Letter to the Editor: From his handling of the 2002 Olympics to today, Mitt Romney ‘exemplifies American values’

Stock image, St. George News

OPINION — On Sept. 11, I spent much of the day remembering the impact 9/11/01 had on my life and on our nation. That day changed my life and the lives of many other Americans forever. In the moments immediately after the attack, we experienced the blessings of strong leadership that exemplified American strength.

One of my favorite memories in the months that followed was President Bush sitting with our athletes at the 2002 Winter Olympic games, unafraid, unapologetic, loving and strong. The 2002 Olympics were, in my opinion, a critical juncture for our country. The whole world watched in a way that was different from previous Olympics.

Could we continue to move forward in the face of such loss and such trauma? The answer was a resounding “Yes!” We declared that America still matters and continues to promote American ideals. We have the chance here in Utah this November to continue that message with the man responsible for making those Olympic games and everything surrounding them a success.

In 1999 when Mitt Romney was recruited to serve as the CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Utah, no one could have imagined how important those games would be. None of us could have imagined that just five months prior to the games we would have experienced the worst terrorist attack in history.

Our youngest voters don’t have a memory of that time period, so I’d like to paint a picture. In the days and months after Sept. 11, 2001, we felt as if nothing was safe or sacred. Almost 3,000 citizens who had the audacity to go to work or get on an airplane, lost their lives for doing nothing more than being American.

The tallest buildings on the East Coast had been reduced to rubble, and the city that never sleeps was eerily silent. There was a silent fear, resolve and anger in the knowing looks from strangers. Not since Pearl Harbor in 1941 had we felt so vulnerable as a nation. And here we were, just five months from that attack, about to host the Winter Olympic Games.

As significant as the games are normally, 2002 carried with it the hopes and fears of every American. We weren’t looking for the most gold medals. We were just hoping nothing blew up and no one died. But, no one knew any of that would be the case three years earlier when Mitt Romney was asked to step in as the CEO of the 2002 Olympic games.

With an eye toward making the games successful and putting Utah’s best foot forward, he approached the games in the same way he approached many difficult business decisions in the past. He began by doing a deep-dive analysis of the games and the issues affecting them. He donated his salary to charity and dramatically trimmed the budget. He moved the Washington, D.C. office to save on rent and literally eliminated free lunch.

His leadership brought the Olympics from a scandal-ridden certain disaster to an unmitigated success. Even the Olympic venues today remain one of a handful of venues in the history of any country to continue to produce revenue. The 2002 Olympics remain a shining example of everything an Olympics should be. It showcased the best that America has to offer during a dark and difficult time thanks in large part to Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney exemplifies American values with an eye toward doing what is right and not necessarily worrying about who is right. I hope my fellow Utahns will join with me in voting for Mitt Romney this November.

Submitted by LYNDA COX, North Salt Lake City, Utah.

Letters to the Editor are not the product of St. George News, its editors, staff or news contributors. The matters stated and opinions given are the responsibility of the person submitting them. They do not reflect the product or opinion of St. George News and are given only light edit for technical style and formatting.

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Letters to the Editor are not the product of St. George News, its editors, staff or news contributors. The matters stated and opinions given are the responsibility of the person submitting them. They do not reflect the product or opinion of St. George News and are given only light edit for technical style and formatting.

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25 Comments

  • Carpe Diem October 17, 2018 at 5:28 pm

    Meh. He is confused and conceited.

  • Not_So_Much October 17, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    Could the millions of dollars the feds pumped in have anything to do with it? Those millions are now hardly a micro dot in the debt. Take a look into the republican running on the Constitutional party ticket — Tim Aalders for the US Senate. There is a choice.

  • iceplant October 17, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Mitt Romney is a carpetbagger.
    Just like the man he hopes to replace. Borin’ Orrin, the carpetbagger from PA.
    Utah. Garbage in, garbage out.

    • LocalTourist October 18, 2018 at 7:23 am

      So very true.

      If you speak to those who worked behind the scenes, Mitt came in AFTER the fixes were already being implemented. He took credit for “fixing” things that had already been repaired. And that seems to be how Mitt does business, take credit for work others did. Thats not what we need in congress, but for some stupid reason, it’s what we’ve come to adore in our elected officials in Utah.

