2008 Beijing Olympics

[sjwaste]

I was originally going to post in OT, but it's probably a P&N topic.

Will anyone here be boycotting the 2008 olympics? Just curious if China's record on human rights, civil liberties, or even monetary policy is enough to get anyone to turn the TV off.

I probably won't watch. I'm not sure it's a great idea to reward a country with such a poor record on basic human rights and civil liberties with the Olympics. Just my opinion, though, what's yours?

 

[nageov3t]

if by boycotting you mean "not watching because I'm not into sports and never watch the Olympics"... then yes

 

[CycloWizard]

I love the Olympics and deplore China's human rights record. I also recognize that my watching them on TV doesn't do anything for China, which has already signed its TV contracts and has its money in hand. The only loser in such a boycott is the network that got the TV contract, which will lose advertising dollars. They might not even lose out if they book their advertising correctly - then it's the advertisers losing out.

 

[StageLeft]

I will watch it religiously, not for CHina, but for the olympics. If the olympics were only held in countries with the best human rights, sadly it couldn't even be hosted in Atlanta again.

 

[Exterous]

I will watch. I am interested to see how some things are portrayed. For example - is the pollution really going to be as bad as some people say it will be

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Exterous
I will watch. I am interested to see how some things are portrayed. For example - is the pollution really going to be as bad as some people say it will be

My guess, no. China is a poisoned, decaying hole, but there's no way the olympic committee didn't take that into account when rewarding. I imagine the timing and/or location are such that it won't affect the athletes markedly. I've seen reports about some considering racing with masks, but it's all hysteria, I would guess.

 

[DrPizza]

The only real losers when the Olympics are boycotted are the athletes (and of course the television stations losing some advertising revenue.) But, boycott them if you wish - that'll sure teach China a lesson.

 

[ZzZGuy]

China's biggest concern is it's image. If the TV Networks lose a crap load of money from advertising then that will make china look bad. But personally, i'm hoping that "if" the smog is bad enough countries will pull their athletes out which will really look bad for china.

 

[1prophet]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
I was originally going to post in OT, but it's probably a P&N topic.

Will anyone here be boycotting the 2008 olympics? Just curious if China's record on human rights, civil liberties, or even monetary policy is enough to get anyone to turn the TV off.

I probably won't watch. I'm not sure it's a great idea to reward a country with such a poor record on basic human rights and civil liberties with the Olympics. Just my opinion, though, what's yours?

Feel good boycotts are a waste of time, real boycotts involve actually not buying anything made in China and good luck with that in nation of cheaper is better always low price mentality.

 

[ManSnake]

You can "boycott" it by not watching, but millions more will. So in the end you are the loser for missing out on the games.

 

[StormRider]

Well, I'm Chinese American so I'm probably more interested in this Olympics than most others -- so I will be watching it.

Also, I really don't buy into this "China is the worst country in the world and is the enemy of the US mentality". For example, we try to paint them as the villain in terms of trade relations when we ourselves have trade policies that hurt other countries (subsidizing our farmers etc). We criticize them for not doing more to stop the killing in Sudan when we ourselves have "supported" bad regimes when we bought oil and supplied arms to these regimes. China is in the midst of their industrial revolution and desperately needs resources -- which will make them have to deal with people and regimes that they would probably prefer not to deal with in different circumstances -- the same thing that happened to us.

The only point of possible conflict that I can see with China is in regards to Taiwan. I don't see China as trying to spread their "empire" to the rest of the world. We just have to be smart about it and try to keep the status quo in regards to Taiwan (no talking about declaring independence and stuff). China is slowly changing for the better -- they are more capitalist than communist. As the old guard dies and are replaced with younger people, I think they will improve more. I really do think the China could be a great friend to the US in the future -- at least that's my hope.

 

[sunzt]

Originally posted by: StormRider
Well, I'm Chinese American so I'm probably more interested in this Olympics than most others -- so I will be watching it.

Also, I really don't buy into this "China is the worst country in the world and is the enemy of the US mentality". For example, we try to paint them as the villain in terms of trade relations when we ourselves have trade policies that hurt other countries (subsidizing our farmers etc). We criticize them for not doing more to stop the killing in Sudan when we ourselves have "supported" bad regimes when we bought oil and supplied arms to these regimes. China is in the midst of their industrial revolution and desperately needs resources -- which will make them have to deal with people and regimes that they would probably prefer not to deal with in different circumstances -- the same thing that happened to us.

The only point of possible conflict that I can see with China is in regards to Taiwan. I don't see China as trying to spread their "empire" to the rest of the world. We just have to be smart about it and try to keep the status quo in regards to Taiwan (no talking about declaring independence and stuff). China is slowly changing for the better -- they are more capitalist than communist. As the old guard dies and are replaced with younger people, I think they will improve more. I really do think the China could be a great friend to the US in the future -- at least that's my hope.

QFT!!!

 

[Modelworks]

I'm waiting to see how many people die from the pollution during the olympics.

