Thoughts on the Beijing Olympics

Wow. That's pretty much it. That's all I can think, right now. Wow, that was a fantastically insane opening ceremony.
China may not be politically and ethically perfect, but they know how to throw a party. And how.
I thought the intense applause for the Iraqi team was great (we got a ton of applause too, looks like we're not as hated there as much libs make it out that we are).

Oh, boy. We've got quite a week ahead. Go United States of America!

Comments on a few teams:

US: Definitely wasn't expecting Ralph Lauren berets and formalwear, but at least we looked pretty serious about winning the Games.

China: Best entrance, of course. The story about the little kid in the earthquake was just moving. Yao Ming is a giant.

Israel: Lots of cheering for them, they looked, well, pretty happy to be there. Apparently no bad relations between them and the team from Palestine...yet.

Russia: Looked pretty retro with the old-school uniforms. Extra points for wanting to pose with the US basketball stars.

Niger: Props to the one and only athlete.

Paraguay: The dude holding the flag looked absolutely terrified to be there.

North Korea: Most of the athletes looked like businessmen. I caught a picture of the Great Leader on a lanyard one athlete was wearing. So ronery...

Mongolia: Apparently a large part of the population are nomads. That's all I really remember.

France: Well, what do you expect? Sarkozy was asleep (or just not paying attention) for the shot he was in.

Austrailia: Rudd didn't realize he was onscreen. Humor ensues.

Austria: They came in with a very awesome dance routine. Crowd favorite.

Morocco: The new flag looks very...pagan...

Canada: They're not even a real country anyway.

Iran: Greenshirts. Not very menacing at all. Still, their government remains a threat. Or as Obama would say, a "tiny country"...or maybe one of our 57 states?

I'll be watching the medal stats (and events).