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archive / 2008 / 08 / 11

Posted by jbcardinale on 2008-08-11 12:38:36 +0000

2008 Olympics

I believe that it's reasonable to be completely cynical about the Olympics and it's just as reasonable to be sucked into watching it, but no flag waving here.
I'm hoping that NBC will show the canoeing competition. Sailing may be interesting. CTP, can there be any advantage in sailing from performance enhancing drugs?
I'll also watch the basketball as it could be very compelling, Argentina and Spain look tough.
But did anybody see George Bush's interview w/Costas last night? Behind Bush was a huge window looking out onto a street (Forbidden City?) so that there was a smiling portrait of Mao lurking over Bush's right shoulder. In my mind Mao was mocking our president as he stressed that the US must engage in "constructive cooperation" with China and that the US "must Respect the Chinese people." Is the appropiate word, "kowtow"?
Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-08-11 15:02:55 +0000
Bush w/ Costas was great, and I think overall a good moment for Bush. He appearantly walked up to Putin at a swimming or gymnastics event and told him to get Russia out of Georgia. Granted Bush is saving face because Georgia actually sent troops to Iraq, but still he came across as a humble leader throughout.

MORE GYMNASTICS PLEASE!!! That shit is insane.
Posted by virtue on 2008-08-11 15:40:33 +0000
Is beer considered a performance enhancing drug?
Posted by pamsterdam on 2008-08-11 15:45:52 +0000
On <a href="http://www.mocktheweek.tv/">Mock the Week</a> the other night, <a href="http://www.frankieboyle.com/">Frankie Boyle</a> described watching Olympic gymnastics as "pedophilia for cowards". I'm inclinded to agree with him...

...and no, this has nothing to do with my being deeply in love with 3 of MtW's castmembers (Frankie, <a href="http://www.edbyrne.com/">Ed Byrne</a>, and the delicious <a href="http://www.myspace.com/daraobriain">Dara O'Briain</a>). Ah, the Celts. Mmm.
Posted by TheFullCleveland on 2008-08-12 15:44:41 +0000
China: we'll win them all over with the cutest cuteness we can find! And if it's not cute enough, <a href = "http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26153578/">we'll make it cute</a>! For the good of the nation! Laaaaaaaaaame. So disappointing, but not very surprising, unfortunately.
Posted by Miriam on 2008-08-12 18:29:27 +0000
I've been debating whether or not I'm immoral watching the Olympics when I'm marginally involved with organizations that are currently boycotting them. 8/8/08 was the 20th anniversary of the student massacre in Rangoon, and I chose not to watch the opening ceremonies since the Free Burma people asked me nicely.

At the same time, I want to support the athletes who have given up their entire lives to train for the Olympics and who are national icons/heroes at a time when we have so little to look forward to in our daily lives.

Besides, if I choose not to watch everything live I can always catch it OnDemand!
Posted by Miriam on 2008-08-12 18:30:41 +0000
A lifetime of therapy: check!
Posted by TheFullCleveland on 2008-08-12 19:13:36 +0000
I don't like how China is being duplicitous in so many ways, but I'm enjoying the games. I saw the end of a water polo match yesterday, and it looked like a big splash contest.
Posted by Miriam on 2008-08-13 14:49:38 +0000
Yeah the girls who look 9 years old, are assumed to be 14 or 15, and are supposed to be at least 16 on their gymnastics team are pretty tremendous. I broke down and watched last night...including cheering the men's relay team to their swimming gold. Loved every minute of it.
Posted by dyedon8 on 2008-08-13 16:17:24 +0000
<img src ="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/spazzydancecore/1218634337628.gif">
Posted by mr. mister on 2008-08-18 22:48:19 +0000
I feel really bad for that blond chick that lost because she tried to flip onto a balance beam. Well who the hell flips onto a balance beam. You could see all the disappointment on her face. It was a great train wreck. I turn it on last night and she was robbed. She hopped at the end of an insane flip and they gave her a shit score. laaaaaaammmmeeeeee.
Posted by TheFullCleveland on 2008-08-19 13:53:54 +0000
Congratulations to Shawn Johnson for her Olympic Gold. I saw her chatting with her coach and Nastia and some NBC guy the other day, saying how Nastia was so much better, deserved the Gold, she was happy with her Silver...whateva. Go for the Gold!
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