Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

[tzarinna]

The flame's been lit and the torch is on the move.

131 Days Left to go.

http://www.olympic.org/uk/index_uk.asp
http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/beijing/index_uk.asp
http://en.beijing2008.cn/

Torch Route

March 24 Lighting Ceremony at Olympia
March 24--29 Torch Relay in Greece
March 30 Greece Hand-over Ceremony
March 31 Beijing
April 1 Heading to Almaty
April 2 Almaty
April 3 Istanbul
April 5 St. Petersburg
April 6 London
April 7 Paris
April 9 San Francisco
April 11 Buenos Aires
April 13 Dar es Salaam

Schedule (http://en.beijing2008.cn/cptvenues/schedule/)


I'm looking forward to Cycling, Fencing and Gymnastics. I'll probably watch a few other events.

[04nbod]

its the best prepared games ever, their stadium was built before the athens games started! However with how the country has been behaving it would be a good sign if no foreigners went

[E. Nygma]

USA hoops better win gold, thats all i care about

[tzarinna]

Yeah, with all the controversy going on behind this should make it quite interesting. I also heard athletes are concerned about the poor air quality affecting their performance.

I've checked accomodations and found some hostels available, I'm just not willing to shell out over $2K to go. I can make the sacrifice in stay at a hostel to see the summer games.

[Kelly]

Boycotting.......won't be shown on my TV.....



Not that that matters to anyone but me......but in my apartment.....I matter.....*wink*

[BlackLantern]

all it takes is one student protest to go wrong and suddenly the world is watching China shoot protesters again....I don't understand how China got the Olympics anyway...

[Addendum]

The IOC selected them back in 2001.

[BlackLantern]

The IOC selected them back in 2001.

retards....

[Banshee]

Couple of my friends who I used to swim with in high school are looking to qualify in the 200 back and distance free events. Should be cool to see people I used to beat have a bid at the olympics.

[BlackLantern]

Couple of my friends who I used to swim with in high school are looking to qualify in the 200 back and distance free events. Should be cool to see people I used to beat have a bid at the olympics.

well you're here on the Hype and they have a shot at the Olympics....seems about fair....:oldrazz:

[Spidey-Bat]

I wish the US would boycott it. Not only do I believe Tibet should be an independent nation but I don't want to go a month without Conan.

[Kelly]

*sighs*....yeah, US boycotting would be great....BUT one thing I also understand is that, since we have opened up a solid trade network with them....they have come a long way in the human rights area.......they have a long way to go...............but they have made grand steps.....I would hate for our boycotting the Olympics there to hurt that relationship.

I actually wish that the Olympic Committee had been smarter in their choice of city.

[Ahura Mazda]

We are a long way from a boycott.

[BlackLantern]

so twice now the Olympic Torch has had to be snuffed and the torchbearer escorted out of an area by security due to mass protests....this is not a good start to things.

[rdh007]

The pollution thing should be fun to watch.

"It looks like the Americans won, Bob; but I just can't see for sure since we're 100 yards away."

[ray243]

I wish the US would boycott it. Not only do I believe Tibet should be an independent nation but I don't want to go a month without Conan.

Great, so you are perfectly fine if the CSA formally break away from the USA then?

Do you know what kind of ****hole Tibet is? Having slavery in the 20th century until the communist take away their precious system.

And bear in mind that the MAJORITY of the people living in tibet does not want indepedence?

And in regards to pollution? China will be turning off their factory for the olympics...

[Matt]

so twice now the Olympic Torch has had to be snuffed and the torchbearer escorted out of an area by security due to mass protests....this is not a good start to things.

I think it is a shame. The Olympics should be about putting aside our differences and coming together. No protests, no fights, just for once, every 4 years, the world is unified.

[Shifty]

*sighs*....yeah, US boycotting would be great....BUT one thing I also understand is that, since we have opened up a solid trade network with them....they have come a long way in the human rights area.......they have a long way to go...............but they have made grand steps.....I would hate for our boycotting the Olympics there to hurt that relationship.

I actually wish that the Olympic Committee had been smarter in their choice of city.

As do I.

2008 Host City Election — ballot results
City Country (NOC) Round 1 Round 2

Beijing China 44 56
Toronto Canada 20 22
Paris France 15 18
Istanbul Turkey 17 9
Osaka Japan 6 —

[Alex The Great]

And the Torch was ALMOST burnt out. oy...china....really?

[BlackLantern]

I think it is a shame. The Olympics should be about putting aside our differences and coming together. No protests, no fights, just for once, every 4 years, the world is unified.

Matt...do me a favor...I want you to stop, take a deep breath and pull your head out of your ***....the world we live in thrives on conflict, to think we would put our own nature aside for the sake of "unity" is a bit naive...

[ray243]

Matt...do me a favor...I want you to stop, take a deep breath and pull your head out of your ***....the world we live in thrives on conflict, to think we would put our own nature aside for the sake of "unity" is a bit naive...

Hmm...somehow I doubt that previous olympic games have THAT much politcial influence...

[Odin's Lapdog]

these games are going to be overshadowed by the actual politics behind them.

it's a shame for all the people competing. Those are the ones who suffer the most....

from that as well as the polution...

[ray243]

these games are going to be overshadowed by the actual politics behind them.

it's a shame for all the people competing. Those are the ones who suffer the most....

from that as well as the polution...

In regards to pollution, I think u should check out this rather recent article.

US isn't much better than china in terms of pollution.



Just where is all that global warming pollution coming from?
The Northeast pumps out an awful lot of carbon dioxide, but the Southeast, Midwest and Southern California are also responsible for voluminous pollution that billows out each day.
The precise sources of carbon dioxide have now been mapped, with 100 times more detail than was previously available, by Vulcan project researchers at Purdue University.
The high-resolution, interactive maps combine emissions data from power plants, factories and vehicles, and produces maps and movies that compare the relative contribution of pollution from various parts of the country on an hourly basis. One of the most striking things one sees when watching the animations is the day-night "breathing" cycle of our pollution, with a long exhale of pollution all day, followed by a sharp decline each night. Seasonal spikes – such as those when hot days prompt millions of Americans to turn up their air conditioners – are also evident.
The maps also highlight an important political reality: While states in the Northeast, upper Midwest and West have agreed to state-level compacts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the nation's pollution won't be significantly cut until the South joins in. Depending on the estimate, the U.S. is the world's biggest, or second-biggest (next to China) producer of greenhouse gas emissions; it produces 25% of the world's carbon dioxide pollution, the key ingredient in atmospheric change fueling global warming.
"Before now the only thing policy-makers could do was take a big blunt tool and bang the U.S. economy with it," said Kevin Gurney, an assistant professor of earth and atmospheric science at Purdue University and leader of the project. "Now we have more quantifiable information about what is happening in neighborhoods, on roads and in industrial areas, and track the CO2 by the hour. This offers policy-makers something akin to a scalpel instead."


http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/carbon-sources-47040802?kw=ist



When US pollution level is comparable to china, yet the US is supposed to be a developed country as compared to a developing country...

