 Author |
 Post
|
 |
|
anke
Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 7 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
|
[Poll] One World - One Dream? Not really...
February 28, 2006 - 02:08 AM
|
|
In 2008, the Olympics will be held in Beijing, PR China, giving a government oppressing the Chinese people a chance to shine a becoming light on itself.
People from all over the world will travel to China for this event - the athletes will put in their best efforts, the spectators will bring a lot of money. All over the world, people will pay to be able to broadcast and watch the events. And each and every one of them will thus support China in trying to create a "One World - One Dream" illusion.
As long as those who dream different dreams than what the Chinese government are kept out of the one world we have by means of force, I don't think we should support the Beijing olympics as a huge event which covers all of that up!
Instead, maybe we can use the growing interest in this event to raise awareness for the problems in China and to show that this is not what the international community supports!
* * *
At http://forum.chinaseite.de/ftopic1288.html there's a German-language discussion about the issue!
Is a boycott of the olympic games 2008 in Beijing called for?
Yes.
(2 votes for 22.22%)
Something should be done but it shouldn't be a boycott.
(3 votes for 33.33%)
It's a good idea but no one will participate.
(1 votes for 11.11%)
No.
(3 votes for 33.33%)
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Anu maheshwari
Joined: Jun 14, 2005
Posts: 1148 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
 Virtual Volunteer
Gender & Age: Female, 27
Country: India
Province/State: Maharashtra
City: Pune
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
February 28, 2006 - 03:05 AM
|
|
Sports are supposed to be kept away from politics. Olympic games have always been promoted as a neutral venue for people from around the world to congregate and enjoy the games regardless of their nationality.
So why is this controversy being created now?
if every venue is used for similar voicing of our political concerns and then the event might really lose its meanings. there are other ways to voice our dissent. for example UN... what is that for?
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
anke
Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 7 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Other, 101
Country: Afghanistan
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
February 28, 2006 - 09:45 AM
|
|
Hi Anuriandima and Everyone Else!
I think there were some very good points made in the last post, I just don't agree with the conclusions:
Originally posted by anuriandima84
Olympic games have always been promoted as a neutral venue for people from around the world to congregate and enjoy the games regardless of their nationality.
In my mind, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are a problem because they violate this idea. If everyone should be able to enjoy this event, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. then doesn't this also include the people of Taiwan? the Tibetans? the Christians? people eho believe in democracy? human rights activists? Yet how much enjoyment will they have locked away in Chinese prisons for who they are and what they believe???
Originally posted by anuriandima84
there are other ways to voice our dissent. for example UN... what is that for?
This is a great question but I guess as long as the UN continues to reflect a post World War II world order it is not the place to effectively solve some of the world's most pressing problems. Especially as ong as those who cause the problems have the power to veto any potential solution!
I can understand that some of us want to hold on to the Olympic Games as one of the last illusions which make us believe that things are not so bad in this world after all. But for the sake of those who would be suffering while others celebrate, maybe we should not take the issue so light heartedly!
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Amy Guittard
Joined: Feb 24, 2006
Posts: 1 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 29
Country: United States
Province/State: California
City: Berkeley
|
2008 olympics
February 28, 2006 - 11:49 AM
|
|
the olympics are an incredibly inspiring event with the potential to really change the world. it seems as though every two years, we approach the olympics with the hope that a sort of world comaraderie will emerge and the violence, political instability will disappear; after the closing ceremonies, however, it seems as though all of the oneness immediatly becomes transparent and we revert to our old ways. perhaps in due time, people will learn to retain that olympic spirit, incorporate it into their daily lives so they can change the world, not just one athlete at a time, or one viewer at a time, but one person at a time.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Anu maheshwari
Joined: Jun 14, 2005
Posts: 1148 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Virtual Volunteer
Gender & Age: Female, 27
Country: India
Province/State: Maharashtra
City: Pune
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
March 1, 2006 - 02:32 AM
|
|
Originally posted by anke-berlin
In my mind, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are a problem because they violate this idea. If everyone should be able to enjoy this event, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. then doesn't this also include the people of Taiwan? the Tibetans? the Christians? people eho believe in democracy? human rights activists? Yet how much enjoyment will they have locked away in Chinese prisons for who they are and what they believe???
hi Anke!
if that is the parameter to be allowed to participate in or host the games then all the games held in US should be boycotted right?[ remember Guantanamo Bay, ( Abu Gharaib)Iraq, Afghanistan etc] and then the Iranian football team should not be allowed because of what their President proclaims in his speeches on daily basis right?
