The Beijing Farce, AKA The Olympics

I’m glad I have boycotted the Olympics and not watched a single moment of it on television. You can’t hardly miss it for the media coverage online however. All of it just drives home the point that I am indeed glad to have boycotted this farce of an Olympics in China.

While President Bush was enjoying the farce and frolicking about in at the games in one of the nations with the worst human rights records in existence, one of our allies was invaded by Russia. In the meantime, it seemed like every day brought news of some athlete being disqualified, giving up their metals, deported and someone imprisoned or murdered at the Olympics. And then we have the underage Chinese gymnasts and the IOC’s cover up.

No one wants to offend China. Everyone wants to sweep things under the rug and kiss ass.

I’m not just boycotting this Olympics…I’m boycotting them all from now on. The Olympics aren’t anything but an occasional feel-good get-together these days. They have no integrity whatsoever.

And really, indoor bike racing? That’s sort of like calling golf a sport…

I suppose most people in the world prefer to watch two guys in spandex hurrying around in circles on an indoor wooden track than watch those in Tibet, Georgia and Darfur dying, though.

Russians Seize US Military Vehicles In Georgia

Russian soldiers seized American military Humvees and took some 20 Georgian soldiers prisoner, seizing the soldiers and vehicles in a key Georgian port. The vehicles were awaiting shipment back to the USA after being used in military exercises by Georgian forces before the recent fighting broke out, apparently.

How will the Bush administration address this issue? The response so far has bordered on cowardice already, and now Russia is seizing US military equipment on the home turf of an ally who has been more supportive of our efforts in the War on Terror than many NATO and EU members. This sort of outrage needs a strong response, stronger than just empty rhetoric and halting joint military exercises.

This is the same as violating an American embassy when you get right down to it. It is a blatant and provocative act, and we should return the favor. Oh wait….we don’t really have anyone in Georgia to help our allies or ourselves.

We need to demand the immediate release of our vehicles and implement punitive measures. Perhaps the EU, NATO and USA need to implement immediate sanctions against all Russian fuel exports and other goods? Let them find their market for their oil wealth suddenly shrunken and feel some economic pain. That will put a strain on their military spending and resurgent desire for military conquest.

NATO should also immediately grant membership to Belarus, Ukraine and Moldava if they want it, and then Georgia immediately after Russian withdrawal from Georgia proper. Then, NATO peacekeepers need to be sent into Georgia and the other two nations and draw a clear line, letting Russia know that Europe isn’t going to tolerate any more Russian conquest. The ONLY smart response to Russian aggression is a unified Europe. The only honorable response (though perhaps less than ideal) by the USA is to send troops and weapons systems to defend the territorial integrity of our Georgian allies and NATO allies. The eastern borders of NATO need to be strengthened.

Part of the reasons this has happened is because of the huge draw-down of our forces begun under President Clinton and the myopic and inept handling of foreign policy buy the miserably incapable Bush-Cheney administration. The whom have for the past two decades tried to steer the US military down the line of thinking that huge wars with major powers were not likely for the US and our NATO allies in Europe are finally being revealed for what they are and were–incredibly short-sighted thinkers.

America has a very real need for a greater number of certain weapons systems and more combat divisions. Relying solely on air and sea power and some light and fast pipe dream for future combat to all be against poorly armed peasants armed with shoddy weapons and sandals is ridiculous. The whole Rumsfeld/Clinton mentality is as ridiculous as the President we have leading our nation. McCain and Obama both seem woefully inadequate to deal with the problems of the world, and I have to say that Jack Cafferty raises some good points about McCain and the next President that will lead us.

I don’t think we have a good candidate in the running at all. Not one smart enough or experienced enough or strong enough to deal with the world we are facing. Our system of democracy is a sham and broken, and money and the special interest groups and corporations determine who leads us–not any merits of leadership. At this juncture in history, the next four years will be critical to the future of America and Europe. I have no confidence in McCain or Obama to be able to lead effectively. Both are content to give away America to illegal aliens while our soldiers are dying in the Middle East to protect those who hate Western civilization…while Russia is savagely mauling democracy like, well…a Russian bear.

If we’re lucky, Russia’s leaders are cocky but not bold. It’s one thing to push Georgia around, another to attempt to do so with Ukraine or Belarus. If Russia is ever going to consider actual expansionist policies, invading Ukraine and Belarus right now would be an opportunity that would be hard to pass up with the West and Europe basically doing nothing but talking and fretting, tied down in the Middle East.

A resurgent Russia is not something coming out of left field. There were many analysts who warned against just this very thing even as the USSR disintegrated. The Pentagon might want to rehire some of them to start replacing the analysts who aren’t doing a very good job for them right now.

