21 March 2008

Ready For The Olympics?

I still think boycotting the Opening Ceremonies is a good idea, but is even going to China a good idea?  First, you have the situation in Tibet:

The violence in Lhasa — a stunning show of defiance against 57 years of Chinese rule — has sparked sympathy demonstrations in neighboring provinces, prompting Beijing to blanket a huge area with troops and warn tourists and foreign journalists to stay away.

Then, you have the driving:

For the 11th consecutive year, China has topped the list in number of traffic deaths -- 5.1 for every 10,000 motor vehicles. The Xinhua News Agency report Friday says government statistics show nearly 82,000 road deaths in China last year.

And now, natural disasters:

A spokesman for China's Earthquake Administration said it was a 7.3 magnitude quake. There were no immediate reports of injuries, he said, and the area is sparsely populated.

Why would we want to go there anyway?  Their economy is in great shape because they learned from us and have opened up their markets.  Supporting it hurts our own interests.  Do we really want to continue supporting that growth so their government can continue their military buildup and continue their oppressive policies?

China should not have been awarded the Olympics in the first place.  Why reward them, and the idiots who made the decision, by helping the Games go smoothly?  Skip the Opening Ceremonies at least... but it wouldn't bother me if the only ones to show were China, Iran, North Korea, Syria, etc...  When the Games became professionalized, they lost all real meaning anyway.

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 16:07:39 | Comments (20) | Add Comment
Post contains 266 words, total size 3 kb.

1 If China's economy is not thriving they won't have money to bribe American politicians. You don't want want President Hillery to have to sell nuclear and missile technology to Iran, do you?  

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@16:17:37 (yFIK0)

2 Mac, I'm telling Harper on you... you exceeded your wrongness quotient with that one.  No dessert for you mister. 

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@16:27:50 (Q5ggV)

3 I'm a baaaad boy.

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@16:52:54 (yFIK0)

4 100,000,000 Americans under the Chinese nuclear threat to get Clinton elected in 96. That's the experience she would bring to bare when her masters call her at 3am. 

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@16:57:40 (yFIK0)

5  

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@16:58:19 (yFIK0)

6 That's the experience she would bring to bare when her masters call her at 3am.
Is that really the word you want to use?

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@17:09:20 (Q5ggV)

7 Tarnation!  Can't show pics like at teh Wheel.  Here's the link.

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@17:11:22 (Q5ggV)

8 I'm illiterate, you know that. I've even been known to buy Soldier of Fortune magazine (though not lately).

Harper may have to chastise you severely for that picture. And you call ME wrong. The first time I saw that I threw up a little in my mouth.

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@17:24:38 (yFIK0)

9

heh

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@19:02:40 (Q5ggV)

10 You left out the smog.

I do find it interesting that they have enough earthquakes to need an Earthquake authority.

You might find this interesting:  Guy works on Princess Cruise ships (tech for their onboard revues) and blogs every so often about what he sees on port calls.  This one starts with him joining the ship in Shanghai.
http://endoftheearth.livejournal.com/56710.html

I have to admit, China is the one Communist/ex Communist country that would interest me enough to visit, because of the scenery and culture.

Posted by: kishnevi at 21 March 2008@19:39:28 (ZV7t1)

11 I found his MySpace page and he's originally from Massachusetts.  I don't know if, as an American, I'd have been so cavalier about my visa... but you're only young once I guess.  Thanks, very interesting.

If I were able to visit Hong Kong, I would probably go.  Mainland China would get a pass without a lot of changes first.  I guess if they want me to visit, they'd best get started. 

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@19:58:42 (Q5ggV)

12  

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@20:05:34 (yFIK0)

13 Mac,

If it's any comfort, I'll admit that my Google Image Search was for "Hillary Nude" and some of the Photoshops were ... startling... so we both threw up a bit on that one.


Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@20:18:40 (Q5ggV)

14 Post all the nudes you want. It would be the sight of her with her hand on the Bible in front of the Chief Justice that would have me talking to Ralph.

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@20:34:50 (yFIK0)

15 No thank you sir, I will NEVER do that image-search again unless safesearch is on.  Interesting election year though... first one I can recall where about 75% of the voters are going to feel as if they lost... or gnawed off their own arm to survive... no matter who wins.

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@20:39:09 (Q5ggV)

16 Well put, Sir! You have the soul of a poet.

I will be in that group. For one on the few times in my life I will be mainstream!

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@20:41:56 (yFIK0)

17 Back on topic, which if I recall correctly was reasons not to go to China for the Olympics:  Because you will be monitored every place you go, including in your hotel room.

Posted by: DRJ at 21 March 2008@20:44:50 (wE7Og)

18 Hey DRJ!

Honestly, I would assume I was monitored everywhere in China or Russia anyway.  The logistics of actually doing it are impossible of course, but it would be the only safe course.  Privacy anywhere is never absolutely assured.

The safety issues in your link are much more persuasive.  Interesting how they have funds and resources for monitoring, but lack the funds for adequate locks, fire and CO2 alarms, and other emergency essentials.

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@20:53:52 (Q5ggV)

19 I have led our Gentle Stash astray? And his posts are usually so sophisticated. I am a bad influence. Naughty!

Posted by: Machinist at 21 March 2008@21:18:03 (yFIK0)

20 Sophisticated?  You're just begging for more Tron videos, aren't you?

Posted by: Stashiu3 at 21 March 2008@21:34:08 (Q5ggV)

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