Alright, let's Address the Olympic Torch Relay - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Antithesis · 04-09-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

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.

Why should they punish all of the athletes who have been working so hard to go to these Olympics? It's not their fault that the IOC, in its sheer wisdom, awarded the games to one of the countires with the worst human rights records in the world. Boycotting the opening ceremonies would be more to my palate.

Muta · 04-09-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

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.

I'm sure trade relations with China would be seriously hindered for a long time after that, and I'm not sure that's the route Canada wants to take.

GirlySports · 04-09-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

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.

I'm sure they really want to but there is sympathy for the athletes.
It's a tough call. It would have to be MANY countries (like all of europe) boycotting to make a difference and embarass the Chinese.

CaptainCrunch · 04-09-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muta

I'm sure trade relations with China would be seriously hindered for a long time after that, and I'm not sure that's the route Canada wants to take.

Don't we run a massive trade deficit with China.

I think that the best thing to do would be to enhance the international trading rules with China.

Force them to purchase an equal amount of Canadian products for Chinese products coming our way.

Improve trade inspections so that none of their sub par lethal products can hit the shelf and force China to pay for the inspections.

Clamp down on their blatent patent rip offs.

In other words, Canada, the US and all of the other nations should have a reciprocal trade agreement put into place reducing the trade defecits.

That would get their attention.

troutman · 04-09-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Why should they punish all of the athletes who have been working so hard to go to these Olympics? It's not their fault that the IOC, in its sheer wisdom, awarded the games to one of the countires with the worst human rights records in the world. Boycotting the opening ceremonies would be more to my palate.

That's an interesting idea. That might be more embarrassing to the Chinese than a full boycott, and the athletes won't be penalized.

Phaneuf3 · 04-09-2008, 10:08 AM

Any opinions on the people protecting the torch?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle3671368.ece

nik- · 04-09-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antithesis

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.

It has to do with it because it was a guy in a wheelchair that was attacked. Don't try to turn this into a PC thing.

GirlySports · 04-09-2008, 10:11 AM

All these leaders are saying that they wont attend.
Do leaders usually go to Opening Ceremonies?
I don't recall Chretien going to Sydney, Salt Lake or Athens.

Why is China inviting so many leaders?

troutman · 04-09-2008, 10:18 AM

[quote=GirlySports;1271321Why is China inviting so many leaders?[/quote]

So the aliens can kill all the world leaders at one time.

Resolute 14 · 04-09-2008, 10:18 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.

Personally, I think of the serial killer who chopped up and ate his family, having a highlight moment in his life, and some jerk needing to destroy it.

Though I did like the inclusion of the supposed guy in the wheelchair. That was a great attempt at gathering pity for your argument.

Resolute 14 · 04-09-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

All these leaders are saying that they wont attend.
Do leaders usually go to Opening Ceremonies?
I don't recall Chretien going to Sydney, Salt Lake or Athens.

Why is China inviting so many leaders?

Chretien preferred golfing to attending the funerals of major world leaders. I doubt he would have ever wasted his time supporting his nation's athletes.

Titan · 04-09-2008, 10:25 AM

I find it ironic that in order to protest human rights you interfere with other people's rights. I am all for a banner on a bridge but trying to attack the flame, and the people carrying and protecting it by extension, seem to me to be hypocritical. This happened in free countries where the right to go about your business is a given. Yet the protesters feel they can take away that right? That seems wrong and takes public sympathy away from their cause.

habernac · 04-09-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan

I find it ironic that in order to protest human rights you interfere with other people's rights. I am all for a banner on a bridge but trying to attack the flame, and the people carrying and protecting it by extension, seem to me to be hypocritical. This happened in free countries where the right to go about your business is a given. Yet the protesters feel they can take away that right? That seems wrong and takes public sympathy away from their cause.

Bingo. These people are supporting the Olympics, not communist China. According to those who have no problems with the protesters bothering the torch runners, our athletes should be told to stay home as well. After all, if they go, they must be supporting China.

CaptainCrunch · 04-09-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

So the aliens can kill all the world leaders at one time.

Kim Jong Il: It will be 911 times 2356.
Chris: My God, that's... I don't even know what that is!
Kim Jong Il: Nobody does!

Antithesis · 04-09-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik-

It has to do with it because it was a guy in a wheelchair that was attacked. Don't try to turn this into a PC thing.

And ...? It's not OK for him to be attacked but it is for me? Granted, it does stink, it's not cool that it couldn't have focussed more on the relay itself rather than the torch, but still. They'll be OK - the people who were run over by tanks in Tiananmen Square for having the audacity to march for democracy will not.

CaptainCrunch · 04-09-2008, 10:45 AM

I'm willing to bet that there are going to be some athletes who decide either to boycott the opening ceremonies, make a podium protest, or don't show up all together.

habernac · 04-09-2008, 10:55 AM

protest, maybe. But I doubt they'll miss their events. The athletes who didn't compete in Moscow are angry to this day. They had no choice but to stay home. And there's no fountain of youth so all of that training was a waste of time. Not many are talented enough to compete in multiple games.

And don't get me wrong, I think it's brutal that the IOC awarded a games to a country as effed up as China is.

nik- · 04-09-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antithesis

And ...? It's not OK for him to be attacked but it is for me? Granted, it does stink, it's not cool that it couldn't have focussed more on the relay itself rather than the torch, but still. They'll be OK - the people who were run over by tanks in Tiananmen Square for having the audacity to march for democracy will not.

It's not ok for anyone to be attacked, the Olympics should transcend politics. I bet half these people crying about China have "Made in China" products in their houses.

Protesting the events that celebrate the spirit of the games is stupid in my opinion. If you want effective protest go against the corporations that are flooding billions of dollars into China to sponsor.

Fozzie_DeBear · 04-09-2008, 10:57 AM

Protesting is fine, but will attacking the torch or boycotting the games get you what you want (better human rights in China). I doubt it...

nik- · 04-09-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Personally, I think of the serial killer who chopped up and ate his family, having a highlight moment in his life, and some jerk needing to destroy it.

Though I did like the inclusion of the supposed guy in the wheelchair. That was a great attempt at gathering pity for your argument.

Hyperbole is the sign of a true winner.