Speaking of the Middle East and Eurasia…

There’s a very real threat to the region of Eurasa/central Asia that comes from Sino-Russian cooperation. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan ought to be very worried right about now. Russia has been going on for some time about the need to fight Islamic terrorists and separatists. The West should not drag its feet just now, not when you consider some what-if scenarios. We can only hope someone at the Pentagon isn’t so blind as to not consider something such as a joint war of convenience by Russia and China based on such a pretext and leads to the splitting of Kazakhstan and/or neighboring countries.

The destabilizing influence that would have on Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention Pakistan and India would be considerable. We should beware the potential aims of a Russia geared at domination of the Black and Caspian seas. Two other vulnerabilities exist in the form of the region of Albania, Macedonia and Greece, where Russian meddling could easily cause violence and discord. Turkey’s strategic importance is growing as a result of Russia’s invasion of Georgia (not that it hasn’t ever been strategically important, just that at this moment, it comes sharply into focus as to why it always has been for those who haven’t bothered to read their history), and stoking fires in the vicinity of Greece and Turkey might give Russian leadership a pretext for more Black Sea shenanigans.

Speaking of shenanigans…I wonder what the Irish think of this right now, and if they feel as comfortable as they do in Belarus and the Ukraine?

Strangest of all, though, is the thought that the Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili may actually be working in a covert manner with Russian leadership to set the stage for a second attack aimed at prying Georgia away from democracy and taking it back under Russian control. Russia already has 5000 troops in Armenia, and with the recent invasion of Georgia, the entire Caucasus region is filled to brimming with Russian troops and equipment.

And Turkey is expressing solidarity with Russia, which on the surface doesn’t make much sense when you consider Turkey has a region ready to break away.

Now we will see what nations have backbone and which nations are cowards and economic hostages. The WTO and the G8 are under the microscope here, as are the EU, NATO and the USA. Their responses and the weight of any response will either encourage or discourage more of the same, not only from Russia, but from other nations that might perceive weaknesses in Western resolve. We cannot afford that when Africa is considerably unstable, there are tensions in southeast Asia in multiple locales and the influence of Russian, Chinese, and Iranian governments and Middle Eastern terrorist organizations are on the rise in Latin America.

Whatever Russian intentions may be, it is unlikely they bode well for the West, the Caucasus region and the Middle East. How the West responds will determine how much harder it will be to fight the coming wars we that are almost inevitable, given history and politics and such things as global food shortages, a population explosion this century of unprecedented proportions and displacement of large populations as sea levels rise throughout the rest of the century.

Russian Expansionism Begins Again

Today Georgia launched an offensive aimed at retaking the region of South Ossetia, and Russia responded with a military invasion of South Ossetia. Heavy fighting has already taken place and neither side is showing sides of backing down just yet. What will NATO and the EU do, given that Georgia has been seeking a path to join NATO?

The hundreds are dead already and the death toll is rapidly rising as the conflict rapidly escalates.

NATO ought to be nipping a second Iron Curtain in the bud, and supporting Georgia, demanding a Russian withdrawal from Georgia. Even if not already a member of NATO, how will it look to a prospective future member if it gets no support when standing up to the number one threat NATO has faced since its inception?

If something isn’t done here, now, in Georgia…we’re going to see more of it soon. Only an idiot would think otherwise. History bears it out. While the West is fighting its global war on terror, Russia is ramping up its militancy. So is China. China especially has been spreading arms and military logistics and training in a variety of places, from Africa to South America. Russia has been testing NATO with its bomber and fighter fly-overs into NATO and EU airspace–and probably laughing about the lack of any reaction.

Now, when the West is showing signs of wear and tear from the war on terror is the perfect time for Russian expansionist urges to begin playing out, and that’s just what we’re seeing. This isn’t some spur of the moment scuffle in the Caucasus region, but something that has been brewing for quite some time. I have $5 that says as US troops begin withdrawing from the Middle East (especially with an apparent timetable for withdrawal from Iraq at hand) American soldiers will end up in Eastern Europe. Any takers?

As Georgia’s President Mikhail Saakashvili says, this is something Russia has been building up for over the course of several months, and even years. NATO and the EU and the USA have a tough choice to make–to support a country who is seeking democracy and to preserve their freedom, or to do nothing and let Russia do what it did for half a century.

It is alarming how the media is ignoring this story, all to focus on the Olympics in China, where human rights mean nothing. How disgusting. Western media doesn’t want to focus on this story because the West has grown cowardly it seems. We’re fine shooting poorly armed guys running about in the open desert in their robes and sandals, but not willing to confront a real, professional military it seems. No one in Europe wants to face Russia.

