2004 Summer Olympics

I understand that, but I don't have to agree with it.

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Asgara
"Embrace the pain, spank your inner moppet, whatever....but get over it"http://asgarasworld.bravepages.com
http://perditionsgate.bravepages.com

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Apparently, they (the Greek security) thought that Americans are too unpopular these days.

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When have we ever been popular in Europe?In many ways, we are Europe's redneck cousin who live in a trailer park, so I can't say I really blame them anyway.

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I understand that, but I don't have to agree with it.

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I do understand your sentiment, don't get me wrong. I just get frustrated with the idea that professionals don't deserve to compete just because they are "too good". That was the purpose of the olympics to begin with (as in ancient Greece), a coming together of the world's top atheletes. I often hear the argument that amateur atheletes appreciate competing more than professional atheletes. Using that argument, I would bet that a local YMCA team would appreciate playing in the Olympics more than a team made up of college players.The US didn't start the trend, they simply started losing because they sent their second tier atheletes and too many people started complaining. All of these other countries started getting uppity, so we sent the A team to shut them up.After saying all this, I wouldn't mind seeing the USA basketball team get their comeuppance. Anything that wipes that smirk off of Allan Iverson's face is worth it.

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I was particularly impressed with the opening ceremony (except for stupid commentary by Bob Costas and Katie Couric, in the US anyway), particular from a technical standpoint; the acheivement in stagecraft they accomplished was fitting for the birthplace of theatre

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.I thought it was beautiful, too, especially the costumes and makeup to resemble statues and paintings.I was also wanting Katie and Bob to shut up, but at least is wasn't John Tesh.I hope that the coverage actually shows the events instead of wasting time on all the stupid personal profiles.I mean, I like to know a little about the lives of the athletes, but I don't need melodrama, and I DO need to see the actual competition.One year they built up this story about this wrestliing rivalry and how this was the last chance for this wrestler to beat another wrestler that he had never been able to best. They showed only about 5 seconds of this incerdibly important match and about 10 minutes of melodramatic build up and poorly-lit drama shots of the people.Mostly I like to watch the 2 minutes of Equestrian that gets shown.

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When have we ever been popular in Europe?

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After WW IAfter WW IIAnytime a country needs our money, in government aid or tourism dollars.After 9/11 until Bush screwed it up.

Let us not forget that very few professional sports in the US pay a lot of money.Sure, there are professional basketball players that get a lot of money, but a professional Equestrian, even at the very top of their field, probably makes well under $100,000 a year, including endorsement contracts.

Puerto Rico 92, United States 73WE did it! HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Ponlo todo en las manos de Dios y que se joda el mundo. El principio de la sabiduria es el temor a Jehova

And you sure did it well. You guys deserved the win. Way to go.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Cheers Hun

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AdminAsgara
Queen of the Universe

http://asgarasworld.bravepages.com
http://perditionsgate.bravepages.com

I saw it coming. The U.S. team has too many players at the three position and not enough twos. For international competition, you have to be able to shoot the three because of the zone defenses.The days of throwing a bunch of stars together for a few games and then going over and dominating by athletic ability alone are gone.From here on out, the U.S. will have to put together a team that plays together for years and is always playing internationally. The key word here is team. It can no longer be a loose collection of stars.Hopefully, we will learn our lesson from this.Verzem

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When have we ever been popular in Europe?

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We have been popular when we have bailed them out of the wars they have gotten themselves into...we have been unpopular when we have supported the conditions that lead to oppression and war (as in the support of the Greek dictatorship)...living here however, I do see that the US takes the blame for most of the worlds ills regardless of whether it is true or not.The nastiest thing about the olympics this year is there was SOOOO much negative press about the Greek's not being able to finish in time (they did in fact finish in time) and lack of security (which is also bullshit). The end effect is that attendence and tourism are way down...apparently below even normal levels without the Olympics...I think this is a real pity. The Greeks did a great job, Greece is a wonderful country (particularly Santorini), and Athens has something interesting to see at every corner...that they could take a financial hit because the media decided to play them off as south european rubes is a scandal.

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When have we ever been popular in Europe?

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The USA was very popular with the French as a fellow revolutionary republic. You may recall they gave you a statue?Despite a number of skirmishes with the US, Britain has mostly seen the US as a cousin across the pond. This was only muddied by US support for Irish terrorism and the increasing unilateralism of the US (notnonly Bush, Clinton was also one for bombing people at random).There were lots of German and Swedish colonists in the US, and there remains a certainb fondness there too.All this "the world only likes is for our money and arms" is just persecution complex. And the good repute the US enjoyed for so long has been lost.

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After WW I

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After WW II

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Anytime a country needs our money, in government aid or tourism dollars.

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After 9/11 until Bush screwed it up.

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Yeah, I guess. It was meant as more of a rhetorical question. However, there is a difference between the governments of two nations and the people of two nations. A friend told me once that I shouldn't feel bad if the French hate us since no one in Europe likes the French. It may not be true, but it is good for a little laugh here and there. I do feel that anti-American sentiments have been building since the end of the Cold War, and perhaps a little bit before that. It may not be totally uncalled for since it is a human foible to dislike those countries that are more powerful than your own. I guess it is just live and let live.

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I do feel that anti-American sentiments have been building since the end of the Cold War

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Please see the thread "why do unbelievers hate christians the most" and realise you are committing the same arrogant error. If you behave badly, your behaviour will be criticised: that is a long way from "anti-americanism" or hate. If you want to stop being ill thought of, or want to improve your reputation, then change your behaviour.

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If you behave badly, your behaviour will be criticised: that is a long way from "anti-americanism" or hate. If you want to stop being ill thought of, or want to improve your reputation, then change your behaviour.

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I totally agree with you Contra. I don't blame people for disliking and criticising America. The first step towards repairing that damage will hopefully start with the November elections. Unfortunately, even a Democratic, liberal president may not ensure unilateral and fair treatment of problems worldwide, but it will at least be a step in the right direction. Next, we have to boycott O'Reilly and Limbaugh to stop hate speech veiled as "conservativism". O'Reilly calling for a boycott of French products was probably the best example of an ego gone bad. His actions should not go unpunished.