Confucius didn’t say that. But it sounds cute and contains a seductive Just So germ of untruth.

None of the above stands a chance against the self-directed psychopath who *enjoys* the mechanics, processes and results of winning, or even better DEFEATING. Now you can’t and shouldn’t tell the children that in school for reasons I shouldn’t need to elaborate upon. But you can’t keep any kind of hmm… let’s call it a… Constitutional Republic for argument’s sake around for more than five minutes if adults with ye gads the Franchise actually *believe* that nonsense in para 1 about the adult world and the fish who swim in it.

Confucius

Getting rid of them would be as hard as getting an addict off crack. Too many chances for graft, political conniving, and pandering by the elites.

Watching the alpine events has been a strange experience. Ski runs with snow and bare mountains around them. Like a Disney World for alpine events. And the snow – looks more like plastic than real snow. The NBC attempts to build drama have mostly fallen short and you can tell they’re very disappointed that Michael Schiffrin has not skied up to expectations.

I’ve been amazed at the general low levels of smog. The CCP has apparently shut down some coal-fired plants that are polluters near Beijing.

Bad food is surprising. That it’s intentional seems correct. The Chinese know now to cook and can make a good meal out of just about any ingredients.

The figure skating has been very high level. But all these skaters have competed at world and national championships.
This is just another day at the office for them.

Overall, not a very interesting Olympics.

Oh, sorry; forget I said that. It’s just too crazy of a thought.

By the way, did you hear that the two greatest enemies in world history are about to sign a non-aggression and economic trade agreement?
Really, now; only a moron would think that Stalin would sign any agreement at all with Herr Hitler.

OK, that’s going too far back in history.

But a more recent moronic notion is that Iran (a Persian, Shia muslim nation) is actually sheltering members of Al Qaeda (Arab, Sunni muslim).
Really now, Persians and Arab hatred for each other goes back a few thousand years; the Persians believe Arabs are dirty dogs and otherwise sub-human; and the Persian would love to resurrect their hegemony over the Arab world.

The stupid ideas that one hears are really beyond belief.

Nonapod,

The International Olympic Committee simply went with the highest bidder.

And now, as neo and others have pointed out, with athletes switching countries as often as NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL switch teams, the “home town (country)” component for spectators is completely lost.

Like most International things, the International Olympic Committee has been corrupt for most of the history of the modern games. Sports with arbitrary points awarded by judges are rife with corruption. Doping/performance enhancing drugs and methods to avoid detection have polluted much of the competition and made many scores, times and records questionable.

Yes, I’ve been to both Hong Kong and Taiwan and Chinese food is very good. The CCP Olympic catering is clearly lacking. I agree with you that it is intentional.