So I got around to watching the closing celebration of the XX Winter Olympic Games.  Overall I really liked them, and I enjoy how all the athletes mingle.  I want to know who is in charge of picking the artists.  So I assume Canada was responsible for picking Avril Lavigne since she is from Canada, but did Italy really want Ricky Martin to perform hits from his 1999 album?  Ricky hasn’t performed on stage in 4 years according to his own press release, and he just launched himself on a world tour.  He is promoting a new album, and Sony BMG is giving away the single to get attention.  The Puerto Rico singer’s Latin America tour was sponsored by VISA and would you believe me if I said the Olympics were sponsored by the very same company?  Still remember all those commercials for safe checking?  Corporate America at work at the Olympics where all the athletes care about is equality, fair play, loyalty and respect for one another.  I enjoy the games, competition, and know it would not be possible without corporate sponsors.  I just wish more of the celebration was controlled by the local people instead of influential corporations in the USA.

PS:   I loved the clowns, acrobats and history behind the Torino/Italy.  But do people from Italy really sing YMCA?