China is "cleaning up" for the Olympics

[Steam]

Interesting ads.
It seems to be the same issue as the 1981 tour: Is sport just sport, or are we giving approval to a murderous regime by attending and not speaking out? (not that we can do much in tiny NZ anyway.)

Discuss.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie_from_dunedin/2389634656/" title="The Olympics by Jamie McEwan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2104/2389634656_3df4ef00ee.jpg" width="353" height="500" alt="The Olympics" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamie_from_dunedin/2389634316/" title="The Olympics by Jamie McEwan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2389634316_2b3007e54d.jpg" width="500" height="358" alt="The Olympics" /></a>

[Mikkel]

Well, the real nastiness about the whole China thing is that UN and other international organisations is that it's been, how much is it 50, 60 years?, before anyone actually started addressing the Tibet affair.

It's kinda late to start condemning China for it now...

[flyingcrocodile46]

Well, the real nastiness about the whole China thing is that UN and other international organisations is that it's been, how much is it 50, 60 years?, before anyone actually started addressing the Tibet affair.

It's kinda late to start condemning China for it now...

Of course... once the body has rotted away, the stink of rotting flesh is no longer offensive. It ain't right! and shutting our eyes don't make it so. Shame on all of us

[tri boy]

A high proportion of this planets countries/regime's have horrible human rights records. Now, and historically.
It's hedious, but unfortunately it's part of human nature. The Olympics might help open China to a better way for the future, (or not).
I will not feel ashamed for actions that are perpetrated by those that I have no persuasion over. (but I also do not condone those actions).

[Deviant Esq]

A high proportion of this planets countries/regime's have horrible human rights records. Now, and historically.
Yeah, even New Zealand, if you take as accurate portrayal what Bryce Courtney has written about the checkered past (The Ikey Soloman trilogy but particularly Tommo and Hawk).

[Swoop]

Even better is good old labour, cosying up to the chinese regime with the free trade agreement. The only country in the world to do that.

I wonder what we'll be saying about this decision, in 5-10 years time.

[Flatcap]

Interesting ads.
It seems to be the same issue as the 1981 tour: Is sport just sport, or are we giving approval to a murderous regime by attending and not speaking out? (not that we can do much in tiny NZ anyway.)

Discuss.



Regardless of what any country does in relation to the olympics, China is such an economic powerhouse she can tell us all to go fuck ourselves. This isn't some African Banana Republic.

[Macstar]

Well, we don't want China to become like NZ either where former terrorists who hide their identity become first class citizens and get their family shipped over too (at the Tax Payers cost).

I am more positive about China - If you study the nation's history, yes horrible shit has happened and continues to, but what country hasn't committed similar humanity crimes at some point? Track the last 30 years i.e. getting rid of Mao and humanity crimes are improving.

In fact, if any of you are serious about humanity crimes - enlighten yourselves with the track records of the IMF & World Bank economic projects in developing countries.

Anyway, bow to your soon-to-be world leaders. Last count China had just under a trillion in USD stashed away for a rainy day. 10-20 years (opinions range), and China will be the economic superpower of the world.

[Steam]

Even better is good old labour, cosying up to the chinese regime with the free trade agreement. The only country in the world to do that.

True, but National supports the deal too, and I think National MP Tim Groser went with Helen Clarke to the signing, to show that the two main political parties in NZ both fully support the free trade deal.

What I don't understand is the NZ and Chinese job markets being merged. WTF!?? We'll be swamped by underpaid foreign workers!

In one way I guess the Olympics in China will be good, it'll make people look at the stuff China is doing, executing prisoners for organ donations, driving those execution buses around from village to village, imprisoning thousands for peaceful protest or doing Tai Chi, or "plotting", etc etc.
Maybe that'll lead to a little bit of change in China, who knows.

[rainman]

In one way I guess the Olympics in China will be good, it'll make people look at the stuff China is doing, executing prisoners for organ donations, driving those execution buses around from village to village, imprisoning thousands for peaceful protest or doing Tai Chi, or "plotting", etc etc.
Maybe that'll lead to a little bit of change in China, who knows.

I'm guessing all of that will be happening well out of the public eye...

[sAsLEX]

Track the last 30 years i.e. getting rid of Mao and humanity crimes are improving.


hmmmm can you spell Tibet?

[Jantar]

Welcome to the People's Republic of New Zealand. :(

[Swoop]

What I don't understand is the NZ and Chinese job markets being merged. WTF!?? We'll be swamped by underpaid foreign workers!
Totally agree with you there.

[Coyote]

What I don't understand is the NZ and Chinese job markets being merged. WTF!?? We'll be swamped by underpaid foreign workers!

Perfect! Just what they wanted wasn't it? All the supermarkets have had the wallets bleeding having to pay all those 15 year olds minimum wage.


The only real difference between Labour and National is Labour uses lube.