But even the IOC urging anyone to do anything it totally hypocritically lip service since they are the ones who gave Beijing the games in the first place. Like I have said already, it is not like China wasn't in Tibet back in 2001 when the games were awarded.
No argument there, but it's nice to see the IOC squirm because I'm sure it would rather ignore this whole issue, as well. They deserve their share of this embarassment.
Well at least these protests do have the quality of making things move :
2 months ago the french govermnent was signing billion dollars contracts in china, today they're questionning the president's participation at the opening ceremony. Same for W. Same for half of the leaders of the "free world". I think that just this is pretty cool.
And then you have the IOC forced to quit their idiotic speech on how "politics and the games should not mix" (bullshit by the way, 2000 years ago Cesar was already asking to "give them bread and games" for the angry people in the streets), which is also pretty cool.
And then you the police forces in western cities abusing their rights and people realize that free speech no longer seems to be a given, and that investigations on all this shit is underway (well at least in france) and that is also pretty cool.
So I'm sorry for the athletes, and I'm sorry for all of you who thought games and politics didn't mix, but all of this is at least making things move.
edit : I just wanted to add that though I think some of consequences of this are pretty cool, I do have some reserves. Especially the part concerning protesters wearing "made in china" clothes. If you despise a regime, then at least try to be consistent about it.
If you want to protest, hold up a sign, write a letter to a politician, speak out in a public forum but don't harrass the innocent athletes who have worked so hard to get to the olympics. This isn't their problem.
You do realize that the majority of people who get to carry the torch are not athletes don't you?
I support peaceful demonstrations and don't believe the torch carrier, (who is most likely NOT an athlete) should be subjected to harrassment in any way, shape or form.
There's a media black-out of the protests over here. I don't watch the news here - coz it's in a funny lingo - but I'm aware that the protests just aren't mentioned. And as far as the people changing the government...It's a difficult one. I'm certainly no expert on China. I just moved here. Although I can't see any change happening anytime soon. The people just have no access to information here, and if they protest in any way they get locked up. The government has a pretty tight screw on things as far as I can tell.
You do realize that the majority of people who get to carry the torch are not athletes don't you?
I support peaceful demonstrations and don't believe the torch carrier, (who is most likely NOT an athlete) should be subjected to harrassment in any way, shape or form.
It doesn't matter. The athletes who are competing have worked their whole lives for this event. The people who carry the torch have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved in something very special. It isn't purposeful to bust their bubbles because someone wants to be heard about a completely unrelated issue. They aren't the ones who are causing problems in China. They are innocents who just want to participate in the olympics.
If anyone, the people of China should be protesting the Olympics by not making themselves available to work the events, participate in anything associated with it or promote it.
Chasing down torch runners may have gotten some attention. But by no means has gained anyones respect. It isn't going to solve the problem. Think of how you would feel if you were the one being attacked for something you had nothing to do with. Think of how you would feel if you had spent your lifetime, thousands of dollars (quite possibly life savings), sacrificed lots, exerted all your effort into preparing for these events only to have some political fanatic squash your dreams at the last moment.
Take the protests to a proper venue. These Tibet protests have become more and more violent and obnoxious in the past few months even away from the olympics. Kinda hypocritical to say "stop the violence" and then to be promoting violent and dangerous protests. Wouldn't you say?
(In my best Chris Crocker voice) Leave the athletes alone!
No argument there, but it's nice to see the IOC squirm because I'm sure it would rather ignore this whole issue, as well. They deserve their share of this embarassment.
I don't think they are really squirming, they are acting all high and mighty asking China go easy on the Tibetans, which is retarded because they weren't going easy on Tibet in 2001 and they were rewarded with the Olympics.
I find it amusing that some many are pissy about this issue...
the analogies are amusing as well...
as I see it, China is being embarrassed by the protesting...the question is: will it change anything...? personally, I don't know...but it's nice to live in a country that allows people to protest...
Jack McCaffery of CNN raised a good question last night, he asked (not verbetim) "what's China going to do when someone breaks out a Tibetan Flag during an event or in the Olympic Square?"...that should be interesting indeed...
Also, I'm interested to see what happens to the advertising money...are advertisers going pull out because of the protesting...?
whether you think the protesting is stupid or not, it's not going away...
I find it amusing that some many are pissy about this issue...
the analogies are amusing as well...
as I see it, China is being embarrassed by the protesting...the question is: will it change anything...? personally, I don't know...but it's nice to live in a country that allows people to protest...
