Obama confirmed for Copenhagen visit

The US president will join other well known Americans to throw his weight behind the Chicago Olympic bid on Friday

President Barack Obama has confirmed his attendance for the Chicago bid at the International Olympic Committee, even if it is a brief visit.

NBC News said the president will fly all night Thursday, arriving in Copenhagen on Friday. The president is expected to fly out soon after on the same day.

Obama is due to arrive at Copenhagen in time to witness the Chicago delegation making its final presentation to the IOC members on Friday morning.

The president’s wife has already confirmed her attendance in support of the Chicago bid, but will be travelling to Denmark ahead of her husband.

Chicago is up against Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid in a vote to see which city will host the 2016 Olympic Games.

While attendance of a head of state is not required, Brazil’s president and Japan’s prime minister have also confirmed their attendance at the Copenhagen meeting.

Copenhagen Police had already planned to draft in extra manpower from colleagues in Jutland and Funen in preparation for a possible presidential visit, but spokesman Mogens Lauridsen would not say how many.

The Bella Center venue is currently being prepared for the meeting on Friday when the vote will be held. While staff are still preparing the venue, hundreds of police officers gathered at the Bella Center today in preparation for the event.

Comments

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damestjernelys - To be honest..

|2009-09-28 15:57:08

I could care less that he's visiting.

npandjmclay - Presidential priorities

|2009-09-28 16:50:23

You have to wonder at the parochialism of the American voter if this visit is necessary to maintain Obama's popular support. On the other hand since the average Yank doesn't give a damn about climate change or global economic consensus, the Olympics probably rank high on his list.

tom1980

|2009-09-28 17:01:10

I can't wait for the visit.

I can just imagine Michelle Obama peddling from the airport to the Bella Center on a commie bike (with a bit of a push from 5 special agents), with Barack and kids in the box on the front.

The real reason Mr President is coming here is obvious. He doesnt want to miss out on the opportunity to see his very good friend Foggie "prunes" Rasmussen in his lead role in Walking With Dinosaurs.

Mr Obama commented yesterday "Foggie is pure genius. He's embraced change and has become a T-rex - no make up required. He's a natural. Just check out those gnashers".

Although Mr Obama is looking forward to his visit, it will be bittersweet.

"Unfortunately Hilary has not been able to attend because I wasnt able to complete my dangerous doggie training course at the kommune".

damestjernelys - npandjmclay,

|2009-09-28 17:03:00

I seriously have to wonder if someone had to point out where Denmark is located on a map of the world to him..

benny_brad - No to Chicago Olympics

|2009-09-28 18:36:22

We don't want the Olympics in Chicago. We don't want a bunch of foreign terrorists in our city. Chicago is broke. We can't even keep the city offices open or the roads fixed. Pick somewhere else, Chicago is not a good choice.

ExpatVol - I agree 110%...

|2009-09-28 23:29:04

... that someone had to point out Denmark on a map to him... I had to look it up when I got the job here too!!! Oh and yes... the average 'Yank' could care less about the Olympics games... 2 months of (yawn) international competition... boring...

sven larsson - HOPE CHANGE YES WE CAN YES WE CAN

|2009-09-28 19:15:27

Hello Copenhagen....
We ugly Americans want to host the Olympics in the crooked city known as Chicago. Chicago is wonderful place to visit. We have crime, murderers, people who hate climate change, and we kill foreigners with funny accents. Please bring the Olympics to Chicago!!! in 2016...

If you bring the Olympics to Chicago in 2016 my friend Obama can raise tourist money to kill more trees, plant more skyscrapers, make the rich richer, make the poor poorer, and make more crime!! We love killing foreigners in Chicago!! We love being illiterate fear-mongerers!! We love bombing non-Americans with drones! Please bring the Olympics to Chicago!!! in 2016... Hope/Change/Yes We Can!!!! Hope/Change/Yes We Can!!!! We love taking advantage of you foreigners with our president Obama. He doesn't know and doesn't care where Denmark is. That's ok.

miket

|2009-09-28 22:11:24

Has anyone from the IOC actually *been* to Chicago? There are some nice spots, but it's mostly a hole. And when you add in the corruption........

oh wait, it's a perfect place for the IOC to choose. :D

I'm glad I found the comment section of the cph post, you guys add alot of enjoyment to my time here in dk.

