I was DISGUSTED that the Chinese cut off the home of the free. Communism at its best…….Go Maryland Go USA ! The Greeks were classy and did not intentionally try to ruin any anthem. The Chinese government is trying to push typical communist tactics. The anthem was the worst version I have ever heard. That’s ok we all know how awesome it is to be an AMERICAN! The sports commentators could not even give any good comments. Liberal PC. I can’t wait until we show the world in basketball. Maybe they will get the national anthem correct by then.

Yeah, it’s pretty embarrassing for the Chinese to screw up a country’s national anthem. I feel sorry for them that they weren’t able to get it right. And they really screwed it up; The beginning and ending were cut off, the middle was garbled, and the whole thing sounded really bad. I hope it wasn’t on purpose, since it would be very disrespectful and shameful behavior from the Chinese hosts. But it’s hard to imagine how they could have failed to obtain a correct and complete version of the national anthem of one of the strongest competitor nations at the Olympics.

Well, first, it’s the LAND of the free, not HOME of the free… I was pretty disgusted simply because how do you screw up on such a minor technical execution after the impressive display of the perfectly synchronized opening ceremony? You can rest assured that this would NOT have happened to the Chinese national anthem.

You American people are sick!
Please don’t think everybody will know your national anthem well. Don’t be so arrogant.
China played a wierd Thailand national anthem when Thailand won a gold medal in weightlifting today and none of Thai, including me, are complaining a bit. This is China’s game. They host it and they want to do their best to show it to the world. Only ugly american like you who alway thing disgusting like this.

Even Thai don’t mind with this minor thing, you great american why so angry, afraid to be a looser?

Tell you what, I will be happily watching American beaten in this olympic and in the economic areana. Looser.

Oh and by the way, the way you think is the American way. We asian never treat our guest like that, it is not in our tradition. That is american mindset, you american, starting from the president to the beggar, will not miss the opportunity to embarass your enemy and that’s why you think China did that to you on purpose. In asia, we treat our enemy well when we are the host. Don’t use your ugly mind to judge other people.

My wife and i looked at each other and the 3rd playing of the opening stanza, commented, then sat appalled when no one said anything, even in passing, on the broadcast when it was cut short. NBC is really trying not to offend thier hosts (and bankrollers). I don’t feel sorry. It is, however, embarrasing for them.

And you people should also stop you cowboy president from being a joker when he try every minute in recent visit to asia to mix up sport and politic. He is playing a joker in Asia now and bring a lot of embarassment to you american people more than the messed up national anthem the Chinese played.

People in Asia see him as not a grownup boy, don’t evern know what is sport, what is politic.

Get a grip people. Do you seriously think China would want to mess up national anthems on purpose? Whatever for? It is embarrassing to the Chinese and Chinese hate losing face. It was an unfortunate mistake, nothing more.

Without being afraid of offending anyone I can say the following; Anyone who thinks it was cut off intentionally is an arrogant idiot.
I can say that without fear of offending, as anyone that actually thinks that would not be offended - but rather think that I am a naive idiot, and an idiot for calling them idiots.

China is doing their best to make the Olympics perfect, and maybe apart from the opening speech, they have done a good job at making them non-political. There is no reason whatsoever for them intentionally screwing up any national anthem, and I am sure no American would be complaining at all of the anthem of Great Britain, Norway or Poland was played back backwards. You would just find that hillarious (and I am sure the Britons probably would as well - they have a sense of humour). The fact that anyone would think they were out to get you is just crap - it is not all about the US.

A week before the games Bush travels around Asia giving speeches that probably offended China. The US selects a Sudanese refugee to hold the flag. The Phelps medal ceremony was the only one Bush was probably going to attend and the Chinese mess it up. A day after the games start an American tourist is killed by a ‘crazy’ Chinese man. I suppose we are supposed to believe they are all random events.

They made a mistake…stuff happens. I’m sure nothing was meant by it, given the rousing applause that was given the US team when they entered the stadium.

