Boycotting the Olympics My Way
 

A bit of a GRRRRR rant here......I have been against the Olympics being held in China since the search began and my feelings have only gotten stronger. In the past month, the Chinese government has informed local restaurants and bars that they are not to serve black patrons, and now banned Cheek from the games by denying his Visa because of his affiliation with Team Darfur to help raise money and awareness for the situation in the Sudan and Tibet. I for one am ashamed that the American Olympic Committee would even agree to participate in the games knowing China is going to mantain its own agenda. But why do we continue to kowtow to China...simple the same reason we are in Iraq......money and politics. Shameful.

I for one immensly enjoy watching the Olympic Games but categorically refuse to watch any of the Bejing Games on any network. How could I in good conscience, knowing all of those ad and commercial dollars are supporting a country who supports the extreme violation of human rights and in my view participating only says America condones their beliefs.

Naenae, I haven't even discussed the Olympics with anyone else, but my thoughts have been along the same line, for many reasons. I'm not too thrilled with the choice either.

You are so right, Renee! :mad: China is also polluting the environment and their citizens with utter abandon. I won't be watching either although I will find out who the major US sponsors are and send off a 'delightful' :cool: letter letting them know why I won't be buying their products that are probably made in China anyway. :Sigh: It feels like a losing battle but I've got to do something.

The olympics is not supposed to be about politics. I get ticked off when governments try to use the Olympics to further their own agendas. It's about a group of athletes competing, not politics, not human rights, just athletes and sports. I don't condone what China's doing, but I am really looking forward to seeing the games.

Yes, you are correct, the athletes have earned the right. Including, Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek, who has been banned.

Whilst I agree the athletes should be supported, and the games should not be political they are and we have allowed it to happen...so I will lend my support by donating to Athletes For Darfur!

The modern olympics is about the world coming together - promoting understanding. I fully respect and support your decision to boycott but I will be watching.

Sport is at its best when it is more than just sport, but transcends the game itself in some way. Sport is at its worst when it is just about winning and losing. I wish for one moment that all politics could be put aside to support and watch beauty of the games. Having been to four Olympics as a spectator I can tell you when you are there in the midst the best of the human spirit spills out and we become people and humans and not about countries or politics.

I applaud Joey Cheek's efforts and honestly we should all do what we can to really support Dafur both as a government and individuals but Joey is not competing in these Olympics (he is a Winter Olympics speedskater) and was traveling as a private citizen to bring attention to the cause of Dafur (which again I think is great). And I hope the Chinese change their minds and allow him to go to China for his diplomatic mission. Joey Cheek has even said in the spirit of promoting understanding that he does not begrudge the Chinese these Olympic Games.

I do not agree with the Chinese government on many levels and on many topics but on the ground forgetting the government you can't believe how much these Olympics means to the Chinese people, regular people like us who have no control over their government and no freedom of speech. And to be honest for me Sudan needs to step up and stop what's happening in its land more than the Chinese who I know have a part in all of this.

And the ad dollars spent in these games are not going to China in any way but actually allow you the ability to watch the games free on broadcast television and help pay for our athletes to achieve their dreams. Consider it a sponsorship of our athletes. All you see are the commercials but the sponsorships these companies make in the games far trancends commercials like the washing machines that Sears gives to the IOC so the athletes can wash their gear or the bandages that J&J provides. There is significant funding of Olympic infrastructure that these companies provide. I prefer this method as opposed to it coming out of our taxes. And these companies are proud of their investment in the dreams of athletes and is part of why they advertise in the games. Now I won't be all pollyanna and say that they don't profit in some way from the games.

And the companies supporting the Olympics are paying for you to be able to watch them. Actually commercials in all ways fund the cost of all shows on TV. Imagine what your cable bill wouldbe like if there were no commercials. There would be alot less programming if any at all and your cost to watch TV would skyrocket.

But I am not going to punish the Chinese people for the actions of their government

For the Chinese people I hope the Games go well and that in some small aspect it brings postive change to their lives and their country.

And I hope that our athetes and all the athletes competing achieve their dreams that they have worked so hard for whether it is just competing or a medal.

But he's not competing. He's a speedskater that participates in winter olympics. He was going there just as a supporter of the athletes that participate in his Darfur project. Those athletes are permitted to compete.

