With all of the media hype of Obama's advocacy for the 2016 Oympic Games to be in Chicago, it's ironic - but in some ways totally logical - that Chicago lost out to Rio. Don't get me wrong. I love Chicago and think it is a wonderful city and the financial impact of having the games held there would have been benificial. On the other hand it is about time that a city in South America was selected for the Olympic Games. Brazil in particular is fitting because it has the potential to become a powerhouse, especially with the huge new oil reserves discovered offshore. Rio, San Paulo and other cities are modern and I believe the games will showcase the county's potential. One other aspect that AmericaBlog brings up is the fact that the USA is increasingly seen as an unfriendly country when it comes to foreigners and I can just imagine what foreigners think when they see the birthers and teabaggers in full anti-immigrant rant. Here are a few thoughts from AmericaBlog:*
Between the absurd tax that Congress is slapping on to foreign visitors and the generally horrible interrogations when arriving, maybe people don't realize what an unattractive destination the US has become. I've watched it myself and have been floored with how nasty and aggressive US immigration can be compared to other countries. I've entered around 50 countries across six continents and can say the US is near the bottom. Nobody is asking for the US to drop safety procedures, but really, entering the US is a miserable experience for many. That needs to change.
Between the absurd tax that Congress is slapping on to foreign visitors and the generally horrible interrogations when arriving, maybe people don't realize what an unattractive destination the US has become. I've watched it myself and have been floored with how nasty and aggressive US immigration can be compared to other countries. I've entered around 50 countries across six continents and can say the US is near the bottom. Nobody is asking for the US to drop safety procedures, but really, entering the US is a miserable experience for many. That needs to change.
*
Even 20+ years ago when I traveled extensively overseas for an oil company coming back into the USA could be an unpleasant hassle compared to many other countries - and I was an American. I can only image the hassle that foreigners now receive. The other thing that this decision by the IOC has revealed is sickness of the USA hating GOP base. This video shows some celebrating Chicago's loss of the Games.
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