Shamu

http://history1900s....a/hiroshima.htm Nothing I have ever thought we should apologize for. Damn editor won't allow me to correct my subject line errors or delete and start over.

Anyone want to bet against Phelps returning for the next Olympics in Rio? He will only be 31 or 32, I just cannot see him staying retired, just too many more records for him to set. Every race he swims has the potential to create history. No way he stays retired. As he said himself, even Michael Jordan came back. That comment tells me something.

Maybe I am wrong but to me it appeared to be, on TV, at the bottom of the stadium, almost track level. As for other locations I can only reference Atlanta where it was at the top of the stadium. (Ali lit the flame) Without being specific I recall other Olympics athletes had to mount many steps to get to the flame. Just do not know the venues or exact location. Again only an issue for me because the flame represents the Olympics and should be a featured part of the games. (Edit) Just Googled the flame to try and see location better. Article seems to support what I said. I also realize without being there it's hard to say who is right: http://www.usatoday....-ioc/56572440/1

Speaking of "greatest ever", but veering from individual achievements, it seems Great Britain is having one of it's "greatest ever" Olympics. Quite a day today with multiple medals. 3rd in medal count is quite an achievement especially when comparing the size of their talent pool as opposed to high population countries like China and the USA. Well done Brits! Of course I would not be myself if I did not find a little fault somewhere. The placement of the Olympic Flame almost seems like an afterthought buried at the bottom of the track and field stadium. Would have been much nicer in a more dominant position overlooking the venues and where visitors could see it burning. I would think a tourist highlight is just seeing the flame by general attendance, not having to need tickets to a track event. BTW, it's the only criticism I can find and I had to work to get that one. (Well maybe the earlier seating also.) Weather seems to be holding and I have found the games very enjoyable.

Bet you, like most of the rest of us, wish we were good enough to be one.

Well, we do not need anyone else. Just like the Idiots to not need a internet web site to tell them who is best.

Because in your lead post you asked...... The reference to the popularity of professional sports is offered as one of the reasons his accomplishments may not get the attention you might expect. You asked "does anybody cared over there?". It's one possible explanation why we don't seem to care. Simply an answer to a question you asked.

Personally, in my ever so humble opinion, the best athlete will be the winner of the Decathlon. The Decathlon personifies the Olympics and the proficiency of an "Athlete". Skilled in multiple events and not just exceptional in one. It is a grueling test won by true "Athletes". By no means do I mean to lessen each individuals accomplishment in the sport of their choice but I just have a great respect for an individual skilled in multiple events and not a specialist in one. To me the Decathlon most represents the spirit of the Olympics. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decathlon

Probable problem is that the Olympics, and even less swimming, do not hold most Yanks attention like professional sports. The Olympics are nice but simply do not generate the passion of professional sport, or even team college sport for that matter. It seems that here American Football, Baseball, Basketball and Ice Hockey dominate the consciousness. In many most cases either college or pro. The Olympics are nice but not highly relevant. Even less in some cases depending on the event. Swimming no doubt has more relevance in Australia than here. Also a lot depends on what the media chooses to promote. Never overlook the power of the media. Personally I found more pleasure in the success of Gabby Douglas, she will be the American superstar, media darling, of the Olympics on the American side. Her personality and looks certainly do not hurt the popularity. http://www.youtube.com/user/ProcterGamble/featured?v=HbhzLI-vNjE

I have often said within my family if members were ever to be held hostage by terrorists, with the threat of impending death, I would encourage my country to go in and kill the hostage takers regardless of consequences for the hostages. Kill them all and hope for the best for the hostages but be willing to accept the worst. The Israelis just might be the best in such a situation. No, I am not Jewish nor do I necessarily blindly support Israel. I just think they are good with decision making and how they go about doing it. Nothing more, nothing less. And Jonny, a forum like this is a hard place to get straight answers. You will just have to filter out what works from what does not.

Be confident in who you are, you do not need some bogus site to tell you.

Well, my puddle of whale oil might have been right at home with all those oil rigs pumping up and down everywhere you look. My luck someone would set up a drilling rig over my puddle and drill me right in the ass. Have not heard many using coal to power their cars. You should thanks us for not having all that dried up OIL your state is riddled with. You know PA has the largest deposit of coal. Ah but HXTR, you are overlooking the renaissance going on in PA for gas. PA may well be the natural gas leader with the Marcellus Shale deposits. There is however a big stink about the drilling process called "Fracking". http://www.marcellus-shale.us/ Big bucks against environmentalists.

Interesting and entertaining I thought. I liked the better than Beijing which was so precise and structured.

Well, my puddle of whale oil might have been right at home with all those oil rigs pumping up and down everywhere you look. My luck someone would set up a drilling rig over my puddle and drill me right in the ass.

LOL, I know and if you had at least I would have had the option of politely refusing. However I sill choose to work for a living and and my bosses thought a PA Yankee was needed in Texas to get things squared away. No options in refusing a work assignment. I am however finally starting to cool off. I am also glad to have escaped for this week. Supposed to be over 100 degrees every day if I am not mistaken. My fat would have melted and left me as a puddle in the Texas desert.

Cooking Texas style;

Many of the damn women are wearing sweat suits. No fair!

Damn Texans, there is no help for them

A sign to place by the computer for your kids........... Want Today's WiFI Password??? Make your bed. Clean the bathroom. Vacuum downstairs. Walk the dog.

If I am not mistaken there is some kind of mental depression issue attributed to Seattle residents because of the lack of sunshine. It is called SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Go ahead, look it up, it's true.

Actually yes, I was stationed at Fort Sill just outside of Lawton, Oklahoma for over a year. At least Ft. Sill has Buffalo and Tarantulas. Worst experience at Ft. Sill was over-nighting in tents out on the rifle range when a tornado came through. Made quite a mess, we all laid in road side ditches as it passed. They had to bring out MP's to secure the area because guns and tents were scattered all over the place. As part of an engineer company we were also involved in a clean up in Wichita Falls, TX after a tornado went through the town in 1962. I had good duty at Ft. Sill so nothing bad to say about OK.

Whats with all the empty seats? Thought it was all sold out.

TG! Home at last! Out of that god forsaken desert. And HXTR, being from Texas neither have you. Without a doubt, and I have visited many states on business and vacations, Texas is on the bottom of the list, lower than whale shit.

Curious if that was the Wounded Warriors organization. I will be disappointed if it were.

Just a matter of opinion that "free stuff" often has a negative effect in a persons desire to be self sufficient. Here in the states it is very well known that many people simply choose to stay on welfare because it's easy money and eliminates their need to work for a living. I doubt England is much different with those on the "dole" Charities are by no means on the scale of welfare but there are instances where charities could contribute to the same mindset. Hence do your research and contribute where it does the most good. And I do not know that I would solely trust a government endorsement on a charity.