RCJESQ - Priorities

|2009-09-28 22:11:22

Contrary to the rather cynical postings below, Americans do know where Denmark is, and do care about the environment, climate change, and economics. The Olympics would be a boost for Chicago, which welcomes tourists from all areas of the world.

Visigoth - Priorities indeed

|2009-09-28 23:17:54

With the state of our economy, two ongoing wars, the backlash at his attempts to socialize our coiuntry and one scandal after the next, you would think Obama had better things to do than going to Denmark . Aside from assuagung his ego, there is no need for the trip, as well as the fact that we do not want or need to have the Olymipics in the U.S. at this point in time. Especially in Chicago. ( or better yet, perhaps we should let all Europeans come over and see Obama's hometown, full of poverty, corruption, murder, gang violence, drugs, etc.. Maybe then your opinion of him would change) He is an egoist, just seeking his next photo-op. He is all flash and no substance and only seeks to co-op and take credit for work that others have done.

jmcgregs1 - Stop the Trip!

|2009-09-29 02:45:00

What is Obama doing, using the power and purse of the Presidency to influence the Olympics for Chicago's personal gain and power, while the American people are furious, in fear for their healthcare, the economy declines into Depression, Afghanistan needs troops and Iran is building the bomb, firing off missiles.
Obamas arrogance is outrageous, he should be impeached!!! Parish, NY

linds30 - Obama cynics

|2009-09-29 10:28:20

I am astounded at the lack of enthusiasm with regards to Obama's visit. Whether you could care less or not, he is the most powerful man in the world at this moment and his visit shall, at a minimum, generate public interest for the country of Denmark.
If Chicago wins the bid, then millions of pounds shall be poured into improving the city - socially and enviromentally.
And one other thing, to those who wonder if Obama could point to Denmark on a map, I wonder how many of those commenting here could point to a country on a map with a population of around 5 million.
Be proud of Denmark and the visit of a political giant.

damestjernelys - Linds-

|2009-09-29 11:26:06

I'm very proud of Denmark; it's Obama I could care less about.

As for your map comment, I was perfectly able to locate Denmark on a map of the world prior to moving here, even though it's a small country with a relatively small population.

There's this thing about Americans.. many of them are simply AWFUL at geography, even with larger, more 'prominent' nations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esbS_vT25GU&feature=PlayList&p=66755A8446FFF481&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANTDkfkoBaI&feature=PlayList&p=66755A8446FFF481&index=18

Some can't even locate the US on a map of the world.. or even their own STATE on a map of the US.

wor - Great (for Daneland)

|2009-09-29 16:41:56

It's a good thing Obama is coming (I agree with linds30 points on this one), in my opinion.

Comments about Obama not knowing where Denmark is, are from people confusing him with Bush :-)

I'm sure Obama knows where Denmark is, as he would have a mental list of all the countries that were STUPID enough to follow Bush's lead and the Weapons of Mass Deception (WMD) tale

Maybe Obama does not know where Denmark is or much about it, in which case I'm sure he would have read up about Denmark and found out that 12% of the votes went to the Xenophobic Peoples Party (DPP) that the Government willingly accepts support from.

Also, I'm sure Obama would have read up enough to realize that even some Danes look at the DPP as a bunch of Nazis, and then Obama must be wondering if the Government are a bunch of Nazi supporters...did I forget the issue about the cartoon drawings?

Noting the previous, it is a good thing Obama plans to come to Daneland, and people around the WORLD must be thinking that Denmark cannot be "that bad" if Obama chooses to go.

If he did not come here, people must be wondering if Daneland is so bad that not even Obama is prepared to go...then the question becomes: Why send Mrs Obama? Well, you can never send a boy to do a man's job, but you can always send a woman to make sure the job gets done properly or even better :-)

Personally, I look forward to seeing the look on his face the first time he tries rybrød :-)

It's all good

JFD	\|2009-09-29 13:52:05

I am surprised how dimwhitted most of you otherwise intelligent people are acting here (wor, linds & RC aside). I suppose you all just hate America out of jealousy for it being the worlds' largest economic and political superpower (or that you'd love to move there and can't get a greencard), that you'll just use whatever excuse you can to trash it. If he didn't come you'd trash him for that in some way, I am sure.

