Posted by Which means, fellow Americans, that Chicago didn’t. I think Ed Brayton is suggesting that soon we’ll be hearing about how the Obamas ruined our chances, but the word on the street is a bit different. It is generally thought that Chicago’s best chance was to get the African votes, and these votes didn’t come through at least in part as a reaction from 8 years of being treated like crap by the US.
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Wait, is this because Obama is Kenyan?
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No, sorry. The connection between us having an African president (from Kenya) and the African vote not going our way is non-existent (but I can see why one might think so from what I said).
What I’m saying is, that, as usual, and has happened again and again, it is NOT Obama’s fault. It’s bush’s fault. Again.
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I could see the validity of complaints about Obama if suddenly there had been a late yet successful entry from Mombasa.
I do, however, fear that voters may have rejected Chicago in part so as not to be seen pandering to the US and buying into the hero worship of Obama(and Oprah).
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But, at the end of the day (as it were) there has never been an event anywhere in S.A., and they are ready for it. That’s the reason.
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Syed Shahid Ali, a Pakistani member of IOC, wondered “how smooth it would be for foreigners to enter the United States for the Games”.
Thank Homeland Security for being such rude thugs.
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Rio is a good pick, definitely would have been my choice.
Having an extremely vociferous anti-olympic-bid team there from Chicago probably didn’t help their effort. Chicago was the first city voted out.
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It should be pointed out, that the right and the GOP is going absolutely nuts over this. Because……..
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Bush’s fault? While he didn’t help, he’s in a long line of presidents who asked of African countries: Do they have oil? Can we put a base there? Yes – then let’s support the local right-wing fascist dictator. No? – let’s leave them to rot instead.
As to tourists coming into the States, last time I tried that, the old lady next to me was arrested and frog-marched off by four policemen, all because she had an orange in her possession. Welcome to America, indeed. I believe that it has got much worse since.
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As the world rejoices we are left with yet another sign the United States did not escape the Bush (UU) era unscathed. It was a good decision.
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I love samba, and the dancing and parading that goes with it. I think these may be the most rhythmic and swaying opening ceremonies in history. Should be pretty awesome, actually.
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It is generally thought that Chicago’s best chance was to get the African votes, and these votes didn’t come through at least in part as a reaction from 8 years of being treated like crap by the US.
I’m relieved to hear they only remember the last 8 years of it. I guess 8 years of really shitty treatment can wipe out memories of a decades of slightly less shitty treatment? (Not to mention centuries of truly abominable treatment?)
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Hey I don’t know about you guys. But where would you rather go for two weeks if you were an Olympic official, Rio or Chicago? Think carefully now….hmm….
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One word: Atlanta
I don’t think many Americans are aware of how badly that grated on the rest of the world – first the US gets the Olympics for the second time in 20 odd years and then they completely stuff it up.*
Or think about what Samaranch said when asked (by Rogge I think on the second or third day when the scale of the disaster was completely apparent) “Why did we give these people the Games?”:- “They lied” was Samaranch’s response.
* The phrase used by the US press “logistical problems” whitewashes the whole thing. When even some competitors can’t make it to their own events you *know* you’ve got a transportation problem
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Then it got blowd up too.
October 2, 2009
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, which is now available for the 
