General Discussion

Skidmore

(37,364 posts) Fri Jul 27, 2012, 07:48 PM Jul 2012

As much as I detest the commercialism of these games and the hyped up nationalism,

I must say that I'm watching four children, ages 5-10 watch their first Olympic opening ceremony. They are all soaking in the pre ceremony program info on the athletes and the scenes from the city of London. I'm hearing a chorus of "Grandma, can I watch (insert sport here)?" All the corruption and political claptrap aside, they are seeing young people working toward a goal of excellence. That is worth more than any posturing the adults can do.

14 replies

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As much as I detest the commercialism of these games and the hyped up nationalism, (Original Post) Skidmore Jul 2012 OP

We did that all too. Many years ago when we had so much hope! KoKo Jul 2012 #1

Yeah. I know what you mean. . . Journeyman Jul 2012 #8

I remember my step father saying FrodosPet Jul 2012 #12

sometimes it's nice when we see it again thru kids' eyes IcyPeas Jul 2012 #2

All the commercialism aside, the Olympics is the only time we get to what a harmonious ... liberal N proud Jul 2012 #3

What channel are you watching? trof Jul 2012 #4

NBC network k&r spanone Jul 2012 #5

Thanks trof Jul 2012 #6

I'm visiting in Canada and just watched the opening ceremony; Suich Jul 2012 #7

The forging of the rings did it for me GCP Jul 2012 #11

it is amazing riverwalker Jul 2012 #9

The Greatest trixicopper Jul 2012 #10

Instead of the world coming together Shankapotomus Jul 2012 #13

Very well said malaise Jul 2012 #14

KoKo

(84,711 posts)

1. We did that all too. Many years ago when we had so much hope!

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 07:51 PM

Jul 2012

So...what has changed since our "Starry Eyes."

My daughter was a Figure Skater with Olympic Asperations....so...I've watched for DECADES.

Just so you know. They are NOT TODAY what the Olympics of YESTERDAY WERE.

Just saying....

Peace!

Journeyman

(15,039 posts)

8. Yeah. I know what you mean. . .

Reply to KoKo (Reply #1)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 08:08 PM

Jul 2012

The Olympics of my "youth" featured 11 athletes slaughtered in cold blood. My "starry eyes" were most likely shock induced.

FrodosPet

(5,169 posts)

12. I remember my step father saying

Reply to Journeyman (Reply #8)

Sat Jul 28, 2012, 06:00 AM

Jul 2012

"It's not Russia we are going to war with" in 1972.

I wish we could take countries out of the Olympics and just have the greatest athletes in the world showcase their talents in competition.

IcyPeas

(21,904 posts)

2. sometimes it's nice when we see it again thru kids' eyes

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 07:53 PM

Jul 2012

we've become too jaded. I just watched some of the opening ceremony and I loved the British Music thru the decades and the fireworks at the end. jolly good show.

Hope the kids get to watch more of it.

liberal N proud

(60,344 posts)

3. All the commercialism aside, the Olympics is the only time we get to what a harmonious ...

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 07:54 PM

Jul 2012

World might look like.

trof

(54,256 posts)

4. What channel are you watching?

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 07:55 PM

Jul 2012

Can't find it.

spanone

(135,875 posts)

5. NBC network k&r

Reply to trof (Reply #4)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 07:57 PM

Jul 2012

trof

(54,256 posts)

6. Thanks

Reply to spanone (Reply #5)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 08:03 PM

Jul 2012

Suich

(10,642 posts)

7. I'm visiting in Canada and just watched the opening ceremony;

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 08:06 PM

Jul 2012

the first part was a bit odd but most of it was terrific, especially the lighting of the cauldron!!!

GCP

(8,166 posts)

11. The forging of the rings did it for me

Reply to Suich (Reply #7)

Sat Jul 28, 2012, 05:20 AM

Jul 2012

I went to university in Sheffield which was a BIG steel city (before Thatcher got her mouldy hands on the levers of power). Those depictions of a steelworks and the massive things they used to make was epic theatre at its best IMHO.

riverwalker

(8,694 posts)

9. it is amazing

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Fri Jul 27, 2012, 08:20 PM

Jul 2012

so far it has been mesmerizing, cried like a baby at the WW1 tribute and the red poppies.
The parade of nations will do me in, I always cry.

trixicopper

(62 posts)

10. The Greatest

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Sat Jul 28, 2012, 04:35 AM

Jul 2012

My favorite moment of an Olympic ceremony was Atlanta 1996.

I was working as a bartender in a sports bar in the PacNW. The place was packed, we had all the TV's on for the opening ceremonies.
When the crowd realized it was Muhammad Ali lighting the cauldron the place went nuts! Standing ovation, people screaming their lungs out. It was something to see.

Shankapotomus

(4,840 posts)

13. Instead of the world coming together

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Sat Jul 28, 2012, 07:08 AM

Jul 2012

to beat each other at sports, why can't the world come together to, I don't know, exchange eco-friendly technological developments?

malaise

(269,157 posts)

14. Very well said

Reply to Skidmore (Original post)

Sat Jul 28, 2012, 07:18 AM

Jul 2012

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