The media has seemingly overlooked the globalpr possibilities of what is soon to come in the 2008 Olympics. While focusing primarily on the domestic going-ons, they have skipped over the true global situation that is upon us, and I am worried.
With the Global Games in Beijing creeping closer and closer upon us, there lies great tension in the air over the political strategy of Western nations. Where as a truly advanced nation tries to avoid diplomatic conflict, sometimes it is unavoidable, and that is a scary reality for the United States.
The world's political distress comes as a result of the location of these games. The "People's Republic of" China, seemingly stands for everything America does not. Brutal punishment methods are a hallmark to the government machine, the freedom of the speech and press are greatly limited if they are even suspected of containing the slightest bit of anti-government sentiment, and the laws keeping the stability of the nation do not seem to care for their inhabitants (however impractical it may be).
China is a nation attempting to hit the future while maintaining the past. President Hu Jintao, however more progressive and Western he is compared to previous leaders, is still a communist dictator. He presides over unjust law, whether it effects the delinquent Chinese citizens who are unwillingly subjects to cruel and experimental testing while in prison, or the hard-laborers who lose their lives thanks to mine collapses as the government hadn't checked on the safety of the working conditions. The country seems very much like the Soviet Union, something that surely wasn't the primary goal of the socialist state.
Internationally, the country has been arguably worse. Ever since the beginning of the communist regime in the mid-twentieth century, Taiwan has been an enemy island as it originally housed the Nationalists who failed to sieze the country when the power was up for grabs. Ever since, the small island "nation", as America sees it, has wanted its independence from the socialist state it is attached to by law. If they were to ever declare their independence, The People's Republic of China has clearly stated that they would be willing to retake the island by force. On the other hand, the United States and several other outside entities have pledged support for the island if they indeed were to be attacked by the homeland. Don't be surprised if this eternal struggle progresses during the 2008 Olympic season.
In addition, the news has recently been populated by the scandal in Tibet, which all stemmed out of the small nation's monks protesting in support of a few Chinese-jailed colleagues. When small-scale violence and looting began to take place within the country, China attempted to take control by futher-occupying the country militarily. This has sparked outrage throughout the globe, and has first come into full-view in the running of the torch.
Many people throughout the world disagree with the international relations and human rights violations that China has glided by in previous years, as now each and every person more-or-less has a say. It is the country's time to shine, but other nations around the world are speaking out against its unjust practices. A multinational "emotion brigade" is being built and the participation of said nations are being questioned. One of said nations is the United States- which has many politicians calling for a partial involvement of Americans in certain activities. Only time will tell whether or not the country has the guts to go through with it.
Regardless, Peter Parker's (Spiderman) grandfather once warned him that, "with great power comes great responsibility." Unfortunately, his webbed hands aren't those in question. The countries that are developing power right now are those that have been in a power struggle with China. The world is growing more-and-more fed up with the communist nation and its practices, and in some cases (like Taiwan) has already pledged support.
Just imagine for a moment what the world situation would be like if Taiwan were to declare independence during or immediately prior to the Games. There would be two options on behalf of the Chinese government. One, they could simply ignore and deal with the issue when out of full-sight, or they could deal with it head on. Their track record, although inconclusive, shows a general siding with the latter, a strategy that should scare all people in favor of world-wide peace.
The United States, as well as many other Western nations, are already bothered by the oppressive country, and although the Red Scare is far behind us a fear of communism could still bring an impulsivity to our actions. American decision-makers put all their brainpower into achieving what is best diplomatically for the entire globe, but we are coming upon a new era and the world is rapidly changing. We are no longer in the twentieth century. The international scene is re-energized, and rapidly the situation is becoming more and more unstable.
Be it a lack of peace in the Middle East, or battling the Beast in the Far East, warring is still an everyday occurrence. And even the smallest of actions could tip the world into something catastrophic, just ask the assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. One small move for independence or an act of violence against a major country could easily tip the state from non-aggressive to a full-scale war. And the Mutually Assured Destruction we were so afraid of in the 1980s would likely become a reality.
Right now, nothing of the sort seems to be in motion. But with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity put in front of a nation looking to get back at the evils of the Communist dictatorship, one can only wonder what lies ahead for our world. It pains me to say, but the playing of sports with the intentions of bringing the world together could do the exact opposite.
