And lo, the 2008 Olympic games begin

TC Pilot · Post by **TC Pilot** » 2008-08-09 02:52pm

Well, my "sociopathy" and "internet tough guy"-ness has lessened somewhat after realizing the prohibition of the Taiwanese flag and the name "Republic of China" isn't a recent development, though after both Koreas actually marched together in Athens and the current opening ceremony's theme of "One World One Dream" and the "Chinese nation's dream of building harmoniously with the people of the world," I'm sticking with my dissapointment.

On that note, did anyone notice how bored Bush looked after the American team passed by? He had a fan or rolled up program in his hand he kept slapping against his knee like a child who would rather be somewhere else.

Darth Lucifer · Post by **Darth Lucifer** » 2008-08-09 02:56pm

Shroom Man 777 wrote:Anyone got a youtubes of this?

Fire Fly wrote:One would think that NBC would have the opening ceremony on their site but they don't and youtube is pulling the videos down faster than posters can put them up. Dailymotion.com is a French website and has some bits and pieces but the commentary isn't in English.

I just saw the opening ceremonies at the Pirate Bay for those who use BitTorrent. Some of the uploads are in 1440x1080i Hi-def. Huge files with few seeders right now. Hopefully they're the versions with no commercials.

I enjoyed the historical theme of the ceremonies. The parts that impressed me the most (spoilerized for those who haven't seen it yet):

-The 500 foot roll-out HD screen. Very awesome.
-Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks!
-2008 people doing the drum & lightshow
-The part with people doing waves giant rowboat oars. They were painted so that when they held them upright they made a big mural.
-The part with the people in boxes doing waves and other shapes.
-Gigantic mid-air globe/lightball with people running all over its surface.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2008-08-09 03:01pm

Dartzap wrote:
CaptainChewbacca wrote:Does anyone know WHY they were playing Scotland The Brave the whole parade of nations?
Other than to break the sanity of all people in the area, its because one of the organisers encountered the pipe band from Dundee whilst touring in Europe and essentially said "Wow! I want them for the ceremony!" Thus, Scotland The Brave was repeated nine hundred times.

Is that seriously why? That's stupidly awesome!

Post by **Broomstick** » 2008-08-09 05:04pm

AniThyng wrote:
Coyote wrote:The goose-stepping troops caused some eyebrow-raising on my part, but I guess most Americans these days are so ignorant of even recent history that the image will sail blithely past them, in their corn-syrup-glazed awareness.
For what its worth, goose-stepping is just how the PLA marches, like the Russians. I don't think theres anything inherently malicious about it, the PLA isn't going to be any less "oppressive" in any meaningful way if they just marched American style.

Oh, please - the goose-stepping was how they ceremoniously raised their flag, it was how they raised the Olympic flag, showing the same respect as towards their national symbol. It's no more inherently oppressive than any other formal, military ceremony being it the changing of the palace guard in the UK or the hoopla used at Arlington in the US.

You're in China, you're going to see Chinese ceremonies and customs. Get over it. Doesn't mean you agree with everything China stands for, or has done, just recognize that even if it makes you uncomfortable, that's the way their army marches.

Hawkwings · Post by **Hawkwings** » 2008-08-09 05:22pm

And the US women sweep the fencing competition, giving the US an early lead of 3 medals to China's 2

Post by **RogueIce** » 2008-08-09 05:26pm

And bicycle racing is still boring, even in the Olympics. Although it was cool seeing some of the Chinese countryside there.

Anyway, if anyone cares, some dude from Spain got the gold in that road racing event thingy.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2008-08-09 10:57pm

TC Pilot wrote:Well, my "sociopathy" and "internet tough guy"-ness has lessened somewhat after realizing the prohibition of the Taiwanese flag and the name "Republic of China" isn't a recent development, though after both Koreas actually marched together in Athens and the current opening ceremony's theme of "One World One Dream" and the "Chinese nation's dream of building harmoniously with the people of the world," I'm sticking with my dissapointment.

At least according to some commentary I've heard, the national Olympic committees for the ROK and DPRK wanted to march together, but the politicians couldn't come to an agreement.

Gerald Tarrant · Post by **Gerald Tarrant** » 2008-08-09 11:13pm

And Phelps just broke the world record in 400 IM again, getting gold of course. He looked so comfortable doing it I think he'll beat Spitz's single games gold medal record.

