I saw this morning that they are considering eliminating the rest of the run of the Olympic torch because of the disruptions and safety concerns brought about by protesters along the way.
I'm a sports fan and an avid follower of the Olympic Games, and all I have to say is:
GOOD.
As to those who say "don't politicize the Olympic Games," which are about the spirit of human achievement and fair play, I was among you, but I've had a serious change of heart.
I still believe the Olympics should go on, but with the international community using the games to take every opportunity to crack the isolationism, piracy and brutality of China's ruling Communist Party. I say boycott the opening ceremony, too. Insult our Chinese hosts. Then step in and participate in the games, exposing the Chinese people to international ideas, and the international community to China's human rights, commerce and ecological crimes. Why? Ironically, because we can't allow the Olympics to be used as a political pawn.
China is attempting to leverage the Olympic Games to raise their strategic profile and image in the world. They want to hide the shame of their legacy of bureaucratic corruption, murder and repression behind the Olympic flag. Why else would they spend billions on this international competition?
But the torch, Corey. The torch! Why mess with that beautiful, hopeful symbol of all to which humanity might aspire?
Read this from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7330949.stm
The modern running of the Olympic torch was developed by the Nazis in 1936 as political theatre at its most cynical and darkly macabre. Kinda freaky, isn't it? I had no clue. I'm not big on the whole pure Aryan race thing, are you? Thank God at least Jesse Owens went to Berlin to repeatedly stick a finger in der fuhrer's eye throughout the games.
We can do the same in China through how our teams carry themselves, tourist interaction with the few regular folks allowed within fifty miles of the Olympic venues, and pressure from our own political leaders. After all, isn't that the main reason the International Olympic Committee infers to justify bringing the Games to China?
Leave politics out of the Olympics?!? As if that's ever been done!! Go ahead and play the games, but recognize whose games you are playing.
Corey, I think we need to give China a serious message regarding their human rights abuses. But the U.S. will be sending mixed messages as long as some of our 'big box' stores continue to buy their goods from China. That means Wal-Mart! The dollar speaks louder than the boycott, but China has figured out how to out-'capitalize' us capitalists!
ReplyDeleteYep. Kinda like the Soviets saying they would sell us the rope with which we would hang ourselves. I couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteI had a friend who worked for a time as a sales rep for a local, nationally-known manufacturer. He told me how he pitched Wal-mart and they told him to go back to his company with a simple message: "Move your operations to China so you can offer us your product at a price-point we'll consider." I haven't set foot in Walmart since this was brought to my attention.
Members of my church and their spouses work at this company that Wally-World wanted shut down. Irony of ironies, several of them are loyal Walmart shoppers.
(Becky, your husband works for this company!)
I'm not sure having the international community in Beijing for the Games will have much of an impact on the "ordinary" Chinese population. Their exposure to the international participants will be tightly controlled. These games are a showcase to the world for a "better" China, not an avenue for the Chinese to learn what freedom is. China will receive the tourists' money and put forth their "public" face for a few days. When the athletes and the resultant media leave, the "private" face of China will be put back in place. Only limited glimpses of everyday life will be exchanged.
ReplyDeleteChina has, indeed, learned to "out-capitalize" us. But, the blame for the increasing importing of Chinese products by our "big-box" retailers lies more with the greed of investors. Wall Street demands higher profits, bigger dividends, etc., so the manufacturing goes to Mexico and China, Taiwan and Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. When Americans lose their manufacturing jobs and have to move into the service industries, they can only afford to buy the lowest-priced goods. So, the cycle feeds itself.
Likewise, once the athletes leave Beijing, the "business as usual" will descend back onto the Chinese people. Our examples will have accomplished little. Because, indeed, the dollars (and Euros) will speak louder than actions and dollars will continue to broadcast profit over people.
Sadly, I have to agree with you on all counts, Mary. I would add, too, that the Olympic Games themselves are a matter for corporate interests. It's big business with the occasional athlete breaking through! I saw an article a few days ago that said the best way to honor the true Olympic spirit would be to eliminate the Olympic Games.
ReplyDeleteOf course we could return to the original version of Greek athletics. Everybody stripped bare for each event! Call NBC! The ratings would be through the roof!
The Jerusalem Jews rebelled vociferously when an open-air gymnasium was built within view of the temple. Imagine coming out of church with the wife and kids and seeing a bunch of naked men vaulting, sprinting and throwing the discus around.