Welcome to Vancouver. If you haven’t left your rock shelter for the last little while, you’ll be surprised to hear that the Winter Olympics have descended on our fair city. This huge event that is occurring in my back yard has left a deep personal conflict inside me. And that conflict is this:

How does one support all that is great about the Olympic games (i.e. the spirit, the coming together of the world, the celebration of sport and the greatest athletes in the world) while at the same time oppose all that is terrible about the Olympic games (i.e. VANOC and their complete disregard for human rights, civil liberties, the homeless and disadvantaged, the indigenous nations of our country, not to mention the huge cost overruns that are already leading to cuts in health care, education, social services and the arts. And let’s not forget everyone’s favourite: corporate greed and control)? I’m not sure how to navigate these waters yet. Any ideas?

This feels a bit like supporting the troops but not the war…