Cos Dashit · Post by **Cos Dashit** » 2008-08-10 12:38am

Hawkwings wrote:And the US women sweep the fencing competition, giving the US an early lead of 3 medals to China's 2

Are there any doubts as to who is going to come away with the most medals? Come on, people.

USA!

loomer · Post by **loomer** » 2008-08-10 12:39am

Yang Li Ling is definitely not 16.

Grand Moff Yenchin · Post by **Grand Moff Yenchin** » 2008-08-10 12:57am

TC Pilot wrote:Well, my "sociopathy" and "internet tough guy"-ness has lessened somewhat after realizing the prohibition of the Taiwanese flag and the name "Republic of China" isn't a recent development, though after both Koreas actually marched together in Athens and the current opening ceremony's theme of "One World One Dream" and the "Chinese nation's dream of building harmoniously with the people of the world," I'm sticking with my dissapointment.

What Taiwanese should be upset of China this time, is that China was going to use "Zhonguo Taipei" to call Taiwan instead of "Zhonghua Taipei" in the press releases, naming..etc The difference and reasons why a Taiwanese should be pissed can be found here. Besides this, there are other actions done by China to reinforce the impression of Taiwan being under of China's sovereignity.

As for the opening ceremony I'm going against the crowd and say that it is typical Zhang Yimou fakeness like his films set in old China, he has a lot of visuals but it often feels empty. The final lighting of the cauldron was creative though.

ray245 · Post by **ray245** » 2008-08-10 01:22am

Grand Moff Yenchin wrote:
TC Pilot wrote:Well, my "sociopathy" and "internet tough guy"-ness has lessened somewhat after realizing the prohibition of the Taiwanese flag and the name "Republic of China" isn't a recent development, though after both Koreas actually marched together in Athens and the current opening ceremony's theme of "One World One Dream" and the "Chinese nation's dream of building harmoniously with the people of the world," I'm sticking with my dissapointment.
What Taiwanese should be upset of China this time, is that China was going to use "Zhonguo Taipei" to call Taiwan instead of "Zhonghua Taipei" in the press releases, naming..etc The difference and reasons why a Taiwanese should be pissed can be found here. Besides this, there are other actions done by China to reinforce the impression of Taiwan being under of China's sovereignity.

As for the opening ceremony I'm going against the crowd and say that it is typical Zhang Yimou fakeness like his films set in old China, he has a lot of visuals but it often feels empty. The final lighting of the cauldron was creative though.

From what I understand, that issue has been settled...using the name zhongHUA taipei in the end.

Given that Bejing is basically doing all its best to please taiwan recently...espeically after the KMT comes into power...I seriously doubt that there will be any further issues in regards to the post-strait relationship.

XaLEv · Post by **XaLEv** » 2008-08-10 01:23am

TC Pilot wrote: On that note, did anyone notice how bored Bush looked after the American team passed by? He had a fan or rolled up program in his hand he kept slapping against his knee like a child who would rather be somewhere else.

That was a little US flag.

Grand Moff Yenchin · Post by **Grand Moff Yenchin** » 2008-08-10 03:36am

ray245 wrote:
From what I understand, that issue has been settled...using the name zhongHUA taipei in the end.

Given that Bejing is basically doing all its best to please taiwan recently...espeically after the KMT comes into power...I seriously doubt that there will be any further issues in regards to the post-strait relationship.

Please Taiwan? More like the KMT government is cocksucking the PRC Government. KMT Chairman Wu Boxiung actually said the words "home team advantage" when talking about the Taiwanese athletes in China. On 6/4 Ma Yingjeou failed to address the human rights situation in China as opposed to what he had been doing the previous years. Also Ma was willing to sacrifice the air security zone for direct flights from China. Good thing that didn't happen (though they seem to be still considering it.)

I can understand the (laughable) attempt of the KMT government to attract investments from China to boost the Taiwanese economy, unfortunately, they're acting more like beggars than businessmen.

ray245 · Post by **ray245** » 2008-08-10 03:49am

Grand Moff Yenchin wrote:
ray245 wrote:
From what I understand, that issue has been settled...using the name zhongHUA taipei in the end.

