Uncle Albert Posted 6 April 2008 Posted 6 April 2008 The point is that the exploitation of children and various other human rights abuses would be happening in China whether the Olympics were being held there or not.I heard an interview with Duncan Goodhew on Radio Five Live last week. He defended his right to carry the Olympic torch, as he saw it as the symbol of an ideal which transcends all nations. He also suggested that the friendships and social networks that were made during the 1980 Moscow Olympics (despite the boycott by the US and others) might have been a factor in the demise of the Soviet Union a decade or so later. That's a point that maybe should be explored further. China's hosting of the Olympics may actually strengthen the forces for reform, rather than weaken them. I suspect that's what the IOC (or at least its big business sugar daddies) had in mind when awarding the Games to Beijing in the first place.. Instead of moaning shouldnt you be watching Heartbeat?
Uncle Albert Posted 6 April 2008 Posted 6 April 2008 No. Why it's last in the series and is quite a tastey episode.
Nick Posted 6 April 2008 Author Posted 6 April 2008 The point is that the exploitation of children and various other human rights abuses would be happening in China whether the Olympics were being held there or not.I heard an interview with Duncan Goodhew on Radio Five Live last week. He defended his right to carry the Olympic torch, as he saw it as the symbol of an ideal which transcends all nations. He also suggested that the friendships and social networks that were made during the 1980 Moscow Olympics (despite the boycott by the US and others) might have been a factor in the demise of the Soviet Union a decade or so later. That's a point that maybe should be explored further. China's hosting of the Olympics may actually strengthen the forces for reform, rather than weaken them. I suspect that's what the IOC (or at least its big business sugar daddies) had in mind when awarding the Games to Beijing in the first place.. Well with this in mind, when a country bids to host, part of the bid should be based on the charitable organisations that will benefit from the money made. This would be a bit like imposing sanctions in order to secure a more equal distribution of resources and an independent body could facilitate this...... I'de be much happier with that.
Ultra Posted 6 April 2008 Posted 6 April 2008 So would I, but in the world as it stands, it isn't gonna happen. Too many of the rich and powerful would stand to lose from that deal.
Daggers Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 Is there nowhere safe from you spoiling for a fight? You'll see a correlation between his feistyness and weekend hangovers if you look hard. Every Sunday and Monday he posts either ill-thought out/controversial contributions (depending on the generosity of your interpretation). By Mondays, the smilie count starts to increase and by Tuesday people start considering taking him back off 'ignore'. By Thursday he will be too embroiled in constructing diatribes about Alan Sheehan to be bothered balancing views of 'free gun control' with how 'democracy can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do'. Rather than trying to engage him it is often far better to point and laugh at him from a distance.
Nick Posted 7 April 2008 Author Posted 7 April 2008 You'll see a correlation between his feistyness and weekend hangovers if you look hard.Every Sunday and Monday he posts either ill-thought out/controversial contributions (depending on the generosity of your interpretation). By Mondays, the smilie count starts to increase and by Tuesday people start considering taking him back off 'ignore'. By Thursday he will be too embroiled in constructing diatribes about Alan Sheehan to be bothered balancing views of 'free gun control' with how 'democracy can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do'. Rather than trying to engage him it is often far better to point and laugh at him from a distance. I appreciate the advice, though he was put on ignore last night and I feel he'll be there for more than a week. Nick
Monk Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 Anyone who thinks that Sport and Politics are seperate entities need to think again. Why do you think China is so keen to host the Olympics? Purely from a sporting perspective?? Seriously? I had a smile on my face yesterday, the protests were good, but would have been better if they'd actually managed to get the torch out. People have likened this to Iraq and other difficult situations but the bottom line here is we are talking about China's human rights in their own country. Sure there are worse things going on in the world today but I think it's totally justified to take a stance against this. After all the politicians won't seeing as they cannot afford to damage ties between the countries. Unfortunately it's unlikely to make a difference. If you read the chinese comments on 'Have your say' on the BBC website it's clear they are getting massive propeganda so pressure for change will never be driven domestically and seeing as buddhism is inherantly a non violent religion and Tibet has no arms or diplomatic voice other than the Dalai Lama I can't see any improvements happening unless the politicians of the western world take a stance via diplomatic means.
Dr The Singh Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 Anyone who thinks that Sport and Politics are seperate entities need to think again. Why do you think China is so keen to host the Olympics? Purely from a sporting perspective?? Seriously?I had a smile on my face yesterday, the protests were good, but would have been better if they'd actually managed to get the torch out. People have likened this to Iraq and other difficult situations but the bottom line here is we are talking about China's human rights in their own country. Sure there are worse things going on in the world today but I think it's totally justified to take a stance against this. After all the politicians won't seeing as they cannot afford to damage ties between the countries. Unfortunately it's unlikely to make a difference. If you read the chinese comments on 'Have your say' on the BBC website it's clear they are getting massive propeganda so pressure for change will never be driven domestically and seeing as buddhism is inherantly a non violent religion and Tibet has no arms or diplomatic voice other than the Dalai Lama I can't see any improvements happening unless the politicians of the western world take a stance via diplomatic means. Would make no difference, I refer you to the 'khalistan' movement, the the Indian givernment just stopped all foriegners and media from entering the punjab and then went on a mass crusade of genocidal attacks against innocent Sikhs!!!!! WHen a government or nation has no conscious then acts violece or non violence will make no difference!!!
Daggers Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 The French don't f**k about.Torch extinguished I had to catch the bus to Leicester the other week, I hated it - that torch is going to be well miffed.
Babylon Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 What I want to know is where all these band wagon jumping protesters have been all these years. Ooooh what's popular this week, NO to the war in Iraq, errr NO to animal testing.... NO to anything topical in the papers!!!! I say NO to soap dodging protesters .
Dr The Singh Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 What I want to know is where all these band wagon jumping protesters have been all these years. Ooooh what's popular this week, NO to the war in Iraq, errr NO to animal testing.... NO to anything topical in the papers!!!!I say NO to soap dodging protesters . Why not just 'No to Soap Dodgers', come off it Babs, nobody likes stinky people..............especailly at the city ground where I always end up sitting near someone who's a defo's soap dodger!!!
davieG Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 Why not just 'No to Soap Dodgers', come off it Babs, nobody likes stinky people..............especailly at the city ground where I always end up sitting near someone who's a defo's soap dodger!!!
Master Fox Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 Brilliant. Konnie Huq's face yesterday when that bloke tried to grab the torch was hilarious. ()
Dr The Singh Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 Brilliant. Konnie Huq's face yesterday when that bloke tried to grab the torch was hilarious. () If it was me, I wouldn't have gone for the torch!!! Not you mate!!!!!
Master Fox Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 If it was me, I wouldn't have gone for the torch!!! Gone straight in for the rape.
Dr The Singh Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 Gone straight in for the rape. SHe would have preferred it aswell and the interview would have been something like 'yes, i do not condone rape, but in the spirit of Singh's attempt of relieving his sexual desires we should all get along.......and yes I do have a sore bum'
Monk Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 What I want to know is where all these band wagon jumping protesters have been all these years. Ooooh what's popular this week, NO to the war in Iraq, errr NO to animal testing.... NO to anything topical in the papers!!!!I say NO to soap dodging protesters . I think you're missing the point. This is the first global issue in a while where there has actually been a wagon to jump on.
Master Fox Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-rGpT1sKN6Q Singh, is that you in the brown jacket?
Webbo Posted 7 April 2008 Posted 7 April 2008 Konnie is rather stunning. Konnie Huq, TV presenter or Rhyming slang?
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