"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel," as Samuel Johnson aptly noted over two hundred years ago. American writer Ambrose Bierce later added, "... I beg to submit that it is the first." H. L. Mencken had the final word: "But there is something even worse: it is the first, last, and middle range of fools."

Indeed. The patriotism on parade is that allegedly of Canadians, particularly Vancouverites, in regard to last year's Olympic Games, in which the impulse for flag waving came before, during, and now after the Games have departed.

As millions of Canadians and Americans (and others worldwide) sat down last night to watch the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, CTV and NBC seem to have made a barbaric and Machiavellian ratings decision to broadcast the Olympic equivalent of a snuff-film.

While CTV and NBC have made attempts to justify their decision to broadcast the death of a Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, one really needs to wonder (little) if the nationality of Kumaritashvili had been Canadian or American, would the network executives have made a different decision.

Where is it safe to protest in Vancouver during the Olympics? Everywhere, actually. Canadians have the right to assemble and protest wherever we like. However it seems that the Integrated Security Unit (ISU)for the Vancouver Olympics would like protesters to think that they have to limit their opinion-laden activities to specific areas within the city, called "Safe Assembly Areas."

"In an effort to facilitate the right to lawful protest, where possible, security planners will identify visible areas where people may CHOOSE to lawfully express their views in safe locations close to Olympic venues," says the ISU.

I wanted to share VANOC's manifesto for non-rights holding broadcast organizations during the 2010 Games. Very thorough and interesting reading for those of you who are into the "fine details" and will be watching the two-week extravaganza on either CTV or NBC.

Straight from VANOC's press release:

TELEVISION NEWS ACCESS RULES APPLICABLE
TO NON-RIGHTS HOLDING BROADCAST ORGANISATIONS
AT THE VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES