BS: Olympics?

Subject: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 08:35 AM

Are ya gonna watch?

Wave a flag?

Cheer on those youth that have strived for perfection with dedicated training?

Some of them did it without drugs.

Some of them we can actually be proud of.

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Kaleea
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 02:38 PM

Are they having gymnastics? Or is that a summer thing? I can never remember past the obvious snow ski is winter & yachting is summer kind of stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: GUEST,beadie
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 02:41 PM

This morning, a local radio station was reporting that a U.S. Olympic ski team member has been summarily dismissed from the team by NBC chairman Dick Ebersol.

        The skier was released because, according to the report, "he is utterly devoid of any compelling personal drama that could be exploited by the network. He has not had to overcome any physical disabilities. His family is excruciatingly average, middle class and bland. He has two opposite-sex parents, a dog and no black-sheep siblings. The family lives in an average neighborhood in New Hampshire in a four-bedroom Cape Cod style home. He has never donated or received an organ transplant. Neither he nor any of his close relations are or have ever been afflicted with cancer, ALS, Alzheimer's, nor are any of them considered to be Jerry's kids. He has never been a drug user or an alcoholic. In short, he is useless to the team for public relations purposes, and, despite his excellent skiing ability, supporting him through the course of the games would be an unnecessary expense that would produce no benefit whatsoever to NBC."

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 03:28 PM

I'll be cheering!!! I shall be especially cheering the Canuck curlers!!! One the men's side, one of the lads, 5th, is a Moncton boy, of note I might add. The fab four are Newfs. Brad Gushue's team from St. John's. Hurrrrryyyyyy!! Hard!

I'll be cheering the Canucks at every event. Well, of course, in hockey, I shall be cheering for the US. Or anyone but the Canucks. Todd? Todd? Fucking toad. I am absolutely and thoroughly disgusted... ashamed, terribly so. How could this piece of fucking trash be allowed to represent Canada?

And, before you say that I shouldn't wish against the other players because of Todd, I say, anyone who would lace up with Todd ain't no Canuck neither. No way what he did was justified, no matter what. No way what he did can ever be forgiven. If ya can't fight like a man, ya ain't a Canuck... yer a thug and a coward. SPIT!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Bill D
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 03:49 PM

Olympics? Oh...yeah, the commercials and interviews and political reports and scandals, with some athletic events highlights tossed in for punctuation! We shall see.....

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: bobad
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 03:58 PM

Yer spot on with the portrait of the "unknown" athlete who is a revenue non-generator for the network beadie. It's a sorry state of affairs.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 04:18 PM

what a sorry bunch of cranks here on Mudcat

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: number 6
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 04:20 PM

Am I going to be watching?

Most likely not ... just don't find it interesting.

Rather watch International poker on T.V. ... even though I don't have clue what they're doing ... it's the intrigue, the strategy, the intense focus of a truly prefessional poker player that I find fascinating.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Bert
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 04:36 PM

No

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: freightdawg
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 11:46 PM

Re: Beadie's comments up above. Realign his comments 180 degrees and you have exactly the rationale why Michelle Kwan is going to skate for the US. Total nonsense. She has been "injured" or "unable" to skate for most of the past year. Skips the US nationals because of an "injury" that supposedly will prevent her from skating. Then, a few weeks later she puts on a personal little audition in front of 5 members of the US Olympic committee and voila, she's on the team. Internet voters agree because "we love a good story, and Michelle Kwan is a compelling story". She has choked in the last two Olympics and has virtually no chance this year, but she's on the team because when she skates the National Banking Channel (NBC) will make a ton of money. So much for competing for the right and honor to represent your country. So much for dedicating 4 years of your life to trying to earn a spot on the team. Hey, all you need is a compelling story, a supposed "injury" and a top-flite PR company. You too can go to the Olympics for the good ol' U S of A.

On the positive side, there will be a lot of really fine young athletes from many, many countries who just want to wear their country's colors and will be competing in the true sense of the Olympic ideal. I love the Olympics, I just wish we could see more of those who are competing for the sheer joy of athletic competition. (Anyone remember "Eddie the Eagle" or the Jamaican bobsled team?)

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Peace
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 12:30 AM

"the Jamaican bobsled team"

Cool Runnings.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 03:20 AM

I thought the Italians did a beautiful job with the opening ceremonies, esp. the acrobats using the vertical "web" to form a dove of peace and I LOVED they had Peter Gabriel singing "Imagine." The coordiantion of all of thoe dnacers forming a skier, from aerial viewpoints, was just incredible, too. All in all, it was really beautiful.

I think it is exciting to see snowboarding so well represented by both men and women and will be watching the skating, also.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 05:20 AM

The opening ceremonies were a surreal hoot. They resembled a cross between Dante's Inferno and an elementary school play on acid. I mean, first a stage bathed in red and dancers on fire followed by ice skating cows and dancing pine trees! The skaters in Holstein cow-patterned outfits and the ice-skating Amish crones were to die for. And the Dada sculptures of bizarre figures painted in camouflage patterns supported by twenty sets of real legs in ballet shoes dancing en pointe --Busby Berkeley, move over!

