Oct. 2, 2009

By

Joseph Chez 

 Olympic defeat for President Obama or political spin by his opponents? 

This afternoon, the international Olympic Committee eliminated the United States as a potential host for the 2016 Olympic Games.  Normally, such decision would have only been regrettable, but in this day and age of the Obama Administration, national politics have been sour - to say the least.  

Unfortunately,  President Obama decided to go before the Olympic Committee in Copehhagen to urged the committee to consider Chigago to host the next Olympic Games.  Sadly, in the end, the committee chose Rio de Janeiro in Brazil as the next host. 

Of course, many of President Obama's political opponents in this country ridiculed the President for traveling to Europe for this event, and worse, at tax payer's expense.  But what they really wanted, was for him to fail.  Today's decision by the Olympic Committee simply solidified the opponent's antipathy towards the President. And as usual, even Rush Limbaugh  sarcastically called it  President Obama's worst day of his presidency. But really? 

John F. Kennedy once said:

 "after the dust of centuries has passed over ... we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit". 

Thus, President Obama's attempt to have the Olympics in Chicago, was never political in nature, but simply a desire to bring the essence of the Olympic Games spirit to our nation, which in these days, seems low.  Nice try Mr. President. Anything you may do in behalf of our country is worthy of respect and admiration.   

Of course, our hats go to Rio de Janeiro and to the Brazilian people.  The American people bid them best wishes so that the flame of competition and  human spirit may forever be alive. 

A bigger question on this non-issue is, whether the Republicans can dance the Samba or the Bassa Nova?  For it takes some liberal leanings to have style in dancing with the stars.