Online Message Board: What Do You Think of the 2002 Olympics? So what's on your mind with the 2002 Winter Olympics? Is the traffic as bad as you thought? Do you agree with the judges that gave the Canadian skaters the silver? How's the coverage? We want to hear what you have to say. Please keep it clean. Note that all messages are reviewed before going live! Here's what others have to say:

Letter to Denver Post -- Greg of Sandy, UT

Denver Post Sports, I am a native Californian, transferred to Salt Lake City five years ago. The article written by Woody Paige, Denver Post Sports Columnist, Tuesday, February 12, 2002 is a poor representation of Salt Lake City, and written by someone who clearly writes based on insult and personal emotion, not fact. Has Woody even visited Salt Lake City, or did he write that article from his desk in Denver, base it on prejudice and negative feelings? If you want a beer, there are stands throughout. All of the restaurants offer beer and wine lists. We have several Brew pubs downtown, and more located throughout the valley. In five years, I have never eaten or been offered Green Jello. The only religious propaganda on every corner is Anti-Mormon literature. The LDS church has stayed out of the picture, with the exception of opening its doors to visitors, providing the free use of land for the medals plaza, and encouraging members to volunteer to help. Yes, the LDS church leaders did hold the torch in Downtown SLC. I imagine that if the Olympics were held in Italy, the Pope would do the same. As far as transportation goes, Denver cannot complain, I have been to Denver many times and your traffic is horrible (even worse than California). I would hate to see what your traffic would be like with the entire world visiting. Woody, with the exception of transportation issues, I disagree with everything you have said in your article. People I have encountered in the streets have all had positive things to say about SLC and the Olympics. The people native to SLC are very friendly and helpful. I hope that your bitterness does not leave readers with a negative impression of Colorado. If everyone in Colorado is as bitter as you, it will be no time at all before SLC sits in the spotlight of tourism traffic.   

Thoughts for Mr. Paige -- Chris of Provo, UT

The Denver Post is probably a fine newspaper with some very good writers, unfortunately Mr. Paige's column is my only encounter with the paper. This is probably not their best work. I think Mr. Paige is entitled to his opinion and since he happens to have a newspaper column I guess he can write what he wants. Letting him do so may be a detriment to the Denver Post. As for Mr. Paige's influence... anyone who has or shares the opinion, expressed in his article, should definetly stay away from Utah... They won't be missed.  

Shame on Woody Paige -- Mary Ann of Farmington, UT

Woody Paige shames the lovely city of Denver by his attack on Salt Lake.  

Downtown Merchants -- Mary Ann of Farmington, UT

Last night I was amazed at the virtually empty stores in Crossroads Mall. One clerk confided, "We're hurting. The locals are afraid to brave the traffic to come here. The best kept secret is not one of our stores is a madhouse." Could KSL broadcast news that downtown shopping is pleasant and uncrowded? [And the merchants need the business.]   

Just desserts or was that deserts? -- Gwyn of Anchorage, AK

I am not Mormon. I don't ever want to be Mormon. I LOATHE Jell-o. I love Utah. I can't wait to move back. So much for Mr. Paige's "gelatinous desert" theory.  

Paige Article -- Jon of Sugarhouse, UT

Let's all remember folks that Paige is entitled to his own opinion, after all - when there is something we don't like on TV we have the power to decide whether or not to change the channel. I would suggest that we collectively turn off the Paige viewpoint - don't give him the satisfaction of a response. The Games and the Utah culture will continue to thrive even if we arent able to please Mr. Paige. Let him stay all bundled up in his warm and comfy east-of-the-Rockies lifestyle. The farther he stays away from SLC suits me just fine - after all, who made Paige come to the Games or to SLC anyway?  

This guy wanted Issel fired -- Gavin of Orem, UT

I grew up in the Denver area and am still an avid Denver sports fan and keep up on the goings on over there. I find it interesting that Woody Paige led the charge to have former Nuggets coach Dan Issel run out of town on a rail after the coach fired a racial slur at a fan. Think Woody will lead the charge to get himself fired? He's both a bigot and a hypocrite.  

Ice skating collusion -- Steve of Vancouver, BC, UT

If in fact there was collusion between the judges, is that not a criminal offence that the Salt Lake City DA's office should be looking into? At the very least, there is a civil case here, especially for the people who paid hundreds of dollars a ticket expecting a fair and impartial competition and instead are treated to obvious fixing seemingly condoned by the ISU and IOC. And where is Canadian, Dick Pound of the IOC throughout all of this...His silence is deafening.   

Paige -- Paul of Syracuse, UT

The guy has a mullet. Do I need to say anything more? A mullet for crying out loud!  

Colorado's Embarrassment -- Dorothy of Marriott / Slaterville, UT

My heart goes out to the people of Colorado. Where did you find this guy! Most columnist do their homework before they write their articles. I invite you to visit Salt Lake City this week and see what is really going on. You'd be retracting every statement you made. The French artist Georges Braque once said, "Truth exists, only falsehood has to be invented." From your article I'd say you were an inventor not a columnist. What an embarrassment you must be to the state of Colorado!   