Jack McCaffery of CNN raised a good question last night, he asked (not verbetim) "what's China going to do when someone breaks out a Tibetan Flag during in Olympic Square?"...that should be interesting indeed...
Also, I'm interested to see what happens to the advertising money...are advertisers going pull out because of the protesting...?
whether you think the protesting is stupid or not, it's not going away...
interesting scenerio that mccaffrey puts together. i will have the upmost respect for those individuals.
live and let live...unless it violates the pearligious doctrine.
Jack McCaffery of CNN raised a good question last night, he asked (not verbetim) "what's China going to do when someone breaks out a Tibetan Flag during in Olympic Square?"...that should be interesting indeed...
this will be an inetresting moment to be sure. and what can china do? they will be on display in front of the entire world. do the really have the balls to reprimand(in whatever way they see fit) someone who has the cojones to pull such a stunt when the entire world, and probably half of jupiter is watching? what will happen once the festivities are in progress and some enlightened athlete(yes.. im sure they exist) decides his conscious is too heavy to let such an opportunity pass and he/she/ they make a statement in opposition a la tommie smith and john carlos?
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
Jack McCaffery of CNN raised a good question last night, he asked (not verbetim) "what's China going to do when someone breaks out a Tibetan Flag during an event or in the Olympic Square?"...that should be interesting indeed
I wonder what kind of searches will be performed as people enter a venue. This has the potential to get real ugly because I certainly don't see China shying away from whatever controversy their actions would elicit.
the olympics have turned into a money-making venture anyway, so protesting the symbol of this money-making venture makes some sense...
It's nice that some think it's asinine, those protesting may disagree...
a man came across my path and was saying how he hopes the police arrest everyone on the golden gate...i think that people are protesting on behalf of Tibet...and if so, then I wish I could have taken the day off to be there tooooooooooooo...
i prayed for the man and wished him blessing because the environment where we met was not conducive for me to ring his little reddened neck...;),,,not really but i did feel empassioned a bit..
all insanity:
a derivitive of nature.
nature is god
god is love
love is light
so if you agree or disagree with the torch protests, there has definitely been more awareness from these protests. so, what is the solution to these problems? do you really think china cares?
so if you agree or disagree with the torch protests, there has definitely been more awareness from these protests. so, what is the solution to these problems? do you really think china cares?
I think they do. Largely because of public exposure, China has had to make concessions (albeit token) towards Tibet and will need to have positive relations with other nations including the US and Europe. If public pressure is put on leaders to speak out against China, that is bad for business.
I'm not saying that the protests will single handedly free tibet nor stop the arms trading and fuelling of the Sudanese gov't but it may "encourage" China to re-think their policies. China has put in a LOT of effort to clean up its image prior to the games so obviously they do care.
these protest have not brought more awareness to the issue...get over it, no matter what happens nothing will be done or China would have not gotten the Olympics to begin with
my dad ran with the torch the last Olympics and it was a proud moment for us because he was nominated and to have some schmuck try to get his 2 min of glory stopping this using it as a political platform is assanine
these protest have not brought more awareness to the issue...get over it, no matter what happens nothing will be done or China would have not gotten the Olympics to begin with
my dad ran with the torch the last Olympics and it was a proud moment for us because he was nominated and to have some schmuck try to get his 2 min of glory stopping this using it as a political platform is assanine
If people are talking about it then it has spread awareness.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
these protest have not brought more awareness to the issue...get over it, no matter what happens nothing will be done or China would have not gotten the Olympics to begin with
my dad ran with the torch the last Olympics and it was a proud moment for us because he was nominated and to have some schmuck try to get his 2 min of glory stopping this using it as a political platform is assanine
This is what frustrates me. We do not want to stop and think about others if it causes us any inconvenience.
I totally admire the ATHLETES who are putting aside their Olympic dreams to protest the actions of the host country.
What matters more, winning a medal while helping a country completely lacking in the human rights department or forgoing the medal while knowing your strengths as an athlete and COMPASSIONATE human being?
Walking can be a real trip
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
This is what frustrates me. We do not want to stop and think about others if it causes us any inconvenience.
I totally admire the ATHLETES who are putting aside their Olympic dreams to protest the actions of the host country.
What matters more, winning a medal while helping a country completely lacking in the human rights department or forgoing the medal while knowing your strengths as an athlete and COMPASSIONATE human being?
