Nancy Young wrote:
> Stan Horwitz wrote:
>
>> Is it just me, or am I the only one who has no interest in the
>> Olympics? I think its terrible that the Olympics are being held in
>> China because of the intense pollution and the government oppression.
>> An area where reporters can't report effectively, where the citizens'
>> rights are heavily suppressed by their government, and where athletes
>> have to wear masks in order to breath isn't my idea of a good
>> Olympics venue.
>
> I think China was a horrible choice, for all the reasons you mention
> and more. What have we had so far, protests aimed at the torch,
> reporters showing how they are being censored, terrorists attacking
> and killing the police, people who lost their homes to the Olympic
> venue ... oh, and dog is off the menu.
> This is working out just great. What a surprise.
>
>> Long before the Chinese were invited to host these games, I considered
>> the Olympics a scam. I don't encourage any athletes to boycott the
>> games because China is hosting them, that should be their decision.
>> On the other hand, I have been boycotting the Olympics since 1976,
>> which is when I realized the games were a commercial sporting event
>> designed to separate me from my money.
>
> TV had ruined the Olympics. I remember when I was younger, you'd
> go out of your way to watch the games. Now all you see are highlights
> of some athlete's life, a bunch of commercials and ... now and then,
> Oh, by the way, So and so won this competition. They don't even show
> the games much of the time.
>> I would watch the games if they were what they are purported to be,
>> contests among dedicated amateur athletes from various nations. What
>> the Olympic games really are, is an attempt by professional athletes
>> to pursue even more advertising dollars and for national governments
>> to gloat that they won the Olympics to give their citizens some sort
>> of misplaced sense of national pride. No thanks. Its a shame that the
>> Olympics have become so distorted from what they used to be; the
>> original concept was wonderful.
>
> I don't care about the professional/amatuer status of the athletes one
> way or another.
>>
>> I enjoy watching the opening ceremonies, but not this time. If I were
>> to watch the opening ceremony, I supposed I would serve a Chinese
>> dinner? Seems only appropriate considering the venue is China.
>
> You think beef and broccoli would be a suitable nod to the games?
> (laugh)
>
> nancy

Oh, you have reminded me. There is also the focus on what TPTB
think we should want to see.... Also, the things not being shown
as they occur, so we already know the results...

--
Jean B.