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:

Paige: What/who are you really angry about -- Rachel of Alpine, UT

Woody Paige It seems to me that the real reason for this article is for you to express your prejudice for the LDS Church. You have so many things about LDS in this article that it seems like a way for you to try to convince everyone else your ideas. I am also disappointed in the Denver Post to even print this article. They should have read it before they printed it. This article is nothing but trash. It shows lack of character. If this is the best you can say about the Olympics in SLC then you don't deserve to write for the Denver Post or anywhere else for that matter.  

Bad press nothing new -- Liz of Centerville, UT

Sad to say, Mr. Paige's article isn't the only false and slanted article written about SLC and the Olympics. After living in Switzerland the last 20 months, I was greatly disappointed to find the first 4 articles I read from top Swiss newspapers about the Olympics had similar content - false, ridiculous, slanted, misinterpreted, and even full-out lies about the SLC Olympics, people, Mormons, and city. Maybe those journalists were upset the Olympics didn't come to their backyard either. It's a sad world we live in where a credible journalist is on the endangered species list. Too bad Woody is just another example of bogus journalism. Obviously, journalism at its worse is a journalist barking out his own propaganda while missing the facts.   

Serious Journalism? -- Nedra of Orem, UT

Mr. Paige is a pathetic, little man who gets his jollies creating a furor. His "writing" (I use the term loosely) is shallow, uninformed (evidently he doesn't care what's true and what's not), and bigoted. Responsible journalists quote credible sources....where are his? Between his incredibly tasteless "reporting" and Bob Costa's arrogant "I'm-above-all-this-low-brow-Utah-stuff" attitude I would say that the only bad thing about the Salt Lake City Olympics is the male sportscasters' reporting (okay, the figure skating judging really DID stink the other night). I've watched a LOT of Olympic coverage - - and I admit I was not enthusiastic at all when Salt Lake won the games. But SLOC has won me over - - they have done and are doing a spectacular job!! Mitt has turned things around and has been fabulous for both SLOC and Utah. Concerning Mr. Paige's slam-ation of Utah's scenery, I've skied in the Sierras (I was born & raised in California), I've vacationed in Banff and the Cascades, and live underneath one of the most beautiful mountains in the world (Timpanogos).....I've also visited the Colorado Rockies (Estes Park, Vail, Telluride, Loveland) - - let's face it folks, all this obnoxious little Colorado "journalist" (again, the term is used loosely) has is "peak envy." I agree with some of the comments posted here - - he probably hasn't moved his butt from his office in Denver. He "conjured" the "facts" up for this piece. He should stay in Denver (if they'll let him after this doo-dah is cleaned off the fan - - I hope not!!) and drink his Coors Light and blow his nose candy and nurse his arrogant, bitter, liberal, prejudices in beautiful, LONELY Colorado. Hey Woody....we've welcomed the world to Salt Lake, but we prefer that you stay home!  

Paige rage! -- Jeffrey of Kearns, UT

To: Editor-in-Chief Denver Post Concerning the Woody Paige column of 02 12 02. While I realize that Woody is forced to stay in super 8 rather than where he thinks he should, and that he obviously got schnokered on the evening of the 11th, I feel that his attack on green Jell-O was way out of the parameters of ethical journalism. Has he ever heard "When in Rome"? I personally do not take offense to his attacks on my " Latter Day Whatever" friends and neighbors. But to say that our precious state food lime Jell-O is being force fed to everyone here is preposterous. It's just those kind of attacks that were perpetrated against Kosher foods in 1930s Germany. Also the beer issue. I to have personally witnessed an Austrian Delegation complaining about the weak beer that tastes like @##@^%. I also noted they were drinking Coors. I myself was enjoying a fine local brew called Unita Pilsner. Poor Mr. Paige! If he were paid to look at the positive side of the production of the games, instead of writing a column directed at the locals for a cheap laugh, perhaps someone might feel like giving him an answer or two. Ah, well perhaps he has found a way to get a fifth delivered to his substandard room. When I was young my Mother cared for a man named Brown. We all called him Dad Brown. This was in 1961 and he was in his nineties. He was the night editor of the Denver newspaper before the turn of the century. I really liked this old coot, he was honest a day is long. He used to smoke two big black cigars a day and had a shot of whiskey between every meal. He said "Doctors orders", hell I pay him, I'm gonna order him. He also used to say, " I had an important job, I knew every prostitute and politician in Denver. It wasn't hard though. I could find them in some Bar together Damn near every night. Tell Mr. Paige to contact me at my e-mail address, I'd like to buy him a good beer, and I promise, it won't make him eat any more green Jell-O. Jeffrey P. Norris   

