mur-c-mi

Well, the 2008 Olympics games are concluding. We've learned lots of new names and witnessed amazing feats of athleticism (for those that have tuned in). I've watched some of it, mostly because online media is always available. I've also plopped on a couch at home or a friend's rooting on our favorites. One thing that has really stood out to me is how similar the feel of these games are to the cold war era of the 70's and 80's. Back then it was the USA "beacon" of freedom and liberty up against the "evil" communist governments represented by Russia and the Eastern block (China was in there too, but not very often were they contenders). I've never had the opportunity to view the Olympics in an other country to hear their slant on the national pride, but especially back in the day any verbiage regarding our national pride always had an air that we are the bearers of truth and justice (which seems quite ironic). Now a days the networks have gone for the personal-interest-story angle doing lots of interviews with the athletes.

Anyway, what seemed to loom over the "super-power" contest of the 80's was that we were completing against our enemies. Not only were they purported to be the enemies of the freedom and personal liberty there was the very real fear that with one press of the button could start nuclear war. This current "super-power" contest lacks the imposing sense they could get us. I don't think that reduces it down to a contest of ideologies. With the human rights and environmental issues clearly documented and broadly known it is the average Chinese citizen who fears. Today, China in no way would want to get rid of the USA. We are their bread and butter.

30-some years later the economies of China, Russia, Eastern Europe, Europe and Asia are entwined. It is pointing out the obvious to say we are now a global economy. This was not the case in the early 80s. While there was some exchange the Russian and Chinese market were rather insular. I traveled with my family to the then Leningrad in 1988. That was before "the Wall" fell. Western blue jeans could only be found on the black market and there were no goods readily available and good food was hard to find. The daily routine was to line up for milk each morning. We are truly in a new age. This is competition of super powers, but the power now is economic verses military. Some of the same themes have emerged that I remembered came up before of "the communists" cheating and the judges being biased against the USA.

I guess what really stands out to me is not who is at the games and whether they will be any match against the US the crusaders of freedom and democracy. To me it is who IS NOT there. It's the little guy's game now. It seems that the definition of power has completely changed. All someone needs is one suicide belt to hold a country hostage. None of the desperate people around the world are likely to ever imagine being in Olympic game. Their eyes are set on reward in the next life.

It really is a new world and new games to be played.

posted by kt @ 8/19/2008 03:25:00 PM