If the above said things are not happening then why should we put China on the bait?
I don't think that athletes from China have done anything to deserve such injustice. I still maintain that the games are not the venue to air political opinion.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by anuriandima84
there are other ways to voice our dissent. for example UN... what is that for?
This is a great question but I guess as long as the UN continues to reflect a post World War II world order it is not the place to effectively solve some of the world's most pressing problems. Especially as ong as those who cause the problems have the power to veto any potential solution!
hey Anke!
UN is still the only choice we have, i dont think that at the moment UN has done anything so drastic as to render it completely useless or a dummy in the hands of some countries.
Instead of a premature lamenting , shouldnt we think about ways to make it stronger and more sensitive.
***
I can understand that some of us want to hold on to the Olympic Games as one of the last illusions which make us believe that things are not so bad in this world after all. But for the sake of those who would be suffering while others celebrate, maybe we should not take the issue so light heartedly![/B]
Friend , nobody is taking the issue lightly. i am just asserting that Olympic games should not be made use of for this kind of protest. As such our world has not been experiencing scenes of global camaraderie lately, and then on top of it , this controversy will spark another round of EAST VS WEST debate.
regards
Anu;-)
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
anke
Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 7 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Other, 101
Country: Afghanistan
|
Our Role in the UN
March 1, 2006 - 09:29 AM
|
|
Hi Everyone, Hi Anu,
First off, I believe very strongly in the UN and its bodies to contribute to the solution of even the most severe problems we are currently facing internationally.
However, I believe the UN is powerless in keeping peace and protecting human rights if people the world over don't make these aims their own, also.
The UN's resolutions are paperwork. It's up to each and everyone of us to breathe life into them! We can do this by acting in their spirit and in the spirit of the UN Charter. To me this means that we should speak out against human rights violations whenever we have the chance. To me, it thus also means speaking out against human rights violations in China.
It doesn't mean that we should target China exclusively. It doesn't mean that what happens here is better or worse than what is happening anywhere else. But just because bad things are happening in other places, too, doesn't make them any better!
If we join hands internationally and decide not to support those who violate what we believe is right, we can achieve more than any UN resolution ever could. The 2008 Olympics are a chance to show the Chinese regime that the world does not support its actions.
And, Anu, I don't see why the Chinese athletes would be the ones to suffer from injustice: To me, having less competition for a gold medal is nothing compared to the injustice of being mistreated for who you are or what you believe!
I am not in the least bit convinced that promoting a boycott of the games is not a good idea!
Looking forward to your ideas, comments, opinions
Anke
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Laura Steiner
Joined: Jul 10, 2005
Posts: 66 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Talkative
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 29
Country: Canada
Province/State: Ontario
City: Milton
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
March 1, 2006 - 09:49 AM
|
|
No, a boycott wouldn't really do anyone any good. I think in a weird way we owe it to the Chinese to show up in 2008, to use the Olympics as a way to shed a tiny bit of light onto what's going on inside China.
I totally agree that the Olympics are an inspiring event, and would go one step further: that the games show humanity its posibilites. In the Turin games, Canada got a silver medal in the Cross Country team Pursuit because a Norwegian ski offical was kind enough to give one our skiers a pole.
And As for the United Nations, it can be an effective organziation if it was given arms with which to defend its resolutions. The UN needs wholesale reform, before it can be an effective player on the world stage.
-concernedcdn
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
anke
Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 7 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Other, 101
Country: Afghanistan
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
March 2, 2006 - 12:20 PM
|
|
We've got to shed a little light, you're right! But on what?!?!
Originally posted by concernedcdn
we owe it to the Chinese to show up in 2008, to use the Olympics as a way to shed a tiny bit of light onto what's going on inside China
If we just look at the Olympics as a big lovey-dovey international family reunion, the only thing that's going to appear in the lime light will be the China that the government wants the world to see: You'll see smiling faces galore, freshly rennovated buildings, well-nurished athletes - the works.
The political prisoners, the starving people in urban and rural areas, the crumbling und unsanitary shacks in which people live will be hidden away in the dark. However, these are the people whom I think we owe recognition to!
