Is anyone watching this ghastly OLYMPICS Opening Ceremony display on NBC?

[Swede Atlanta]

203. Wow, how two people watching the same thing have totally different reactions....

I thought the opening ceremonies were quite impressive. Despite the controversy over the gay propaganda law (I can say this because I am gay) I felt bad that the one snowflake did not open as planned to become the final olympic ring.

If you listened to the narrative and the objective of the opening ceremonies it was to depict Russian history - in essence to present Russia (these are the first Olympic games held in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union) to the world. The ceremonies, venues, etc. are intended to show the world that Russia is not the (day wear, evening wear) uniform, colorless, Soviet empire but a modern, technologically savvy country.

I felt they accomplished that. The special effects were spectacular. The head/bodywear of the "hostesses" that accompanied each team into the stadium were a bit weird.

I am not the only one who felt they were quite impressive. I watched them with two friends who had the same impression and I had breakfast with 3 others today and they also thought they were pretty good.

That aside I am still very skeptical of Putin generally and where he is taking Russia and their place in the world. The gay propaganda law is driving homophobia to new heights in the country.

But I would prefer to see a Russia that increasingly sees itself as part of a post-Soviet modern world.