An Earth-Sized Mistake

I was wrong.

For months, I thought for sure that something bad would happen at the Athens 2004 Olympics, and I'm not talking about suspect officiating. It was too easy; the city was financially strapped and seemed to be running late in getting its infrastructure up to speed for the grandiosity that the Olympics (especially the Summer Games) nowadays demand. One main concern was security. Even with all the troops and assurances, you just knew that these games would eclipse the 1972 Games in an unfortunate way.

But like all the other pundits, I was (thankfully) mistaken. Nothing happened, the Games went on without a hitch, and the only controversies were a judging blunder in gymnastics, shotty officiating in basketball (I mean, it turned Tim Duncan into a surly guy. TIM DUNCAN!), the usual drug suspensions, and a crazy Irish priest. In other words, everything happened on the field, court, track, or arena. And that's the way it should be.

So why were we all so quick to predict these Games would be an unmitigated disaster, that something crazy was going to happen? Two reasons.

First, since the tragic events of 9/11/01, I feel (and everyone else should, unless you're just a moron) less safe than I did before 9/11. And that's not because of "terrorists" but because of the administration that "won" the election in 2000. Just as Clinton might be the greatest president I ever lived under, George W. Bush should (I pray) go down as the very worst of my lifetime. He's taken a problem and made it a million times worse, pointing fingers at others for his mistakes and blindly following the same path he did with Iraq (is there any doubt that he will invade Iran if he wins again? Honestly, that's WW III right there). I was against him 4 years ago, and I'm against him now. So much so that, though he should lose NJ, I've requested an absentee ballot each time to vote for someone other than him. I don't think Kerry is the best, but he is 20 times better than this moron we have, the most ridiculed president since, I don't know, Ulysses S. Grant?! For example, the Billionaires For Bush group. The world hates us even more now, especially in countries that have traditionally been our Allies (wussy France, post-WWII Germany, post-Commie Russia).

In any case, because of him I fear even more for people in the US, people in Europe, people in the Middle East, Pakistan, India, you name it. And I was ready to see his audacious policies blown up with a disaster in Athens. Again, thankfully it didn't happen.

The second, more disturbing reason for our collective cynicism was just that: cynicism. It's too easy to be a cynic in this world. Too easy to become bitter with people, to judge poorly of human nature. With all the negativity thrown across the airways, people have become more vicious and less respectful of everything. Maybe it's just because I'm older, but I see and feel so much more negativity, pessimism, cynicism about the world and what will happen in the next week, month, year, decade, century. It shouldn't be like this.

Coming to Grenada has been great for just that. The people here are relaxed and care-free because they get it. The beautiful home that is this small island reminds us all of it everyday. There are too many good things on this Earth to let it slip by and fight over, because eventually we forget what we were fighting for in the first place. I see the ocean, the lush green mountains, and all I can think of is how God made this world to cherish and worship Him, not to kill each other over anything and everything.

And despite the commercialism and parochial interest in the Olympics, that what these Games are for: to remind us of what is good and beautiful about this world, about human nature. Whether it's proud to represent your country no matter how disappointing the result (Allen Iverson), to give up your chance at history so a teammate can get one last medal (Michael Phelps), or making new bonds with compatriots and foreigners alike, the Games should always transcend the hypocrisies and bitterness that permeates throughout our lives. Do the Games always do that? No way. But more often than not, they deliver the goods.

So thank you Athens. I apologize for doubting you.

Now, can we please do away with medal counts?!

Sports Prediction of the Day: Jon Kitna will be starting for the Bengals before the 2004 season is over.

Current Rankings of Songs in My Playlist
Gold: Seven Wiser "Take Me As I Am"
Silver: Smile Empty Soul "Silhouettes"
Bronze: Depeche Mode "Enjoy The Silence"

South Park Quote of the Day
UN Ambassador: Are you high or just incredibly stupid?
George W. Bush: I assure you, I am not high.