Will you watch the Olympics opening ceremonies?
Yes, I will watch.
Side Score: 38
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No, I will not.
Side Score: 14
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The opening ceremonies of any Olympic Games provides a unique insight into the current Geo-Political climate of the world during the time in which the games are held. For instance this forum presents an interesting commentary in and of itself. Many Americans who protest the games in China do so as a vestige of McCarthy's idea of "Containment". What China presents to us is the last true seat of the Communist empire and it has recently begun to occupy a clearly defined role as "The New Soviet Union" in the minds of the Collective American Consciousness. I believe that if we better sought to understand the conditions of the everyday Chinese citizen we would feel much less threatened as a nation and find fewer ways to express this subconscious dissent. Side: Olympics Rock
No. People protest the games due to the way the Chinese government treats some of their people. I was young in the 80's, but I think that I can comfortably say that Americans do not view China the way they viewed Russia. First there's the issue of nuclear bombs, second, American's are more savvy due to things like the internet. I may be wrong, but I really don't think the vast majority of Americans care so much about them being communist. Communism is flawed because it puts too much power in the hands of too few and human nature is to abuse power. Same can be said for a nation that disregards its constitutional checks and balances, hands over democracy in the name of "free market," and allows special interests undue power simply because they have money, allows everything from the media to government programs to be influenced by those special interests, becomes too lazy and dumb to care - I digress... The immediate issue is the treatment of the Chinese people. It's all fine and well to get to know the condition of the average Chinese citizen - that however does not negate what's going on in Tibet, the fact that 'undesirables' are being booted out of Beijing - I can only imagine what's being done to get rid of them, how women are treated, female babies, "peasants," the list goes on. You imply with your statement, that A. none of that stuff exists, or B. it doesn't matter because the "everyday" citizen is okay. I offer this question to you, what's an "everyday" citizen, because the goal should be that all citizens are treated as "everyday" citizens until proven guilty of something in a court of law. I refuse to agree with you simply because you seem to be trying to make a point that would bring people together, not on the backs of the not-"everyday" Chinese citizens. I guess we should just ignore this?
Side: human rights
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Although I do agree with your comment on minority rights, you have to understand something of the psyche behind these actions. What goes on in Tibet is a conflict of interests. Tibet, to the Chinese, is similar to how the English view the pope, something of the past, but when it was in power, was a corrupt, depraved organisation. The whole point of invading Tibet in the early days of Chinese communism was because it was a subversion of a monarchy rather than religious intolerance. To your comment on the undesirables, you will note that similar prosecution occurs throughout the world, and indeed has always been occurring in the world. Discrimination is ingrained into human society, except that the Chinese, being mostly ethnic Han, don't have many ethnic minorities that can readily be picked on, or significantly disadvantaged socioeconomic groups that are easily degraded. Discrimination must find a different target. Also, the 'everyday' citizen, compared to previous generations, is much better off, in terms of life expectancy, health care and quality of life. Granted, the air is much more polluted, but China's policy has significantly greened since Hu got into power Also, if you think back to your history, you'll realise everything great ever done has been at the expense of someone else. The trick is to not let yourself bear the burden. Side: China
I'm more likely to watch than not. For me, the athletic contests are more important than the opening ceremony, but I'll still probably be in front of a TV somewhere. The Olympics truly are an international event, and I still remember the fun I had attending the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Also, today is 8-8-08, a mystical day for the Chinese and other numerically-minded people. Since 8 is also my favorite number, I'll be doing something special. Side: Olympics Rock
Yes, my family and I will be watching the opening Olympic ceremonies. It's healthy to suspend political differences and come together for one common purpose as a human race. Besides, it's exciting to see how these ceremonies will compare to others. We will be watching out of nostalgia, tradition, curiosity about China, hope in a peaceful world, and enthusiasm in America and her finest athletes. Side: Olympic Excitement
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Damnit no. I haven't watched the Olympics since I was like 12. I would like to just because I want to see what China's up to, and if there will be any protests. Unfortunately I'm watching porn those days - all of them. On another note though, I may be totally wrong about this, but I think embracing China will do more toward bringing them around to our view on human rights (ignoring the last 8 years, and slavery of course) than would protesting them. I'm kind of on the fence though. And I do love a good protest. Side: Free Tibet
I think this is a very interesting idea. Would embracing China and bringing them further into the global community do more for making headway on the human rights issues than would protesting? The country has a very strange dichotomy when it comes to being accepted. China wants this summer's Olympics to be a highly successful aesthetic event. They want the country and its citizen to appear perfect. The measures they have taken approach bizarre. Attempting to control the weather and the pollution. I read that the women who will be handing out the medals during the medal ceremonies have been trained for six months...down to the detail of, for example, smiling so as to only show eight teeth. So the country is obsessed with good etiquette and aesthetics, and yet they seem unaffected by public pressure. They censor information rather than changing policies. I have been thinking about this all day long. What does it mean to watch the opening ceremonies tonight? Will I watch? Part of me wants to watch just to see what sort of drama will unfold, but no doubt China's government has suppressed it and none will emerge. We'll have to leave the drama to John Edwards. So sad. Side: Aesthetics
I will not devote one minute to watching Beijing 2008 Olympics. On a political note, watching the summer games represents tactic support for the corrupt, brutal, and politically repressive totalitarian Chinese regime which has arrested and violated the human rights of the Falun Gong, innocent Tibetan monks, and Christians. Another point deals mainly with the athletes. By sending our professionals to represent the U.S., the US Olympic Committee has decided to ignore our amateur athletes who deserve a fair shot at international competition. If I want to watch Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, I will watch the NBA. Furthermore, the allegations of doping and steroids have tainted my perception of the games. So no, I will not watch the games on a multitude of levels. Side: No, I will not.
I will not devote one minute to watching Beijing 2008 Olympics. On a political note, watching the summer games represents tactic support for the corrupt, brutal, and politically repressive totalitarian Chinese regime which has arrested and violated the human rights of the Falun Gong, innocent Tibetan monks, and Christians. Another point deals mainly with the athletes. By sending our professionals to represent the U.S., the US Olympic Committee has decided to ignore our amateur athletes who deserve a fair shot at international competition. If I want to watch Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, I will watch the NBA. Furthermore, the allegations of doping and steroids have tainted my perception of the games. So no, I will not watch the games on a multitude of levels. Side: No, I will not.
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