Everyone needs to just let it go…the important thing is that Mr. Phelps won the gold!

I felt sorry for The Gold medal winner, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, the bronze medalist during the playing of our National anthem. These athletes work endless hours to acheive their goals. It was obviously a huge mistake and at the very least left egg on the faces of the Chinese Olympic officials in charge of the awards ceremonies. It was definitely a shame and should have at least been noted and the correct apologies should have been offered.
I was reminded of a sporting event in America several years ago. The U.S. color guard brought out the Canadian Flag upside down. We had egg on our face then and we apologized and moved on. We all make mistakes. The Chinese olympic officials should just offer an apology especially to the Athletes and in general and move on.
If we all show each other basic respect there will be no need for comments about ugly anybodies. We can all get back to enjoying the incredible competition of all the incredible athletes!

I wanted to comment on the comments. I was disappointed as well that the American national anthem was cut short, but there is no way that this was intentional on the part of China. I deal with China every day in my profession and I can tell you that the Chinese people are the most accommodating people on the planet. They take great pride in their work and will go out of their way to make sure that they have done a good job, no matter what the circumstance. I’ve had it with the people who are constantly
looking to blame someone or something for their own disgruntled paranoid outlook on life. Organizing and coordinating the many aspects involved in an event as massive as the olympics will never be without a certain amount of glitches. Come on people, lighten up and enjoy the games!

A question to Meg:

Do you know the Chinese anthem? How would they know then and there that the American anthem was cut short?
An apology is probably going to be released, but you can’t blame them for not doing it instantly.

Are you naysayers nuts? They cut off the Star Spangled Banner at the very words “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave” -

they were NOT going to allow “land of the free” to surface in Communist China.

Conspiracy theory - no. Truth!!

I loved the opening ceremonies; however, it was all well-scripted and well-charted by the Chinese.

Hey Supot,

Americans believe in respect just as any Asian does and none of us are any more arrogant than the other! If we had messed up an Asian national anthem in an Olympic games we’ve hosted, that country would have gone CRAZY and demanded an apology immediately saying that we caused them to lose face. All we’re asking for is an apology and that it doesn’t happen again. My husband and I were mortified when watching, but knew it wouldn’t be the last time Michael Phelps was on the Gold medal podium! China better get their act together for the next 6 times he’s there!

Intentional or not, good for China for cutting off the US National Anthem. USA should stick to their own business and improve their economy and country before criticizing about China or starting a war in Iraq. Everyday the US dollar drops, the housing prices drop, I think to myself, the people of USA picked the jackass President TWICE, all their down falls were because of BUSH !!! Good for them, and they got what they deserved! I feel sorry for the soldiers and their families being put through war and economic recession!

I love the comments by the ugly, envious and hateful people around the world toward the U.S. because the Chinese committed artistic and multiple technical mistakes and/or purposeful acts when playing the USA National Anthem. First, they recorded a horrible, dirge-like recording. Next, they repeated a line. finally, they cut it short. The Chinese rulers have put the whip to all working on this Olympic project, and to believe it wasn’t purposeful is lame. If the USA did this to another country, like, oh, China, it would have been a world wide major incident and prompted talks of war. The Chinese purposefully delayed a whole flight of Western journalists for 4 hours, micro checking visas, etc., just after President Bush made his freedom comments in Thailand on his way to the land of mega death. The Chinese look upon any comment or action by any “foreigner” to be a personal insult and they do take revenge. The Greeks, Australians, Japanese, et al, have done terrific jobs in staging their Olympics. Too bad the Communist death-dealers can’t do the same. And their “tribute” to the religious/spiritual influences and references to “Unity” and “understanding” in China’s history during the opening ceremonies was a horrible joke to all the Christians and others who must practice their faith in secret, lest they be thrown into prison and tortured. NBC will do nothing to “offend” the Chinese Commissars. They even forced Google and Yahoo to prevent certain words from being looked up on the internet, and report electronically to the Commissars who was Googling “Freedom, ” liberty” or other forbidden words. Any praise of these monsters falls on deaf ears of those who know even a little of their history.

