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Post by soundtribe_junkie on Aug 11, 2008 11:00:50 GMT -5
Alright, I have given up the struggle not watch them b/c they are in China. I think it was a wrong decision to have them there without holding them accountable to make changes for their people's rights first, instead of hoping it would be a 'bridge' and 'incentive' to change. Although it is giving the people a healthy dose of good ole commercialism, the govt isnt gonna change, and they are doing some classic stuff for 'security'.
Anyway, I was grumbling about it to a friend, and he was basically like 'eh, you might as well watch...its not going to change anything'. And it won't, except ...damn, I hate it for those people. The Chinese girls in the gymnastic competitition were on first last night, and they looked effing scared to death, not to mention several look about only thirteen (supposed to be 16 to compete). And then one esp. little one fell, and she looked like she was expecting to be whipped afterward. There is just incredible pressure on them to 'show up' for their country. So, although I love watching the competitions, it's a two-sided feeling while Im watching them there. I guess Im venting a little about it, I feel guilty for 'participating' in the spectacle, but the athlete's deserve the chance to compete for what they have trained for, no matter where they are. Anybody else feel torn or no big deal?
Post by strumntheguitar on Aug 11, 2008 11:10:55 GMT -5
I personally am loving the Olympics this year. It's been one of the most entertaining, competitive, and unbelievable Olympics I think I've ever seen. The opening ceremony was an unbelievable spectacle that no other country could have put together.
I don't think hosting the Olympics will change China's policies, I don't think it will open their minds to what they may be doing, and I really think the Pope and Bush need to shut up when announcing that China needs to adopt new faiths and beliefs. I actually at times feel bad for the Chinese because by hosting the games they have fallen under so much more scrutiny than before, but they are proud to be hosting the games and have done an excellent job providing exceptional venues for the events.
And as for the Chinese gymnast looking scared after falling... have you noticed that every gymnast looks disappointed after messing up, no matter what country? Every athlete is under immense pressure to perform their best, no matter what country they're from or what event they're competing in. The American girl looked like she was ready to strangle herself after she had a slight misstep on the floor routine and stepped out of bounds, even tho she still got remarkable scores. It's just the heat of the competition and my personal opinion that if anything, they are afraid of letting rest of their team down.
Yeah, in case you didn't notice, I'm one of those people that laughs when others tell me they're boycotting watching the Olympics. Just cause your TV channel is set to NBC doesn't mean you're supporting China's beliefs.
Post by chicojuarz on Aug 11, 2008 11:31:23 GMT -5
I'm with you on this. I've been attempting not to watch. (For me its pretty easy because I dont get any stations in my apartment) however, it does seem that most people arent concerned that an international organziation of this nature chose Beijing without having stricter requirements on human rights and soooo many other things for the country.
I think this is already being proven as the media was very quickly having their internet access limited to what the government deemed related to the Olympics.
EDIT: I was slow so I was the second post instead of the first:
Just cause your TV channel is set to NBC doesn't mean you're supporting China's beliefs
Just to address this point for me its about not wanting to support the committee's willingness to over look it. They have a mission statement about what the games represent and they turned their head the other way.
Post by bamadancer on Aug 11, 2008 12:07:10 GMT -5
I heard somewhere there was a scandal about the Chinese gymnasts. Supposedly 4 of them may not really be 16, and one of them could be as young as 12. Doesn't surprise me...I know that gymnasts are usually smaller, but one of those girls looked like she was about 10 years old. I'll have to look up more info on that one. The poor girls did look terrified, though.
I am a total Olympics nerd, and pretty much watch it all day. I agree...I don't think watching NBC a lot means I'm supporting China's regime. Besides, I think it's a good thing to watch and be supportive of my country's athletes.
Post by sparklybecca on Aug 11, 2008 12:20:40 GMT -5
^bama yea, they look SUPER DUPER young. I'm watching them. That swimming last night (against the french) was one of the most exciting sporting events ive ever watched!!
As someone who has played on the world stage can I tell you one thing...You don't give two craps about the government of a country when you are sitting there rappin with someone. When you are getting yourself pumped up yeah you might call them a commie bastard or something along those lines right before you compete against them. Think about those athletes from Georgia and Russia, right now their countries are at war and when did they do...they hugged it out bi*ches...the athletic spirit trumps a lot of things and politics is one of them.
I'm the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished With the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid Allergic to the counterfeit, impartial to the politics Articulate but still would grab a ni**a by the colla quick
I've been watching a lot less this year than in any previous years, but I haven't really been making a conscious effort to not watch them. I'm with strum on this one - whether or not I watch the Olympics here in America, it doesn't really make any difference to China... it's just me giving NBC higher ratings. Besides, the way I see it, we all buy so much stuff that's made in China (it's practically unavoidable, really), the Olympics should be the least of our worries. I'm not condoning the actions of the Chinese government by any means... all I'm saying is, there are far better ways to take action than not watching an American TV channel. Somehow, lifting the trade embargo with Cuba would threaten our entire way of life and turn us all into a bunch of Reds, but free trade with China is necessary for a thriving economy...
