Chicago Olympics dreams dashed

Mayor Richard Daley and his supporters hyped the 2016 Olympic bid as Chicago's best hope for a sorely needed economic boost, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to raise the city's global profile and even a way to help keep more kids from dropping out of school.

"The next five years, six years, tell me one thing that is going to have economic opportunities for any city," Daley had said in July, when asked about criticism of his Olympic dream. "If you have something better, I'd love to see it."

But Daley headed home from Denmark on Saturday without a trump card. He faces an increasingly dire budget crunch, concerns about crime and school violence -- and an approval rating at the lowest point since he was first elected two decades ago.

The 2016 Games were to be the capstone of Daley's tenure, an era in which he has reshaped Chicago as few mayors have.

After decades of effort, the city established itself as a player in the global economy. While other parts of the Midwest atrophied, Chicago's economy became more diverse. When that economy was humming and real estate values were skyrocketing, Daley used a government checkbook and unparalleled political power to deliver on his vision. He helped turn the City that Works into a town where you are just as likely to play -- Millennium Park, Navy Pier and the lakefront museum campus.

He enjoyed broad public support across the city's racial spectrum, and Chicago's population even grew slightly after decades of decline.

Chicagoans -- many of them Daley allies or acolytes -- are running the White House, and the city is still basking in the afterglow of a November election night when the world saw the best of its skyline and its people. Cont'd below

what the Olympics were for: to revitalize ailing neighborhoods on the South Side

Interesting article, but I disagree with your stated premise. Ostensibly that may have been the “company line” on the purpose of bringing the Olympics to Chicago: to revitalize ailing neighborhoods on the South Side. Perhaps that was one of many objectives, but given the cast of characters involved (Daley, Resco, Jarrett, Obamas)—their previous political actions and baggage, and the history of corruption and patronage in Chicago, I think the more fundamental purposes for bringing the Olympics to Chicago were: 1. To provide a funding source for Daley to pay off past and future political favors, 2. Related to #1, to pay off slumlords and real estate developers who stood to gain due to various interests on the south side.

I think many of those citizens opposed to the 2016 Chicago bid would have supported a different mayor or a different city.

Olympics for Chicago 2016 - The Cost to the People of the United States:

A - The First Lady:

1. Unhidden cost of her US aircraft to and from Copenhagen?

2. Cost and detailed list of accompanying staff currently on the US payroll?

3. Cost of accompanying staffs' accommodations, food, refreshments, local travel (taxi), Official Transportation, etc. for First Lady's party?

4. Any additional aircraft for First Lady's party, for folks like family, press, dog, Secret Service?

5. Amount Opra is reimbursing the USA for her envolvement and that of her staff for #1 - #4, above?

6. Amount the Chicago Olympic Committee is reimbursing the USA for the First Lady's envolvement and that of her staff for #1 - #4, above?

B - POTUS

1. True and total unhidden cost of Air Force One for the trip to and from Copenhagen?

2. Cost and detailed list of accompanying staff currently on the US payroll?

3. Cost of accompanying staffs' accommodations, food, refreshments, local travel (taxi), Official Transportation, etc. for the POTUS's party?

4. Any additional aircraft for POTUS's party, for folks like family, press, dog, Secret Service?

5. Cost US picking for accompanying Press Corps, including travel, accomodations, food, refreshments, etc.?

6. Cost of flying the POTUS "big black car" and the accompanying Secret Service vehicles, drivers, fuel, staff accomodations, food and refreshments?

7. Amount the Chicago Olympic Committee is reimbursing the USA for the POUS's envolvement and that of his staff for #1 - #6, above?

C - Total net expense for "A" & "B" to the USA Tax Payers?

All I ask for a a true and honest (if that is not redundant!) of this "excercise" to the American Public. I'd be interested to also know who has personal vested interests in the possible favorable outcome for this adventure, specifically relating to the possible sale of real estate and other servicees should the Chicago Olympic Committee - 2016 be successful.

That's all I ask. Starting to think of the length of time a snow flake or many snow flakes can survive in Hell while I await the answer to the forgoing questions.

When will someone in the "main stream" news business address any of these questions and share the results with us.

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