Did not come to fruition. Sorry Brad. Instead, this came out. I think I can get a way with this pointless post because it's still the weekend:
I tried to write something, but I was very disappointed with what I churned out. The gist was that I really like the Olympics because of both the sport and the spectacle of the world's nations coming together in good-spirited competition. It is pretty shitty to see them turned into what they are becoming. Some accuse China of politicizing games, while those who are staging protests and going after the flame are themselves politicizing the games.
China's current administration and political system might have aspects that I severely disagree with, but there is much about China that is great and deserves to be celebrated. 150 years ago the British all but subjugated China by turning China into a nation of opium addicts. The Boxer Rebellion was the beginning of the end of Imperial China, and ushered in a period of warlordism. Drugs, rebellion, and warlords aren't typically associated with prosperity, harmony and progress. The rise of Communism and the ascent of Mao started to change things, but the events of the '50s, '60s and '70s in China are some of the most tragic events in history. It was only 30 years ago that China became a stable country, and prosperity started to come. Less than 20 years ago Pudong was a farmland and now it is among the most futuristic skylines in the world. Living standards have increased. The people are safer than they were. Etc... When the Olympic torch is attacked, the protesters cross the line from attacking the parts of China that their signs say they don't to like, to attacking all of the considerable good that modern China has achieved.
I may or may not agree with some of what the protesters say, but attacking the Olympic flame itself is shameful.
Another note, so whatever, I'm awed by spectacle and all that, but carrying the torch from Greece around the world to Beijing is pretty awesome! Who fucking cares if the Nazis did it first in the '36 games? The Nazis were also the first to do a film documentary of the Olympics, so I guess anybody who films the games is a Nazi also, yeah?
Something else, the other day on NPR they were talking about how Sarkozy and other European leaders won't be attending the Games, and they asked a political correspondent if George Bush was feeling pressure to not attend. They replied that George Bush isn't feeling any international pressure, because he might be impervious to it, but that he is feeling domestic pressure. They said that he's pretty much just written off the domestic pressure to the"Darfur crowd," and the "global warming folks." Considering how seriously Beijing and the Chinese people are taking the games, this gesture and those Bushisms could do a lot to improve relationships between our nations. Plus, how could somebody pass up the seats to the Ceremonies and events that Bush is probably being offered?
Will I regret this post? Maybe. But you can't turn back time. You can only delete old posts that you don't like, and hope others can't find a cache in the internet's time machines...
5 comments:
I don't think you should ever regret trying to inject a little balance into a hot topic. You make many good points that should be considered. China is like a huge barge and turning these things around takes time and space. It's hard to deny a change in course, slow and steady as it is. Friday night Bill Maher had Richard Clarke on and he made the crucial point that we shouldn't be concerned about China's heavy investment in this country because we have a mutually dependent relationship, as we consume what their factories make - we are nothing without each other. Friday night's show was one of the best of the year, by the way, you won't regret watching it if you have time.
Just did a quick glance at your page and saw the little tidbit about Nazis and the Olympics. It is arguable that Olympia, the documentary by Leni Riefenstahl that I am assuming you are referring to, is a documentary instead of Nazi propaganda. Given that Riefenstahl made Triumph of the Will I am leaning toward that Olympia was propaganda to showcase the rise of Nazi athletics.
This is neither here or there about Tibet. By the way I got stuck in traffic and saw the torch convoy when they did the surprise new route of the run.
Oh and another tidbit to argue about...The Taiping Rebellion is what really started the beginning of the end and lead directly to the rise of warlordism after the Ching dynasty fell in 1911. The Boxer Rebellion wasn't really a rebellion since the Boxers were primarily anti Western in nature and was seeking the support of the Empress Dowager Xuchi to turn the rioting into a legitimate national, racial, and religious movement to kick out the imperialists. The Imperial court at first gave approval but then turned against the Boxers after the Allied forces started their expedition up from Tianjin toward Peking.
Sorry for the long post, but I am so damn bored in business class!
Personally, I think it is not such a bad idea to attack the Olympic torch. It is a symbol after all, and one that I think the CCP has used for its own political purposes. What's good for the gander is good for the goose. If I was seriously pissed at China (whether or not it is reasonable or logical) gunning at the Olympics is a great idea. In fact, I'm pretty sure the CCP is going down the path of the darkside and will screw the Olympics up themselves. If I am the shadow chairman I'll just let the domestic protesters do their protesting, take a bunch of names, and the instant the closing ceremonies are over, I'll make like Mr. Burns and release the hounds. You have to give Mao credit for doing just that during the Hundred Flower Bloom Movement.
Man, managerial accounting is boring as hell!
Cheri,
Nice point. Trade should enrich both sides.
Howard,
I'm in Corp right now, not necessarily boring, but I've got some free time in between important points.
Granted on the history. I might go on the defensive and say that's all wrapped up in the opium trade that I alluded to, but insider trading is competing for my attention.
The problem with attacking the torch is that you're then attacking the spirit of the Olympics, the people carrying the torch, and all of China. If you're peacefully protesting then you're only attacking the aspects of the Chinese government that you don't agree with. Under this interpretation, I see no reason to sympathize with the torch attackers, but I can respect the peaceful protesters' right to protest.
No worries about the long comment. I enjoyed reading it!
Nice post, Will. I enjoy reading a good emotionally charged rant. Anyone interested in how Tibet ended up in the hands of China should analyze the events that occurred in the 1950s. The decade started with the Korean War, which the Chinese refer to as the Repulsion of the American Aggressors. In 1954, the US entered into a treaty with Taiwan, agreeing to help defend the island against the Chinese. In 1956, the CIA started working with the Dalai Lama, encouraging the Dalai Lama and his people to reject communist China rule, and they helped start a revolt. Then, in August of 1958, a second Taiwan Strait incident began, and basically any "incident" in the Taiwan Strait is a battle between China and the US Navy. By March of 1959, the Chinese smashed the Tibetan revolt and the Dalai Lama fled to Tibet. In light of all of that, it seems the Chinese forcefully took Tibet as a way to prevent the Americans aggressors from interfering with China. It is said the Chinese have a long memory, and I'm sure the protests here in the US for a Free Tibet just remind the Chinese of why they took it in the first place-- to keep the Americans aggressors out.
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