There are political issues of human rights happening in every city in every town in every village over the entire globe. By that reasoning, no one ever should participate in their own interests because they should be out protesting the injustices in the world.
There are political issues of human rights happening in every city in every town in every village over the entire globe. By that reasoning, no one ever should participate in their own interests because they should be out protesting the injustices in the world.
and wouldnt the world be a better place if everyone actually gave more of a fuck about their fellow man and did protest on some level and did harass their 'representatives' to do something?
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
This is what frustrates me. We do not want to stop and think about others if it causes us any inconvenience.
I totally admire the ATHLETES who are putting aside their Olympic dreams to protest the actions of the host country.
What matters more, winning a medal while helping a country completely lacking in the human rights department or forgoing the medal while knowing your strengths as an athlete and COMPASSIONATE human being?
It is not just "winning a medal" for a lot of these athletes training for the olympics is pretty much their job and has been for most of their life (especially in the countries that actually fund amateur sports). They work very hard to do that job and it all comes down to one event every 4 years. Many of them only get one shot at the games and then that is it. Asking them to boycott is like asking them to quit their jobs. Why should they have to quit their jobs that they have worked so hard for when the IOC members who have very easy, cushy well paid jobs aren't going to quit their jobs and they are the ones who decided to send the Olympics to China in the first place?
and wouldnt the world be a better place if everyone actually gave more of a fuck about their fellow man and did protest on some level and did harass their 'representatives' to do something?
yes, go outside and assist a fellow man that is sifting through the alleys. give him money, give him food, ask him or her how you can help. as for the "representatives" that is why we vote and hold them accountable.
it is amusing how many people walked by the one man holding out a cup for change so they could protest one nation.
The torch relay was a Nazi propaganda ploy invented by Hitler anyway.....personally If I were an athlete I would not accept the invitation to relay the torch. Also let's not forget about China's stance on genocide.
Protesting the torch rely is absolutely useless. No one cares that is the problem. People will watch the news and say how horrorable it is that the Chinese government is doing this and then turn around and continue to buy products made in China and continue to purchase products and good from companies that support the Chinese government.
Just look at Bhurma. There was all this outrage originally and now nothing. There is zero coverage on Bhurma. I'm pretty sure that the military junta there didn't just up and leave and that democracy and freedom is abound there. As a people we have the attentions span of a fucking gnat. Today the plight of the poor Tibetians is the shiny nickel in front of us. Tomorrow it will be something else and in a few months we will sit down and watch the Olympics completely forgetting what China did and is doing to Tibet.
"When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
I have to disagree with those who think China doesn't care...How can they not care...? The Olympics were supposed to be a "coming out party" for China...
They hoped and still hope show off for the world...right now they're not looking so good...
Comments
No argument there, but it's nice to see the IOC squirm because I'm sure it would rather ignore this whole issue, as well. They deserve their share of this embarassment.
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2 months ago the french govermnent was signing billion dollars contracts in china, today they're questionning the president's participation at the opening ceremony. Same for W. Same for half of the leaders of the "free world". I think that just this is pretty cool.
And then you have the IOC forced to quit their idiotic speech on how "politics and the games should not mix" (bullshit by the way, 2000 years ago Cesar was already asking to "give them bread and games" for the angry people in the streets), which is also pretty cool.
And then you the police forces in western cities abusing their rights and people realize that free speech no longer seems to be a given, and that investigations on all this shit is underway (well at least in france) and that is also pretty cool.
So I'm sorry for the athletes, and I'm sorry for all of you who thought games and politics didn't mix, but all of this is at least making things move.
edit : I just wanted to add that though I think some of consequences of this are pretty cool, I do have some reserves. Especially the part concerning protesters wearing "made in china" clothes. If you despise a regime, then at least try to be consistent about it.
I support peaceful demonstrations and don't believe the torch carrier, (who is most likely NOT an athlete) should be subjected to harrassment in any way, shape or form.
Stay safe amigo.
If anyone, the people of China should be protesting the Olympics by not making themselves available to work the events, participate in anything associated with it or promote it.
Chasing down torch runners may have gotten some attention. But by no means has gained anyones respect. It isn't going to solve the problem. Think of how you would feel if you were the one being attacked for something you had nothing to do with. Think of how you would feel if you had spent your lifetime, thousands of dollars (quite possibly life savings), sacrificed lots, exerted all your effort into preparing for these events only to have some political fanatic squash your dreams at the last moment.