I don't think pollution should be a issue for americans in regards to the pollution in china.

Take a look at the backyard first.

[The Riddler]

I wish the US would boycott it. Not only do I believe Tibet should be an independent nation but I don't want to go a month without Conan.

how do you justify tibet being an independent nation?

[BlackLantern]

The torch relay is scheduled to start its us leg in San Francisco tomorrow....the public reaction may dictate the Olympic commission deciding to suspend the rest of the torch relay...

[Alex The Great]

This Years olympics = :down
2010 = :up:

[BlackLantern]

i'm excited for the 2012 games in London...the soccer matches should be ridiculous

[ray243]

This Years olympics = :down
2010 = :up:

Yeah yeah, the olympics somehow must be hosted by a western nation so that it can be approved...

[BlackLantern]

no the Olympics must be hosted by a nation that isn't a communist state to be apporved

[Odin's Lapdog]

In regards to pollution, I think u should check out this rather recent article.

US isn't much better than china in terms of pollution.


http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/carbon-sources-47040802?kw=ist



When US pollution level is comparable to china, yet the US is supposed to be a developed country as compared to a developing country...

I don't think pollution should be a issue for americans in regards to the pollution in china.

Take a look at the backyard first.
Well I'm in no doubt that the state pollutes, however I'm more about the fact you can visual see a smog in areas of beijing and the marathon takes place in hot conditions at altitude with a poor quality of air.

[Matt]

Matt...do me a favor...I want you to stop, take a deep breath and pull your head out of your ***....the world we live in thrives on conflict, to think we would put our own nature aside for the sake of "unity" is a bit naive...

Naive, maybe, but it is a nice sentiment. The Olympic Torch being snuffed out because protestors were blocking its path just seems wrong.

[BlackLantern]

The protesters are already on deck in San Francisco

[Shifty]

The torch relay is scheduled to start its us leg in San Francisco tomorrow....the public reaction may dictate the Olympic commission deciding to suspend the rest of the torch relay...

Hitler must be spinning in his grave.

[Kelly]

The torch relay is scheduled to start its us leg in San Francisco tomorrow....the public reaction may dictate the Olympic commission deciding to suspend the rest of the torch relay...


Awesome.....




Keep it up people........KEEP IT UP.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:yay:

[Alex The Great]

that went well :o

[Alex The Great]

Yeah yeah, the olympics somehow must be hosted by a western nation so that it can be approved...
no,no,no. Canada is a fine naition. You don't see us starting wars, Killing innecont people, Having planes smash into our skyscrapers. And besides, Canada is sooooo into it with sports.

I'm just gonna watch the 08 olympics to see some crazy protester do something. bring on the chaos!

[tzarinna]

Are you going to any of the games in '10?
I've applied to volunteer, but I'll still go to the games if I'm not selected to volunteer.

[Alex The Great]

yeah. i live in calgary. so it'd be a kinda long drive. but be so worth it. GO canada!

[tzarinna]

I agree, I'm no where near it and nothing will keep me from going....okay the lack of funds might.

Hell, I went to the games in Torino and the Canadians were in full force at the hockey game against Germany. I'll make an attempt to put my video of the mass of red and white up on youtube one of these days. :yay:

[Alex The Great]

yeah. This years olympic aint gonna be so great. ''And here comes the runners i beleive. yes there about 100 yards away from us now....I think. This smog isn't really helping the outcome of this game, and OH! 2 runners ran right into eachother...i think. it's like being inside a white cave out there''

[Matt]

Are you going to any of the games in '10?
I've applied to volunteer, but I'll still go to the games if I'm not selected to volunteer.

Speaking of 2010, who do you guys think will light the torch? My money is on Lemieux.

[tzarinna]

I remember there was a ****ty turn out for the games when they were held in Rome. They were getting desperate to fill seats. I wanted to find a way there once I heard that. :crazylady:

[BlackLantern]

I will light it....with a fart and a cigarette lighter....

[tzarinna]

Speaking of 2010, who do you guys think will light the torch? My money is on Lemieux.

I hadn't really thought too much about it.

[ray243]

Awesome.....




Keep it up people........KEEP IT UP.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:yay:

Smack heads...

The last time the west thinks that simple idealisim is going to help a country, like removing a dictator in Iraq will solve the Human rights issue....Iraq becomes a ****hole.

A worse state than it was under saddam.

If Tibet become as worse state than it was today when china grant tibet indepedence...most of the protestors will just say opps and do nothing about it.


At this rate, we might as well start a protest during the next london olympic torch relay....and stop it.

Demanding England give Falklands back to Argentina ...don't care if the majority living in the Falklands don't want to go back to Argentina .


Seriously, how many people is even aware of what is REALLY happening in tibet when they start the protest, or support the protest?

The issue in tibet is a double edge sword really, sadly with selective reporting done by the so called liberal media...

People don't fully understand the sistuation.





And in regards to the smog and etc, the chinese will just turn off the factories during the olympics, so it's not that bad.

Although that is just a short term solution.

[kane9321]

Pissed me off..yesterday i waited to see the torch run pass..Only to be diaspointed that they changed the damned route:(

[Alex The Great]

Speaking of 2010, who do you guys think will light the torch? My money is on Lemieux.
Gretzky? the prime minister at the time? You? Me? Bob Sanders?
Who knows. Now sit back and watch the stupid beijing chaos unfold :up::down

[Addendum]

no the Olympics must be hosted by a nation that isn't a communist state to be apporved

approved by whom

[BlackLantern]

approved by whom

The global community....people who oppose Communism and support human rights.