Prejudice Paige -- Todd of Provo, UT

It's ironic that Paige states that Utah considers one "inferior if you're not white, a man or heterosexual," on the same day that BYU students elect an African-American as their Student Body President. Nice research Woody.  

You Think This Is Bad... -- Batman of Draper, UT

I certainly hope Mr. Paige is reprimanded for his inaccurate comments. I actually think that thetraffic is better than usual around the valley with a couple of exceptions. Not only that but I've been downtown too and was only offered one flier which was for a restaurant. I also travel frequently for work and I think the burden for the hotel rests on the hotel itself not the olympics. If he chose to get ripped off at a poor quality hotel then he should write an article like that about himself.   

Ina/Zimmerman 5th? -- Michelle of American Fork, UT

I can understand the controversy over the Canadians and the Russians. It is disheartening. I cried with them. Both teams. However, I don't hear of the clean performance Zimmerman and Ina performed, and they got 5th place. Sure they weren't as experienced, but they skated clean, unlike everyone else until we saw the Canadians. Ina/Zimmerman should have taken the BRONZE for their outstanding and shocking performance!!! The important thing is that the USA team and the Canadian teams can feel they skated their very best. They won in my eyes.   

Judging the Olympics -- Kurt of Sandy, UT

During the mens 1/2 pipe, I noticed that the Japanese judge must have been looking at another event, because their score were almost always opposite of all the other judges. Those unusual score may have affected the out come. The same kind of problem may have happened during the Womens 1/2 pipe.I think someone from KSL & the IOC should look into those scores.  

I Pity the Ignorant Mouth -- Non-Mormon of Provo, UT

Although your article began with an amazing show of alliteration, you should have just stopped, signed your name, and considered it a job well done. Because you chose, instead, to spew lies about your neighbors, I feel it my obligation, as a non-Mormon, living in Utah Valley, to comment. It seems that you have been misled to believe that exaggeration is clever, an extreme exaggeration is funny and that mindless, broad generalizations are a riot. This is not a comedy club, Mr. Paige. I believe that journalism, and I use that term loosely in referencing your column, should be based on facts. It would be very easy to go through your article sentence by sentence and correct you and explain how ignorance can affect your writing style. However, I think that you have done your reputation, as well as that of the Denver Post, more damage than anyone in Utah ever could. Just a couple of helpful hints for your future writing: 1) When you are quoting someone in an effort to prove your point, don’t take them out of context. Include the entire quote, not just the part that suits your purpose. 2) When you make an accusation that local media didn’t ask several hundred Austrians their opinions, unless you did exactly that, I wouldn’t recommend that you comment on it, and certainly don’t base your arguments on it. 3) If you’re going to refer to a world event, take the time to use the correct tag line – every time you say something so blatantly incorrect and untrue, your argument gets weaker and weaker. Oh, Mr. Paige. I am so sorry that you felt it necessary to write such a fictional tale of the Winter 2002 Olympics. To the editor and publisher of the Denver Post, I'm so sorry that you were having such a slow news day that the ranting of an uneducated man somehow managed to find their way into your paper.   

One from Colorado -- Mark of Highlands Ranch, CO

Woody, Woody, Woody ..sigh I can understand freedom of the press but as a native of Colorado, I'm embarrassed to have your article appear to speak for our fine state. I've been to Utah more times than I can count on business. You could not be more wrong about the culture. I would be shocked to find a nicer group of people anywhere. Unfortunately you allude to a racist undertone. Please explain why the Mormons have all sorts of races in their clergy if they are racist? You can't. If you attacked my church the way you did the Mormons, you'd be facing a law suit. I hope they forgive you. I've enjoyed many of your articles, but sadly I'm going to roll right past em from here on out. Your credibility no longer exists after that "journalistic" abomination.  

Judging Controversy -- Durwood of Provo, UT

This judging controversy isn't anything new. It is widespread throughout the sports at all levels. I grew up in Alberta and was a figure skater when I was young. It is the same place that Jamie grew up. I attended several competitions and seminars that Jamie was involved in. In the Alberta championships, the top skaters at their level are selected to continue on to the Western Canadian championship. The selections were strickly based on placement in the competition. An open practice that took place was having the judges attend the practice sessions of the skaters to get an idea of who they wanted to advance to the next level. Well two years in a row, the judges decided that I didn't practice well enough, because although my mistakes were limited, they placed me below other competitors how had several mistakes. Consequently, I quit the sport and played other sports that were less subjective and did not require judges to tell me how good I was or wasn't. I'm not sure if this practice continues, but it seems pretty obvious to me that when judges are trained in practices such as these at such a low level of competition, it is bound to be magnified at the higher levels where there are national interests involved. Of course they are not going to be impartial. Obviously the will not base their judging on strickly the events of one competition.  

