Ok, everyone’s probably watching the Olympics, so here’s a question: Do you find it surprising that Pres. Bush is the first US Presdient to ever attend any Olympics outside our country? Was that a good idea or not?
Any other ideas, comment or suggestions on this or other subjects?
Not watching, not interested. Both Presidents’ Bush have strong ties in China. No surprise he is there.
Comment by Pariah — August 10, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Well, Pariah, what are you interested in? What’s on your mind these days?
I enjoy watching the Olympics. The swimming takes me back to college where I watched many swim meets because friends of mine were on the team. It’s such a culture of its own and they spend so many hundreds of hours in the pool.
Comment by mary — August 10, 2008 @ 5:38 pm
Hi Mary,
I started watching the opening ceremonies and couldn’t take it anymore, them trying to talk about China’s environmental policies and other PC nonsense. I also thought it a little funny that their China “expert” had a Hispanic surname. I’ll tune in to watch some of the events.
Comment by Will Penny — August 11, 2008 @ 8:12 am
China mistakenly feels that their displays of exceptionally well done human art and their robotic athleticism demonstrates how great their way of governing works. I view those people as being more subjugated into their precision performances than any true alliance to their country or personal pride in sportsmanship. What they have accomplished is awesome but pitiful to watch. I get the feeling that anyone who did not make their performance grade was shunned at best.
Honestly I view the Presidents attendance as one of an everyday spectator. There’s no question but what he does not approve of China and that they could care less what he thinks. His attendance is a perfunctory degree of international decorum and not reflective of any greater nor lessor respect on his or on America’s behalf.
Comment by Wallypog — August 11, 2008 @ 8:20 am
I recall we had a long discussion here a few months ago about mixing politics with athletics at the Olympics. So yesterday I was surprised to see Bob Costas, the sportscaster, going at Pres. Bush during an interview at the Olympics, about the politics of China and their human rights offenses. Bush held his own on the subject and was very cordial, but the subject seemed out of place.
It bothers me when people who are famous for one thing, like singing or sports, use their position to push something completely out of their expertise. It’s fine if Bob Costas wants to hold his opinions, and he may be very well informed, but it’s a sports show for goodness sakes!
Comment by mary — August 11, 2008 @ 10:28 am
Georgia. The blitzkrieg-like armor strike to ‘protect ethnic minorities’ is reminiscint of the Sudentland and Polish activities of the totalitarian Germans pre-WWII. The Olympics lost me many years ago. Geopolitics is a reality we need to watch.
Comment by Pariah — August 11, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
Anyone else have serious doubts about those Chinese gymnasts being 16-years-old? Granted, I don’t hang out around Chinese teenage girls as much as I once did, but they sure looked young. Made our American Gymnasts look beefy by comparison. Weird. I’ll probably watch re-runs of “House” tonight…
Comment by Dan — August 11, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
I agree with you both. The Chinese gymnasts are 14 max…that culture is so non-individual-rights. Group-think is everything. $300 million on one public ceremony? No problem. Who cares if half the country is starving…image is everything.
I agree with you, Pariah. The most important thing in the world right now is going on in Georgia. Russia is flexing its muscle and I certainly am concerned about the US response. We must support Georgia but don’t want to get into a huge world war. Energy is everything right now, and we need to become 100% independent. We should have done this way back in the 70’s when we had those long gas lines. We knew it then. Carter wimped out and so did everyone else, and now we’re dependent on all these crazies.
Comment by mary — August 11, 2008 @ 7:09 pm
I have to laugh at the admission that the little Chinese girl who sang at the opening ceremonies faked her performance. The press is really riding the issue hard like China is going to care. Funnier still and ironic as it gets is that Bob Costas is as reworked and fake as that little girls performance was. NBC may as well have a wax dummy for an MC. That’s entertainment folks.
Comment by Wallypog — August 12, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
It’s a tempest in a Chinese teapot. Like Britney never fakes singing.
Of course, that a politburo official bullied in the decision was sad. I thought the real girl was cute as anything. But when the government is also the country’s only business, things like will happen.
Comment by Dan — August 12, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
Doesn’t Bob Costas remind you of Dick Clark? He never seems to age. Not a “natural process”, I’m sure!
Comment by mary — August 12, 2008 @ 6:46 pm
Been watching some of the Olympics, I just can’t understand why the US has professional basketball players playing? Give me a break!! Be more interesting if college kids played – would like to see some of the other sports, kayaking, shooting, etc. -Volleyball gets to be a little boring!
Comment by ShyAnn — August 12, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
I watched the synchronized diving competition and there divers were as young as 14 years old. I thought that the age 16 rule mentioned for gymnasts applied across the board. Does anyone know or have a clearer understanding about the age limits in the Olympics?
Comment by Wallypog — August 13, 2008 @ 8:33 am