BS: Olympic opening ceremony

Subject: BS: Olympic opening veremony
From: michaelr
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 02:03 PM

I was watching the end of the opening ceremony, when each country's athletes made their walk-through, and I saw Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan... but no United States! Did anyone watch this? Where was Team USA?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening veremony
From: michaelr
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 02:04 PM

Crap - ceremony. Elves, please fix.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Senoufou
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 04:47 PM

michaelr, I think USA came after Egypt, since in Portuguese, USA is Estados Unidas da America, so they'd be in the E's!!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: michaelr
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 06:04 PM

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 07 Aug 16 - 06:18 PM

Olympics? Who gives a shit. Isn't there something of importance to engage the minds of the non brain-dead???

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 03:14 AM

Well, Greg, there was the Republican National Convention a coupla weeks ago. That suit you better?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: bubblyrat
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 04:17 AM

There you are, you see -- a good grounding in geography , a rough understanding of major world languages, and Roberto is your Tio !!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Teribus
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 08:26 AM

BZ "bubblyrat" - thanks for that.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: beardedbruce
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 09:26 AM

"The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination or any kind, in a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play."


I can see why GregtrF would have a problem with this...

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 09:47 AM

BeardedBS ! ~ Good to hear from you!

But you've got it wrong.

While that may have once been the goal of the Movement, the goal of the Olympics is to make ungodly gobs of money. Full stop.

If you go to Brazilian city
You will find it very pretty
Just two things you must beware:
Don't drink the water and
Don't breathe the air.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 05:49 PM

Well, Greg, there was the Republican National Convention a coupla weeks ago. That suit you better?

Nobody with a functioning brain watched or paid attention to that either.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 09:28 PM

Hey BB do you remember the Spain summer Olympics?

I thought that was a truly great opening ceremony.

It felt like Dali had choreographed the event.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: MikeL2
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 02:25 PM

Hi

I saw the Brits with Andy Murray carrying the flag. Should have been
Bradley Wiggins but he turned it down saying he felt that a woman should have the honour.

So.......what does that make Andy Murray ??

Justwatched Japan beat New Zealand at rugby 7's. Who would have thought that ?? !!!

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 03:03 PM

Now, just imagine what could be accomplished if all of that time and effort was put into something that was actually worthwhile!

I've never undestood jock-worship - - where ballplayers get multiple millions a year in salary while teachers starve.

Go figure.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Allan Conn
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 07:06 PM

I think Bradley ruled himself out but though he was the bookie's favourite he hadn't actually been officially offered it as such. Serena Williams just been knocked out. She had 5 double faults in one single service game.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 07:42 PM

And in the great scheme of things, this matters why, Allan?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 08:12 PM

psst I used to be as angry as greg





I got better

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Neil D
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 10:18 PM

Greg said "I've never undestood jock-worship - - where ballplayers get multiple millions a year in salary while teachers starve."
I've only heard that argument a thousand times. So once again let me point out that we live in a free market economy ruled by supply and demand. The number of people who can hit 95 mph fastballs with movement, 3 out of 10 times, is a whole lot lower than the number of people with a teaching certificate who, by the way, are not starving, at least not in this country. If you'd like to make an argument in favor of socialism, there are better bases for argument than the salaries of professional athletes.
And for the record, I am not denigrating teachers. I do think they are undervalued by society and I treasure every one of them, including the one who didn't teach Greg how to spell understood.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Aug 16 - 04:42 AM

I've been a teacher all my professional life and I was far from starving. (I'm actually rather fat, and that's just on my pension!) I never felt undervalued, rather I was often thanked profusely by parents for my efforts with their little blighters!

There are many professions paid with mahoosive salaries, some dodgy to say the least. Young people in particular look up to athletes and sportspersons, which is healthy and commendable. The Olympics also encourages international friendship and understanding. I particularly liked the two lassies from N and S Korea doing a selfie together. So sweet.
I was rather worried yesterday to see those tiny little budgie-smugglers the male divers and swimmers were wearing. Couldn't they have instead those long, tight Lycra shorts worn by cyclists? I know the ancient Greeks strove naked in the arena, but really....

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 10 Aug 16 - 09:14 AM

we live in a free market economy ruled by supply and demand.

Sure thing, and the attitude which creates a skewed "demand" that elevates jocks into "heroes" is a major source of the of the problem.

in favor of socialism,better bases for argument than the salaries of professional athletes.

Nothing to do with "socialism" (OH, THE HORROR!) but equity. Thare are large salaries, and then there are obscenely large salaries.

including the one who didn't teach Greg how to spell understood.

Pretty infantile statement, dontcha think?

I particularly liked the two lassies from N and S Korea doing a selfie together.

The power of the "selfie"[sic] to remake the world. Not.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Aug 16 - 09:55 AM

Why the [sic] Greg? Is that not how it's spelt?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 10:56 AM

What's the glorius Olympics and its contestants doing for These Folks ??

