I used to love watching the Olympic games when I was a kid. Back then, it seemed the focus was mostly on athletics and we got to see the various countries actually competing against each other. :)

I stopped watching when it became all about us (our team only). Besides, we rarely got to see much competition - only sappy personal stories of the athletes. I like a good sappy story now and then, but it got to be a little too much. We've ALL got sappy stories to tell. :p

I feel really bad for those people in China, especially those who had to give up their HOMES for our entertainment! I'm also a little concerned about the athletes in that polluted environment, especially those who come from "pristine" lands. My cousin came to visit me from Finland when I was a teenager, and we passed a spot that everyone considers a little "stinky" but no big deal. It wasn't just "stinky" to my cousin - it literally made her eyes water, and she couldn't breathe! :eek:

The 2008 Summer Olympics are a propaganda coups for the Chinese.

My morals conflict with this "showcase".

Athletics are being used as bait.

-Vic



*This will be the subject of a History Channel special in twenty years. All countires do this BS.

originally when the Greeks started the Olympiad games, the Greeks were always waring against one another for more territory, yet when the games came along they all dropped their weapons, their hatreds and beliefs and participated in the games, as it should still be, unfortunately some govts are gonna use the games to their own advantage, that being said I still believe in watching these athletes participate and compete and give it their all, and respect all of them for trying to obtain their best, this should be these athletes moment in their lives, a moment they can hold on to forever, and hope all are allowed to do so



peace

I like it that we have the right to voice our opinions here...pretty much.

I didn't like their 'solutions' to their cat problems.

Hi Greta :). I know he isn't competing but it seems a bit hypocritical for China to allow the athletes that he supports but not him. In my eyes, I'm sure China would ban those athletes that support the project if they could get away with it.

Okay. I give up. As I walk around my home and see that nearly everything, including my Sears\Kenmore gas grill, is MADE IN CHINA, boycotting the games and their sponors seems like peeing on a forest fire. :(. Our country needs to change quite a few things before anything is going to change in China or with where the Olympics are held. Maybe it's the MS heat fatigue talking or I'm just mortified by it all.

don't give up, just watch for the stuff now. there has to be a starting point.

I have been to China... and yes some of the people there are very friendly....not all just like here, and yes there are impoverished people there....just like here, but in the same token I also have been to Africa and seen first hand the horrible circumstances there that go way WAY beyond impoverishment or corporate slavery....I could go on but that is not the intent of my thread :) And I don't begrudge anyone who wants to proudly watch the Olympics.....I just won't be one!

Vic

I can picture you now, standing up in your little fishing boat yelling out to your fellow fishermen "Fishermen - UNITE and FIGHT BACK! PEE IN YOUR TACKLE BOXES!" :p

I'm not sure what you'd catch with that one. :D