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Olympic Sized Horse Pucky. (10.12.07)
Last week, Squamish Council weighed in on Bruce Allan’s recent editorial. For those unaware, Bruce is a concert promoter who has been ranting on Vancouver radio for quite some time now. Recently he made the timeless classic comment that immigrants should either play by our rules or go home.
Personally, I applaud him speaking his mind. It’s reminiscent of the pre-Prime Minister Harper era when conservative officials were allowed to address their constituents. Sure it was usually some hateful racist, homophobic, or chauvinistic slur, but it was their truth and enough people agree with it to get them elected. Sadly, now they’re forced to hide their agenda behind closed doors.
Nevertheless, some have chosen to lash out at Allen while demanding VANOC remove him from his position of helping the opening ceremonies.
Ok, firstly, Squamish has better things to do than wasting valuable time on a nearly dead conservative windbag. Secondly, the Olympics will be compromised by his involvement? Ha, oh lordy is that rich.
Of all people, Squamolians know better than most that you can’t compromise what appears to be the most hurtfully corrupt organization ever to be created. Just think of how many times VANOC has personally kicked Squamish in the teeth.
Before the bid was won we were promised many things. Then when the ring was on, all we saw was the back of their hand. They started by forcing us to remove our banners that said “Heart of 2010”. Next on the chopping block was their big talk of a ferry terminal. And let’s not forget the athletes housing.
Then of course there was our sledge hockey arena. Granted this wasn’t so much of VANOC’s fault as it looks to be the fault of Whistler’s baffling hatred towards our community . Whistler’s mayor and council sadly went to extreme lengths, not so they would get the arena, but only to ensure that Squamish would get nothing. Mighty neighborly.
This said, you have to give Denise at the Squamish Chamber credit for continually looking on the bright side organizing ‘rah-rah Olympic networking events’. While it’s obvious the Olympics will give Squamish garbage, sewage, and unsustainable growth, she publicly remains optimistic and that’s kind of sweet.
The rest of us however have come to realize that the Olympics will be seen as the turning point of when Squamish lost its unlimited potential. Perhaps if it was a different time with stronger leaders our town could have secured some sort of legacy. But no, we’re a toilet between towns that gets nothing but a parking lot. All over the province communities are getting legacy projects. We get nothing but years of highway construction that will only give us more cars driving faster to Whistler.
But back to Bruce Allen’s comments that nicely reflect the spirit of the white man’s games. It’s obvious if Squamish really wanted him gone we need only to send a letter to VANOC demanding Allen stay on since he is an integral part of the Olympics. He’d be gone the next day.
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