Hogwash.
That, in a non-copyrighted word, is what we think of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (VANOC)'s ham-handed censorship of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce's "Heart of 2010" banner campaign.
Oops, sorry. How much will writing "2010" cost us?
Nothing, actually. Editorial mentions of the Olympics are still free - so far.
But VANOC has already started what appears to be a hyper-sensitive campaign to "protect the brand" of the Olympics, starting with quashing the Squamish Chamber of Commerce's highway banners with the phrase because - God forbid! - they include the Olympic year "2010" on them.
This worthwhile initiative, which saw banners first go up all through Squamish in 2002, accomplishes two very important goals: it shows the world that Squamish is ready to embrace the Games and the world that will come to Sea to Sky Country in a little more than five years, and it provides funds for the Chamber to continue its work of supporting the Games and maximizing Squamish's role in them.
The minds behind the bid didn't have a problem with Squamish being the "Heart of 2010" (oops! Not again) when the International Olympic Committee rolled through town last year. But now that the Games are here, it seems that help is no longer wanted.
We have no problem with the principle of protecting the Olympic rings and brands. Unauthorized use of Olympic rings and use of the name by non-sponsors cheapens the brand and reduces the value of sponsorship - one of the major sources of revenue for the Olympics. Without proper control of the brand, taxpayers could be on the hook for a lot more of the cost of the Games in the end.
But in the case of the "Heart of 2010"(ka-ching!) banner campaign, we're not talking about some fly-by-night t-shirt merchant trying to squeeze a quick buck out of the Olympics before the legal hounds are let loose. The Chamber has been an ardent, enthusiastic and loyal supporter of the bid and the Games right from the start, when Vancouver-Whistler was chosen as Canada's bid city for 2010 (ding!) and businesses that are buying the banners are showing support for the community, not profiteering from the Olympics.
The Chamber's hands are tied, of course. Their goal is to partner with VANOC, and as the smaller partner in the relationship, they have little to gain and much to lose by standing up to them. In the end, the Games are coming to Vancouver and Whistler and through Squamish no matter what - but our attitude and relationship with the Games will make all the difference in the world on how Squamish is affected.
But we can say to VANOC what the Chamber can't: respect the rings, yes. But respect your friends too.