And then there was Laura Bush in the audience watching Susan Sarandon help carry the Olympic flag and Yoko Ono read the words to "Imagine." Gee, do you think the Italians managed to land a few political zingers, sublety be damned?

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 07:25 AM

Are we backing Australia to win the speed skating again?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 07:35 AM

And here cooomes the Uzbekistan team to the music of Disco Inferno??
whew what a strange moment.

What a beautiful moment when acrobats flew and then came to gether to form a beautiful bird.

Best of all - Nessun Dorme sung by Luciano concluded the entire ceremony. The chills the cheers the smiles were incredible/.....in contrast the elaborate pyrotechnics afterwards only got polite applause after Pavarotti sang.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 08:54 AM

yes, some inpressive moments during the opening Ceremony.
The Human Dove of Peace (beautiful), Pavarotti (wow) Peter Gabriel (neat and very appropriate)
South and North Korean Athletes entering together (hope), The Human Mosaic forming a Winter Olympic Athlete, the Guys with the Rocket packs on their backs (I like fire :) and the nine year old Girl singing the Italian National Anthem, the Women bearing the Olympic Flag and the way the Olympic Flame was ignited, The Lighting Tech was quite amazing.
There were a few things that went on that left me thinking huh??(Disco Music as the entrance anthems being one!!!) hey but why dwell on things I didn't enjoy or get!!! when there was so many really clever and wonderful things going on that I did.

So let the Games commence indeed...

Speed Skating.. LOVE IT/Hockey..LOVE IT/Xtreme...Love them
I am not an every event watcher but some more than others I thoroughly enjoy so for the first time in a while I will tune in to the TV a few times to get wooped up lol

It is such a surreal experience, for me anyway, watching all the different Countries enter. While war and discord rage around the World certain Countries under conflict enter and suddenly all I see are Human beings, not Politics or War. That in itself is an achievement that I truly wish could last way after the Olympics have ended.


Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Scoville
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 11:54 AM

I haven't watched the Olympics since the opening ceremony at Hammerfest (I got to meet on of the Fjord ponies that was pulling a sleigh, when I was in Stavanger the preceding summer. His name was Sun King. He was beautiful).

It's too repetitive. They never show the events I want to see, anyway. The summer Olympics annoys me even more--way too much swimming and diving (sorry, I'm just not convinced they need that many different divisions, and I'm definitely not convinced they need to televise so many of them) and not nearly enough equestrian.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Lady Hillary
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 03:39 PM

Perhaps we ought to add a DN or other ice boating class and have a winter regatta. There may be a chance to see yachting in the winter since we don't get to see in in the summer.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 03:46 PM

Had no intention in watching but can't help it when it is on most stations. Just finished watching a young Canadian from Alberta (Jennifer Heil) win goal in the Mogules. You know, when you put politics and all other crap aside and go directly to the athelic who give so much of themselves and take such pride in their country, to me . It's worth it. The look on this young ladies face and her parents and friends what great cherished memories. I think I'll watch more.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: GUEST,Raptor
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 04:14 PM

Thats what I'm talkin about!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 05:31 PM

Only just had the opening ceremony and already some participants have been busted for drugs..... check here . Nothing changes does it.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 11:57 PM

Call me a killjoy if you wil, but I have a problem with so much money being spent on a sports carnival. It's not about the honour of competing, it's all about the "glory" of winning - and of course the lucrative contracts that winning can attract.

I won't be watching.

Cheers
JennieG....grumpy old woman and proud of it!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 12 Feb 06 - 01:51 PM

Rather watch paint dry.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: number 6
Date: 12 Feb 06 - 02:01 PM

I agree JennieG .. well said.

sIx ...grumpy old man and proud of it!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Greg F.
Date: 12 Feb 06 - 05:23 PM

Bread and circuses. Keep the plebe's minds engaged with meaningless crap.

It was ever thus.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: JennieG
Date: 12 Feb 06 - 07:58 PM

sIx - perhaps we should start The Grumpy Old Farts Olympic Boycott Movement?

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 06:58 AM

I'm up for that... GOFOB sounds like my kind of club..... Can I start an I Don't Want to Pay For It chapter (IDWoPFE) for those of us in east London - we're already feeling the effects!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 07:55 AM

Liz the Squeak:Yes you can,and you have my blessing.I'll be the first to join.Over here,we already got screwed over- The Stade de France.They built it out beyond the black stump.It was going to be the greatest thing since sliced baguette.It was going to bring "prosperity"Ho Bloody Ho,To the area.Can't recall how many thousands it is supposed to accomadate,but the parking "facilities" hold 5,000 cars!And you wouldn't want to ride the metro,no way.And the beat goes on!

