WHY IS ANY ONE SURPRISED???China has been known-for the last[at least] 40 years as a place that produces CHEAP BREAKABLE “stuff”.All YOU have to do is go into the DOLLAR STORE[Middle Eastern owned] and LOOK[Yes-open your EYES]at the piles ,racks and shelves of items-ALL STAMPED MADE IN CHINA.Then PURCHASE THEM[no American workers were paid for these] and let your KIDS EAT THE PAINT[no EPA or HEALTH STANDARDS in place].....We allowed the politician[the ones we hired to protect our interests abroad] to GET US IN TO THIS MESS..WE SHOULD HOLD THEM ACOUNTABLE IN A COURT OF LAW…..

Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD,

Well lets see ... Brian Williams ... NBC ... Olympics branded ... corporate control ... war for profit ... Bush ... Right.

This man and this “politician,” these mouthpieces for corporate America. These hand maidens of greed. Speak about an open China. Almost funny huh. But what Brian and Bush and corporate America never speak about is the door that swung open the day the loans from China started rolling in.

China is a fascinating place.

A place where capitalism is in flower, but democracy isn’t. Proving the one is not necessarily the other, and the other really doesn’t need the one. And that should be a lesson to us all. If capitalism can bud and bloom with such apparent success in a communist world, perhaps the lesson we need to take from that is the corporate empire doesn’t need democracy.

Another piece fits in the puzzle?

When I spoke of China throwing open the gates, I was speaking hopefully of the day when there can be a free and open dialogue between the people of China and the people of the United States. The ability to travel inside and out without fear of arrest or disappearing. China is indeed a beautiful land, and the citizens are indeed beautiful people. But then so is our land, and so our we.

Standing in the way is the monster greed.

Louise, I noticed on Brian Williams news tonight that, in one article on the Olympics, it was reported that Bush wants a more open society in China and in the next article, they’re reporting on the massive security measures being taken in Denver to ensure that protesters are controlled during the convention.  Remember Chicago in ‘68?  Open? 

Someone out there now tell me the difference in openess of the two counties.  In my mind, either you’re open or you’re not.  Bush thinks we’re open and they’re not.  What a great mind!  Fuzzy rationale.  Dispicable uncivilized third world countries!  What’s it called when you put someone down in order to feel better about yourself? 
It makes you look like a complete asshole when you’re so obviously in the wrong.

I don’t care who gets elected; just get him the hell out of there.  Give him a billion $$ if he’ll go tonight and take Chane-liar with him.

Well that didn’t take long. Already the “couldn’t understand a joke if their life depended on it” weigh in.

I like your astute observation Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD, “China overbrimmed with national pride.”

And they have every right to be.

In the age of “reality” via staged and phony, China pulled off one of the most stunning opening ceremonies ever seen. Not with animation or simulation, or even imitation. But with many thousands of real live people performing in the moment, with perfect precision. Demonstrating there must be something to this “unity” thing, eh?

The engineering married with disciplined human effort was beyond compare. The designing of the various venue settings was brilliant, and the city of Beijing is truly beautiful. In fact China is beautiful, as are her people. From the lovingly preserved Ancient to the “so incredibly modern it looks like something out of a Starwars,” how could ANYONE not be impressed?

Beauty and graciousness, both people and places. Topped off with athletes from more than 200 countries, who can only be described as the best of the best. They proved that, as record after record fell. And in spite of the fact that a lot of people would have loved to see China fall flat on her face, she didn’t. In fact, China soured!

We are all a bit indebted to China for allowing us a glimpse into the forbidden city. Hopefully now, the gates will be thrown open.

And before all you “but they abuse human rights” folks weigh in, I’ll quickly say, yes there is reason to believe their government does. But, just as I would hope people in other countries wont hate us because their is good reason to believe our government abuses human rights, I would hope we can rise above the easy habit of judging a citizenry because of their government.

Maybe not just tongue in cheek, but maybe a little sour grapes.

One question:  how is it that a country and a culture so maligned by the anti-Chinese, anti-Commie US propaganda machine for so long can accomplish so much with the help of so many volunteers?

China overbrimmed with national pride. 

Maybe envy.

This is too plausible to be effective satire, Mr. Borowitz.

Mr. Phelps has arraigned to have perfect solid gold duplicates made of his medals, pointing out, “It’s not the number that counts, it’s the authenticity.”

Meanwhile, there’s a general sense of panic sweeping across Olympic village, as medal winners realize their e-bay profit may be threatened! Thor Torn, Gold Medal winner in the long broad high jump free style discus catch queried, “How do you think we manage to pay for all this?”

Good news though, Jiang Qimin has been found. Seems someone inadvertently stuffed her in a duffle bag full of dirty uniforms. Aside from lingering nausea [that smell] she seems to be OK, and very happy to have been liberated.

Wait, so what you’re saying is eating these paint chips is BAD for me? Bad chip paint eating not dumb making me….