Everyday, early in the morning, villagers would get up and start their work.

Most of their ancestors were farmers but these days a lot of them workers at some corporate manufacturing plants.

yet, they will bring their hardworking ethics to these new jobs...

When their ancestors were farmers, they were a happy bunch. Even through over 2000 years of civil wars between the dynasties and governments, most of these people were happy with just getting up, putting the plow on their buffaloes or, with just their own hands, went to the fields and they would plant or farm.

they are just happy with having foods on their tables from what they reaped from what they sowed...so they are generally, a happy bunch.

the culture have survived famines, civil wars, floods, and other disasters either natural or self-inflicted or from invasions...

between the late 1800's to the early 1900's, westerners "discovered" it and about 8 nations from the West went to "carve" it up.

back then, the Chinese folks were considered the same class as dogs. If the area was deemed for let's say, Germans or Japanese only, there would usually be a sign that says "no dogs and chinese are allowed"

But a lot of times, dogs even had more rights than the humans because if any of the foreigners were to own dogs, the dogs would be allowed in the forbidden zones.

So for a period of time, the people there were repressed not by their own gov't anymore, but by others that they have not known....

but daily, the same resiliant people went about their hard working ways; they live in their small houses or village huts; they get up, and go to work, hoping to get food on their tables...

any political statements that were made to the "foreigners" were made by a vocal few and they were either jailed or killed...

then came Nanking Massacre, where almost 300,000 people were slaughtered in 10 days...

but those people thrived...they survived...

then, the communist gov't took over....

the gov't went from one extreme end to another and its people were once again beaten down, taken down now, by their own children...

but every day, those same villagers got up, and went to do what they needed to do. Because they have seen this for many generations now, they know that their best fight against the government is to just keep on being resiliant...to keep on plowing, planting, living...

these days, half of those famers have become factory workers. They work 7 days a week but the television shows will tell you that they only work 6 days.

They see their family only for 10 days out of a whole year but the television show will tell you otherwise.

They are of the majority. The poor, the unfortunate, yet the resilient, and content with having very little...

They are the new human slaves that has been legalized by their own gov't. They work 7 days a week and their take home pay averages $100.00 U.S a month...

and it has to feed their wives, their children, their fathers and mothers or even grandfathers/mothers sometime because they live in generations in one house to keep the family together....

and all the while, there are those scholars that see this, and they fight for the rights of the people, and they get tanked over, they fight for the rights of the people, and they get jailed and they get killed...but they'll keep on fighting...

Because they know that the government is giving its people a bad name, that the people there are grateful, generous folks and if any of you know someone from there or even just know someone that knows someone from there and would go over there, that they would take you in to their house with warmth and hospitality.

They will feed you, the food may not be the best...but it would be better that what they would normally eat...it may just be noodles cooked in the precious broth of chicken that they have been raising for a few months now for special ocassions. But if you were to visit, it WOULD be a special ocassion and they'll take you in and give you the very best that they can or give you the clothes off of their backs and smile back at you contently...

so, here is this government who came from the loins of its people, who doesn't care about its people.

But it wants to give a facade that it does...

it wants to show the world that it's the new super power...perhaps an ablution, of their shameful past that they were overtaken by the foreigners of long past...

and now their people doesn't matter, only power...

they have moved thousands of families away from their homes that have been there hundreds, maybe even thousands of years just so they can build the biggest dam in the world...

No, they don't care about their people or even their own heritage because the gov't just wants more power, more money, more more more...from the very people that they came from...

but everyday, Mr. Lin or Mr. Lee or Mrs. Chang or Mrs. Wei have to get up, and hope that they can make that money, so they can feed their families

They have to hope that they can work 7/week for as long as they can. They can't worry about being sick, or getting sick. They have to keep on moving...

and the thing that they look forward to the most, is that they will get a chance to see their family for those 10 precious days out of the whole year...to spend time with a son or daughter that have grown another year...

perhaps they have missed their first step, or their first words...but they have to keep on sacrificing because they have to work for them...

and they are hoping the that the Olympics will hopefully give them the bonus that they crave...perhaps to have a little extra, to buy some nice shoes, or pencils, or make-ups...just little things...to bring some smiles...