David

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 08:12 AM

As a form of comfort to the Members of the GOFOB there is one eco friendly thing about the Turin Olympics.
Instead of medals being awarded to the winners it would seem the Olympic Committee have found a use for the millions of unwanted CD's that are tossed away daily.
So the lucky winners are proudly sporting Gold, Silver or Bronze coloured old CD's with a hole in the middle, maybe where it used to say 'Try AOL for Free' ect.
Now that has to count as something a tiny weeny bit postive:)
My best Wishes to all the members of the GOFOB.
What is the GOFOB motto by the way?
Love and Light
Jude:)

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: leftydee
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 10:08 AM

I'm a very lucky American to be just over the Canadian border so that I can watch the Olympics on Canadian TV. American coverage is all hype and profiles. They rarely show anything that an American isn't likely to win a medal. CBC, while a bit patriotic, shows the whole spectrum of events regardless of likely winners. It makes it enjoyable to see the competitions. Much superior coverage to NBC.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 10:22 AM

Tivo is my friend - at least I can zoom past the ads, and the hype and watch the little bits of sport they broadcast. Now if we could convince the network that 6 hours of hockey and 13 minutes of other events doesn't comprise balanced reporting.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 10:23 AM

I have an ex-student competing with a chance of a medal. Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Please root for Nicola Minichiello/Gualtier (as she was as a student) in the British wonens' 2 person bobsleigh team.

P.S I taught her IT not bobsleighing.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 10:53 AM

The US coverage must be awful. A friend told me once they didn't even mention all medalists. I love downhill skiing and cross country skiing.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 11:05 AM

Mention all medalists? If there isn't a prominent US athlete in the event we are lucky if they mention the EVENT.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 11:13 AM

Have to agree on that.
I went so far as to email NBC about my disgust..as if that will help!!! made me feel a bit better dumping the disgust right back at them..lol :)
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 11:17 AM

On the other hand - the website is pretty nice - they are posting results at *almost* realtime....I'm "watching" the 500 meter speed skating right now , and women's luge...

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 12:45 PM

I think "What the hell do they think they're doing going down a snow covered mountain on a tea tray in nothing but their longjohns and not even a decent butt flap on 'em, they'll catch their deaths of cold and probably kidney trouble as well, they shouldn't be out of the house without their vests on, and what's with the funny hat?" would make a good motto for GOFOB, don't you?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 12:51 PM

Oh Indeed Liz:)
Perhaps a a tad long especially if you decide apon a coat of Arms, as it would have to a rather large Coat of Arms for that particular Motto to fit around it...lol

Gotta agree with the hat thing...brutal is not the word, especially the ones with pigtails attached, have you seen those?????
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Kaleea
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 01:58 PM

I heard that "Grandma Luge" was injured Sat AM in a practice run, but heard nothing since. Anyone know how she's doing?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 02:00 PM

broken wrist. she had to withdraw.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: freightdawg
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 02:35 PM

Maybe just once or twice during the Olympics the NBC nincompoops get it right and show an athlete other than U.S. getting their gold medal. I think it was Saturday night they showed a German athlete (forgot which sport - nordic skiing maybe?) receive his medal. LOVE that anthem - gave me goose bumbles all over and even made me choke up a little. For those of us who can only dream about such an experience it is just too cool to see athletes from all across the world get their national anthem played just for them, to recognize their accomplishment.

That is just a small part of the Olympic experience. The other part is the comraderie. The broadcasters told the story that during the last Olympics when the last place finisher of a long nordic race crossed the finish line one of the people there to cheer him on was the gold medal winner.

That, m'friends, is what the Olympic spirit is all about.

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 02:43 PM

Since Pavarotti sang, its all been down hill,
except for sakting which is flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 06:18 PM

Can we start a fund for the buying of beige cardigans and high waisted trousers please? We can call it the Boycotting Olympic Grumpy Old Fart Fund... or BOGOFF.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 07:12 PM

I just watched the womans snowboarding. Wow the Americans were great!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 07:24 PM

Yes, I did to Raptor and I agree.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 08:54 PM

NBC Nightly News in the US is around 6.30pm and during the broadcast they give the results of the Days winners but warn folks first they are going to show them on the screen so if you don't want to know because you plan to watch the event later you can just look away.
I looked away tonight because I didn't want to know about who won the Medals in a certain event that will be on later.
During the commercial break however NBC was telling folks to watch the Today show tomorrow morning because they would be talking to the medal Winners of the ******(I won't say in case) and basically blew the Results...eh so much for looking away ...lol

Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: number 6
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 09:05 PM

LTS and Jennieg ... it certainly sounds like a good idea!! Where do we start ... a website, anti-Olympic TV ads ???

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 05:29 AM

Sorry Liz, beige isn't my colour - try lime green! I also resent my hard-earned being chucked away on something that I have no interest in whatsoever.

During the Athens Olympics a year or 2 ago (I don't take much notice really when it was) there was an article in a local paper saying how many condoms were distributed to the athletes, it was thousands. Are we paying for a great f**kfest or what? Do we get a say in who goes to bed with whom? Can we breed (say) a ski jumper to a figure skater, so that the resulting offspring could jump higher and faster?

Any other suggested pairings?

Cheers
JennieG....Olympic Stud Mistress! I like that title!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 06:31 AM

Where are you going to wear the stud, Mistress Jen?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:26 AM

Why is it that when a figure skater falls on her ass, skates over to the side, takes 2 minutes, then goes back to her programme like it never happened, they call her courageous and then give her a silver medal?

I fall on my ass all the time. I must be one brave mother. Where's my medals?

Raptor