Come on, Ellen. It was a mistake…not intentional. An embarrassing mistake, to be sure, but a mistake nonetheless.

It wasn’t just that it was cut off earlier, either. The first 8-bar phrase was played one too many times, but only once in its entirety…bad cuts.

Does anyone know who composed the (pretty lousy) harmonization of the anthem used?

Yes, I am stoopid. I am idiot. I am disgusting pig. I am just poor man wishing I could live in America. I am hater. Yes, I only wish I worthy to kiss the boots your Mr. George Bush wear. He hero, I dumbass.

It was plain DISRESPECT. It’s not the first snide act that the chinese have done the last few days.

Responds to Christian,

No I do not know the Chinese national anthem. Fortunately for me and the rest of the world, I am not responsible for making sure the national anthems of the world are played correctly at the 29th Olympic games. My point earlier was that the chinese olympic officials in charge of making sure those anthems are played correctly should just apologize and let that be the end of it.
We are nearly one day past the anthem mishap and there is still no word of regret from the Chinese olympic officials. It is just time for Americans to be magnanimous and forgive the incident with or without the proper apology. We’ve all been taught the Golden Rule.
Most important, let’s get back to the spirit of competion and support our athletes!

Why are you americans complaining so much about that? why are you saying they did it on purpose? do you really think you are that important to the chinese people to screw up your anthem? it was a minor glitch, like those we saw in large numbers in Atlanta ‘96… nobody complained back then!

To people who are politically sensitive, please stop the non-sense because of ignorance of the Chinese culture. I work with Asian particularly the Chinese in the daily basis. Chinese people always show extreme hospitality to their friends from faraway. A famous Chinese saying “Friends come from far away is the happiest thing in life”. If you ever notice the warm applause when the USA team entered the venue, you will understand. They take great pride in their ability to accommodate their guests. From the “saving face” culture perspective, Chinese will never embarrass their guests in a world event like that. From the thousands years wisdom, they will not even hit their “enemy” that way in public if you ever heard of the Art of War by Sun Tzu. We American must understand we are not perfect, no one is perfect, we human beings do make mistakes. Do we know the Chinese anthem where to start where to end? An event like the Olympics will never be perfect. There are several hundreds countries (with different political opinions) attending the Olympics! Be classy if we have the pride to be an American and believe we are the strongest nation in the world.

You miss the point entirely. We’ve all been watching countless interviews with olympic athletes from all around the world. They all speak of standing on the podeum and listening to their Nation’s anthem being played. They all mention how they have dreamed of this since they were kids. They take that moment to reflect on years of hard work and dedication paying off and being recognized as the BEST in the world. These athletes were denied that glory.
It’s wonderful to know the Chinese are a polite society. Polite society is not exclusive to any one country. This issue is about the respect that should be shown to the athletes who won the medals. This is not about the politically correct thing to do. The medal winners were denied their moment in the sun because someone did a poor job.
These games are the Olympics and while they are held in China they are being viewed by the world. This is not some local highschool event. The athletes deserve the apology and respect.

Ok guys i don’t think that this is as big of a deal as everyone is making it and if it was on purpose we should just let it go as a small mistake and not give it any more attention to fuel a fire between us. If China wants to play dirty, our athletes should just go out there and beat them at their own game and show their ignorance at these games.

I’m sick and tired of the people who keep attacking China. Those who say it was “clearly disrespect” yet they don’t show reason are the idiots attacking China. I bet you if it was any other country, you wouldn’t be saying that. Those who say it was disrespect and yet they don’t explain why it was disrespect, are idiots. Yes, China does owe Phelps an apology, but it’s not that big a deal, Jesus Christ. It’s not like the whole anthem was messed up. God damn it! Come on! For fuck’s sake! Why would the Chinese want to mess up the song? The US and China have had good relations for so long now. Use some common sense.

