Americans have hyped the Sochi Olympics with anti-glee, reveling in every problem with tweets and drivel. While they have perhaps begun to tone down their ritualistic vitriol for the opening ceremonies, they can’t let go of old prejudices.

Promised NBC commentators Lauer, Viera and Remnick,during the opening ceremonies, “The Russian revolution coming up after this commercial break…”“The revolution is probably the touchiest period in Russian history,” they continued. “The turmoil in Soviet society, without ever mentioning the word Lenin.”“They are proud of Ladas here,” they moved on. “Unfortunately they became a punchline for the rest of the world.”“This is Vladimir Putin’s Russia,” they concluded. “And he is insisting that we look at the political power of Russia tonight.”Look out. Here come the ballet dancers.