Slow learners

I haven't been very political on this blog (my unkind comments about Scott McClellan notwithstanding), which isn't being very true to myself because truth is, I have a passion for politics...world events...C-SPAN.

I've struggled getting excited about the Olympics this year.
And now I think I more clearly understand why.

Did anyone else catch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics tonight? I have it on right now, whilst doing things around the house (and trying to get some more miles in). I quickly found myself sucked in right from the get go. I was at first impressed by the magnitude of the 15,000 cast production. And then in awe...in awe-ful awe.

In 1936, Adolf Hitler hosted the world for the Olympics held in Berlin.
They say it was one of the most brilliant acts of propaganda.
For, little did the world know what lie ahead.
Little did they know who they had just let host their celebration.

Did we learn nothing?

I'm disturbed that we are having such a celebration in a country that has been and CONTINUES to be the means for so many crimes against humanity.

It's hard for me to see the President of the United States sit calmly in the stadium while thousands (and perhaps hundreds of thousands) sit in "re-education camps" just miles away. He's the leader of the free world, watching a show in a land where people are not.

I don't think Ronald Reagan or Margaret Thatcher or Pope John Paul or even JFK would be sitting there...acting like it's all okay.

It's not okay.
And it just doesn't feel right to me.

Matt Lauer and Bob Costas talk as if we are witnessing nothing more than a well choreographed production.

But the precision of 2000+ young men drumming (unbelievable to see) and thousands more cast doing karate moves in perfect circles is disturbing. The discipline is impressive. But, it's a reflection of their culture and government.
Does no one see that?

This is a communist regime. A country ruled by few over the many.
There are no freedoms here.
There are no liberties.

I am tempted to be touched by the beauty and pagentry of it all.
The sweet children are a nice touch.
But, let's not forget what we are witnessing.

Much apparent beauty can be created when everything is in perfect harmony.
Communism creates that perfection by force.
That was someone else's idea of executing a plan, if i remember.

I hear Matt Lauer talk about how there is no seen direction for this cast of thousands. "They seem to know this cold," he says.

Yes, they seem to know this cold.
It's all just too cold.
(What if those people wish for something more? A different life? They have no choice. They have no options. Why are we acting like this is normal? Like it's all okay?)

I've been sensitive lately to how willingly we have assisted a communist power to become a viable economic and political force (a force for power while their people have none). We did that. I've done that. Our insatiable appetite for cheap products and "stuff" has given them money to buy us.
They own us.
We are in debt to them.
It bother me.
It scares me.

And now, we've come to their party.

But there are millions...MILLIONS of people in that country not partying. They are working for pennies a day...living in extreme poverty...with nothing that is their own...allowed to only have one child...coerced to follow one path.

The PEOPLE of China deserve this.
Their government, however, does not.

We saw what happened after 1936.
What will happen after this?

We have to stay on our guard...and not be such slow learners.

(Is it bad that in the midst of my political passion I also can't help but think the Netherland male athletes are totally dreamy? I'm a horrible person.)