OFF TOPIC - The IOC sucks.

[CaptSpoogy]

I know this is totally off topic - but I needed to vent some frustration out at the decision of the IOC for Beijing to host the 2008 Summer Games.

BOO!

Why does it seem unfair that a country that has such a long history of abusing human rights and denying freedom to it's people be rewarded with something as special as the Olympic games? Isn't the spirit of the games the exact opposite of what China is today?

I am from Toronto. The runner-up for the 2008 games. Bitter, perhaps - but not a sore loser. Toronto is the most multi-cultural city in the world. 52% of 5 million people in this city are foreign born and co-exist peacefully in the same neighbourhoods. A cultural mosaic. A safe and clean city with impressive plans to develop the waterfront into an olympic haven. One of the most efficient mass transit systems in the world. It should have been the only choice.

If anyone thinks the Olympics will help the people of China - they're wrong. When the games come and the world's media is focused and Beijing, what do you think will happen to the protestors marching for their rights? They'll be swept under the rug. Can anyone say "Tiananmen Square, Part II".

Oh well. There is nothing that can be done now. Perhaps I'll focus this spurt of Olympic enthusiasm towards getting Space Empires IV as a demo sport for 2004 games in Athens. (See, not completely off topic).

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[disabled]

I am in agreement.

China is a poor choice. I suppose the worst thing that could be done to china right now was if Nato & Commonwealth nations all refused to submit members to the olympics and an official statement demanding china fully disclose all thier human rights violations and demand that china restore the rights of the people.

Of course, I favor forcing china into bankruptcy as well...

My apologies to anyone in china who reads this. I really don't like communism as it often goes from being communism to dictatorships really fast.

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HADRIAN AVENTINE
[email protected]
http://www.hyperionbase.com

[justjake73]

I was really hoping it would be Toronto. I'm from Rochester (across Lake Ontario) and not only would I likely have gone if they were there, but it would have had benefited the economy of probably every city within 100 miles. I'm honestly not surprised with the decision, since the IOC rarely has looked at the practical side but rather on who puts on the best show for them. Democracy has little influence with the IOC since they are an elitist non-democratic organization themselves!

[Quikngruvn]

quote:

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Originally posted by justjake73:
I'm from Rochester (across Lake Ontario) and not only would I likely have gone if they were there, but it would have had benefited the economy of probably every city within 100 miles.

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Yes, it does: I lived in Greenville, SC, in 1996, 150 miles away from Atlanta. You bet we got a significant tourism windfall. And going to the Olympics is extremely way cool, even if it was for one day-- the day AFTER the Centennial Park bombing....

quote:

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Originally posted by Hadrian Aventine:
I really don't like communism as it often goes from being communism to dictatorships really fast.

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In theory, communism is a great system: "from each according to his abilities, for each according to his needs." Unfortunately, the theory breaks down very quickly when you introduce human nature....

Quikngruvn

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"That which does not kill you will make you stronger." -- Nietzsche

[This message has been edited by Quikngruvn (edited 13 July 2001).]

[geoschmo]

quote:

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Originally posted by Quikngruvn:
In theory, communism is a great system: "from each according to his abilities, for each according to his needs." Unfortunately, the theory breaks down very quickly when you introduce human nature....

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Sure it's great, if you are the one with the needs. But if you happen to be the one with the abilities, you get screwed.

Geo

[rdouglass]

The layman's explination of capitalism / socialism / communism:

Capitalism: You have a cow and a bull (not a steer of course - something fertile!!). You breed the two, use / sell the milk and calves and pay a tax.

Socialism: You have a cow and a bull. The goernment takes all milk and calves.

Communism: You NEVER HAD a cow and a bull!!!