Now that the Beijing Olympics is almost upon us the protests have started against the same. First Tibet and now the protest at Olympic Torch Rally. It is really funny that for the last 4 years nobody thought of raising the issue of Tibet and suddenly now they all want to bring the spotlight on China.
Granted China's human rights record is not all that great, but I wonder whether the protests should really interfere with the holding of Olympics.
If bad human rights is the only criteria, then protests should now start against holding the 2012 Olympics in London, because Tony Blair and his British Government lent blind support to the invasion of Iraq on false and misleading grounds which has resulted in mass killing of Iraqi civilians which is continuing even now. Or how about stopping USA from holding any Olympic Games, given its role in invading many countries in the past and its illegal occupation of Iraq.
Compared to that China atleast is improving its record gradually after its integration with the Global Economy and its economic development in the last few decades. Millions of Chinese have lifted their standard of living and the freedoms are increasing too. The World should applaud the progress being made and should encourage the same, not by protesting against or boycotting the Olympics but by more contact and engagement with China. New Zealand has gone a great step ahead by signing the Free Trade Agreement with China. Constructive Engagement will make life easy for the Chinese Civilians in the years ahead.
And who knows China may review its role in Tibet and grant more autonomy, freedom etc. And even get out of Tibet. But the world cannot expect this to happen soon just as the World is not expecting the USA to end its occupation of Iraq soon.
The point is, no country has a perfect record on Human Rights and almost in all Nations, at some point or other including the present, human rights of some sections of the populace is being violated to some degree. It is not possible to find an ideal venue to hold the Olympics.
Olympics is an International Event and should be used to promote integration and cross-pollination of ideas and culture in a sporty atmosphere. A valuable opportunity to engage China will be lost if protests and threats of boycott continue.
Olympics is not like Cricket which is played by a few nations only. For example, there was effective pressure on South Africa in the past by excluding it from International Cricket Events to apply pressure on it to relax apartheid. But it is ridiculous to organise a protest or boycott of Olympics because the spirit of Olympics is different and far more Noble.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
USA- Random thoughts
Cost of War in Iraq
One can thank George Bush and Tony Blair for prosecuting an unjust war in Iraq and in the process running into ground the American and Gloabal Economy. The cost of war to the Amricans and the British is bound to go up and up as long as the occupation of Iraq and the unwinnable war in Afganisthan continue. The dollor is seeking new lows daily, oil prices are going up and the American Banks and Companies may soon be owned by Sovereign Funds from the Middle East and other Oil Producing Countires.
But the real tragedy is the countless lives lost in Iraq and the disasters visited on the citizens and families there. It is nightmarish to think how the survivors will pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives and when can they start to do so. American soldiers and their families are another aspect of this tragic misadventure by Bush and Blair. It is pathetic that America cannot find enough money or resources to treat the wounded and traumatised soldiers coming back from the battlefield.
The mighty America has fallen a lot dragging the British along in a massive self-inflicted catastrophe.And giving Democracy a bad name in the process. I can hear the Russians laughing all the way to the Bank
Election 2008
The US Presidential race will really get interesting if McCain picks a Woman or Black as his running mate. Then he is sure to win. Clinton and Obama are splitting the Democrats and whoever is nominated will find it verydifficult to fight against a McCain slate with a Woman or Black as a running mate. May be he can go one better and select Condi Rice and thus appeal both to the Blacks and Women.
But I am afraid that McCain will prove to be 'Bush Lite' in office and will continue the policies of the present Republican Administration without much change and with little dilution. He has already stated that th USA has to be in Iraq for decades more. He is not having a great agenda on the economy either. He has confessed to his lack of understanding of financial markets. So he will be another laid-back President enjoying the privileges of Office and letting the country slide further.
One can thank George Bush and Tony Blair for prosecuting an unjust war in Iraq and in the process running into ground the American and Gloabal Economy. The cost of war to the Amricans and the British is bound to go up and up as long as the occupation of Iraq and the unwinnable war in Afganisthan continue. The dollor is seeking new lows daily, oil prices are going up and the American Banks and Companies may soon be owned by Sovereign Funds from the Middle East and other Oil Producing Countires.
But the real tragedy is the countless lives lost in Iraq and the disasters visited on the citizens and families there. It is nightmarish to think how the survivors will pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives and when can they start to do so. American soldiers and their families are another aspect of this tragic misadventure by Bush and Blair. It is pathetic that America cannot find enough money or resources to treat the wounded and traumatised soldiers coming back from the battlefield.
The mighty America has fallen a lot dragging the British along in a massive self-inflicted catastrophe.And giving Democracy a bad name in the process. I can hear the Russians laughing all the way to the Bank
Election 2008
The US Presidential race will really get interesting if McCain picks a Woman or Black as his running mate. Then he is sure to win. Clinton and Obama are splitting the Democrats and whoever is nominated will find it verydifficult to fight against a McCain slate with a Woman or Black as a running mate. May be he can go one better and select Condi Rice and thus appeal both to the Blacks and Women.
But I am afraid that McCain will prove to be 'Bush Lite' in office and will continue the policies of the present Republican Administration without much change and with little dilution. He has already stated that th USA has to be in Iraq for decades more. He is not having a great agenda on the economy either. He has confessed to his lack of understanding of financial markets. So he will be another laid-back President enjoying the privileges of Office and letting the country slide further.
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