Mustang Rambles

I’m going to write three blogs about China from the Olympics.   This first one is again about the artistic supremacy of Olympic presentation.  I understand that the Chinese were able to spend the $40 billion on the Olympic Games, and used over or close to maybe a million volunteers to make it right.  Still, I think the artistic vision and the expression of the Chinese spirit will probably never be surpassed by any other country or city.  The closing ceremonies were almost as good as the opening ceremonies.  That means we have seen two shows that will probably rank one and two of all Olympic shows ever.  London will not be able to have such an extravaganza.  That is a shame for London and the British people because they, too, have much to be proud of.  Too bad the bar is set so high.

I am surprised, yet I am chagrined at how naive I am about China.  Obviously, from everything I’ve seen and heard on the Olympic Games, the Chinese people are proud and generous and welcoming to the rest of the world.  They have a long way to go in the areas of personal freedom and political freedom, but they have come so far from the cultural Revolution in such a short period of time.  Those who call for immediate changes in the political structure and in political philosophy of China do not understand that change does not take place overnight.  I say give China a chance.  The next 20 to 30 years will bring incredible changes to the Chinese political and economic structure.  They will play a major role on the world stage.  One day, we will be proud to call them friends and allies.