Comments on: And the Olympics go to… Harare http://angryafrican.net/2008/02/09/and-the-olympics-goes-to-zimbabwe/ I have opinions. I am from Africa. I live here now. I blog. Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:22:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: chinacomment http://angryafrican.net/2008/02/09/and-the-olympics-goes-to-zimbabwe/#comment-1285 chinacomment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:36:19 +0000 http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/?p=13#comment-1285 Ah, I finally did that post on the rule of law and human rights: http://chinacomment.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/rule-of-law-not-human-rights/ Feel free to debate me here on that subject on your blog or at my home. ;) Best, ChinaComment Ah, I finally did that post on the rule of law and human rights:

http://chinacomment.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/rule-of-law-not-human-rights/

Feel free to debate me here on that subject on your blog or at my home. ;)

Best,
ChinaComment

]]> By: chinacomment http://angryafrican.net/2008/02/09/and-the-olympics-goes-to-zimbabwe/#comment-1202 chinacomment Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:35:06 +0000 http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/?p=13#comment-1202 Well, the Olympics have been given to Moscow (1980),and to military-dictatorship run Seoul (1988) to say the least. Interestingly, perhaps the only time the Olympics were rescheduled due to "image" concerns was when they were slated to go to Japan in 1940 (awarded in the 30s while Japan was occupying Manchuria) but were rescinded in 1937 after Japan decided to dispense with the illusion and decide to actively invade China. Frankly, the Olympics are hollow- they aren't about the world coming together, they have turned into a nationalistic and consumeristic hoopla. It would be nice though, if the IOC and the Olympic myth-makers would admit that. It's not necessarily wrong to be nationalistic and consumeristic, in fact, I love consumerism and capitalism; but its sickening when the IOC tries to cloak itself in "humanitarianness." As for China making progress, Jim is right that the country has been much maligned, at times unfairly. But still, I have studied China, lived in China, seen things in China, etc. and I would have to say that it still comes up lacking in many ways- even Chinese agree-- and you don't need to read only Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International Bulletins to realize that. Just read about Hu Jia, Gao Yaojie, and others who accidentally upset the state. But yelling about Human Rights and "Democracy" is foolhardy to do. In China, Stability is perhaps the most important thing- and for good historical reasons; without stability and order, you cannot have law or rights. I think China needs to achieve Rule of Law before it can have nebulous "human rights". China has a good constitution that guarantees many rights-- however, they are thrown out because "Stability" and divine fiat of Judges and Cadres are often judged more acceptable. I hope to address the "human rights/rule of law/freedom of speech" fact eventually in my blog: http://chinacomment.wordpress.com Many countries are different and their citizens will react in odd ways to different actions from the top. It is well worth analysis about what types of governance will work best in dissimilar places. That being said, I have little problem with Beijing receiving the Olympics- since the Olympics is really about cash, and about the power of countries. China, like Japan (1940 scheduled for a rising Japan) and Germany (1916 was scheduled for a rising Germ.) is on the rise economically, militarily, and in general importance. It's just sad that the IOC struggles to imply elsewise. Well, the Olympics have been given to Moscow (1980),and to military-dictatorship run Seoul (1988) to say the least.

Interestingly, perhaps the only time the Olympics were rescheduled due to “image” concerns was when they were slated to go to Japan in 1940 (awarded in the 30s while Japan was occupying Manchuria) but were rescinded in 1937 after Japan decided to dispense with the illusion and decide to actively invade China.

Frankly, the Olympics are hollow- they aren’t about the world coming together, they have turned into a nationalistic and consumeristic hoopla. It would be nice though, if the IOC and the Olympic myth-makers would admit that. It’s not necessarily wrong to be nationalistic and consumeristic, in fact, I love consumerism and capitalism; but its sickening when the IOC tries to cloak itself in “humanitarianness.”

As for China making progress, Jim is right that the country has been much maligned, at times unfairly. But still, I have studied China, lived in China, seen things in China, etc. and I would have to say that it still comes up lacking in many ways- even Chinese agree– and you don’t need to read only Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International Bulletins to realize that. Just read about Hu Jia, Gao Yaojie, and others who accidentally upset the state.

But yelling about Human Rights and “Democracy” is foolhardy to do. In China, Stability is perhaps the most important thing- and for good historical reasons; without stability and order, you cannot have law or rights.

I think China needs to achieve Rule of Law before it can have nebulous “human rights”. China has a good constitution that guarantees many rights– however, they are thrown out because “Stability” and divine fiat of Judges and Cadres are often judged more acceptable.

I hope to address the “human rights/rule of law/freedom of speech” fact eventually in my blog: http://chinacomment.wordpress.com

Many countries are different and their citizens will react in odd ways to different actions from the top. It is well worth analysis about what types of governance will work best in dissimilar places.

That being said, I have little problem with Beijing receiving the Olympics- since the Olympics is really about cash, and about the power of countries. China, like Japan (1940 scheduled for a rising Japan) and Germany (1916 was scheduled for a rising Germ.) is on the rise economically, militarily, and in general importance.

It’s just sad that the IOC struggles to imply elsewise.

]]> By: Jim http://angryafrican.net/2008/02/09/and-the-olympics-goes-to-zimbabwe/#comment-1079 Jim Sat, 31 May 2008 15:59:01 +0000 http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/?p=13#comment-1079 I hear to exchange some opinion concerning China with you. If China is not the right place to host Olympics, where is? You neglect the big progress that China has made in human rights and freedom of speech. I bet you don't speak Chinese, if you do, you can get more information about China, and you view about China will Change. Don't be led by the media and one-sided opinion. Keep your mind open. That is what I can say about China. But pathetically, people are either unwilling or incapable of looking from another perspective. I hear to exchange some opinion concerning China with you. If China is not the right place to host Olympics, where is? You neglect the big progress that China has made in human rights and freedom of speech. I bet you don’t speak Chinese, if you do, you can get more information about China, and you view about China will Change.
Don’t be led by the media and one-sided opinion. Keep your mind open. That is what I can say about China. But pathetically, people are either unwilling or incapable of looking from another perspective.

]]> By: ilovemylife http://angryafrican.net/2008/02/09/and-the-olympics-goes-to-zimbabwe/#comment-41 ilovemylife Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:21:43 +0000 http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/?p=13#comment-41 Agreed. Agreed.

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