Truth in media, eh.... -- Jason of Salt Lake City, UT

I am not so disgusted by the writer, as I am the publisher of the paper. This was not obviously proofed very well or it wouldn't have made it. What a wonderful subjective piece of garbage he wrote. I especially liked the un-biased attempt at his writing? I don't care what happens to this writer because he is obviously inept. I do care that the publisher is given his walking papers from the Dever Post for allowing such a horribly written column to even grace their paper/internet page. This is obviously not the opinion of the people of Colorado. If this writer wanted a forum on his own beliefs, let him stick to the back page of an editorial page. I wish him luck perfectting his new slogan (which I hope he can say correctly because he mis-quoted SLC2002's slogan) "Do you want fries with that?"  

Flame Within? -- Susanna of Orem, UT

I am insulted at this guys narrow and ignorant view of the people of Utah. But the bewildering thought that comes to me is for a so called "Sports Man" he cannot even grasp the concept that any athletic goal or creativity takes to reach that the end. You usually have a deep fire within to push you through, to keep you going. Well Mr. Paige certainly has fired me up. I'm embarrassed for the people of Colorado that in some unfortunate means he is representing them in written word. AND while I in my complaining mode I would like to see BOB COSTIC (Costas) get over his little man syndrome or whatever his grudge is and find some good American class in his announcing! Is he bent out of shape cause someone made him come to the 2002 Olympics?  

the greatest snow on earth -- Nick of South Jordan, UT

It seems to me that Mr. Paige just needed to complain while he watches the world realize what we've known forever- that the greatest snow on earth is not at Vail- ( or anywhere in Colorado for that matter) but at Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, Snowbasin, and all of our other ski resorts. He obviously has not been here to see the alcohol running as freely as it's ever going to get in this state. Where is the LDS literature? there's been other denominations handing out literature, but in order to find a missionary, you have to (get this) FIND THEM! the only place they're at is at Temple Square. Traffic has been going great except for one day when a bus didn't have the right credentials. Other than that, people from around the globe have said that the transportation is excellent- as long as you dont go up Parley's Canyon after 6:30 am. But of course, Mr. Paige, you dont really know where these places are, right? You wouldnt know Parley's Canyon from the Grand Canyon, a Mormon from a Catholic or Protestant, and you definately dont know real snow from that half-baked,piece of crap stuff you call "powder". You may call it Champagne Powder, but it's flat and the cork was released long ago. As a High School Journalist, I am appalled at someone like you who breaks the rules and screws the sports journalist reputation up for the rest of us. Next time, get your facts straight, and maybe even go to the city for once. While we bask in the warm glow of one of the best Winter Games ever, I hope you enjoy covering what you probably call your game of the week- Nuggets-Grizzlies. Lastly, the Olympic Slogan is "Light the FIRE within". As everyone who ahs read your article can tell, yours just went out.  

Hello is Anybody Home at the Denver Post -- John of Salt Lake, UT

Dear Publisher and Managing Editor Gentleman, Hello is anybody at home, or are you all at the Olympics. What about the Copy Editor, did anybody proof Mr. Paige's article? How about the "Fact Checker". As a transplant to UTAH, I don't UNDERSTAND, the only religious tract I have been handed, was from the Falun Gong. Perhaps Mr. Paige needs a little break, a long vacation, to help him renew his perspective. May I suggest, two weeks visiting the National Parks in UTAH... :)   

Denver Post and Toni of Magna -- Sharon of Davis, UT

Obviously neither of these people have been in downtown during the Olympics. I did not get the chance to read the article, but from the comments I have read here I can safely say that both of these peole have not been downtown. I have and the "missionaries" that are downtown are giving away Baptist booklets. I know because I receieved one when I took Trax (which by the way is running faster than before the Olympics). I aslo work at University Hospital and have come in early to avoid event related traffic and not had any problems driving in to downtown. Get a life both of you.  