And Georgia, let’s not forget, has supported the US effort in the Middle East. Ignoring Georgia now is doing the same cowardly things the appeasers did when Hitler began his expansionism. Is President Bush going to support a fledgling democracy, or is he once again going to make America look like spineless cowards and weaklings with no moral backbone?

From Georgia, today…

When Russian and Abkhazian forces invaded northern Georgia in May…

China Makes Olympics Political, Bans Darfur Activist

You see, President Bush? Once again your ignorance of issues has made America look stupid. You are too morally decrepit and cowardly to boycott some fucking games over genocide, and the Chinese make you look like a fool. The Chinese revoked the visa of an athlete activist who has the guts to speak out about Darfur and the Chinese involvement, speed skater and gold medalist Joey Cheek (who was not going to compete, but to support fellow athletes).

How utterly gutless of the Chinese.

The worst part of it is that you, President Bush, make all Americans look bad and uncaring. As a leader you should represent the best of what our country is—instead, you represent the worst. Right along with the Olympic committee and the American athletes competing, you show no consideration for issues of humanitarian concern. I suppose that’s to be expected from a President that advocates torture, though, eh?

One more reason to be disgusted with America, those leading it, and the Olympics as a whole. I won’t be watching the Olympics again. I’m going to boycott the whole thing the rest of my life….for whatever that accomplishes. The gutless media outlets and networks too cowardly to take the Chinese government to task won’t get any viewing or reading from me.

In fact, I may vote Democrat this Fall just to protest President Bush’s horrible choice to attend the Beijing Olympics. I am pretty sure I don’t have anything made in China whatsoever, but I’m going to make sure and damn sure not buy another Chinese item.

Time For Nations To Boycott The Olympics And China

With China’s latest crackdown on the people of Tibet, it is clear that the time has come for the world to take a stand together and hold the Chinese government to account. The Dalai Lama recently called what China is doing “cultural genocide” and I don’t think any reasonable person with eyes or ears can really dispute that.

With many nations supporting and recognizing Kosovo’s independence, will they now do nothing to support the people of Tibet when they are being brutalized by the Chinese government? I think the hypocrisy of the developed nations of the world will be seen as clearly as can be when they refuse to boycott the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. It is, like most everything in the sad world we have shaped, about money.

If China were suffer the embarrassment of losing the Olympic games, it would send several messages—and not just to China, but to all other nations as well. It would tell them that while they may be part of the international community, their human rights abuses and oppression will not be rewarded.

And that is what hosting the Olympic games is, it is a reward. Not just economically, but in the form of prestige. It is time the Olympics remember the intent behind their origins. It was far more than just a celebration of athletic prowess—it should not be forgotten that the winner was awarded a crown of olive leaves in ancient times, a symbol of peace and hope. Such things have been forgotten and it has become nothing more than a source of advertising revenue and political snobbery for many decades now.

China does not deserve to host the Olympics, and nations should either boycott the Beijing Olympics or request that it be moved. It would not be that hard to do, and it would show determination by the international community to say “We will not tolerate oppression and human rights abuses against the people of Tibet.”

It won’t happen though. People will say it will rob athletes of opportunities, or that contracts and broadcasting logistics make it impractical. People of little moral worth will find many reasons not to do the right thing, which is to not honor China with the Olympics—because that government is the antithesis of everything those games represent. The Chinese government has invaded and brutalized Tibet and is robbing it of its cultural heritage, of hope and the peace Tibetans seek.

How can you not be moved when people are protesting and using non-violent means to seek their independence? The world pays so much attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and makes much ado of the violence, yet tolerates it year after year. Tibetans protesting peacefully have been ignored, and some have taken the most drastic steps you can imagine, such as self-immolation.

[Note: You may find this video interesting, but it contains graphic footage of a Tibetan hunger striker who eventually set himself on fire during a protest. It is almost beyond comprehension, the amount of courage, desperation, and willpower it takes to do so---and to have your hands clasped together, praying and begging for freedom as you burn. Tibetan Exiles Grow Impatient In India ]

Sadly, because the international community has ignored the plight of Tibet, the people of that country are turning to more violent protests. The situation is on the verge of becoming another Kosovo, with actual genocide and needless deaths because people no longer want to be governed by a government they feel does not represent them and that does not fulfill the covenant between the governed and the government. The International Olympic Committee refuses to wade into the issue at all, and has shown itself to be completely and utterly devoid of ethics or compassion.

