Don't be too patriotic! - chew on this!

[Wayne M.]

So, will you support the Olympics after reading this?



http://www.guardian.co.uk/bush/story/0,7369,644538,00.html

 

[Sled Puller]

I don't need to read it-- I hate the Olympics.

 

[HiPerf360]

I couldn't agree with that article more! And your damn right I will support the Olympics. It is time to move on, NOT FORGET, with our lives and rebuild.



And don't give me any I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER over this either, I know what it is like to loose loved ones in a terrorist attack... Remember OKC?

 

[Champane Flight]

Well

Well its like this. If I want to go to the Olympics and wear a American flag and, too bad. It is just too bad if I offend some poor Iraqie or Palestinian entering the camel freestyle downhill slaloam. If we offend them they don't have to come! On the other hand, I do think we should move on, and rebuild. There is a place for memorys and I don't think that any of us will ever forget 9/11. We really don't need anymore ceremonys to help us remember.



I don't believe the Olympics needs politics, they have enough problems. But patriotism is needed, by ALL nations attending! I have found myself cheering for some of the small countrys participants in the past. Just because of the guts,training, and fortitude it takes to compete at this level.



I do not like the idea of pros in the olympics, somehow it takes the excitment out of the games.

 

[CharlieMiller]

And here comes POLITICAL CORRECTNESS again. Makes me want to puke. Dang bunch of cry babies:{ :{

 

[DRR-24V]

The Sky Is Falling !

I agree with everything Champane Flight said. This don't happen every day.

 

[jwdeeming]

Why is it that Americans are always the first to have to accomodate other culture's sensitivities when we go to their land, and then do the same when they come here? Are we not a nation with our own culture, heritage, and identity?



If you come to my country and don't see that we are a people rooted in the idea that freedom comes at a price we are willing to pay, and we are damn proud of those who paid it for us, then you missed America.



And with all due respect, 9-11 ain't over until I see Bin Laden's head on a platter, along side of Hussein's and any other tinhorn coward who publicly says terrorism is an acceptable way to conduct business. Until then, I'll keep up the "overt displays" of patriotism. I'll "move on" when I'm good and ready, regardless of what the Olympic Committee tells me is politically correct...



My 2 cents,

JimD

 

[Sled Puller]

I too agree with CF. .





Moving on does not mean forgetting.

 

[Fireman Dave]

From ESPN.com

Compromise reached in flag dispute



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press





SALT LAKE CITY -- In a compromise balancing U. S. patriotism with Olympic protocol, the tattered American flag from ground zero will be carried at the Winter Games' opening ceremony, but not as part of the main procession.



A group of American athletes will carry the flag, joined by an honor guard of police officers and firefighters, Olympic organizers said Wednesday.



"This will be a solemn, highly dignified procession," said Francois Carrard, International Olympic Committee director general.



"As the American anthem is played, it will be hoisted up and the American flag will be floated all over the world. "



The IOC originally said American athletes would not be allowed to carry it, but that it could be raised as the official U. S. flag at the ceremony.



That decision was criticized, and the IOC relented on an issue that pitted the Americans' desire to honor Sept. 11 victims and heroes against a possible appearance of jingoism at a major international event.



Carrard said the intent of the plan is to honor "victims and heroes" of Sept. 11 at the ceremony Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Olympic organizers wanted to include police officers and firefighters to "connect them to the spirit of the Olympians," said Mitt Romney, Salt Lake chief organizer.



The flag will be carried into the stadium after the parade of athletes and before the national anthem. As host nation, the American anthem is played and the U. S. flag raised over the ceremony, along with the Olympic flag. Romney said winds or "heavy weather" could keep the flag from being raised because of its delicate condition, "but it is our intention that this flag is the flag that will be honored. "



The move was welcomed the U. S. Olympic Committee.