 

[Double Trouble]

Boycott? No way, how could I miss seeing half the runners pass out during a sprint because of the smog?

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: StormRider
Well, I'm Chinese American so I'm probably more interested in this Olympics than most others -- so I will be watching it.

Also, I really don't buy into this "China is the worst country in the world and is the enemy of the US mentality". For example, we try to paint them as the villain in terms of trade relations when we ourselves have trade policies that hurt other countries (subsidizing our farmers etc). We criticize them for not doing more to stop the killing in Sudan when we ourselves have "supported" bad regimes when we bought oil and supplied arms to these regimes. China is in the midst of their industrial revolution and desperately needs resources -- which will make them have to deal with people and regimes that they would probably prefer not to deal with in different circumstances -- the same thing that happened to us.

The only point of possible conflict that I can see with China is in regards to Taiwan. I don't see China as trying to spread their "empire" to the rest of the world. We just have to be smart about it and try to keep the status quo in regards to Taiwan (no talking about declaring independence and stuff). China is slowly changing for the better -- they are more capitalist than communist. As the old guard dies and are replaced with younger people, I think they will improve more. I really do think the China could be a great friend to the US in the future -- at least that's my hope.

Does being Chinese mean you don't understand human rights concerns?

 

[Fern]

I don't confuse athletics with politics.

I'll be watching as usual.

Fern

 

[summit]

i can't wait to see our boys take down those commies on their turf! go USA!!!

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy
China's biggest concern is it's image. If the TV Networks lose a crap load of money from advertising then that will make china look bad. But personally, i'm hoping that "if" the smog is bad enough countries will pull their athletes out which will really look bad for china.

And what exactly is the point of that? Will China stop killing people if we don't watch games there because of pollution? Will they clean up their environment and therefore raise our costs? What exactly is the purpose of egg on their faces here?

Does being Chinese mean you don't understand human rights concerns?

China is far worse than the US in this realm, but do you boycott the US government because of its suspension of habeus corpus for "terrorists", legalization of torture, warrantless wiretapping, and capital punishment?

i can't wait to see our boys take down those commies on their turf! go USA!!!

Not likely, they athletes there are used to running through a mercury haze, so they have an advantage!

 

[quikah]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Exterous
I will watch. I am interested to see how some things are portrayed. For example - is the pollution really going to be as bad as some people say it will be

My guess, no. China is a poisoned, decaying hole, but there's no way the olympic committee didn't take that into account when rewarding. I imagine the timing and/or location are such that it won't affect the athletes markedly. I've seen reports about some considering racing with masks, but it's all hysteria, I would guess.

I am not sure where you get this from. The venues are mostly in Beijing (a few events are in other cities). Pollution is BAD in Beijing. But I somewhat doubt it will be much of a problem, they will probably ban all private autos and shutdown all the factories sometime in June or July. Probably declare a month long national holiday, make it everyones duty to keep the city clean, etc.

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: Fern
I don't confuse athletics with politics.

I'll be watching as usual.

Fern

That about sums up how I feel. They shouldn't have anything to do with each other, but alas, too many times they have.

 

[maddogchen]

feel free to boycott. its up to you.

I do wonder how many people will fall sick from the pollution there. I feel sorry for all the foreigners going. Pollution and diarrhea might be what the remember most from these games.

 

[glutenberg]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: StormRider
Well, I'm Chinese American so I'm probably more interested in this Olympics than most others -- so I will be watching it.

Also, I really don't buy into this "China is the worst country in the world and is the enemy of the US mentality". For example, we try to paint them as the villain in terms of trade relations when we ourselves have trade policies that hurt other countries (subsidizing our farmers etc). We criticize them for not doing more to stop the killing in Sudan when we ourselves have "supported" bad regimes when we bought oil and supplied arms to these regimes. China is in the midst of their industrial revolution and desperately needs resources -- which will make them have to deal with people and regimes that they would probably prefer not to deal with in different circumstances -- the same thing that happened to us.

The only point of possible conflict that I can see with China is in regards to Taiwan. I don't see China as trying to spread their "empire" to the rest of the world. We just have to be smart about it and try to keep the status quo in regards to Taiwan (no talking about declaring independence and stuff). China is slowly changing for the better -- they are more capitalist than communist. As the old guard dies and are replaced with younger people, I think they will improve more. I really do think the China could be a great friend to the US in the future -- at least that's my hope.

Does being Chinese mean you don't understand human rights concerns?

Does being ignorant mean that you can ignore that many major countries have violated human rights. Isn't the US in the midst of a debate on the treatment of POWs or has the media just been dreaming up issues? Shall we boycott the US? You moving out of this country soon?

 

[rockyct]

Originally posted by: glutenberg

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: StormRider
Well, I'm Chinese American so I'm probably more interested in this Olympics than most others -- so I will be watching it.

