America's new embassy in Beijing/新建美国使馆在北京

新建美国使馆在北京

America's new embassy is gorgeous, state-of-the-art, and the largest embassy in Beijing.   We drove to it a couple of days ago to check it out.  On our way we saw the embassies of Germany, Canada, Israel, India, Australia, Spain, the EU, etc.  All are very nice buildings... then we arrived at the mammoth American mission. Much larger than the others... and a much more impenetrable wall surrounding the embassy!   

When we tried to take pictures, security guards freaked out.  So, no photos.  Anyway, it was fun to see.  President Bush was there on Friday morning to officially open the Embassy, but the guard told us it still is not "open".  Ambassador Randt, the current U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, declared on Tuesday that the opening of this large embassy (the second largest embassy building in the world - the first is America's embassy in Iraq) underscores the serious nature of the world's most important bilateral relationship in the 21st century: the U.S.-China relationship.

It is also interesting to note that Washington's largest embassy will soon be China's new facility.  

L.A. 2020: The Los Angeles 2020 Summer Olympics

Being here in Beijing has got me on this Olympic cities kick.  I am looking into Olympic bids, candidate cities, etc.  It's kind of exciting.  So here are some thoughts:

If Chicago loses its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics (very possible because right now both Madrid and Tokyo have higher "scores", and Rio de Janeiro poses a serious challenge as the first serious South American contender in Olympic history), the IOC will be looking for an American host for the following year (2020).  By then, it will have been over 24 years since an American city hosted the Summer Games (Atlanta in 1996).  

Los Angeles will be an excellent candidate city for the 2020 Games.  Because L.A. did seek to host the 2016 Games, the Southern California bid committee may be a little burned out.  The City of Angeles came awfully close to getting the USOC's nomination for the 2016 international bid, losing by a slim margin to Chicago.  San Francisco and Houston were also seeking the USOC's approval, but S.F. withdrew and Houston was rejected.  Anyway, despite its recent efforts and failure, I think Los Angeles should definitely explore the option of bidding for the 2020 Games!

Los Angeles has an extensive history with the Olympics.  L.A. already hosted the Olympic Games twice: 1932, and in 1984.  Some cool trivia: L.A. was the first city to open an Olympic Village (1932).  John Williams wrote the acclaimed Olympic theme song for the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.  Also, L.A.'s 1984 Games have been recorded as the most profitable in modern Olympic history.  The 1984 Olympics are often cited as a model of how to plan and organize an Olympiad.  It was a huge boost to the regional economy.

Los Angeles boasts more mountains, beaches, and sports venues than any other city in America, and is the most diverse place in the world.  It could keep the visitors and participants busy and entertained as it is the entertainment capital of the world.  Also, for selfish reasons, Los Angeles' infrastructure needs could be better addressed with the Olympics as a goal/objective/reason.  L.A. could certainly serve as an excellent host for the world's greatest sporting event in 2020. 

Plus, I like the ring of it: L.A. 2020  !!!

Any thoughts?