Those who keep moaning communism and how China is a bad country are complete retards. I mean, come on, first the frenzied attack on the pollution; then this crazy nonsense. What next?

Seriously, people, China is trying hard to show respect, why can’t we all just show a little respect as well in return, huh? China did a wonderful opening ceremony and their stadiums/arenas are absolutely beautiful. You can see how much hard work and effort they have put into the Olympics. They TRIED to clear up the pollution in Beijing, and, according to environmental organisations, the pollution in Beijing isn’t serious at all. The pollution is classified as “moderate”, which is the second best classification out of 5 different classifications.

I can bet you that if the US “messed up” the Chinese anthem, no one would be complaining.

I have nothing else to say.

Stop nick picking a mistake. The Olympics are a time of peaceful times, if something goes wrong because of an anthem. it is probably an accident. It is embarrassing for them. I am sure you messed up on something and everyone criticize you for it. Why would China want to host the games to ruin its self image to the world? That lacks sense. Everyone is human in this world. No one is perfect in this world. Dont expect something from someone unless you yourself can actually do what someone expects of you. Because by saying this,you can be wrong as the person you accuse.

If it was a mistake, a technical problem of some sort, I think that we should overlook it and take into consideration the fact that the Chinese have been really busy: taking care of the security, the organization of all the events, the maintenance of the entire city, and the proper care has been given to all athletes.
If it wasn’t a mistake, then they are even with the American “athletes” who arrived wearing gas masks to Beijing.
Tell me, wasn’t that slightly disrespectful as well?
You can say, “Oh, they apologized for that.”
Well, there are times when we apologize and we don’t really feel sorry about having done what we did. It’s just that a simple and lame “sorry” gets us out of a lot of trouble.

let’s have some common sense here… why would they mess up America’s national anthem on purpose? it was OBVIOUSLY a technical error, just because it so happens to be the US and Michael Phelps..doesn’t mean anything. And for your information Sonya…China is no longer communist, so if you’re going to be racist, at least get the facts right. And it baffles me that you are arguing that the Chinese are racist and biased against the Americans and cut the national anthem off while YOU are the one being the MOST racist here. “Chinese govt trying to push typical communist tactics…awesome to be AMERICAN”… so IF you’re going to complain about racist from other countries..at least do so without being a racist yourself! you hypocrite!

All the countries are here, why would we mess up the anthem on purpose and make ourselves look stupid. Some Americans are so arrogant. Look at the economic crises you are in, so in debt. And the amount of people living on social security, even though some people in China only earn $2 a day at least we work for it. Unlike some of you, all you know is sit around being lazy and live off of other people’s tax money.

Oh grow up and get over yourself. There’s absolutely no way that was on purpose - it’s a simple technical error, and just leave it at that. You people are so damn arrogant and the spirit of the Olympics are wasted on you.

Recordings of the national anthem are provided by the respective countries’ olympic committees, so if you dont like the US anthem you’re hearing, go complain to the Americans olympic committee, not the Chinese……

An interesting note, when the Chinese president visited Bush at the white house a few years ago, the white house announcers the name of the country wrong, calling it the “Republic of China” (which is the formal name of Taiwan. So was that a deliberate insult at the chinese, or simply a mistake?

Maybe the Chinese, like the Americans, are all human, and are all capable of making mistakes.

Dont let your fervent ultranationalism get the best of you when trying to rationally see a situation

Here’s one hoping to a peaceful, successful, and beautiful olympic games.

