Vancouver Riots: Some Perspective

It really sickens me that the headlines around the world include the Vancouver Riots last night. I watched in horror last night as I saw downtown Vancouver get destroyed! Over what? A Hockey Game? Some think so, but having been downtown for Canucks Games and Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Games, I can assure you this was NOT about hockey!

This was about causing trouble. These people, "hooligans" if you will (though my term for them is far worse) went out looking for tourble.

Win or Lose these idiots were determined to cause trouble. Looking at the footage it is mostly young, intoxicated men.... many seemingly prepared to start this kind of destruction. Who heads downtown with Canucks Jerseys, pepper spray and goggles? Who "happens to have" black scarves and bandana's with them?

I find the footage appauling. I am also disappointed in numerous media outlets who choose to focus on the bad and ignore the good. Today citizens of Vancouver worked together as a community to help clea-up the mess caused last night by a few troublemakers.

I am saddened that, like in many situations, a few bad eggs tarnish the reputation of so many good people from one of the most beautiful cities in the world! After such a high last year with the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, this kind of behaviour really takes a toll on those who live and work and play here!

I hope the world realizes that those "yahoo's" from last night, the ones that dominated our news casts, are NOT Canucks fans, they are NOT Vancouverites, they are NOT a true representation of who we are or what our city is!

In this day of social media, camera phones and citizen reporters, I am thankful for all the photos, footage and coverage, because it means the VPD can identify, capture and punish those who were involved. I feel bystanders should also be dealt with. Anyone with any brain at all would have got out of the downtown core after the game. Even slight delays in transit were rectified within the hour and anyone wandering downtown, just to watch, makes me sick and should be held equally responsible!

I hope parents, employers, people all over examine the footage and photos and if they see people they know - they turn their names over to the police and give the criminals a piece of their mind!!! Kick them out, Fire them, turn them over to the police!!

Those who looted, vandalized, destroyed property or committed acts of violence should suffer severely. Fines, criminal records, jail time, community service, the works!

I still can NOT believe this happened here! Though I shouldn't be surprised really...

• 1994 Stanley Cup Finals, Canucks lost in Game 7 to the NY Rangers... there was a riot in the streets. (in 1993 Montreal rioted after winning the Stanley Cup... also, 2008 Montreal also rioted... after BEATING the Boston Bruins... ?!?! Also Montreal did in 1955 after a fight with... Boston Bruins...)
• 2002 when GunsNRoses canceled their show a riot brokeout. (In 1992 Montreal had a riot when GunsNRoses & Metallica cut their show short)

The point is, Canadians are known for being nice and polite... but we sure do get crazy....

Canadians have the international reputation of being polite, courteous and, let’s face it, a little boring. However, we have civil disobedience coursing through our national veins as thick as maple syrup -- yes, Canada has a long (we won’t say proud) history of rioting. We’ve rioted over labour disputes, for social change and even over hockey -- a lot over hockey.

- Via Top 10 Canadian Riots

I was talking to my husband, who is American, about WHY Canadians riot... some ideas we came up with included:

• Canadian Police are "too nice"
• Canadians are not as "scared" of their government/consequences
• Canadians have more "anarchists"
• stronger beer

And why after hockey:

• more men in their 20s out
• more alcohol consumed
• the sport is agressive and violent and hypes people up
• people are passionate

What do you think?

I have no idea!!! We just discussed a number of possible reasons.... though there really is NO reason that makes it exusable or acceptable!

I mean, if we are going to riot why not over taxes? Elections? Mistreatments, injustices, some of the SERIOUS reasons other people riot!! Hockey? Not a reason... and it just allows the losers in the city to cause trouble and cast a dark shadow on the entire city!!

It is a sad day in Vancouver.


We lost a lot more than just the Stanley Cup!

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Here are some photos from last night in Vancouver...



What started outside the arena, only a few blocks up by the Canada Post Office was a car fire.



