcast center where the torch is and it is secured like a prison. 10 Foot high fenses with with olympic tarps on top of them to prevent you from seeing through. There is one small area about 20ft long where the tarp isn't there. From there you get to look through the chain link fence at the torch about 100 ft away. With people packed up against the fence the whole area looks like a UN food station.

The worst part of it all is that you get to watch Volunteers and anyone with credentials go past the fence and walk right up to the torch.




So far this picture is my enduring image of the olympic games. The official reason given is that they are worried about protesters vandilizing the torch. I understand that but at a mimimum they could have constructed an elevated viewing platform so that you could see the torch without the fence.

[transplant99]

I understand your frustration...but how in the world does this make things "Communist" Canada?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I understand your frustration...but how in the world does this make things "Communist" Canada?

Members of the ruling party (VANOC) get special privilages while everyone else is left outside looking through the fence. I might be exagerating but the whole area looks like they are prepared for war. You could take pictures that look very similar to early 80's Berlin wall pictures.

[simmer2]

That's pretty lame...I was looking forward to getting a picture with the torch. Oh well, at least this saves me the hike getting there, I won't even bother seeing it anymore.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by GGG

Members of the ruling party (VANOC) get special privilages while everyone else is left outside looking through the fence. I might be exagerating but the whole area looks like they are prepared for war. You could take pictures that look very similar to early 80's Berlin wall pictures.

Sounds to me like membership can be gained by simply volunteering. What a communist notion.

And yes, you are definitely exaggerating. Berlin wall comparisons? Ridiculous.

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by valo403

Sounds to me like membership can be gained by simply volunteering. What a communist notion.

And yes, you are definitely exaggerating. Berlin wall comparisons? Ridiculous.

Why do you think volunteers can get in there? VANOC is completely different from the Volunteers.

I can confirm it does look like crap, but maybe more like something out of mad max, minus the burned out school bus. The barrier consists of a bunch of dirty concrete blocks, haphazard chain link fences and rusty poles scattered around. There's also a bunch of the scaffolding pieces & tarps lying around, and a big ugly crane just off to the side.

I suppose obtuse piles of debris will keep those protester barbarian hordes at bay, but why not at least put some small cutouts somewhere for unobstructed photos? Also, there is a seperate, elevated platform just to the left of the torch, I really don't know why they don't allow people up there.

[hockeycop]

I refer you to this thread, which outlines perfectly why any joe blow can't walk up and touch the torch:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=87034

Quit whining. Next time volunteer, get security clearance, and have at it.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by NuclearFart

Why do you think volunteers can get in there? VANOC is completely different from the Volunteers.

I can confirm it does look like crap, but maybe more like something out of mad max, minus the burned out school bus. The barrier consists of a bunch of dirty concrete blocks, haphazard chain link fences and rusty poles scattered around. There's also a bunch of the scaffolding pieces & tarps lying around, and a big ugly crane just off to the side.

I suppose obtuse piles of debris will keep those protester barbarian hordes at bay, but why not at least put some small cutouts somewhere for unobstructed photos? Also, there is a seperate, elevated platform just to the left of the torch, I really don't know why they don't allow people up there.

Because the OP said that Volunteers were getting in?

[DownhillGoat]

Hmmm, protesting downtown, breaking windows, but the torch should obviously be completely unguarded.

Originally Posted by GGG

You could take pictures that look very similar to early 80's Berlin wall pictures.

Pretty sure you couldn't take a picture of the berlin wall with a view to the other side.

Annoying? Sure. But have you been to a communist country?

[Yamer]

Not a huge fan of the Communist comparison, but it was to make a point. The point being that there should be an area where the torch can be viewed unobstructed.

Perhaps they are working on it, this is only day 3.

Although, it is becoming more and more evident that despite over half a decade of planning they still messed the bed in a lot of peoples eyes.

[Ducay]

Thread of the year!

Spelling mistakes = check
Communist Reference = check


All we need is a Hitler analogy and the trifecta is complete!

[Gozer]

Complaining that he can't see something that is gigantic and visible through a chain link fence: check.

[llama64]

Couldn't you ask one of the privileged "party members" to take the photo you want?

I mean, if they are communist, chances are they won't steal your camera since the government has already provided for all their needs... Maybe toss them a couple rubles for the effort.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Have they had it closed off like this in past Olympics?
It seems odd to me, you can up close to pretty much everything else and the huge fence and distance makes it not even worth going to see.
If there was a way, I would to roast a marsh-mellow on it.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by winsor_pilates

if there was a way, i would to roast a marsh-mellow on it.

terrorist!

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Thread of the year!

Spelling mistakes = check
Communist Reference = check


All we need is a Hitler analogy and the trifecta is complete!

Hitler let the common nazi touch the olympic torch.

I think it's a bit ridiculous to have a chain linked fence around it. Vancouver is getting this all wrong.

[FurnaceFace]

Seeing it, it is a little lame as the fence seems a little over the top. I can see a shorter fence or some sort of fence like they have out at Cypress which is easier to look through. Having the fabric wrap around most of it doesn't help either. I did hear talk they might change it.

My suggestion is to go across the street and just take the top of it. There are many monuments and such in lots of places where you can't get the exact same shot as the pros or those with credentials.

[Dwight_K_Schrute]

Wow that angers me! I can't even describe the rage.

A freaking fence? you have to look through a fence are you kidding me?


Pathetic display by VANOC. I agree that they are pretty much Communists.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Hitler let the common nazi touch the olympic torch.

And Mussolini made sure the trains ran on time. They're both saints.

Given the choice of Hitler running the nation but being able to see the olympic cauldron? I'll take the chain link fence, thanks.

Next we're going to have people complaining the Calgary Tower is too high and they can't get a good shot of it when it's lit. Stupid commies.

[Yeah_Baby]

At least because VANOC hired Dennis Nedry the fence wasn't electrified like it was supposed to be.