[saint.panda]

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Originally Posted by Assorted /img/forum/go_quote.gif The huge and growing middle class of China needs this kind of morale boost, like cooperpwc stated, since many of these people are very prideful of this event, all ready to embrace climbing back up to the top of the world.

Yes, someone in China needed this morale boost, but it sure isn't the middle class.

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Besides, it is doublespeak to suggest that the money should be spent in the interests of the unfortunate on a hi-fi forum.

 

[Assorted]

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Originally Posted by saint.panda /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, someone in China needed this morale boost, but it sure isn't the middle class.

What doublespeak did you just whip out here? Our middle class and your middle class are not the same.

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Yes, I've made my position quite clear on numerous threads.

 

[cooperpwc]

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Originally Posted by Assorted /img/forum/go_quote.gif Considering that China is still a considerably large (largest?) monetary aid recipient, $300 million is a lot of money. But, I would disagree with any previous posts stating to some extent that the money spent was particularly "unwise". The huge and growing middle class of China needs this kind of morale boost, like cooperpwc stated, since many of these people are very prideful of this event, all ready to embrace climbing back up to the top of the world. Afterall, that's the communist principle, the needs of the state outweighs the dirty human rights abuses, unaccounted for corruption, secret agendas etc Besides, it is doublespeak to suggest that the money should be spent in the interests of the less fortunate on a hi-fi forum.

Hmmm, I'm not sure if you are agreeing with me. I think you were at least at first.

I will say that it is probably wrong to think that only the middle class are proud. I'm not in the fields of Henan (and neither are any of you) but I am pretty confident that this went down well all over China at all levels of wealth.

 

[cooperpwc]

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Originally Posted by saint.panda /img/forum/go_quote.gif Truth be told, I actually think most Chinese probably wouldn't have wanted the opening ceremony to be any less triumphant if given the choice.

I agree.

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Originally Posted by saint.panda /img/forum/go_quote.gif One wrong doesn't make another wrong right.

Yes again. How about Europe subsidising the makng of undrinkable wine and then converting it into industrial alcohol, all to keep farmers happy?

There is lots of waste. But this was a one-off. I'm not even convinced it was waste at all. It simply did not involve redistribution of wealth. But it created a lot of happiness.

 

[Breakdown]

They spent $300 million on the opening ceremony and $500 million for the stadium. China has just as many starving people in their own country.

The announcer said that the government had to tell the performers to SMILE. The flag salute they did looked like a bent Nazi salute. It's so pathetic what national socialism has done.

 

[Assorted]

I was emphasizing the emerging middle class as economic growth, and I didn't intend to comment on it as an exclusively middle class benefit.

I haven't said that only the middle class are proud, I'm only disagreeing with

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Yes, someone in China needed this morale boost, but it sure isn't the middle class.

I still agree with you that the Olympics is very symbolic of China.

 

[Assorted]

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Originally Posted by Breakdown /img/forum/go_quote.gif They spent $300 million on the opening ceremony and $500 million for the stadium. China has just as many starving people in their own country.

What country doesn't have their presidents flying in private jets, while poverty prevails in their backyard? Why do we have unequal pay? Why can't we eradicate homelessness when we have so much money? Who is John Galt?

If you were consistent with your views, like I have said before, you wouldn't be browsing a hi-fi forum. We have luxury (such as headphones) because of such economic systems; otherwise they wouldn't be called luxuries.

 

[Breakdown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assorted /img/forum/go_quote.gif What country doesn't have their presidents flying in private jets, while poverty prevails in their backyard? Why do we have unequal pay? Why can't we eradicate homelessness when we have so much money? Who is John Galt? If you were consistent with your views, like I have said before, you wouldn't be browsing a hi-fi forum. We have luxury (such as headphones) because of such economic systems; otherwise they wouldn't be called luxuries.

You're the one that is inconsistent. I didn't say I want there to be any luxuries for the government.

 

[DemonicLemming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assorted /img/forum/go_quote.gif What country doesn't have their presidents flying in private jets, while poverty prevails in their backyard? Why do we have unequal pay? Why can't we eradicate homelessness when we have so much money? Who is John Galt? If you were consistent with your views, like I have said before, you wouldn't be browsing a hi-fi forum. We have luxury (such as headphones) because of such economic systems; otherwise they wouldn't be called luxuries.

What's wrong with unequal pay? Equalized pay is the mark of a communistic/socialistic system, and there's quite a few people in the world who would absolutely refuse to live under such a system.

 

[Rednamalas1]

All this fighting aside, I did not know that fireworks display was computer generated. Wow. It certainly convinced be it was the real thing!
Part of Olympic display altered in broadcast - Gadgets - MSNBC.com

 

[ZephyrSapphire]

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Originally Posted by Rednamalas1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif All this fighting aside, I did not know that fireworks display was computer generated. Wow. It certainly convinced be it was the real thing! Part of Olympic display altered in broadcast - Gadgets - MSNBC.com

Another link

Beijing Olympic 2008 opening ceremony giant firework footprints 'faked' - Telegraph

Now that's just pathetic.

 

[chesebert]

I think almost all in China, whether starved or not, would have agreed that the money was well spent and the show was fantastic. Had everyone in china voted, the result would've been an over-whelming support for this all-out extravaganza.

Remembering the Asian games (equivalent of Olympics but with only Asian countries) back in the 80s, there were people spending over half of their life-savings buying government issued raffle tickets, not hoping to win, rather to support China; the monthly salary at the time for everyone was less than $50.

If I were a little cynical, I would have suggested that this entire show + the Beijing renovation were all paid for by the tax payers in the U.S. (I wouldn't mind; at least I got to see my hard earned money going to work. (pun intended))

 

[saint.panda]

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Originally Posted by ZephyrSapphire /img/forum/go_quote.gif Now that's just pathetic.

You're just jealous the Chinese opening ceremony was better than yours.

 

[Goit]

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Originally Posted by squall343 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It was the best .. Proud to be a Chinese!

First, this is ethnic nationalism.

Secondly, did you know how many migrant workers got injured and how many performers got injured and had to go through surgery make this show? You better have more sympathy for the sufferings of individual chinese people rather than showing off collective pride.

 

[M0T0XGUY]

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Originally Posted by Goit /img/forum/go_quote.gif First, this is ethnic nationalism.

Now that's just silly.

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Originally Posted by Goit /img/forum/go_quote.gif Secondly, did you know how many migrant workers got injured and how many performers got injured and had to go through surgery make this show? You better have more sympathy for the sufferings of individual chinese people rather than showing off collective pride.

Again, silly; and you're missing the point. As a spectacle, the opening ceremony was fantastic and in some cases awe-inspiring - something no amount of irrelevant comments will change.