OT: Living Conditions for Athletes and Media in Sochi

[cappymo14 2,276]

Haha I saw the painted buildings today. Just a giant tarp painted to look like a building and draped over the front.


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It was funny, the correspondent who was investigating, started laughing when he saw that.  The guide he was with, looked embarrassed, and he was trying to expose the stuff!

[Str8Hoosiers 2,965]

I heard some of this stuff too.. very embarrasing... From what I heard many of the rooms didn't have light bulbs, had fixtures but no bulbs.... and some had no door handles.... there was a story that came out that a reporter had apparently gotten ahold of 3 light bulbs and was trying to trade for a door handle....

 

I am glad the atheletes have somewhat better conditions but like said above some of the top Snowboarders are getting hurt because the slopes are too steep and dangerous so more are pulling out of events.

 

Never want a grumpy reporter either... you know they are the ones that give the rest of the world the picture of the games....

 

I did hear there were over 70,000 police present though so I don't think there are too many safety concerns... I think if anything somewhere in the outlying region may be some activity (bombing, protest, something) but not in Sochi.

[Hovadipo 56,953]

Shaun White pulled out of slopestyle due to the awful course. One rider said hitting one of the jumps was like "jumping out of a building". So that competition just became less watchable.


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[IUfan_Charlie 3,867]

What a disaster. 

[mdn82 25,546]

[quote name="Hovadipo" post="35381" timestamp="1391572357"]I've heard that the waste basket next to the toilet thing is actually the norm in most countries, especially ones that are "less Western", if you will. Small pipes can't handle the paper very well. Even in some of the more popular European cities.


Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners[/quote]Worst part is Russia is typically 50 years behind the rest of Europe in their biggest cities, let alone resort towns. Hell Europe is typically 20 years behind us, and it has been that way since the American Industrial Revolution, which was just behind the one that started in England. Only time in the last 200 years a European country was ahead of us in anything.


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[Hovadipo 56,953]

Another addition to the hilarity in Sochi. Apparently there is now a shortage of pillows for the athletes in the Olympic village. According to organizers, the shortage is due to "the unexpected arrival of athletes to the mountain". Wait...what?! To help with this shortage, pillows are being taken from event volunteers' rooms and being given to the athletes. Go Russia!


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[JSHoosier 20,513]

Worst part is Russia is typically 50 years behind the rest of Europe in their biggest cities, let alone resort towns. Hell Europe is typically 20 years behind us, and it has been that way since the American Industrial Revolution, which was just behind the one that started in England. Only time in the last 200 years a European country was ahead of us in anything.


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We're still behind the Europeans when it comes to vehicles.  Their divorce rates are lower as well, but that's not industrial.

[Hovadipo 56,953]

[quote name="JSHoosier" post="35568" timestamp="1391643582"]We're still behind the Europeans when it comes to vehicles. Their divorce rates are lower as well, but that's not industrial.[/quote]

They also do drunk driving right. From what I think I remember (lol), you get one DUI and you don't get your license back. Ever. Don't hold me to that, but I think that's the rule.


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[mdn82 25,546]

We're still behind the Europeans when it comes to vehicles.  Their divorce rates are lower as well, but that's not industrial.

 

That is true, but the industrial aspect (money) is more on our side then theirs.  They just don't have the money for the projects we usually lead the way on.  Always been that way.  Not saying it is going to continue to be that way.  Before anybody brings up the we really don't have money argument, neither do they.  They pay for things when the price comes down.  I wasn't saying anything on Europeans as a whole culture.  Their culture is far different than Russian.  Russians didn't become Industrial until right before WWI.  Just saying we lead the way in many "normal" daily life functions.  The modern sewer system comes from Europe, but beyond that most concepts are American.  We as a country are good at labor (mass production) and thinking big.  Europeans are good at perfecting American concepts.  Always been that way.  I love History.  If there is one place I go before I die it is Versailles.  You give me a week at the Palace of Versailles and I could make a week of it.  If I can be picky, I am spending a month in Italy.  If I didn't do what I do, I would be a History Professor with an emphasis on European History.  I was majoring in History for a while, but Medical pays better.  Took the minor if I ever wanted to be an adjunct.  IU's History program is really excellent.  My funnest courses to be honest.  I am actually going back to hopefully make more money.  I am going to incorporate the History aspect hopefully.  Sorry for the jumbled mess my man.  History is the only thing I care about more than IU basketball.  I am an 80 year old in a 30 year old's body with all of the books I read and History Channel I watch.  

