I snapped ...

[blamebrampton]

I have watched a few minutes of Olympics. The equestrian broke my resolve. I am telling myself that it's in Hong Kong, so it's not really breaking my China boycott, but I know this is a lie.

But.

The oldest debuting Australian Olympian this year is a 60-year-old named Laurie Lever. He is a showjumper. I just watched him jump a beautiful clear round, with just one time penalty. And it was a beautiful thing. At work today, my friend and I were in the cafe when the repeats of the German teams dressage came on. We watched Isabell Werth on Satchmo, and it was astonishing. I have heard people say that they don't 'get' dressage, but I defy anyone to watch a performance like that and not see the beauty in it.

To balance out my snapping, I have been watching more of the coverage of journalists hammering the IOC. Last night a British journalist asked a senior IOC official a question along the lines of "Is the IOC embarrassed by the fact that China has met none of its promises, either with regards to human rights or to press freedom?"

She replied along the lines of "The athletes and the visitors are all having a wonderful Olympics and we are very pleased with the way the Games are going."

He repeated his question. She repeated her answer. He tried again, same response. He tried one last time. She replied: "I think that some of the other journalists here would like a chance to ask some questions." and pointed into the press pack.

An American voice rang out. "Actually, I'd very much like to hear you address the previous question."

I do wholly love Americans some days.

Comments

[sarcasticpixie.livejournal.com]

Our brash rudeness does come in handy sometimes, I will say.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

And the semi-religious faith that journalism can Be Good. Bless!

[eeyore9990.livejournal.com]

That's because we're cheeky. Without even trying to be.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It was very cool. He had that Jimmy Stewart Righteous Hero tone going. The IOC woman looked very annoyed.

[empress-jae.livejournal.com]

we're so damn pushy. you can't help but love our persistence. no matter how obnoxious it gets. ;)

i think the IOC is gonna be investigated after these games are over. i don't know by whom, but someone needs to figure out what those officials were smoking to allow this fuckery.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It was an extremely cool moment. The official might have been Irish, I actually forget what her voice sounded like, but her facial expression clearly said "Shut up you English wanker", and I think she chose the American thinking that she would be asked an easy sound-bitey feel-good question.

And then he came out with that. And her face just said "You bastard."

My face, on the other hand, was wreathed in smiles.

And sadly, the IOC has been a slave to the dollar for years now. That was the sole motivating force here.

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

Persistent little buggers aren't they?

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It was very cool! As good as good German dressage!

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

It's important to have brass balls, sometimes.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Especially for journos faced with Great Walls.

[potteresque_ire]

Oh no oh no, it's not a lie! Hong Kong is very special place. It's important that the spotlight continues to be on the city, as it will be the forefront of pushing the limits of Chinese citizen rights. :)

I try to not say much about Chinese politics ... mainly because I don't want to start a fight. Sometimes, these things are so tied to the history, to the events that have shaped the psyche of the race ... what has worked for the new age countries may not work well for an ancient country with a very wounded past, where centuries of teaching emphasize on the hierachy of power structure (which is largely what Confucism is all about - not the stuff the yoga instructors tell people! :) )

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

That is very true -- both parts. What makes it so hard is that the same nation who can send thousands of troops in to hand-clear earthquake debris to free victims will also allow its schools to be built out of ticky tacky in a known earthquake area.

Sigh. I keep hoping ...

[potteresque_ire]

*Sigh*. I understand you, BabyBaby (I like this name :D) ! There is surely a lot of corruption and political and social ills, big or small; the nice thing is that the information age makes the problems much more difficult to cover up, and even those who reside within the borders, given the anonynomity of the virtual environment, are all too happy to explore and discuss them.

Changes in attitude, in politics cannot happen overnight, unless it is the overthrowing of a regime; given the Communists continue to the ruling party, they will never go ahead and denounce their ways (just like Japan never denounced their own wrong doings of WWII because the same dynasty is ruling) - they are going for a transition, which will end up infiltrating into the politics of the country no matter the government wants to see it happen or not. So we will watch and see ... and hope that whatever comes to play will not end in bloodshed, which there is always too much in the world.

