It is time to start blogging about the Olympics. To start, I will confess that I voted 'yes' for the Olympic bid referendum in 2003. This was prior to really getting politically involved/ educated and like many other Vancouverites, I honestly just thought it would be kickass to get the Olympics in Vancouver. Click here to read more about the bid history.
But as we are nearing the games and it is becoming extremely apparent that cost overuns, gentrification and heavily policing are infringing on the most vulnerable people in the city- it's time to take the blog out and record what will be a real defining point in Vancouver's history.
The Megaphone, a street-news team, has linked up with Pins+Needs, a very cool non-profit that makes buttons for good causes. This team seems to get it- we want to celebrate and do the best we can during this inevitable event, but we also don't want to be blinded by the party and forget our politics or the consequences of Vancouver 2010. So, for a start, I would like you to support the Megaphone through Pins+Needs.
All of the profits from the limited-edition pin will go to Megaphone, a non-profit magazine sold on the streets of Vancouver by homeless and low-income vendors. Megaphone's mandate is to provide economic opportunities for the Downtown Eastside's most maginalized residents, while serving as a forum for issues that affect all Vancouverites.RECOMMEND this Post on Progressive Bloggers CLICK HERE!
"I was torn when Vancouver won the Olympic bid," says Bercovitch. "I love the Olympics. I love supporting our athletes. But I couldn't turn a blind eye to the impact the Olympics have had on the Downtwon Eastside, which is often called Canada's poorest postal code. I felt in my gut that we could turn this international event into an opportunity to help those who have the greatest needs."
"With Pins+Needs Canadians can show the world that we are proud of Canada, but also that we care about all our citizens," she says.
The True Patriot Love Pin is available for a $1 donation. The five designs are available through select independent retailers and at PinsandNeeds.com until March 21.
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2 comments:
Thanks for the great suggestion. I plan to get some pins this weekend. As someone living in a red zone, I don't have much motivation to be supportive. Every day my life becomes more and more inconvenienced.
I have an RCMP vehicle parked outside my house 24/7 with its engine running the whole time (whether the cop is sitting in it or not)! So much for the greenest owelympics ever. Turns out that cops are exempt from Vancouver's 3 minute idle law.
I discovered today that we aren't allowed to ride bikes in the owelympic lanes. Fortunately, it wasn't me that got the ticket. So, which lane are cyclists supposed to rid in when commuting on these special roads?
Like you I have very mixed feelings about this, I totally support the Olympics but I totally despise VANOC. I have lived in Whistler for almost 20 years, and was very enthusiastic about the idea, until VANOC got involved, now I just want it over. VANOC are completely despicable greedy swine.About a year ago, 50 to 60 business owners in Whistler got together with a VANOC rep to talk about decorating their businesses and try to bring some enthusiasm to the town and were told by VANOC you can't do this and you can't do that, you can't use these symbols and you can't use those signs etc., all the owners left the meeting shaking their heads in disgust, and no one, not one, did anything for the games, nothing. A perfect example of VANOC's attitude is their latest, the First Nation's pavilion was hit with a cease and desist order for serving bison burgers, McDonald's is a sponsor, so only McDonald's is allowed the serve burgers, this is the level of cheep pettiness that we have come to expect from VANOC. On a personal level I totally support the athletes but I will try to avoid doing business with Olympic sponsors, because I do not wish to give any support what so ever to VANOC. It's to bad because I live in a town based on sport, and know and have worked with many, many people involved with pro sports, my doctor is Olympic medal winner
VANOC destroyed the games for the people of Whistler
David
VANOC's motto should read "GIMEE That's Mine"
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