I applaud those of you that are boycotting it and I applaud those of you that are going to watch the game because there probably should be both...there are always going to be supporters of both sides and this situation is not unique but unique in itself...

All I want, is to bring out another side of the story, of the actual people, the people that I have learned so much from, from a distance, from my memories, from the obscure and the esoteric side...a side that you might not know...

a humble, respectful, unique bunch of nice folks that if you are ever in their homes, they will give you their best bed and the best food that they can provide for you...

((((((((((everyone)))))))))

PS, and please do NOT let me hinder this discussion...

I used to love watching the Olympic games when I was a kid. Back then, it seemed the focus was mostly on athletics and we got to see the various countries actually competing against each other. :)

I stopped watching when it became all about us (our team only). Besides, we rarely got to see much competition - only sappy personal stories of the athletes. I like a good sappy story now and then, but it got to be a little too much. We've ALL got sappy stories to tell. :p

I feel really bad for those people in China, especially those who had to give up their HOMES for our entertainment! I'm also a little concerned about the athletes in that polluted environment, especially those who come from "pristine" lands. My cousin came to visit me from Finland when I was a teenager, and we passed a spot that everyone considers a little "stinky" but no big deal. It wasn't just "stinky" to my cousin - it literally made her eyes water, and she couldn't breathe! :eek:

The 2008 Summer Olympics are a propaganda coups for the Chinese.

My morals conflict with this "showcase".

Athletics are being used as bait.

-Vic



*This will be the subject of a History Channel special in twenty years. All countires do this BS.

originally when the Greeks started the Olympiad games, the Greeks were always waring against one another for more territory, yet when the games came along they all dropped their weapons, their hatreds and beliefs and participated in the games, as it should still be, unfortunately some govts are gonna use the games to their own advantage, that being said I still believe in watching these athletes participate and compete and give it their all, and respect all of them for trying to obtain their best, this should be these athletes moment in their lives, a moment they can hold on to forever, and hope all are allowed to do so



peace

I like it that we have the right to voice our opinions here...pretty much.

I didn't like their 'solutions' to their cat problems.

Hi Greta :). I know he isn't competing but it seems a bit hypocritical for China to allow the athletes that he supports but not him. In my eyes, I'm sure China would ban those athletes that support the project if they could get away with it.

Okay. I give up. As I walk around my home and see that nearly everything, including my Sears\Kenmore gas grill, is MADE IN CHINA, boycotting the games and their sponors seems like peeing on a forest fire. :(. Our country needs to change quite a few things before anything is going to change in China or with where the Olympics are held. Maybe it's the MS heat fatigue talking or I'm just mortified by it all.

don't give up, just watch for the stuff now. there has to be a starting point.

I have been to China... and yes some of the people there are very friendly....not all just like here, and yes there are impoverished people there....just like here, but in the same token I also have been to Africa and seen first hand the horrible circumstances there that go way WAY beyond impoverishment or corporate slavery....I could go on but that is not the intent of my thread :) And I don't begrudge anyone who wants to proudly watch the Olympics.....I just won't be one!

Vic

I can picture you now, standing up in your little fishing boat yelling out to your fellow fishermen "Fishermen - UNITE and FIGHT BACK! PEE IN YOUR TACKLE BOXES!" :p

I'm not sure what you'd catch with that one. :D

LOL I so could go way south with that last post but Doc John would have to punish me LOL

I don't watch the Olympics so that isn't an issue for me. However, I am appalled that they are throwing their own out on the streets to clean it up for the Olympics. Some houses had large families and now they are gone. I even saw where they are building large structures to hide the "poor" side of town.

I don't know, seems they could done this a long time ago when it would have meant more to their residents. It all seems so money driven now. No amount of paint can cover up the truth. jmo

Just curious and OT, does anyone here watch the Special Olympics? I never see them on TV and was curious if maybe I am missing it or something. Now, I would watch that because it is close to home.

jayne is very involved with Special Olympics - she coaches a swim team here!

That's very cool! Do you know if they are on TV too?

