Sunday, August 24, 2008

"China Won The Gold For Human Rights Abuses"

There's a very interesting Editorial in our local Sunday paper.  I know of people who actually did NOT watch the Olympics because it was held in China.  I did watch them because I was interested in watching the athletes and rooting them on from the comfort of my living room.  However, I heard a few stories here and there about horrible measures the Chinese government went to, in order to show the world they could pull this off. 

Here's just one of the stories~featured in the paper this morning;

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/457602.html

It would be nice if this country and all countries of the free world could do without products "Made in China" until this country treats their dear people with dignity and respect all of deserve.

 

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yep, There was some stuff on the news about this also this morning.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Linda, for the interesting article.  I tried my hardest to love these Olympic games as much as I do all the others.  What was difficult was the "shadow" of strife and controversy surrounding it this time.  When the Olympic torch is lit, I ignore where they are held, and concentrate on the gathering of our young people, without hatred and politics.  Their successes are gleaming and their defeats are heartbreaking, but in the end, it's their pride in their homeland that shines through all of the negativity.  We had a winner here in my hometown, and the place went crazy....it's that kind of thing we love!!  Sue  

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda, You`re right, China has the most appalling human rights record and it`s right the rest of the world should stand against them. I do feel however that after working hard for four years, all the athletes deserved to take part in their chosen sport. Now the games are finally over China can now start the process of cleaning up their country and doing the right thing by their billions of people. Hopefully things will begin to get better, I would really like to think so.

Love Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

Linda, I've read quite a bit about some of the things going on there. It's very disturbing. However, the athletes are not at fault, and I hate to see the Olympics politicized. What's also disturbing is the pollution...China did a lot to lessen the powerful funk of the atmosphere, but I suspect that when the world leaves Beijing, China will go right back to business as usual.

I read today that a third of the cyclists in the 152-mile race had to drop out because of the air. One rider compared it to the air quality at 10,000 feet--but they were at just over 1000 feet elevation. I think that's appalling.

Beth

Anonymous said...

Shocking.  Thank you for sharing this.

Donna

Anonymous said...

My Mom and I talked about these same things on the night of the opening cermonies.  It is tragic, I feel so badly for those people.

Anonymous said...

thanks for sharing this Linda; I had heard that they were going to allow people to protest, but then hadn't approved any requests to protest; the sad thing is, I wonder if the Chinese people were hopeful they would have a chance to be able to speak out against their government in the "safety" of the Olympics and the world watching them and now were denied yet again.

we try our hardest not to buy things made in China; the sad thing is soooo many things are made in China its hard not to find something that is not made there or even made in the United States anymore; and that is our (country's) fault for allowing so much imports from them

betty

Anonymous said...

Remember when everything you bought said Made in Japan?  Beware!
Hugs, Joyce

Anonymous said...

And we think sometimes that we've got it bad in our own country of the USA! I thank god I was born here and not in any other country in the world!
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Very sad!!  I think the IOC was much too easily persuaded in choosing to allow the 2008 Olympics to be in China.... I think they should have used more common sense, no matter WHAT was promised.  I would expect nothing more from the Chinese government.

Joann

Anonymous said...

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.  It really is horrible the lack of respect their government has for its people.
Lori

Anonymous said...

I read the artivle.  I don't understand how the Olympics got there in the first place.  It's like trusting your worst enemy with your wallet.   D

Anonymous said...

So much to catch up on here this morning Linda as I am way behind.  I have tried very hard through the years not to buy anything made in China, but finally had to give up my little protest because it is almost next to impossible to get anything today that wasn't made in China.  I think our governments and capitalists have traded their souls for cheap merchandise and turned a blind eye to a lot all for the sake of making more dollars and cents.  I think as nations we will live to regret giving them so much financial power over our worlds.
Marie
http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

To be honest, I was appalled that the games were awarded to China in the first place.  It is and will remain a repressive society that keeps the people firmly in their place.  They do what they are told and only what they are allowed.  I did not watch the games because of it.  I am glad how well our sportsmen did and yours, of course but that is as far as it goes. China is not going to change no matter what face they try to show to the world.

Anonymous said...

I am not an olympic watcher. I agree with you. Countries shold start treating thier people better. If we would refuse to buy things from there until thier employees were reated better they may change thier minds. But America wont stop buying them....hugs, Christine

Anonymous said...

What an interesting article, hmmmm...I was stunned when they got the opportunity to host the games in the first place but have to say I had thought they did a great job with it.  I have to rethink my opinion after reading this and I'm sure if I had read more or listened to more commentary this wouldn't come as a surprise to me.  I did enjoy the games themselves though.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Yes and this is just the tip of the iceburg. The atrocities I have seen come out of this country that is done to animals is just overwhelming. :( Seems their people are not treated much better. Kelly