I think other countries can do much more to encourage good developments than to keep trying find faults and denounce the country. China is desperate to improve their national image in the world - she's rather like a child in international politics; I'd make use to this and coax her :) ... and also, learn about its culture, its people; those are really what defines a country, not the governance, which is subjected to change all the time. :)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

So very true. I find the history books of various nations to be illuminating, and talking to their young folk. People are surprised by all sorts of things, including that Japan invaded China and that England built her wealth on piracy ...

I just think it would have been better for the IOC to hold out until China had shown further improvement and then rewarded them with the Olympics, but the IOC loves the sound of money.

[potteresque_ire]

I just think it would have been better for the IOC to hold out until China had shown further improvement and then rewarded them with the Olympics, but the IOC loves the sound of money.

Agreed. :) Back to your original post, I would love to get the rep answer the questions too; albeit the response is futile. Once the award is made, the country does not have to keep its promise - if the IOC was sincere, it should have not given the right to China in the first place.

Sadly, it doesn't bother me. I grew up watching two countries fighting over my home city - more specifically, the money it owns and never, ever the people ... it was amusing to say the least *Sigh* :)

[tomatoe18.livejournal.com]

Did she address the previous question, though?

Dressage is amazing! I like watching it.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Of course not! And yes, the dressage was astonishingly good.

STILL going with your fic. I'm rather tired and slow tonight, I'll drop an email to your mods to let them know it's my fault!

[tomatoe18.livejournal.com]

Ah. Figures. I should've known the lady wouldn't answer... I expected too much from IOC members. I can see why you boycott now. I've inadvertently boycotted it as well... then again, there's no proper coverage for it here. So, yeah. Just as well...

Oh, should I e-mail the mods also? Telling them that I need another extra day? ^^;; (Is it allowed? I'm new at these things, so I don't know the 'protocol', so to speak.)

[libby-drew.livejournal.com]

We do have our good days.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

That was a pearler.

[brinian.livejournal.com]

From Oregon, USA...

Stupid mainstream media over here hasn't shown any equestrian. And I LOVE it and I'm pissed! I've been watching nothing but Michael Phelps. Now I think it's great that he's doing so well (aided by the latest technology in pool design, suit design, etc., etc., etc.) BUT there's more than just swimming and gymnastics going on and those folks deserve their 15 seconds on TV too DAMNIT! And I'm really sorry, but there's no way you can tell me he's the 'greatest olympic athlete of all time' when he only competes in one sport. I mean, what about triathletes and pentathletes...they're excelling at three to ten sports and only getting one medal for the whole thing? Take that f-ing pedestal down a a few feet and I'll agree he's a great swimmer.

OK, rant over.

I'm really happy to hear that SOME journalist somewhere is doing their job. I've been sitting on a political rant for weeks now that's about to blow. There's been only a nod to the situation in Georgia in the news (except NPR) and the candidates in the presidential "race" are sinking deeper into the mire of mediocrity with every passing day.

*is deeply depressed about the state of the nation*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

That is SO annoying. I hate to say it but I;ve watched even more now. My friend is texting me whenever it comes on. We had an equine flu outbreak last year that cancelled pretty much everything, so I am starved.

And that is an EXCELLENT point on triathletes and pentathletes. You should let your rant go, you know. Holding onto it can't be good for you ;-)

[brinian.livejournal.com]

I'll blow in a bit, I'm sure :-)

Should have been decathletes BTW, but pentathletes too! Anyone who gets ONE medal for three to ten sports is a better athlete than someone who does one sport ten times for medals IMNSHO. I found the NBC site to watch some of the equestrian over the internet so now I have to stay late at work to watch later this week (dial-up at home) We got a bit of team handball this morning and that was cool...haven't seen that on TV since I lived in Sweden. Watched some rowing yesterday...US-centric of course. Now I'm wondering when the kayaking is going to be held.

Does it ever bother you that most of the summer olympics sports are based on war games? I'm finding that particularly difficult to get my head around this year for some reason...