Having a good time in Beijing while ignoring their plight must feel like a slap in their faces... Would you be in favour of holding sports events in some of Europe's concentration camps? A big after-event party in Guantanamo? But a volleyball tournament in Tiananmen square in Peking might be okay???
If all the international cooperation which comes out of the olympics is people lending each other ski poles, then I think it's an elitist, fake event which has nothing to do with the real life which billions of people struggle with everday!
Originally posted by concernedcdn
As for the United Nations, it can be an effective organziation if it was given arms with which to defend its resolutions.
"Why are all the missiles called peacekeepers when they're aimed to kill?" (Tracy Chapman)
***
http://china.82er.de
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Stephanie Penev
Joined: Feb 19, 2006
Posts: 14 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 24
Country: Canada
Province/State: Ontario
City: Toronto
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
March 7, 2006 - 01:06 AM
|
|
A boycott would not be the way to go about attempting to force change on the Chinese government. No doubt the current administration is at fault for countless atrocities and injust actions and policies in their own country, as well as their dealings with other countries (namely autocratic African, Asian and Middle Eastern regimes such as North Korea, Iran, Nigeria, etc.- see article from March 4 Globe and Mail- "China keeps bad company" But boycotting in the case of the Olympics, would go against what the centuries-old tradition of the ceremony represents. I agree with what someone said, that the event itself would be an ideal venue to allow the international community to view the climate of the country, what with the intensity of focus on the city for the time period in question. (Although we won't be seeing the victims of unwarranted persecution, and only what the camera crews are allowed to video, as a previous poster pointed out) Perhaps in the subsequent months, real pressure can be applied by a coalition of nations (the US not the sole objecting force) hopefully allowing for a seperation of politics and sport. The success of such a confrontation is debateable for sure, but at the time being, China's continued and persistent building of an independent support network of countries (directly challenging the US in its economic power) is going to make it difficult to bring up reforms for change today or tomorrow, objecting to the country's human rights violations and questionable moral standards when dealing with prospective allies (although a strong arguement could be made for US's involvement with certain regimes)
On the UN: I believe that the organization has the potential to be a real dynamic force in change, but at the time being (quite obviously) the increasing influence and reach of established and impending superpowers and their own subjective agendas concerning finance, trade, etc. are completley undermining the UN. In addition, those countries supporting and providing limitless assistance to a host of human rights-violating regimes, is doing no good for the recognition of the Charter, Human Rights accords, etc. Very simply, the UN does not have the reach and effect that an entity with its scope and resources, should. This fact should not be a source of hopelessness. Rather, we, the people- people like those on this website, have to keep organizing forums, protesting injustices in whatever venues we can manage, pressuring the government and corporate entities with establihed and innovative campaigns, and eventually we will make a difference, which will allow the UN to have a greater influence on those nations that currently ignore international mandates. Only through persistent effort to change will we ever make a difference, and no one can expect change overnight.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Anu maheshwari
Joined: Jun 14, 2005
Posts: 1148 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Virtual Volunteer
Gender & Age: Female, 27
Country: India
Province/State: Maharashtra
City: Pune
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
March 8, 2006 - 01:51 AM
|
|
Originally posted by anke-berlin
If we just look at the Olympics as a big lovey-dovey international family reunion, the only thing that's going to appear in the lime light will be the China that the government wants the world to see: You'll see smiling faces galore, freshly rennovated buildings, well-nurished athletes - the works.
The political prisoners, the starving people in urban and rural areas, the crumbling und unsanitary shacks in which people live will be hidden away in the dark. However, these are the people whom I think we owe recognition to!
]
hey Anke!
if any change is to come to the people suffering in China then it will surely come from within. China is a 'developing' country and needs some breathing space to improve its standard of living and getting on par with the developed world. even the communist hardline agenda is slowly evolving to make space for liberalisation. recent times have also seen chinese media being given some freedom.
if you do want to see some change in the lives of the people concerned then let us do something positive and constructive instead of boycotting such an event to which i dont see a concrete outcome in future except more antagonism.
Anke Posted;
If all the international cooperation which comes out of the olympics is people lending each other ski poles, then I think it's an elitist, fake event which has nothing to do with the real life which billions of people struggle with everday!
...nobody is forgetting anybody . i just dont think that what you are saying applies to the Chinese situation!
Originally posted by concernedcdn
[B]As for the United Nations, it can be an effective organziation if it was given arms with which to defend its resolutions.
