Should we continue with the olympic games in China? (126)
agman: Keep politics out of fair gaming competition. Let the
athletes do there job.
athletes do there job.
Unfortunately, it becomes unfair when the big kids get to choose who can play & who can not, now doesn't it?
It's very much like the Olympics in Atlanta... but with less coverage.
In those Olympics, the Ntive American peoples simply wanted to participate in the opening ceremonies.
The US told them they did NOT accurately represent a view of America(despite legally being sovereign American citizens), & they were refused. A protest ensued but the city simply pushed the protesters pst the zone of activity & it was ll washed away & forgotten.
Is this fair games?
Is this how you want to see filtered politics included in what should be the one global event that stands to represent unity?
Horse crap.
Fair gaming has taken second seat to Ken & Barbie photo ops.
Because China views religion & passive mentality as weakness(yes, this is what all this boils down to), an entire group of people have been pushed into the same boat as the Native Americans were.
If China wants to prove it's self as this big tough kid on the playground, then one little Tibetan community couldn't possible do any harm, now could it?
let the games begin.
Boycotting the Olympic Games means nothing. It just means that possibly someone other than the best athlete wins a gold medal.
If governments really want to do something about Tibet, they should take action themselves such as impose economic sanctions. However, that is feasible where you target smaller countries like Iran or Cuba who have no real significance in the big picture, but not a super power like China. Why? Because China are too important a trade ally now to the West. Who is going to risk the wrath of big business?
Anyway, there are many more countries who are worthy of condemnation in the world - ask the Palestinians how they are being treated by the Israelis; ask how foreign workers are treated in Dubai; it goes on and on.
Sport is sport - politicians should stay out of it.
Besides, I am a sure thing for the 100 metres this year and I don't want my chances ruined by a boycott.
If governments really want to do something about Tibet, they should take action themselves such as impose economic sanctions. However, that is feasible where you target smaller countries like Iran or Cuba who have no real significance in the big picture, but not a super power like China. Why? Because China are too important a trade ally now to the West. Who is going to risk the wrath of big business?
Anyway, there are many more countries who are worthy of condemnation in the world - ask the Palestinians how they are being treated by the Israelis; ask how foreign workers are treated in Dubai; it goes on and on.
Sport is sport - politicians should stay out of it.
Besides, I am a sure thing for the 100 metres this year and I don't want my chances ruined by a boycott.
prncss4someone: I don't have a problem with "peaceful" protests in our nation. What I saw on t.v. today was unnerving-violence is not the answer. I believe that the games should go on without harm to one person, enjoyed by the athletes and by the spectators. Unfortunately, people have gotten into a sheep mentality....ho hum...what can we do but b*tch and moan about the injustices. People have more strength than they realize. There IS strength in numbers. You, yourself, boycott products that are made in the countries that are showing their intolerance for human rights. Yes, you have to do some investigating, but it can be done. Find out where products are made, pass them up if they are made in those countries. Yeh, maybe you will have to go without some things, but what is wrong with sacrificing material things for a good cause? By boycotting products, it's a win win situation-it hits the "bad" country in the money belt, and it boosts the "good countries" economy by buying an alternative product. Hey, maybe we could even pull out of this recession!
jmo
jmo
Boycotts never work they only make richer countries richer. The name boycott derivies from this country during the famine times what did the great british empire do for us only bring us more grief . China has long being a dormant force and now we should respect them for there fortright and hopefully there tragic past no one nation should be put down for progress human rights thats a different isu we are all guilty off that. The world is changing and whether you like it or not the yellow man is going to be a very big part off it .
inverphil: Boycotts never work they only make richer countries richer. The name boycott derivies from this country during the famine times what did the great british empire do for us only bring us more grief . China has long being a dormant force and now we should respect them for there fortright and hopefully there tragic past no one nation should be put down for progress human rights thats a different isu we are all guilty off that. The world is changing and whether you like it or not the yellow man is going to be a very big part off it .
dammmmmit
......... .......... I tried........
Arlene101: I have been watching this news item over the past few days and I DEFINITELY think the games should be boycotted or give it to someplace else. The darn torch can't even get get through without all the chaos. I believe with all my heart that there will be a huge price to pay (as in lives) if they continue. If the politicians can't see what is about to come then they are blind.
