Comments on: The Olympic Torch Fiasco http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/ An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:37:39 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: StockBoySF http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-148634 StockBoySF Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:27:38 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-148634 Go Team USA! Go Team USA!

]]> By: StockBoySF http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-148635 StockBoySF Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:27:38 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-148635 Go Team USA! Go Team USA!

]]> By: StockBoySF http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-148633 StockBoySF Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:26:18 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-148633 "The purpose of the Olympic Games is to celebrate athletic prowess and foster a sense of friendly competition between individual athletes, teams, and nations."<br><br>I agree which is why I don't think the games should be boycotted.<br>___<br><br>"Using an event that is meant to highlight something that is good in this world to air grievances seems mean-spirited, especially the way these protestors are doing it."<br><br>That's partially true- the Olympics also put a spotlight on China and they are able to show the world what a fabulous country they are.... except they're not all that fabulous- there are HUGE concerns- environmental, human rights abuse, Darfur (which is human rights combined with economic bullying and environmental issues), etc. So if the Chinese want to show the world that they are a great country, let the world also see that China has an absolutely horrible record in other areas as well. If China wants to present a sterling image to the world, then they can- as soon as they clean up their huge problems. China can't get a free pass.<br><br>I agree with Paul Silver... to an extent. I don't think there should be force by the torch protesters and I don't think the flame should be extinguished. But the Olympic games are as much a political event as an athletic event and I don't consider the participants in the procession to be innocent. If the participants really think the torch relay isn't political then that just shows that they are naive. But regardless of whether they are naive or not... I still do not believe in violence against them or the torch.<br><br>On a personal note.... when the torch comes to SF I'm going to be one of those protesters. There are various groups organizing protests to advance their causes, which I think is neat. But I'm going to be at the Darfur one (since there are many issues around Darfur). Hopefully I won't be caught up in any violence. <br><br>But the bottom line is that China has horrible, horrible human rights abuses and other issues. The Chinese government can't control and censor the world media (like they do in their own country) and claim that those problems don't exist. “The purpose of the Olympic Games is to celebrate athletic prowess and foster a sense of friendly competition between individual athletes, teams, and nations.”

I agree which is why I don't think the games should be boycotted.
___

“Using an event that is meant to highlight something that is good in this world to air grievances seems mean-spirited, especially the way these protestors are doing it.”

That's partially true- the Olympics also put a spotlight on China and they are able to show the world what a fabulous country they are…. except they're not all that fabulous- there are HUGE concerns- environmental, human rights abuse, Darfur (which is human rights combined with economic bullying and environmental issues), etc. So if the Chinese want to show the world that they are a great country, let the world also see that China has an absolutely horrible record in other areas as well. If China wants to present a sterling image to the world, then they can- as soon as they clean up their huge problems. China can't get a free pass.

I agree with Paul Silver… to an extent. I don't think there should be force by the torch protesters and I don't think the flame should be extinguished. But the Olympic games are as much a political event as an athletic event and I don't consider the participants in the procession to be innocent. If the participants really think the torch relay isn't political then that just shows that they are naive. But regardless of whether they are naive or not… I still do not believe in violence against them or the torch.

On a personal note…. when the torch comes to SF I'm going to be one of those protesters. There are various groups organizing protests to advance their causes, which I think is neat. But I'm going to be at the Darfur one (since there are many issues around Darfur). Hopefully I won't be caught up in any violence.

But the bottom line is that China has horrible, horrible human rights abuses and other issues. The Chinese government can't control and censor the world media (like they do in their own country) and claim that those problems don't exist.

]]> By: PaulSilver http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-148632 PaulSilver Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:02:41 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-148632 I am sympathetic with the protesters against China's actions in Tibet, Darfur, etc. But they cross an important line when they use force against innocent participants in the torch procession. Gandhi had it right about peaceful demonstrations - the moral majority is not attracted to replacing one belligerent gang with another. I am sympathetic with the protesters against China's actions in Tibet, Darfur, etc. But they cross an important line when they use force against innocent participants in the torch procession. Gandhi had it right about peaceful demonstrations – the moral majority is not attracted to replacing one belligerent gang with another.

]]> By: AshenShard http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-148631 AshenShard Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:48:01 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-148631 The question is how else is the message going to get out that there is great popular opposition to China and support for Tibet? Even though it is disruptive, this form of protest is comparatively peaceful. I don't think there is any other way to effectively, and peacefully actually physically show China that while world governments are willing to look the other way, or maybe even chide China by their leaders not attending, a large segment of the world population will not stand idly by. The question is how else is the message going to get out that there is great popular opposition to China and support for Tibet? Even though it is disruptive, this form of protest is comparatively peaceful. I don't think there is any other way to effectively, and peacefully actually physically show China that while world governments are willing to look the other way, or maybe even chide China by their leaders not attending, a large segment of the world population will not stand idly by.

]]> By: ChrisWWW http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-148630 ChrisWWW Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:07:45 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-148630 As far as protests go, I think this is actually quite effective. The Olympics are being used by China to legitimize their government on the world stage, so it's only natural that there is a backlash. If the Olympics were being held in the US, I would welcome Iraq war protests of this nature.<br><br>Better this than riots. As far as protests go, I think this is actually quite effective. The Olympics are being used by China to legitimize their government on the world stage, so it's only natural that there is a backlash. If the Olympics were being held in the US, I would welcome Iraq war protests of this nature.

Better this than riots.

]]> By: Amanda http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-148629 Amanda Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:36:59 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-148629 I think these protests are out of place and ill-conceived. The athletes competing in the games and the people chosen to carry the torch during the relay are not involved in politics and have no decision-making abilities when it comes to international diplomacy. The purpose of the Olympic Games is to celebrate athletic prowess and foster a sense of friendly competition between individual athletes, teams, and nations. Using an event that is meant to highlight something that is good in this world to air grievances seems mean-spirited, especially the way these protestors are doing it. I think these protests are out of place and ill-conceived. The athletes competing in the games and the people chosen to carry the torch during the relay are not involved in politics and have no decision-making abilities when it comes to international diplomacy. The purpose of the Olympic Games is to celebrate athletic prowess and foster a sense of friendly competition between individual athletes, teams, and nations. Using an event that is meant to highlight something that is good in this world to air grievances seems mean-spirited, especially the way these protestors are doing it.

]]> By: 2008 olympic torch relay route http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-111692 2008 olympic torch relay route Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:49:10 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-111692 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Polimom Says » Dousing the Dream http://themoderatevoice.com/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/comment-page-1/#comment-111691 Polimom Says » Dousing the Dream Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:04:46 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/society/human-rights/18816/the-olympic-torch-fiasco/#comment-111691 [...] Related post at TMV, here.  [...] [...] Related post at TMV, here.  [...]

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