Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

[Bo D]

Not to this extent and Washington, DC isn't an entire country it's just a state.

A state??? 

[Locutus]

A state??? 

I saw that one coming a mile away!   

[me]

Ok, so it's not actually a state but it isn't exactly a country either, not like Russia. 

[Palehorse]

Ok, so it's not actually a state but it isn't exactly a country either, not like Russia.

  So. . . what does the "DC" stand for then? 

As far as the slum commentary goes, here's something everyone reading this ought to try at least once in your life. Ride Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Chicago to Albuquerque New Mexico.

You will see some of the most beautiful scenery this nation has to offer; at both ends of the spectrum. Including some of the worst slums this country has to offer. I recall rocking through neighborhoods that so starkly resembled war zones, that I hoped with every fiber of my being that the train would not break down there.

My point is, the very same thing can be said about this country and the outskirts and hidden away spots within each and every one of its metropolis areas. And you haven't seen a slum until you run some of the off in the deep weeds areas of Appalachia. You want to talk about poor and scratching by? There are millions of people in that very situation in this country; and yet all the lion's share of foreign countries see are the sporting events and high profile magazine and media pieces that tend to highlight only the best of our society, and very little to none of the underbelly; unless they are being slaughtered or in some way persecuted with extreme prejudice. And yet, there is no shortage of slide shows and photographic exhibits of the natural and man made beauty of this nation.

Russia is no different than any other country on this planet; they just have practiced the party propaganda so hard and for so long, that it is deeply engrained within every aspect of their lives now. And they don't know any better. (Same as some people in this nation).

[Henry Hawk]

And before anyone gets all jiggly and starts calling me a commie, go suck an egg. I am 100% American; but I am a human being first.

Quote of the day, and I love it.  We all should have this attitude.  It would be like despising all germans during WWII, but it was the Nazi regime that was bad, a small minority of them.  A friend of my fathers was in a Nazi prison camp for five years, but it was a kind act of a german prison guard that kept him alive and well.  He secretly supplied them with medicenes, extra food & water.  They kept in touch with each other for years after the war, because they were human beings first.

[me]

  So. . . what does the "DC" stand for then? 

As far as the slum commentary goes, here's something everyone reading this ought to try at least once in your life. Ride Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Chicago to Albuquerque New Mexico.

You will see some of the most beautiful scenery this nation has to offer; at both ends of the spectrum. Including some of the worst slums this country has to offer. I recall rocking through neighborhoods that so starkly resembled war zones, that I hoped with every fiber of my being that the train would not break down there.

My point is, the very same thing can be said about this country and the outskirts and hidden away spots within each and every one of its metropolis areas. And you haven't seen a slum until you run some of the off in the deep weeds areas of Appalachia. You want to talk about poor and scratching by? There are millions of people in that very situation in this country; and yet all the lion's share of foreign countries see are the sporting events and high profile magazine and media pieces that tend to highlight only the best of our society, and very little to none of the underbelly; unless they are being slaughtered or in some way persecuted with extreme prejudice. And yet, there is no shortage of slide shows and photographic exhibits of the natural and man made beauty of this nation.

Russia is no different than any other country on this planet; they just have practiced the party propaganda so hard and for so long, that it is deeply engrained within every aspect of their lives now. And they don't know any better. (Same as some people in this nation).

Damn, I thought I answered this yesterday but I must have forgotten to hit send.  District of Columbia.   

[Anne]

I like the ski jumps and ice skating races best, but curling (sp) is oddly fascinating.

[me]

I like the figure skating, although I don't really consider it a sport, luge, and slalom.  I don't really watch as much as I used to though. 

[Locutus]

I like the ski jumps and ice skating races best, but curling (sp) is oddly fascinating.

Glad I'm not the only one who like to watch the curling. 

[Henry Hawk]

Glad I'm not the only one who like to watch the curling. 

ME TOO! I feel in love with that during our last winter olympics........my kids think I am crazay, but there is something about that I love!

[The Troll]

ME TOO! I feel in love with that during our last winter olympics........my kids think I am crazay, but there is something about that I love!

  I watch some of it too. 

[Locutus]

There were some preliminary curling events on NBC Sports Channel tonight.    I watched the United States get spanked by the Danes.    Same thing will probably happen to them in Sochi!

[Locutus]

Here is the link to the English version of the official Sochi 2014 Winter Games website.  There is a grid on there showing all of the dates and times of the events in the different sports over the course of the upcoming two weeks.  I haven't been able to ascertain if the times are local to Sochi, or some timezone in the US.  I would have to assume it's local time there in Sochi.  They are 9 hours ahead of us.

http://www.sochi2014.com/en

[The Troll]

  Say Locutus, hasn't been a little cool down there in Florida.  68 degrees in Key West.     Also how about the loud ducks you got down there.  Still quacking?

[Locutus]

Those damn 'quackers' were back for a bit last month, but they flew the coop and left.  As for the weather, I'll show you this picture from my car this very afternoon.  The lowest high temperature we're supposed to have all week is 72 on Thursday and the lowest low we're supposed to have all week is Wednesday night when it's down to 62.  Not too bad since so many others are freezing their asses off.