I am sad to say I've personally chosen to not watch the Olympics this year because of so much turmoil has surrounded this once celebrated event. Much heartache in China with dislocating many shanty housed families just for the media's sake, the drama about getting the torch even to the event has already put such a black cloud around it also, and so much negativity, I will not be watching and hope a boycott or something is done to keep this type of turmoil from ever affecting the games again when they come back in 4 more years
JMO....Peaches
So many athletes have worked so hard, such a shame to be going through all this heartache.
I would feel for the athletes, but there is much more at stake here.
Sadly, our financial stakes will come way before the plight of others.
Sadly, our financial stakes will come way before the plight of others.
Gerry12354: Just make sure we stop buying goods originating in China.
It is difficult because so many large corporations now manufacture there.
Ultimately it can only help the rest of the world's economies and the return of some manufacturing industries.
This is guaranteed to change China's human rights record but only if we all take this action.
For sure this will not happen unfortunately!
It is difficult because so many large corporations now manufacture there.
Ultimately it can only help the rest of the world's economies and the return of some manufacturing industries.
This is guaranteed to change China's human rights record but only if we all take this action.
For sure this will not happen unfortunately!
It beats me why the heck
China is so interested in
rocky, dry, tiny Tibet anyway ...
Its got no oil.
Its got no resources they could use.
Surely they cant be afraid of Buddhist monks?
Can anyone explain
this to me?
Buddhist monks are very dangerous. Kinda like ninjas.
I have mixed feelings here. As a coach, I like to see the competition
and athleticism. Also the Olympic Spirit that is made among the athletes is special. Those are all good things in my opinion. So on that side, it sad to what is happening.
On the other side. The Tibetian issues has been ones in China for many years. And Chinese gov't has done little to solve them. The Tibetians knew this was a Olympic year in China and also knew
that this was the 'time' to achieve thier goals. I don't see them backing down at this point. If it really brings them the freedom and the security that they have been seeking, then it worth it on the long run.
But if not.......then they cost the world.....this chance to have an
Olympic spirit in China.
I was thinking of going. But not likely will to go now.
and athleticism. Also the Olympic Spirit that is made among the athletes is special. Those are all good things in my opinion. So on that side, it sad to what is happening.
On the other side. The Tibetian issues has been ones in China for many years. And Chinese gov't has done little to solve them. The Tibetians knew this was a Olympic year in China and also knew
that this was the 'time' to achieve thier goals. I don't see them backing down at this point. If it really brings them the freedom and the security that they have been seeking, then it worth it on the long run.
But if not.......then they cost the world.....this chance to have an
Olympic spirit in China.
I was thinking of going. But not likely will to go now.
Fallingman: I suppose the problem is that if you find a reason to boycott one Olympics you can find a reason to boycott them all..except the Australian ones...then that is the end of the Olympics. But maybe that is what we have come to!
They might come to the decision
to host it in Greece forever,
which I'd find boring,
because I do dig the different locations,
and it brings prosperity
due to employment and tourism
before and after.
When China was picked,
I am certain it was out of
economical reasons.
I find it more than brazen
of the Chineseto start on Tibet now.
They knew how the rest of the world
would react.
patrickthomas: This could well be changing now with the Internet. The profile that Ron Paul ( ) created using the Internet was impressive (Not him) The possibility of a world wide boycott spread through the Internet and other Media is a real possibility.
Excuse my ignorance
but
who is
RON PAUL?
Arlene101: I certainly don't condone boycotting ALL Olymic games, I just believe in boycotting this particular one. There has been so must travesty and unrest on the Bejing games, I believe there is going to be a Huge amount of lives in jeopardy. Whatever country was who as the runner-up should get it now. Hopefully it woud be more peaceful. I feel so sorry for the olypyians. It is unfortunate that politics DID enter into this, but it did. I am losing sleep over what I can see coming. JMO
But Arlene the runner up country
wouldnt have the facilities now.
Time is too short even to host it
in the country who had it last.
