That any money is spent on the Olympics, given the terrible problems the world has

[MNBrewer]

is an Abomination. The Olympics are bread-and-circuses, nothing more. If we, as a global species, put forward as much time, energy and money toward health care, nutrition, environmental preservation, or shelter as we do to this silly display, imagine what could be accomplished. Boo! Fie on the Olympics!

[Earth_First]

1. Careful.

I raised the point that $42 million dollars was spent on the opening ceremony and I was ran out of town.

"It creates jobs."

[Comrade_McKenzie]

6. The proles can get feisty at times. nt

[Codeine]

2. By that measure,

the money you spend on an internet connection or your car or whatever entertainment you consume is an abomination. I just spent sixty bucks worth of abomination at the comic book store and another ten Abomination Dollars at a local bookstore buying old Analog magazines from the 70s. Boo! Fie on us!

[MNBrewer]

9. Are you "seriously" comparing your internet connection costs to the IOC's bi-yearly display?

SRLSY???

[Codeine]

28. No, I'm saying your basic premise is cartoonish and absurd.

Nobody is being hurt, people have jobs, and folks all over the globe are getting a little vicarious thrill and some spectator pleasure from the Olympics. I don't watch them because they bore the shit out of me, but I'm not going to go around with my nose in the air harshing everyone's buzz.

[cali]

29. uh, you don't get it.

first of all, his point is valid as it stands: Any item that YOU, yes you personally, purchase that isn't an absolute necessity is, by your own definition in the OP, a terrible thing.

Secondly, the Olympics actually bring money to the host country and leave behind infrastructure.

Thirdly, in the greater scheme of things, it's a drop in the bucket.

[NightWatcher]

3. why are you wasting time online when you should be volunteering to feed, cloth, or build shelter

for the same said poor?

Or we can enjoy distractions and ritual and enjoy a little living every now and then. Relax buddy.

[NightWatcher]

17. welcome to Ignore

I was being lighthearted, but you obviously have a rod up your ass. People are going to spend money on recreation and people are going to waste time. You are striving for some kind of Utopian dream that will never exist. So instead of gnashing your teeth over "wasted" money and effort, just take a deep breath, focus, and chill out.

[MNBrewer]

18. yeah, it's either the Olympics as currently constituted

or "Utopian dreams"... nothing between....

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. War is an abomination. Let's save our money there.

[Confusious]

5. Nobody should have any fun

laugh or smile until all the worlds problems are solved!

That mean you! Tell that child to keep a lid on it!

[MNBrewer]

12. Yes, the world would be NO FUN if not for the idiotic Olympics

[Confusious]

19. I don't care about the Olympics

Not my cup of tea. To each his/her own.

But your post embodied the sentiment "no one should have any fun, at anything, anywhere, until all the worlds problems are solved."

[Codeine]

30. It would certainly be LESS fun.

Lots of folks are deriving fun from the Games, why take that away?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. No more entertainment for me.

We need to devote our energy to the elimination of all frivolity.

[FSogol]

8. Unrec. Nations could have easily spent that money on bombs and missles. n/t

[MNBrewer]

13. Are you "seriously" saying that the Olympics promotes world peace

by diminishing capacity of nations to spend on bombs and missiles?

[FSogol]

22. You must live in a pretty sad world if you can't find any redeeming qualities

in friendly multinational sporting competition that brings joy to millions. I feel bad for you.

[riderinthestorm]

10. The Olympics are a positive force for good in the world. We should be working to end the REAL

abominations - our endless wars of aggression.

[MNBrewer]

14. In what way are they are "positive force for good in the world"

Please!

[riderinthestorm]

20. I believe anytime you get a group of people together in a spirit of fun

competition and camaraderie, especially internationally where they are exposed to the "dreaded other" from a country they may be at odds with, and learn about them and mingle with them - that's a good thing.

Its an international event that brings people together - that's a good thing.

Its an international event that brings people to a different culture and environment where they get to see and experience new things - that's a mind-blowingly good thing. International travel changes a person - almost always for the better.

[polly7]

26. +1000. nt

[polly7]

24. In a climate where distrust among nations is frightening,

coming together in peaceful competition and celebration can't be a bad thing. Isolation breeds fear and distrust and makes it too easy to hate without having to see each other as real people. I love every second of it ... every one of these talented athletes is not only competing with so much love for their own nations, but are acting as good-will ambassadors to us all. And, getting a glimpse into their cultures through the commentary is fascinating. imo.

[SidDithers]

15. I bet you were against the Olympics before it was cool to be against the Olympics...nt

Sid

[bluestateguy]

16. Tell it to the construction workers and Londoners who have jobs

Britain's economy, while hardly anything to rave about, would probably look like Spain or Italy right now were it not for the Olympics.

[Cleita]

21. I've thought the same of many professional sports myself.

The expense for the stadiums, the million dollar salaries, etc. always seemed excessive to me when there is human suffering often only blocks away from those venues. It seems our social problems should be solved first before we spend public money on those entities. I guess we can't stop private sponsors though from throwing their money to those enterprises instead of philanthropical causes.

[tritsofme]

23. You could make this inane argument against any form of entertainment, given our "terrible problems"

You are just singling out something that doesn't entertain you. My advice would be to change the channel or go do something else.

[Lizzie Poppet]

25. How dare they spend money on something that makes millions and millions of people happy!

[nolabear]

27. You're worng. "Bread and Circuses" is a perjoritive re distracting the masses

and while the Olympics might have that effect, they weren't designed to distract so people can do nefarious things behind the citizenry's back, they were designed to let countries compete and strut and feel good about themselves and bond together under a common flag. People identify with heroes all the time, and we have a whole world of people who can see and hear and be excruciatingly aware of one another, so it's important to have heroes you can emulate, or just feel good about yourself by being associated with.

This kind of thing lifts spirits, fosters ambition directly and indirectly, generates a buttload of income for businesses the world over, and gives people like you a team to belong to as well--of the "Olympics Suck" variety.

[bhikkhu]

31. Well, lets just shut down the whole TV/movies/music/theater industries

...until everyone has a good job and enough to eat. I think that was Mao's idea at one time too - it didn't work out well.

[cherokeeprogressive]

32. I should just go kill myself... Do you realize that

there are kids playing video games at this very moment? While other kids starve?

Other kids are playing "Operation", while other kids can't even AFFORD an operation!

And Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots? Fuck me... don't even get me started on that shit.

[Zanzoobar]

33. Almost everybody got something you can suck.

[malaise]

34. Do you have any idea how many persons are employed in the sphere

of sport?

[Control-Z]

35. Wow.

I'm sorry you're so unhappy. I honestly have no idea why, though. The money spent in London served to revive the city and and inspire the spirit. Not to mention, create jobs. They came in under budget, is what I've heard, and they already have national health care. After years of work, the dreams of athletes from around the world are being fulfilled there. What's to be so angry about?

Like I said. I'm sorry, but watching the Olympics makes me (and millions of other people) happy!!