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jeudi, 24 avril 2008
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, STOP THE OLYMPIC FLAME
Now, this is getting really weird. The Olympic flame is crossing the world and everywhere, it needs to be protected from protesters who do not wish to support these Olympic Games in a country which is oppressing Tibet and systematically violating human rights. However, it seems ridiculous when Chinese leaders talk about “a pure sports event” which should not be mixed up with politics. This truly is a great lesson from a country which, for political reasons, has boycotted Olympic Games for 30 years. Remember, China protested against the participation of Taiwan, claiming that Taiwan belonged to China. So, the champion of the political Olympic boycott tells us that all this is not political.
But then again, while the politicians of the world try to find a compromise between boycott and not-boycott, the flame continues its way. Great. In Paris, the special police forces of CRS beat up peaceful protesters in exactly the same manner than their Chinese colleagues. In San Francisco, the course had to be altered to avoid similar protests. Same in Jakarta, where the flame, secured by some 2,000 Chinese policemen (always discreet in their blue and white jogging suits…) will be seen by some 5,000 hand-picked visitors in a soccer stadium. So, the symbol of understanding between the youth of the world has to be smuggled through the streets of the world, so that nobody can see it. What a symbol!
Please stop this ridiculous course of a violated symbol at once! Send the bloody flame to Beijing and have them do with it whatever they want. By trying to please the Chinese government, the world silently supports the Chinese politics in Tibet. Just the same as 1936 in Berlin, where the world’s politics stood side by side with Hitler and signaled clearly that nobody would stand up to stop him. And this is the signal we are currently sending to Beijing.
If we don’t react now, I take the bets that China will soon try to attack Taiwan. And nobody should say that this was unpredictable.
20:17 Publié dans ENGLISH EDITION , KAI LITTMANN , POLITIQUE , SPORT | Lien permanent | Commentaires (9) | Envoyer cette note | Tags : olympic games, flame, JO, china, kai littmann, europeus.org
Commentaires
Well said, if I may say so... and we should indeed remember Taiwan!
Ecrit par : Jennifer | vendredi, 25 avril 2008
Sarkozy should take example on Merkel.
Ecrit par : unionsbuerger | samedi, 26 avril 2008
Kai
good essay. You are so right. We need to learn from 1936 history lesson. but alas, we humans are dumb. sometimes. your letter is a good wake up call. I am in Taiwan. 11 years. I do not think China will invade Taiwan. Taiwan is safe. Taiwan can take care of itself now. but i fear from Tibet and the people inside China. I say: boycott the Olympics, do not give money to the Chinese communists in Beijing, and wear orange if you do go, a la Jens Galschiot's idea from Holland.
DANNY
Ecrit par : danielo | lundi, 05 mai 2008
Danny,
thanks for your words and I fully agree - these Olympics should be boycotted and the international community should send a clear signal that permanent violation of human rights will not be supported. And thanks for the input about the situation in Taiwan - I would be interested in learning more about how this situation is perceived in Taiwan (officially and amongst the people in the streets). Can you give us some more insight information?
Thanks
Kai
Ecrit par : Kai | mardi, 06 mai 2008
Bonjour Kai,
Thanks for your note. Yes, I am confused about why more nations are not going to boycott these 2008 Olympics. China is a fascist dicatorship run by a communist dictatorship, and while the people of China are people, their leaders are rascalions of deserve to lose face in the public light this year. It's time for the free world to stand up for human rights. Sports is not important, compared to human rights. Although the atheletes have trained hard, it's not as important as fighting for human rights for the people of China. So yes, boycott the Ollies this year. Haven't we learned from 1936 yet?
As for how people in TAIWAN view all this, I can only speak for myself, an American expat in Taiwan. Great people here, great little country. And it IS a country, dear China, Tawian ISＮＯＴ ｐａｒｔ ｏｆ communist China and never was. When will the world wake up to this fact, too. Taiwan is not even allowed to join WHO, but SARS originated in China. The leaders of China are brainwashing mindcontrolling rascals. I am waiting for the Gorbachev of China to arise and lead his or her people to freedom. That's what we need: a Chinese Gorbachev. Soon. I believe he might be Li Keqiang, about 51 years old. Waiting in the wings. THis ultranationalist nonsense must stop inside China.
A Shanghai young communist wrote to me last year by email and told me: "Danny, if you truly believe that Taiwan is a separate country, then you are not welcome to come to Beijing for the Olympics..."
Imagine, Kai, him or her telling me that! That is the true China today, a bunch of brainwashed mindcontrolled people. Sad to say.
Arise ye people of China, ye have nothing to lose but your chains! SMILE
Feel free to email me offline for more chat anytime...
at
danbloom AT gmail
Danny
from USA, in Taiwan since 1996, Japan from 1991-96. Alaska 1989-1991.
Boston 1949 birthplace.
Ecrit par : Danny Bloom | mardi, 06 mai 2008
News item:
USA
OUCH......!........Clothing and gestures will be scrutinized at Olympics
by who? Police? Mindcontrollers?
With the Beijing Games less than 100 days away, the International Olympic Committee clarified its protest rules Monday, saying that athletes' external appearance, clothing and gestures would be scrutinized in China.
The IOC sent a six-point letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, to the national Olympic federations in response to their request for interpretations of Rule 51.3 of the Olympic charter. That rule states "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."
