Vancouver 2010: I Believe (My thoughts on Protests)

by marianmo | February 14, 2010 at 11:22 am

479 views | 54 Recommendations | 8 comments

I believe in free speech

I believe in personal freedom and the rights of individuals to freedom of expression.

I believe that we all have the right to life and liberty, the right to pursue our dreams

That Being Said:

I do not believe that the protesters in Vancouver...the ones dressed in black are here to do anything but to cause trouble. Their actions during the past few days have demonstrated that...the destruction of property, the spitting on police, the disruption of the torch run, throwing of objects etc ....all show their true purpose..

They are not engaging in peaceful protests, but the disruption and negation of the rights of others to enjoy the olympic games.

Perhaps those arrested and convicted should bear the cost of the police presence that is required to control their childish behaviour

These athletes who have made it to the Olympics have spent thousands of hours in training, given up social and family time, as well as a great deal of their personal finances to follow their dreams...

I admire them.....they have courage and determination... far beyond what I could ever have or for that matter most of us.... they have faced injuries, psychological and emotional testing, attacks upon their personal will to succeed and yet they have persevered and here thet are.

These athletes are true heroes. Compare them to those protesters that cover their faces, arm themselves with marbles and spittle, and show no regard for anyone but themselves...

.If you are afraid to show your face, may I ask why? You look like the terrorists in foreign countries, not peaceful protesters.

I believe that the people of Vancouver, and the people of the world will ignore these fools and remain focused on the spirit and achievements of the athletes and those who have made the dream of these games a reality

I trust that the media will do the same

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 12:06 on February 14th, 2010

Marianmo, you said it well. Thank you for a being a reasoning voice.

marianmo

at 19:04 on February 14th, 2010

ty karl.....i think that there is a legitimate way to protest but these masked fools arent there to protest but cause trouble

Mary Richard

at 16:04 on February 14th, 2010

Great opinion post.

Let's also remember that these 'Thugs' are more than likely not even from Vancouver, so they're certainly no reflection on this beautiful city as a whole.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 16:42 on February 14th, 2010

I agree Blue Crush. Vancouver is one of the most diverse cities in he world, so why tarnish the image with violence. If there must be protests much more can be achieved if they are peaceful.

I just saw some of this protest and violence being broadcast on an American network, shameful.

Uwe Paschen

at 17:11 on February 14th, 2010

Interesting opinion post. Wile I do respect hard working people as well, and those that go be on their limits, most Athelets today and especialy in winter sports are from very well off backround and never had to vory about much for the most part.

The protesters are not all thugs here either as you clame them to be. Most off them are genuently concerned and believe in what they stand up for. Thugs are often used to discredit oposition and in some cases they are even paid and broth to a demostration to cause trouble.

In many ways you speak like Marie Antoinette did. As we know she was so in tune with reality that it caused a revolution lead by thugs as you would call them.

Hugh Askew

at 18:09 on February 14th, 2010

I would be willing to wager that the income of the parents of the protesters is higher than than that of the athletes. Wanna take that wager?

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 17:28 on February 14th, 2010

Uwe, if you have watched protests over the years throughout Canadian cities, in fact North America, the same people that cause trouble seem to resurface. Who do you suggest is hiring these so called thugs? The police? the security forces?

I think this post made it clear that the author is not against peaceful protests, but when people show up with masks and destroy property I draw the line. The only good thing for those thugs is that in Canada they can do it without getting killed.

Not all Olympians are well to do, they range from middle to upper middle class for the most part. They forgo a lot of other things in life to be able to compete at that level and for the most part so do their parents and grandparents.

We can discuss the validity of the Olympics but it still doesn't give licence to destroy property.

marianmo

at 19:06 on February 14th, 2010

Ty for your comments Mr Paschen...the great thing about Canada beside our poutine and spirit (sic) is our understanding of the rights and obligations of our citizens.....most protesters are doing fine, I respect them...its the thugs as you so aptly call them that are causing the trouble

The media should focus on the positive, acknowledge the negative .

Even people who are of the middle class can have dreams and sacrifice to achieve their dreams..our mogul gold medal winner is one such young man...he s an inspiration to all

what are these thugs aspiring to, to what are they contributing to.....

ps sorry dont know how the baseball tag got there...oh well