I reckon if China wanna mess it up, it would be better off to simply play wrong national anthem….. it is an accident I would say…… but because the tension between these two countries which lead to such thought…… yes, china made a mistake, and U.S didn’t make a big deal out of it, so I guess they are both ok with it already….. so please don’t make use of this chance to start picking and calling names on China…. It is true on certain things… U.S had always been great nation for the past many decades in almost all aspects, however, it is also true that China is starting to take over U.S. in many aspects too nowadays, which the most obvious thing is economic stability within the country…….. Nevertheless, they are both still great nations….. well at least better than my country…..

THE CHINESE WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SONG SELECTION, the International Olympic Committee was. In fact, the IOC submits ALL national anthems to the host country. To think that China sabotaged the U.S, anthem to insult the U.S. is not only ignorant, but clearly an unfounded accusation.

So to those who became so anti China so quickly, you should research the facts and actually know what you are talking about before you make such strong judgments.

I have a news flash-China is still a country controlled by a Communist ruling class. They allow private companies to open businesses as long as they make the Chinese Rulers a partner as far as stealing money to finance their development, much like organized crime with protection money. So-called American or Western companies posing as supporters of freedom are willing to do anything to get into the Chinese market. The Chinese military views the US as an enemy, and their whole focus is to develop ways to neutralize or defeat US power on the high seas or in the air. Their military academies work on this all the time. There are many good and freedom loving Chinese people but the focus of the Communist rulers is to perpetuate their power and they can control the masses more easily than the Soviets did. Every once in a while they just need to slaughter a few hundred people and the rest get the point. Note to Supot-Your pathetic country does nothing except provide it’s children for use to pedophiles or sell them as slaves. You are despicable.

Why do some people keep insisting on putting the worst spin on everything? There have been mishaps in past Olympics and undoubtedly will be more before this Olympics is finished. It’s ludicrous to think that the human race would suddenly become error free just in time for the Olympics. They did it right after the 4 x 100 relay, as best I can recall. China wants to look good in the eyes of the world by putting on a good Olympics. Let’s stop back-biting.

Out of respect to our nation, at the least they should have apologized for the technical problem and played it in full. Believe me, if any other country’s national anthem had been the recipient of a similar technical problem there would have been a worldwide outcry.

A year or two ago, when Communist Party General Secretary aka President Hu Jintao visited the White House, some genius was stupid enough to cue up the national anthem of the Republic of China (aka Taiwan) rather than the People’s Republic of China. I’m not making this up.

With Bush in the stands for the Phelps swim, this was a simple quid pro quo.

I wish it was done on purpose. I think it couldn’t compare to what the US did on China’s Embassy in Belgrade in 1999.
How many billion US used in its technology and on its intelligence and fuck you they aimed missile to kill innocent people and just said “Oops, sorry.”

Some one should go to jail for that, not just only an apology. You fuck american don’t think that?

phelps was probably on such a high he didn’t even notice or care one bit… he’s won his medal… there is no mistaking him for not being an american.. he’s proud to be up there on the podium with the whole world watching him regardless of whether or not his anthem is being played or not… give it a break…

Hey, who gives a shit whether or not China is still controlled by communism? That’s hardly the point.

And why are you American fuckers complaining anyway? Phelps didn’t give a shit, why should you?

Hahahahahaha!!
I thought it was funny and that it really was a techical glitch! Music issues have happened to me and my team many times in gymnastics. Besides Phelps thought it was funny so why make a big deal anyway? It’s his medal ceremony!

What better moment to mess up the American National Anthem then when the president of the USA is present. I’m not a Bush fan, so I found the moment ironically funny. I only felt bad for those who tried to sing along…but it resembled the anthem enough to make the point of who won gold. I must admit, arent’ these anthems digitally recorded and filed? I’m kind of confused as to how it was messed up in the manner it was! It wasn’t like it was just cut short or damaged…just repetetive of certain refrains…was a very unusual mistake. Guess it doesn’t really matter, we still have the gold and it was our flag flying high. Go USA

Hey everyone, play together nicely in the sandbox!!
Enjoy the sports!!

