It's a shame the world is so broke. Closing Ceremonies suffered.

[Atman]

I mean, this Olympic closing ceremony is clearly a victim of austerity programs. Sad they had to go so low-key.


Good freakin' lord...the money spent on this bullshit could have saved the EU!

[riverbendviewgal]

1. You may be right

but austerity is not always the answer.

[msongs]

2. older than the romans - bread and circuses nt

[okieinpain]

3. thought the same thing myself. who was the naked

lady in back of the 100,000 rolls royce. great message for the starving people around the world.

[onenote]

4. The money spent employed a lot of folks

You've heard of the concept of stimulus spending? That's what the Olympics are.

[Atman]

5. I guess that's one way to look at it.

Yes, it took years to build the venues,and choreograph the performances, a program the light shows. People got paid for that, so your point is well taken. Still seemed a bit over-the-top to me.

[Electric Monk]

8. There were also 70,000 volunteers

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/london-2012-olympics-success-down-to-70000-volunteers-8030867.html

[Lifelong Protester]

6. All I could think of was Bread and Circuses

Sorry, but the closing 'ceremony' was a huge waste of money...

[JoePhilly]

7. The Olympics are a 2 week commercial for "we are one people".

I mean if you pay attention to it.

Countries competing peacefully with other countries, and at the end, a recognition that we are all one people.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

9. There a segment of people who can't look beyond....

....the idea of it being "jingoistic", and even others who hate any sort of competition because they feel it goes against the concept of peace.

[EC]

10. I love the look on the faces of the people competing that

have nothing else in their countries to look forward too. The look of joy and amazement in their faces.

[JoePhilly]

11. We were talking about the woman from Saudi Arabia.

She was in one of the track events, and I think she came in last.

And my son said "Ok, but she now holds the record time for Saudia Arabian woman in this race at the Olympics. Which is pretty cool."

Smart kid.