Colorado real winner of Games -- Dennis of Sandy, UT

The Denver Post deserves the huge embarrassment they no doubt will suffer from this totaly unprofessional article they allowed to be published. I'm not suprised they pulled it from their website. It's to bad that such sophomoric journalism is allowed to find its way into the nations papers. If this article was supposed to be funny and clever how sad for Woody Paige and his crude sensibilites. Paige may very well be unhappy with his Olympic experience, but his written comments mark him as the loser, not the 2002 Winter Olympics and its hosts.   

The Audience should recieve a medal! -- Amber of West Jordan, UT

I would just like to comment on the audience's behavior in light of Friday's Figure Skating fiasco. I, along with the majority of the people who watched the event,felt that the Canadian team clearly did a superior job. The Russians skated very well and have an undisputed reputation as world class skaters, but Friday was not their night. However, what struck me the most about this entire mess, was the great way that the people in attendace reacted as things unfolded. The audience was clearly disapponited with the results, but as far a I could see, no one choose to act upon their feelings. No one booed or jeered when the Russians were awarded their medals, no one was rude during the playing of their anthem. Instead the audience responded with applause and respect. Good for them!  

Your Wrong! -- Jason of sandy, UT

Your opinion of these games is nothing more than a two year old fit thrown by an immature grown man. It is truly sad how low of an opinion you have of people just because of what religion they are. The Church of Latter Day Saints is what the name is remember it because everyone in that church now has lost respect for you as a writer, and journalist. An Ape could have wrote a more accurate article than you have. As for the olympics there are problems as there are with all olympics. Every olympics has it's hang ups. And as for the church in all this, The church founded this state it's part of our culture of course part of that is going to come out when we are hosting a world event, but they have said it will not dominate the olympics, and it hasnt. And the president of the church got to make his speech and hold his torch because this religion is part of our heritage, nobody would complain if the pope was to hold the torch if the games were near him, so why would you complain if the president of the LDS church got to hold it because the games are in our state. It's because your prejudice against mormon and it's sad because it has degraded you to making childish comments stooping as low as you can trying to find anything to throw at us. Even Lime Jello. In conclusion I hope some day you'll open your eyes and look at people as people not catholic, or Jew, or Mormon. Because the state you are in now is in the best way to put it sad. Thank you.  

Whatever -- David of Los Angeles, CA

I have been to 5 events. Opening Ceremonies Soldier Hollow Men's Downhill Women's Downhill Latvia vs. Slovakia There were a couple of problems at Opening Ceremonies and the Men's downhill getting people out. But other than that, it has been a wonderful experience. Woody needs to get a real life and find a way to enjoy life instead of criticizing everything that comes along. I have felt all along that I didn't want Utah to be at all embarrassed. Los Angeles had many of the same problems that SLC has had when they hosted the Olympics not that long ago. And we all have great memories of those Olympics. If anyone should be embarrassed it should be Mr. Paige, The Denver Post, and the people of both Denver and Colorado for putting up with someone with the views that this man has. I wish you people the best of luck. You'll need it.  

In Defense of Coloradans -- KJ of Sandy, UT

I recently relocated from the Denver area to the Salt Lake area. It has been said that Coloradans are jealous of the olympics. In fact I know very few people who wanted the olympics there much like many people didn't want them here. The opinions expressed by Woody Paige are only his opinions and should not be linked to all of Colorado. He does not speak for them.  

Who's Woody -- Joe of Portland, OR

Who's Woody? Woody needs to learn the art of satirical writing. He only comes off sounding upset by the Mormons and has no real point to make. If I was the Denver Post, I'd ask for my money back.  

Deal with it, he is partial correct! -- Tony of Salt Lake City, UT

Although some of Mr. Paige's article is a bit ridiculous, much of what he says is true. Bashing the church is fair game, but his stereotypes are pathetic nonsense. However, the bribe issue, poor planning, and the censorship of dissidents has made this Olympics feel like we are in a police state run by children. There are a select few that will benefit economically from this entire ordeal, but the rest of Utahns and this country will suffer financially. To be honest, I will be glad when this huge tax and environmental burden is gone. The tickets have been way over priced, the traffic issue is a joke, and I think most of you are upset because a great deal of what Mr. Paige said is true. I have been a volunteer and although I have loved skiing my entire life, I regret taking the two weeks off from work to sit around with a bunch or slackers, morons, and ego crazed clowns that will be back to nobodies in 11 days. If you think this article was harsh, wait until we see the true cost and the negative economic effect this whole circus has had on our state. To be honest, I hope this article finds its way into the homes of the world. I don't want any of these people back to wreck my precious Utah.  

