By Stephen J. Gray
The message one can deduce from the Beijing Olympic games is this: No matter how much a dictatorship punishes and oppresses its people it will still get gushing adulation from most of the world leaders and business elites. Many of these world leaders and corporate elites pay lip service to human rights. But in today’s world, hypocrisy has replaced democracy. “Free enterprise” multi-national corporations have led the business stampede into communist China. They have large investments in the dictatorship's economy and profit from this source of cheap labor. Corporate logos fly proudly alongside the communist banners and corporate communism/fascism works hand in glove with the dictatorship.
This is a communist dictatorship that rips the organs from its own people, has a brutal one child policy, and has forced abortion. It sends contaminated products around the world and uses slave labor. Some of its people have been evicted from their homes for the games.
Shockingly, though, “In the stands as Canada’s official government representation at the ceremonies, Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson applauded Beijing’s achievement…. ‘Bravo, Beijing, on a night of memories for everyone here and watching at home. You have shown the world what can be done to celebrate the spirit of friendship and fair play.’” [1]
I bet the people tortured and imprisoned would have something to say about the fair play of the communist regime. And I don’t think they would be shouting “bravo.” But hey, one must not bring “politics” into the games--even though politicians and other executives are attending them.
“The chief executive officer for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver said he'll never forget being at the opening ceremonies in Beijing. ‘You could not sit there and not dream,’ he told The Canadian Press in an interview early Saturday morning in Beijing.” [2]
Dream it may be for some, but for those who have suffered under this bloody dictatorship it is a nightmare. But hey, one must not “politicize” the games. Let’s all pretend that human rights are not being abused in this country of the games.
“Chinese President Hu Jintao said Friday he hoped the Olympics would remain free of politics. ‘I don't think politicising the Olympic Games will do any good to address these issues,’ he said.” ‘It runs counter to the Olympic spirit and also to the shared aspirations of the people of the world,’ Hu told reporters on Friday.” [3]
One would think that the “shared aspirations of the people of the world” are about freedom from tyranny. But hey, I forgot one must not “politicize” the games. After all, the games are about sports, not about politics. But since politics is a dirty game I guess that's why so many political leaders are attending. They might learn more ways to oppress their own people. If they have no compunction about consorting with, and investing in, a communist dictatorship, what does that say about the principles, morality and ethics of the attendees? There is an old saying that you know people by the company they keep. And perhaps that is the message of the games.
Stephen J. Gray
August 11, 2008
graysinfo@yahoo.ca website http://www.oocities.org/graysinfo
Endnotes:
[1] http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/415216
[2] http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/415216
[3] http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080801/olympic_websites_080801/20080801?s_name=beijing2008