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5 months ago
Poor analysis. Taiwanese are Han Chinese too. By investigating the poll, you will know how independence are not appreciated in Taiwan. Greater power may come with greater power abuse. That's what the United States is all about. 99.99% Tibetans can not be fooled by exiled Tibetan lobbyists, however, westerners can, definitely. Taiwanese are smarter much more than westerners on this issue. You know how many Taiwanese are residing in Shanghai? More than total exile Tibetan poluplation around the world. They voted for anti-independence candidate.
from 5 months ago
Poor A, You are right and wise. So what?
Ma Ying-jeou should attend the Olympics opening ceremony?
Please Teach Us More. Han Chinese's Beliefs are only "Power" and "Numbers"?
WHERE ARE THE 11th Panchen Lama GEDHUN CHOEKYI NYIMA AND HIS FAMILY NOW?
Does telling about him offend CHINA? why?
Carrefour did hit Chinese? So will you revenge them? Or, do native people in Canberra attack you? What do you defend from attacker? Chinese? China? Or Olympics? Our poor torch? But wasn't the person who had attacked to the "Little Girl" in the wheelchair "Chinese"? At least, Falun Gong says so. I don't know it's true or not, but if we really hate non-sense violence, why can't you criticize such a silly official photographer of the communist newspaper? He hit marchers of the foreign country with his camera, and he is boasting of it on the Beijing Olympic official web. Why can't we call him a foolish violence ideologist? Is he hero? You kidding! When we see such a Silly Official articles on YOUR Olympic web and then piss off you, China want to erase me by their "Power" and "Numbers" for their pride? BUT WHY? China want to say, the pride competition or the torch meeting should be the Olympics Sporting items? Kidding?
Pakistan made the torch relay a closed-door in Stadium, and you may believe "It is Great Success".
Chinese media never report it. Only western media did Stupid report? You kidding? Is it a communist joke?
China is the strongest, the wisest, and the greatest country in the world. SO, WE DON'T CARE.
If you want to insist your pride, do it please as much as you like and bore our earth and annoy us.
BOAST YOUR NUMBERS AND WISDOMS !! WE DON'T CARE.
I will not watch the torch relay and the opening ceremony.
We are expecting a peaceful, cool games. We love sports.
Ceremonies for politicians is not a kind of Sports.
from 5 months ago
Poor A,
You are right and wise. So what?
Ma Ying-jeou should attend the Olympics opening ceremony?
Please Teach Us More. Han Chinese's Beliefs are only "Power" and "Numbers"?
WHERE ARE THE 11th Panchen Lama GEDHUN CHOEKYI NYIMA AND HIS FAMILY NOW?
Does telling about him offend CHINA? why?
Carrefour did hit Chinese? So will you revenge them? Or, do native people in Canberra attack you? What do you defend from attacker? Chinese? China? Or Olympics? Our poor torch? But wasn't the person who had attacked to the "Little Girl" in the wheelchair "Chinese"? At least, Falun Gong says so. I don't know it's true or not, but if we really hate non-sense violence, why can't you criticize such a silly official photographer of the communist newspaper? He hit marchers of the foreign country with his camera, and he is boasting of it on the Beijing Olympic official web. Why can't we call him a foolish violence ideologist? Is he hero? You kidding! When we see such a Silly Official articles on YOUR Olympic web and then piss off you, China want to erase me by their "Power" and "Numbers" for their pride? BUT WHY? China want to say, the pride competition or the torch meeting should be the Olympics Sporting items? Kidding?
Pakistan made the torch relay a closed-door in Stadium, and you can believe "It is Great Success".
Only western media did Stupid report? You kidding? Is it a communist joke?
China is the strongest, the wisest, and the greatest country in the world. SO, WE DON'T CARE.
If you want to insist your pride, do it please as much as you like and bore our earth and annoy us.
I will not watch the torch relay and the opening ceremony.
We are expecting a peaceful, cool games. We love sports.
Ceremonies for politicians are not a kind of Sports.
BOAST YOUR FAVORITE NUMBERS AND YOUR WISDOMS!! WE DON'T CARE!!
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