Sports

I enjoyed most everything. I liked the opening sequence very much, showing how the Chinese view the seasons of the year. That's cultural, not political, and is an ancient tradition.

I also liked the use of Lennon's Imagine (my all-time favorite song), but at the same time thought it felt like an odd choice. Some here have suggested a propagandistic use, but I am wondering what you saw that led to that opinion. My thinking centers around the anti-religious nature of the song, and how that might appeal to the Chinese government, which is famously anti-religion. I understand that point of view and why it exists, and can even feel some affinity given the current state of religious extremism worldwide, but I see it as also being at the root of a lot of the worst oppression put forth by Chinese communism. So, my feelings on that are mixed. But it was pretty!

I didn't notice much if anything overtly political, but I did think some things, such as the theme of peace and unity, should be taken with a grain of salt. The only thing I really disliked was the use of those black uniformed, herky-jerky military guys in conjunction with raising the Olympic flag.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed it. Most of it was very beautiful.

Oh! And I definitely appreciated seeing Putin caught on camera all alone and fast asleep. LOL

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Afterward, I went in search of Nathan Chen's outstanding skating from last night. Found it. Am in awe... this is OUR guy. Nothing like nailing your first performance of the year on the ice at the Olympics! He left the rest of them in his icy dust. USA! 🇺🇸