The spectacle of the opening ceremonies as each host city tries to out do the last. Arguably the most photographed structure in quite sometime, this is the Beijing stadium known as the "birds nest."It has been estimated that China spent over $40 billion in preparation for that moment, the opening day (night) ceremonies, and the two weeks to follow.
The pageantry, the sheer magnitude and total precision of the Chinese drum corps.
The color and costumes of the opening ceremonies
Watching sports, and athletes you can only witness every four years
Unfortunately the saber rattling was not limited to the American women's fencing team (who took the gold, bronze and silver in a complete domination of the event).
At a time and at an event practically as old as civilization itself, designed solely to showcase the youth of the world coming together in a competitive, but civil and gracious atmosphere, these two lunkheads held their own Olympics event, the International "screw up the world" contest.
Putin (at left) won the armored tank division contest for his efforts in Georgia, and Bush (at right) won the inappropriate comment at the wrong time award for his criticizing and harping on Tibet and other issues in the press. Comments worth stating, yes. China has deep and troubling issues, both environmentally, and in human rights. But this was not the venue. The Olympics are a coming together of all worldly peoples in peace and sport. Not an ugly American contest meant more to humiliate the host country rather than effect change. Not very bright as usual for our Commander in Chief. Honorable mention went to the Chinese government for their response to President Bush and his untimely comments, stating "mind your own flucking business." Worry about the internal goings on in your own country, which aren't so hot I am told.
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