Monday, August 11, 2008

Time out of joint?

We are in Russia, watching the Olympics on TV, many people are amazed somebody could leave China to watch the Chinese Olympics via the tube, but just thinking about the throngs and the security measures taken, I just shudder and shift into a more comfortable position on the couch.

The opening was overrated - just good work of engineers and PR specialists. On the other hand though these games for the Chinese people are not what it may seem to the rest of the world. The hopes of national pride are pretty high, actually hard to grasp...




Just to let know of a friendly site about Beijing Olympics -http://www.2008chinaolympics.com

On a sadder note, it is really weird to see the Olympics on one channel, and the next button shows what's happening in South Ossetia. A mockery of human beliefs in peaceful games, and a terrible display of political trickery.

I talked to some people in Georgia over ICQ, and heard inside Georgia rumors are that Ossetia and Russia attacked Georgian peacekeepers first, and then they just answered. Media coverage is a pretty strong device.

Yeah, Georgia is a pretty small country and may seem as a victim of a cruel barbarian Russia, but so far the facts (I know) are that Georgia made the first attack, and knowing the possible implications, for sure would never have done that had it not been backed up by a more powerful ally.

But now it is not about that. The world as I have known it somehow warped up and tumbled down. On the international scale there are Olympic games, and on the same international scale there are political discussions over Ossetia and this mix really seems to be out of joint.

Hope the Olympic Games will see the beginning of the peace process.