Quick hits

Jonathan Ross — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:09:56 +0000

I just finished watching Tiger Woods’ thirteen and a half minute mea culpa, and so let me offer my opinions of the performance from a communications point of view. It contained enough admission, regret and acceptance of blame to appease some critics in spite of the fact that he didn’t accept any questions. Taking unequivocal responsibility is a good start to launching Tiger Woods 2.0. That being said, it was a clinically prepared statement clearly crafted by professionals, and the cues that Tiger had practiced in the weeks leading up to the press conference (including the long look into the camera while delivering the first apology) were still transparent as hell as far as I am concerned. Just once I want to see a politician or a celebrity look into the camera without the coaching, say that he or she screwed up and is disgusted with themselves, and then commit to something other than therapy. But plain talk like that is reserved for a time when PR flacks weren’t second nature to everyone in the public eye.

Frances Bula’s piece in the Guardian is brilliant as a response to the cynical British press who have had a field day at the expense of our city and the Olympics. It is so effective because she hides from none of the criticism being levied, and then assigns proper blame and/or pokes holes in the empty rhetoric of “failed-empire fanatics taking it out on their former colony; losers whom a recent poll said only wash their bedsheets three times a year; wankers just trying to deflect negative coverage about London’s impending Olympics debacle.” Having a friend in from London over the past week confirmed this comment, which is my favourite of the many that the article have attracted since being posted: “There are odd days when I wonder why I left the UK for Canada, but the Brit coverage has reinforced in my mind that a 4 month winter is infinitely better than the culture of snide bitter cynicism that seems to washed over the UK.”

Soul searching is an appropriate prescription for last night’s hockey game versus the Swiss. Now, there is no doubt that Jonas Hiller was off the charts and pulled his country out of a complete onslaught (47 shots faced). I also must note that the Swiss’ second goal was a fluke that went off of the skate of Patrick Marleau. That being said, I saw a Canadian team that many times was outworked for the puck, made some major mistakes that caused Swiss breakouts, and had a horrible and inept looking power play. We had better get our asses pulled out of our heads, if not for all the other sports that we are disappointing in, then at least for the one competition that will lift or destroy the soul of this country in one fell swoop. Oh, and sorry Canuck fans, but like I said before the tournament and even after the first game, Brodeur is the guy you hang your hat on first, not Luongo.

These Games are going to be a disaster for the political aspirations of John Furlong, who has clearly presided over a royal mess of an organization in VANOC for the past 7 years. But for Gregor Robertson, this is most definitely character building. He is answering for problems that he had nor has anything to do with. He is also trying to do his best to push Vancouver as a destination in which business can logically traverse the two biggest epicentres for global expansion – Asia and North America. And I must say, the way that he has handled the Limeys’ cynicism was masterful: “They are setting themselves up for a couple of miserable years. Every Olympic city frets and moans and groans about the cost and chaos and construction. We went through all of that. And it doesn’t help to accentuate all the negatives and drag everyone down into the muck especially now when … we are setting all kinds of records for viewership and attendance.” Gregor cannot help but be an optimist…it is a fundamental part of his character and persona. And so I am happy that it is him as opposed to say the always sombre and depressing Sam Sullivan who is pumping up this city’s attributes to anyone who will listen.

This story about Gordie Robertso n pisses me off to no end. VANOC can dole out thousands of seats to sponsors and media that don’t bother to show up to events, and they also can charge all levels of government exorbitant amounts of money to have officials attend the Games, but they don’t have the foresight to give out selective tickets to those who are our heroes from past glories. I tell you, in the post-script to these Games, VANOC and every single decision, expenditure and person in charge will deserve the full weight of scrutiny that is inevitably going to be directed towards this sorry, pathetic organization. Furlong, you ready?

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