unforum

[myf]

The host nation isn't the only one with a dubious human rights record. There are plenty of participating nations that are less than squeaky clean in that department as well.

[Chid12]

Well really this is our game isn't it. It may be McDonalds and the IOC that set it up but we're the ones checking the sites daily, trying to work out what's going on, trying to figure this all out. We're the ones doing the work and so the game belongs to us. So if we want to make a point, I think we're entirely within our rights: the game wouldn't work without us.

I, for one, would love to see people wearing T-shirts with Free Tibet, Close Down Guantanamo Bay, or whatever. Messages promoting peace, democracy and human rights are fantastic! What a great opportunity to tell the world that yeah, OK, we're just ordinary people sitting at home playing a game, but we do care what's going on in the world; we are aware of what China is going and we do want to see change.

I think this game's a great opportunity to make a point, and if at some point we can, then we should.

[rupaZero]

I'm all for politicising this. This year is the best opportunity the Tibetans ever had of making their voices heard, and I want to help them to do that. What country other than China is illegally occupying a country the size of Europe and systematically undermining its cultural heritage? And on top of that, oppresses its own people too. And on top of that, is becoming the most powerful country in the world. Surely if we value democracy, no issue is more important than this one. If ever I manage to attend an event, I'm right in there with a 'Free Tibet' shirt

[brodie]

[ncfriend]

How about a more subtle t-shirt:


Labyrinthians for Tibet

ARG for peace

WorldWithoutPeace

McOverthrow

or

because 2.65 million Tibetians cant

[thebruce]

[More scuffles in the Paris leg (CNN)]

two halves to one paragraph created two feelings as I read them...

[ariock]

"causing authorities to extinguish the flame three times"

The Authorities extinguished it. Not protesters. Authorities extinguished the symbol of peace and unity merely because there were "shouting protestors." If that's not a perfect parallel to Beijing, then I don't know what is.

[thebruce]

ok, well the point wasn't so much the protestors trying to extinguish the flame (which the article doesn't say they were - rather the police had the extinguishers) as it was that the flame has to be protected from protestors.

so yes, "Police have taken numerous protesters away, some armed with fire extinguishers...The torch was being carried by a wheelchair athlete when it was halted and extinguished for a second time due to demonstrators shouting"

That doesn't change the fact that they had to protect the flame from protestors. Some did try at the very least to grab the torch, let alone disrupting its path (and this of course hasn't just happened in Paris).

[celina63]

Just an FYI for those of you who feel the need to voice your concerns regarding these Olympics - according to this map, the torch will be relayed throughout San Francisco on April 9th (the ONLY US location the Torch will make an appearance in). I haven't found a route map through the city but I'm sure some locals of the area could make some inquiries regarding this.

I'm certainly not advocating violence or extinguishing of the flame - I fully agree with thebruce that it's tremendously sad the Flame, as a symbol of peace and unity, should have to be protected - but I'm all for expression of opinion and peaceful protest.

IMO, the best protest would be signs held high, and SILENCE - no cheering, no shouting - but SILENCE in the face of the deaths of the Tibetan people, and all people who have been SILENCED by the Chinese gov't.

I wish I could make it there and participate myself - alas, I have a new job and NO vacation time, or funding for airfare to SF. But maybe a few of you could make it.

What would *really* be cool is if a training event could be held during the Relay! However, I know from reading the SF training event thread that doing it earlier wasn't working - ah, well!

As always, just my $.02 worth...

[ariock]

[Media-Wolf]

I've got to say that I agree this issue is a tricky one, however the way I see it the Olympics is one of the few things that brings the world together. I don't agree with the tactics of the protestors when they try and extinguish the flame, in my mind that takes it fom a peacfull protest to a dangerous one. I know the aim is not violent but they'd make their point with a lot more power if they stayed entirely passive. Mainly I feel bad for the people who had been given the honor of running the olympic torch and had it ruined by the protestors, and by the police. I generaly think that the Olympics themselves have done a reasonably good job of staying politicly unbiased, with a few blemishes on it's record, however look for any other organisation with a record as good as the Olympics, I expect you'd be hard pressed to find one.
I respect the views of the protestors however, but in general I think that the issue of occupation by a foreign force is a difficult one to solve. Historicaly we have a pretty shoddy record of solving it, and I'd hate to see tibet end up in a worse situation because we got involved.
Also I think there is a tendancy of people thinking that their system is better when in fact a democratic system can have as many flaws or as few as any other system. It all depends on people, people who have an understanding of human needs and can look at an issue from multiple perspectives and who generaly want the best for the planet... Sounds nice, but I ain't holding my breath!

And on the thought of some live event during the closing ceromny it would be awesome to participate in that. I'm thinking a labrynth run in the stadium right at the begining or end??? How cool will that be... I call dibs! lol... Also if that is the case we are so going to look like a bunch of nutters on international telly. I agree that a subtle message would be ace. Personnaly as we're playing an ARG, I think it should be in code or something lol.

Sorry if I've offended, I generaly believe that different POV's are vital.

[Ranger D]

China asks Olympic torch's route to be shortened

San Francisco Olympic Torch Route Announced

The route is not too far from my office, I think I'm gonna try and check it out on Wed.

[DavFlamerock]

Yeah, I saw the route in the paper the other day (forget which paper it was). It's too bad I can't go see it, since it's in 2 days. But it saddens me to hear how much people are attacking the flame... that we have to defend a symbol of peace is depressing.

Of course, by the time the stars are right, we will be like the Old Ones. Either overpopulation will put everyone into poverty or a shortage of resources will, so I'm not going to get my panties in a twist. Figuratively speaking, of course.

I'll just make the best of the time I have... and yes that means I'll play ARGs