I will boycott the Olympics - Page 2

Sheldonrs · 08-04-2008, 02:02 PM

I won't be watching the Olympics for the simple reason that it's boring as hell.

Shawnee123 · 08-04-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar

I believe the Olympics is about all nations putting aside their political differences and coming together in the spirit of good sportsmanship and fair competition. I am disgusted by those protesting the Olympics in China. Their own actions are more offensive than those of China's government.

The issue to me is not that the individual competition and sportsmanship should be squelched, it's the PLACE. How much revenue is going to pour into China? With the history of human rights abuses, why were they awarded the venue? Award, reward, whatever...it smells fishy to me.

Sure, let the games begin. But let them begin somewhere else. Surely there are other countries which would benefit from millions of dollars pouring into their economy? Or is this set up as a partial payment of all that the US owes China?

The "think of the sportsmen" argument is quite short-sighted and really not what I'd expect from you.

Tink · 08-04-2008, 03:57 PM

Take a look at the CNN clip they are running today. All about how the young Chinese children are pushed from a VERY young age so they can compete, win and move on to a life that is "better for them".

Some of these kids didn't want to be pushed so hard. Walking on their hand for 3 minutes, followed by 60 crunches, followed by serious ab workouts. Shit....I couldn't do that. Even the look on their faces.

Radar · 08-05-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

The issue to me is not that the individual competition and sportsmanship should be squelched, it's the PLACE. How much revenue is going to pour into China? With the history of human rights abuses, why were they awarded the venue? Award, reward, whatever...it smells fishy to me.

Sure, let the games begin. But let them begin somewhere else. Surely there are other countries which would benefit from millions of dollars pouring into their economy? Or is this set up as a partial payment of all that the US owes China?

The "think of the sportsmen" argument is quite short-sighted and really not what I'd expect from you.

How is this a short-sited argument? It's the very reason for the creation of the Olympics in the first place. China is hosting the Olympics because they promised to have brand new, state-of-the-art, facilities, and excellent security. China represents a very important nation of historical and cultural significance. They are as deserving of hosting the Olympics as America, or anyone else.

The Olympic committee isn't here to reward or to punish. They are here to find good venues for the Olympics that have an adequate amount of hotel rooms, security, transportation, etc.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-05-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

How much revenue is going to pour into China? With the history of human rights abuses, why were they awarded the venue? Award, reward, whatever...it smells fishy to me.

China is spending an order of magnitude more money, then they are taking in.
It's a national ego trip, of the first order... a trip that countries are lining up to take themselves.

ZenGum · 08-05-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

I won't be watching the Olympics for the simple reason that it's boring as hell.

Really, Sheldon? All those hunky athletic types doing gymnastics, wrestling, etc? You wouldn't even have it on with the sound turned down?

Sheldonrs · 08-05-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Really, Sheldon? All those hunky athletic types doing gymnastics, wrestling, etc? You wouldn't even have it on with the sound turned down?

If they ever start wrestling in the nude like the original Olympics, I might tune it.

miketrees · 08-04-2008, 06:47 PM

happens in the US too. and Canada, and France, and just about anywhere that kids have more talent than their parents have brains.

Lookout with your permission I might pirate that saying

Clodfobble · 08-04-2008, 10:03 PM

Well, except in the US it's the parents pushing the kids and being overly involved. In China, the government takes the kids off to live (literally) at the gymnasium, away from their families.

Shawnee123 · 08-05-2008, 04:04 PM

I didn't see the clip, but my assumption is that the pushing of the Chinese children that the CNN clip was about was on a larger scale, even sanctioned by powers-that be, than some stage moms (creepy) or living vicariously through such means as munchausen-by-proxy.

As I said, I did not get to see the clip, but is this the case? What I'm asking is: does the pushing of these children in China seem to be more the norm, the way of life, the status quo, for most families as opposed to the relatively few freaky moms who push the girls to beauty pageants or push the boys to be great football players, or else?

Undertoad · 08-05-2008, 04:35 PM

In a piece that I saw, the parent could only see the child for a few hours a week.

During half that time, the parent trained with the child.

lookout123 · 08-05-2008, 04:52 PM

as it should be. do you have any idea how well trained my players would be if i didn't have to deal with all the rest of the crap like school, family, fun...

lookout123 · 08-05-2008, 07:12 PM

well, that's not the only reason. there eyes are shaped right too, so that helps.

Aliantha · 08-05-2008, 05:53 PM

Just remember that China is not the only country to have hosted an Olympics who treats their athletes this way. Remember Germany and Russia, just to name a couple, both have had if they don't still have very similar programs.

lookout123 · 08-05-2008, 07:05 PM

yeah, but they aren't yellow so we can forgive them a bit.

08-04-2008, 02:02 PM	#1
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	I won't be watching the Olympics for the simple reason that it's boring as hell. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

08-04-2008, 10:03 PM	#9
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Well, except in the US it's the parents pushing the kids and being overly involved. In China, the government takes the kids off to live (literally) at the gymnasium, away from their families. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

08-05-2008, 04:04 PM	#10
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I didn't see the clip, but my assumption is that the pushing of the Chinese children that the CNN clip was about was on a larger scale, even sanctioned by powers-that be, than some stage moms (creepy) or living vicariously through such means as munchausen-by-proxy. As I said, I did not get to see the clip, but is this the case? What I'm asking is: does the pushing of these children in China seem to be more the norm, the way of life, the status quo, for most families as opposed to the relatively few freaky moms who push the girls to beauty pageants or push the boys to be great football players, or else? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

08-05-2008, 04:52 PM	#12
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	as it should be. do you have any idea how well trained my players would be if i didn't have to deal with all the rest of the crap like school, family, fun... __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

08-05-2008, 07:12 PM	#13
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	well, that's not the only reason. there eyes are shaped right too, so that helps. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

08-04-2008, 03:57 PM	#3
Tink Why oh why? Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 186	Take a look at the CNN clip they are running today. All about how the young Chinese children are pushed from a VERY young age so they can compete, win and move on to a life that is "better for them". Some of these kids didn't want to be pushed so hard. Walking on their hand for 3 minutes, followed by 60 crunches, followed by serious ab workouts. Shit....I couldn't do that. Even the look on their faces.

08-04-2008, 06:47 PM	#8
miketrees Regulator of Squalor Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 37	happens in the US too. and Canada, and France, and just about anywhere that kids have more talent than their parents have brains. Lookout with your permission I might pirate that saying

08-05-2008, 04:35 PM	#11
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	In a piece that I saw, the parent could only see the child for a few hours a week. During half that time, the parent trained with the child.

08-05-2008, 05:53 PM	#14
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Just remember that China is not the only country to have hosted an Olympics who treats their athletes this way. Remember Germany and Russia, just to name a couple, both have had if they don't still have very similar programs. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-05-2008, 07:05 PM	#15
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	yeah, but they aren't yellow so we can forgive them a bit. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

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