Also, I really don't buy into this "China is the worst country in the world and is the enemy of the US mentality". For example, we try to paint them as the villain in terms of trade relations when we ourselves have trade policies that hurt other countries (subsidizing our farmers etc). We criticize them for not doing more to stop the killing in Sudan when we ourselves have "supported" bad regimes when we bought oil and supplied arms to these regimes. China is in the midst of their industrial revolution and desperately needs resources -- which will make them have to deal with people and regimes that they would probably prefer not to deal with in different circumstances -- the same thing that happened to us.

The only point of possible conflict that I can see with China is in regards to Taiwan. I don't see China as trying to spread their "empire" to the rest of the world. We just have to be smart about it and try to keep the status quo in regards to Taiwan (no talking about declaring independence and stuff). China is slowly changing for the better -- they are more capitalist than communist. As the old guard dies and are replaced with younger people, I think they will improve more. I really do think the China could be a great friend to the US in the future -- at least that's my hope.

Does being Chinese mean you don't understand human rights concerns?

Does being ignorant mean that you can ignore that many major countries have violated human rights. Isn't the US in the midst of a debate on the treatment of POWs or has the media just been dreaming up issues? Shall we boycott the US? You moving out of this country soon?

Well, there is a debate on torture in the US. You can't really say there is a debate on torture in China as it may be used on you if you dissented.

 

[noto12ious]

Originally posted by: rockyct

Originally posted by: glutenberg

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: StormRider
Well, I'm Chinese American so I'm probably more interested in this Olympics than most others -- so I will be watching it.

Also, I really don't buy into this "China is the worst country in the world and is the enemy of the US mentality". For example, we try to paint them as the villain in terms of trade relations when we ourselves have trade policies that hurt other countries (subsidizing our farmers etc). We criticize them for not doing more to stop the killing in Sudan when we ourselves have "supported" bad regimes when we bought oil and supplied arms to these regimes. China is in the midst of their industrial revolution and desperately needs resources -- which will make them have to deal with people and regimes that they would probably prefer not to deal with in different circumstances -- the same thing that happened to us.

The only point of possible conflict that I can see with China is in regards to Taiwan. I don't see China as trying to spread their "empire" to the rest of the world. We just have to be smart about it and try to keep the status quo in regards to Taiwan (no talking about declaring independence and stuff). China is slowly changing for the better -- they are more capitalist than communist. As the old guard dies and are replaced with younger people, I think they will improve more. I really do think the China could be a great friend to the US in the future -- at least that's my hope.

Does being Chinese mean you don't understand human rights concerns?

Does being ignorant mean that you can ignore that many major countries have violated human rights. Isn't the US in the midst of a debate on the treatment of POWs or has the media just been dreaming up issues? Shall we boycott the US? You moving out of this country soon?

Well, there is a debate on torture in the US. You can't really say there is a debate on torture in China as it may be used on you if you dissented.

gotta love americans. they'll overlook the fact that their own governments assassinate their own leaders (see sig for proof)... while decade after decade overthrowing democracies (iran) to steal their oil (iran, iraq, afghanistan). not to mention the murdering, torturing... yet china is the bad guy.

k. pot, meet kettle.

 

[rockyct]

Originally posted by: noto12ious

Originally posted by: rockyct

Originally posted by: glutenberg

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: StormRider
Well, I'm Chinese American so I'm probably more interested in this Olympics than most others -- so I will be watching it.

Also, I really don't buy into this "China is the worst country in the world and is the enemy of the US mentality". For example, we try to paint them as the villain in terms of trade relations when we ourselves have trade policies that hurt other countries (subsidizing our farmers etc). We criticize them for not doing more to stop the killing in Sudan when we ourselves have "supported" bad regimes when we bought oil and supplied arms to these regimes. China is in the midst of their industrial revolution and desperately needs resources -- which will make them have to deal with people and regimes that they would probably prefer not to deal with in different circumstances -- the same thing that happened to us.

The only point of possible conflict that I can see with China is in regards to Taiwan. I don't see China as trying to spread their "empire" to the rest of the world. We just have to be smart about it and try to keep the status quo in regards to Taiwan (no talking about declaring independence and stuff). China is slowly changing for the better -- they are more capitalist than communist. As the old guard dies and are replaced with younger people, I think they will improve more. I really do think the China could be a great friend to the US in the future -- at least that's my hope.

Does being Chinese mean you don't understand human rights concerns?

Does being ignorant mean that you can ignore that many major countries have violated human rights. Isn't the US in the midst of a debate on the treatment of POWs or has the media just been dreaming up issues? Shall we boycott the US? You moving out of this country soon?

Well, there is a debate on torture in the US. You can't really say there is a debate on torture in China as it may be used on you if you dissented.

gotta love americans. they'll overlook the fact that their own governments assassinate their own leaders (see sig for proof)... while decade after decade overthrowing democracies (iran) to steal their oil (iran, iraq, afghanistan). not to mention the murdering, torturing... yet china is the bad guy.

k. pot, meet kettle.

God bless the USA. A country where people like you have a Constitutional right to let their bull shit ring out. Kudos for using your 1st amendment right. Something that most people would dream about in China.