Welcome to Sochi

[haraldo]

This is the Olympics
(source espreso.tv)

The road to the press centre, as shown by an Austrian journalist

Press facilities:

Anyways, I'm gonna boycot the Olympics because of Russia's position with Ukraine

 

[Ponzio]

I'm gonna boycot the Olympics because Russia couldn't organize a 1 man parade, never mind their slide back to neo-Stalinism.

What could the IOC be thinking when they granted Russia these Olympics? That they would join the family of nations and behave rationally? Obviously they didn't read their history books.

 

[haraldo]

I read a story abouty a newsagency going to Sochi, can't find this story now.....
After 24 hours, all their computers were infected, even though they were quite well protected and fully updated
all their phones, likewise....

 

[lsiberian]

When China puts on a better Olympics than Russia you know the country is struggling.

 

[Midwesthonky]

I'm gonna boycot the Olympics because Russia couldn't organize a 1 man parade, never mind their slide back to neo-Stalinism.

What could the IOC be thinking when they granted Russia these Olympics? That they would join the family of nations and behave rationally? Obviously they didn't read their history books.

It's easy to make the decision when you have a suitcase of cash in hand!!

 

[Ponzio]

It's easy to make the decision when you have a suitcase of cash in hand!!

The IOC? surely you jest, sir?

 

[Midwesthonky]

The IOC? surely you jest, sir?

Don't call me Shirley!!

 

[markw]

They should name it Sochi-Z

...think about it for a minute.

 

[ImcLoud]

Sochi officials, killing stray dogs is no way to host the Olympics - latimes.com sick bastids... I heard on the radio they already killed thousands with out anyone knowing..

 

[Adam]

First off, the culling of dogs sickens me. Sickens. And, that's not limited to dogs. My mentality is either you respect life, or you don't. However, I have some remarks:

1. Take a look at our food production here in the U.S., and then consider how judgmental we can be. Factory farming of animals is mostly deplorable
2. It is estimated that the U.S. kills 3-4 million dogs and cats every year in shelters. That's staggering compared to the numbers in Sochi
3. Life on this planet has almost universally always killed other life in a battle for resources. Non-humans typically do that over food and shelter, whereas humans also do it over non-essential resources such as pretty objects. Some people have the resources to feed and shelter themselves and non-human companions, while other people struggle to stay alive. Killing dogs because they represent a resource threat is one thing, but killing them for aesthetics is inexcusable
4. I don't believe that these actions represent the will of all Russians, and I have no idea how many condone or even know about it. Individual American citizens do some horrible things, but they do not represent all of America

I haven't seen more than about one minute of the Olympics so far, so I don't know much about the conditions there. I do think it's too bad that people are bashing the host country for not having all of the facilities in top condition, though. The Olympics are meant to bring us together, not tear us apart. It shouldn't be about who can spend the most resources on putting on a good face, but that's definitely part of what it has become. After all, resources spent on the games are resources that can't be spent on other things. I hope that in the end, it can be something that the Russian people can feel good about, or having the games there will have the opposite impact than what was intended.

 

[ImcLoud]

First off, the culling of dogs sickens me. Sickens. And, that's not limited to dogs. My mentality is either you respect life, or you don't. However, I have some remarks:

1. Take a look at our food production here in the U.S., and then consider how judgmental we can be. Factory farming of animals is mostly deplorable
2. It is estimated that the U.S. kills 3-4 million dogs and cats every year in shelters. That's staggering compared to the numbers in Sochi
3. Life on this planet has almost universally always killed other life in a battle for resources. Non-humans typically do that over food and shelter, whereas humans also do it over non-essential resources such as pretty objects. Some people have the resources to feed and shelter themselves and non-human companions, while other people struggle to stay alive. Killing dogs because they represent a resource threat is one thing, but killing them for aesthetics is inexcusable
4. I don't believe that these actions represent the will of all Russians, and I have no idea how many condone or even know about it. Individual American citizens do some horrible things, but they do not represent all of America

I haven't seen more than about one minute of the Olympics so far, so I don't know much about the conditions there. I do think it's too bad that people are bashing the host country for not having all of the facilities in top condition, though. The Olympics are meant to bring us together, not tear us apart. It shouldn't be about who can spend the most resources on putting on a good face, but that's definitely part of what it has become. After all, resources spent on the games are resources that can't be spent on other things. I hope that in the end, it can be something that the Russian people can feel good about, or having the games there will have the opposite impact than what was intended.

Adam I agree, for the most part..

1- comparing what they are doing to factory farming, which in some cases sucks, but for the most part is not as bad as people like to believe, they get the job done, keep them clean, and make sure the animals aren't suffering for long periods of time, there were some movies and docu's that showed some bad practices, but you have to take them with a grain of salt, its not false, but its not like that everywhere.... so comparing the two IMO is a far reach, that meat feeds and supports people, its raised to do just that, I always tell my wife and her "hippy dippy" friends that if the country ever just STOPPED eating meat, them poor cows would be bulldozed into land fills, they wouldn't even waste the time shooting them first, they were bred and supported to be food, that is it, they would not be alive if we didn't eat Beef... its that simple, you aren't keeping a cow as a pet, and there will be no rescue programs, and they have no other purpose {don't bring up the leather trade, lol}.

2- killing stray dogs with poisoned meat and darts is BS and the government is doing it {or hiring people to do it} because they don't want them to interfere with the games... just not cool.. As far as the US killing millions in shelters, I agree that sucks, but to compare that to what they are doing is silly... If we were killing dogs by the hundred to make room for a game there would be so many protesters and whistle blowers the country would halt to a stop...

