Hey guys,
I noticed that in the Beijing Olympics thread, a lot of people were discussing the politics behind it, and well, it intrigued me. What do you think of China hosting the olympics? Good or bad, I wanna know your opinions!

Eric

While I disagree with China's economic system, I see no reason why The Olympics should not be held there. There are too many people who seem to still have the Cold War mindset. Communism is often viewed as bad by most of us, but I don't think the world community should view that as a reason not to allow China a chance to host The Olympics. Back in 1980 Summer Olympics boycott, in my opinion, was not a good idea. The reason I say this is simply because the spirit of sportsmanship should surpass political fervor. Thus, I think that 1) A nation with a communistic government should not be barred from hosting The Olympics and 2) All nations should participate in The Olympics despite any political differences with the host nation.

I agree with you!! I don't think boycotting is going to do any good. It just infuriates many Chinese in China.
I'm sure China will relinquish communism one day, and I believe, if that happens, human rights would not be a problem in China in the future. I know that's probably going to take years. I like China, but I dislike its communist government.

LOL, I think the media has hyped up China's negativities a lot over the past years, but one has to understand that not long ago, China had went through a cultural revolution. I do agree, however, that basic human rights in China needs to be addressed. Nevertheless, boycotting, or any type of aggression towards, the Olympic is not a smart move. I believe China will join the democratic world one day - it just takes time.

I think the Chinese (China) history and tradition have a lot to do with the ongoing debate on human rights issues in China.

In an economic and infrastructural way, China is just as qualified as anyone else to host the olympics.

I think that it is wrong for China to be hosting these olympics because of their human rights record, I think its ridiculous to reward such atrocious behaviour with an international event that gathers much funding and prestige.
I dont think I would be really bothered about infuriating any Chinese via a boycott. They are kept in the dark about a lot of things, including the atrocities which the ruling party commits so I think that if they had more information they would understand any measures like that. If they do actually know about their government's past record, why are they not resisting it and pushing for democracy?

Well the Olympics have not been known to be too picky about host nations unless the US or Soviet Unions were involved.

Hitler got his Olympic triumph and it was an interesting experience, then he started world war II afterward, hehe!

I am Chinese, so it is a happy occasion to have the Olympics in china, beyond the humanitarian difficulties.

If I state my opinion about the Tibetan problem, most of you guys will kill me with effigy, but I will be honest and say that it might not be right to occupy another people's land, but it has been done by everyone and it can not be used to deny someone of equal treatment. If that is the case, the US should have left its territory won from the Spanish American war, cede back California and south-western territories to Mexico, and give about a third of the nation back to native Americans. Further, for Great Britain, they should leave northern Ireland to their own devices sooner and surrender any remaining island possession illicitly gained. No one will do that so quickly without thinking of the ramification that such actions may bring, which is why northern Ireland has not re-unified with Irish republic as quickly. These are problems of the present that have yet to be solved.

If a group of Native American were to have a ghost dance during the salt lake Olympics, it would not mean that a humanitarian problem is occurring in the US. The last time a large scaled anti-occupation ghost dance occurred the US shot and killed dozens of unarmed Native Americans, it was over a century ago, but it still says something about the idea of unjust occupation.

I am not supporting occupation or the idea of might makes right, but it is merely how the world really works. If the world were operating on the principles of sharing and peaceful co-existence, then it would be horrible to allow China to host an Olympic.

Also, I suspect the US and EU along with Russia want the present Chinese government alive and kicking more for their economic needs than the needs of the Chinese people. It is politics to appear hard on China; it is diplomacy and economics that demands a strong backing.

To comment about Xeran, I think there is a duality in principle among Chinese people. Fidelity to the state and the idea of superiors from Confucian doctrines have been taught in the society for over a thousand years. A singular mindset or monarchist ideal of order is stabilizing on their mindset, so communist leaders offer them something they feel safe with. I think stability will have its weaknesses and eventually the population will wise up, but it will take a few years before a true democratic movement can form. The main issue is that once stability is destroyed what will happen to China: Far too likely a disintegration similar to the 1920's with the implementation of democratic movements that could not govern so many.

The true challenge in democratic government is how to keep a unify China with its economic strength that has tied so uniquely to the world economy stable? Theoretical basis is one thing, but if you read up on Chinese history after three thousand years, it is hard to cancel centralized power and remain unified.

Hmmm,

Well, I feel like this is extremely redundant given the fact that I just posted this in the other thread about the Olympics, but since it pretty well expressed my thoughts on the matter I'll just restate it here:

To me, what the Olympics are really about, or at least what they should be about is putting aside political differences and getting together for the event anyway. What I've always found really inspiring and beautiful is that warring nations might play side by side in the events!

So, personally speaking, I'm against a boycott of a country with regards to the Olympics. As long as each nation honours the rights of the other nations in relation to the Olympics then I really think this attitude of putting aside our differences and just getting along for the sake of the event is what needs to be emphasized not any other sort of agenda.

Obviously I have huge issues with homophobia, racism, sexism, religious hate, and poor human rights, BUT if the nation scheduled to host the events doesn't discriminate against those individuals from other countries whom they might normally discriminate against while the events are going on, then I'm in favour of the individuals taking part anyway. IF the Olympics can serve as a time for everyone to get along and be treated fairly then I think that's beautiful and inspiring and we should accept this small victory and hope it branches out whether than defeating even that in the name of some other cause.

Just my opinion though
Kevin