[Addendum]

Actually, all they need is the approval of the IOC, since they are the ones that vote on where the next Olympics are held.

[BlackLantern]

Actually, all they need is the approval of the IOC, since they are the ones that vote on where the next Olympics are held.

so when the Chinese authorities decide to go Weapons free on protestors during the Games will you still be supportive of them being held in China?

[Addendum]

so when the Chinese authorities decide to go Weapons free on protestors during the Games will you still be supportive of them being held in China?

The Olympics could be held on the sun for all I care. I still wouldn't watch them because I don't find anything appealing about them. August is when baseball season heats up and when football season gears up.


I'm simply saying that the only approval they needed was from the International Olympic Committee, which awarded China the games back in 2001 after it won a majority of votes on the ballot the IOC held. The same process has been applied for all of the modern Olympic games (1896 and forward)

[ray243]

The global community....people who oppose Communism and support human rights.

Yeah yeah, approved by people who thinks they are really supporting human rights...when they are really just pawns in the global politics.

[tzarinna]

Olympic flame arrives in Malaysia capital Kuala Lumpur

The sacred flame of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on early Sunday arrived in the Malaysia capital of Kuala Lumpur, the 13th leg of its global torch relay. A chartered plane carrying the flame, landed on the Kuala Lumpur international airport at local time 02:30 a.m. local time (1830 GMT) from Bangkok.

[Alex The Great]

...and 3 minutes later, it was snatched and estroyed by a protester. yeah BEIJING! :dry::csad::o

[strikezone89]

so what are your guy's thought on boycott on the olympics?

[Addendum]

so what are your guy's thought on boycott on the olympics?

As I said in a previous post in this thread, I don't bother with the Olympics anyway. If people want to protest and/or boycott or not is fine with me.

[tzarinna]

so what are your guy's thought on boycott on the olympics?

I wish they would be a little less aggressive. They can make their point and show their concerns without being jackasses. There should be some reservation in order to show some respect to the athletes.

[tzarinna]

http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/jinggangshan/

Olympic torchbearers heavy-hearted for quake victims

JINGGANGSHAN MOUNTAINS, Jiangxi Province, May 15 (Xinhua) -- As the Olympic flame shed light Thursday on Jianggangshan Mountains, the relay organizers and torchbearers were heavy-hearted for victims of a deadly earthquake in southwest China.

Donation boxes were placed along the 14.5-kilometer route to collect funds for the quake-stricken areas.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Wenchuan county of Sichuan Province at 2:28 p.m. Monday. Death toll from the quake climbed to14,866 by 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, according to official statistics.

All the people in the opening ceremony of Jianggangshan Mountains relay, started at 8:00 in Huangyangjie Pass which is 1,343-meter above sea level, observed a minute of silence to those killed in the quake.

"Let the torch relay pass our blessings and care to the quake sufferers," said Xie Ru, vice governor of Jiangxi province, while hosting the simplified opening ceremony.

"I hope the Olympic torch can pass confidence and hope to the disaster areas," said 53-year-old torchbearer Jiang Yiman, a China's Red Cross worker.

"The Olympic torch relay represents not only peace, harmony, but more importantly the care between each other. I hope the relay can deliver a message of strength, confidence and hope," added Jiang.

According to Jiang, China's Red Cross has raised donations valued 120 million RMB (17 million US dollars) for earthquake relief.

The relay is set to wrap up at 12:00 a.m. with firefighter Liu Hao as the last torchbearer.

[BlackLantern]

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1812700,00.html?xid=rss-topstories


so it seems the Peoples' Republic doesn't want the world to see their dirty laundry on live TV

[Arc-Light]

And that is what the olympic committee gets for giving the 2008 olympics to China...morons.

[BlackLantern]

http://deadspin.com/5021729/olympic-criminals-are-no-match-for-the-chinese-scooter-police


and I believe this is the last year for softball, as back room politicking and anti-American sentiment seems to have lead to softball being voted out of the Olympics...

[Alex The Great]

They should have brung it to Calgary, Alberta....Were having some kickass Summer weather here :woot:

[Mee]

I'm looking forward to the soccer, might watch the basketball, other than that...meh.

[tzarinna]

I'm starting to get excited about how the BMX racing debut goes.

[kane9321]

Cant wait for "WOMEN'S BEACH VOLLEYBALL"...DAMNNNNNNN:)

[BlackLantern]

So the US Cycling team shows up in masks and then have to issue an apology...CRAP...

[kane9321]

yep....^^^

[jaguarr]

This Olympics is a debacle all the way around. China is blowing their chance to show the world they aren't fascists, but their handling of the media and internet access has ruined that. The world tried to make this big thing out of human rights violations and thought they could coerce the Chinese into being more humane, which was naive at best. So far I'm not impressed with any of it, this go around.

jag

[BlackLantern]

Jeremy Schaap has been ripping over the air pollution....but in that genial Schaap way...its quite fantastic

[jaguarr]

This business of China revoking Joey Cheek's visa seems petty and unnecessary to me.

http://olympics.fanhouse.com/2008/08/06/joey-cheek-speed-skating-gold-medalist-and-critic-of-china-bar/

Interesting that it's backfired on them and Joey's getting more publicity out of this on the world stage for his cause than he ever would have if they'd have just let him into the country and not even paid any attention to him.

jag

[Arkady Rossovich]

The games are very popular where I live,we all gather and watch them. We cheer for our country,and see how the world's athletes have trained during this time.

[04nbod]

I'm looking forward for the closing ceremony when the olympic flag is passed on for 2012!

[BlackLantern]

same here I am excited to see Olympic football (soccer) in a football crazy nation....

[Marx]

I'm very interested to see how this is all going to play out. I wonder if there will be any protests or anything like that?

[Dr. Evil]

The United States is expected to dominate in the following sports:

- Track and Field
- Womens Basketball
- Men's Basketball (hopefully)
- Swimming (Natalie Coughlin and Amanda Beard = :oldrazz:)
- Baseball
- Women's Soccer
- Gymnastics

[Marx]

The United States is expected to dominate in the following sports:

- Track and Field
- Womens Basketball
- Men's Basketball (hopefully)
- Swimming (Natalie Coughlin and Amanda Beard = :oldrazz:)
- Baseball
- Women's Soccer
- Gymnastics

Alot of domination on the swimming front will come from Michael Phelps and the men's team.