I would certainly watch the Special Olympics. The regular Olympics are beginning to look like the horse racing industry -i.e., doing whatever it takes to win, even if it's harmful. :( People are even breeding "winners" - forcing children to sacrifice themselves and go way beyond their limits. :(

It ticks me off in the horse racing industry because horses naturally love to run, and some are naturally determined to win. I know, I used to be a trail guide - some of those old clunky livery horses impressed the heck out of me. :D

Watching the Special Olympics is like watching watching wild horses compete with each other. It's not only exciting, it's pure heart. It's a fight to the finish, but no one is out to "destroy the opponent." It's about going home content with your place in this world, regardless of the outcome. For the "losers," it just gives them a little more determination to try harder next time - without having to sacrifice their lives or feel bad about themselves. :)

http://www.2009worldgames.org/

Special Olympic 2009 World Winter Games. Idaho. February 7-13, 2009.

someones got to remember this date, that way instead of complaining about the lousy winter weather, we all can watch it, of course anne will be complaining of it being too hot. Debbies youngest took championship in Arkansa Special Olympics back in 1999, right b4 they moved up here, pretty sure it was bowling, my one cousin always tries to compete, severe Downs and his folks were told he would never make it past 8 yrs he is 47, and lives in a group home has a girlfriend and many friends and a job in an assembly line through the group home

those kids and young adults smile as if they won the gold medal regardless of if they won or came in last, those kids make me so proud, for trying for competing and for as far as i am concern they all winners, I usually watch it every year but lately my memory really bites ..... i missed most of last yrs





nae nae pardon the derailment here, Moi, i am not sure if i am more scared you knew this anime existed or if the fact you spent all day looking for the right one :Bang-Head: lol

We could all learn a lesson from these kids.....especially the politicians and the Olympic athletes themselves.

I have to wonder who's the most intelligent....:rolleyes:

Frank if there is one thing I have learned it is that Moi is a sick sick man.....and I love him! LOL

Second you didn't derail...I love the Special Olympics used to volunteer every year!

Kelly beautifully said, and I am pretty sure we all know the answer,

Renee it is a most rewarding feeling helping these kids, and by helping I dont mean finishing a sentence or lifting something, by helping I mean be there when they need that help and ask you for it, I have found a lot of the SE kids to be very independant by nature




now what to do with Moi,hmmmm, didnt you tell someone some thing at an interviewed yesterday, something about how good u were at taking temps? perhaps we can take his temp,:yikes: see if he is sick

I didn't say temps but I did mention garden hoses.......

I am planning to watch some of the Olympics.

Although I do not support some of the actions of the Chinese government, I also do not support some of the actions by the USA government, i.e. waterboarding and holding "enemy combatants" without a trial for all these many years.

Our cities are cleaner, I feel for the runners.

I wonder if kicking people out of their homes is considered an honor? I imagine only the best most affluent homes are being used. I wonder the perspective from the homeowners of the country.

I do not even know the economy of China. Is everyone struggling? Will it boost the economy? Is that a bad thing? Maybe boosting an economy will lead to greater wealth? Could that be the start of a revolution that will not be squashed?

In 1980 the USA boycotted the Olympics because Russia invaded Afghanistan. If we asked the American athletes how they felt about being prohibited by their country to compete, what would they say?

Did the boycott have any worldly effect? I do not believe it affected anyone but those kids that wanted to compete. Russia did not pull out of Afghanistan immediately. In fact, the USA aided the Taliban against Russia. That was a mistake!

I did a google, it is a rhetorical question. The article I read said the athletes felt as if they missed out on a chance of a lifetime, the lifetime they spent trying to reach the Olympic level.

All that being said, Renee - you have a right to decide to not watch these kids compete for gold representing their country. What if it was YOUR child who worked so hard to be eligible and have exposure on this level?

This is not as much a challenge as really wanting to hear your perspective because so many of our athletes have made great sacrifices to be there.

KathyM - I totally agree about coverage, it has become very limited. There are so many activities. Was trampoline jumping eliminated? That was so crazy to watch.

I do not know how the country is selected to host the Olympics. It would be inappropriate to only watch if one approved of the government. Everyone takes pride that African-American Jesse Owens won gold in Hitler's Germany even though Germany won more medals than all the other countries combined.

I am glad I have cable. Maybe I will enjoy coverage better.