[JSHoosier 20,513]

That is true, but the industrial aspect (money) is more on our side then theirs.  They just don't have the money for the projects we usually lead the way on.  Always been that way.  Not saying it is going to continue to be that way.  Before anybody brings up the we really don't have money argument, neither do they.  They pay for things when the price comes down.  I wasn't saying anything on Europeans as a whole culture.  Their culture is far different than Russian.  Russians didn't become Industrial until right before WWI.  Just saying we lead the way in many "normal" daily life functions.  The modern sewer system comes from Europe, but beyond that most concepts are American.  We as a country are good at labor (mass production) and thinking big.  Europeans are good at perfecting American concepts.  Always been that way.  I love History.  If there is one place I go before I die it is Versailles.  You give me a week at the Palace of Versailles and I could make a week of it.  If I can be picky, I am spending a month in Italy.  If I didn't do what I do, I would be a History Professor with an emphasis on European History.  I was majoring in History for a while, but Medical pays better.  Took the minor if I ever wanted to be an adjunct.  IU's History program is really excellent.  My funnest courses to be honest.  I am actually going back to hopefully make more money.  I am going to incorporate the History aspect hopefully.  Sorry for the jumbled mess my man.  History is the only thing I care about more than IU basketball.  I am an 80 year old in a 30 year old's body with all of the books I read and History Channel I watch.  

I'd love to go to Italy, any part really.  Rome is where all the history is, but it's a beautiful country in many parts.  The ancient Romans had paved roads, aqueducts for flowing water, water fountains, bath houses; their architects were incredible.  The Colosseum and the Pantheon are still standing after thousands of years.

 

I also watch a lot of History Channel.  It's amazing how much people are taught that isn't even true.

[mdn82 25,546]

I'd love to go to Italy, any part really.  Rome is where all the history is, but it's a beautiful country in many parts.  The ancient Romans had paved roads, aqueducts for flowing water, water fountains, bath houses; their architects were incredible.  The Colosseum and the Pantheon are still standing after thousands of years.

 

I also watch a lot of History Channel.  It's amazing how much people are taught that isn't even true.

You could also add Romanticism, modern city layout, basis for modern law.  The list goes on.  Things didn't happen overnight.  Many very basic concepts were developed over hundreds of years and thousands of murders.  I am very fascinated by the Roman Catholic Church to be honest.  Constantine is one of my favorite Romans.  Diocletian is probably my favorite.  They both controlled the Eastern portion of the Roman Empire.  So much history in Italy.  Many Persian battles.  Goths, Visigoths, and Franks fascinate me.  If Julian didn't piss off so many refuges fleeing the Huns, France as we know it wouldn't exist.  Funny story about the bath houses.  We have a supplier for digital sensors for our X-ray equipment in Finland called AJAT.  They have the typical European work periods of 4 days, and 7 hour days.  They get 6 week vacations, and they get holidays that take up almost a month of the year.  On top of that, their main perk is they have women and men bath houses like the Romans.  I always give our main contact hell with that.  If you seen them, you would understand.  They have a few questionable sales guys including one grizzly adams dude that has more hair than a Polar Bear.  Yeah, I would feel pretty awkward if I get splashed in the face with some 300 pound back hair pie.  

