My problem with the Olympics
I didn't want to go a whole month without a blog entry and there has been a huge cloud that has been hanging over my head with regards to the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic games here in Vancouver. For most people, the excitement of the world watching our city display some excellent achievements in sporting activities has created a disconnect between what they think is going to happen and what is in fact reality.
Before I start, I'd like to point out that I watch and follow sports quite closely. Just like most Canadians, I enjoy watching hockey at almost any level and I yearn for the day that soccer becomes as popular as the CFL. With that said, I don't want to see my civil liberties (and yours) in jeopardy because of a supposed threat--external or not.
My problem is simply this: overzealous individuals both in government and in law enforcement have this ill-conceived notion that anybody who has a problem with the operation of the Olympic games, has a problem with the policies being enacted relating to the games, or is actively voicing out their concern is a potential threat and must be investigated.
Such minor things like being against the Hudson's Bay Company because they have sweaters that closely resemble sweaters they knit by hand on their own have been investigated by the RCMP. Then you get issues where individuals who speak out against the Olympics in their blogs get a visit from the Vancouver Integrated Security Unit. Why we're wasting our time on people who make sweaters and run blogs that probably get three-hundred hits a month (author: forgive me if I am wrong) is beyond me. I thought that this huge security budget that we have put aside is to ensure that nobody with a bomb goes and tries to re-enact Atlanta's attack. I don't wish the latter at all, but come on, where are our priorities?
I am not one for protesting. I believe that the extent of my protesting 'career' has really just the rally at the Convention Centre in September, when former Premier, Bill Vander Zalm held his HST protest. However, when I thought about writing this blog article, the fear of being treated as one by the police and having a visit paid to me scares the shit out of me. Why is it where we live in a country that guarantees freedom of the press and freedom of expression that I have to worry about a visit by the police for stating something on my bloody mind? Being a student of history, I easily come to think of other societies that had done this and then crumbled later on.
One other thing that disturbs me is that during a meal I shared with a group of friends, one of the attendees informed me that he was an RCMP officer for the Richmond detachment. He effectively stated that he had signed up to be on the riot squad for the Olympics and was looking forward to the opportunity to bash heads in. Out of respect for the rest of the guests, I avoided confrontation, but is this the sort of attitude that the RCMP should have? Beating the crap out of protesters?
It goes even higher than just some beat officer (no pun intended). Former Vancouver Police Chief and now Victoria Police Chief, Jamie Graham admitted himself in a smug manner that he had managed to insert a 'mole' into the Olympic Resistance Movement (ORN) during the beginning of the torch relay. He had arranged the bus driver to be an undercover police officer when the ORN arranged to have people picked up from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. Of course, Jamie was right in saying that the ORN were not very smart in arranging this, but he himself wasn't very smart in pointing out that the driver was an undercover officer.
The ORN do have a good message, but I also hope that their message doesn't get drowned out if and when violence erupts. However if violence starts, it will be up to the police to ensure that it doesn't escalate. The moment that the police bring out the riot gear and shoot tear gas into the air is the moment that the view that VANOC is supposedly trying to portray Vancouver as will be tarnished because the cops couldn't be bothered to figure out a safer and smarter way to deal with things. And it is possible that the violence won't be the fault of the ORN themselves at all, but instead we'll see a repeat of the North America leaders' meeting in Montebello, Quebec, where undercover officers themselves mixed in with the group and started to stir the pot. Do I expect better of the RCMP and the VPD in this situation? I guess that I will have to wait and see.
To close this off, I'd like to say that to those of you who stand to benefit from the Olympics and are reading this blog article, good for you and I wish you the best of luck. Lots of businesses both small and large will benefit from this event and there is nothing wrong in that as that is the underpinning of our society and our economy (no matter how poor it might seem right now). However, I want to keep this in mind: it will come at a cost to our civil liberties and while it may not seem like it was much now, you give the police and government an inch, they'll take a mile.
If you have bought tickets or just simply have them for events at the Olympics, that's great and I certainly hope that you enjoy the event. In fact, I am rather excited at that comedian Stephen Colbert will be paying a visit during the games and if that is the case, I will put time aside to see him do whatever he plans to do while here.
Also, to those of you who are interested in visiting me regarding this entry and are members of VANOC, VISU, or any other legal (or not) entity that wishes to harass me: don't bother. I will not speak to you nor will I put aside time for you. I am far from a threat, so go waste your time with sweater-makers instead.