[Ziggyman]

...Go Canada...!?!?:woot:

[Dr. Evil]

Alot of domination on the swimming front will come from Michael Phelps and the men's team.

Yes, but he's not as good to look at then Coughlin or Beard.

The USA Men's Basketball Team has been nicknamed by the media as "The Redeem Team."

[Marx]

Yes, but he's not as good to look at then Coughlin or Beard.

The USA Men's Basketball Team has been nicknamed by the media as "The Redeem Team."

It's been such a long time since I have seen any kind of basketball game. I think the last I watched was the Jordan/Pippin/Rodman Bulls. Hopefully the US team will do well.

[Ziggyman]

I think the USA basketball team's problem is that they are too cocky...They should be winning every Olympics and World Championship...They sure as hell have the talent and skills to do so!

[Darthphere]

The United States is expected to dominate in the following sports:

- Track and Field
- Womens Basketball
- Men's Basketball (hopefully)
- Swimming (Natalie Coughlin and Amanda Beard = :oldrazz:)
- Baseball
- Women's Soccer
- Gymnastics

That was a joke right? By all accounts, the women only have a slim chance and the men have no chance in hell.

[Odin's Lapdog]

that flame light that was just on was a bunch of ********

[Marx]

That was a joke right? By all accounts, the women only have a slim chance and the men have no chance in hell.

I think any chance the men's gymnastics team had ended when both of the Hamm brothers pulled out of the games.

[jaguarr]

http://www.internetnews.com/commentary/article.php/3764136/What+If+Chinas+Orwellian+Olympics+Succeeds.htm

What If China's Orwellian Olympics Succeeds?
By Mike Elgan
August 8, 2008

By the end of the Olympic games, we'll know whether the Chinese government's unprecedented application of state-of-the-art digital technology to Orwellian social control can actually work.

Call it Orwellian IT. If you're attending the Olympics: Oh, boy, is Big Brother watching you. According to Chinese authorities, the government has installed:

• 300,000 surveillance cameras

• Remotely controlled microphones, GPS devices and kill switches in all 70,000 Beijing taxicabs

• Microphones in many or most hotel rooms and offices

• Equipment to tap all landline and cell phone calls in China

The government is also fielding all kinds of "advanced" security technologies. For example, anti-terror police are using Segways, net-throwing guns, and other exotic hardware.

The U.S. government tells Americans traveling to Beijing to assume that laptops, cell phones and other devices will be hacked, and information on them copied, during the games.

One expert warns that even digital cameras could be hacked by the Chinese government if plugged into one of the many digital photo-viewing kiosks in the city.

Most taxi drivers and other attendee-facing people in China have reportedly been "recruited" as "intelligence agents" ordered to report any suspicious behavior.

The government has deployed 100,000 police in Beijing alone during the games, plus another 100,000 People's Liberation Army soldiers and 600,000 "security volunteers," whose job is to report "suspicious behavior."

These 800,000 people are the public face of Olympic security. Behind the scenes, an unknowable number of people are monitoring all those cameras and microphones; hacking computers and stealing secrets; monitoring web sites and reading e-mail; listening to phone calls and tracking the movements of suspicious people.

Of course, the terrorist threat to the Olympics is real. But most of the security effort is aimed at snuffing out protest or criticism of the government.

Censorship remains in place. Thousands of dissidents have been rounded up and jailed. Beijing residents have been intimidated into a state of terror.

Many journalists have been denied entry to China to cover the games, and access by journalists to many Web sites has been blocked, despite the unblocking of some after initial protest. E-mail of foreign journalists covering the games is selectively blocked by Chinese authorities.

Those publicly critical of the Beijing government have been denied entry into China for the games, including former gold medalist Olympians.

I predicted in this space in December that the Olympics would prove a "disaster" for the Chinese government because dissident groups and disgruntled citizens will likely do all they can to use the Olympics to gain attention for their causes and grievances. The government, I predicted, would crack down harshly, and this authoritarian, anti-democratic activity would become the main event at the games. When China was granted the 2008 games seven years ago, Chinese officials said the games would bring China the "respect, trust and favor of the international community." My prediction was that China's handling of security will bring China the opposite.

But what if I'm wrong?

What if the Olympics turn out to be the public relations coup of the century for China's authoritarian government?

End Part 1.


jag

[Dr. Evil]

I think any chance the men's gymnastics team had ended when both of the Hamm brothers pulled out of the games.

I had no idea that both dropped out. I knew Paul dropped out, but not his brother.

Oh well, The United States will still dominate in Track and Field and Swimming.

[jaguarr]

www.internetnews.com/commentary/article.php/3764136

Part 2 of 2

What If China's Orwellian Olympics Succeeds?
By Mike Elgan
August 8, 2008

Nothing on this scale has ever been attempted. What if China demonstrates that overwhelming, all-encompassing and ubiquitous digital surveillance, eavesdropping on a massive scale, censorship, the banning and arresting of "undesirables," and other Orwellian measures is the path to success for international events. For governing in an age of free speech?

The pass/fail test on this won't be whether all these systems successfully stop terrorist attacks and muzzle free speech. That's Beijing's metric.

The question is: Will Beijing get away with it? Will people -- both Chinese citizens and foreign visitors -- shrug their shoulders and accept it all? Or will they reject it and criticize it?

Will journalists do as their told, or will they go out and report conditions in China as they do in all other countries that host the Olympics? Will athletes serve as unwitting apologists for the Chinese Communist Party?

Will the global public remain apathetic about Beijing's Orwellian experiment? Will everyone trot out the old "China-isn't-perfect-but-it's-moving-in-the-right-direction" defense? Is world depicted in Orwell's "1984" really the "right direction" for anyone?

It's the classic slippery slope. All governments, and most companies, engage in some kind of security, which often involves snooping, surveillance, activity monitoring and censorship. If Beijing proves that people accept the massive application of electronic Orwellianism, they'll be tempted to follow China's example.

The Chinese government has made itself the only organization in the world that knows how to do this.

Will governments turn to China after future terrorist attacks or threats to public order to learn how to build and maintain their own Orwellian IT systems? Will China advise its allies in Darfur, North Korea, Burma and elsewhere on how to maintain power and snuff out dissent through Orwellian IT?

