Granted, as a former competitive swimmer, I was ecstatic to hear about the defeat of the French team but that’s really about it. I have no interest in listening to a bunch of talking heads followed by a lot of commercials. I’ll just content myself with reading up on it the day afterwards.

I turned to my husband. “Wasn’t Romania under Soviet rule in 1976? Didn’t the Soviets try to turn everything into a glorious victory for communism every time they went to the Olympics?”

“Yeah, if I remember correctly.”

“So NBC thinks that everything was better under the communists?!”

“It would appear so.”

Oh, and the only reason they were even slightly favorable to the US gymnasts is because they had to “overcome adversity” with all their injuries.

Pathetic commie-lovers.

I really hate my keyboard.

Now, for those of you who did not see it last night, you truly missed one of the best, most exciting simming races last night with the 4×100 Men’s Relay.

For those that don’t know and haven’t heard, France had been talking a bunch of smack about how they were going to win, and when asked, the French Captain had said, “The Americans? We are going to squash them. That is what we are here for.”

Well, while it did look like that was going to happen, USA came from WAY behind and fought hard in the last 50m to catch and over-take the French by 0,08 seconds, touching the wall just ahead of them, shoving those pompous French words right down their throats. The French couldn’t even look at them and wouldn’t even congratulate them, even on the podium.

It was the class act Michael Phelps who steped down off the Dias and walked over to the French and shook their hands, both showing them what it is to have class…and probably even rubbing their noses in it just a bit more.

So you guys are really missing out on some really good stuff, if not just avoiding supporting our teams in general.

Um…was this ethical?

When this was taking place we were told that this was animation because it was too dangerous to film real fireworks like this. This wasn’t a trick, we were told and so were the commentators. I have enjoyed the Olympics and I enjoyed the opening ceremony. Our entire family was cheering and screaming last night when the US swimmers beat the French team. Right now we’re watching women’s beach volleyball and I can’t wait for gymnastics, my personal favorite.

It’s really an illusion. China and Russia are the same enemies they always were. Detente died with President Nixon, and perhaps the closest we’d ever come for common ground with Soviet China. Had Nixon not been impeached, there may very well had been some sort of treaty with the Chinese, and it seems all of his diplomacy was heading in that direction.

Reagan made incredible inroads, but 8-years of the Clinton Administration, with nobody minding the store, and Russia and China have been up to their old tricks, lately. Russia secretly backs Iran, and Mainland China has been secretly plotting to takeover Taiwaan.

It’s amazing how people are “shocked” at all the Communist propaganda coming out of modern-day China.

On August 11th, 2008 at 1:19 pm, pslange said:

Also – I do remember one of the announcers at the opening ceremony (I believe it was Costas) commenting after the drummers finished, that it was amazing, but also a bit disconcerting and a bit weird. He was decidedly uncomfortable about the regimented perfection as I believe a lot of us viewers were.

The word that comes to my mind about the drumming segment is “mesmerizing”. It was a powerful statement of discipline and precision and I think it was used as the first segment to send a message. It was an artistic version of “shock and awe”.

The most famous Super Bowl halftime moment is probably Janet Jacksons’ “equipment malfunction”. Comparing these to events, IMO, it was a statement by the Chinese about cultural values and what they contribute to the society.

I don’t agree with the communist ideology about collectivism and the individual vs. the state.
However, the message I received from the Olympic opening ceremonies, is that the United States is facing formidable challenges (and opportunities) from China in the 21st century. Burying your head in the sand and ignoring this challenge is a mistake. The current U.S. culture of vulgarity, cultural offensiveness, corporate malfeasance and government ineptitude is not going to serve us well in facing the challenges of the future.

Also – I do remember one of the announcers at the opening ceremony (I believe it was Costas) commenting after the drummers finished, that it was amazing, but also a bit disconcerting and a bit weird. He was decidedly uncomfortable about the regimented perfection as I believe a lot of us viewers were. Leni Reifenstahl would have been proud of the Beijing show.

I can’t help but view the IOC as the UN Sports Channel; a repugnant bunch, all of them.