      • iceplant October 18, 2018 at 9:22 am

        Agreed.
        Something else I’ve noticed about Mitt’s popularity is how Mormons react to him. Complete cult of personality status. You’d think ole Mittens was the prophet himself. I’ve asked family or friends who are LDS what they think of his policies, track record, and even the fact that he’s NOT from Utah. Few if any care about those things. The one common thing that I hear is, “but he’s right for Utah because he thinks like us… he IS one of us.”

        And there lies the root of the problem. You can’t convince religious ideologues that their ideologies control them. Once they get that narrow view of things, seeing things any other way isn’t possible.
        Call it living in Fantasyland. Makes my head hurt.

  • Happy Commenter October 17, 2018 at 8:10 pm

    Tim Aalders….Mittens can’t be trusted

  • and October 17, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    Romney ran Massachusetts. Let that sink in. Gun control, Romney care, the model for Obama care, a RINO in the highest degree.

  • KR567 October 18, 2018 at 5:48 am

    Opinions are opinions and that’s all they are

  • mmsandie October 18, 2018 at 8:50 am

    I would never believe romney.. when he was governor of mass. He lived about his residency.. it was his sons house..the Olympics were already in place before he helped.. he is like trump a rich man and. No political experience..he is only for the wealthy..
    I come from Massachusetts, and when I call back home they said a lot of what he decided. Didn, t work later beware..folks when your voting thinkif who is going to help you and the state..

  • Karen October 18, 2018 at 10:46 am

    Mitt is a wonderful man. The author of this letter has it completely right. It is just too bad he is not president but I will certainly be happy to have him as a senator from Utah! He is one of the most motivated, selfless, dedicated, philanthropic ppl I have ever known… God bless him and God bless America!!!

    • No Filter October 18, 2018 at 11:07 am

      Do you know him personally or is that just what the church told you to say?

      • Karen October 18, 2018 at 11:42 am

        Well, I have a mind and mouth of my own.. And yes, I have a great association with Mitt. He is a wonderful person.

        • No Filter October 18, 2018 at 2:06 pm

          Being in the same religion is not an association.

          • Karen October 18, 2018 at 4:11 pm

            You have no idea what you are talking abt… probably ought to give up… you are wrong…

        • iceplant October 18, 2018 at 2:17 pm

          We get it, sweetie. You like carpetbaggers.
          It’s very clear you DO NOT have a mind of your own.

    • iceplant October 18, 2018 at 12:43 pm

      Oh, Karen. Bless your heart.

      • Karen October 18, 2018 at 2:42 pm

        Thank you, someone needs to speak the truth… I am willing …

  • Paulee October 18, 2018 at 3:52 pm

    Well, well, well more or the same lies being stated here that Obama’s Dems fed people in 2012. It works like this…One Dem says the lie and every other Dem repeats til it is believed. Trust me, Romney is head and shoulders above many who sit and milk DC year after year…Romney like Trump made his own money being in business and simply wants to serve this country…I have met him, talked with him, and he is first class. If all lived their lives as does Mitt Romney this would be a far better country. I think Mitt will be a wonderful asset to President Trump. Business people are advanced in the way things work..They get numbers. They get what it takes to be successful. After all, make no mistake…This government is big business and needs brains to run it..Romney was not short changed in that department…You will see!!!!

    • Karen October 18, 2018 at 6:22 pm

      Spot on Paulee… Mitt is definitely head and shoulders above… especially above the arrogant liars.. ugh, so sick of those tired old defunked and debunked lies. My long association with him has shown nothing but a brilliant, gentlemanly fun, humorous,
      unselfish man…

    • iceplant October 19, 2018 at 11:53 am

      It scares me to know there are people out there who think this way. Completely blind to what Romney actually represents.
      I find your bias stunning and your comparisons to Trump disturbing. Not even from this state. I can’t even.
      Mitt Romney is a first-class liar… You will see!!!!!

  • Uncle Rico October 18, 2018 at 9:31 pm

    Mormons are incapable of original thought.

    • Karen October 18, 2018 at 11:27 pm

      No, just bigots are incapable of original though

      • iceplant October 19, 2018 at 11:54 am

        Karen, do yourself a favor. Stop replying.
        That pit you’re digging is only getting deeper.

        • Karen October 19, 2018 at 2:57 pm

          Lol… you ppl are so backwards… hate and bigotry have such ugly faces…

          • iceplant October 20, 2018 at 3:08 am

            Keep diggin’…!!!

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