Obama: Sochi is safe, Americans should go

Sorry ... but I"m not taking his word on anything ... especially a life and death situation like walking into what is essentially a 'terrorist vs Russia' war zone on the other side of the planet, in order to watch sporting events.

Obama: "Sochi is safe, Americans should go

President Barack Obama said in an interview broadcast on Friday that he believes the Russian city of Sochi is safe and that Americans who want to go to the Olympics should go.

Amid questions about whether Russian security is sufficient to head off the threat of militant attacks in Sochi, Obama told CNN in an interview that the Russians understand the stakes involved in playing host to the international event.

Asked what he would tell close friends who wanted to go to the Olympics, Obama said: "I'd tell them that I believe that Sochi is safe and that there are always some risks in these large international gatherings.

I read an article that many of the HOCKEY athletes from Canada and the USA have asked their families NOT to go to Sochi. They don't think it's safe for them. They said they don't want their families well being to be on their minds while they are trying to concentrate on their hockey games.

If I were an olympian, I wouldn't want my family over there. I can understand their position on this.

There has been terror porn surrounding every major sporting event in the last decade; however, no such attacks have been carried out, at least not to my knowledge.

I mean, the Olympics are an international event; many countries participate in them. It's not like an attack on the Olympics is the equivalent to an attack on "the West," so to speak. This begs the question of motive; what motive would terrorist factions have to plan an attack on an international sporting event?

I just don't see it. Most of what we define to be "terrorism" is karma related; a government wrongs a region of people, they retaliate in desperation. Unless the Olympic games condemn Islam, or something of that manner, there is little reason to fear an attack.

Given the off chance that there is a terrorist plot to attack the winter Olympics, I'm sure the Russians will deal with it accordingly.

Well, all he say is,"we should not live in fear".

He is kind of right about that.

DestroyDestroyDestroy
This begs the question of motive; what motive would terrorist factions have to plan an attack on an international sporting event?

Terrorists have their own twisted motives.
There already have already been threats from terrorists against these Olympics.
And it's not like it hasn't happened before from Muslim extremist terrorists ..
1972 Munich Olympic Massacre

And non-Muslim extremist terrorists ...
1996 Centennial Olympic Park Bombing

EXCELLENT information on terrorist attacks related to Olympics
PDF File - Terrorism and Olympics

reply to post by FlyersFan


This is not a sign of the apocalypse, but I do agree with Obama.

There is no problem with the Olympics. Americans should go.

Or, we can all hide because the big bad terrorists might getcha!

beezzer
Or, we can all hide because the big bad terrorists might getcha!

Or, we can all take a look at the situation and decide for ourselves if we think the Russians have a handle on it. And I"m not taking Obama's word for it that the Russians have solid control of it. IMHO

reply to post by FlyersFan


Political statement.

How the hell could he know if it's safe or not...no one does. Until SHTF.

In the end...does he really care if it's safe or not ? I bet the TPTB are kinda hoping for some terror event. More fuel for the terrorist furnace.

reply to post by FlyersFan


The 1972 massacre was carried out by Palestinians and targeted Israeli athletes. This pretty much speaks for itself; the motive is obvious.

The 1996 bombing was not carried out by some terrorist organization, but rather a lone bomber. He had an issue with people getting abortions. A nutcase like this is to be more feared than a "terrorist organization," because he or she could slip under the radar of authorities.

I still doubt that anything bad will happen, but I suppose only time will tell. I hope I am not wrong.

reply to post by FlyersFan


You couldn't go even if you wanted to so admit that. And if Obama said the sky was blue you'd start a thread saying how stupid that idea is and argue that the sky is Brown.

It's a bit rich coming from a U.S president, particularly one that has increased the funding of the TSA and has practically brainwashed citizens into fearing their own shadow. Why the sudden change in attitude?

British intelligence ( loosely used word in this case) has advised that the likelihood of a terrorist attack either before or during the Olympics is very high.

Sure we can't always lead our lives worrying about these things, but I just find it all a bit strange that there seems to be conflicting advice. Not that I have any intentions of going, but I know a few people who intend to go.

reply to post by DestroyDestroyDestroy


I don't think you meant to say you hope you are wrong. You probably meant you hope you're right because you said you don't think anything will happen then say you hope you're wrong. LOL. That's ok I got your meaning.

Oh good lord people, don't make this the thread where I have to defend Obama!

Can we all recall the hype and drama over the London Games?

I'll admit that there is a threat out there, but it isn't as major as the media points out. NBC simply hopes to get more viewers during the games because of the implied "danger".

AutumnWitch657
You couldn't go even if you wanted to so admit that.

What the hell are you talking about? EVERYONE KNOWS THAT. That's not the point.
Personal attacks are against T&C. Get on topic.

THIS is the point -

MarioOnTheFly
How the hell could he know if it's safe or not...no one does. Until SHTF.

MarioOnTheFly
How the hell could he know if it's safe or not...no one does. Until SHTF.

THAT is exactly the point. He doesn't know if they are safe or not. He's giving the ol' ... 'everything is fine' speech. But he doesn't know. If people don't think it's safe and don't want to go ... then they shouldn't. Considering where the olympics are being held ... I don't blame the hockey players for telling their families to stay home. Less worries.

reply to post by MarioOnTheFly


Yeah I am so sure they are hoping for an attack. Give me a break. I am pretty sure that only sociopaths would be hoping for an attack. Despite the beliefs around here about the freaking elites lol that want to destroy the world. A normal person would see what an asinine statement that is.

reply to post by FlyersFan


You really don't see Obama as a contemporary example of Good president do you Flyers?
What president/s from history do you consider would of been suited in these times of tough decisions?

beezzer
Can we all recall the hype and drama over the London Games?

London and Sochi are two different places.
Obama opened himself up for a lot of problems when he gave his 'blessing' on the safety of the games.
If anything happens ... and it very well could ... there will be repercussions.

US Lawmaker Says Safety at Sochi Olympics is not Guaranteed

A U.S. lawmaker says the safety of Americans attending the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia cannot be guaranteed. Republican Congressman Peter King, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, spoke on U.S. television Sunday.

King says he hopes for the best at next month’s Olympics, but security is a concern.

“The fact is that these are going to be very much threatened Olympics, probably more than any we have had in our past," the congressman said on ABC's This Week program. " I mean, everything [possible] is being done by the United States, but the fact is, this is a dangerous region in Russia, by the North Caucuses. There are active terrorist organizations there.”

Another thing is, he is being asked a question, so obviously he needs to answear it, if his answear was "i refuse to answear", or "it's not safe, stay away", he would be picked on for that.

Pest or Cholera.

reply to post by FlyersFan


The location? Really? Because I seem to recall that there was a bombing in Atlanta when the Olympics were held there. You know good ol' American soil. Blessed by God and all that. Yep it's the location for sure.

AthlonSavage
You really don't see Obama as a contemporary example of Good president do you Flyers?
What president/s from history do you consider would of been suited in these times of tough decisions?

We have had so many bad ones - both democrat and republican - that I can't think of one that
would be 'suited in these times'. Unfortunately, good solid capable people can't get near DC.
The corrupt ones have it locked down for themselves.