They would have the facilities,
but hotels would need to be available
security in place
staff hired and trained ect.
Its not even an option to always have
a country on stand by
just in case the nominated host
turns on some other nation.
In an ideal world that would be great
but its not realistic.
Besides in an ideal world
it would be necessary anway
breezee:
Hi FM
I'm greek australian.
Just wondering how come you made aus an exception.
Is it some kind of joke I'm not tuned into?
Fallingman : wrote:
I suppose the problem is that if you find a reason to boycott one Olympics you can find a reason to boycott them all..except the Australian ones...then that is the end of the Olympics. But maybe that is what we have come to!
I suppose the problem is that if you find a reason to boycott one Olympics you can find a reason to boycott them all..except the Australian ones...then that is the end of the Olympics. But maybe that is what we have come to!
Hi FM
I'm greek australian.
Just wondering how come you made aus an exception.
Is it some kind of joke I'm not tuned into?
He meant only Australia has a clean plate.
Which we will have to forgive him for.
He is Irish and doesnt know about
Nauru
PNG
Timor
The Moscow Olympics was boycotted by many countries.
I knew a guy in the Army who won a bronze medal in the Moscow Olympics (heavyweight Judo).....i doubt he'd have won a medal at all if half the competition was missing.
There is not a SINGLE country that couldn't be boycotted for some reason or other - many could justify boycotting the USA, for example, because they might believe that the USA illegally invaded Iraq.
We could boycott Sweden because we dislike blondes even!
What I'm saying is this:
We do not want a country that suppresses its people to win a diplomatic star for hosting the Olympic Games, but it's a bit bloody late in the day..the time to put pressure on a country is before the decision has been made - not after.
I believe the Olympic committee (a pretty obscure and shady lot) has been cleaned up a little in recent times - but it was made of of some of the most corrupt and wealthy individuals on this planet for decades!
I knew a guy in the Army who won a bronze medal in the Moscow Olympics (heavyweight Judo).....i doubt he'd have won a medal at all if half the competition was missing.
There is not a SINGLE country that couldn't be boycotted for some reason or other - many could justify boycotting the USA, for example, because they might believe that the USA illegally invaded Iraq.
We could boycott Sweden because we dislike blondes even!
What I'm saying is this:
We do not want a country that suppresses its people to win a diplomatic star for hosting the Olympic Games, but it's a bit bloody late in the day..the time to put pressure on a country is before the decision has been made - not after.
I believe the Olympic committee (a pretty obscure and shady lot) has been cleaned up a little in recent times - but it was made of of some of the most corrupt and wealthy individuals on this planet for decades!
lilman42437: Buddhist monks are very dangerous. Kinda like ninjas.
Yeah, as the Ninja Turtles?
Like how many Ninja Turtles, are there?
And how many Bhuddist monks ?
Detente: Idealistically speaking...no...definately not. But, I'm not sure how the world would cope without it's biennial dose os synchronized swimming.
Good to see we are of the same opinion here!
highplains: I would love to see the US boycott the games......
I would LOVE that too
Ulimaroa: I wish all wealthy nations
join in a boycott.
All this talk,
forever
and ever...
that regimes should not suppress people
"There shall never be a repeat of
a holocaust or genocide"
Where was everyone
when Rwanda became a battlefield,
a slaughter yard?
And its happening right now.
Where is everyone???
Why dont the politicians see
the outrage in their people.
What a BLOODY FARCE these Olympic games are! :barf
If all western nations banded together,
there would need not be fear
of an economical backlash by
China.
join in a boycott.
All this talk,
forever
and ever...
that regimes should not suppress people
"There shall never be a repeat of
a holocaust or genocide"
Where was everyone
when Rwanda became a battlefield,
a slaughter yard?
And its happening right now.
Where is everyone???
Why dont the politicians see
the outrage in their people.
What a BLOODY FARCE these Olympic games are! :barf
If all western nations banded together,
there would need not be fear
of an economical backlash by
China.
If Germany wants to take on this China problem.. go ahead.
He have our hands in too many fires already.
There is an old saying, keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.
rasgumby: If Germany wants to take on this China problem.. go ahead.
