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2012/05/27 11:56:44
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
I don't think it's a good idea to politicize the Olympics. Especially not by the British government, seeing as they complained about that Argentinian commercial thingie with the Falklands.
For thirteen years I had a dog with fur the darkest black. For thirteen years he was my friend, oh how I want him back.
2012/05/27 12:37:20
Subject: Re:Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
I don't see this as politicizing the Olympics.
The Olympics are being held in the UK, that does not absolve the UK of it's right to decide who is and is not allowed into their country. Just because the games are in town doesn't mean they have to let foreign monsters in; they have refugee visas for that.
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Powder Burns wrote:what they need to make is a fullsize leatherman, like 14" long folded, with a bone saw, notches for bowstring, signaling flare, electrical hand crank generator, bolt cutters..
2012/05/27 13:58:58
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
Like Apartheid, if a country's government is a bunch of murderous bastards, I think it's appropriate for them to be shunned in the international community.
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At the end of the day, "politicising" the games cant be avoided, because having the Olympics on doesnt mean you scrap your border controls and visa system.
Ergo, if we wouldn't let the fethers in anyway, why should we allow them in now?!
That's like the US having the games on, and then Ayman Al-Zawahiri turning up to watch the weightlifting and being granted a visa!
"Well, seeing as the Olympics is on we have to give you a visa anyway.. but you better not come back after the medals ceremony!"
We are arming Syrian rebels who support ISIS, who is fighting Iran, who is fighting Iraq who we also support against ISIS, while fighting Kurds who we support while they are fighting Syrian rebels.
2012/05/27 15:09:42
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
Mannahnin wrote:Like Apartheid, if a country's government is a bunch of murderous bastards, I think it's appropriate for them to be shunned in the international community.
Very much this. Many of the Syrian government's upper echelons barely qualify as people. And only biologically.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/05/27 15:11:20
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
2012/05/27 15:20:15
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
It's too tempting to dehumanize people who do horrible things. It's scarier to face the fact that human beings are capable of horrible gak, even in the modern world.
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More2010-2014 GT/Major RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 78-20-9 // SW: 8-1-2 (Golden Ticket with SW), BA: 29-9-4 6th Ed GT & RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 36-12-2 // BA: 11-4-1 // SW: 1-1-1
DT:70S++++G(FAQ)M++B++I+Pw40k99#+D+++A+++/sWD105R+++T(T)DM+++++ A better way to score Sportsmanship in tournaments The 40K Rulebook & Codex FAQs. You should have these bookmarked if you play this game.
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Mannahnin wrote:It's too tempting to dehumanize people who do horrible things. It's scarier to face the fact that human beings are capable of horrible gak, even in the modern world.
People who do horrible things dehumanize themselves
Although I think we're using different definitions of the terms...
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
2012/05/27 15:49:36
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
Adepticon 2015: Team Tourney Best Imperial Team- Team Ironguts, Adepticon 2014: Team Tourney 6th/120, Best Imperial Team- Cold Steel Mercs 2, 40k Championship Qualifier ~25/226
More2010-2014 GT/Major RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 78-20-9 // SW: 8-1-2 (Golden Ticket with SW), BA: 29-9-4 6th Ed GT & RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 36-12-2 // BA: 11-4-1 // SW: 1-1-1
DT:70S++++G(FAQ)M++B++I+Pw40k99#+D+++A+++/sWD105R+++T(T)DM+++++ A better way to score Sportsmanship in tournaments The 40K Rulebook & Codex FAQs. You should have these bookmarked if you play this game.
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Nations are (amongst other things) political entities. Nations are represented at the Olympics by sportsmen/women who are citizens of those nations, hence the Olympics are politicized from the outset. The only way this wouldn't be the case is if nationality was removed from the equation, but even then there's the question of gender seperation/discrimination...
Long story short; everything is political, ideology is everywhere. It's just a matter of degrees.
I think this is a fair move as long as the UK stresses the fact that Syrian athletes are still welcome to participate in the games.
The Olympics are about peace and sportsmanship, bringing the whole world together. If people are found guilty of something as terrible as human rights violations against their own people, I believe they forfeit their rights to participate in the Olympics in any way.
However, this should be dealt with on an individual level and not a national level. I think the UK is making the right move here.
2012/05/28 11:49:40
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
Albatross wrote:I think the Syrians are a special case, given the very public and unambiguous nature of their crimes.
There's ambiguity about China's? I mean they have a Nobel prize winner in jail for calling for democracy.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Or for that matter North Korea.
You are only allowed to righteous indignation and to protest against the human rights violations that are fashionable and / or PC. NK and China are passé, Syria is where its at at the moment!
2012/05/28 12:25:59
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
You are only allowed to righteous indignation and to protest against the human rights violations that are fashionable and / or PC. NK and China are passé, Syria is where its at at the moment!
Or if there's no money to be made
2012/05/28 14:07:57
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
I think it's perfectly fair to ban government officials from countries with atrocious human rights records like Syria from attending the Olympics.
I don't think there's much value to be gained from extending that ban to the athletes, though. Really, you're just jerking around some guy that's been training as hard as he can to swim 1,500 metres or throw a javelin, or whatever it is Syrians are good at.
“We may observe that the government in a civilized country is much more expensive than in a barbarous one; and when we say that one government is more expensive than another, it is the same as if we said that that one country is farther advanced in improvement than another. To say that the government is expensive and the people not oppressed is to say that the people are rich.”
Adam Smith, who must have been some kind of leftie or something.
2012/05/28 14:54:34
Subject: Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
Syria's government recently massacred 100 civilians, including 49 children, in a single incident. It's not the only one.
They don't deserve to be able to come to a western country and relax and watch games. If they do come, they should be arrested for war crimes.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/05/28 14:54:54
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
2012/05/28 15:15:19
Subject: Re:Syrian human rights violators & the Olympics
What do you replace Assad with? Many Syrians just want to continue under Assad, they want an end to the fighting. Supporting the rebels is a bad idea and will only extend the list of civilian casualties.
Look what happened to Iraq when Saddam went, look at the way Egypt is going and say that letting a disjointed rebel entity take control of Syria will make things better.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/05/28 15:15:48
What do you replace Assad with? Many Syrians just want to continue under Assad, they want an end to the fighting. Supporting the rebels is a bad idea and will only extend the list of civilian casualties.
Look what happened to Iraq when Saddam went, look at the way Egypt is going and say that letting a disjointed rebel entity take control of Syria will make things better.
What do you replace Assad with? Many Syrians just want to continue under Assad, they want an end to the fighting. Supporting the rebels is a bad idea and will only extend the list of civilian casualties.
Look what happened to Iraq when Saddam went, look at the way Egypt is going and say that letting a disjointed rebel entity take control of Syria will make things better.
