Olympics: Fresh Opener, Warmed-Over Coverage

Re “In a Pageant of Pomp, Pride and Security, Salt Lake Games Open,” Feb. 9: I knew there was something about Friday night that I loved: No Hollywood. It was wholesome--nothing outrageous. I loved the Indians and the pioneers and especially the children. My great-grandfather was there when the trains connected and he helped drive in the golden spike.

Salt Lake City can be very proud of its production. There must have been a lot of tears when the flag was carried into the stadium. I was glued to my chair and was not bored or “shocked” once. Our President Bush is a class act; he fit in perfectly. God bless all those in service to our country, those who lost their lives and those they left behind. Thank you, Salt Lake City.

Diana Morris Gary

Oxnard

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The Olympics celebrate human endeavor, spirit and unity, regardless of nation, race or religion. Why couldn’t Bush let us at least get through the opening ceremonies without slipping in the “evil” of others? How tasteless can you get? Let politics rest for one night, especially this night.

Christopher S. McCann

Los Angeles

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Maybe I’m getting old, but I remember a time when television coverage of the Olympic Games was much more than merely a highlight reel of American athletes’ participation in the day’s events.

Andrew R. Steiner

Winnetka

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Imagine you were invited one evening to a family’s home, where they talked only about themselves during dinner, showed videos of themselves after dinner, chanted their last name periodically and passed around pictures of the last funeral in their family.

Now imagine you are an athlete from a foreign country participating in this year’s Olympic Games.

Douglas Binns

Los Angeles