For the sake of the athletes, I hope the Beijing Olympics are a successful sporting event.

And for the safety of Chinese and foreign visitors, I hope all terrorist attacks are foiled, and that there are no accidents, injuries or violence.

But for the sake of humanity, I hope Beijing's Orwellian IT experiment fails.

jag

[Darthphere]

I think any chance the men's gymnastics team had ended when both of the Hamm brothers pulled out of the games.

Paul Hamm was our best shot, and even then he was a long shot for a gold.

[kane9321]

i dont think the US women will dominate in soccer...they'll be lucky to medal

[Marx]

Boxer Gary Russell Jr. out of Olympics
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Is-coach-to-blame-for-Gary-Russell-Jr-missing-t?urn=oly,99458

[Ziggyman]

Adam Van Koeverden!!!

[jaguarr]

Boxer Gary Russell Jr. out of Olympics
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Is-coach-to-blame-for-Gary-Russell-Jr-missing-t?urn=oly,99458

There's been a lot of controversy over Campbell's methods. Seems like some of that may have been valid.

jag

[Bastila]

I'm looking forward for the closing ceremony when the olympic flag is passed on for 2012!

ha me to :p I just watched the opening....some of it on fast forward it was cool, closing one will be good, but like you said looking forward to the flag being passed on to us.

And hopefully some of the Brits being home so gold/silver or bronze

[Immortalfire]

USA!!!

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii303/jammess/USA-flag.jpg

[tzarinna]

Why is Russia acting up now? Way too much drama.

[jaguarr]

Why is Russia acting up now? Way too much drama.

It's Putin. He's kind of a dick, as you may have heard.

jag

[tzarinna]

Sigh, I wish they'd cut it the **** out.

[tzarinna]

2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games| TV & Online Listings| Viewing Schedule (http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv_and_online_listings/?__source=ggl|olympic+schedule|Schedule|Olympics_L istings&cid=ggl|olympic+schedule|Schedule|Olympics_Listing s)

[BlackLantern]

yea...Putin is a bit out of his tree. I was in the Navy and stationed in Japan at the time when the Kursk went down...the Navy offered to go down and get the crew out...Putin said no and it took them almost a week to get down there.....

They actually had our ship and 2 of the subs on standby in case we had to go out there

[Dr. Evil]

I thought this was hilarious:

- During the Colts vs. Redskins game on Sunday, NFL Analyst Cris Collinsworth will be an analyst during the Olympics. Collinsworth and Costas said so themselves.

What the hell does Collinsworth know about other sports besides football?

[Dr. Evil]

Also, Men's Basketball is pretty much a glorified tournament of NBA All Stars, representing their own countries.

[tzarinna]

The Opening Ceremony has been pretty bad ass so far.

[terry78]

That was pretty nice...let's see Chicago top that in about 8 more years. :o

[Bunker]

The opening ceremony is just starting here.

[Addendum]

That was pretty nice...let's see Chicago top that in about 8 more years. :o

The music for the introduction of the countries will be done by The Alan Parsons Project

[SuperJediHero]

BEST. Opening Ceremony. EVER. WOW!!! :wow::wow::wow:

[Bunker]

There drummers are sooo awesome.

[AmazinUncleBen]

I wonder how London will try to top this in 4 years.

[Arc-Light]

I want that big mother F'N huge LCD screen that they are using. :wow:

[echostation]

that was just crazy!! I mean how the hell did they get PEOPLE to choreograph that whole huge domino type screen thing, with all the blocks choreographing with one another for drops of water... in****ingsane!

[jaguarr]

that was just crazy!! I mean how the hell did they get PEOPLE to choreograph that whole huge domino type screen thing, with all the blocks choreographing with one another for drops of water... in****ingsane!

It's amazing what people will accomplish when they are given the choice of achieving their goal or death.

jag

[Darthphere]

It's amazing what people will accomplish when they are given the choice of achieving their goal or death.

jag

:pal::pal::pal::pal::pal:

[terry78]

It's amazing what people will accomplish when they are given the choice of achieving their goal or death.

jag

We so take our freedoms for granted over here.

[jaguarr]

We so take our freedoms for granted over here.

Completely.

jag

[BlackLantern]

Costas says the order is decided by the number of strokes in the Chinese character that represents the nation.....ummm OK?

[tzarinna]

This is taking forever. I just want to see the US, Germany, Italy and Russia. It's going to be a long night.

[BlackLantern]

here come the French.....they surrendered this afternoon....just in case

[BlackLantern]

you have countries rolling in with 6, 12, 52 athletes....We roll in there with 600 plus....

[SuperJediHero]

I WANT MORE Performances!!! :P

[Dr. Evil]

I laugh that this will be the last Olympics for Baseball.

Of course that has a lot to do with the fact that the best baseball players in the world are not playing in the Olympics.

[BlackLantern]

the only reason baseball/softball is being removed from the Olympics is for political reasons....baseball is better off because it has more exposure and the World Baseball Cup they have now...but softball is getting the shaft because the Olympics was the only huge venue it could have some publicity in....

[Dr. Evil]

the only reason baseball/softball is being removed from the Olympics is for political reasons....baseball is better off because it has more exposure and the World Baseball Cup they have now...but softball is getting the shaft because the Olympics was the only huge venue it could have some publicity in....

True. The World Baseball Cup had the best players in the sport competing. That too, much like Olympic Basketball and Olympic Hockey, is a glorified All Star Tournament.

NBC mentioned a possible Swiss vs. Spain Finals (ie. Federer vs. Nadal Wimbledon rematch) in Men's Tennis.

[BlackLantern]

ya Nadal and Federer are in opposite groups, so the only way they would play each other is in the gold medal game, if they both made it through.....if it was anything like their Wimbledon match, I'm all for it....

[Dr. Evil]

What was the reasoning behind allowing NBA Players to play in the Olympics?

[ray243]

It's amazing what people will accomplish when they are given the choice of achieving their goal or death.

jag


Please...things is not that bad in china...sigh...when will people finally stop using misconception in their view of the world...

[BlackLantern]

I think it was the combination of a lot of different things....marketing, publicity, different players from different countries who wanted to represent their country in the Olympics, the growing popularity of basketball throughout the world....

[BlackLantern]

Please...things is not that bad in china...sigh...when will people finally stop using misconception in their view of the world...

well...when China stops trying to isolate their people from the outside world through censorship and lying about their air pollution....not to mention their human rights issues....

