Posted on 01/26/2015 4:26:46 PM PST by Rockitz
After 30 years of disastrous multi-billion-dollar public construction disasters, cost overruns, and scandals, it appears that a bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Boston may be the last straw for overtaxed voters in the deep-blue state of Massachusetts.
Two weeks ago, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) gave Boston the nod as the American city to bid for the 2024 summer games. In its presentation, the pro-games group Boston 2024 smugly informed the USOC that “Boston is overwhelmingly united in its bid.”
Er, no. Critics quickly began comparing the Olympics to the “Big Dig,” the ambitious downtown Boston highway project that ended up costing $25 billion after initially being budgeted at $2.2 billion.
When the (leaky) Big Dig finally opened in 2006, then-Sen. John Kerry intoned, “This tunnel will be a bargain!”
Now, on message boards in Boston, Kerry’s clueless phrase is endlessly paraphrased: “These Olympics will be a bargain!”
But is the Big Dig the only miserable man-made Massachusetts miasma? To quote Kerry once more, “Would that it were. Would that it were.”
Last year, the state’s attempt to green-light a Boston-area casino ended in the federal indictments of three landowners, including a Mafia associate who was recorded bragging to a fellow ex-con of his plans to provide hookers for high rollers in a bar adjacent to the casino. The City of Boston has since refused to accept an initial payment from the would-be developer, casino mogul Steve Wynn.
A state process for awarding licenses to “medicinal” marijuana dispensaries collapsed last year after the vetting process failed to uncover, among other things, a convicted drug kingpin whose brother won the downtown Boston license. The awarding of three of the 20 marijuana licenses to an ex-congressman, a Democrat, also raised eyebrows.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
“Massachusetts just can’t do this kind of thing,” said one major Democratic officeholder who requested anonymity. “I’d say we’re more corrupt than a banana republic, but that wouldn’t be fair to the Third World.”
HAH!
Bostonians threw billions into a Big Dig (big hole in the ground)
I think they’d be PERFECT to host the Olympics.
Massholes.
Well if Assachusetts is going to keep electing children into office which they seem to have been doing since the early 1960s, then I would say forget the Olympics. If not then go for it, but let’s remember that Boston was attacked by terrorists and the drones in Assachusetts once again voted for the Treason party.
Cities should be able to compete for individual events. Skating events in one city, skiing events in another etc. Cities wouldn’t have to lay out billions for Olympic facilities that would then fall into disrepair.
I hate to say it but maybe the time to stop running the Olympics is here. If it can’t be held without bankrupting everyone involved then maybe it’s not worth doing.
Exactly my point. Let cities hold specific events in existing facilities. There is no really good reason they all need to be in the same place.
The new governor in his infinite wisdom has deemed to ban cars from the roads after midnite. I'm expecting very little from this... er.... ahh.... republican, but I guess even the little I expected was too much. Following in Coupe-de-Ville's footsteps.
Give it to Greece permanently, they need money and it can work if they build the stadiums once.
Cities should be able to compete for individual events. Skating events in one city, skiing events in another etc. Cities wouldn’t have to lay out billions for Olympic facilities that would then fall into disrepair.
Of course...maybe just profitable to mormon's
Baker is not a Republican, he’s a RINO. I mean my God, he went to Harvard which all but puts a stamp on his affiliation with Commie love.
Even a place like Detroit has world class sporting facilities like Ford field for things like track and field events. By the start of the 2016 NHL season the Red Wings will have a new arena right there next door which would be ideal for skating events. That part of Detroit is no more dangerous than midtown Manhattan and maybe even safer.
After all, Detroit produced the gold and silver medal ice dancing champs this year. The Americans took the gold and got the highest score ever and the silver medal Canadian team regularly work out and practice in Detroit.
And spread them out by time zone. They could have live events 24 hours!
The main problem is host cities are required to upgrade public infrastructure, build new stadiums and facilities and undertake a massive amount of preparatory and organizational work.
All of that is expensive and few host cities will make money off the Olympics. The IOC has priced the Games out of the marketplace.
Are you talking about the Olympics or Boston. I'm good with either.
“I’m good with either”
Both would be even better.
Let me think about it.
I would think if they had a permanent site, only minor improvements would be needed every time out. Yes, I think Greece should be the permanent home of the Olympic Games.
I further realize that bilking the taxpayers has been part of the game behind the Games for decades.
I imagine there are people on the IOC (which actually makes the selection) who can read English.
Brisbane, here we come!
The Olympics have become crazy expensive since 2002. I just don’t see the sense in spending $50 billion on a national pride event.
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