And as for the Chinese gymnast looking scared after falling... have you noticed that every gymnast looks disappointed after messing up, no matter what country? Every athlete is under immense pressure to perform their best, no matter what country they're from or what event they're competing in. The American girl looked like she was ready to strangle herself after she had a slight misstep on the floor routine and stepped out of bounds, even tho she still got remarkable scores.
I see what you mean, but there is a very big difference at being disgusted over screwing up...I noticed that too.....and looking over after you screw up at your coach and see open disapproval from your teammates, like some of those Chinese girls did. I felt bad for that. Its bad enough to screw up. Can you imagine how many times they had done it right...damn. Yeah, and those aint no 16 year hips twirling around out there neitha'.
Im really liking the synchro diving. I hadnt ever seen that before.
I know this is stealing from the other thread, but does anybody else think the Olympic announcers really SUCK this year? They are so negative, and trash talk pretty much everyone, even the US.
The other night when I was watching gymnastics, they were talking about the Romanian team and how they're "not as good as they used to be" and how it's "the end of an era" or whatever, which is not that bad. But then the girl goes off and is like, "Yeah I used to see them constantly checking their routines, now they just go chat over by the chalk bucket". Seriously? I'm not in high school, I don't want to hear you talk trash about the other teams. Just tell me if the girl's balance beam routine looks good.
Post by inertiaticc on Aug 12, 2008 10:34:37 GMT -5
The announcers are definitely on a negative streak. They have been saying some ridiculous comments that are pretty offensive, and i'm not even one that gets offended easily. But this is the Olympics, be respectful. I bet the announcers are just bitter and pissed off that they could never compete.
I've been torn about this too. I've been watching. I freaking love the Olympics. But I can't believe that China was awarded them without being held accountable for their human rights and environmental issues. And I agree about those Chinese girls. They are so young and looked scared to me. I can't believe that China is getting away with competing girls under the age limit. Did anyone see the little mini-special about how China chooses gymnasts and starts training them at like 3 yrs old? It was disturbing
I'm not surprised. Their media is completely controlled by the government; making China look good is their top priority, and not just during the Olympics. It doesn't occur to them that this may be dishonest or manipulative; it's simply how things are done.
US media may be just as dishonest or manipulative, but their motives tend to be less political and more economical (e.g., terror reports on the news to drive up viewership and sell more commercials).
I can't beleive everyone is so blase about China abusing their people. I too see the look on some of their faces, wondering if their house will be torn down if they fail and other shit like that. They really do stuff like that.
China is a powerful country so we will kowtow to them. They have probably done worse then Iraq and we would have never went to the olymics in Sadams Iraq... But then again we went to Germany during Hitler Nazi control....
I can't beleive everyone is so blase about China abusing their people.
We can bemoan the lost of manufacturing jobs overseas... We can decry human rights violations, both here and abroad... We can condemn those we thrive like ticks on the poor and downtrodden...
But until the cost of a latte goes up a dollar, we stand by and do nothing.
I'm the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished With the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid Allergic to the counterfeit, impartial to the politics Articulate but still would grab a ni**a by the colla quick
yeah, I heard about it this morning....what kind of 'feeling do the people have now'? arrgghh...so confliicted...commie capitalist pigs! wow...that's a new combo, I think
also, about the announcers...they have been incredibly negative at some points-esp. the Ann Coulter on the diving last night......I want to see her ass up there
Is it just me or are internet clips of the Olympics being censored to the United States? On the BBC website it says "This media is not available in your territory" and on youtube last night I was watched a mens swimming competition and when I refreshed it said I could not watch that clip in my country. Maybe I've been oblivious to past examples of net censorship, but this sucks!
Post by soundtribe_junkie on Aug 12, 2008 20:10:08 GMT -5
I am watching the men's volleyball and in between serves they started playing 'Back in Black'.....I just thought that was funny. hahaha...now they just played 'Dont Bring Me Down' ...I think thats ELO...
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Aug 12, 2008 23:40:57 GMT -5
So close to womens team! Oh well, still a lot to go. Also, why do they never have the oly lifting on tv?! I imagine its just as popular as badmitten and water polo in the states.
I'm the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished With the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid Allergic to the counterfeit, impartial to the politics Articulate but still would grab a ni**a by the colla quick
Post by bamadancer on Aug 13, 2008 10:14:18 GMT -5
Ugh I am SO annoyed by the fact that the women's gymnastics team lost.
I mean sure, people can say that the Chinese team was better or whatever, but I'm still seriously bothered. Even Bella Karolyi (however you spell his name) said, "Half the girls on that team are underage". To me, if you cheat, you don't deserve the gold medal. Honestly, I feel like the USA girls deserved it WAY more than those Chinese girls...
Ugh I am SO annoyed by the fact that the women's gymnastics team lost.
I mean sure, people can say that the Chinese team was better or whatever, but I'm still seriously bothered. Even Bella Karolyi (however you spell his name) said, "Half the girls on that team are underage". To me, if you cheat, you don't deserve the gold medal. Honestly, I feel like the USA girls deserved it WAY more than those Chinese girls...
It looked to me like a couple of those Chinese girls couldn't have been over 12.
