August 7, 2008China, human rights and the OlympicsHopes that the glare of publicity from hosting the Olympics would somehow prompt China to improve its human rights record appear deflated as the games begin. China’s leaders seem as defiant and unapologetic as ever. But maybe there is still some value in the decision to allow this repressive dictatorship to host the prestigious games, we'll argue in an editorial tomorrow. Not only will China's human rights abuses be brought to the forefront, but the world will see the environmental costs of China's recent unrestrained economic growth. |
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August 7, 2008
China, human rights and the Olympics
Hopes that the glare of publicity from hosting the Olympics would somehow prompt China to improve its human rights record appear deflated as the games begin. China’s leaders seem as defiant and unapologetic as ever. But maybe there is still some value in the decision to allow this repressive dictatorship to host the prestigious games, we'll argue in an editorial tomorrow. Not only will China's human rights abuses be brought to the forefront, but the world will see the environmental costs of China's recent unrestrained economic growth.
Comments
[August 7, 2008 1:17 PM]
Ed S.I'm sure they've pre-spent some of the millions of $$ they will receive over the span of the games on hiding their dirtier secrets. I don't care for the Olympics, but I doubt that the athletes or their supporters would appreciate being political tools by having the games in a spot just to highlight that other people don't like what goes on there.
I think the money and support could have much better gone elsewhere.
[August 7, 2008 1:20 PM]
Other JohnI hope some good comes of the Games, but I won't be watching. I feel that I just can't support this year's Olympic games knowing full well that the Chinese government has a horrid record of human rights violations, plus it constantly thumbs its nose to any group or people who call them on it, not to mention their attrocious environmental controls (really the complete lack thereof) and that they seem to be continually boosting their military standing. I know I don't make much of a dent in the ratings, but if other folks look at the record of the Chinese government and their overall treatment of its citizens and the environment and are just as outraged as I am, maybe a lot lot of us can make some sort of difference.
[August 7, 2008 3:55 PM]
BUD2 items....How could the olympic committee award something as special as an olympiad to a nation with such abysmal records on human rights and the environment??
In addition, look at the poor air quality/environmental standards of china and ask why this most populated nation on earth should have been exempted from Kyoto?
[August 7, 2008 10:46 PM]
Other JohnBud, you hit it on the head. I would not have objected to Kyoto had it also brought India, China, and other heavily polluting nations under its control. As it was, Kyoto was a way to cripple the first world industrialized nations and make third world nations rich off the shift in manufacturing. If all nations were subject to the protocals, I would have been more ok with it...but still not wholly supportive because I'm increasingly finding that the GW/CC movement is more hoax-like.
[August 7, 2008 11:37 PM]
JoshWell, Leftist governments aren't really held to the same standards America is. All the rules and regulations liberals create aren't for themselves; they're only for other folks. Ergo, China gets a pass.
[August 8, 2008 8:02 AM]
Blue JohnChina shut down their coal fired power plants in an attempt to lessen the polution.
We are building new coal fired power plants.
HHHMMMMMMMM.
[August 8, 2008 8:36 AM]
Blue Johnpollution - my bad.
[August 8, 2008 10:20 AM]
John RIf only China had an EPA! Then there would be no chance that their economy would be the fastest growing in the world and their middle class the most rapidly expanding in the world.
Something tells me the Chicoms really could care less about the environmental impact of their growing economy. That is why they most likely will overtake the US as the world's super power by the end of this century and they will not be gracious winners.
Where is Al Gore when you really need him?
[August 8, 2008 10:57 AM]
Other JohnJohn R, China does have something called the Environment Ministry...but i beleive that it is mostly for show and lacks any of the power to make substantial changes that could hinder their economy. Like you said, if they had an EPA-style agency or were subject to Kyoto, their economic growth would be at a standstill because of how much pollution they generate. Maybe if the worldwide standards on environmental controls were as stringent as they are here in the US, plus the labor laws, our manufacturing base might stand a chance to compete better on the world market, rather than getting undercut by places like China that do nothing to curb pollution and have millions of workers in sweatshops getting paid less than the cost of a can of Coke per day.
[August 8, 2008 11:37 AM]
BUDBLUE.... whatchawannabet emission standards of a coal fired plant in China are a tad bit different than one in the NASTY USA??
[August 8, 2008 12:12 PM]
Blue JohnYou're right about that BUD. Everything I've read indicates there are no pollution controls in place. China relocated factories to other cities and shut down the power plants to help clear the smog.
I wonder if the air clears up if beef and broccoli will taste the same.
Did you hear that Schlitz beer is coming back?