Olympic Propaganda

I posted earlier last week that I was not in a big Olympics watching mood this year, but after hearing a lot of people at work and other places go on about it, I thought I would tune in and at least watch a little bit to be able to talk coherently about it to folks.

I have to admit I have been turned off by the Olympics coverage. To be fair, I am not certain where NBC is being actively censored by the Chinese government in what it broadcasts or they are just buying into the "what a wonderful place China is" lock, stock, and barrel. But after watching more than one Olympics broadcast, I think the end result is the same: the Olympics coverage has completely turned into Red China propaganda.

(Oh dear, I uttered the term Red China...I think the PC police might come knocking on my door. I haven't been visited by them since I was in the Seabury pen.)

I mean, its really been rather sickening how the NBC coverage is falling all over itself with praise for the Chinese regime (and if you don't believe me, watch some of the coverage with a modicum of objectivity.) They keep going on about the grandeur or the "water cube" and the other Chinese innovative structures, etc. About how the Chinese players are all completely selfless and team based.

Um...call me crazy, but, yes, when the Red Guard is right off camera ready to take the athletes or the locals to be "re-educated" if they say or do the wrong things in front of the camera. Not to mention, the 1000s of people who are out of work in and around Beijing because the government has stopped all industrial and construction labor and factories by force to give the facade of having clean air, even though the air is still twice what the World Health Organization says is safe.

I will be curious to see what the media, once they are safely out of Chinese airspace has to say about what is really going on there. That's the nature of a police state, I guess. If I am reading between the lines correctly, I don't think its pretty.

Of course, I actually have the freedom to say and think what I want about the Chinese government, rights that almost a billion people there do not have.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts on the 'Connecticut 6'

For some weeks, I have had several friends (mostly non-Episcopalians surprisingly) wanting me to voice an opinion on this Connecticut 6 (sounds like a fleabag motel) business. If you are unfamiliar with this fiasco, for lack of a better term, let me describe it as best as I understand it. There is so much spin going on (from both sides I might add) that I have been having trouble discerning fact from fiction. As I understand the situation, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Smith is the Bishop of Connecticut. Well, at least he has a pointy hat, I do not think he is particularly acting like one. Likewise, as I understand, there are Six rectors of churches (at least they have collars, but likewise are not acting like it) that have applied for DEPO oversight (i.e. another Bishop to oversee them.) The best way I know how to describe the hoohah is as follows: The Feloniously Rev. Smith is trying to defrock the Superciliously Reverend Rectors. Darth Smith claims they have abandoned communion and has shadil
Read more

The History of the Football helmet

Image
NCAA.com put out an interesting editorial about the evolution of the football helmet that can be found here . This is in part due in my estimation to the current buzz (one might go so far as to describe it as hysteria) about concussions in contact sports, particularly football. I have always found this an interesting evolution. Long gone are the days of strapping on your leather helmet: In the 50's and 60's, the helmet evolved into, basically becoming a metal then hard plastic version of the leather helmet with the addition of a rudimentary face mask (which was really just a bar at first): Gradually, the helmet's face mask itself began to evolve: Combines with new space age style lightweight plastics and foams, the helmet mask ultimately became a type of full, goalie style face mask (This little number costs just under $1000 to purchase new): Ironically, being a military history major, the football helmet evolution followed the pattern of design that helmets worn
Read more

Homily Notes for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

                Many churches often have Stewardship Renewal drives around this time of year, with St. Michael’s beginning its drive in mid-October. Talks or homilies on stewardship during this time of year often utilize the imagery of the fall harvest season because stewardship is often a time to take stock of God’s bounty-both spiritually and materially-and plan accordingly as to how much a family or individual is willing to commit to giving to the parish in the coming year of their time, talent, and treasure. The Mass readings today are picked in part to reinforce that theme of the importance of giving to God’s work through the church out of the bounty God has given to us. The question in the back of some people’s minds as they listen to stewardship appeals often is not touched upon in depth by the preacher or speaker discussing the importance of stewardship, however. That question is best summed up as, “If God is all powerful, why does He need my money?” The readings today beaut
Read more