It is becoming clear now, even before the big event starts, that the International Olympic Committee made -- what many of us have known for a long time --a big mistake in giving the Olympics to the "Peoples' Republic" of China. Now I don't blame the Chinese people, who are an ancient, noble group of peoples, with an incredible culture. Nor do I so much blame the Chinese Government. That's kind of like blaming Vultures for doing what they do to protect themselves ... they vomit on you . The Chinese Government is a totalitarian, repressive regime.
Did anybody have any doubts about that? Some examples:
- D0 the Tibetans have any doubts?
- Or maybe the practitioners of Falun Gong?
- How about those who were imprisoned when Yahoo turned over information to the Chinese government ? (In Yahoo's partial defense, they might have saved some people.)
- Or perhaps the Catholic Bishops and Priests still imprisioned by China?
- The Starship Tian An Men will be named by Star Fleet in Star Trek's 24th century in honor of those who were killed in the 1989 Massacre. I guess history will finally settle this.
I think we could all expand the list. However, the point here is, the Chinese Communist Government is just continuing to do what they have done since their revolution which climaxed in 1949-50. But the IOC told everyone this would be OK. This would be an opening to the world. This would be constructive engagement. And reporters would be free to interview anyone, anywhere in China, and their internet access would be unfettered.
I guess things haven't turned out exactly the way the IOC told us they would. Even before now, the hypocritical reaction around the world during the Olympic Torch relay (which began with another nice government, the Nazis) protests began, crying that "the Olympics should not be politicized!" Now the Olympics are one of the most political events in the world, and why not? We don't do what the ancient Greeks did, and stop fighting during the Games. We just play to win. These are the modern Olympics.
Don't mistake me: I hope and pray that everyone is safe throughout the whole Olympics. This isn't about them. Critiques of the Chinese Government can wait (but not long). This is about the IOC today.
The goal here is so that the IOC refrains from awarding the Olympics to nations whose governments have some big gaps in their human rights, etc., records, such as North Korea, Iran, any Wahabist country, and (at the moment, until -- I hope! -- after Jan 20, 2009) my own beloved nation, the U.S.
So what have we seen in the behavior of the Government Officials of China that demonstrate to us that the IOC was as wrong we thought they were, or maybe even not telling us everything? I will begin listing news items here, and I invite you to add more in the comments!
NPR:
"Morning Edition, July 31, 2008 · While the Chinese government promised that the foreign media would be free to cover more than just the Olympics while in China, Internet censorship will still be in place. The International Olympic Committee admitted it cut a deal with Beijing to censor Internet content. That has outraged human rights and press groups." Listen
"All Things Considered, July 30, 2008 · Journalists from around the world are gathering in China for the Beijing Summer Olympics and their access to some Internet sites is being blocked. China had pledged to provide media with unrestricted access to the Internet." Listen
Tourists Face Difficulty Getting Visas for China Travel "Morning Edition, July 30, 2008 · The Beijing Summer Olympics was supposed to be a big international party, but the Chinese government has tightened visa requirements in recent months, making it harder for foreigners to come to the country."
The Economist:
Welcome to a (rather dour) party "In 2001 The Economist argued against the Olympic games being given to China, making unkind comparisons to the event in Berlin in 1936. Now that the games are about to begin, many people, not least in China, say we were wrong: the Olympics have helped the world's largest country. We disagree. China has certainly made a huge and admirable leap forward, but that is attributable to other things, such as opening up its economy or the spread of mobile telephony. On closer examination, the Olympics have been bad for human rights and the environment, and they have done little to make China more biddable when it comes to foreign policy. Now they may further fuel the flames of nationalism." -- John Micklethwait, Editor in Chief of The Economist.
The Mercury News:
China denies work visa for Los Gatos Olympian; political motive suspected. "Kendra Zanotto is a big believer in the power of the Olympics. But the 2004 bronze medalist has been shaken after the Chinese government denied her application for a visa to travel to Beijing for the Summer Games..." (July 23, 2008)
In Beijing, Reporters Encounter Internet Curbs as Olympics Near
"Beijing is putting the final touches on preparations for the start of the Olympic Games next week -- but reporters are encountering Internet curbs despite expectations of open Web access for foreign journalists. A reporter and media expert weigh the issue." - The News Hour, July 31, 2008.
I will add more as I find them. Please add your own in the Comments!
And pray for all of those in Beijing for health and safety.
BT
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