I will route for the kids, no matter what country. I love to see smiles and accomplishments. Maybe those kids will achieve fame in their respective countries and help change the small world they can affect.

I did not ask questions to make anyone feel bad about their position. I do not know the answer to most of the questions.

Well Arcyn since I raise my children to have their own minds they can do whatever they please as I said in my post it is MY individual choice and as one of my children has been to Africa on trips with me I can assure you he would probably feel the same. As to whether or not I would support my own children...that comment was just ridiculous and insulting. But seeing as how my oldest who physically cannot compete in alot of sports is only 13 and my daughter 2 I doubt that will be an immediate concern. As I stated I will be lending my support in a different manner if you chose to read that.I also believe I did state that I didn't agree with how the US handles certain things either. I seriously doubt any of the athletes are bothered by my choosing not to watch but should they contact me personally, I'd donate to a charity of their choice!

what where is a link to this story-could be a rumor?

To which story are you referring?

Interesting developments here in Chicago. If we are chosen to host the Olympics, residents are already protesting to not have THEIR houses destroyed. This area is an income based housing area. They have no protest against Chicago hosting the Olympics whatsoever. They only have concerns of their homes being removed to accommodate the Olympics.

They are very adamant about this and some feel the situation in China has prompted this protest for fear it could happen to them as well. I will support their fight to not lose their homes. Guess it is good they are starting now before it actually happens.

We also have residents in the Ohare airport area who have lost their homes and some have stayed in protest, not related to the Olympics. It is related to expansion of the airport. Guess it happens everywhere. The only major difference is here in the US we pay to destroy ones home. :rolleyes:

wow Renee. In no way was I looking to inflame.

my apologies if I came off as insulting or ridiculous. It was not so much personal as looking at this through the eyes of kids that have worked so hard to qualify. A few years ago, I watched a girl train at our local pool for the Olympics.

I wanted your additional perspective not anger. If I missed something in previous posts or did not pick it up through all the readings, I was hoping for patience. Nothing more. I am open to changing my mind by listening, by asking.

I was not looking to create bad feelings but rather to add a different perspective. I often come into threads late and do not read answer for answer.

So, I am sorry for not understanding your full explanation. I did not perceive my questions as ridiculous or insulting and it was not my intent.

well, first of all, how did MOI become the topic...LOLOLOL

oh, I guess cause I am in the MoIMPicks I am known as the champion nose picker...

nae, I love you too. :hug:

and I am not defending arrcynic but I think she meant that as a general question and I love her too :) and I love Frank, and I can go on and on and on...and everybody...I even love bot...sheesh...

sheesh, *smacks self in da head graphic...what is with all these love talk...

speaking of made in China...

I wonder why you guys are complaining...cause you have a choice to buy or not buy or to return your purchase...(this was tongue in cheek in case someone misinteprets)

imagine for me...that every time I walk by the mirror, I see "that" person was "made in China" and then to realize that there was nothing I could do to return moiself...

I already called my mama, she said that I was "NON RETURNABLE" and that it'll be a cold day somewhere hot before I even think about "retuning" to that dark place and something about hogs having hot wings or hot sauce or sumthing...

to even more of my supplies, she said they only keep the GOOD stuff over there and send the rejects over seas...oh yeah, thanks, mama...

so, double whammy for moi...I am stuck as being made in China and I can't even be returned or refunded...

but I REFUSE to have Victor H pee on me...that will NOT happen...not even if I am in his tackle box...uh uh....no way, hose b....

you think Sears would take me if da wife brings me there? I might be worth a penny or two for my spare ribs....I mean, parts... :D

think how that made moi feel...that is why I decided to become French Fries...cause at least I have Fast Food Appeal...

I love the Special Olympics and I used to volunteer..it was awesomely rewarding...

then I got hooked on Para-Olympics when I saw "murderball" it was pretty addicting and intense...

(((((:grouphug:)))))

PS, I am thinking that having my temperature taken rectally would not be a good idea because if the thermometer beeps and nae doesn't hear it like Mel does and forgets about it. I would end up going home beeping and da wife would end up being suspicious that I really was a secret Asian man...

plus, our pets(those I haven't eaten yet...OK, just kidding) have intense hearing and they might come after my (_!_)...literally...