[symetric.livejournal.com]

But isn't that what politics is all about? Sidestepping questions that actually sound reasonable? :D

I'm not following the Olympics like I did in Athens, but it has been fun seeing some of the drama unfold.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Bad politics, yes. I long for the days when people actually did political service for the public good. Sadly, they may be gone forever in much of the world.

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

You know, Brammers, and I've been meaning to say this for a while: your unfailingly optimistic view of the world, in the face of all kinds of adversity, makes ME a better person. I thank you for it!

(I realise this sounds like I'm drunk beyond all comprehension, but really I'm not. I can show you examples of what that's like if you want.)

What did her face look like? :D

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

It looked as though she was very pissed off to find a smart American. That'll learn you, Ms IOC cultural steroetyper!

I'm not sure if I'm optimistic or just trying to find the gold amid the muck ...

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

In any case your posts keep reminding me to look at the bright side, and that's a lesson I can't learn too often. :)

If you get any squeeful loving posts from me tonight it WILL be Pisshed Pingrid on the prowl; I'm off soon to drink Champagne cocktails at a Tiki bar. Never had one before, am excited! :D

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Woo hoo! Have a wonderful time! Remember to pop some spare money in your shoe so you don't drink your taxi fare!

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

Hey, clever plan - you've done this before, haven't you! :D I live centrally though, so I can drink the taxi fare and walk home if the drinks are good. Win-win!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAHAHA! You are SO sorted!

[shu-shu-sleeps.livejournal.com]

You can be forgiven for crumbling and watching some equestrian stuff - I really enjoy that too. I have to admit to watching the cycling - road race and time trial (cycling tragic, that's me -just love those boys in lycra but velodrome stuff is a bit dull) but have been indulging in waaaay too many DVDs because there's nothing on TV except the Olympics and I find the whole sport obsessed nation thing a bit too much to take - I'd like to see some news that isn't all about the Olympics for a change.
Read on a news site that people are actually sniping at athletes who 'only got silver'... I find that attitude totally offensive.... even qualifying for the Games is a massive achievement!
Dressage - what can I say - yes it can be beautiful - I love watching it. And go Laurie Lever...... that is what the Olympics should be about, competing, and enjoying the experience.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I knew you'd be watching the cycling, though without the crowds it doesn't worked very as well for me (I like the shrieking!). How have the indoor events been? They are one of the things I have missed in my mostly boycotting.

I've been editing Harry Potter fic, playing chaseys with the cats and watching documentaries when I need a telly fix. That and developing a deep hatred for Michael Phelps, which is just because he is So Boring. I'm sure he's secretly a pleasant chap and will learn how to have a life after these Olympics.

AND YES! Silver is no stunned mullet! GAH! Oh Australia, let's have an Australian Institute for Scientists. Gah!

How goes the treadmill?

[shu-shu-sleeps.livejournal.com]

I haven't watched the velodrome stuff at all - that whole sloped surface thing just freaks me out - its an horrific accident waiting to happen.....
Poor Michael Phelps - the classic introvert - don't hate him, he will get a life at some point.
Treadmill - yes used it yesterday afternoon for the first time, might try again later this evening when the worst of the dairy and gluten binge of last night has lessened its grip on me - ugh - still feel icky.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

At least it was delicious food that has laid you low. OK, I hate the press obsession with Phelps. And hope he gets a girl or boyfriend soon.

[wenchilada.livejournal.com]

Damn! Wish I'd seen it (but that would be asking to much). Culturally, it's a great place and the shopping's great. Everything else sucks.

Now I'll probably get deported.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Tell them you're a journalist! They won't dare! (but your car will have flat tyres every morning and your neighbours will start telling you that they are having the BEST DAY EVER! every day.)

[wenchilada.livejournal.com]

Nah, I'll just make Persmonster go be cute at them. It worked when they waived our 'official health check' (red tape, red schmape)...

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Dude, the guitar case! I showed the cats and they have been sleeping in cute spots ever since to show that there is no need for us to have children. Monster is in the washing basket as I type ...

[wenchilada.livejournal.com]

See, all I would have to do is rock up with the guitar case and make them an offer they cannot refuse (shouldn't be too difficult)...

and...

Awwwwwww....

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I'll be doing some picspam as soon as I can get my act together to upload the new camera software ...