This is fine with me though because your meanial posts are of great entertainment since they shed light on your childishness. Seriously, read your posts, you're actually debating about Obama's knowledge of geography. Stop being so idiotic and petty.

He's the president working to bring the Olympics to not only his home country, but his home town. Big deal. The respective leaders of Brazil, Japan & Spain did the exact same thing.

I am no Obama-lover and voted for John McCain as a die hard right-winged conservative, but even I don't fault him formaking this trip.

WOR: I respectfully exempted you, read the first line of my original post again :-)

No problem WOR, and for what it is worth I actually have grown to really enjoy your posts as they seem to be a cut above the others intellectually, similar to those of myself proclaimed disciplinarian MightMacs'. I can take criticism and sarcasm as well as I dish it out, but idiocracy and pettiness annoys the crap out of me.

Dame: Sure, keep your rant going, you're on a roll, but don't work yourself up into another panic attack. I am having a stressful day at the office and need the comic relief, but take lessons from Tom first because our sarcasm needs some work.

mightymac - My dear JFD...

|2009-09-29 12:58:42

As your fellow American citizen I feel it my responsibility to reprimand you on this one. You know better than to spit venom like this. If you were to step back and honestly evaluate the 'American jealousy' situation you would find that it is not, in fact, jealousy at all. Rather, it is a seething disgust for loud, obnoxious Americans that seem to think they crap roses. You cannot keep contributing to this sort of reputation. You're one of the reasons people roll their eyes when they hear an American accent.

wor - woops!

|2009-09-29 13:31:31

This comment made in error...I'm human.

tom1980

|2009-09-29 13:36:09

I'm sure we will all find out very soon that Obama's second cousin's pet rabbit's sister in law was Danish and have all the locals wetting their panties in joy over it.

He will announce his new "Hug a herring" initiative over a putrid meal of rotting fish and rybrød at Jensen's Boofhoos.

damestjernelys - Um..

|2009-09-29 16:01:28

"I suppose you all just hate America out of jealousy for it being the worlds' largest economic and political superpower (or that you'd love to move there and can't get a greencard), ";

I'm certainly not jealous of the United States and I certainly don't need a green card to move there.. my disdain for the place stems from other reasons... and part of it actually does arrive from individuals who automatically assume that anyone who speaks ill of the United States does so out of 'jealousy.'

Why, oh why, do I loathe the US?

- Does not adequately provide health services or insurance for all of its citizens.
- Has a public education system that is subpar when compared to other countries, yet fails to recognise the fact.
- Does not offer a fully merit-based university system, and the costs of a university education prohibit many from attending.
- Engages in political and moral double standards on the international stage.
- Attempts to thrust its will upon other nations.
- Does not grant equality to all of its citizens.
- Allows religious notions to play too much of a role in legislation, education, and other areas of public life.
- Displays blatant ignorance regarding other nations, cultures, etc.
- Allows corporations, unions, political lobbyists, large donors, etc. to have too much sway in how the country is run; it is actually possible to have politicians in one's back pocket.
- Does not care about the environment
- Has food safety laws/labelling laws that are inferor to those of other nations
- Laws regarding debate participation, appearing on ballots, and naturally, the Electoral College, make it difficult to nigh impossible for independent (as in not Republican or Democrat) candidates running for president to be seen, heard, etc. and has even been cricized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for its harsh ballot access laws. These laws breach the Copenhagen Document of the Helsinki Accords which George Bush I signed, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I could keep going... and going..

linds30

|2009-09-29 14:03:06

I'm not sure of the purpose of such vitriolic rants (tom1980, for instance) This isn't about whether or not you loath (an irrational generalisation, perhaps?!) America. Whether you like it or not, America is the most powerful nation in the world. Surely the most powerful man in the world visiting this country is an opportunity to show Denmark off as the wonderful country it is?
Surely we are able to not agree with an individual's politics without hurling childish insults.