Take the protests to a proper venue. These Tibet protests have become more and more violent and obnoxious in the past few months even away from the olympics. Kinda hypocritical to say "stop the violence" and then to be promoting violent and dangerous protests. Wouldn't you say?
(In my best Chris Crocker voice) Leave the athletes alone!
I don't think they are really squirming, they are acting all high and mighty asking China go easy on the Tibetans, which is retarded because they weren't going easy on Tibet in 2001 and they were rewarded with the Olympics.
It's like wanting to protest KFC's abuse of chickens and going to the library to harass people as they checkout books.
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
the analogies are amusing as well...
as I see it, China is being embarrassed by the protesting...the question is: will it change anything...? personally, I don't know...but it's nice to live in a country that allows people to protest...
Jack McCaffery of CNN raised a good question last night, he asked (not verbetim) "what's China going to do when someone breaks out a Tibetan Flag during an event or in the Olympic Square?"...that should be interesting indeed...
Also, I'm interested to see what happens to the advertising money...are advertisers going pull out because of the protesting...?
whether you think the protesting is stupid or not, it's not going away...
this will be an inetresting moment to be sure. and what can china do? they will be on display in front of the entire world. do the really have the balls to reprimand(in whatever way they see fit) someone who has the cojones to pull such a stunt when the entire world, and probably half of jupiter is watching? what will happen once the festivities are in progress and some enlightened athlete(yes.. im sure they exist) decides his conscious is too heavy to let such an opportunity pass and he/she/ they make a statement in opposition a la tommie smith and john carlos?
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
I wonder what kind of searches will be performed as people enter a venue. This has the potential to get real ugly because I certainly don't see China shying away from whatever controversy their actions would elicit.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmgphotos/4731512142/" title="PJ Banner2 by Mister J Photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1135/4731512142_258f2d6ab4_b.jpg" width="630" height="112" alt="PJ Banner2" /></a>
i prayed for the man and wished him blessing because the environment where we met was not conducive for me to ring his little reddened neck...;),,,not really but i did feel empassioned a bit..
a derivitive of nature.
nature is god
god is love
love is light
Yet somehow I bet this guy is proud of how "free" America is.
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Esther's here and she's sick?
hi Esther, now we are all going to be sick, thanks
I'm not saying that the protests will single handedly free tibet nor stop the arms trading and fuelling of the Sudanese gov't but it may "encourage" China to re-think their policies. China has put in a LOT of effort to clean up its image prior to the games so obviously they do care.
my dad ran with the torch the last Olympics and it was a proud moment for us because he was nominated and to have some schmuck try to get his 2 min of glory stopping this using it as a political platform is assanine
If people are talking about it then it has spread awareness.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
This is what frustrates me. We do not want to stop and think about others if it causes us any inconvenience.
I totally admire the ATHLETES who are putting aside their Olympic dreams to protest the actions of the host country.
What matters more, winning a medal while helping a country completely lacking in the human rights department or forgoing the medal while knowing your strengths as an athlete and COMPASSIONATE human being?
***********************
"We've laid the groundwork. It's like planting the seeds. And next year, it's spring." - Nader
***********************
Prepare for tending to your garden, America.
and wouldnt the world be a better place if everyone actually gave more of a fuck about their fellow man and did protest on some level and did harass their 'representatives' to do something?
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
It is not just "winning a medal" for a lot of these athletes training for the olympics is pretty much their job and has been for most of their life (especially in the countries that actually fund amateur sports). They work very hard to do that job and it all comes down to one event every 4 years. Many of them only get one shot at the games and then that is it. Asking them to boycott is like asking them to quit their jobs. Why should they have to quit their jobs that they have worked so hard for when the IOC members who have very easy, cushy well paid jobs aren't going to quit their jobs and they are the ones who decided to send the Olympics to China in the first place?
it is amusing how many people walked by the one man holding out a cup for change so they could protest one nation.
"people who care".....right.
Just look at Bhurma. There was all this outrage originally and now nothing. There is zero coverage on Bhurma. I'm pretty sure that the military junta there didn't just up and leave and that democracy and freedom is abound there. As a people we have the attentions span of a fucking gnat. Today the plight of the poor Tibetians is the shiny nickel in front of us. Tomorrow it will be something else and in a few months we will sit down and watch the Olympics completely forgetting what China did and is doing to Tibet.
I have to disagree with those who think China doesn't care...How can they not care...? The Olympics were supposed to be a "coming out party" for China...
They hoped and still hope show off for the world...right now they're not looking so good...