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

[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* :)