beijing olympics - a travesty
Jul 31st, 2008, 04:37 AM
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beijing olympics - a travesty
Don't watch it at all.
If enough of us don't then the big advertisers may think twice before paying for time during the second week of a televised event from a country that has an unacceptable level of censorship and abuse of human rights.
The fact that it's being held there at all is outrageous. Don't condone it.
If enough of us don't then the big advertisers may think twice before paying for time during the second week of a televised event from a country that has an unacceptable level of censorship and abuse of human rights.
The fact that it's being held there at all is outrageous. Don't condone it.
Jul 31st, 2008, 10:28 AM
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Yes, I agree it's a travesty. Perfectly clear, even to a child, that Beijing is wholly unsuitable for the Olympics. For many reasons!! Clearly a political decision to hold this event here, because, well, there are so many reasons why Beijing is completely unsuitable.
However, I will be watching because I love sport.
However, I will be watching because I love sport.
Jul 31st, 2008, 10:33 AM
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I think it's hysterical that they actually thought they'd be able to remove the smog from the city in time for the Olympics. That's kind of like saying, "Hey, let's reverse global warming next week...cuz the relatives are coming to visit!"
That one really worked out well for them.
That one really worked out well for them.
Jul 31st, 2008, 10:48 AM
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I remember when I visited China and Beijing 2 years ago and commented on Fodors that there was no way the Chinese would be able to pull it off.
I mentioned that it was just another Chinese Govt smoke screen saying they could clean up all the mess before the Olympics.
I was totally excoriated by some of the China lovers on this site.
I now feel totally vindicated
I mentioned that it was just another Chinese Govt smoke screen saying they could clean up all the mess before the Olympics.
I was totally excoriated by some of the China lovers on this site.
I now feel totally vindicated
Jul 31st, 2008, 12:29 PM
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During our visit to Beijing in June 2007, we struggled to cope with the pollution during casual evening walks. I was constantly wondering how the endurance athletes would cope, in fact all of the competitors.
And, of course, air quality is just one of many reasons why holding the 2008 Olympics in Beijing is a travesty.......but it's about to happen!
And, of course, air quality is just one of many reasons why holding the 2008 Olympics in Beijing is a travesty.......but it's about to happen!
Jul 31st, 2008, 12:46 PM
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Jul 31st, 2008, 04:25 PM
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My cousin has been working in Beijing on the Olympics since May. She had a cute and sometimes cranky blog going, but then posted describing what happened during a security sweep. All of a sudden we were no longer able to make comments to her on her blog. She next posted she had been warned by the govt to not discuss anything and could face state punishment as well as lose her job. She says she is under 24 hour survelliance at the Olympic Village and basically will not be talking until she gets home.
Creepy.
Creepy.
Aug 1st, 2008, 03:19 AM
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Only happycheese gets it.
Sure, air pollution is a reason why the games should not be there. But I don't think LA had a particularly good reputation on that front in 1984 either.
I can understand that a sports nut would find it hard to stay away from the on button but that shouldn't stop them from thinking about the wider issues.
Or do ideas and principles now play second fiddle to pleasure at all times?
I guess I just hold an unpopular point of view.
Sure, air pollution is a reason why the games should not be there. But I don't think LA had a particularly good reputation on that front in 1984 either.
I can understand that a sports nut would find it hard to stay away from the on button but that shouldn't stop them from thinking about the wider issues.
Or do ideas and principles now play second fiddle to pleasure at all times?
I guess I just hold an unpopular point of view.
Aug 1st, 2008, 04:08 AM
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afterall,
If Australia, the UK or the USA were to hold the game instead of China should the rest of the world embargo it because of the "travesty" committed by the tri power or the illegal invasion of Iraq?
I say keep politics out of the game! I was fortunate enough to had been at the Coliseum for the opening ceremony of the LA game and the foreign country that got the loudest applaud was China. The 1980 game was boycotted by the US for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan then the LA game was boycotted by the Soviet as a reprisal making both games rather dull IMO. Have we not learn anything from history?
If Australia, the UK or the USA were to hold the game instead of China should the rest of the world embargo it because of the "travesty" committed by the tri power or the illegal invasion of Iraq?