"Why are all the missiles called peacekeepers when they're aimed to kill?" (Tracy Chapman)
***
http://china.82er.de[/B][/QUOTE]
this is one thing on which i completely agree with you Anke ... it is highly ironic to see the peacekeepers marching in with missiles ...
but equally ironic would it be to see Olympic games being made into a political arena.
Ciao
Anu
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
nGr8
Joined: Apr 26, 2005
Posts: 16 (view all)
Poster Rank:
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 27
Country: Benin
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
March 8, 2006 - 02:55 AM
|
|
Sorry Anke, I really don't see what you are expecting to accomplish with this.
Boycotts have been tried in the past most notably a USA-led boycott of Moscow 1980 and by the Eastern Bloc countries in Los Angeles 1984. The only people that suffer are the athletes that have trained so hard to get their one chance in four years.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
nGr8
Joined: Apr 26, 2005
Posts: 16 (view all)
Poster Rank:
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 27
Country: Benin
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
March 10, 2006 - 03:41 AM
|
|
If you don't see any teamwork, cooperation or understanding at all in the Olympics then perhaps you aren't looking very hard.
Two weeks ago an American athlete donated his $40,000 prize winnings to a humanitarian organisation for youth created by Norwegian speedskater Johann Olav Koss (www.righttoplay.com). A Chinese skater and a Canadian skater also gave $10,000 of their own savings. This has led to over $400,000 USD going to underpriviledged youth in Chad, Zambia and the Sudan all just within a couple of weeks.
Cooperation only works when you work together.. not against each other.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
anke
Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 7 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Other, 101
Country: Afghanistan
|
Away with the Illusions!!!
March 10, 2006 - 09:09 AM
|
|
The Olympics should be about teamwork, about international cooperation and understanding, about fair battles in the sports arena instead of unfair war-making, it should be about pride for one's own nation and respect for everyone else's.
If you still think this is what the Olympics are about, then please have a closer look.
The Olympics are a highly commercial event. There's a lot of money in sports and everyone is trying to secure their share.
The Olympics are also a political event - it takes money and diplomacy to host them and they are maybe one of the biggest international meetings in existence.
[Note: I do not believe that it takes professional politicians to make something political!]
The Olympics are an economic and a political event. If you are asking now to keep politics and sports apart, you're asking several hundreds of years too late!
For all these reasons, I think it's foolish to try to cling to the idea of the Olympics upholding values which they obviously don't. I think it's lazy to think that we don't have to be concerned with the situation in the country in which the Olympics are hosted. I think it's time to stand up against human rights violations all over the world - this includes China in 2008!!!
Because in a country in which the very stadiums in which the Olympic events will be held and the very houses in which the athletes will live are built by exploited people whose fragile condition is taken advantage of the following is just NOT TRUE:
Originally posted by nGr8
The only people that suffer are the athletes that have trained so hard to get their one chance in four years.
There are people all over the world who are suffering in ways which I think we really mustn't compare to how an athlete "suffers" when he/she finds the crowds which turned out are smaller than expected!!!
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
anke
Joined: Feb 15, 2006
Posts: 7 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Other, 101
Country: Afghanistan
|
Back to Business
March 11, 2006 - 06:32 AM
|
|
Yes - there can be no doubt that athletes exist who are
a) incredibly rich, and
b) willing to share a little bit of their wealth.
But what this has to do with character of the Olympic Games (except for that there are some athletes to whom a) and b) apply), I fail to understand.
My question with regard to boycotting Beijing 2008 is actually a question of whether it's appropriate to attend such a "Happy World" commercial event in China given the current political and human rights situation.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Anu maheshwari
Joined: Jun 14, 2005
Posts: 1148 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Virtual Volunteer
Gender & Age: Female, 27
Country: India
Province/State: Maharashtra
City: Pune
|
Re: One World - One Dream? Not really...
March 20, 2006 - 02:54 AM
|
|
instead of boycotting the event ...i feel that going to China and getting a first hand info seems a better idea...
how can you decide to boycott on the basis of what western media feeds you.
well you have no other option but to trust your media ... However , i get a different perspective hence i can't agree with you!
Like you said there is no one world ...for we all see it from different angles!
China is a developing nation ...it is just opening up to global realities....give it time to raise it standards of living !
ciao
Anu
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
|
Display posts from:
|