[mdn82 25,546]

^^^^^ I should add I should be embarrassed by the fact I have a better grasp on European History than American History.  More stuff to work with, and a lot of wars.  Much more fun than dealing mainly with the rise of our Economy/Power.  

[JSHoosier 20,513]

^^^^^ I should add I should be embarrassed by the fact I have a better grasp on European History than American History.  More stuff to work with, and a lot of wars.  Much more fun than dealing mainly with the rise of our Economy/Power.  

I'm getting to be that way.  Although some of what we're taught in schools isn't even true.  We're taught Columbus discovered America, but the Norse were here before he was and there is evidence that the Knights Templar may have been here 100 years before he set sail.

 

Speaking of the Knights Templar, they developed a banking system similar to the one we use today.  They also funded the crusades because the king was broke, then the king made up charges against them.  The day they were to be captured?  Friday the 13th, which is where we get it from.  That's a group that has fascinated me and I always try to watch any program on History I can about them.  May get some books.

[mdn82 25,546]

I'm getting to be that way.  Although some of what we're taught in schools isn't even true.  We're taught Columbus discovered America, but the Norse were here before he was and there is evidence that the Knights Templar may have been here 100 years before he set sail.

 

Speaking of the Knights Templar, they developed a banking system similar to the one we use today.  They also funded the crusades because the king was broke, then the king made up charges against them.  The day they were to be captured?  Friday the 13th, which is where we get it from.  That's a group that has fascinated me and I always try to watch any program on History I can about them.  May get some books.

Completely agree.  The funny thing is do you know where the name America came from?  That is why I get so pissed about everyone saying Columbus found the Americas.  Amerigo Vespucci.  He is the man who sailed into South America first.  Columbus took his route, but as we know now with currents you end up in different spots.  Columbus never even stepped foot on mainland America.  If he did it was at best Key West.  He landed in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.  Hell, Christopher Columbus wasn't even the name he would have acknowledged which I find most humorous.  We Americanized an Spanish dude that was looking for trade routes to the West Indies.  The problem with the Templars historically, is they were so secretive, most things out there are questioned.  I think they are one of those groups who did everything they could for the church in the beginning and then became paid mercenaries.  They are fascinating.  I was always learned more about Freemasons or the Hellfires (Ben Franklin thing).  

[JSHoosier 20,513]

Completely agree.  The funny thing is do you know where the name America came from?  That is why I get so pissed about everyone saying Columbus found the Americas.  Amerigo Vespucci.  He is the man who sailed into South America first.  Columbus took his route, but as we know now with currents you end up in different spots.  Columbus never even stepped foot on mainland America.  If he did it was at best Key West.  He landed in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.  Hell, Christopher Columbus wasn't even the name he would have acknowledged which I find most humorous.  We Americanized an Spanish dude that was looking for trade routes to the West Indies.  The problem with the Templars historically, is they were so secretive, most things out there are questioned.  I think they are one of those groups who did everything they could for the church in the beginning and then became paid mercenaries.  They are fascinating.  I was always learned more about Freemasons or the Hellfires (Ben Franklin thing).  

I think I heard where the name America comes from.  There's also a lot that isn't known about Columbus.  It's like I said, a lot of things we're taught in our schools historically aren't true.  Even about Christianity, a lot of the Christian traditions were more an effort to be rid of Paganism.  Christmas, from a historical persective, most likely was not the birth of Jesus.  The actual date is unknown, and the few clues suggest not December 25.  Christmas was a big celebration in Paganism, and that's why it was adopted as the birth of Jesus.

 

The Templars were definitely secretive, and they had the power to pretty much do anything they wanted because they answered only to the Pope.  That much power can be a very dangerous thing to have.  They were a small unit at first, then went on an expedition and whatever they found made them very rich and very powerful.  At the end of the day though, they were militaristic in nature.  Only certain people were chosen, and then they were highly trained and even their horses were highly trained for battle.  They were an elite force in their time.

 

The secretive nature is part of what makes them so interesting to me.

