Alright, let's Address the Olympic Torch Relay - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Ozy_Flame · 04-09-2008, 08:31 AM

Don't think I saw it brought up anywhere, so I'll create a new thread.

What does everyone think about the protests being held in each city so far for the Olympic Torch Relay? London was the spark to bring out the masses, and Paris and San Francisco quickly followed suit. And they've got another 20 countries to visit afterwards, at which point the size of pro-Tibetan and human rights protests are anyone's guess.

I am actually quite in support of tying this particular issue to an event that draws the world's attention. I would normally consider a seperation between politics and sport the proper thing to do, but in this particular case, the Tibetan movement has been overshadowed by concerns in the Middle East and Africa, where the human rights issues seem to have been more prominent to average Western citizens. I don't think the "Free Tibet" movement is any less important that anywhere else in the world, and having all eyes on China this summer, who are under the looking glass from the international community, will be healthy in bringing attention to the issue.

If anyone is surprised at the protests, I really am not. Politics have often been tied the Olympics, such as Berlin hosting the 1936 games, the 1972 Israeli Massacre, and the US boycotting the 1980 Games in Moscow. Nothing new here.

habernac · 04-09-2008, 08:35 AM

protests are fine. Idiots trying to snuff out the torch, I can't say I'm really thrilled about that.

Ozy_Flame · 04-09-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

protests are fine. Idiots trying to snuff out the torch, I can't say I'm really thrilled about that.

I do agree with that; protest by all means, but trying to douse the Flame is a bit much...(besides, you can't stop a Flame when it's Red Hot!!!)

mmanzz · 04-09-2008, 08:46 AM

Excellent Post Ozy and really a great decision by the IOC to give the games to Beijing. The hosts wanted to present China to the world, well its happening! But not exactly like they planned it. The issue of Tibetan autonomy and the survival of Tibetan culture has received very little news coverage, people are being made aware of this serious movement.

Although, I'm a big fan of the Olympics, the host nations tend to use them for propaganda purposes. They should take this further, although I'm not a fan of boycotting the games, not participating in the opening ceremonies would be a nice statement to send to the host country. It is being discussed in the European community meetings.

peter12 · 04-09-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

protests are fine. Idiots trying to snuff out the torch, I can't say I'm really thrilled about that.

I'm all for that. Human lives are worth an infinite amount more than the Olympic torch.

troutman · 04-09-2008, 08:47 AM

It's just not Tibet - there are also serious human rights abuses within China.

nik- · 04-09-2008, 08:49 AM

I just think of some guy in a wheelchair, having a highlight moment in his life, and some jerk needing to destroy it.

These people make me sick.

HotHotHeat · 04-09-2008, 08:53 AM

It's only going to get worse. These olympics will be an embarrassment for China. All the Western journalists will go over there and look for things to complain about.

peter12 · 04-09-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

I just think of some guy in a wheelchair, having a highlight moment in his life, and some jerk needing to destroy it.

These people make me sick.

Meanwhile, political prisoners are getting their organs harvested. I don't know. One seems more important than the other. A wheelchair really has nothing to do with it.

nik- · 04-09-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter12

Meanwhile, political prisoners are getting their organs harvested. I don't know. One seems more important than the other. A wheelchair really has nothing to do with it.

Too bad their message is getting lost behind idiotic acts.

Ozy_Flame · 04-09-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

Too bad their message is getting lost behind idiotic acts.

On the flip side, Scaling the Golden Gate bridge and posting the "One World, One Dream - Free Tibet" banners was brilliant. Non-violent method that gets the point across, using a landmark to do it.

HotHotHeat · 04-09-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

Too bad their message is getting lost behind idiotic acts.

I'd say it's doing the job. We're talking about it, right?

peter12 · 04-09-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

On the flip side, Scaling the Golden Gate bridge and posting the "One World, One Dream - Free Tibet" banners was brilliant. Non-violent method that gets the point across, using a landmark to do it.

Yeah, I agree. That was pretty gutsy.

As for putting out the torch, well Chinese security was the only group that actually succeeded in putting out the torch.

The whole relay is presently a joke.

Phaneuf3 · 04-09-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

Too bad their message is getting lost behind idiotic acts.

Is it really?

To be quite honest, I didn't know quite how bad some things were in China. These ineffective demonstrations where the meaning is being lost has definitely sparked some interest in me and I've made myself more informed on the subject.

FlamingLonghorn · 04-09-2008, 09:11 AM

I love the protests, but it's got me thinking who the hell planned the route the torch would make? I mean seriously could they pick a more activist city in the US than San Francisco? I understand London and Paris as they are the biggest cities in their countries, but it was like the guy was thinking which city can we get the most protests at... San Francisco!!!

troutman · 04-09-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sowa

I love the protests, but it's got me thinking who the hell planned the route the torch would make? I mean seriously could they pick a more activist city in the US than San Francisco? I understand London and Paris as they are the biggest cities in their countries, but it was like the guy was thinking which city can we get the most protests at... San Francisco!!!

SF was probably picked because it has the largest Chinese population outside China.

CaptainCrunch · 04-09-2008, 09:19 AM

From what I understand, one of the relay runners in the U.S. has pulled out from carrying the torch over China's record on human rights, they wouldn't name names though.

I would expect that more will follow and its going to be a bit of a scramble to fill those roles.

These Olympics could be far more trouble then they're worth for China, they have more potential on a political front for mayham then the Moscow and L.A. games.

Regorium · 04-09-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

From what I understand, one of the relay runners in the U.S. has pulled out from carrying the torch over China's record on human rights, they wouldn't name names though.

In the article I read, the US runner pulled out for safety concerns. Which is a more neutral way of protesting if you want to believe that.

Seriously, attacking the runners (who are not chinese) and trying to snuff out the torch? Childish and idiotic at best.

rubecube · 04-09-2008, 09:37 AM

I still can't believe the IOC gave China the games. I'd actually like to see Harper, Bush, and Brown grow a pair and boycott the games all together.

Antithesis · 04-09-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

I just think of some guy in a wheelchair, having a highlight moment in his life, and some jerk needing to destroy it.

These people make me sick.

What does him being in a wheelchair have to do with anything? I don't know whether you're joking here or not ... what if it was someone who was self-mobile having a highlight moment? Is that OK?

I think when you participate in a rally for the Beijing Olympics you kind of have to acknowledge that it's likely that protests are going to be part of your 'highlight moment'.

Not to mention that the many and varied human rights abuses (and the sheer severity of them) are a bigger concern to me than poor Mr. Highlight Moment in a Wheelchair, but that's just me.