Peaceful "Officers of the Peace" in Vancouver

Altough I did not see them often, there were black hooded and masked protesters at the Vancouver Games.

Today is the 1st anniversary of the greatest Closing Ceremony EVER. So to honor this day, I must honor the security police who did an outstanding job during the Vancouver Olympic. In a crowded street near the center of the city I almost bumped into one of these protesters. These were, unlike the protesters in Mexico, protesting the President of their country, these were protesters of the Olympic Games. I could hear a voice under the black covering and then I heard a gentle yet firm voice of the security policeman directing him not to go in the direction he was going but to go in an opposite direction. His direction had to be reiterated four times yet he never raised his voice. He was firm, clear and concise!

Kudos Vancouver, and Happy First Anniversary to a spectacular Closing Ceremony February 28th, 2010!

Booing, The Mayor of Tucson, and the Olympic Games

Just heard the mayor of Tucson who is on NPR with Scott Simon. He is attending a national meeting of mayors so soon after the tragic events that took place in his city against democratic congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords. Among the topics he spoke of was tolerance and "booing".

I've seldom heard booing at the Olympics. Heard it twice in 2004. Feelings of antiwar trumped feelings of tolerance when Team USA entered the Olympic Stadium during Opening and Closing Ceremony and booing was heard loud and clear as it was during the Italy vs Greece Football (Soccer) game.

During the Vancouver Games 2010 at one of the Ice Hockey Games a Canadian explained to me that what I was hearing was NOT a "Boo". It was "Luuuu" that sounded like boo. It was used for a good reason. Roberto Luongo, their beloved goalie on their Gold Medal Ice Hockey Team was cheered on with a long "Luuu".

The Mayor of Tucson said there comes a time when every parent must say "NOT in my home" when or if profanity is spoken by children. (Must say, my dear old dad didn't even allow the word "shut up" in our home. And yet, realize after hearing research about cursing around the world, that it is a language of its own and can be actually quite healthy sometimes. )

At Tucson council meetings the mayor said that if he hears booing he takes the gavel and pounds it. It must sound like "NOT-in-our-city".