RubySoho
Winston
I Don’t Care About The Olympics (who’s with me?)
August 6th 2008 08:57
I don’t care that the Olympics start in less than 100 hours.
I don’t care that the Olympic torch is on the final leg of its relay.
I don’t care which athlete holds the Australian flag in the Opening Ceremony.
I don’t care how many gold medals Australia wins.
I don’t care how many world records get broken.
I don’t care that this is Ian Thorpe’s first Olympics since Atlanta where he will be a spectator, not a swimmer.
I don’t care about Jana Rawlinson’s knee/toe/whatever she has broken this time.
I don’t care that the slogan is 'One World One Dream' because in a country that censors the internet, it obviously means jack.
I don’t care that China said they were going to improve human rights and didn’t because I knew they were lying to begin with.
I don’t care that some people now regret giving the Olympics to China since anyone with a half a brain would have realised that it was a bad idea in the first place.
I don’t care that China has promised a 'safe' Olympics for the athletes and visitors since it poses such a danger to its own people.
I don’t care that the whole world will stop and watch a bunch of overpaid athletes for two weeks because all over the world people are still being killed and tortured and raped.
I don’t care about the Olympics.
I really just don’t care.
Is anyone with me?
Anyone at all??
I don’t care that the Olympic torch is on the final leg of its relay.
I don’t care which athlete holds the Australian flag in the Opening Ceremony.
I don’t care how many gold medals Australia wins.
I don’t care how many world records get broken.
I don’t care that this is Ian Thorpe’s first Olympics since Atlanta where he will be a spectator, not a swimmer.
I don’t care about Jana Rawlinson’s knee/toe/whatever she has broken this time.
I don’t care that the slogan is 'One World One Dream' because in a country that censors the internet, it obviously means jack.
I don’t care that China said they were going to improve human rights and didn’t because I knew they were lying to begin with.
I don’t care that some people now regret giving the Olympics to China since anyone with a half a brain would have realised that it was a bad idea in the first place.
I don’t care that China has promised a 'safe' Olympics for the athletes and visitors since it poses such a danger to its own people.
I don’t care that the whole world will stop and watch a bunch of overpaid athletes for two weeks because all over the world people are still being killed and tortured and raped.
I don’t care about the Olympics.
I really just don’t care.
Is anyone with me?
Anyone at all??
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Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Yeah, I'm not a big sports fan but hey if people want to swim laps up and down a pool (full of god knows what sorts of excrement) thats there business... BUT I'll tell you what pisses me off! My TV is going to get hijacked for the next 2weeks with Olympics'esque crap!
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The wonderful Peter Yang's Variety blog
Power Ranger Online
Cartoon Kim Possible - Online
Swine Flu, Swine Flu, Swine Flu!!!
Music Online
I am not a big fan of the Olympic been hold at China.
Oh well, what's done is done.
Cheers
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Hi Peter, yeah what's done is done but I still have very little regard for the Olympics, no matter where they are held.
alt_ed, I'm having flatmate/tv dramas at the moment so I can relate. i really do think you and I have the same flatmate....somehow...
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
(but seriously, do you really live with a binge eating, self diagnosed alcoholic lesbian with OCD, anxiety and depression?)
lol
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
But Ruby, don't you do other things than concern yourself with the bad things that go on in the world? Like see movies, read books, etc? Why should watching the Olympics be different?
If used in a productive capacity, entertainment restores my enjoyment of the world, and it's because I enjoy the world that I fight for justice within it.
Comment by Jane Green
Harry Potter Gossip
Facebook Fan
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
She also hates her own company and is currently pissed off at me and J, our other flatmate because we are not home enough and therefore she gets bored and lonely.
Silly me, when I asked her to move in I thought I was gaining a flatmate, not an adoptive child.
Hi Morgan, yeah I know many of them in the less glamorous sports don't earn very much, but let's face it, it's the swimmers, runners and basketballers everyone wants to see. Between endorsements and media commitments...well you get the picture.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
According to Amnesty International:
"China has promised to improve its appalling human rights record. Their promise has not been kept. In fact things are getting worse"
See I think people are making the mistake of assuming China is loosening its grip on its population when really it is not.
And yes PoMo, I do concern myself with other things, as a filmmaker its part of my job to watch as many films as I can and of course I like to read. But we all have our favourite subjects when it comes to blogging. This is what I enjoy blogging about.
Hi Jane,
I think I am just not going to turn the TV on for the next two weeks...
Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Just ask Morgan, she can attest (from 1st hand experience) just how insane my flatmate is haha
Hey, r u thinking what i'm thinking Ruby? let's just set them up with each other
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
However, I would disagree with you about the loosening of the govt's grip. I'd say there's been a huge change in the personal freedom of Chinese citizens - this can be seen in how many vocal protests there are in China, and how much free exchange of information - much of it due to the internet. It wasn't so long ago that this information was so tightly controlled that it was non-existent.
Comment by Single Fat Chick
Comment by Lola Tahlulah
Lola Tahlulah
I don't care about the Olympics, but I do care about the world turning a blind eye to the human rights atrocities happening in that country, simply so that we can see an overblown sporting event.
In other words, I'm right there with you Ruby.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I am not a fan of many sports but I WOULD be a fan of the Olympics if:
A. It had more interesting sports to watch than running and swimming.
B. if it wasn't just another excuse for extremist patriotism that mirrors religious fanaticism.
C. If the Olympics were held on to the tradition of bring the globe together and embracing all nations. Going by the media coverage if Australia wasn't in the games it wouldn't even exist.
D. If the Gold medals were still made of Gold.
There are many other reasons why I don't support the Olympics, but i'm sure you get the idea.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Cinema Three
Olympics suck though, no matter where it's held or how.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
It doesn't have to be a fad, I can see where people are coming from... usually the Olympics are held in democratic countries, and there have been a lot of problems that have been faced by this 2008 version because of the host. Not to mention the pollution.
Rubes -
I highly respect that you blog about injustices around the globe, just saying that it's hardly a crime to enjoy yourself once in a while... after all, you're fighting for people's rights to enjoy themselves, right?
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Eve
mindless little girl
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Cinema Three
problem with fad based protests is the people protesting don't know much about the topic.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Cinema Three
Certainly
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Your news item describes a bunch of protesters so clever that they were able to get a bunch of conformist Chinese manufacturers to create the flags they used to protest the government. Are you saying that they should have been aware that their plans could have been thwarted?
In any case, the protesters seem like they knew what they were doing, so your point, if you had one, has gone completely over my head.
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Cinema Three
and that aws actually not what I was goingn to link, it was this: Really Long Link
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Okay, but that's one ignorant protester out of millions...
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
I don't agree with the political climate, the oppression or the treatment of Tibetans - but I thought the question was about sport, the athletes and their endeavours - not the Chinese Govt.
Cheers
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
In my opinion, as a world, we need to find more ways to interact, not less (wars, multi-national corporate domination/commercialism, and religious Crusades/Jihads aren't what I'm talking about)
Comment by Anonymous
Why is everyone surprised about China? Has everyone forgotten it's a communist country?
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Sport, esp the Olympics, does have a way of captivating even the least sports minded person.
Look at what happen to Australia during the World Cup 2006. All of a sudden everyone was a soccer fan.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
In response to your comment:
I'd say there's been a huge change in the personal freedom of Chinese citizens,
I will refer you to the Amnesty International website where I have taken the following quote:
Amnesty International has documented widespread human rights violations in China. An estimated 500,000 people are currently enduring punitive detention without charge or trial, and millions are unable to access the legal system to seek redress for their grievances. Harassment, surveillance, house arrest, and imprisonment of human rights defenders are on the rise, and censorship of the Internet and other media has grown. Repression of minority groups, including Tibetans, Uighurs and Mongolians, and of Falun Gong practitioners and Christians who practice their religion outside state-sanctioned churches continues. While the recent reinstatement of Supreme People’s Court review of death penalty cases may result in lower numbers of executions, China remains the leading executioner in the world.
CLICKHERE
for details.
Hi Lola and thanks. I do think the world is turning a blind eye and is fooling thinking that things are changing in China so they can feel less guilty about enjoying the spectacle of the Games.
Hi Ahmed,
Sorry if I gave the impression that I only have disdain for the Olympics because they are being held in China. I'm with you, I dislike them in general. The fact they are in China this year is just further proof to me what a sham the whole thing is. Commericialism and ugly nationalism dressed up as togetherness and the "purity" of sport. Puke.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
I guess the popint I was trying to make is that the Olympics has ceased to be about sport (if it ever really was) and is about making money, power and promoting whatever country happens to be hosting it that year.
Hi John Doe (pretty much everyone calls me Rubes at one point or another),
I think you have hit the nail on the head here:
if it wasn't just another excuse for extremist patriotism that mirrors religious fanaticism.
I am always amused when people say the Olympics brings the world together, when really it encourages segregation and mob mentality. "My country is better than your country because that is where I happen to live. So if my country wins more medals than you, I am better than you, even though I never actually got off my own arse. But hey, i can wave a flag or two and get a temporary tattoo on my forehead".
The only thing that annoys me more than fanatical religion is fanatical nationalism.