As a result, the situation is deteriorating and will only continue to do so. Those governments too cowardly to boycott, and the IOC will bear much of the burden of blame for the deaths that are to come in Tibet.

The games are still months away. There is time for the international community to take a stand. Sadly, I don’t expect anyone will. Stephen Spielberg shames the governments of the world. He pulled out of his involvement in the Beijing Olympics over China’s involvement in the crisis in Darfur (China’s arms sales have gone up noticeably during the crisis).

Since the games are about nothing more than money these days, I don’t expect any governments to do anything. Moral courage is elusive among the world’s governments…even when it involves nothing more than saying “no.” It was no big thing to carve Kosovo away from Serbia—China, with its vast military and economic resources is another matter altogether.

No one wants to incur the wrath of the dragon by telling it that it is acting like a monster.

Sadly, Tibet may have to endure genocide before the international community finds the will to act, but even then, that is no guarantee. Just look at Darfur. It will in the end probably require the people of Tibet to take up arms and fight for what they want. That is the sad truth of the world in which we live. Money causes governments and people to turn a blind eye until something intrudes on their life so much that they can no longer pretend to others that they were unaware of a situation and fear looking bad or to lack compassion.

Freedom is not free. But the Olympics could help lower the cost.

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Update 1, 03-18-2008: There is talk about a partial boycott of the opening ceremonies now and it appears to be gaining momentum.

Update 2, 03-18-2008: The Dalai Lama has said he may step down as the political leader in exile of Tibet as a result of the growing unrest and violence, while maintaining his spiritual leadership. He does not approve of the violent protests. It may soon become something beyond peaceful protest however. I personally think this year will be the turning point and that a Tibetan insurgency will have begun by the year’s end as younger Tibetans decide they can no longer tolerate waiting on political processes nor count on peaceful protest. If the political leaders of the world do not apply a tremendous amount of pressure on the government of China and give them cause to rethink their approach to governance and the independence of Tibet, the situation will gradually steer further away from the possibility of a peaceful resolution. If the Dalai Lama steps down, it will be just the fractious political development that will leave a leadership vacuum perfect for those with more radical views on achieving independence to step in and take advantage of the lack of a central figure in Tibetan nationalism.

In The Space Of A Heartbeat, In The Span Of One Breath

I’m not sure what to think of this story, except that is sad in so many ways.

The CEO of a Chinese toy manufacturer committed suicide when the company’s products were recalled due to use of lead-based paint. It is apparently common in China for disgraced officials to commit suicide, but what makes this case sad is that it is not clear that this fellow was allowing this to happen intentionally.

It seems that his best friend sold him the paint, which had too much lead in it. It is easy to see how in China, with the newness of modern capitalism and the size of the population and the employment/working conditions that any manufacturer would feel a lot of pressure to succeed. Yet, the constant drive to maximize profit and feed the monster of the bottom line is a rotting disease in the minds of modern humankind.

Sometimes, you simply need what will work, and what will get you by…and not the best or the most. Quite often, the path to the most is the worst way to travel.

As I have said before, I truly believe those companies and individuals who cannot or will not embrace the principles of living economies—and the notion that an acceptable return (as opposed to a maximum return) is inherently better not just for business, but for life—will find themselves struggling in the business world of the future…

Chinese-Swiss Army Knives And Turning Holy Cities Into Glass

Just to show how the World Trade Organization is so ridiculously a mistake, I give you the most perfect example. The world famous Swiss Army knife’s new production must be tendered to the all members of the WTO for bidding, according to the Swiss Army.

A lot of people think China may end up winning the bid. China already counterfeits the knives as it is, but the prospect of official Swiss Army knives being made in China has stirred the passions of many around the world, who want to see the Swiss making Swiss Army knives.

Some changes are so plainly pathetic as to discredit the very impetus behind the change.

Take Senator John McCain, for example…

Why American Democracy Is Failing

American style democracy is showing many flaws and weaknesses—something that it began doing quite some time ago. However, since the start of the 21st century, hairline fractures have turned into major cracks in the foundation. And they continue to grow.

Our government is failing in all the fundamental requirements and responsibilities of a government: national defense, secure borders, opportunities, looking out for the interests of those who consent to be governed, and providing for future generations into posterity…

A Year By The Water Dragon

I found an interesting article on the history and name of the Imjin River in South Korea. I spent a year stationed on the north side of the river, between it and the DMZ, back when Freedom Bridge still existed. While we were an infantry unit, we were technically assigned as Military Police guarding the bridge. It was quite a memorable year.

I often wondered what the name meant, but never knew…

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