Boo-hoo -- Ryan of Spanish Fork, UT

It'll be OK Mr. Paige. I know the tears are flowing because you didn't make the "cut" to personally come and partake of "heaven on earth." I hope "the post" has plenty of tissue on hand. Actually, your false accusations sound as fake as your dismall life, anyway maybe when you turn 16, you can learn some manners and maybe a few writing skills. That's all the space I'll waste on this matter.  

Denver Post -- Karen of Ogden, UT

Woody Paige shows his lack of intelligence and his limited vocabulary. It is very evident that he understands little and misprepresents everything. He also shows the worst about a free press- their ability to degrade and destroy something that is inherently good. I am not sure who he thinks he is impressing. I can't believe anyone in Colorado could honestly believe such garbage. I can certainly understand why my ancestors left that same mentality in Missouri and came to Utah. Thank God. Do us a favor Woody , stay in Colorado, we are happy to save Utah for those that appreciate it.   

What Woody missed. -- Kurt of Charleston, UT

Here is my letter to the Denver Post: To whom it may concern: Mr. Paige's well researched and unbiased article about the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, and the local culture left out one thing - the obvious link between the Mormon Church and the fact that the Canadian figure skaters were cheated out of their gold medal!! I'm sure if he would dig just a little deeper he would be able to further enlighten us all. As a 'weird underwear' wearer, it is my observation that Woody's own underwear was riding a bit too high when he penned his article.  

BOB COSTAS -- MARCIA of LAKEWOOD, CO

COULD YOU PLEASE REPLACE, BOB COSTAS. GOOD PEOPLE OF SALT LAKE CITY, THE DENVER AREA IS NOT ALL LIKE WOODY PAIGE.   

Two wrong things -- Joe of Ogden, UT

The only things wrong with these Olympics are: Some judges don't know how to judge and some writers (just one really) can't write. Only two things, that's not too bad at all.   

Woody Paige embarrassment to Colorado -- Troy of Denver, CO

What a black eye to Colorado and the Denver Post. This is trash newspaper and way out of line. Mr Paige obvisouly has some emotional baggage he needs to deal with. I could certainly respect some of what he says had he not deviated so far from respectible journalism. Does the Denver Post have some ties to the Enquirer? Same level of journalism being demonstrated.  

Denver Post Pulls the article -- Gary of Layton, UT

The Denver Post has now pulled the link to this article, and now has a link to post complaints about Woody Paige.  

Paige & Poor Press Abilities -- Carolyn of Salt Lake City, UT

Aren't journalists required to be objective? How opinionated is Paige's latest article? I'd like to see him take journalism again and learn the art of objectivity especially towards his own state, Colorado. Salt Lake City won the Olympics for a reason, "The Greatest Snow on Earth" and the "Greatest People." By the way, he needs to clue in, it's "Light the Fire Within." Where has he been? Try attending an event pal.   

Consider the Source -- Jansy of Orem, UT

What is up with these diminutive arrogant sportscasters at the Olympics?? I really used to love Bob Costas, but he's certainly broken his pick with me with his snide remarks and superior attitude, and this Woody Paige (Wooden-headed Paige). The guy can't be more than 5'2" - - these would-be, has-been jocks (who played high school football or college intramural soccer or coached Little League but could never make it in the big time and now make a living by arm-chair quarterbacking and back-row driving) can find nothing about the Olympics that is worthwhile? Go back home to Colorado Woody....where (hopefully) you are appreciated. What really fuels my afterburners is that people like Mr. Paige feel free to lambaste other people for their beliefs and convictions (especially those with traditional, conservative beliefs) because this is a free country, right? But heaven help anybody who dares to criticize the liberal left-wing media types or disagree with their free-to-be-you-and-me (well, at least ME) views. Who the heck invited these morons anyway? They came here because they chose to....NOW CHOOSE TO GO AWAY - - QUICKLY!!!  

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