[Hovadipo 56,953]

[quote name="mdn82" post="35605" timestamp="1391654166"]Completely agree. The funny thing is do you know where the name America came from? That is why I get so pissed about everyone saying Columbus found the Americas. Amerigo Vespucci. He is the man who sailed into South America first. Columbus took his route, but as we know now with currents you end up in different spots. Columbus never even stepped foot on mainland America. If he did it was at best Key West. He landed in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Hell, Christopher Columbus wasn't even the name he would have acknowledged which I find most humorous. We Americanized an Spanish dude that was looking for trade routes to the West Indies. The problem with the Templars historically, is they were so secretive, most things out there are questioned. I think they are one of those groups who did everything they could for the church in the beginning and then became paid mercenaries. They are fascinating. I was always learned more about Freemasons or the Hellfires (Ben Franklin thing). [/quote] On Columbus, another thing we weren't taught in school is how he and his men came through those islands and ransacked everything they saw. They spread disease like wildfire and ruined entire villages. What a hero, right?! The entire country closes down for a day for a guy who A) didn't find "America" and B ) was more or less a pirate looking to get rich in present day southern Asia. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[OliviaPope40 6,640]

I feel like I'm sitting in a history class right now.

[Dalton26 16,892]

I love history. I love learning new things historically that I either didn't know or didn't know why it happened.


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[mdn82 25,546]

It wasn't the birth of Jesus JS.  That was the day designated by the Romans during Constantine in the early 4th Century before the first council of Nicea.  He was the first ruler who elevated the Christian religion.  He himself was not a full on Christian despite what is general knowledge.  He built Constantinople out of Byzantium so the Christians could build their Basilica's due to a vision he seen the night before battle that gained him the empire.  If he fought with the cross, he would be victorious.  Many assumed he was completely Christian.  He wasn't a true Christian until his death bed when he was baptized.  I have an excellent book on the History of the Popes.  As most of us know they weren't the greatest people before 1200 AD, and in some cases up until Martin Luther in the mid 1500s.  I am with you on the secretive nature intrigue.  That is what got me hooked in the first place. 

 

I agree with Dalton and Hova as well.  I love learning things that shaped the culture we have.  I also enjoy learning the parallels of our culture against those of fallen Empires.  Sometimes it is concerning to see the path we are on.  Sometimes you just sit back and realize that all Empires are built to be destroyed by another.  Typically when that happens, society improves in some way.  With Hova, Columbus was essentially a pirate in the traditional sense.  The only reason he wasn't viewed in that light was due to the country he worked for which was the world leader at the time in the Naval area, and he was funded by the Queen.  They didn't like him, but it was essentially to get him out of their hair.  When he "found" Mexico, and they ransacked it, they essentially started the clock on their demise.  That is the only reason England was able to become the power they were.  When Spain tried invading England when Queen Elizabeth turned down the proposal of King Charles, and the "Protestant" winds were with the English, that sealed the American's future fate.  I think the chain of events that started with Vespucci (which is recognized through Columbus) is more important than the act itself of Columbus crossing the sea.  Man, I love me some History. 

[NOLA Hoosier 1,267]

Yeah, it's an HBO series that you should definitely look for.  The accusations of political corruption are scary.  They definitely covered the geographic difficulties, and had a piece that claimed the government spent 20 million to paint the outside of all the abandoned buildings and dilapidated housing projects that could be seen from the roads entering the village, to hide the signs of poverty.

 

Putin has gotten a sickening amount of money that he's distributed among his old friends and cronies.

 

Russia has never really gotten over the Cold War and their government is a mess (there are actually 2 "leaders," one being the President and one being the Prime Minister). In fact, one of the largest political parties is still the Communist Party. They still hold parades and high esteem for the former leaders of the Soviet Union and all of their "victories."

 

They've lived far too long with too much destruction and corruption from terrible Czars to Stalin to Putin. They take one step forward and a hundred steps back. It's sad.