"The solution we have reached is viewed as excellent by the USOC," said Robert Ctrvrtlik, an American who serves as an IOC athletes' representative. "I'm sure the athletes will feel the same way. "



The ground zero flag has waved over center field at the World Series, been honored at the Super Bowl and inspired millions since the terrorist attacks.



Its part in the opening ceremony at the Olympics created debate among the IOC, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee and the U. S. Olympic Committee, which had first proposed carrying the flag during the opening ceremony.



The IOC, however, had said those plans would single out the Americans in a group of nations where many others have suffered.



"We considered this the highest honor of respect -- the hoisting of the ground zero flag as the official U. S. flag," Carrard said.



Strict rules govern the opening ceremony. Athletes are prohibited from any political displays during the march and are required to parade under the flag of each delegation.



Each delegation will choose an athlete to carry their nation's flag at the ceremony. The U. S. flag bearer, to be announced Thursday, will carry a flag separate from the trade center banner.



The ground zero flag will fly atop Rice-Eccles Stadium instead, next to the cauldron bearing the Olympic flame. Officials said it probably would be lowered after the ceremony because of its delicate condition.



"Every country in the IOC has issues," American IOC member Anita DeFrantz said Tuesday. "As Americans, we have to understand it's a world event and also that we are a guest even though we are the host nation. "



Romney said the IOC had been wrong to reject the USOC plan.



"We respectfully disagree," he said in a statement.



He said the flag would have a prominent role in a nationally televised show before the ceremony "to honor the heroes of Sept. 11, and we intend to stick with that plan," Romney said.



The 12-foot-by-8-foot flag, which was the only American flag flying at the World Trade Center the morning of Sept. 11, was buried in rubble for three days and suffered two large tears. Rescuers turned it over to a National Guard colonel for a ceremonial destruction. The colonel gave the flag to the Port Authority Police Department. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owned the trade center.



USOC spokesman Mike Moran said the flag was expected to arrive in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, accompanied by two Port Authority Police officers.



The USOC was looking for a way to acknowledge the flag in a separate ceremony, he said, and might have it on hand before the opening ceremony, when President Bush is expected to meet with American athletes. Bush planned to make remarks during the opening ceremony.

 

[HiPerf360]

I agree patriotism is needed by the spectators and the US representatives but the officials need to do it with class and respect to all of the other countries competing. I couldn't care less if you want to wear something symbolizing America, that is your choice. We all know that America is the best country in the world, we just don't need to go shoving it down someone else's throat.



#@$%! By the way... I am about the furthest from being politically correct as you can get, just ask some of the members on here that know me.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

HiPerf360,

I there with ya. . no P. C. for me. #$%$ em all, let god sort em out.



I'm tired of hearing about 9/11. I fly every week, so I live it. I'll never forget and have no wish to make light of it.



JWD is right. . It isn't over till their heads are on a platter. Do what is necessary to get it done and call me when its finished. I want to hear about everything else thats happening that used to make the news.



If we want to show respect then let the patriotism shine through. Don't be patriotic because 9/11 happened and you are pi$$ed. Do it because you really are proud of our nation. And every time you fly a flag remember silently all the those that fought for our country and the innocent that died, both combatant and noncombatant. On memorial day lace their graves with flowers and remember them and their loves ones always in your prayers.



I was patriotic when it wasn't popular. I am proud to be american and while I'm glad for the renewed vigor with which the public now shows patriotism it is a true shame that so many had to die before people could realize all they have. I am almost disgusted with some that criticized so strongly before that fly the flag now. It's as if they fly it now and we all forget all they did to harm the institutions that have made us the world power we are today. I am glad they have seen the light and hope they make restitution in their own way but I have a hard time forgetting.



Those that fly the flag today are the same ones that supported cutting funding for our armed forces. My mother, father and myself all served in the military. I was born and bred patriotic.



Screw the olympics commitee. If anyone wants to show their support for their country let them. They are all there to do battle for their country on sports field. May they fight valiantly and take their whipping like soldiers