[Dr. Evil]

I think it was the combination of a lot of different things....marketing, publicity, different players from different countries who wanted to represent their country in the Olympics, the growing popularity of basketball throughout the world....

Ah, explains why Olympic Basketball is right now an International NBA All Star Tournament.

Nothing wrong with that of course.

[BlackLantern]

well yes and no....that is the case for Team USA....but Spain for example, Pau Gausol is the only NBA player on the Spain National Team.....Nowitzki is the only NBA player on the German national team.....i believe its the same for Andrei Kirilenko and his country...

[Dr. Evil]

well yes and no....that is the case for Team USA....but Spain for example, Pau Gausol is the only NBA player on the Spain National Team.....Nowitzki is the only NBA player on the German national team.....i believe its the same for Andrei Kirilenko and his country...

Germany has Chris Kaman of Golden State. Spain as Jose Calderon of Toronto, Pau's Brother, Marc, who plays for Memphis and Rudy Fernandez from Portland.

[jaguarr]

Please...things is not that bad in china...sigh...when will people finally stop using misconception in their view of the world...

What, you didn't like my slight exaggeration to make a point (and a joke)? Would you have liked it better if I said "wrongful imprisonment" or "coercive action"? Don't sit there and downplay the point and act like all is well in China with how the government treats it's citizens, because it is not. ;)

jag

[BlackLantern]

Germany has Chris Kaman of Golden State. Spain as Jose Calderon of Toronto, Pau's Brother, Marc, who plays for Memphis and Rudy Fernandez from Portland.

my mistake.......as for professionals playing in the Olympics.....why wouldn't you want to see your countrys absolute best players representing your country in the Olympics....hell....Team USA isn't even the favorite in these games......

[BlackLantern]

What, you didn't like my slight exaggeration to make a point (and a joke)? Would you have liked it better if I said "wrongful imprisonment" or "coercive action"? Don't sit there and downplay the point and act like all is well in China with how the government treats it's citizens, because it is not. ;)

jag

not to mention the thousands of people displaced and basically left homeless due the construction of the Olympic facilities and the jailing of hundreds of government dissenters....shall I go on??

[jaguarr]

not to mention the thousands of people displaced and basically left homeless due the construction of the Olympic facilities and the jailing of hundreds of government dissenters....shall I go on??

Please, things are not that bad in China, BL. Those people are just being given the opportunity to camp outdoors or are being given shelter and protection. :whatever:

jag

[Dr. Evil]

NBC is predicting that China will beat the United States in the medal count.

[jaguarr]

NBC is predicting that China will beat the United States in the medal count.

That should make China very happy. It will make the thousands of four year olds they took away from their parents to train non-stop for future Olympic glory and gave minimal educations to all worthwhile.

jag

[BlackLantern]

Because it warms my heart to see 5 year olds weight training....

[Trainwreck2100]

That should make China very happy. It will make the thousands of four year olds they took away from their parents to train non-stop for future Olympic glory and gave minimal educations to all worthwhile.

jag

Don't forget the whole breeding thing, it's no coincidence Yao Ming's wife is a basketball player as well.

[FaT_tONle]

Team USA will have their work cut out from them... but I'll be shocked if they don't take gold here... China will obviously be a monster... they could potentially run away with the medal count. The opening ceremony was brilliant. I will be looking forward to these games. Hope they live up to expectations.

[Marx]

Well I must say that the opening ceremony was the best I've ever seen! Truly mind-blowing! :eek:

[Ziggyman]

Well I must say that the opening ceremony was the best I've ever seen! Truly mind-blowing! :eek:

Indeed...Although I wasn't so blown away when they were drawing on that huge sheet of paper...But everything else was pretty crazy!

...Beautiful!:woot:

They actually showed the opening ceremony 8:08 am here in Canada...I watched it right then...It kept replaying during the day...

...Is it only showing now down there? Or did it show earlier...You guys are just catching the replays?

[ray243]

well...when China stops trying to isolate their people from the outside world through censorship and lying about their air pollution....not to mention their human rights issues....

Ahem! You REALLY think it is possible to censor every infomation from the outside world?

It is the damn internet, there are TONS of sites that officals will not know about.

For example, SHH! forum...all it takes is to have one chinese member on this forum, the political section and they can easily have a understanding of the world.


And anyone who is clever enough will know how to use a proxy and go past the firewall.


P.S, if you really want to bring up the human rights issue, then no country should have the right to host the olympics...other than swizterland perhaps.


The tibetian issues is similar to how the US treat the native indians during the US expansion...


Also, Austraila has their own issues with the natives down there...such as taking children from thier native tribes to reeducate them.




It funny to see people like you commenting about the sistutation down there, when you don't even know what is going on down there...and the only infomation you can get is from 'good' western media like fox news for example.



If you want to say who has been brainwashed, I would say the US...given how many people has been brainwashed without even knowing that they are being brainwashed.





I do suggest that bringing up the human rights issue is NOT a correct justification over who gets to hold the olympics.


The only reason there is china bashing in the first place, is because the chinese do not follow the US blindly, and was seen as a 'threat' to the US.



:o

[jaguarr]

Oh, I get it. ray243 lives in China so he knows everything that goes on there. Got it. :up:

jag

[Marx]

Indeed...Although I wasn't so blown away when they were drawing on that huge sheet of paper...But everything else was pretty crazy!

...Beautiful!:woot:

They actually showed the opening ceremony 8:08 am here in Canada...I watched it right then...It kept replaying during the day...

...Is it only showing now down there? Or did it show earlier...You guys are just catching the replays?

It obviously wasn't live here in the states, but it just came on tonight at 7:30pm.

[Trainwreck2100]

Yeah they have the internet in China but the international jounalists are being blocked from some sites after China said it wouldn't

[echostation]

While he does have a slight point with regards to how ****ty and how much death US foreign policies have caused cuz of this piece of **** president, China still has tons and tons of secret things going on

I'm still amazed by the choreography of the ceremony jag, I realize they're probably threatened big time if they don't get it right that's for sure... but it still looks just amazing... what the human mind and body can accomplish still stuns me to this day

[Trainwreck2100]

It obviously wasn't live here in the states, but it just came on tonight at 7:30pm.

