Bush Annexes Olympics

In what some cynics may describe as a purely political move, President Bush is thinking of popping over to Athens to watch the Olympics this week.



You will recall that, as posted on this site some time ago, Bush was never going to attend in person; he had only planned to send his Mum and Dad and his children.



Now it seems that things have changed.



One particular sporting event that seems to have caught the President's eye, is the football game final being possibly played by Iraq this coming Saturday (only if they beat Paraguay on Tuesday).



It is already confirmed that Colin Powell will be at the closing ceremony on Sunday.



Needless to say, when it comes to US Presidential politics nothing is ever straighforward. Aside from the massive security, and logistical, problems that an "unplanned" Presidential visit would cause; there are also the political implications, in what is after all an election year.



It seems that "W's" TV campaign at the moment is running an advert that claims that the only reason that Iraq and Afghanistan are competing in the Games, is because of the "success" of the "War on Terror".



I would venture to ask, if the "war on terror" is such a success, why did the security measures at the Games have to cost a whopping $1.5BN?



The advert links today's, situation with the attack on the 1972 Munich Games. Quote: "Freedom is spreading through the world like a sunrise. And this Olympics there will be two more free nations and two less terrorist regimes.....With strength, resolve and courage, democracy will triumph over terror and hope will defeat hatred."



The trouble is, the advert uses Olympic symbols; which are protected by copyright law.



The US Olympic Committee are investigating the possible breach of copyright.



To further fuel the fire of controversy, it seems that the "liberated" Iraqi players are more than tad "pissed off" at being used to help "W" win his election campaign.



Bush remains unapologetic, he reportedly told the voters of Oregon: "It (Iraq) wouldn't have been free if the United States hadn't acted."



Well, in order to ensure complete electoral impartiality, I have a link here to that most excellent of animations "This Land".



It takes a few minutes to download, but is a hoot...."This Land"