Ak you Americans shouldn’t worry bout it. Least yaz have gold medals. llf, i love my country but my God, Irelands doin shite!!! IS BREA LIOM EIRE!!! llf i should be more loyal lol common Ireland!!!!! woooooooo!

I think it was a mistake, China is all about world peace when it comes to the Olympic….an messing up the National Anthem only made Michael Phelps more popular (everyone is talking about him)

no one dies..so..it’s not a big deal at all

The Chicoms (the “party” still rules China) screwed with the evil Yankees in playing the National Anthem for Phelps the first time. In the opening ceremonies The flying girl lip-synched the ode to the motherland, many fireworks were computer-generated(the Chicoms controlled the video feed) and all of the people on the field in costume and silver cardboard boxes were soldiers, so they had no choice whether or not to serve the Communist party, and sometimes had 48 hour long rehearsals. So many of you people love the Chicoms. Go breathe the great air and just try to hold up a poster protesting their bloody rulers. But that’s all over. The Yanks came to play, baby.

Hey H,
Only an American dies in the knife attack, is that it? It will take more than that to stop us.

La La La La, Yeah baby, yeah!……….(cough)

Did any of you attend the Olympics? We were at the pool for the shortened anthem and it was the only glitch so probably an accident but fit with the rest of our experience in the country. We just returned and it was our third (Atlanta and Sydney). This time my husband and I saved a long time to take our three girls and his mother there. It was a HUGE disappointment. China is not what it appears on television. Those that went and everyone that we talked with who attended other games were deeply disappointed and disturbed by what we witnessed. A country trying and people that are nice but a country that is obsessed with looking good but although a socialist capitalism is trully still a communist regime. The entire experience was actually very sad …the events were good, opening ceremonies was entertaining especially for television viewers and the facilities have an amazing outward appearance but there is no spirit of the games..no place to gather and enjoy the country comaraderie. The sponsors like McDonalds truly got ripped off as the venue food was horrendous (and not Asian) and no McDonalds in the venues..food ran out at almost every venue including opening before events began. It was the worst experience I can remember. The lip-syncing little girl in opening tells you most about the Chinese…there is a lot more to the country than what you are seeing on television.

I find it very hard to believe that it was just a coincidence that during the first US gold medal ceremony, with President Bush in the audience, they cut the anthem off at the “land of the free and the home of the brave”.
It seems like people have forgotten that China is a brutal totalitarian regime, and this is exactly the type of dirty PR stunt that these regimes use to try to manipulate public perception.

Travis, you watch hollywood movie too much, perhap.

“Travis, you watch hollywood movie too much, perhap”

AmericanFuckHead, your eloquent prose has changed my mind completely.

Wow, I am so amazed at the amount of hatred and butt kissing going on in the comment section of this freaking article.

So much hatred toward the U.S.A. “Bush is a jerk”, “Americans are not the center of the universe”, “if it was another countries’ anthem, you would not care”, “China is so wonderful and friendly and afraid of loosing face”, etc.

It was a mistake. I truly hope it was a mistake by the Chinese organizers, organizers who painstakingly rehearsed and practiced the ceremony ad nausea and had no problems digitally editing the firework display because it was to “misty”, or had a little girl pretend she was singing, because the beautiful little girl who owns the voice was “ugly”.

Because if it was not a mistake, then I am sorry to say that the pettiness of such a display show what a pathetic spirit the Chinese government has.

I have many, many Chinese friends. From the mainland, HK, and Taiwan. And all this fellatio about they Chinese being kind and loving and courteous is a bunch of bologna. Is like the Japanese saying goes: “Japanese people are polite with their shoes off”. So are the Chinese.

For example: one of my good friends just went to HK to help his father’s business stay afloat. Him being an American of Chinese ancestry, was constantly checked and double checked about the US. The Chinese people constantly confronted him about things Chinese, and things American. He could not have a normal conversation with anybody. If he said something American was more efficient or better, they would call him a “sellout”. He he said something positive about Mainland China, then he was accused for being a liar and a conformist.

