Vancouver 2010 Olympic official countdown unveiling turns nasty

[Winsor_Pilates]

I really like the clock.
How long before it's vandalized?

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I really like the clock.
How long before it's vandalized?

Can I see it? How did you see it?

[fanforever1986]

video link for clock: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/HTMLTempla...rchive=CTVNews


If thats the music they're using for the games, I like it.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

I'm not happy when I see people on the street or that look hungry. I hate to say it, but using the money spent on the Olympics to build housing in the Downtown Eastside will do what exactly?

I thought people only get free homes when they win some sort of lottery.

WEll its quite often not free homes, they are still required to often pay rent, etc. A more accurate way would be to say its subsidized....

Also, keep in a mind a big chunk of homelessness as well is the working poor. These people have jobs, and are working. Full-time. They often can't afford a home, are not making enough at their job, etc. Its an extremely difficult problem.

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Good point, I'm not a Social Worker myself, and I don't have any idea what the solution could be (Drug addition/Mental lissues/etc). What the original point is, is what causing a riot will do to help their situation. Absolutely nothing.

WEll, there are a variety of causes to homelessness, just like there are a variety of solutions to it. Mental health? Yup, could be. Drug addiction? Yup, could be. Have a job already? Yup, could be. The list is endless...

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

Are there problems in Vancouver related to homelessness and drug addictions, there sure are, but just throwing money at the issue as seems to be the common answer with many of the protesters isn't going to do anything to help their situation... people need to want to help themselves before help can truely be effective. I don't know if this is unsympathetic towards the drug abusers and I am sure many people will find it to be but the state can't coddle everyone who is down and out... There is only so much that can be done, and I personally have a problem with giving someone who hasn't done anything to earn a house a house.

You are right to an extent, people need to want to change. However, some people cannot: e.g. an addiction, e.g. mental health, e.g. they actually are working (I keep repeating this because it is a huge challenge across the country), people don't have the skills to change (not everyone knows where to look for a job, or who to talk to), some people don't seek help because they are ashamed, some people need to hit rock bottom first, etc....

I understand your view, its just important to consider all sides is all.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan in West Van

True, I concur. Giving people free houses isn't going to solve anything. But, you have to admit, the cost of living in Vancouver is ridiculous! I mean, I thought it was bad in Calgary... Something should be done for affordable housing, not free housing, at least.

But, maybe, investing that money into WHY these people are homeless, which a lot of the time is because of drug problems, would be beneficial too. What is leading these people to drugs? Prevention programs and rehabilitation programs so these people get off the streets. That sounds like a good place to start.

P.S. Woooooo! I love living in hippie central! I am an "us" instead of a "them"... yay!

Great news, if housing is prohibative in Vancouver ... this is a great big, huge country that each Canadian is free to move around within.

Anyone who wants a job, can have a job, anyone who wants to EARN a home, can earn a home. Not everyone will be able to affort Yaletown, but that's capitalism for ya.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I saw a dead bunny on the side of the road on the way to work today. I called in sick and went home to cut myself.

That's awesome..

And I'd classify China as opportunistic.

[FireFly]

Well, that's a pretty clock. I like it. I'm really excited about the 2010 Olympics and I hope that Vancouver and it's residents don't let Canada down.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan in West Van

True, I concur. Giving people free houses isn't going to solve anything. But, you have to admit, the cost of living in Vancouver is ridiculous! I mean, I thought it was bad in Calgary... Something should be done for affordable housing, not free housing, at least.

But, maybe, investing that money into WHY these people are homeless, which a lot of the time is because of drug problems, would be beneficial too. What is leading these people to drugs? Prevention programs and rehabilitation programs so these people get off the streets. That sounds like a good place to start.

P.S. Woooooo! I love living in hippie central! I am an "us" instead of a "them"... yay!

What makes you think these types of programs or inititaves aren't already in place? What makes you think that they will work anyway?

I see the Vancouver 2010 games as a great showcase for the city and for Canada as a whole. I also think these protesters represent Canada to some degree.

So far, we're Beamer Driving, egg weilding, stoned hippie asshat ###### bags.

Sweet.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

You are right to an extent, people need to want to change. However, some people cannot: e.g. an addiction, e.g. mental health, e.g. they actually are working (I keep repeating this because it is a huge challenge across the country), people don't have the skills to change (not everyone knows where to look for a job, or who to talk to), some people don't seek help because they are ashamed, some people need to hit rock bottom first, etc....

I understand your view, its just important to consider all sides is all.

The working homeless is a huge area of concern but I have a hard time feeling a great deal of sympathy for many people who move to areas such as Calgary knowing the issues which are present regarding the economy and then expect, no demand, that something be done to help them in their situation. If you don't have a residence to move into, don't move. I know this is overly simple but it is also overly true. I keep hearing the sob stories on the news and that is the only thing that comes to mind, did you not think at all before you moved here, or was it something that you just decided on a whim?

Past that addictions are a huge area of concern due to the health care costs but at which point are people responsible for their own health? Yes they are addicts but they are addicts by their own choice, should they get advantages in subsidized housing that the average Canadian who has worked their whole life wouldn't even dream of? This might be more than a bit off topic that is just my opinion and I would bet that when push came to shove that is the majority of the population's opinion on the issue.

[SpitFire40]

Holy crap, I... Agree... with... MMM...

I feel dirty now

[HOZ]

Vancouver 2010 games.....

Brought to you by Alberta tax dollars via transfer payments!

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan in West Van

Yes, why don't we have the Olympics in Awesomeville instead?

Jackass.

