this

Umm from what I heard the costs that the Government is covering is largely security, like Police and ensuring safety. They would have done the same if 1.5 million muslims, Athiests or any other ethnic group were coming. Fact is 1.5 million people need extra police and security forces and measures to accomodate them.

Also your 100 million Euro's was according to the program I watched a daily figure. How could 1.5 million tourists spend only 100 million Euro's? In four days? As for bringing in more money then the olympics, I never said it would bring in more money. I said it was a bigger event and it is, the Vancouver Olympics did not bring in 1.5-million tourists. It is most definatly a bigger event. Though I guess I wasn't that clear but notice that I never said in that sentence anything about it bringing in more money. I was making a seperate statement in the wrong context.

Even if say the people only benefitted 50 or so million euro's thats still a massive amount of cash. These pilgrims if they have a good time will by word of mouth cause more people to visit. As I said it'll boost the tourist industry big time.

I notice you purposely mention 72 million dollars and then 100 million dollars in profit. Where as its really around 50 million euro's spent and 100 million Euro's brought in daily.

Also I under estimate the amount of money brought in. I only mention the four day visit from the Pope but the actual festival lasts six days. Meaning even more money will be spent. Theirs no way 1.5-million people are going to spend only 100 million Euro's, infact they will spend more then that each day if they are their.

The Government is doing a very smart thing for the economy and if it chose not to. Well then the country would be in chaos. What do you suggest, that the police don't bring in re-inforcements, no more paramedic's no extra security forces. No special road blocks and controls. FOr 1.5 million people flowing into a small space, you have no choice but to increase spending on security. It would be extremely irresponsable not to. Its a Governments responsability to protect its people.

The pope's visit is no different then any other international venue. Whether it be the Olympic's or a World Religious Conference or the G8 or anything else. You only care because its a religious organisation. But the Government should not discriminate against religious groups when they go to have events in their country.

Why should a huge secular event be supported by Government but when a religious organisation wants to hold an event it shouldn't be allowed?

It's clearly a biggotted attack by Athiest's, Gay rights activists and other non-Catholic's simply because they dislike the Catholic Church.

Also note I myself am not a Catholic, so don't even try and play the bias card. This is a huge economic boost and tourism boost that Spain could use. It would be stupid not to boost security and spend money on essential services when you have 1.5-million people coming. This is all common sense.

Cierto, tienes razón. Me dejé llevar.

True, you're right. I got carried away.

The Pope comes to Spain because this year the "World Youth Day", an event for young people organized by the Catholic church, is held in Spain and the Pope always goes to this event.

It's 100 million in total. That's about 67 euros/person which, given the kind of people that will go, young people with little money, is reasonable given that many of them won't even go to an hotel. If those 100 millions were each day that would mean that they would spend +250 € each one, which is highly unlikely.

And, as has been mentioned before, Spain doesn't need this to boost our turist industry.

Any other major event would have people protesting and doing the same things. It's the poeple that gets offended now that makes it look like it's a religious thing. The religious part is rather small this time.

No it's not. People are complaining by other things that have happened with this event as an excuse and are criticizing the goverment, more precisely the city council of Madrid and the "State" of Madrid, which have done a lot of cuts in social spending due to the crisis but have spend lots of money doing this.

As an example of why people are complaining is the price of Public transport, both subway and bus. It was 1 € (for the simple, 1 travel ticket) and they raised it from 1 to 1.5 €   since august 8th, a 50 % raise. They did it because it hadn't been raised in several years, because of costs, crisis, etc... But during this event the tickets will have an 80% price cut for those attending the event. Where is the logic in that!? Screw those who live in the city while they are coddling the visitors? This thing, among others, is what causes the tension and incidents that are happening.

And then there is the 15-M thing, but that's another story.

PS. Three quotes in a row. Yay. We need a multi-quote system.

First of all, you were being dishonest. When I said Olympics, I was obviously referring to the Summer Olympics (which is commonly known as simply 'the Olympics').

Second of all, you've mentioned many times that you're catholic, so don't start lying to seem leess biased now.

Third, Spain is Europe's second most popular tourist destination after France. They don't need this. They're already super popular as is.

Fourthof all, it isn't just financing protection, but the entire activities, the Pope's transportation and accomodations etc. The Pope can pay for his own accomodations, transportation etc. It's not as if the Catholic Church is lacking money, and if it is the can pawn one of the many treasures located in the Vatican, that they shouldn't even own in the first place. The Government shouldn't finance such an event in any way.

Wait, so catholics get to pay reduced transportation fees because they're... catholic? How is that not religious discrimination???

No, no, no. They don't get this reduction for being catholics... the get it because they go to a catholic event .

Honestly, I don't know why they have done it.

Well, since the people going to such an event are pilgrims (a.k.a. catholics) they are essentially getting this special privilege for being... catholic. The people from the Government who agreed to this should resign.

Man Sapphi no need to get nit picky.

#1. I mentioned Olympics first and I was refering to the Winter olympic's. Seeing as I'm from Canada and we just hosted the games last year I thought it would be obvious. But I guess you never peiced two and two together.

#2. Dude your insain and desperate to say I am Catholic. I have never ever said in any thread or place on the internet or even in life that I am a Catholic. lol The closest I have ever come is to say I am non-denominational meaning I am not exactly protestant or Catholic I am just a Christian who has his own beliefs. Not to offend any Catholic's but I share very little of the Catholic idealogies and am probably if I had to put a percentage on it 95% Protestant and 5% Catholic. But to be honest I am in no way Catholic other then the fact we both believe in Jesus and that I believe that Purgatory might exist. Other then those two beliefs I share barely anything with Catholicism.

I dare you, infact I urge you. To find one time on the internet here or anywhere else where I claim to be Catholic. I wasn't even raised in a Catholic home I was raised Mennonite, but don't think for a second I am Mennonite because I am not.

I have always made my religious beliefs clear. I am a Christian, I don't agree entirely with any single denomination. I go to a church that is run by the Mennonite denomination but claims and practices a non-denominational view point. I don't even believe everything my own church preeches.

I have my own beliefs, you can try and stereo type me and let your imagination go wild like suggesting I am Catholic. Dude are you high or insaine. Maybe they laced your stuff, because this is nuts.

Now to set the insanity aside I'll reply to the rest of your post.

#3. No country can ever have too much tourism. More tourist dollars is always good for every country and global economy. A country with over 40% of youth unemployed needs every dime it can get. More tourist dollars means more money for the economy.

#4. Umm yah you see its beneficial for the Government to have the pope visit their country. Now I know the bulk of the money the Government is spending is on security. Security escorts for the Pope is likely but you see the Pope Mobile is custom made and the Pope always travels in it. As for him staying in a hotel, if that is the best way to ensure his safety and the safety of the people of Spain then its the Government's duty to protect its people and a foreign dignitary. If Prime Minister Harper or President Obama visited they would recieve similiar accomodations. This guy represents like one fourth of the worlds population. Far more influential then the President of the US or Prime Ministers of Canada or Britain.

As for profit margins. Pilgrims spending under 250 Euro's each in six days is insane. A hostel would cost more then 40 Euro's a day to stay in. Let alone a hotel. What is someone suggesting all 1.5-million pilgrims are staying on the streets or with family, then they are also not buying food , souvineers or other things. Please 100-million Euro's is unbelievably low. If it was that cheep to stay in Spain heck I should go their for vacation next week thats cheaper then me visiting Seattle which is only 3 hours away. A five day visit is costing me over 700$.

Again Sapphi what the heck are you suggesting? Saying I'm Catholic dude you gotta read what I say more especially if your going to back up an outlandish statement like that!