opening ceremonies

So I was watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. And they were, indeed, amazing. But hearing the price tag for one evenings entertainment was depressing - 300 million dollars.

300 million dollars, that if just half of that had been spent building schools that met building codes for earthquake-prone areas would have saved the very youth they lifted up during the ceremony.

But then, that wouldn't have gotten Matt Lauer and Bob Costas to go into raptures on 8.08.08 for three hours.

The Chinese are not the only ones at fault. All countries do it. It is just a shame that it is stuff like this, that while entertaining to watch, are put ahead of human lives. Who knows the full potential of those children that were killed because money had to be spent to impress wealthy people.

Wouldn't it be a better sign of this "emerging new China" if they just went back to playing the Olympic anthem, the host country anthem, introduce the athletes and clap.... then they could spend 300 million on something that lasts longer than a few hours. O.K., you can throw a few fireworks in there too....

The number of performers in the extravaganza was 15,000 (all with costumes as well) - more than the number of athletes. The number of people confirmed dead in the earthquake (mostly due to faulty building construction): 69,197.

But let's just talk about the cool LED screen, people on wires, and costumes of last night. Wasn't all that worth the death of some children? I mean, how were the Chinese to know that an earthquake would happen? They were going to get to the schools that had been condemned for over five years! Eventually.... Terrible bad luck and all that....