Winter Olympics... Anyone watching it?

When I was a kid, back in the day, the Olympics were da' BOMB! Everyone watched, everyone spoke about it the next day and for a week everyone wanted to be an Olympian!
When did this stop? For me, after I had kids, winter meant everyone was sick .. so I usually missed or never thought of them.... But when did EVERYONE else give up on the Olympics?

Does anyone even care if they go on?
Personally, the reason they were started and perpetuated in the modern days has long since died...

We do not have nationalism, we do not have national one-ups-manship. AKA , Our American athletes are better than yours... Us against them !!

As Americans, after yet another wave of immigration in the 60's from SE Asia, the 80's from the former Soviet nations and Germany, the 90's saw Indian (Asian Continent) people coming over to work in the High Tech fields and since 2000 .. wow, so many new faces. We are as we were at the beginning of the last Century. A newly melded conglomerate of people from everywhere. Bringing with them ethnic pride, but not so much National pride for their old homeland they left ( for whatever reason) and their newly  adopted home.

The "old-timers" 3 - 4th generation Americans see a different face in our nation and feel the pinch of political changes, economic changes, population changes and job criteria changes. This is NOT to accuse the newly immigrated of "taking our jobs". Its just different and people are not always happy when things change, jobs change, names of companies change and they become or are not skilled to advance.

We are at the lip of change.. Everyone uses the word... Our President used it as his mantra.. Main street wants it to happen NOW! Wall Street does not like the change or should I say changes imposed upon them!
No one really has a clear picture of what is  good or bad change - we just know we need to change!

With all this change needing to happen, no one is badging themselves as "AMERICA" right now... As an Olympian would, representing a "Champion" for America. No one wants to be in the cross hairs in case things go wrong or right, since what they represent are no where near clear! Nope, we are all in the shadows, chattering about the changes we might want, need or think are ok.. We listen to and write about what changes that _are_ happening, which are good or ludicrous! How we are behind or in front of (trying to stop) progress, again, without seeing what  that change might bring to the majority of Americans.

Since American faces have changed, many old-timers again are wrinkling their foreheads, cocking their heads any trying to put a face to the "Minorities", the "Mexican Illegals", the "Illegals from wherever", the "used to be enemies and are now our neighbors in our own backyards". We are trying to grapple with the who is who, so that we know what change will affect or cost us and which to speak out about!

What is an American now?  What do they look like? What do they wear? What do they eat? What "Church/religion" are they? What language do they speak... it better be English, this is America you know!

Have we all forgotten, America is the poster child for Change!!

We constantly change our look - We constantly meld cultures, adapt to new food smells coming from our new back door neighbors - We ogle and then admire new fabric patterns, dress and make-up applications of these different cultures - As for religion, if its not too wierd or different from our own, its OK - and as for what language.... well , that is a problem.
Most new comers know a little to a lot of English these days. The accents and inflections are different, but if someone were to really listen.. they could hear what is being said. Again, it comes down to listening to different changes in inflection, change in tempo, changes in sound... We do not always like change, remember... For those who do not support reasonable changes, who do not see we are meant to change, should change and need to change to adapt.. well, that is just un-"American". Stagnancy is not the American way, we are inventors, innovators, make it better kinda people!

Have we forgotten what it means to be a proud American?
I think so, the Olympics is just the latest illustration of how much we need a change. How much we need to get through this tough time, redefine who we are as Americans, show what America is and can do! We need to be inspired and take a hold of what it means to be an American and wave it ! Wave it high and hard! Show the rest of the world we are still the greatest nation in the world for a reason and that everyone, rich or poor, born here or legally immigrated... we are all Americans who display proudly the way America stays strong is to CHANGE together as one nation.. not fighting, not being led by special interests, but as one people working for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness... together! By the people, for the people !!

Take care America, change is on its way.

To purchase Olympic items: click descriptions below to view products available that might interest you!

Nike Team USA Red 2010 Vancouver Olympics Rings T-shirt
Nike Team USA Ladies Red 2010 Vancouver Olympics Rings T-shirt
Vancouver 2010 Olympics Mascots Pacific Coliseum Official Vancouver 2010 Pin
Vancouver 2010 Olympics White Figure Skate Official Vancouver 2010 Pin
Vancouver 2010 Olympics Hockey Player-US Pin
Vancouver 2010 Olympics XXI Ice Hockey Double Pin
Spyder US Ski Team Hat - Men's
Vancouver 2010 Olympics Hockey Player Canada : Pin

You get the hint : )