 Back up This topic is closed.
 Ben Norman, UPSU Sabbatical Officer: Student Activities & Development 5 months ago
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 Like Gollum but with a bouncy walkPosts: 9 Member rating: 2
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Out spoken Sabbatical Officer Ben Norman has suggested in his blog that Chinese human rights abuses in Tibet mean that Bejing should not be hosting the Olympic games later this year.
What are you views?
Should China be allowed to host the Olympics?
Does Politics have a place in sport?
Should the West support Tibetan independence?
Message edited by: Ben Norman at: 23/03/2008 14:27 |
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Morys Ireland 5 months ago
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E-commerce and Internet Systems studentPosts: 2 Member rating: 0
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I have to confess to not knowing as much as I probably should about the Tibetan crisis and the history behind it, but in answer to the questions posed I would say:
Should China be allowed to host the Olympics?
If the result is greater exposure in the media about the plight of Tibet then the answer is yes. The question is: how long will Tibet remain on the front page of the papers? You don't see Burma making the news much only a few months after the latest uprising.
Expect some high profile demonstrations during the course of the games as well.
Does Politics have a place in sport?
Only in so far as politics should facilitate greater participation in sport. Athletes that have been training hard for years to make the Olympics should not have to pull out because of a political crisis.
You want to put pressure on China? Cut trade deals, impose sanctions, get a UN resolution - don't make athletes pay for the cowardice of western politicians.
Should the West support Tibetan independence?
Should the West support a united Ireland? Should the West support independence for Scotland or the Basque region? Does any country have the right to meddle in the internal affairs of another country? Delicate questions. What the West should support is freedom and democracy for the people of Tibet. If, by way of free and fair election, Tibetans chose independence then the West should support such a decision. No-one elected the Dalai Lama... |
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livethinme 4 months ago
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Posts: 16 Member rating: 0 |
I think Ben taking it a bit too far...saying that they shouldnt host the Olm. But, I agree that they have basically messed up the whole Buddhism traditions because their afraid of an uproar, or something along those lines, China have done the same with Burma *in terms of supporting the authoritarian government* But as long as people are aware, thats enough...you say that oh, we should boycott the Olm. But why not boycott all the products made in China?..wouldnt that hurt its economy more?..course you wouldnt, because how about all the innocent people that would hurt?..Its the same with the Olm. so I think we should go ahead with it, and hurt it, but not eradicate it completely.. |
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elizap2003 4 months ago
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 Posts: 11 Member rating: 1 |
Should China be allowed to host the Olympics?
Any country in the world should be allowed to host Olympics, World Cups, etc, we cannot blame sports for being surrounded by political reasons, anyway, no matter what we say, China is going to host the Olympics and I am quite sure that they will cheat (does anyone remembers what happened in the last World Cup of Football hosted in Japan and Korea?)
Does Politics have a place in sport?
Politics have nothing to do with sports, sports and mainly football have been used during centuries as a political weapon, Benito Mussolini used the world Cup in 1934 as a fascist propaganda, of course Italy won after a series of "failures" done by the referee. Do not forget the 1978 World Cup in Argentina where the Dutch squad was aimed with guns in order to loose the match against Argentina (quite sad)
Should the West support Tibetan independence?
That is a very difficult question, from one side I would say "YES", let's support all those small countries looking for independence (Sarajevo, Tibet...), but that would move to thousands of protests coming from small "countries", "tribes", "autonomous regions", etc, they all claiming for their independence (no matter if historical, political, sociological...), I would say that this is a more complicated issue to deal with.
Anyway, I would give Tibet the category of Autonomous Region so they would have their own government and parliament (or whatever the want) and the fights would stop. But I believe China wont be as "democratic" as me.  |
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elizap2003 4 months ago
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Posts: 11 Member rating: 1 |
Should China be allowed to host the Olympics?
Any country in the world should be allowed to host Olympics, World Cups, etc, we cannot blame sports for being surrounded by political reasons, anyway, no matter what we say, China is going to host the Olympics and I am quite sure that they will cheat (does anyone remembers what happened in the last World Cup of Football hosted in Japan and Korea?)
Does Politics have a place in sport?
Politics have nothing to do with sports, sports and mainly football have been used during centuries as a political weapon, Benito Mussolini used the world Cup in 1934 as a fascist propaganda, of course Italy won after a series of "failures" done by the referee. Do not forget the 1978 World Cup in Argentina where the Dutch squad was aimed with guns in order to loose the match against Argentina (quite sad)
Should the West support Tibetan independence?
That is a very difficult question, from one side I would say "YES", let's support all those small countries looking for independence (Sarajevo, Tibet...), but that would move to thousands of protests coming from small "countries", "tribes", "autonomous regions", etc, they all claiming for their independence (no matter if historical, political, sociological...), I would say that this is a more complicated issue to deal with.
Anyway, I would give Tibet the category of Autonomous Region so they would have their own government and parliament (or whatever the want) and the fights would stop. But I believe China wont be as "democratic" as me. |
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mattblackall 3 months ago
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 I am MattPosts: 16 Member rating: 1
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Should China be allowed to host the Olympics?
No because giving it to them goes against the Olympic rules and Charter.
Does Politics have a place in sport?
Hmm, in the Olympic case it does because of the Olympic fundamental principles, and i guess when you have countries competiting against each other you are always going to have politics involved- same with Eurovision. Also, when issues such as foreign players in Britain and general immigration issues come into play (take the new immigration rules for example), then it is unfair to have one rule for some and another for everyone else. The thing is, politics basically governs everything- its how we live our lives. Politics will always be involved. However, it would be nice for it to be put aside sometimes and just let everyone enjoy themselves!! (just it cant be in the case of the Olympics because it is embedded within the Olympic principles!!!!!!)
Should the West support Tibetan independence?
The West should support (proper) democracy. If the majority of Tibeten people want independance, then support it, if not then support that. At the same time, we should also criticise China, and any country, that appears to be deliberatly repressing popular seperatist movements, (i am thinking in terms of Chinofication
http://www.upsu.net/blogs/mattblackall/2008/04/21/the-chinatibetolympics-issue-hasnt-disap.htm)
On this note, i therefore support the Republic of Lakotah, as long as it is supported by the majority living in this region.
http://www.upsu.net/blogs/mattblackall/
Message edited by: mattblackall at: 08/05/2008 09:59
Message edited by: mattblackall at: 08/05/2008 09:59 |
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