Protesters, Pinups and VPs: Vancouver Olympics Embrace the World

A group of anarchists calling themselves the Olympic Resistance Network took to the streets this weekend, intent on "disturbing business as usual in Vancouver" because of a number of gripes involving economic and environmental issues.

Most prominent among them were about native Indians who want to reclaim property on "stolen ancient land"—wasn't this type of thing taken care of in "Poltergeist"—and the amount of money spent on hosting the Olympics instead of public housing. 

Police in riot gear confronted more than 200 masked protesters who hurled newspaper boxes through display windows of a popular department store selling Olympic souvenirs, apparently in a prelude to intimidate judges scoring the upcoming figure skating competitions. Tanya Harding was not available for comment, nor was the East German judge.

Notes From Vancouver

• The same media types crying for a "mercy" rule following Canada's 18-0 dismantling of Slovakia in women's ice hockey are probably the same feminist advocates reading grocery lists off their palms in the White House.

• I'd hate to be the one to tell her, but if Lindsey Vonn doesn't win alpine gold, it doesn't take Hugh Hefner to know those bikini shots aren't good enough for fish wrap.

• About the last thing the U.S. Olympic team needed to hear was Vice President Joe Biden giving a pep talk. It's not exactly like the White House is on a winning streak.

• You get the feeling short track speed skating is a lot like driving a Toyota Prius these days. You never know when the brakes might give.

• You could make a good case that Wayne Gretzky is the most iconic figure left standing in the world of sports today. What ya' say Tiger?

• Have we heard the last of the "We Are the World" remake? Have we?

•You think Gary Bettman is rooting for a USA-Canada men's hockey final? You think the NHL commissioner is rooting?

• Now that they are sharing a suite in the Vancouver Olympic Village, don't ya' think U.S. figure skater Johnny Weir and ice dancer Tanith Belbin might share a sequin or two?

• Bobby Orr, who helped carry the Olympic Flag into the Opening Ceremonies, looks like he could probably lace up today.

• NBC prefacing its video replay of the tragic practice run of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili is not unlike asking viewers to close their eyes if they're not interested in knowing the outcome of a game.

• Who would have thought back in the day that we'd ever see the Weather Channel reporting from any Olympics? Who would have thought we'd ever have to turn on the sound?

• If Washington can't dig out from under this winter siege, why isn't the D.C. mayor wheeling and dealing with officials in Whistler?

• You just know these Olympics won't go long before somebody blames global warming for something other than the weather. 

• Will there ever come a day when sports types feel it unnecessary to call Shaun White "dude?" Man, the kid is 23-years-old now!

• Is anyone still telling luge jokes at the water cooler anymore?