Given that Bejing is basically doing all its best to please taiwan recently...espeically after the KMT comes into power...I seriously doubt that there will be any further issues in regards to the post-strait relationship.
Please Taiwan? More like the KMT government is cocksucking the PRC Government. KMT Chairman Wu Boxiung actually said the words "home team advantage" when talking about the Taiwanese athletes in China. On 6/4 Ma Yingjeou failed to address the human rights situation in China as opposed to what he had been doing the previous years. Also Ma was willing to sacrifice the air security zone for direct flights from China. Good thing that didn't happen (though they seem to be still considering it.)

I can understand the (laughable) attempt of the KMT government to attract investments from China to boost the Taiwanese economy, unfortunately, they're acting more like beggars than businessmen.

Well...much better than the alternative, which is to increase the tension between two sides.

Fingolfin_Noldor · Post by **Fingolfin_Noldor** » 2008-08-10 07:12am

ray245 wrote:Well...much better than the alternative, which is to increase the tension between two sides.

You are underestimating the Taiwanese pride a fair bit, aren't you?

Cos Dashit · Post by **Cos Dashit** » 2008-08-11 12:01am

That was the most amazing 400 meter relay... ever. Good job, America.

Sorry, France.

Not really. Shouldn't have talked crap.

Aeolus · Post by **Aeolus** » 2008-08-11 12:10am

That relay was amazing. I never scream at my tv when watching sports..till that relay. Wow

Grand Moff Yenchin · Post by **Grand Moff Yenchin** » 2008-08-11 12:14am

ray245 wrote: Well...much better than the alternative, which is to increase the tension between two sides.

How about "doing nothing" ? It's not like the PRC government asked these officials to be their lapdogs, they didn't even force them.

JBG · Post by **JBG** » 2008-08-11 01:18am

loomer wrote:IT IS PRETTY IN THE EXTREME

Also, that little Chinese girl is a hundred times better than Nikki fucking Webster.
EDIT:
I'm watching in Hi Def on a big TV. It is pleasing.

Well put, though the Chinese girl was prettier than that. We picked up a 46" Sony Bravia XBR just prior to the fireworks and on HD it was superb. The smog shows up so clearly in the daytime events

The IOC has always gone to bed with almost anyone so these games are not so unusual.

In an event, I'd prefer tri-nations and Super 14 games to be broadcast in HD.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2008-08-11 01:26am

Coyote wrote:The goose-stepping troops caused some eyebrow-raising on my part, but I guess most Americans these days are so ignorant of even recent history that the image will sail blithely past them, in their corn-syrup-glazed awareness.

Yeah, goose-stepping is so inherently fascist, right? Unlike the other Nazi imagery such as the overt Christianity or the heavy use of eagles in their nationalist imagery ... what other country do those things remind me of? Hmmm ...

Fire Fly · Post by **Fire Fly** » 2008-08-11 01:27am

Well I finally saw the opening ceremony. Lots of really nice stuff but I also found some of it a little boring and hollow. The little Chinese girl singing was really beautiful and I'd like to find a copy of it if possible; the lighting of the cauldron was really creative and the running around on the globe was very eye catching. The human light show was pretty impressive, as were the fireworks; a little epipleptic but very impressive. The moving blocks and the scroll painting were ok.

Is there some sort of logic to the parade of nations? It seemed like they were randomized and some alphabetized. I'm expecting the UK and the US to come soon after Ukraine and suddenly it jumps around to Angola.

Post by **fgalkin** » 2008-08-11 01:29am

Yes, they are categorized by the number of strokes it takes to write their name in Chinese.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

Post by **Broomstick** » 2008-08-11 02:00am

I'm sure people raised on the Chinese system of writing (or other, non-alphabetical writing systems) find our "alphabet order" just as puzzling as we find their "number of strokes in character" system. I do find it odd, if you were watching in the US, that you didn't know this because the station I was watching only mentioned the Chinese ordering system about 3 dozen times... but maybe you had the sound turned down.

Fire Fly · Post by **Fire Fly** » 2008-08-11 02:12am

Broomstick wrote:I'm sure people raised on the Chinese system of writing (or other, non-alphabetical writing systems) find our "alphabet order" just as puzzling as we find their "number of strokes in character" system. I do find it odd, if you were watching in the US, that you didn't know this because the station I was watching only mentioned the Chinese ordering system about 3 dozen times... but maybe you had the sound turned down.

I watched it on NBC's site and skipped around a little bit.