[goldstategop]

I thought it was the most beautiful opening ceremony I've ever seen. The nod to traditional Chinese culture and the philosophical schools of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism was outstanding. And no Chinese production would have been complete without a tribute to the martial arts. The Chinese take calisthenics very seriously... its the union of body, mind and soul in the graceful way people do their workouts every day in China.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[AmericanInTokyo]

I despise their government, but man did they ever have a kick ass opening ceremony. And I was not surprised.

That country THIRSTS for world leadership, down to every small village and hamlet, to almost every beating Chinese heart it seems. They say, to a man, woman and China, Zhonnguo, di yide. "China Must Be First".

It is an impressive patriotism that is awe inspiring and yet chilling at the same time. To stand in a huge sports stadium in China (as I have) with 380,000 Chinese on their feet, watching and hearing them sing in unison the national anthem, is to witness up front a power that is going to have to be dealt with in one way or another.

If anything, I for one, hope this 2008 Olympics Ceremony on Friday woke up masses of dumbass, brain dead Americans who cannot even find China on the world map, and scared them shitless to start thinking out the real world out there. Therein lies its supreme value to us, Americans, after all.

Wake up and smell the Pu Er Cha.