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Should President Obama have gone to Denmark to lobby for the 2016 Olympics in Chicago?

Results so far:

Yes		28%	19 votes	Total: 69 votes
No		72%	50 votes	Total: 69 votes

Yes

1 of 4

President Barack Obama considered it his right and duty to fly to Denmark to argue for Chicago to be the city named for hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics. There can be no argument about that, and other Presidents have made similar trips to foreign countries to promote American enterprises, increase trade, seek economic alliances and other advantages.

Opinions about the President's pitch to the International Olympic Committee are split along predictable political lines. His party, the Democrats, laud him for taking a personal chance by using his prestige to attempt to acquire the Olympics, because it could bring billions of dollars to economically-strappe d Chicago, Mr. Obama's adopted hometown.

The Republicans, loudly voiced by right-wing radio commentators, are angry because they believe the American President went to Europe with hat in hand to beg for a favor from the IOC. The opponents are full of self-satisfaction because he failed in his mission. Some of the more extreme criticism suggests that a Chicago Olympics would be a financial disaster, because the Olympics have rarely been profitable to the host city.

Beijing in 2008 is an example of what a financial gamble the Olympics can be. The Communist Chinese government spent billions to build new facilities, and except for income from the 2008 Games themselves, aren't likely to ever again be fully profitable in future sports activities. The records show that the only Olympics host city to make profits was Los Angeles in 1932, because the massive construction projects opened major freeways and built several large stadiums. Along with other venues from that year's games, all of the well-planned buildings and road constructions have been fully used ever since. It also helped Los Angeles break out of the Great Depression, which didn't end until Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President later that year.

Even ardent followers of President Obama must worry that if Chicago had been chosen for the 2016 Olympics, it would have been a gamble. Profits could be eaten away by the expenses of building stadiums, tracks and gym facilities, as well as the expenses to uproot people from homes that would be torn down to make room. And, as with Beijing, how to earn income from those big, empty Olympic stadiums and gymnasiums.

Despite all the potential political hazards President Obama faced in his pitch to the IOC, and the criticism he faced when he returned home, he has to be admired for his attempt. After all, even Brett Favre hasn't won every game in his career.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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No

1 of 5

by Marcus Brooks

Almost 10 days ago, I came across a tragic story out of Chicago. A black, honor student named Derrion Albert was coming home from school. Apparently, he ran into a street fight involving two groups of adolescents. In the melee, one of the groups attacked him with fists, broken railroad ties and boots. He was beaten and stomped to death. To top it off, passer-bys and those watching filmed his murder on their cell phones.

A White House representative called the brutal act "chilling". However, the news played second fiddle to the Windy City's bid of becoming host city to the 2016 Summer Games.

Our president Barack Obama flew to Denmark to make a last-ditch plea to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He wanted to present a case that showed his hometown was worthy to have a global competition founded on sportsmanship and good will.

But how could that "good will" be noticed after a grisly murder in broad daylight?

President Obama should've cancelled his trip to Denmark. He should've made a personal appearance to Fenger Academy where the tragedy occurred. He should've made an appearance in the nieghborhood where residents are trapped everyday by violent crime. He should've showed that the American people was with them in their time of sorrow. He didn't.

Obama could've guaranteed action just by being there. He could've eased the residents' pain of feeling ignored by Mainstream America. Only four assailants were charged with first-degree murder. But, four others remained at large. Residents fearing deadly retribution for snitching refused to cooperate with police and local authorities. Obama could've eased those fears. He could've said.

"If you come foward, we will protect you. You have my word." He could've delivered that statement in his usual eloquent speech.

Instead, he "pimped" Chicago to nations that already disregarded America's value. He met up with European and Latin American countries determined to freeze out the United States and Japan from IOC's vote. They succeeded with both being eliminated before the final rounds. Spain and Brazil were the last two with the latter winning the Olympic bid.

In the meantime, White House officials watched Albert's killing on uncensored video. They watched the blows landed by wooden planks upon his body. They watched him being hustled into a corner. They watched him being set upon by seven or eight, different assailants. They watched people cheer as if, they were in Ancient Rome viewing Christians being fed to hungry lions.

They watched a nation devolve into bestiality. And so did the rest of the world.

But, Obama didn't.

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
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