NotaBITTERforeigner

|2009-09-29 14:32:22

Who cares about the president, Oprah's coming!! Woohoo! LMAO

tom1980

|2009-09-29 14:58:14

Even the Care Bears don't care.

damestjernelys - :D

|2009-09-29 15:07:56

Tom,
Wherever they take him to eat, they'd better make sure it's equipped with a rygerum so he can sneak in a few puffs away from the cameras :)

And you're right; the Care Bears are too busy sliding on rainbows to give a rat's ass. :P

Mightymac,
You're awesome :)

npandjmclay - Presidential behaviour

|2009-09-29 15:12:44

Oh, my! Obama smokes. That's the end of PC support in Denmark, I guess.

StephanieG - Had to laugh......

|2009-09-29 18:50:25

Every time I read the rants of people like damestjemelys about the U.S., I smile. But I smile at the clueless.

All of the statements made at her post were based on the lack of knowledge about the U. S. The U. S. is a capitalistic nation -- as opposed to the socialistic one of Denmark.

People raised and living in a socialistic country do not understand working for what you want -- only that of sitting on their tush and waiting for the government to take care of them. It is easily understood.

I have resided in countries of both governments -- trust me, I will take the sweat of the brow and the accomplishment of work any day of the week. I pride myself on knowing that I, not the government, have provided for my family. They are well educated, employed, work through their community for those who are in need (without the government's help).
As for healthcare: the U. S. has the best in the world. Is it expensive? Absolutely. Is it unavailable to most Americans? No. If you are birth to 18...their is the CHIPS program (government run); if you are an American Indian, you have federal health care; if you are over 65, you have Medicare/Medicaid (government run); if you are a government worker, you have government run health care; if you are destitute, you are eligible for Medicaid, or help from your church, you community. So, let's address the real problem: The insurance companies providing health care ins. are out of sight! Mostly due to the fact that those who have insurance are paying to support the deficit of the government run programs!

I could go on, but educating the clueless becomes mundane.

To Denmark: I extend an apology for Obama's appearance. He is inept and a member of the clueless group.
Send the Olympics elsewhere. Chicago is a lovely city, but it is an embarrassment to the U. S.
It is one of the most corrupt places --- has been since the '20's -- and is the home of Obama ---

If you want to know your future, look at the friends you keep.

PatchAdams - Obama should Let Rio de Janeiro Host 2016 Olympics

|2009-09-29 23:42:41

I think the 2016 Olympics should go to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It isunfair and just selfish political interests for Obama to try to take it away from Brazil.

Brazil and South America deserve it more than Obama, Chicago, or the U. S.

I am looking at it from the point of view that the United States has hosted the Olympics 8 times and North America 12 times. No country in South America has ever hosted the Olympics.

In 49 Olympic Games.. United States 8 games, Brazil 0 games
In 49 Olympic Games... North America 12 games, South America 0 games
In 49 Olympic Games.. Northern Hemisphere 47 games, Southern Hemisphere 2 games

Does money and politics go against obvious fairness? Brazil deserves the games.

See this webpage for More information for Rio hosting the 2016 Olympics: http://zinkhome.net/rio2016/Rio2016.html

mightymac - WHAT?!?!

|2009-09-30 09:52:05

'He is inept and a member of the clueless group'. In comparison to what? The GOP? Whahaha! Don't make me laugh. The same group who gave us such shining stars as Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, Karl Rove, 'Smirk' Bush Jr., etc. The list goes on and on.

I agree that S. America should host the Olympics this time around but Chicago being an 'embarrassment to the US' is the most ridiculous statement I have ever read on this site (and I've read some real winners). The Windy City has also given the world some of the finest art and culture in modern history. And as for dangerous, I agree it isn't Mayberry but it doesn't even make Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the World. But you know who does? Rio.

http://www.realclearworld.com/

damestjernelys - Excuse me, Stephanie,

|2009-09-30 13:52:57

But I was born in Michigan and lived there until 2003, when I moved here. I'm certainly NOT ignorant of how the US works.