The letter expanded on the rule, saying: "The conduct of participants at all sites, areas and venues includes all actions, reactions, attitudes or manifestations of any kind by a person or group of persons, including but not limited to their look, external appearance, clothing, gestures, and written or oral statements.
"As in all Olympic Games, such conduct must also, of course, comply with the laws of the host state."
The IOC has long relied on Rule 51.3 as its guiding principle for Olympic participants, but has been pressed of late to offer more guidance in light of recent protests over Tibet and China's crackdown on dissenters.
Last month, IOC president Jacques Rogge said IOC officials will use common sense to decide whether athletes are simply celebrating victories or using them to make political statements.
"Freedom of expression is something that is absolute. It's a human right. Athletes have it," Rogge said.
The IOC letter said that, indeed, Olympic athletes are free to express their opinions, so long as those expressions are in compliance with the Olympic charter.
It gave athletes permission to answer questions on any topic in media interviews and said the rule relied on the "common sense of all athletes and other participants in showing respect for the dignity of all fellow athletes, including those of the host country."
The letter reiterated the IOC's oft-stated position that the Olympics are a "great sports festival."
"They are not a stage for different kinds of political statements about issues such as armed conflicts, regional differences, religious disputes and many others," it said.
This position differs with the actual history of the games, which have been marked by political gestures, boycotts and violence during the past four decades.
One of the iconic pictures of the 20th century was that of Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the medals stand in 1968, raising their black-gloved fists and bowing their heads during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
That type of display would presumably be forbidden in Beijing, though the short letter did not outline possible sanctions for violating Rule 51.3.
The letter asked national organizing committees to contact their athletes with the new information.
"Everyone concerned ... should also respect the personal rights of each individual athlete, which include both the right to express themselves and the right not to comment on political issues," the letter said.
Ecrit par : DANNY BLOOM | mardi, 06 mai 2008
Stunning! Will the international community comply to these rules? If yes, it's a go ahead for China to do whatever they want and whereever I want. The argument I hear mostly these days is "the athletes have trained so hard". OK - then why not swap the Games to two or three former host countries to hold free Games with liberty of speech and the freedom to wear the clothes the athletes want to. Say, part of the Games in Barcelona, some disciplines in Athens, a few in Sidney - this would be a good sign for a united world youth not oppressed by some outdated communist hardliners.
I share your point about the need of a Gorbatchev in China and I also fully share your distinction between the ruling class in China and the Chinese people - the two should not be mixed up. But perhaps the international community would help the Chinese people more by clearly saying "NO" to this regime, since more and more people in China would start asking questions like "why?" or "does this really need to be this way?".
Ecrit par : Kai | mardi, 06 mai 2008
Yes, Kai, a resounding NO from the intl community to China this summer would help the Chinese PEOPLE in the long run. At first, they will feel insulted, but after the new Chinese Gorby frees them from the brainwashing they grow up with daily, they will be grateful. The same thing happened in the old USSR, as we all remember. China is the new USSR and it must be opened up, pried free with the lamp of freedom. But it aint gonna be easy. Still, we must fight on.....freedom will win out, but it might be another 100 years......but this summer counts ALOT!
Ecrit par : danny bloom | mercredi, 07 mai 2008
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2007/06/20/2003366079
Individual freedom is what China needs most
OR: HU JINTAO TEAR DOWN THIS GATE! (based on Reagan speech on Berlin Wall)
By Dan Bloom
Longtime observers of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have often said that the China question will remain open as long as the CCP rules China.
In fact, as long as the gate of freedom in China remains closed, it is not the "China question" alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all humanity.
Yet, today there is a message of hope inside China, a message of triumph, with Chinese slowly trying to take matters into their own hands and set up a democratic movement that can finally replace the CCP.
It can happen and it will happen.
Leaders of democratic countries understand that just as truth can flourish only when the press is free, so prosperity can come about only when the farmer and businessman enjoy sustained economic freedom.
China will learn that soon enough.
In fact, even now, in a limited way, the leaders of China may be coming to understand the importance of freedom.
We hear much from Beijing about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Some foreign news broadcasts and Internet sites are no longer being blocked. And some companies have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.
Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the CCP? Are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West?
Or are they meant to strengthen the Chinese system without really changing it?
The West welcomes change and openness because it believes that freedom and security go together and that the promotion of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace.
There is one sign the Chinese communists can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.
If Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) truly seeks peace, liberalization and prosperity for China, Hong Kong and Macao, he must let freedom ring.
I understand the fear of war and the pain of division that afflict today's Chinese leaders. However, when freedom finally comes to the Chinese, they and their leaders will be surprised by how wonderful it feels.
Today represents a moment of hope. The West stands ready to cooperate with China to promote true openness, break down barriers that separate people and create a safer, freer world.
The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulses to create, to enjoy and to worship. The totalitarian world finds even symbols of love and worship to be an affront.
As one looks at China today, one can perhaps catch a glimpse of some words crudely spray-painted upon the gate of freedom, perhaps by a young Beijinger: "This gate will open. Beliefs become reality."
Yes, across China, the gates barring freedom will open because they cannot withstand the forces of faith, truth and freedom.
Dan Bloom is a freelance writer based in Taiwan.
Ecrit par : danny bloom | mercredi, 07 mai 2008