Kids and families were caught inthe crowd at the start, but quickly headed home before things got worse



Friends of mine were at the Queen E Theatre a few blocks from Rogers Arena, for Wicked. Outside and across the street this car was burning! They were held inside afterwards because of the dangers of rioting outside.



Soon a path of destruction headed west hitting more cars and newspaper bozes and porta-potties. Flipping and burning.



This photo is so bizarre.... but I like it...


















 

Vancouver Canucks go to Stanley Cup Finals

Last night, 17 years to the day after the Canucks won Game 5 to move onto the Stanley Cup Finals, they did it again!




Last night the Vancouver Canucks won game 5, in double OT (just like 17 years ago) to move on to the Stanley Cup Finals!









GO CANUCKS GO

We were on TMZ - Blackhawks take Stanley Cup to the Club

A weekend in L.A. just wouldn't be complete with out TMZ,

Christy, Melinda and I attended Chaske |Spencer\s Be The Shift Charity Event and it felt very LA with VIP rooms and booths, celebs mingling and alcohol flowing.

We actually only stayed a short time because although it was super cool to experience, it wasn't that exciting after we circled a few times and chatted with the celebs we knew or liked.

As we were walking out, however, we saw a couple SUVs roll up and the friggin' Chicago Blackhawk players jumped out with the Stanley Cup!!!!!

It was hilarious and we snapped a few photos before walking over to valet.

As we walked a camera man came up talking to us - once I realized he was still filming I walked away but Christy chatted with him and it is actually really clever and hilarious - she rocks!

When the camerman asked "Will he be getting vagina tonight" she said "not mine, he beat my team" HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA!!!

After the camera man said "I should have said booty instead of vagina" I said "yes, you deffo should have" LoL



TMZ Video here.

Craziness of Robson Street after the BIG WIN

This is a good hour or more after we beat USA in the Gold Medal Men's Hockey Game. It was absolute insanity - but so much fun!

Good Ol' Hockey Game

Canada beat USA for the 2010 Olympic Gold Medal in Vancouver for Men's Hockey. This also broke the record for most Gold Medals.... I am oozing with pride and have so much to blog and share.... tomorrow....

Here's a brief clip from the bar I was at in gastown after the big win....

Hockey League Upset With Kellan Lutz

Kellan Lutz, according to Chief Operating Officer Josh Morin of the Rivermen Hockey team, has let down local fans. “We are extremely disappointed that we have to let down our fans, and fans of the Twilight movie series, in Central Illinois. We had a signed agreement with Kellan in October and again for January 23rd and both times he decided not to honor the contract. We exhausted every possibility to find a replacement (from Twilight) but were unable to do so…”

Chaske Spencer substituted for Kellan back at the October date.

Events like this always are with the stipulation that an actor might have to pull out due to work conflicts. Kellan had to cancel an appearance at an event in his hometown in North Dakota. In a follow up interview he stated, “I wanted to do the tractor-pulling contest so bad. I loved tractors. My grandpa used to let me drive combines and one of those tractors to cut the lawn, and I thought I was so big. It’s a bummer. It’s always tough, but I was focused on doing the work (shooting for “Eclipse.”) They get fearful if you fly out. My personal appearance guy and I were hoping for the best, and it’s tough when you’re not able to make it.”

Mandy's Mind - I can see how this would be disappointing, but I do understand things come up and it's a busy time for these actors... still once maybe, twice looks bad... poor Kellan, hopefully he can reschedule with them.

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Alex Meraz in Michigan

Alex Meraz was in Grand Rapids Michigan for a signing and event. I actually spent a lot fo time in Michigan several years ago... anyways, here's a video.

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Taylor Lautner & Daddy Dearest at Stanley Cup Finals

I am a bad Mandy - I have a new - found - love for this wolf pup and I didn't even know he was from Michigan!! I lived in Michigan for a couple years and have been to Joe Louis Arena a few times... Sad his home team lost... but awesome to see pics of him enjoying himself....