I don’t see anything wrong with sports games, except for the importance people tie to them. People act as if winning or losing an event somehow reflects on the country the athlete is from, reflects on themselves somehow. What are we going to do if we don’t win, overthrow the government or something? And what’s up with the athletes that live in the U.S. but compete in the name of other countries?

When somebody competes, it’s the individual or team that wins, not a country, not a set of ideals. Not to spoil everyone’s fun, but whatever we would say if bad countries won all the medals applies to us, too.

It’s recreation for the people that watch. That’s why beach volleyball should be included. Shouldn’t perverts get some fun out of this too?

I should remind people that virtually anything artistic was done was done in a capitalist economy (i.e., from now on just the ‘real’ economy since socialist economies are oxymorons).

Perhaps those that run the games should be more carerful about what advertising is being run, but a problem with a capitalist is not a problem with capitalism.

The crux of these other stories aligns with happens with eminent domain abuse in the USA: strong arm tactics by the government, unfair compensation for the lost homes.

If I do happen upon the specific video I will post it. Over and out.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/07/16/as_olympics_near_many_chinese_homes_face_wrecking_ball/

Link with title of story. However, text of story no longer available. I will keep looking. It was a valid story.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25256447/

Is there any point at which one would refuse to watch the games? As a deliberately extreme hypothetical, if a country were putting on a good show, but in a warehouse next to the Olympic stadium was butchering infants for sandwich patties, would that warrant a viewership boycott? Or would it be OK so long as the host population took sufficient pride in the games, put on a good fireworks show, and used free market forces in the marketing of the baby burgers?

China produces far more than it consumes. And yes, they should be proud. I have never recommended boycotting the olympics, but I confess that I have trouble exercising the image of the newly homeless family from my mind. [Please provide proof of the story; it’s only fair. I try to avoid hearsay here.–IM] It’s happened to me before. When I was young and stupid and still under the sway of charlatans, I thought “free” health care was a good idea. I then saw first hand some examples of supposedly free care. The images stayed with me, and I changed my opinion. I venture that some might change their opinions if they themselves were newly homeless to accommodate the games instead of an old Chinese lady.

I say again that no athletic event is worth the confiscation of one home, here or there. If that’s controversial, or sanctimonious, so be it. I fail to see the controversy in it.

America is horribly inept economically. We can’t be morally better than the Chinese if we enslave our citizens to the State in all matters of economy.

Although you aren’t making this argument Mrs. Grant, I find it annoying when others do.

Ahh well. America is doomed. As usual.I haven’t heard a good piece of news about our nation in a long time – the Games heaps more statist rubbish my way every time I see commentary.