I have talked to many mainlanders who do not even know what happened in Tiananmen Square.

Even here where I live, I have to deal with the Chinese xenophobia and racism. And I quote:

“my family is traditional. They will never allow us to go out together” Veiled racism I call it.

The Chinese are so great, that when one of our surveillance planes, operating in international waters, took evasive maneuvers and collided with one of their fighter jets, was forced to land in mainland China, and the crew and aircraft where not allowed to depart unmolested. A collision between a fighter jet and a surveillance plane is like a motorcycle and a wheelchair. Who has more maneuverability? And the said we crashed against the fighter pilot LOL.

The great Chinese, who is a 95 percent agrarian community that constantly kills its female born, in favor for a son.

So ok. The messing up of the anthem was not on purpose. But all you haters should consider the stupidity of your statements, and realize that the hatred you portray and shine upon us as a nation and as a people, is just a reflection of your inferiority complex and little minds.

One day, we will not be the superpower that we are. I want to see how you guys fare. Look at the Romans, the French, the Spanish empires. All gone, and the remains are just surviving, forming into a “Union” trying to survive.

And the Thai representative. Please answer this for me: What has Thailand given to the world community in the last 500 years? Beside good food, child prostitutes and a place for fat tourists to have cheap sex with your farm girls?

Please. Look at your own backyard (like some people here keep saying) and when you find no dog turds, let me know.

Rock: what wonderful Utopia you live in?

Dick: the Chinese are trying their very best to have a good Olympics. To the point that they have moved large sections of the population away from the arenas, forced people to close their shops, move away, and a whole long list of every day activities that they used to “enjoy” but now they don’t, in order for the Chinese government to try and look like a civilized nation. Please quit fellating the Chinese. They don’t care about you, like they don’t care about me, and this stupid comment section.

Colin: the Olympics are a time of peace? Tell that to the Tibetans.

From the land of the free and the home of the brave.

It upset me, too, that the anthem was cut short. However, what is most infuriating is that NOT ONCE did I see Micheal Phelps singing the anthem! And it’s not like you can say he just won one medal and was overcome with emotion. This happens time after time. He just stands there with his mouth open. It is so disrespectful to our country. The French sing their anthem, the Australians sing their anthem, the Chinese sing their anthem… Ok, our girls were singing… but Micheal Phelps? Never saw him sing once! Have any of you? It is an outrage!

Hey people, especially JMills, shut up and enjoy the olympics. GO USA

Hey Jerry,

Your are right. Lets enjoy. It is beautiful to watch.

To JMills,
Well put, my friend. And thank you, Kathy, for your input. So many people are brainwashed about the Chinese, especially about the Communist government. There is no “Olympic Spirit” like in what we would call the free world. Everything is put forth for the glory of the Party. Some people have trouble grasping reality. Anyway, we can enjoy the competition even though Peking, er, Beijing (The Forbidden City) even being awarded the Olympics was an insult and travesty. Now I think I’ll go have some fried seahorses on a stick for dinner, washed down with some dog soup. Now where’d my border collie go…Seumas!

yeah they just cut off the anthem again, in the women’s individual gymnastics medal ceremony for Nastia Liukin- this time they just cut of some of the beginning and skipped right to about 1/3 through the song.

I have to say that I am a little disappointed in the games this year. I feel like the entire focus of the Olympics is for China to get as many gold medals as possible to prove themselves to the world. I read where the Chinese are training children in camps as young as 3 yrs. old for future Olympic games. They want to win, at any cost. This type of winning in my opinion is not in the spirit of what the Olympics is about. The spirit, depth, energy and character that was always present in past games seems to be lacking in Beijing.

Human Beings do make mistakes. That’s it. I remembered the US played Taiwan’s national anthem when some Chinese high level official visited US. If that is considered a mistake, what are you cry babies crying about?

Shit happens, mistake occurs, live on, get a life.