Dear Olympics Protestors...

The time to protest the Olympics in Vancouver is well past.

We had a vote. The MAJORITY of the people that voted, voted YES.

The end.

I understand that you wish that those monies had gone to social programs, and I get that. I really do.

I understand that you feel frustrated by the outlay of monies into something that will "only last for 2 weeks". I do.

BUT.

The monies have been spent and the Olympics are HERE in just a few days. The look of excitement on my kid's faces as the torch passed them and they got to shake the hand of the person carrying the torch was priceless.

The opportunity that hosting the world can bring to Vancouver is unmatched. The recognition of Vancouver as a world-class city will not only bring tourists, but money along with those tourists. We WILL see an influx during the Olympics and if we treat the visitors well, the after effects of the Olympics will be long-lasting and far reaching as our economy improves BECAUSE of this influx; and with that improvement, more monies will be funneled into social programs and again MORE people will benefit, and so on... much like what happened after Expo '86 - also a much-questioned world event hosted by Vancouver.

Please behave. Your protests will only serve to hurt us as a whole. The time for opposition has passed. Please join the majority and help us to invite the world in celebrating Canada, our Athletes, and our most beautiful city. After all... isn't that why you live here? Isn't that why ALL of us live here?