“The Olympic Games
are the quadrennial celebration of the springtime of humanity.”
Pierre de Coubertin
Pierre de Coubertin
“Every party needs
a pooper, that’s why we invited you.”
From a little ditty.
Being the curmudgeonly party pooper is a tough job but
someone has to take it on. The “O” Games
have begun and the world and NBC are all atwitter. You’ll notice that I’m not using the proper
word to describe these quadrennial events that are equal part sport,
nationalism and soap opera (Currently two years separates the winter and summer
games. In years past the winter and
summer games occurred in the same year).
I’m staying away from the actual word itself because it has an armor
plated copyright, defended with badger-like tenacity and I don’t have a lawyer
with the horsepower of the “O” Organizing Committee’s lawyers to fight off any
suits over my use of the “O” word (In fact I don’t have a lawyer of any
horsepower).
I’m being extra cautious because according to a story on
NPR the “O”, organizers in London are being O-verly zealous this year about
protecting the copyright. The “O” games
lawyers (If the games were being held in nearby Dublin, could we call them
O’Lawyers?) are working O-vertime making sure that nobody sells fake merchandise,
hijacks the rings to promote their laundry business or dog sitting service or
misuses the “O” word. We have an “O”
Boulevard here in nearby Walnut Creek; I’m wondering if the town fathers are
consulting the city attorneys.