If the teachers ain't starving, these folks certainly are.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 11:19 AM

The plight of the residents of the favelas in Rio is indeed pitiable Greg. But, as with all poverty, the causes are complex, and I believe they largely centre around the drug gangs, who seem to dominate and control the entire community. The power they wield is tremendous, and money alone would not address the problem. Even if the whole population were to be re-housed and their daily lives made easier by sanitation etc the drug barons would still move in and take back their power.

I've never visited South America, but have seen poverty all over W Africa, and there the difficulties are mainly due to massive corruption among the elite (ministers, police and local authority figures) I have seen very nice new clinics left empty, because the money to run them is creamed off by these parasites. The very structure has often been dismantled and sold off (beds, furniture and roofing for example) and medication removed before it ever reaches the sick people it was provided for. The countries I've been to there have plenty of agricultural and industrial resources to maintain a decent lifestyle for the inhabitants, but corruption eats up any profits.

I feel for the folk in the favelas, I really do, and it's heartbreaking to learn about it. But money alone isn't the answer. There has to be a purging of the entire drug industry, and that's a huge task.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 11:33 AM

But money alone isn't the answer.

It sure as heck is PART of the answer, especially considering the money-making machine the Olympics is.

Then again, the jocks can fiddle while Rio burns, I suppose.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: CupOfTea
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 09:54 PM

Senoufou's terminology cracks me up. I too, would love a "mahoosive " salary! Budgie smuggling also tickles my fancy, as my previous association with Rio was with the animated movies Rio & Rio 2, With the first one being about bird smugglers.

For the most part I don't give much of a whoop about the Olympics, only watching the skating now and then. I've never been an athlete at heart. But. But. When you know and admire someone who IS an athlete, and you find that their name is known worldwide, and getting a gold medal is extremely possible, it is hard To NOT care. One of my "wee gurls" from camp I ran at my old high school years ago grew up to be a world class athlete. They even threw a "watch party" for her event at the school with big screen TV. If she gets a parade, it'll be in my zip code. I hope this wonderful young lady does come out first. It is certainly a more personal pride than the zillions who celebrated our basketball triumph. Cool, very cool.

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Neil D
Date: 11 Aug 16 - 10:50 PM

Infantile Greg? Or pithy. Let's hear you say "You darn athletes get off of my TV." Use the same voice you use when you cry out "You kids get off my lawn."

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: MikeL2
Date: 12 Aug 16 - 07:01 AM

Hi Greg

It is not only sport people who get huge salaries. many musicians are in that bracket too !!

I was a sports man and a musician but unfortunately I missed out ....LOL

The present Olympics are providing some breathtaking backdrops to some fantastic events. last night watched the canoeing. Some magnificent slo-mo photography.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: gillymor
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 06:38 AM

The Women's All Around Gymnastics final the other night was probably the greatest display of athleticism I've ever seen. For me the highlight, among numerous highlights, was Simone Biles floor routine.

Hope Solo's comments after yesterday's loss to Sweden was a prime of example of gracelessness in defeat.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 08:36 AM

That lassie Simone Biles was absolutely brilliant wasn't she? So far ahead of the others in every way.
As for that silly Hope Solo, her team should be thoroughly ashamed of her for remarks like that. Unsporting and not in the spirit of the Games at all. Boo hiss!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: MikeL2
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 11:43 AM

Hi

Just watched the finale of the rowing - great win for British 8. I am delighted with this particular result as one of the crew is from our town.

Cycling also very exciting. Spectacular crash - thankfully nobody seriously hurt.

Wiggo( Sir) now has most male medals by British male.

Cheers

Mikel2

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Greg F.
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 12:39 PM

In the true Olympic Spirit, "Money Changes Everything"!
with apologies to Cyndi Lauper

The US Olympic Committee has apologized to the Olympic hosts for an incident in which four members of the US swimming team – Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger, James Feigen and Ryan Lochte – tore a poster down and urinated on a gas station wall...

Feigen agreed to donate $11,000 to a Brazilian charity in offer of restitution.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: DMcG
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 01:06 PM

I am, I suppose, closer to Greg's view than most. I find the whole thing totally uninteresting and wasteful. However, I recognise that many enjoy it, and I won't gain say the benefits that can have.

Since I have no knowledge at all of these Olympics I will comment on the London one, and guess things may be similar this time: what message does it give that we were prepared hundreds of thousands of pounds on fireworks, but not pay the youths who acted as guides, etc?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: Senoufou
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 01:37 PM

Not all the guides and helpers were youths. My friend Pearl was in her late sixties, and she was thrilled to have been selected as a Volunteer. I think they all thought it a tremendous privilege, and she certainly had tremendous fun doing it. She did get to claim expenses (transport and the like) and really loved meeting spectators from all over the world.
She gave our Ladies Group a super talk with photos afterwards, and wore her Volunteer uniform (which she was allowed to keep)
I'm afraid I'm Olympics Lite, in that I only watch the highlights and the medal ceremonies. I've never been much into sport, but I do think it's a wonderful event, and does much for international contact and friendships.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympic opening ceremony
From: DMcG
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 02:07 PM

I am pleased she enjoyed it, but I don't think she would have enjoyed it less if they had paid her!