I Pity The Ignorant Mouth -- Non-Mormon of Provo, UT

Although your article began with an amazing show of alliteration, you should have just stopped, signed your name, and considered it a job well done. Because you chose, instead, to spew lies about your neighbors, I feel it my obligation, as a non-Mormon, living in Utah Valley, to comment. It seems that you have been misled to believe that exaggeration is clever, an extreme exaggeration is funny and that mindless, broad generalizations are a riot. This is not a comedy club, Mr. Paige. I believe that journalism, and I use that term loosely in referencing your column, should be based on facts. It would be very easy to go through your article sentence by sentence and correct you and explain how ignorance can affect your writing style. However, I think that you have done your reputation, as well as that of the Denver Post, more damage than anyone in Utah ever could. Just a couple of helpful hints for your future writing: 1) When you are quoting someone in an effort to prove your point, don’t take them out of context. Include the entire quote, not just the part that suits your purpose. 2) When you make an accusation that local media didn’t ask several hundred Austrians their opinions, unless you did exactly that, I wouldn’t recommend that you comment on it, and certainly don’t base your arguments on it. 3) If you’re going to refer to a world event, take the time to use the correct tag line – every time you say something so blatantly incorrect and untrue, your argument gets weaker and weaker. Oh, Mr. Paige. I am so sorry that you felt it necessary to write such a fictional tale of the Winter 2002 Olympics. To the editor and publisher of the Denver Post, I'm so sorry that you were having such a slow news day that the ranting of an uneducated man somehow managed to find their way into your paper.   

Validating your facts by name-calling? -- Karen of Kaysville, UT

If a reporter finds shortcomings and mistakes he wants to address, as a reporter, he has the right to bring them to the attention of his readers. His opinions, however, should not be included in the report or they would then take away the validity of the facts. To the readers, it would become evident that it is simply that writer's personal agendas being expressed. This man could only revert to childish name calling and insulting slanders that obviously did nothing but boost his own ego. Facts and truth were thrown out the window as he exaggerated any idea he wanted, simply to further his own hatred of certain people. The few facts he did attempt to present were only backed up with taunting and name calling. This article did nothing but present the fact that this writer has a chip on his shoulder, which invalidated any type of claim he wanted to make. Not the effect he wanted, I think. It's probably not the image that Denver paper wants to portray, either.   

Denver Article/DH of SLC -- Darren of Salt Lake City, UT

Mr. Paige as many others have stated has real personal issues. I have visited downtown and a few venues and am impressed with how the games have come off so far. I have also talkde with visitors from other countries who are impressed with our city and state. Mr Paige you should get your information correct visit our city and see how well SLOC has performed. Given the past history of bringing th games to SLC. Another comment---Toni of SLC. It seems like many people who move to Utah from out of state feel slighted by our culture here and some of our laws. If you feel you r"Adult Life" is being hindered leave. We wish you happiness wherever you go. I was raised out of state in Europe and feel Utah is an excellent if not perfect place to live. This is definitely one person's opinion, but like many you bash Utah and its citizens then say how you love it. My advice "put up or shut up".  

Hummmmm! Here's a thought. -- Gayle of Sandy, UT

Woody Paige, Woody Paige. How apropos! In the event of a green burn day here in SLC, I suggest the February 12 edition of the Denver Post would create nice kindling! Let's not let one opinion destroy the fire within. Celebrate Salt Lake City, it's show time!  

Mighty big chip -- David of S. Ogden, UT

This guy’s article is a bit too vengeful to take seriously. It reminds me of an adolescent high-schooler, with a jealous chip on his shoulder of a more “popular” class mate, and would stop at nothing to take a stab at the more “popular” classmate’s character. This article would be much more credible if he could provide specific examples rather than cheap shot's of Utah's unique culture.  

To Toni of Magna -- Nathan of St. Paul, MN

Toni, If you truly feel that way, why don't you move. The last thing Utah needs is a bunch of complainers like yourself. I can't believe you stood up for the lowlife from Denver. You seem just as misinformed as he is, which is mind bogling since you live there. There are plenty of other states where you can wear your bikini to do yard work in.  

PAIGE- " WASTE " OF TIME -- JEFF of PLEASANT GROVE, UT

A PSYCHOTIC WRITER LOOKING TO WHAT TOILET HIS EXCREMENT OF FICTION WILL LAND. MOST WILL FLUSH IT FOR WHAT IT IS. DON'T WASTE TIME HUMORING THIS TOILET DWELLER ANYMORE WITH A RESPONSE. THIS IS EXACTLY THE ATTENTION HE CRAVES AND IS LOOKING FOR.   

Just a thought. -- Tom of West Jordan, UT

As I have read the comments on this board and learned more about this Woody Paige, who I don't know anyway, it seems that he is the type of person that thrives on controversy. He will dig for little problems, grievances and even truths that nobody has given a second thought to, and twists them ever so slightly to make them into something bigger than they are. If he can't find any dirt to show he, makes some up using little half-truths that he has found. If he hadn't have brought them up, nobody would have noticed or cared. He is probably sitting back and laughing to himself that he was able to stir up the ire of so many. His comments, though stinging and widespread now, will be gone and forgotten, as are all slanderous untruths, as the years go by. Enjoy the moment! Enjoy all the good the Olympics have to offer, and deal with the problems that always happen no matter how good the planning. This will more than likely be a once in a lifetime experience for most of us, so enjoy it and look for the good in it.   

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