Proud to be Canadian
Brian Williams, NBC televisions Olympic anchor and managing news editor, wrote this post at the conclusion of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. I've shortened it a bit, but what remains if proof that a polite, inclusive, welcoming and civil society such as ours "does" stand out. We collectively should be thankful for where we live - Mike
Leaving behind a thank-you note
After tonight's broadcast we're going to try to brave the blizzard and fly east to home and hearth, and to do laundry well into next week. Before we leave this thoroughly polite country, the polite thing to do is leave behind a thank-you note.

Thank you,Canada: For being such good hosts. For your unfailing courtesy. For your (mostly) beautiful weather.

For not seeming to mind the occasional (or constant) good-natured mimicry of your accents.For securing this massive event without choking security, and without publicly displaying a single automatic weapon. For the body scans at the airport which make pat-downs and cavity searches unnecessary.

For having the best garment design and logo-wear of the games -- you've made wearing your name a cool thing to do. For the sportsmanship we saw most of your athletes display.

For not honking your horns. I didn't hear one car horn in 15 days --which also means none of my fellow New Yorkers rented cars while visiting.

For always saying nice things about the United States...when you know we're listening. For reminding some of us we used to be a more civil society.

Mostly, for welcoming the world with such ease and making lasting friends with all of us.