"As for healthcare: the U. S. has the best in the world. Is it expensive? Absolutely. Is it unavailable to most Americans? No."

Best in the world, my ass. That's why millions of its citizens don't have any insurance at all.. because it's the best in the world. The US has SOME of the world's best specialists (as does England, China, Spain and a myriad of other nations,) but it definitely does NOT have the world's best insurance.

Have you ever personally tried applying for Medicaid, CHIPS, state insurance, help from your 'church or community' or anything like that? I have, because I have worked jobs that didn't offer healthcare benefits, lost my benefits because of changing jobs (since I couldn't afford the exorbitant amounts of paying COBRA to keep my old coverage until my new kicked in) and I faced periods of unemployment. Often times, I didn't qualify because I made 'too much' (even when unemployed,) didn't have kids, or for some other reason they decided to throw up at me. And in regards to Medicaid, each STATE has their own eligibility requirements. CHIPS? My mom couldn't get that for me.

The only times I had insurance throughout my life in the US were A. When my mother's places of employment offered it to her and I could be covered as a minor and B. When I worked somewhere that offered it and could get my own.

It's NOT easy getting these 'government' plans from the state and/or federal government, and even if you do manage it, they don't offer 100% coverage all of the time, nor can you just go to any doctor or hospital.

Then let's talk about the regular insurance that you pay for through your job.. is that 100% coverage? NO! You STILL end up paying a fee every time you go to the doctor and with hospital bills if you wind up hospitalised. Depending on your insurance company and the plan you have, you STILL can't just go to any hospital or doctor to be treated... because they don't take your insurance.. or your plan.. or because you have to be referred and the referral process isn't always an easy one (ah, sweet memories of trying to get a referral so I could have my tonsillectomy done with a laser at the hospital that was only 15 minutes from my home instead of at one 45 minutes away with 'the hook' while staff at the nearer hospital was trying to reduce the swelling in my throat and stop the necrosis of my tonsils from spreading!) And then there's also the harsh reality that, well, sometimes, even your medically necessary procedures are NOT covered by your insurance...

BABS - Dame Stjern Lys,

|2009-09-30 14:37:50

Just Curious,

Why could you care less that Obama is visiting?

I have mixed feelings. Sometimes I think I care more sometimes I think I care less, but I haven't quite figured out where I stand on it.

damestjernelys - BABS

|2009-09-30 15:05:27

I could care less that he's visiting because there are more important things to care about: The economic crisis here in Denmark, efterlønsreform, the situation in Samoa, Tonga and the Phillipines (it felt good giving to the Red Cross to help those people,) whether or not we will get the new "super hospitals", whether or not we'll have a no tolerance law for drink driving, what will happen to improve the supermarkets to avoid more screwing about with the dates on meat, the weight of fish, etc.

tom1980

|2009-09-30 15:08:13

Lady starlight you've given me an idea.

Why not have the games here in Denmark?

Just imagine the possibilities.

We could intoduce a new sport of Danes sliding down rainbows to collect their welfare cheques at the bottom.

Another excellent idea might be the 100 metre walk-along-and-try-to-bump-into-people event.

damestjernelys - Tom-

|2009-09-30 15:41:15

"Another excellent idea might be the 100 metre walk-along-and-try-to-bump-into-people event."

I think New Yorkers would be better at this one.. :D

JoeThePlumber - damestjernelys try working instead of posting all

|2009-09-30 15:42:05

damestjernelys, thank you for your comments on how much you 'loathe the US'.
You're a true 'socialist' now.

Don't you have better things to do than to post all day! you post more than anyone!

You must be on the dole here in Denmark.

Sorry your sorry ass life in Michigan or some place like that was so miserable. You've finally arrived to the promised land! Denmark.

NotaBITTERforeigner - or better yet...

|2009-09-30 16:38:15

"We could introduce a new sport of Danes sliding down rainbows to collect their welfare cheques at the bottom."

Ya, it could be a joint event with all the lazy ass Americans that do it every week!

damestjernelys - ...

|2009-09-30 17:04:05

I'm not on the dole here. No dagpenge, bistandshjælp, startehjælp, førtidspension or anything else. My husband works and earns a damn good wage.

