The Olympics: spreader of goodwill or fascism?

Like much of the world, I watched the opening ceremonies and have been watching NBC far too much the past couple of days. I was completely blown away by the 500 ft LCD screen and 15,000 performers, each of whom seemed to have their own ear piece. I enjoy watching athletes from around the world compete.

But the Olympics have become a nasty monster that helps each host country trample on civil liberties and sweep abuses under the rug, and China is not even close to alone. I hate the Chinese government as much as anyone, but it also seems a little hypocritical for Americans to be shocked that the Olympics would be held in China. I hate to say it, but the old US of A is probably responsible for more death and destruction than China has been in recent times.

In years past, games have been used as a great excuse to raze poor neighborhoods and public housing in America. They have been used to round up our homeless brothers and sisters to be put in jails. They have been used to "brand" you (to use the corporate lingo) by linking Pepsi and McDonalds to athleticism.

Beijing 2008 is no different, but on an awesome scale. China has spent $40 Billion on the games this year. The opening ceremonies and numerous facilities they built and remodeled accounted for only a fraction of that money. The vast majority of which was spent on displacing 1.5 million Chinese from their homes and businesses as well as creating a high tech police state in Beijing. Beijing currently has 300,000 closed circuit cameras around the city, as well as new and fancy police equipment. This police state will not dissipate in a couple weeks when the games are over. The Olympics, in short, are a massive excuse for the Chinese to buy weapons and technology to suppress their people for a long time to come, sponsored by American companies.

The brand giants of America are also using the occasion to crack open the mostly untapped Chinese market. Pepsi has begun selling red cans in China that say "Red forever" on them, something a liberal would get charged with treason for as an individual. Nike is running pro Chinese athletes commercials. In short, corporate America is drooling over 1.3 billion "un-branded" potential consumers.

All this begs the questions: Is China more communist or fascist anymore? Do the Olympics create enough positive energy and international goodwill to justify the leaps toward police state taken by host cities? Why is badminton an Olympic sport?

Please leave me comments on what you think. What would you do if you were an athlete? Would you make a statement, or do you think politics should be left out of the competitions?