GreatWhiteNorth

I vote new thread... but, hey, I'm just a rookie here. A rooke that appears to be in a solid position to win it, that is!

WC 174 Donnell Washington

285 Nevills

141 Filius

is Jack Medley still available Medley?

157 Chase Saldate

Burgling butthead? C'mon now 197 Warner

125 Barnett

None. None whatsoever.

174 O'Reilly

133 Nagao

184 Kaleb Romero

The draft thing start to turn a bit less pretty now...

149 Sasso

165 O'Toole

Present.

There is always a long history, and it is always complicated. But here, Russia is simply attempting to take a neighbor state. Show me pictures of Ukranian tank convoys rolling into Russia and I'll think otherwise. The reverse is true. The participation is selective by participants - only those that believe in the spirit of the Olympic Games should be allowed to participate.

I'm now seeing 13... which is a bit better. Hoping maybe Jensen closed his browser? And LU isn't on yet.

Thank you - I'm still trying to figure out how to make a pick. Need the time. Being a rookie kind of blows.

Hmmm... That Medley fellow, so he's a good one is he?

Just got on board, looking at the google docs sheet... holy hannah, what have I signed up for? I barely figured out my 1st pick. This is going to be rough. Vak's got it nailed down - 15 it is. The participation ship has sailed.

I don't disagree with you. But the US hasn't tried to eliminate and absorb any of the countries we are in conflict with. And the point I'm making is about Olympic participation - not about other World level competition. The Olympics are a different animal. There is a spirit behind them that isn't in any other competition.

I chose the wrong word. 'civilized' is far too broad. It could refer to good taste in wine pairings, or grey poupon. Too broad. I think the proverbial "line" is when a country is openly attempting to eliminate another country. To bomb it back to the stone age, killing innocent citizens including women and children, assassinate its leader, steal its land, its wealth, and absorb it. There are many examples of conflicts between countries, and there always will be. There are many examples of state sponsored incivility and there always will be. Countries are not only awful to other countries, but they are also awful to their own people. When countries get together at the Olympics, in a statement of unity and mutual sporting respect, it is symbolic of a higher level of peace and understanding. I believe any country that is trying to 'eliminate' another one of those countries should not be allowed to participate. It would go against everything the event stands for. The Olympic games aren't simply a competition, they are much more than that.

Invading other countries to kill their citizens and take their land is wrong in the modern world. Putin decided to do exactly that wrong thing. Killing citizens of a neighboring country and attempting to take their land. This is not the act of a civilized country. It is atrocious and disgusting. Only civilized countries are welcome at the Olympics. Putin-led Russia is not welcome.