The London Olympic opening ceremony was a grand spectacle. Directed by popular British director, Danny Boyle, the multi-hour extravaganza included more than one memorable concept:
- a real-life pastoral scene
- Mr. Bean
- giant rising smoke stacks
- an Olympic flame transported down the Thames River, via speedboat, by soccer superstar David Beckham
- extensive fireworks
- a rousing journey through decades of British pop culture
- dozens of Mary Poppins defeating a blow up Lord Voldemort
- Paul McCartney performance
- symbolic lighting of the Olympic cauldron
Most notable part of the ceremony for the politically-inclined was a rousing tribute to the National Health System, Britain's universal health care.
Radio jockey Rush Limbaugh had some harsh words for the ceremony today, as reported by Politico, accusing it of being "socialist":
“Of all the things of historical note in Great Britain, United Kingdom, the things they chose to highlight about themselves in that opening ceremony scared me more, because that’s a free people basically honoring socialism and collectivism. The [Chinese] people had no choice. They are under orders and under guns. In the U.K., a free people decided to do it.”
Agence France Presse reported the reaction from Aiden Burly, a member of British Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party:
"Aidan Burley, a lawmaker from Prime Minister David Cameron's ruling Conservative party, tweeted: "The most leftie opening ceremony I have ever seen -- more than Beijing, the capital of a communist state! Welfare tribute next?"
What did you think of the London Olympics Opening Ceremony? What was your favorite part? Least favorite?