Not Watching the Beijing Olympics

[BeBMan]

(didn't read the article since it's good poly tradition)

As far as I read here in Krautmedia the IOC pres now comes under intl fire for taking back earlier statements that reporting should be free and now says something like "as free as possible".

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Japher
more surprising that the IOC and the reporters believed them.

Why? By and large the people you are speaking of are European. Is there a reason you can think of why they wouldn't be fooled?

[SlowwHand]

If it was a chess tournament or math whiz quiz, you yawners might watch.; but what you're yawning over, one actually has to go outside. Horrors!

[Traianvs]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

by supporting the Games in China the wolrd is accepting Chinese ascent in the international political / economic stage.

If you don't accept China's ascent into the international political and economic stage than you are fool. Their power and influence cannot be ignored.

No, I am noting that China is rapidly developing itself. However this all happens so quickly and without much internal checks and balances. And the rest of the world who are simply hooked on cheap consumer goods don't really mind, apart from a large number of NGO's, some idealistic foreign ministers here and there.

Their power can't be ignored, but their arrogant international stance should at least be tempered somewhat. For example, China has been leading third world countries in international conferences claiming they should be granted acquittals when it comes down to CO2 reductions and other measures. For years they have been demanding this while their growth is beyond imagination. It's a false argument as China's economy will do just fine even if they cough up a few bucks to make their factories cleaner. On top of that it's in everyone's best interest to reduce the pollution, especially their own citizens. China simply can't keep on blaming everything on the west for decades and decades.

If they want to be a leading player they need to elevate their frikking standards a bit instead of thinking of short-term gain. Everyone I meet who's been to China in the last few years confirms that this arrogant, haughty attitude is ubiquitous. I can understand they want to have wealth too as quick as possible, but liek I said I have not encountered many checks and balances yet to control their even to this day corrupt hierarchical system. They should get some responsability for crying out loud. But they nearly openly let everyone know they don't care much... Unless it hurts their image. Yes they agreed to talk to the Dalai Lama now, but only temporarily. Like hell they'll really want to give up even parts of Tibet.

By the way, India is a bit like that too. Luckily for them they can hide behind the "biggest democracy in the world"-mask. (I wouldn't compare India with China as far as repression, rampant and uncontrolled capitalism, greed, indifference towards environmental damage etc goes, but still)

You're taking me for too much a fool I think.

What are they objecting to then?

I just said nobody really objects.

[Alinestra Covelia]

The Onion: The Beijing Olympics Are A Trap


The Beijing Olympics: Are They A Trap?

[Naked Gents Rut]

I think everyone should watch the Beijing Olympics, but it is really your loss if you don't. It is going to be a beautiful event and proof to the world of how far China has advanced in recent times. I will be watching them with pride.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Alinestra Covelia
The Onion: The Beijing Olympics Are A Trap


The Beijing Olympics: Are They A Trap?

That intro is one of the funniest I heard.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Naked Gents Rut
I think everyone should watch the Beijing Olympics, but it is really your loss if you don't. It is going to be a beautiful event and proof to the world of how far China has advanced in recent times. I will be watching them with pride.

Me too, and I'm not even Chinese.

[Zkribbler]

Here's another reason not to watch the Beijing Olympics

China revokes ex-speedskater Joey Cheek's visa
By EDDIE PELLS (AP) – 6 hours ago

Former Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek had his visa revoked by Chinese authorities Wednesday, hours before he was set to travel to Beijing to promote his effort urging China to help make peace in the war-torn Darfur section of Sudan.

Cheek, the president and co-founder of a collection of Olympic athletes known as Team Darfur, was planning to spend about two weeks in China, when he received an unexpected call from authorities.

The 2006 American gold medalist said they told him they were denying him entrance into the country and were "not required to give a reason."

"I didn't see it coming," Cheek said. "I figured once they gave me a visa, I wouldn't imagine they wouldn't allow me to come in later. That was a big shock. I wasn't expecting to get a call the evening before I was leaving for Beijing."

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the U.S. would protest China's decision to deny the visa.

One of Cheek's key initiatives was urging the international community to persuade Sudan to observe the ancient tradition of the Olympic truce during the Beijing Games.

More than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced in fighting in the western Sudanese region since ethnic African tribesmen took up arms in 2003.

The Olympic truce dates to the ancient games in Greece, when fighting was halted to ensure athletes had safe passage to travel to and from the competitions. Attempts to revive the truce in modern times have met with only modest success, most notably in the Balkans during the 1992 and 1994 Games.

Cheek said he has been upset by China's treatment of athletes involved in his cause and thinks the International Olympic Committee's rules that prohibit political protest go against the spirit of the games.

"I've been pretty unimpressed with the IOC's efforts in protecting athletes, for giving them any options," Cheek said.

IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said the IOC was aware from press reports that Cheek had been denied a visa.

"Visa applications from non-accredited persons do not fall within the IOC's remit, and we are therefore not best placed to answer you on this question," Moreau said.

Jim Scherr, chief executive officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, called Cheek a "great Olympic champion."

"We think that it is unfortunate," Scherr said. "But it's between this government and Joey as a private citizen."

Cheek said he has been greeted warmly on his previous trips to China.

"I don't begrudge them the Olympics, I think they'll do well with them," Cheek said. "But there are so many of their government's policies that I find repulsive, especially for athletes who have no intention but to help someone else."

He had planned to attend a United Nations Olympic celebration and some charity events but wasn't planning any big Team Darfur demonstrations. Now he's scrambling to figure out how to draw attention to his cause back home in Washington.

"Of course I would have liked to have been there, advocating for a peaceful resolution," he said. "But we'll figure something out."

[Asher]

That guy is an idiot.

[Zkribbler]

China's the idiot. This is like trying to extinguish a fire by pouring gasoline on it.

[Asher]

They're both idiots, but this guy is especially an idiot since this should not at all be surprising...

What kind of anti-government activist makes his anti-government (illegal in that country) protests known before he even gets there?

Just a collossal idiot. They should've let him come, then arrested him and sentenced him to death.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Asher
...
Just a collossal idiot. They should've let him come, then arrested him and sentenced him to death.

That's not very imaginative. Hold him for questioning during an investigation, and then release him after the Olympics are over.

[Asher]

That's just boring. The Olympics are supposed to be exciting.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Throw him to the lions... or the starving children I hear about there.