They did, in 1988. Best Winter Olympics the world had ever seen to that point.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

The working homeless is a huge area of concern but I have a hard time feeling a great deal of sympathy for many people who move to areas such as Calgary knowing the issues which are present regarding the economy and then expect, no demand, that something be done to help them in their situation. If you don't have a residence to move into, don't move. I know this is overly simple but it is also overly true. I keep hearing the sob stories on the news and that is the only thing that comes to mind, did you not think at all before you moved here, or was it something that you just decided on a whim?

Your point of view seems to assume a large number of the cities homeless moved here when Calgary boomed and then couldn't get a home.

Where have you heard that this is the case, as opposed to people who were already here pre-boom and have now found themselves homeless? (or already were)

I would guess newcomers to Calgary actually represent a very small proportion of the cities homeless.

[Sparks]

Mean Mr. Mustard:

Totally agree with your first paragraph. I'm not so sure about the second. (You probably were expecting someone to respond like this! ) Although some addicts undoubtedly brought it on themselves, I think it's safe to assume that a large number are there because of situational factors in their lives, out of their control - mental illness, severely abusive/messed up upbringing (perhaps also by an addict), etc.

Considering none of the above applies to me, for example, I'd say my chances of ending up a homeless addict on the streets are pretty low. Since those things are out of my control, how can I pass judgement on those people? (Or not be sympathetic?) I don't think it's a level playing field when it comes to making decisions.

I dunno - I often struggle with the problem of what decisions people are responsible for and what they aren't.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Great news, if housing is prohibative in Vancouver ... this is a great big, huge country that each Canadian is free to move around within.

Anyone who wants a job, can have a job, anyone who wants to EARN a home, can earn a home. Not everyone will be able to affort Yaletown, but that's capitalism for ya.

That might mean they have to start taking responsibility for their own lives and make adult decisions. It is much easier to whine and cry until someone else comes along to throw their money and effort at the problem. Then you can wait until something doesn't go right for you and then cry and whine about that.

Plus didn't you get the memo that everyone has the right to live in the biggest Mansion on the hill in any city in the world they want and if they don't have the money and you do you are a POS for not giving it to them.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Your point of view seems to assume a large number of the cities homeless moved here when Calgary boomed and then couldn't get a home.

Where have you heard that this is the case, as opposed to people who were already here pre-boom and have now found themselves homeless? (or already were)

I would guess newcomers to Calgary actually represent a very small proportion of the cities homeless.

Doing a quick google search of the rates of homelessness in Calgary I was able to come across an article from 2004 which showed that the rates of homeless families increased by 148% from 2002, and the overall rates of homelessness increased by 49% in the same timeframe. The problem is getting much worse as Calgary becomes a bigger city, as I guess one would expect. Just look at the Brick building on 16th Avenue N, in years past there has been enough drop in beds for the night but as it stands right now all the beds are full every night.

With regards to addicts, I do feel bad that they are in the situation that they are in, and I do know a large number of natives (brought up because generally they are the most at risk in our society) who have informed me as to the day to day lives of the reserves in Canada and why some of the problems exist. At a certain point though there is a choice made by everyone as to which path they want to travel, with some that choice may be harder (people who have been victims of abuse for example), but there is still a cognative choice. Treatment for mental illness on the other hand is something that I can fully support, as it is something completely out of their control. I guess it is hard to make broad sweeping generalizations when dealing with individual situations though, as I am sure that there are many people who my views would accuratly encompass while at the same time there are many whose would not, that is the problem with politics in my view, it is trying to put the round peg into a square hole and if it doesn't go, just hitting it with a hammer (in the form of a wad of cash) in the hopes that something will change.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

Doing a quick google search of the rates of homelessness in Calgary I was able to come across an article from 2004 which showed that the rates of homeless families increased by 148% from 2002, and the overall rates of homelessness increased by 49% in the same timeframe. The problem is getting much worse as Calgary becomes a bigger city, as I guess one would expect. Just look at the Brick building on 16th Avenue N, in years past there has been enough drop in beds for the night but as it stands right now all the beds are full every night.

Yeah, but how does that show these people came from outside of Calgary?

It's more likely these were people who already lived here, could afford it in the old days and then all of the sudden fell behind when their jobs didn't pay enough to keep up with skyrocketing living costs.

The people who move here with nothing, and then "demand" help as you put it, are likely few and far between.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Yeah, but how does that show these people came from outside of Calgary?

It's more likely these were people who already lived here, could afford it in the old days and then all of the sudden fell behind when their jobs didn't pay enough to keep up with skyrocketing living costs.

The people who move here with nothing, and then "demand" help as you put it, are likely few and far between.

That is a possibility that people were forced out onto the streets but the way in which it has often been portrayed int he media is that people are coming to Calgary without a place to live, in fact there was a politician (can't remember who) who was urging people not to move to Alberta if they didn't have a place to live because they were just becoming part of the homeless population. I would suspect that it is a combination of the two where there is a significant number of people who were forced out due to the rising cost of living, while at the same time there is a large contingent of people who are moving to Calgary without the proper housing arrangments being made ahead of time, and I would imagine that it would be hard to apply for a job when you don't have an address.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

They did, in 1988. Best Winter Olympics the world had ever seen to that point.

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

We already had them in '88.

[Flames Fan in West Van]

Originally Posted by kevman

I don't mean to start and off topic ****ing match but...what's that supose to mean???

I'm sorry but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if that's his opinion so be it. You don't know his reasons so you're in no position to judge.

It's supposed to mean that alcohol IS a drug - It's just more socially acceptable (in Alberta anyway). So is caffeine, tobacco...