2008 is right around the corner, and down the street a little.

The committee for the 2008 Beijing Olympic summer games has released the designs of the mascots which are meant to represent the spirit of competition and national flavor of the host country. And here they are...



Whoops, sorry my picture files must be mixed up. How about this...



Nope, let's try this one...



Getting closer, here...

now I've found them and so we can see how they look and what they stand for from the English language Olympic website.

This is Huanhuan, or Fire Rushing over Taiwan. She is meant to signify the desire for competition and and not nuclear proliferation. Don't get us wrong, though, we'll do what we have to do. No one can put out her flame or that of the will of the people represented by her Red exterior and imposing stance. Huanhuan welcomes you with open arms, imperialist westerners.

This is Jingjing the Panda. He is angered that the FONZ did not consider Stew Miller as a viable name for their newborn panda cub. Tia Shan? I mean, what kind of crap is that. Jingjing will take revenge on you and devastate your cities if you anger him again.

I am Beibei the Fish... don't ask why I have a hat shaped like a bird on my head, it isn't important. I sent an e-mail to ex-Fema head Mike Brown and he told me I look fabulous.

This is Yingying and I think we all know what THAT means. Yingying welcomes all western currencies and hopes that everyone has a satisfying time. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Please do not bring Neil Bush though, he has worn out his welcome.

This is Nini the Swallow, she wanted the other bird hat but got stuck with this one. She represents the avian flu pandemic and the hope that it can be irradicated through the spending of large sums of money. Sponsored by Hoffman La-Roche, makers of Tamiflu.

Here's looking forward to a great summer games. I think.