Exactly he's in Canada and he got to see it live but NBC has it tape delayed here when they could have easily shown it on one of their 8 channels live.

[Ziggyman]

It obviously wasn't live here in the states, but it just came on tonight at 7:30pm.

Oh really...Caught part of it on NBC earlier...Too bad...Glad I caught it live...!:woot:

[Ziggyman]

Exactly he's in Canada and he got to see it live but NBC has it tape delayed here when they could have easily shown it on one of their 8 channels live.

Oh...Sucks...Well NBC does anything to get ratings these days...Eh!

All over Canada there were showings of the ceremony for hundreds to see...In the morning...It's very culturally diverse up here and people woke up early to get to watch it with their fellow people outside on the streets and in many bars!

[jaguarr]

While he does have a slight point with regards to how ****ty and how much death US foreign policies have caused cuz of this piece of **** president, China still has tons and tons of secret things going on

Our government are a-holes, and so is China's. No question.


I'm still amazed by the choreography of the ceremony jag, I realize they're probably threatened big time if they don't get it right that's for sure... but it still looks just amazing... what the human mind and body can accomplish still stuns me to this day

Yes, it was very spectacular. The Chinese have an amazing spirit and a huge sense of honor and pride in their country and wanting to give their best in all things. There is no doubt about that. But I can guarantee you some of those people were not performing under the best of circumstances with regards to consequences of failure, let alone the thought of dishonoring themselves and their family if they did. But how many of those performers and athletes would have liked to have determined their own career paths in life rather than have it decided for them?

jag

[Ziggyman]

China and Czech Republic- Gold
Turkey and Russia- Silver
Chinese Taipei and Croatia- Bronze

First is country is Shooting: Women's 10m Air Rifle
Second is Weightlifting: Women's 48kg

[Pluto]

China is predicted to win the most golds....

[Ziggyman]

China is predicted to win the most golds....

Indeed they are...And I certainly hope they do!...If not Canada...But that's not gonna happen...

[Mr. Todd]

America just finished marching. :up:

[ray243]

Oh, I get it. ray243 lives in China so he knows everything that goes on there. Got it. :up:

jag

Ahem, because I know in some forums, there is tons of members from china, and they are using a proxy to get pass the fire wall...

Moreover, given that singapore has tons of chinese students, it helps when you can get first hand infomation....also understanding chinese helps when you are reading at those chinese forums and so on.

[SuperJediHero]

well...when China stops trying to isolate their people from the outside world through censorship and lying about their air pollution....not to mention their human rights issues....

China is definitely not the only country with Censorship.

Even America is NOT that great with Censorship.

I just had my post removed MANY times here on this forum, and on other forums too... it seems people don't like what I think, what I post it's removed as well. No respect for my opinion at all. So how about that, huh? Censorship here in America happens ALL the time, too it's not that much better than China!

It's SO appearant A LOT of Americans don't believe in the Freedom of Speech, either, at all!

And lying... Oh American Government don't lie? Wake up!

You can't elect someone like John Mccain to be president, cuz all he do is lying (making stuff up about Obama!) He and Paris Hilton hasn't even met, and a stupid ad talking about they are like each other... :|

America really need to STOP interfering with China Politics!

America has A TONS of serious issues of own to deal with, without the worrying about what OTHER country does!

Like Ray said, China really isn't as bad as America gov't like you to think they are.

The biggest reason American Gov't say China is that bad, guess why? Because China is on the rise to become the most powerful nation in the world.... and America is scared!




Anyway A gift for you all!

Sarah Brightman & Liu Huan - You and Me, Beijing Olympic Games Theme Song

Music Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gSn_dFyy_s

Live http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hx2Ft2hvAw

MP3 http://files.beijing2008.cn/20080808/Theme_Song/youandme.mp3



I think the download is Legal.

[terry78]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080809/ap_on_re_as/oly_china_american_killed

Relative of the U.S. Volleyball team's coach is killed by a random assailant. Not good.

[BlackLantern]

so why doesn't China allow its own citizens to travel freely in and out of the country? Why does the government do everything it can to keep its people isolated from the outside world?

is America perfect? **** no we aren't....but we allow our people to call our leaders and government ****ed up without fear of being jailed, beaten or both?

You obviously don't understand satire...the McCain/ Paris Hilton thing is exactly that...its satire...that's a form of humor that allows people to mock their government...but oh yeah I forgot...talk against the government in China and you stand a good chance of being shot...

[Dr. Evil]

China isn't North Korea. They did not want to be isolated from the rest of the world and instead wants to be the economic power that the United States is. China and the United States have a cordial relationship, unlike The United States and Iran. China is not seen as a parasite like North Korea, Iran and Cuba are.

The United States has had problems with it's own people for centuries, dating back to the very early days of the country, when there was Westward Expansion from the original 13 colonies and the Native Americans were forcibly removed from their homes. That would happen for the next century. Let's also not forget Slavery, The Civil War and the Race Riots of the 1950's and 1960's.

Anyway, lets get back to Olympic talk.

[Raiden]

I have to say that the opening ceremony is simply magnificent. I doubt London (who holds the next summer Olympic games) will be able to top this. It is just an unbelievable production that we will look back in awe.

[SuperJediHero]

so why doesn't China allow its own citizens to travel freely in and out of the country? Why does the government do everything it can to keep its people isolated from the outside world?

is America perfect? **** no we aren't....but we allow our people to call our leaders and government ****ed up without fear of being jailed, beaten or both?

You obviously don't understand satire...the McCain/ Paris Hilton thing is exactly that...its satire...that's a form of humor that allows people to mock their government...but oh yeah I forgot...talk against the government in China and you stand a good chance of being shot...


Why do you & Bush & other Americans worry so much about what China (Or another country) Does?

Are they part of America, did I miss anything about that? NO. Last I checked, they are a country of their own!

STOP being Nosy.


And, Look at your own country first, is it perfect? If not (Which I DON'T think so), it's very hypocritical to critize other countries when yours isn't that good/perfect either.

[jaguarr]

Even America is NOT that great with Censorship.

I just had my post removed MANY times here on this forum, and on other forums too... it seems people don't like what I think, what I post it's removed as well. No respect for my opinion at all. So how about that, huh? Censorship here in America happens ALL the time, too it's not that much better than China!


