olympic spirit banned from games
by Carl Fitch
Published: August 1, 2008
In response to criticisms regarding China’s recent crackdown on Olympic-related extracurricular activity, China’s security director for the Beijing Olympic Committee stated, “We do want to have a festive atmosphere at venues,” and, ”Most of our measures are in line with past Games practices.”
If past Olympic Games also included bans on foreign entertainers who have “threatened the national sovereignty” of the host country, clothing with “identical designs,” the unfurling of banners (like “Go Team Go!” or “Mao Was A Total Loser!”), migrant workers, political malcontents and the operations of certain bars and night clubs - if that’s the case, then the security director is right on. It’s Olympics as usual in Beijing.
So to help enforce the litany of “typical” Olympic-style restrictions, the government has enlisted the help of the nearly 18 million residents of Beijing through a neighborhood watch-type program. The locals have been asked to ”volunteer” their time looking for people exhibiting suspicious behaviors. Of course, by ”volunteer” the government means “report 3 people to the authorities before the opening ceremonies or else!” It’s a tough job, but nearly 18 million people are doing it. Ann Murphy, a law professor from Gonzaga who just returned from Beijing, claimed that she was questioned many times over the month by the police and other local officials. The whole process made her feel like she was being “stalked.”
How fun!
Oh! I almost forgot - most outdoor gatherings are also banned. I say “almost” because anybody can have an outdoor gathering so long as they can guarantee that the “sovereignty” of China will not be threatened, that people won’t wear similar clothes and that no one will “unfurl” a dreaded banner. So that shouldn’t be too problematic. Aren’t those measures that most hosts of outdoor events are familiar with?
However, though many neighborhood watch groups have formed, it would be irresponsible to suggest that the locals are merrily towing the party line. Any compliance on the part of the people of Beijing is probably more closely tied to a fear of being sent to a detention center (I’m not being facetious here. That’s what they’re doing with those who fall out of line) then a whole-hearted acceptance of the mandate. Unfortunately for the Olympic Spirit, the forecast calls for a heavy dose of government-enforced good behavior.
Hong Huang, a blogger and Beijing resident, bemoans the fate of the Games, stating, ”This is all going to make people feel that we’re somehow still living in a police state, which is unfortunate.”
Well, Mr. Huang, you are living in a police state. In the most recent Reporters Without Borders Annual World Press Freedom Index, China placed 163 out of 169. Not to mention the fact that your country can consistently claim roughly 90% of all of the world’s capital punishments and though your constitution guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of religion and universal suffrage - everyone knows that’s a joke.
So, to the Olympic revelers who will be denied freedom of association for a couple weeks and to the permanent residents who have been denied that and more all their lives, I restate the only accurate part of the Beijing bloggers’ quote: it “is unfortunate.”
—
(email this article or post to social network)
—
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:07 am
The only “unfortunate” part about the Olympics is the fact that the basketball event, which has recently become quite competitive, will return to another boring American drubbing of NBA wannabees.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Can someone please explain the “clothing with identical designs” bit? What on earth can that possibly be about? I must know the answer! Help me!
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Commies have long been persecuted for their lack of fashion sense. You know, men and women all wearing the same grey, proletarian jumpsuit. It’s got to be the party leadership saying no to past fashion errors. It’s a sign of progress.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Ya know the word Commies adds color to ur statement, maybe the word REDS would have been a better descriptor…or yellows,,,,or (pick a color of your choice)….
Just fer fun……..:)
August 5th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
The “identical clothing” ban is suppose to keep people from being able to relay messages in a crowd. How’s that for awesome?
August 8th, 2008 at 12:30 am
On a lighter note, the greatest slow jam in history is “Just My Imagination” by The Temptations.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
For all the people who wanted to boycott the Olympics, I say “Let’s all go!”
Maybe if more American’s saw what the alternatives to a democratic republic were really like, we wouldn’t have so many people complaining about all the “oppression” they experience here in the state.
You know, like all those people we forced into our voluntary military for the war in Iraq . . . oh wait, that WAS voluntary. What did they think they would do if they joined?
Or those poor oppressed people here in America who receive Medicaid, Foodstamps, Housing Assistance, Heat assistance, tax refunds, tax rebates, and mortgage bailouts, but they still have to foot their own cable bill. (Please don’t think I am totally heartless. There are people who need actual help, but they are best served by private charitable organizations and citizens, not socialized government programs.)
And finally, what about those poor oppressed people who cross borders illegally and then demand all of the freebies listed above. (I am NOT against legal immigration, but I am against breaking the law. Period.)
Perhaps a government subsized program to allow all American’s a trip to these Olympics might just help us get our priorities in order over here. Perhaps.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
There are four ways in which you can spend money. You can spend your own money on yourself. When you do that, why then you really watch out what you’re doing, and you try to get the most for your money. Then you can spend your own money on somebody else. For example, I buy a birthday present for someone. Well, then I’m not so careful about the content of the present, but I’m very careful about the cost. Then, I can spend somebody else’s money on myself. And if I spend somebody else’s money on myself, then I’m sure going to have a good lunch! Finally, I can spend somebody else’s money on somebody else. And if I spend somebody else’s money on somebody else, I’m not concerned about how much it is, and I’m not concerned about what I get. And that’s government. And that’s close to 40% of our national income.