For you FIBS, do you want the Olympics or not?

[ChicosBailBonds]

I was surprised at the polls saying 47% want it and 45% don't

[robmufan]

They were showing on the news today that the poll was up somewhere around 72%...but im not sure that is the case.

Traffic around here sucks already, no need for more people

[Jay Bee]

If that one pole vault chick is going to be in the Olympics I think it could change a lot of no votes to yes. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

They were showing on the news today that the poll was up somewhere around 72%...but im not sure that is the case.

Traffic around here sucks already, no need for more people

I guess it was the Chicago Tribune poll had it 47 to 45.  A different poll had it at 72

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090930/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_say_no_to_chicago

[g0lden3agle]

They were showing on the news today that the poll was up somewhere around 72%...but im not sure that is the case.

Traffic around here sucks already, no need for more people

You really think that the stress on travel time for three weeks is not outweighed by the incredible economic boost something like this brings to a city?

[TomW1365]

I think the reason so many people in Chicago don't want the Olympics is because of our unscrupulous politicians.  I know there's a no politics rule on MU Scoop rule... but come on, these politicians are dirty as hell! 
My dad and brother run a athletic field construction company in the south suburbs that has done work for 400 + professional/college/H.S./little leagues in the Chicagoland area.  While you would think that this would sway me to favor the Olympics in Chicago in 2016, I'm not big on the idea.  
Whether it's the ungodly sales taxes, tri-state tollway, parking meter b.s, or sin taxes we have more than enough reasons to not trust the politicians in charge that will raise the cost of living at every turn.  
Here's the latest political news out of Chicago that I thought would make people in other cities wonder about how far we've come (or lack there of):

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7039325

Here's a great website: 
http://chicagoansforrio.com/

But all that said, I think we're gonna get it.  Yay!  We Win!  Sh*t, I'll be taxed more... again.

[Dish]

NO

x Infinity

[GGGG]

I'm not a Chicagoan, but my feeling is that any economic benefit gained from the Olympics will be short lived, but the bills that need to be paid will be around for a long time.  Furthermore, it is who they will be paying those bills to that are a problem.  Everytime a major project takes place in Chicago, the firms that work on those projects seem to always be those with connections to various city officials.  Hmmmm....

Chicago doesn't need the Olympics.  It needs to be cleaned up.

[Dish]

Sultan of South Wayne might not be from Chicago, but he pretty much summed it up.

If the Olympics are here in 2016, I'll gladly take a two week vacation to go elsewhere. Luckily, my tax dollars will be paying for the Olympics long after 2016.

The Olympics to Chicago is a horrible, horrible, horrible idea. I won't make this political, but follow the money, and you'll know why it's probably the worst thing that can happen to the city.

Good reading is today's John Kass article in the Trib. Sums things up quite nicely.

[MUsoxfan]

IMO, the Olympics would be the worst thing to ever happen to Chicago

[Skatastrophy]

IMO, the Olympics would be the worst thing to ever happen to Chicago

The Olympics: way worse than hundreds of people dying in the Chicago Fire (the conflagration, not the soccer team).

[GOMU1104]

I'm not a Chicagoan, but my feeling is that any economic benefit gained from the Olympics will be short lived, but the bills that need to be paid will be around for a long time.  Furthermore, it is who they will be paying those bills to that are a problem.  Everytime a major project takes place in Chicago, the firms that work on those projects seem to always be those with connections to various city officials.  Hmmmm....

Chicago doesn't need the Olympics.  It needs to be cleaned up.

And there you have it...the reason Barack Obama is getting involved!

[TallTitan34]

I was initially against the Olympics coming to Chicago as every city that gets them loses tons of money.  

Now that I am working at a civil engineering firm in Chicago that has worked on stadiums for the Atlanta and upcoming London Olympics I am all for them!  Plus a lot of projects that have been put on hold in the Chicago area should get a jump start.

Good for me, bad for the city.

[damuts222]

  For those of us that now work and or live in the downtown area we know how bad the commute is, we know that some of Daley's cronnies have bought real estate around the proposed stadium site, and that as a project manager I know that essentially all projects are overrun not because of the contractor but because of politics.

  Having that been said I would still pay extra on my taxes not only to have the olympics in Chicago, but hopefully the money is well spent on transportation improvements (not only highways for christ sake), bettering the South and West sides of Chicago, and of course providing more economic stability.

[wyoMUfan]

I lived in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics. It is fantastic, it brings the city and surrounding areas together.
Olympics in Chicago would be great for Milwaukee

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

You really think that the stress on travel time for three weeks is not outweighed by the incredible economic boost something like this brings to a city?

It's going to affect things...including traffic...in Chicago for 7 years, not 3 weeks!

I'm against it...I think the Tribune poll is accurate. Some people are in favor, mostly people that are not thinking logically about the cost, inconvenience, logistics, etc. These are the same people who voted a certain way in the last election.

Mayor Daley wants the Olympics for one reason...MONEY!

[LON]

If that one pole vault chick is going to be in the Olympics I think it could change a lot of no votes to yes. 

That is something we can definitely agree on, just beware her lawyer-dad.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Mayor Daley wants the Olympics for one reason...MONEY!

That is why Daley ordered Obama to go to Copenhagen......MONEY!

[Dish]

I love how one of the most corrupt sports organizations (IOC) might be working with the most corrupt government entity (Chicago), it's a match made in hell.

If Chicago does get the Olympics, who should light the torch? Da Bears guys from SNL? Ronnie Woo Woo? The 85 Bears? Dick Portillo? Empire Carpet Guy? Buleshi?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I love how one of the most corrupt sports organizations (IOC) might be working with the most corrupt government entity (Chicago), it's a match made in hell.

If Chicago does get the Olympics, who should light the torch? Da Bears guys from SNL? Ronnie Woo Woo? The 85 Bears? Dick Portillo? Empire Carpet Guy? Buleshi?

This one's a layup...it should be two time gold medalist Michael Jordan. But don't rule out Jackie Joyner-Kersee...an Illinois native.

[Dish]

I was saying that tounge in cheek, but yes, Jordan is the most likely candidate. If golf is added as a sport, it could be Tiger, or (depending on how he does in London), Phelps.

[MilTown]

I support the bid!

There are many misconceptions and false information being spread about the games. It's too much to get into in one post.

For all the haters, you have 6 1/2 years to save up for a 2 week vacation during the games. I'll be here celebrating world sport and partying with people from all over the world in my city.

[GGGG]

And, while if I were in Chicago I would be against it, it certainly will benefit my hometown of Madison.  It will be the hub of the mountain biking and road racing events.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

As a Chicago ex-pat, I'm all for the games in Chicago. 

I also think it will be fun to watch the corruption, and the subsiquent scandals.

[TallTitan34]

I love how one of the most corrupt sports organizations (IOC) might be working with the most corrupt government entity (Chicago), it's a match made in hell.

If Chicago does get the Olympics, who should light the torch? Da Bears guys from SNL? Ronnie Woo Woo? The 85 Bears? Dick Portillo? Empire Carpet Guy? Buleshi?

Chicagoians prefer to distance themselves from Buleshi.