I say keep politics out of the game! I was fortunate enough to had been at the Coliseum for the opening ceremony of the LA game and the foreign country that got the loudest applaud was China. The 1980 game was boycotted by the US for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan then the LA game was boycotted by the Soviet as a reprisal making both games rather dull IMO. Have we not learn anything from history?
Aug 1st, 2008, 05:06 AM
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I think the Olympics have been pretty boring since the end of the Cold War, and am glad to see something approximating an appropriate level of rivalry return to the games. All of the Shiny, Happy People garbage was getting on my nerves. You have to have somebody to cheer against to make it worth watching.
Aug 1st, 2008, 01:11 PM
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afterall,
We all "get it" but being the Asia board we usually discuss travel, not one's personal political beliefs.
This question has nothing to do with travel at all......I got that point!
This question should have been posted in the lounge and not on the Asia board......but you already got that right!
We all "get it" but being the Asia board we usually discuss travel, not one's personal political beliefs.
This question has nothing to do with travel at all......I got that point!
This question should have been posted in the lounge and not on the Asia board......but you already got that right!
Aug 1st, 2008, 07:23 PM
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... oh, afterall this: the censorship, the commercialization, the hypocrisy, the shame, the stain, the pollution, and yes, the complete travesty of it all ...
... (well, it can be an unsettling world at times, so just between us: just fly SQ F/J to BKK, and immediately arrange for late-night, in-room massage treatments at the Four Seasons ... sweet dreams ... (perhaps, of Gong Li - and yes, my current all-time favourite communist/capitalist, sweet, sublime Zhang Ziyi) ... (and, as always, please don't tell mrs. m) ...
... all the best to all of you, and, as always, do kindly consider : SQ - thank you ...
macintosh (robert)
... Experience the A380 - Between Singapore and Beijing : 2-8 August 2008 ...
(Singapore Airlines)
Aug 2nd, 2008, 07:39 PM
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China is arguably the most interesting and exciting place in the world to visit right now. For those of you who haven't been to Beijing, I can tell you that the weather varies from Venutian to crystal-clear blue skies. It can differ by 100% day to day like somebody flipped a switch. A "blue sky" day is spectacular, with the mountains to the west and north easily visible. I have some terrific and clear photos I took from the plane leaving Beijing of the Mutianyu Great Wall where we hiked. It is clearly not a simple matter of air pollution. But just WHY would you expect a city of 15 million people to be pollution free?
The degree and pace of change evident in Beijing since China won its Olympic bid is impressive. It is not just the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. From the gargantuan new airport fashioned like a dragon, to the monumental modern art that is CCTV tower, to the efficient subway system where there is never more than a few minutes wait for a 30 cents equivalent ride, to the toll booth disguised as a beautiful Chinese gate, to the extensive landscaping evident along the highways it is incredible what has been done in a few short years. Construction cranes are everywhere, as are late model cars, new high rise apartments, golf course communities, and modern shopping centers.
China is a country that has made immense strides and shares more in common with the US than many would care to acknowledge. As an American I prefer to focus my energy on what we can do to improve America.
"One World, One Dream", the motto of the 2008 Olympics, says it all.
The degree and pace of change evident in Beijing since China won its Olympic bid is impressive. It is not just the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. From the gargantuan new airport fashioned like a dragon, to the monumental modern art that is CCTV tower, to the efficient subway system where there is never more than a few minutes wait for a 30 cents equivalent ride, to the toll booth disguised as a beautiful Chinese gate, to the extensive landscaping evident along the highways it is incredible what has been done in a few short years. Construction cranes are everywhere, as are late model cars, new high rise apartments, golf course communities, and modern shopping centers.
China is a country that has made immense strides and shares more in common with the US than many would care to acknowledge. As an American I prefer to focus my energy on what we can do to improve America.
"One World, One Dream", the motto of the 2008 Olympics, says it all.
Aug 3rd, 2008, 07:42 AM
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Beijing, for centuries and eons, has suffered from the sands of the Gobi Desert blowing in and filling every crevice and crack and getting between peoples teeth and lodging in their ears. This is a seasonal thing. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know if the Olympics are being held during sandstorm seaason or not.