As to why I don't work.. I have clinical depression, panic disorder, social phobia, avoidant personality disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. I'm not even at a stage yet in my therapy where I can successfully pick up the phone in my house when it rings, answer the door to my home or make it through a trip to the grocery store without 'flipping out..' And yes, I've had stints at the loony bin because of my issues. Therefore, my shrink has issued a document stating that I am unfit for work due to mental illness.

OMFG.. someone who doesn't work because they really CAN'T.. wrap your head around it if you can.

I'd LOVE to be able to go out and work. Hell, I'd love to be able to handle sudden noises on the street, someone asking me directions, going out for dinner with my husband like I used to be able to, taking a train ride and so many other damn things that you probably take for granted.

I post often on a lot of sites and I IM. Where most people would pick up the phone and call others or go out to meet others, I use the computer. It's the one form of social interaction that I CAN handle, for the most part... because if it starts to become too much, I can log off and walk away.

JoeThePlumber - damestjernelys sorry for your condition

|2009-09-30 17:14:37

damestjernelys sorry to hear about your condition. But, it's even worse than I had pictured of you.

I didn't imagine that you were actually certifiably insane! But, that also proves the fact that you don't live in the 'real world' and your 'loatheness of the USA' is unjustified, un-qualified and downright wrong.

Maybe you could help your situation if you took a step back and reflected on your life and how you ended up in such a condition.

Very glad for you that your husband makes a very good wage. he's getting something for the taxes he's paying then by keeping you.

Constantin - ...

|2009-09-30 17:33:12

Actually, having my own cursed bond with the US (but not being an American), I can't really find something wrong in dame's post. And this whole thing "you got a condition, so you don't live in the real world" is such a cheap ad hominem attack which coincidently (although a usual coincidence with posts of such eeeh, quality) is not backed up by anything that might pose an actual answer. Nothing. Nada. Nil. No answer whatsoever to what dame actually said, only a "STFU" because "she has a condition".

Guess what, I got news.
You're the condition.

Now if you got something to say on what she SAYS and not to what you perceive her to BE, it would really be helpful to those discussing, to those reading and to those who go "white knights" on impulse.

damestjernelys - My points on the US

|2009-09-30 18:02:54

Can be backed up.

You can look at PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS reports to see where the US ranks educationally compared to other OECD nations, thus seeing it doesn't have the world's best among them.

If university/college acceptance were only merit based, they'd only look at ACT/SAT scores and/or students' GPA's.. They certainly wouldn't ask about parents' education on admission forms, infornation about one's siblings, family income, race (affirmative action, yes, we know it still happens,) applicant's employment history, hobbies (Check out applications for Harvard, University of Michigan, and any other university online.)

Lack of equality to all US citizens? Can same-sex couples at least marry at courthouses in all 50 states? No. (Please note that I don't support forcing places of worship to perform ceremonies that go against their teachings; that violates separation of church and state.)

Religion in public life/politics: Pharmacists can deny 'the morning after pill' if it goes against their religious/moral ideas, there are schools in the US which teach creationism/Intelligent Design in science class because people with religion in those areas wanted it that way, abortion laws in each state (waiting times, age restrictions, etc.) often reflect religious views.. these are just a few examples.

The laws regarding debate participation, appearing on ballots, etc... those can be read online (federal laws and then the state ones too) and you can compare them to what the Copenhagen Document, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights state and why the laws conflict with them... and make it difficult for independent candidates to 'break out' as it were.

wiggers - To all Chicago knockers:

|2009-10-02 10:04:07

Have any of you people actually been to Chicago for more than one day?!?!? It's by far the coolest city in the US. It has none of the pretentious shite that oozes out of New York (where you're constantly bombarded by someone's BO), LA (where you can't breathe) and San Francisco (the most overrated city in the world)ooze. It does have, on ther other hand, some of the best nightlife, coolest architecture and most genuinely friendly people in the world. Oh, and the most bitchin' skyline anywhere. I lived there for 10 years and, while the weather often blows (literally), it's still a great city. That said, I couldn't give a damn about the Olympics.

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