The greatest olympian he is not. But good job growing those big hands and arms and feet and torso 

John McCain 2008 Protect Traditional Marriage

Traditional Marriage is not "Divisive" Obama.

So what's your opinion of the Olympics?

It is possible to stay involved in more than one facet of culture.

As for Phelps, the schedule he is maintaining is amazing. I thought he looked a little worn out after the butterfly last night, but he blew through his part of the relay 51 minutes later. Amazing athlete.

Watching the Chinese gymnasts...no way were some of those girls 16. There's just no way. You're not losing baby teeth at 16. But they were definitely the best team.

Yes, it just sports that don't mean all that much on the surface, but its more than just sports.  Its countries coming together in competition and good sportsmanship.  Yesterday, the women's beach volleyball team for Georgia beat the Russian team and ousted them from the games.  After the "game" was all 4 women hugged to show that even though there might be conflict it in this arena where people can simpathize with each other and see each other as equals and not a different nationality, race, religion or even gender. 

Yes the Olympics are more than just sports as people of each country rally behind their teams and athletes and gain pride in their nation which might not have happened otherwise.

Yes the Olympics are more than just sports when countries like India gain their first Gold medal ever.  Also countries like Togo winning their first country medal ever.  These stories are priceless to the people of these nations and all because of sports.

So no, it might not solve the worlds problems, but think of the world without the Olympics and sports for countries to come together as 1 nation, the nation of Earth enjoying sportsmanship and goodwill to all nations.  So, is it just sports, or is it something more?

Togo - 1 (whitewater kayaking / bronze - first medal ever).

I am loving these games.

And yes, we live in a serious world.  Competitive sports, however, give us all an outlet.   

David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive

True on the Gold Medal count, but let's include all the medals won by the countries:

Great Britain - 7 medals

France - 11 medals

Netherlands - 5 medals

Switzerland - 4 medals

Brazil - 3 medals

Sweden - 2 medals

Norway - 1 medal

Mexico - 1 medal

Now as far as medals go, you should see how many Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway win in the winter Olympics they pretty much dominate those Olympics.

If you look at all time medals won Great Britain have won 677 medals and are 3rd all time, France has 600 and is 5th, Sweden has 469 and is 7th.  I could go on, but I think I've made my point.

Would have a grand time together ... the "Oh woe is us" twins.

Checking the talking point made for the open thread was commentary on the Olympics and Phelps, not "What is more important, world news or the Olympic Games?"

I pity you people that are so entrenched in worry over Global politics that they can't enjoy life around them. You're perfect for the MSM.

Take time to smell the roses. Now go back into your dark room with the blinds closed and CNN on 24/7.

"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain

It sure looks that way! It is becoming apparent that the US intelligence community, or at least the Intelligence leaders, are incapable of doing more than one thing at a time.

There is no way that Russia should have been able to stage the troops and supplies necessary for this invasion without it being noticable. This is yet another case of the ball being dropped.

The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.

If only the Europeans extended the invite to them and Ukraine to join NATO.  But, of course, the Europeans more or less saw this coming (and did what they always do, run away from a challenge).  And, as they are beholden to Russia for much of its oil, they can't make them mad!   

The Olympics are now under way in Beijing.  May the people of Beijing get thoroughly sick of hearing The Star Spangled Banner.  May the Beijing Olympic Committee run out of U.S. flags for the medal ceremonies!  USA!  USA!!  USA!!!

Not at all. The US has been watching this area and a Russian troop build up for the last few months. There was a feeling that Russia was building up for a well timed invasion of Georgia. Over recent months there was an increase in rebel attacks on small villages and towns in Georgia, sponsered by Russia. All the while Russia was telling Georgia they would stop the incursions. In reality what they did was goad the Georgians into defending their population by moving into the disputed areas in an attempt to confront the rebels. This is exactly what Russia expected and the reason they had built up the "peace keeping" force to 90,000 troops. Georgia has only 37,000 troops. This was a planed offence by Russia, and our intelligence knew it was comming, but there was little we could do. I, for one, am all for sending in the F-117's and the F-22's and slamming the dickens out of Moscow. The conventional Air Force could fly into Georgia and slam the Russians in Georgia. After all, if Russia can say they have ceased operations in Georgia, we can say we "did'ent do it". After all, if they have ceased operations and had pulled back, according to the agreement they signed, we would have no reason to bomb "Georgia".

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

I watched him during the twilight of his career when he played for the Texas Rangers, and it was still amazing.  His pitch sounds different than any other pitcher I have ever watched, including Randy Johnson in  his prime. 

I swear it was almost like it had its own sonic boom.

Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying. 

- Ronald Reagan

Gymnastics is too subjective for me to care.  Yeah, the whole Kerri Strug thing from 1996 was cool, but for all we know the Americans lost gold because one of those women gymnasts look at one of the judges wrong. 

I could never see another gymnastic competition or diving event in the Olympics and be content.  I prefer colder, uncaring judges, like clocks and scoreboards.

The Olympics are now under way in Beijing.  May the people of Beijing get thoroughly sick of hearing The Star Spangled Banner.  May the Beijing Olympic Committee run out of U.S. flags for the medal ceremonies!  USA!  USA!!  USA!!!

Imagine the gold mine that awaits Phelps? He earned $5 million last year with endorsements, and will earn $1 million from the US if he wins 7 golds, as well another million from Speedo if he does that same.

This guy has potential to almost be on that Jordan/Woods plateau.  I doubt he will, but he will be HUGE! I love it!

Exactly what I was thinking.  I'm afraid the government is showing us what we want to see, but there are bad things going on behind the scenes.  Like taking these kids and forcing them to work and work until they are 'perfect' even at age 13.  Sad.

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