13Feb 2010 by R&O No Comments

Los Angeles hears our secrets

Olympics, Rants
Los Angeles, California is officially aware of some of Vancouver's problems thanks to the John and Ken radio talk show on KFI AM 640 radio. The talk show hosts discussed Vancouver's recent allocation of taxpayer money to bail out the Olympic Village project and also commented on the disgraceful poverty, drug and crime ridden Vancouver East End. Our problems are becoming glaringly apparent as the bright light of global media is shone in every corner and on every issue of the city. Perhaps this might motivate our elected representatives to actually do something about the poverty, drugs and crime that make the East End a destination for the destitute and mentally ill. Perhaps some of the over three million dollars recently spent on Olympic tickets by our Government might have…
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12Feb 2010 by R&O 3 Comments

Luge Death at Olympics

Events, Olympics, People
The games here in Vancouver hadn't even begun before Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was fatally injured this afternoon after being flung from the track during a practice run at Whistler Mountain. A very sad beginning to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games to say the least. [local /wp-content/uploads/2010/02/luge_accident.wmv] If the above video player doesn't work for you, use the contact form to drop me a line and I'll email you a download link. I had the link posted but it was costing me an arm and a leg in bandwidth fees so I had to take it off. Sorry about that.
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11Feb 2010 by R&O No Comments

Olympic Torch on April Road

Of Interest, Olympics
Our neighbour called the other night to advise that the 2010 Games Olympic Torch would be starting at the foot of April Road. Sounds good. The run will begin at 6:33 am. Not so good. My wife convinced me to walk to the foot of our street and join the surprisingly large crowd that had collected on this cold, rainy morning and watch someone in a questionable jumpsuit run down the road with an over-sized Bic lighter. Sounds like real hoot, right? Actually, I have to admit that seeing so many people at the foot of my usually very quiet street so early in the morning was worth the trip and I'm glad I brought along my video camera. Below is video of the main event including the lighting of…
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11Feb 2010 by R&O No Comments

Our dirty little secret is out

Observations, Olympics, Rants
Uh oh! Our dirty little secret is out. The BBC, along with the rest of the world, is in town to report on the 2010 Winter Olympics but one of their reporters must have wandered into the east end. The report on the BBC News web site, which refers to Vancouver as Drug Central of North America, outlines the problems in Canada's poorest, drug soaked neighbourhood. The BBC reporter, Rajesh Mirchandani, mentions the drugs, the addicts, the prostitutes and, of course, the violent crime. The first four paragraphs of his report sum it all up: As Vancouver prepares to host the Winter Olympics, the city continues to struggle with a vicious drugs war. Dozens have been killed in escalating turf battles that have spread far beyond the city limits. But…
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