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Check out this story...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...31/wfran31.xml
Sounds like the French are taking not getting to host the Olympics a little hard. From what I understand, most cities that have hosted has lost money. I remember when Atlanta hosted it and the city lost money. So are the French this distraught and for good reason? Looking for an European prospective...
That's funny, Jag swears everything the French government does is perfect and the rest of the world needs to emulate them. He couldn't be WRONG now, could he?
It sounds like the guy is trying to give a 'snap out of it' speech to his countrymen. I don't know enough about France's economic growth propsects to comment on how necessary that truly is, but I will say a sharp self-rebuke never hurt anyone, even if it was more than necessary.
Hey, by the way, self-criticism is always easier when done in company. Wanna know the US's dirty little secret? Consumer debt! You heard about how it was the consumers of this country that jumpstarted the economy out of recession? Well some of that was from taxcuts, that was true. But take a look at the debt the average American household has taken on in the past 5 years.
In the spirit of Monsieur Lévy, let me exhort my countrymen to slow down, and quit spending money like a bunch of drunken sailors. Sooner or later, interest rates are going to take an upswing, then we're all screwed. Pay your credit cards off, then go buy yourself something. Wait, donate to a famine relief organization, pay your credit cards off, then go buy yourself something!!!!
Our hosting of the 2000 Olympics was one of the best things to happen to Sydney. Our tourism trade has benefited enormously, now that people realise what a beautiful area it is. It was just good for raising global awareness of Sydney in general.
Amen to that... It is so entrenched in our culture to borrow, borrow, then borrow some more. One day we'll have to pay...Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Corleone
But atleast we're not French!!! Just a joke my oversensitive Euro-buddies out there ~;)
It's the same in most 1st world countries. I know a few years back the average Australian owed over 2 times what they earned, whilst in the mid 80's it was 0.5 times what they earned! Debt makes the world go 'round ~;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Corleone
Despite the fact that the games at the time were a net loss (and a major drain on public funds). If you look in the short term, that is, up to and while the games are running, it seems that they are not worth the effort, but the exposure Sydney gained was tremendous! If the same could be said of Athens or London, well, I just don't know, but it's the residual effects that they are after, which could last for 10 years or more!Quote:
Originally Posted by Roark
We hosted the 2002 winter games, made about $100 million, had a big party, and got to keep some nice venues.
I got to work on the Olympic Torch Run, met some great people and had a blast
ichi :bow:
I do?! :O News to me.Quote:
That's funny, Jag swears everything the French government does is perfect and the rest of the world needs to emulate them. He couldn't be WRONG now, could he?
I have stated here how when people talk of the French economy they never highlight the positives and that it is not all bad, sure. But state everything France does is perfect.. Nope. Like many countries it has positives and negatives, indeed much like mine and yours.
As for the article, France seems to be having a bit of a hard time of late, I am sure it will turn around soon.
Quote:
The President of one of the world's biggest advertising agencies has issued a damning state-of-the-nation assessment that describes France as being in steep decline and his countrymen as "narrowed and stunted".
:shocked2: :laugh4: ~:mecry:
Hilare!! :tongueg:
JAG, did you even read the article? In the seemingly more than probable case that you did not, here are some excerpts:
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Originally Posted by article
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Originally Posted by article again
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Originally Posted by article yet again
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Originally Posted by still the article
Oh, really JAG. Every chance you get you rave on about the great social system France has, their great economy and safety nets and easy, high paid jobs. The article says there aren't many, if any, positives.Quote:
Originally Posted by JAG, in denial
And its not going to turn around if changes aren't made. That was the whole point of the article, by a man who heads one of the best companies in France. This is not a little fluke, this is the inevitable effect of the policies France has implemented.
Crazed Rabbit
The loss of the Olympic games is surely a symptom of France's recent downturn rather than a cause of. At the moment, France just lacks a place in the world and has a rather poor public image, which naturally the head of an advertising agency would pick up on. It has no real raison d'être.
Your right Al, I haven't watch the Olympics since a kid. Now that they have "curdling" (sp?) and got rid of baseball, I'll watch even less...
I just do not understand the need to host one of these things...
I'd like to go to one, just for fun. But it appears, with the removal of baseball and another sport played widely in America, that the Olympic commitee wants to stick it to the Americans.
Crazed Rabbit
I don't see the point of having baseball or basketball or tennis etc. Olympics is more about the gymnastics, swimming and track and field to me.
I dont see any point in the modern ''olympics''. They dont have any relation to the actual spirit of the ancient ones, rather they are a game of international companies and chemical pumped up athletes. Fake smiles, fake promises for future peace and bla bla bla, but nothing in essence. And thats a Greek saying that.
The reason they quit having baseball wasn't to stick it to Americans. It was because American baseball players, unlike basketball, wouldn't go.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
I would love to see some traditional events make a come-back. Can you imagine a greater spectacle than a chariot race? No one alive today has seen one of these.Quote:
I dont see any point in the modern ''olympics''. They dont have any relation to the actual spirit of the ancient ones, rather they are a game of international companies and chemical pumped up athletes. Fake smiles, fake promises for future peace and bla bla bla, but nothing in essence. And thats a Greek saying that.
The reason for them wanting the removal of baseball and softball?
Softball Gold Medal Winners:
1996 - USA
2000 - USA
2004 - USA
Baseball Gold Medal Winners:
1992 - Cuba
1996 - Cuba
2000 - USA (no Cuban team)
2004 - Cuba
Baseball is boring. The clue is in the fact that 'The World Series' only contains American teams.
baseball and cricket are boring, that's a fact. Now, football, that's action packed.
yes, real football. The game where you use your feet to kick the ball around. Not the petty american version of football, where you in fact use the hands...
well curling certainly didn't make the Olympics more exiting , but it didn't stop me watching the olympics though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Devastatin Dave
I just watch the swimming and the running / sprinting parts.
I can imagine that being the center of attention for the duration of the Olympics would be very good for that country / city.
lot's of tourist and lot's of media attention.
:balloon2:
Way I heard it France was close in the running with London but still slightly ahead when Chirac suffered from an outbreak of foot-in-mouth disease and thus cost his country a few crucial votes.
Let's be honest now... does anyone actually like Chirac? And I mean ANYONE.
My grandmother did but as she died last year i'm not sure there is still anyone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Khalifah
Soccer is the best sport in the world!
I agree that the Olympics should probably focus more on individual athletes than team sports.
Crazed Rabbit
Rugby must be in the 2012 Olympics! And I want full rugby, not VII's, I want full Rugby Union hell. The only problem is that as Team GB we be we'd have to water down the world champions again with the Welsh and the Scots.
Olympics is important. Sport is something we need to embrace. It's good for everyone....