He have our hands in too many fires already.
There is an old saying, keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.
He have our hands in too many fires already.
There is an old saying, keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.
oops..
WE
rasgumby: If Germany wants to take on this China problem.. go ahead.
He have our hands in too many fires already.
There is an old saying, keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.
He have our hands in too many fires already.
There is an old saying, keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.
True.
I forgot about your current affairs
However, its not Germany ...
but all nations who live peacefully
Ulimaroa: True.
I forgot about your current affairs
However, its not Germany ...
but all nations who live peacefully
I forgot about your current affairs
However, its not Germany ...
but all nations who live peacefully
I dont mean to be grouchy,, I just think we need to pull the weeds from our own garden first.
Fallingman: Hi Breezee,,
My reason for making an exception is that the Australian games in Sydney in my opinion were the best ever games and in the spirit they should be held in. There are arguments for boycotting the Chinese, Russian, American, Korean etc games.....actually I probably should have left out Barcelona too...those were good games. Didn't the african nations boycott Montreal?
My reason for making an exception is that the Australian games in Sydney in my opinion were the best ever games and in the spirit they should be held in. There are arguments for boycotting the Chinese, Russian, American, Korean etc games.....actually I probably should have left out Barcelona too...those were good games. Didn't the african nations boycott Montreal?
Why Barcelona
???
--- the games are an ideal media platform for the world to see injustices that have been performed and still are by the Communist regime in China
--- bring on the games --- let the torch make its journeys --- let the protests and protesters be given their individual free birth right and let the media do its job and bring to the fore the aforementioned
--- bring on the games --- let the torch make its journeys --- let the protests and protesters be given their individual free birth right and let the media do its job and bring to the fore the aforementioned
The Dalai Lama has just announced he
thinks its a good thing that the games
are being held in China and he would
not like to see any disruption.
Such tolerance is a humbling thing.
thinks its a good thing that the games
are being held in China and he would
not like to see any disruption.
Such tolerance is a humbling thing.
Vido1: Conrad73 wrote:
Berlin 1936 comes to mind.
Playing into the hands of a RegimeCan we seperate the "Games" from politics? I don't think so (see 1936!). Because the poloticians are the ones who are mostly interested of having them!
The big companies (like Siemens, VW etc) are having too many stacks in this country, so they are only interested to have their investments save!
And what sense have those games in these days anyway? Just look at all the reports regarding doping (biking as the worst example) and all those athlets, who won medails and have to give them back later!
It's nothing but a comercial game! Those 5 rings should be replaced by dollar - signs!
And that's why I believe: We don't need the games at all
Berlin 1936 comes to mind.
Playing into the hands of a RegimeCan we seperate the "Games" from politics? I don't think so (see 1936!). Because the poloticians are the ones who are mostly interested of having them!
The big companies (like Siemens, VW etc) are having too many stacks in this country, so they are only interested to have their investments save!
And what sense have those games in these days anyway? Just look at all the reports regarding doping (biking as the worst example) and all those athlets, who won medails and have to give them back later!
It's nothing but a comercial game! Those 5 rings should be replaced by dollar - signs!
And that's why I believe: We don't need the games at all
Good post
You really have a point there Vido!
I think it is kind of a separate issue but the whole concept of fraternal contests between honest athletes from the whole world is debased by drugs and cheating. I mean, who can trust a medal winner any more after Marion Jones and Ben Johnson and Karl Lewis and Lynford Christie and many others?
The games have always been used by regimes to promote their country - why else would they take on the massive expenditure involved - it is understandable. I do have some sympathy for those who say that politicians use these boycott threats to avoid having to take REAL decisions in the REAL world - like economic boycotts.
I think I might go for long walks this summer in the fresh air and avoid the drug games but I think all nations who want to should compete.
By the way, while I am very sympathetic to the Tibetans, it is they and their supporters who are causing the trouble at the moment using the publicity of the games.
Ulimaroa: Why Barcelona ???
I like Barcelona!
....actually I like Athens too and theirs were good games as well
you will hurt your head that way!, Conrad
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The Athens Olympics were the first games after 911.
I thought they were non-controversial and incident free