Missed Chan(ce)

I watched much of the Beijing Olympics in disgust. Not just because diving and beach volleyball are not even on the top 10 list of most watchable international sports. But because these olympic games were missing something so real, so attainable, so AWESOME. China, for all its storied history and legacy, particularly in science, that has contributed greatly to Western Civilization, does not have much in the way of an ambassador to the world. You know, a diplomat recognized the world over for his good will, winning smile, charisma, and intellect (or gumption, if not intellect). The man Who Could (nay, Should) Have Been the Beijing Olympic ambassador, the je ne sais quoi that was missing in '08, is Jackie Chan. FULL DISCLOSURE: I am aware Mr. Chan was born in Hong Kong, which was not part of China per se at the time, but as of '97 Hong Kong the British gave it to the Chinese as part of the British effort to be the Empire On Which The Sun Has Set).
Imagine the mileage one could get out of Jackie Chan as your ambassador! In addition to the usual photo ops and VIP treatment during ceremonial moments, think about the shenanigans Mr. Chan would be up to. In the middle of the fencing tournament, Jackie bursts in, 3 hoodlums in hot pursuit. A fencing squad attempts to diffuse the situation, and a melee ensues. A three-way battle between Jackie, hoodlums, and fencers breaks out, Jackie being armed with a table leg and a turkey leg. During archery, Jackie swings on a rope across the range to rescue a damsel who has been covered by a large paper target, only to realize the rope is on fire just before the rope snaps and he and damsel are deposited unceremoniously 15 feet down onto a few bales of hay. And, of course, the Chinese Communist Party Leadership insists that Jackie be prominently featured busting up a sinister plot for world domination by the evil falun gong. Everybody goes home a winner, by any measure.
And that is the olympic games as they should have been. Just like John Wayne would darned well have been the ambassador of the 1984 Los Angeles games if only he had been with us a few more years. Rest well, Duke.
Hopefully I'll have a review of Running Critical in a few days.