No Chicago Olympics

As has already been reported far and wide across the Internet and in other media (radio, TV, etc) Chicago lost the Olympics.

As has been predicted, it's now time for the blame game to begin. According to critics of the USOC (United States Olympic Committee) the fault belongs firmly on their shoulders, according ot the New York Times. (*)

" Chicago’s last-place finish in the I.O.C. voting on Friday in Copenhagen was the latest blow in a year marked by the departure of major sponsors, layoffs at U.S.O.C. headquarters, controversy over the salary of the acting chief executive, and the failed plan for an Olympic television network. (Link is from the New York Times and is left intact.)

" “Before we think about putting forth another Olympic city for a Games possibility, we’ve got to deal with some outstanding issues that are not going to go away,” said Mike Plant, who serves on the U.S.O.C.’s 10-member board and traveled to Copenhagen as part of the Chicago delegation. “I think that certainly there will be some dialogue that’s going to take place in the next couple of weeks — or certainly in short order.” "

But there's also this link the "Chicago Sun-Times"(**) article where the blame is laid firmly at the feet of President Bush?!?

" Some Chicago officials say anti-American resentment likely played a role in Chicago's Olympic bid dying in the first round Friday.

" President Obama could not undo in one year the resentment against America that President Bush and others built up for years, they said. "

Say it isn't so, O! But it goes further:

" State Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) said she saw firsthand the resentment against America five years ago when she was in Rio de Janeiro. "I feel in my gut that this vote today was political and mean-spirited," she said. "

"...political and mean-spirited..." Um, yeah. Whatever.

I REALLY wish I had permission to post one of comments on their site, but it was written by Geoff King and was written on 3-OCT-2009 (today) at 6:17pm CDT.

The gist of the comment was that the Obamas gave emotional appeals which work well on Oprah but fall short on the International stage. Mr King also said they were good for "ego gratification."

Just remember, according to Chicago's 'leaders' this is President Bush's fault.

(*) - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/sports/04usoc.html
(**) - http://www.suntimes.com/sports/olympics/1804170,CST-NWS-olyresent03.article#