Should China Be Allowed To Host Olympics?

[Dodge]

As soon as countries stop trading with china, they can then start to ask for a boycott on the Olympics.

It should also be noted that the dalai lama and the exiled Tibetan government haven't asked for a boycott

[Monkfish]

But they hunt cute little baby seals

As an Olympic sport?

[rambler14]

Free Tibet is a noble campaign but I can see things turning violent.
Pretty soon police forces will be using brutality to stem the protesters.
For some reason I can see car bombs going off. I know these people are supposedly peaceful but in every group there is always one radicle with a bomb!

[jebus]

Free Tibet is a noble campaign but I can see things turning violent.
Pretty soon police forces will be using brutality to stem the protesters.
For some reason I can see car bombs going off. I know these people are supposedly peaceful but in every group there is always one radicle with a bomb!

Anything that brings down the world's population is a-ok with me.

Honestly though I'm with Gavin and LtiD on this one, if oppressive America are allowed in the Olympics than oppressive China should be allowed host it, and thats leaving aside the other oppressive countries competing. If we're to follow some people's train of thought on this then Ireland shouldn't be allowed compete given the American military's continued use of Shannon Airport.

Me thinks 'Free Tibet' is this years 'Make Poverty History', all noble bandwagons that are populated by a large percentage of wannabe moral authorities.

[Macy]

I think Free Tibet has been around for a long time, and lest we forget it was the riots in Tibet itself that re-invigorated the campaign rather than some western lefties.

[Lim till i die]

I think Free Tibet has been around for a long time, and lest we forget it was the riots in Tibet itself that re-invigorated the campaign rather than some western lefties.

Without said lefties no one would have given a monkeys about the riots though.

EDIT: Not that the vast majority of people give a monkeys now anyway.

I'm sure there's lots of protests going on in far less fashionable places too.........

[Macy]

It was covered in the news as a major story, or are you suggesting the likes of the BBC and Sky (of all places) are part of a big left conspiracy to hijack the Olympics? It was just great timing for the protesters, with the torch relay about to start.

I'm sure there were protests in less fashionable places - not sure they were slapped down in a similar manner?

[Lim till i die]

It was covered in the news as a major story, or are you suggesting the likes of the BBC and Sky (of all places) are part of a big left conspiracy to hijack the Olympics? It was just great timing for the protesters, with the torch relay about to start.

It was covered on the news.

And the vast majority of people didn't care, nor do they care now.

Boom, Boom.

not sure they were slapped down in a similar manner?

If all these protestors are going to have a whinge about China there are literally dozens of countries they should be having a whinge about while they are at it.

You're a bright boy, why the playing dumb??

Protests in London and San Francisco about Chinas human rights record??

Time for the west to climb down from its high horse

[Dodge]

You're a bright boy, why the playing dumb??

Quite. You know full well why they're doing this now, as opposed to some time last year...

[jebus]

I think Free Tibet has been around for a long time, and lest we forget it was the riots in Tibet itself that re-invigorated the campaign rather than some western lefties.

Indeed, Brad Pitt has been harping on about it for a few years now, he must be wondering why no one took any notice until now, possibly the beginning of the end for Mr.Pitt's career?

As LtiD said though, Americans, British and French (as much as I love their rebellious hearts) lecturing anyone on their moral obligations to another nations citizens is laughable at best

I'm sure there were protests in less fashionable places - not sure they were slapped down in a similar manner?

He says as the Gardai are allowed free reign to beat protestors in Rossport and Tara without anyone batting an eyelid

[Dodge]

He says as the Gardai are allowed free reign to beat protestors in Rossport and Tara without anyone batting an eyelid

In fairness the people who complained about the oppression of tibetan protesters are more than likely going to feel the same way about Tara and Rossport

Just like the British, French and USAers that are protesting are just as likely to protest abotu stite in their own country.

[Macy]

I'm sure there are protests everyday of the week in London/ San Fran (and lots of other US cities), that simply don't get the coverage, as they don't have the focus of something like a torch relay. Similarly, Rossport and Tara do have people who care, just not a receptive media to cover them.

I am pretty dumb, but even I know just because it's not on the tele or in the newspapers, it doesn't mean protests aren't happening or there aren't people who care. Unless you really believe that the leaders of a country reflect the views and actions of the entire population – are you calling me a corrupt perjure, for example?

As for Brad Pitt, surely only jumping on the 1990's Beasties band wagon?

[jebus]

In fairness the people who complained about the oppression of tibetan protesters are more than likely going to feel the same way about Tara and Rossport

Just like the British, French and USAers that are protesting are just as likely to protest abotu stite in their own country.

Not in the same numbers though, I know the ring leaders would be the same but when you look at the numbers that attend the rallies for Tibet as opposed to the support shown for something like Rossport you see that all these things come down to is a catchy slogan to catch mass attention for a few months, it gives the extreme left something to do, and the media a story to get worked up about and sell subscriptions/papers. At the end of it though when you have a country like America trying to get on it's high horse about China's occupation of Tibet it's little wonder that nothing ever comes of these protests and threatened boycotts

[Dodge]

Not in the same numbers though, I know the ring leaders would be the same but when you look at the numbers that attend the rallies for Tibet as opposed to the support shown for something like Rossport

But thats because the timing is better. stick the olympics in Rossport and see what turns up...

At the end of it though when you have a country like America trying to get on it's high horse about China's occupation of Tibet it's little wonder that nothing ever comes of these protests and threatened boycotts

America isn't doing anything over Tibet. Some americans are, but the nation isn't doing a tap.

[jebus]

But thats because the timing is better. stick the olympics in Rossport and see what turns up...

Honestly, I doubt the Irish could care less if Jesus came back, joined the protest and got beaten to a bloody pulp. People in this country only care about what's in their pocket at the time of asking

America isn't doing anything over Tibet. Some americans are, but the nation isn't doing a tap.

The American media have been covering it pretty well, and the American media don't publish stories without that government stamp on it. I'd say Bush and his cronies are very happy with the amount of negative press China is getting over this, takes away form the body count in Iraq and Afghanistan for a while. Will they actively come out and endorse sanctions on China? No, China is too powerful a country for America to stand up to*

* I'd just like to point out at this point that I don't agree with China's occupation of Tibet, I just don't see why everyone is suddenly in a frenzy over a problem that is 50+ years old

[GavinZac]

Of course its not doing a thing about tibet, with america's economy the way it is, its a wholly owned subsidiary of the PR of China

[pete]

* I'd just like to point out at this point that I don't agree with China's occupation of Tibet, I just don't see why everyone is suddenly in a frenzy over a problem that is 50+ years old

I think thats sums it up for me.

I could debate if an boycott of the opening ceremony by officials (not athletes) but suggestions of complete boycott have zero credibility. Asking athletes to boycott the ceremony is cowardly.

If I was a cynic I would suggest that the Dali Lama does not want independence or democracy for Tibet but just wants the Chinese powers to give his religion administrative powers in Tibet.

[BohsPartisan]

If I was a cynic I would suggest that the Dali Lama does not want independence or democracy for Tibet but just wants the Chinese powers to give his religion administrative powers in Tibet.

Holy sh1t. I agree with Pete.

[pete]

Holy sh1t. I agree with Pete.

Welcome to the dark side.

Can I close the Current Affairs forum now.

[Superhoops]

* I'd just like to point out at this point that I don't agree with China's occupation of Tibet, I just don't see why everyone is suddenly in a frenzy over a problem that is 50+ years old

It's a good job that attitude did not prevail over Northern Ireland!