Hi Jeff,
see my above comments. Sure, we need to connect but the Olympics, with their focus on nationality, really on encourage us to divide ourselves into groups and compete against each other.
Hi Anonymous,
Firstly, it's not only communist countries that oppress their people. Secondly, that's kind of our point- why give the Olympics, which are supposedly meant to encourage peace and tolerance to an oppressive regime?
Hi Mrs M.
to be honest, that's one of the problems that i have with events such as the Olympics, all of a sudden people who couldn't give two shakes about ffield hockey or synchronised swimming suddenly become experts and feel "pride" if "their" athletes succeed.
Comment by (: Smiley
(:
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Probably best illustrated by the 1936 Games I would suggest.
I agree the Games have lost their sheen due to commercialism and the corrupt nature of the establishment in charge - who choose to feather theor own nests - but collectively we should support the efforts and achievements of those athletes who strive for excellence.
We shouldn't however look to the players and castigate them for stage they perform on. Embrace their exuberance, their emotions and the tears - they are champions for their dedication and efforts alone.
Instead work toward bringing transparency, honesty and accountability to those officials, govt's and individuals who choose to renounce decency, fairness and what's right.
Always appreciate your candid and pasisionate views, your polite, personable nature and the vigourous forum you afford us all.
Stay well
Comment by Anonymous
Yes I am biased but to the regime not the small people who suffer most.
Lets not also not forget the SMOG caused through the lack of forethought and care - stuff them!!!!
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Hi again MNG,
And thanks for the compliments. I do take pride in the fact that things usually stay quite calm and civil on this blog.
I understand that athletes work hard and make many sacrifices, but I do think that considering the usefulness of what they actually do, they do seem to recieve a somewhat disproportionate share of accolades, adoration and in many cases, renumeration.
In other words, there are many others out there who do much more honourable things and don't get any recognition at all.
How's about we set aside two weeks every four years when the whole world watches scientists working round the clock trying to find a cure for prostate cancer or MS or Alzheimer's? And we cheer them on. And we call them heros.
And we know their names.
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Comment by Anonymous
The Olympics are a farce!
Comment by RebeccaB
Comment by jay singh
LIFE OF OUR TIME
I think China and Olympics go great together.
Two highly political institutions infested with a never-ending thirst for wealth, power and control, while the people that it is supposed to represent slave away their lives to fight a battle that has little relevance in the real world to get a token medal for a nation that thinks of them as expendable.
Perfect match I say!
Let's learn from this experience.
Let’s bring back the true spirit of the Olympics.
Compete to the death and the winner has the honour of serving the rulers and dying in the name of the nation.
Oh great China, I call upon ye!
Show us the way. Show us the wisdom of how the problems of the people can be fixed with the snapping your fingers (and their heads).
Make us see how for the progress of the world, it is absolutely Ok to inflict atrocities on little children and shove them down tiny, dark and damp rabbit holes in search of the diamonds that will show the world your brilliance.
Tell us how when powers commit their minds they can stop Dalai Lamas from reincarnating.
If you can show us the legitimacy, the humanity in all this, that would be great.
If you cannot, cofugh (i think i might have spelt that wrong) yourself!
I am happy that China has the Olympics. It should keep it.
J
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
*chuckle* ...views on this one shift as often as the venue itself, however, I care that industry could be halted to stop the pollution for this one thing and not the survival of our planet... if only we could convince China that we felt as strongly about our survival as a species, as we did about the lungs of a few athletes...
Deep down?
I wish the Olympic Games was the only battlefield on the planet, perhaps then I could support it much more and the spirit of it wouldnt be lost on me so readily.
I wont switch the TV on to watch it, that's for sure ... although artistically, I really enjoyed the opening theatre : I look forward to 2 and half men being put back on when its over.
Lilla ...
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by ChrisC
The Dissector
Every country censors the internet - I think it's very important.
And ps...Don't worry folks, in two weeks time your TV's will all return to normal programming so you can all resume your lives, and jump off China and onto the next bandwagon that the Western media tells you to.
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
Plus, I just don't find it all that interesting. The gymnastics is pretty fascinating, as those people are practically superhuman as far as I'm concerned, but apart from that it's just kinda dull. I don't need China's dubious involvement to keep me away from the Olympics.
Comment by Arthur Frampton
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I agree that 'armchair experts' are tossers, but for me I like the Olympics because I actually get to watch sports that aren't usually televised.
I was watching the badminton and handball this week. Who knew that badminton could get so physical and handball is just a kooky game.
I don't think that being happy for the athletes' success is such a bad thing. Is it?
Love & stuff
Mrs M