Ah, the Olympics. A time when the world sets aside its differences for two weeks every 2 years and competes in some of the world's oldest athletic events to test the skill, endurance and athleticism of men and women from every corner of the globe.
"Nerts to all that! Let's protest China! More specifically, the Torch and Torch bearer!"
At least that seems to be the mantra as the Olympic Torch makes it way around the globe for this summer's Olympics in Beijing.
People are protesting The Torch because of China's abhorrent record on human rights. From Greece to Paris to London and, today, San Francisco, people are letting China know just how they feel about that country holding The Games.
And they're doing so in the dumbest ways possible.
Like placing banners on the Golden Gate Bridge and disrupting traffic for miles--plus the protesters endangering their own lives as well as the lives of those traveling below them. And spitting on The Torch bearer in Paris. And scuffling melees in London.
It all misses one of the big points behind The Games: The celebration of sportsmanship.
Look, China is the last place on earth (next to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, etc.) where the Games should be held, and what the Olympic Selection Committee was thinking when it selected Beijing as the site, I don't know. (Wait, I probably do know. It was likely obscene amounts of bribe money.) And China's not fooling any one with any brains that it's some bastion of human rights. The world knows China and its leaders are oppressive piles of pig crap.
But here's the deal: Show a little sportsmanship and leave the Torch and the Torch bearer out of it and let's show a little respect and sportsmanship for The Games, shall we?*
*First commenter to say I sound like Rodney King gets punched in the nads. Capice?
Permalink | Send To A Friend | Linking Blogs | Digg this!
Filed under:
Summer Olympics
Comments (2)
The Olympics has always bee... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Jennifer M | April 7, 2008 5:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The Olympics has always been political even when they don't want to be. Lets turn this latest opportunity of the Torch run for the China Olympics into a positive world educational opportunity but not condemn the torch bearers.They are running the torch for their own reasons mostly to do good. Allow this time through PEACEFUL demonstrations to educate the world on the horrific actions of China against human rights.. allow the torch bearers to give this opportunity, by giving them the respect they deserve. Having the Olympics in China was a bad choice but see what the positive is... the World is getting educated and eventually China will have to bow down to world pressures if this is played right.
1. Posted by Jennifer M | April 7, 2008 5:36 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 17:36
2. Posted by Peter F. | April 7, 2008 6:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
...and eventually China will have to bow down to world pressures if this is played right.
That's so much wishful thinking.
And the world is pretty aware already of China's inhumanity.
2. Posted by Peter F. | April 7, 2008 6:43 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 18:43