China: "Welcome to Beijing, World"

Still waiting to watch the ceremony! I can't believe that we here in the United States still have to wait until the rest of the world sees the ceremony to watch it! Canada has seen it live, and they'll rebroadcast it!

The Olympics aren't about politics, in my opinion. The Olympics should be about the athletes. Period. They could hold it in outer space for all I care. The Olympics shouldn't be about politics and what the government does. What would the rest of the world think when America presents the Olympics again? That we are fat, money driven, power hungry, people who bomb other countries to get our point across about whatever it may be? No. No. Obviously the Olympics were meant to unite humans together and have the best athletes of the world come compete. That is my opinion.

that's sad that we choose to focus so much on the negative instead of the potential that China could become. refuse to watch it its okay. but think for a moment that this is the only time in our world that Iraq ,Pakistan , Russia , s. korea etc come together as one to celebrate our common humanity. China by far has a long way to go but this new version of china is only 20 years young. and over 200 million people have been lifted of poverty. the only major country in the world that is building infrastructures and creating jobs in Africa. I know most people just tend to focus on how much China is raping Africa but it has send troops to Darfur it has created jobs in Africa it is currently building roads and hospital in Africa It is aggressively innovating and investing in green technology more so than most major economies. but if you wish to focus on the negative you'll find all sort of negatives and ignore the progress China has made in the last decade. China is by no means great not even close to it but it is moving on the right direction. but regardless. if anything the Olympics is a moment in time that the whole world stops and forgets their difference for a second and come together. Imagine the united states will be sitting with north Korea ,Iran and Iraq together. how about that. but that doesn't matter because all the atrocities that are going on right ?

I refuse to watch

look at the cute little white boats in the man made wetlands! so chinese!

I've actually learned a lot about China because of the spotlight the Olympic games are putting on their country. If that was the goal, then it has succeeded. It looks like their society is controlled by money, power, greed, and secrecy just like the rest of them. At least we'll get to see some cool spectacles out of it.

Yes, I am sure people (especially in this country) will be adequately dazzled and distracted by the lights and smoke and mirrors. Pitiful that so many think this fun while people in Darfur and TIbet suffer because of the involvement of the Chinese govt. There isn't enough confetti or fancy pyrotechnics to change my mind about them. Shameful these olympics are even being held there, and as a matter of fact, I find the entire ego contest of it all to be nothing but boring. It will be a pleasure to boycott it all along with others in a show of conscience against its murdering hosts who deprive their own people of food, hope, health, and Democracy while putting on this false display.

The opening ceremony was one of the most spectacular and memorable olympic ceremonies ever. I live in the Asian Olympic Village in Beijing which is right next to the Olympic Village, and I can see the Bird Nest from my window. I must admit, the fireworks display was fantastic. The ceremony not only displayed the four great inventions of China, but the art, music, and excquisite beauty that China has to offer. I am very proud of China! I hope that people will look at the sole purpose of the Olympics and that is to display the hard works athletes have put into their training for this very glorifying moment in their lives. Instead of squabbling about politics, please appreciate the beauty of the Olympic Tradition. China has worked so hard in these past seven years to create this spectacular performance and display of friendship, welcoming, and celebration for the World to see.

The Beijing Olympics will offer unprecedented scrutiny of China, and international reportage will likely span the range of opinion and perspective. One thing is certain: Beijing -- and by extension, China -- will no longer be the same once the Beijing Olympic Games are over. China is clearly a major player on the world's stage despite differences in political opinion. And It is up to President Hu Jintao to carry the Olympic torch and lead the nation towards a progressive future.

Remember too... When the 1984 Olympics were coming to Los Angeles, the USSR (remember them?) demanded that over 100 communist countries boycott the games. It would have completely canceled the games, and possibly ended them completely.

CHINA was the first to stand up and say that they would absolutely be attending the games, and encouraged other countries to do so as well. With the domino theory in full effect, the games were a great success.

So while everyone is casting stones at China during it's Olympic debut, remember that they supported the US and saved the games.

OP Is that not a teensy bit arrogant?

Its time for the United States to shine, the world needs to realize these athletes are the real Americans.The politicians do not represent us all.

I'm just excited to watch the Olympics!! Fun! Though it is sounding like this is going to be a tough year for the US as far as medal counts go - a lot of injuries in the past couple weeks and even the last couple days.

I doubt over the next couple of weeks the "world" will see the other side of China.

Hopefully those visiting will bring what they see (if they are truely looking) back to their corners and share with all they come in contact with. Then maybe, all will begin to act upon what was witnessed and get involved to help advance China and its wonderful people.

Check out this article when/if you have time, it's well worth it in my opinion...
http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/3058/

I am going to watch tonight, and I'm going to enjoy it for what it's meant to be......a moment where the world is as close to perfect as humans can possibly get it.

It looks amazing, and I wish I could be there representing our country, its to bad that posting on Current doesn’t count as a sport

It was definitely one of the most spectacular and beautiful opening ceremonies I have seen.

And finally the thousands of slave workers drafted in to make these games possible, paid nothing, kept in appalling conditions against there will, many hundreds of which died in the process... Can breath a sigh of relief.

I love the Olympics, but this is shameful, the whole thing. Only slavery can create spectacles of this scale.

Bare witness to the rise of a new superpower.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/China-Beijing-Construction-Workers-H...

yowza! (at Michael Phelps)

I'm looking forward to it, though I hope the media will try to be balanced in what it reports and not 'look' for stories that aren't there (even though I know they will). Will be interesting to see how this pans out

dude the opening was incredibly awesome. dunno if you guys watched it yet but this was the greatest opening period.