3- sure we shouldn't judge the entire country for one act, but I don't think it would fly in the US {unless some congressman was getting a kick back for each dog that is }

When I read this stuff about the dogs, it just made me sick... and to compare it to the above situations, while they may not be great, is to me not the same and to me diminishes what has happened...

 

[Adam]

but to compare that to what they are doing is silly...

Not to me, it isn't. The U.S. kills them for convenience. Seems like the same reason to me. The big differences are that we (a) take away their freedom first and (b) do it by the millions.

I wasn't in any way disagreeing that it's upsetting. You saw my first sentence, right? I was just saying that to focus on hundreds or even a couple of thousand of dog deaths when we do worse is a bit hypocritical. Not of you, specifically - of all of us that do it. Me included. Regardless of the extent, though, I hate the waste of it. To take life for no reason but for sport or convenience shows a lack of respect for life and is IMO, and with no exaggeration, evil.

And, yes, I think factory farming is right in there. Why? Because it often shows the same lack of respect. And it does so for the same reason as above - convenience. The ends don't justify the means. Got milk? Well, if you do, some milk cow was almost surely artificially inseminated - and while we joke about Twister escapades here, I'm guessing it isn't that pleasant - just to keep her pregnant to keep producing milk. As for the calves, well, you might love veal, but I hate the practice of it (at least as done in the U.S.). For big egg producers, hens that lay eggs are caged in buildings by the millions and never see the light of day, then mass exterminated and disposed of after about three years to make way for a new "crop." They have no choice in the matter. I work in a cubicle, and I might not like it, but I choose to do it. Animals can be raised for food while still being shown respect.

And, no, I don't think a lack of respect for human life is any better.

 

[Chu Gai]

On a brighter note, 100K condoms have been distributed to the Olympians.

Also, get to know the Russian female competitors.

No Cookies | thetelegraph.com.au

 

[Alex2507]

COLIN !!!

 

[Adam]

COLIN !!!

Given that your post followed the one you thanked about protection, I can only assume that you got one letter wrong.

 

[Alex2507]

Given that your post followed the one you thanked about protection, I can only assume that you got one letter wrong.

I actually looked that up to make sure it didn't have 2 els.

BTW, where is the Olympics thread for meat eating, non hating sports fan?

 

[ImcLoud]

Not to me, it isn't. The U.S. kills them for convenience. Seems like the same reason to me. The big differences are that we (a) take away their freedom first and (b) do it by the millions.

I wasn't in any way disagreeing that it's upsetting. You saw my first sentence, right? I was just saying that to focus on hundreds or even a couple of thousand of dog deaths when we do worse is a bit hypocritical. Not of you, specifically - of all of us that do it. Me included. Regardless of the extent, though, I hate the waste of it. To take life for no reason but for sport or convenience shows a lack of respect for life and is IMO, and with no exaggeration, evil.

And, yes, I think factory farming is right in there. Why? Because it often shows the same lack of respect. And it does so for the same reason as above - convenience. The ends don't justify the means. Got milk? Well, if you do, some milk cow was almost surely artificially inseminated - and while we joke about Twister escapades here, I'm guessing it isn't that pleasant - just to keep her pregnant to keep producing milk. As for the calves, well, you might love veal, but I hate the practice of it (at least as done in the U.S.). For big egg producers, hens that lay eggs are caged in buildings by the millions and never see the light of day, then mass exterminated and disposed of after about three years to make way for a new "crop." They have no choice in the matter. I work in a cubicle, and I might not like it, but I choose to do it. Animals can be raised for food while still being shown respect.

And, no, I don't think a lack of respect for human life is any better.

There is a dairy farm {small} about 5 minutes from my house, and they don't AI their milk cows, the cows produce milk for 4 years after they get pregnant the first time, they actually produce less milk pregnant, the farms that AI every year, are double dipping, they are using the milk cows as breeders for veal and more milk cows.. that is rare around here... We don't drink milk {almond milk only in my house, I am lactose intolerant} so until people start complaining about how almonds and other nuts are treated that is PC safe...

We aren't going to change the world, as I tell my wife all the time. But buying local beef, not buying milk, donating to local shelters, keeping our pets for their natural life, hunting seasoned wildlife, ect will help an amount so small it is probably not measurable but helps us sleep at night...

 

[Adam]

To be clear, I never meant to imply that I think you're a bad person - nor do I think that. Btw, you can and are changing the world - not the whole of it, true, but you do make a difference. Every thing you influence has the opportunity to influence more things. Butterfly in Japan, and all.

Farming can absolutely be respectful to the animals. We as a society haven't found a way to do that and still give people their $1 burger at the fast food places, though, and the Walmart crowd would go on a stampede if the price increased.

<iframe src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/embed/mgid:arc:video:comedycentral.com:3043f91c-ed01-11e0-aca6-0026b9414f30" frameborder="0" height="288" width="512"></iframe>

Bill Burr: Let It Go
Get More: Watch More Stand-Up.​

 

[Adam]

BTW, where is the Olympics thread for meat eating, non hating sports fan?

I'm just waiting for you to start your tribute thread to male figure skating.

I missed the Olympics again yesterday. I just haven't gotten into the mindset this year, yet. I'm trying to remember what I like to watch in the Winter games. I do like bobsledding (shut up) - at least when the camera work gives you a feel for the speed of it.

 

[sawzalot]

Sochi Medal Count-USA to date 2 gold and 1 bronze

gold 1-Mens snowboard slope style (skateboarding on snow)
gold 2-Womens snowboard slope style (skateboarding on snow)
bronze 1-Womens moguls free style skiing