The Olympics in Sochi, Russia have opened.
Unfortunately, along with that event has come more thumping of the Putinesque iron glove that authoritarians throughout history have erringly worn in order to generate, stimulate, and encourage a consistent flow of “correct thinking” within it’s citizenry. Consequently, even though it was only an everyday hiccup that made the Olympic Rings of the opening ceremonies not function precisely as presenters had planned, that reality was not to be experienced by the Russian television audience.
Unfortunately, along with that event has come more thumping of the Putinesque iron glove that authoritarians throughout history have erringly worn in order to generate, stimulate, and encourage a consistent flow of “correct thinking” within it’s citizenry. Consequently, even though it was only an everyday hiccup that made the Olympic Rings of the opening ceremonies not function precisely as presenters had planned, that reality was not to be experienced by the Russian television audience.
Call it quick-thinking, technical wizardry, brilliant
network productivity, or fear-motivated political butt-saving mentality… someone
instantly judged it to be appropriate that an earlier rehearsal tape quickly be substituted so that viewers would never see the potentially embarrassing glitch.
The net result, supposedly, is that everyone internally was cleverly fooled... or, depending upon one's viewpoint - "protected",
while those on the outside merely had their James Bondian concepts of a
corrupted country enhanced.
However truth, like cream, always rises to the
surface. Sooner or later the populace, Russian and otherwise, catch on to the
misdirection continually being practiced upon them. It’s simply a principle
ingrained in our human psyche that no one likes to be suckered on a regular
basis and so, it may take a while - but
eventually, somebody sufficiently oblivious to fear and reprisal says, “Look! The Emperor has no clothes!”
Poking fun at the Sochi Olympics is not really fair, in as
much as it places the people of Russia on the periphery of a very powerful
spotlight. But when that spotlight is being demanded from a fifty billion dollar expenditure by the head of state, in his attempt to promote and augment vanity, agenda, and
personal gain… then let the fun and games by visiting reporters and their social media communications begin.
The die was cast well before Sochi. - J
The die was cast well before Sochi. - J
The reception of our hotel in #Sochi has no floor. But it does have
this welcoming picture. pic.twitter.com/8isdoBuytl
This is the one hotel room @Sochi2014 have given us so far. Shambles.
#cnnsochi pic.twitter.com/RTjEkmyan3
In my Sochi hotel. You're welcome to pop by and sit forlornly in my
Chairs of Desolation. pic.twitter.com/msoqXAIcj4
My hotel has no water. If restored, the front desk says, "do not
use on your face because it contains something very dangerous." #Sochi2014
8:02 PM - 3 Feb 2014 - Water restored, sorta. On the bright side, I now
know what very dangerous face water looks like. #Sochi #unfiltered
pic.twitter.com/sQWM0vYtyz
People have asked me what surprised me the most here in Sochi. It's
this. Without question ... it's ... THIS. pic.twitter.com/1jj05FNdCP
#sochi good news , I have Internet , bad news, it's dangling from the
ceiling in my room... pic.twitter.com/WPp560Nr5c
To anyone in Sochi: I am now in possession of three light bulbs. Will
trade for a door handle. This offer is real: pic.twitter.com/7AeesqDi8Y
Just arrived at Sochi, I could have sworn my hotel room looked
different online pic.twitter.com/pDGXy90ch3
Article Copyright J. Michael Lyffe - 2014
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