The American government are no angels, but I highly doubt they had a role in removing posts you might have made that broke the rules of this site, which is private and governed by it's own rules by the way. You have the freedom of choice to NOT post here if you don't like the rules the owners of the site have in place. Comparing them to the Chinese government is asinine. If you ever get wrongfully arrested and incarcerated indefinitely, evicted from your home, or beaten severely for speaking your mind on these forums then maybe you'll legitimately be able to make that comparison.

jag

[SuperJediHero]

The American government are no angels, but I highly doubt they had a role in removing posts you might have made that broke the rules of this site, which is private and governed by it's own rules by the way. You have the freedom of choice to NOT post here if you don't like the rules the owners of the site have in place. Comparing them to the Chinese government is asinine. If you ever get wrongfully arrested and incarcerated indefinitely, evicted from your home, or beaten severely for speaking your mind on these forums then maybe you'll legitimately be able to make that comparison.

jag

No, you are missing my point.

My point is that NOT every American believe in the Freedom of Speech (and will Censor) too.

You know, the only difference between here and China is that Chinese believe more in Censorship, BUT A LOT of American people also very much Censor people, ALL the time! Maybe better than China, but certainly not THAT much better to give them the Right to critize China so much about it!

The Private owned forum/board Excuse is BS!!! That's ALL it is is - An Excuse!

Everybody should respect/Follow the same "Freedom of Speech" NOT BS excuses like that!

BS excuses like that I just DON'T buy it, at all!

[BlackLantern]

The American government are no angels, but I highly doubt they had a role in removing posts you might have made that broke the rules of this site, which is private and governed by it's own rules by the way. You have the freedom of choice to NOT post here if you don't like the rules the owners of the site have in place. Comparing them to the Chinese government is asinine. If you ever get wrongfully arrested and incarcerated indefinitely, evicted from your home, or beaten severely for speaking your mind on these forums then maybe you'll legitimately be able to make that comparison.

jag

That usually only happens when you're married....

[jaguarr]

Ahem, because I know in some forums, there is tons of members from china, and they are using a proxy to get pass the fire wall...

Moreover, given that singapore has tons of chinese students, it helps when you can get first hand infomation....also understanding chinese helps when you are reading at those chinese forums and so on.

So, you post on some forums with some Chinese people so that makes you the resident expert here on China? That means you know where everyone here gets their information on China and what their news sources are? Sure, some people in China will find ways past some of the internet censorship. I don't think that was in question. It's the measures the Chinese government are employing and the levels they are going to in order to TRY to control and censor all of the internet traffic and spy on citizens and visitors, particularly during the games, that's concerning. There is no denying that people in China have lost their lives for speaking their minds. There is no denying that people in China have been wrongfully imprisoned and tortured for speaking their mind. There is no denying that people in China have been evicted from their homes and left with no other options in order to make room for Olympic facilities. And, there is no doubt that millions of Chinese people live in a constant state of coercion by their own government. So don't sit there and tell me "things aren't that bad in China" because they sure as hell aren't great, either. China has come a long way since Chairman Mao, but there's still a long way left to go before they aren't a large-scale offender of human rights any longer.

jag

[SuperJediHero]

America is just KNOWN to being nosy. Always mind other countries business, and I am tired of it!

Iraq, Korea, China...

Mind OWN Business!!!

[jaguarr]

No, you are missing my point.

My point is that NOT every American believe in the Freedom of Speech (and will Censor) too.

You know, the only difference between here and China is that Chinese believe more in Censorship, BUT A LOT of American people also very much Censor people, ALL the time!

Are you seriously going to sit there and tell me that someone having their inappropriate comments deleted from a PRIVATE message board that is frequented by children constitutes the same level of censorship as the Chinese government? You are delusional if I have to explain why that happens to you, and even more delusional to make the comparison. I think you have a very, very distorted view of what most American's views of censorship are as most of us very much appreciate our freedom of speech. However, most of us also recognize that some places put certain rules about acceptable content or conduct in place in order to ensure the modicum of a particular place, whether online or not, is appropriate for all ages. Would you stand in the middle of Disneyland and scream the "F" word non-stop? No. And yet people basically do the equivalent of that here on these very boards on a daily basis without having their posts deleted or getting admonished for it. This place is VERY lax in it's posting rules and enforcement of them. You sort of have to go out of your way to post something that will get deleted, actually. Go post over at bluetights.net or the Lucas Film boards for awhile and see how much of your content gets deleted simply because the mods don't agree with your opinion.

So, not every American believes wholeheartedly in freedom of speech. So? They have the freedom not to. At least they have the choice. But I guarantee you the majority of Americans appreciate and embrace the concept. There isn't a country in the world that will let you say whatever you want, whenever you want to whoever you want without repercussions. Go live in Switzerland and say you are going to kill the President of that country and see if you get a free pass. Not likely.

That usually only happens when you're married....

Hell, in my case that happened BEFORE my wife and I got married, but we're into that sort of thing. Mmmmm...

jag

[SuperJediHero]

Are you seriously going to sit there and tell me that someone having their inappropriate comments deleted from a PRIVATE message board that is frequented by children constitutes the same level of censorship as the Chinese government?

No trust me, I've my posts deleted for MORE reasons than inappropirate comment. I usually DON'T cuss or attack other people at all!

However, I was just speaking my opinion/concern, though maybe in a complaining manner, but nothing inappropirate at all, and post have been deleted a lot!

Of course, not everybody/Mod is Nazi(Communist) like that, but YES Some are and they don't respect my "Freedom of Speech" and Guilty of Censorship!!!

So, just like China, if I complain, my post gets Censored, so don't tell me American is MUCH better, it's not!

[jaguarr]

No trust me, I've my post deleted for MORE reasons than inappropirate comment. I usually DON'T cuss or attack other people at all!

However, I was just speaking my opinion/concern, though maybe in a complaining manner, but nothing inappropirate at all, and post have been deleted a lot!

Forgive me if I have trouble believing you. :)

jag

[SuperJediHero]

I don't lie OK? It's the FACT/TRUTH!

Granted, a lot of American people DO believe in "Freedom of Speech", though not EVERY body does.



Some American people don't really follow FOS themselves, just uses the pathetic "Private forum" excuse to censor like crazy.

I would imagine on the same token, A LOT of Chinese people also believe in "Freedom of Speech", too.

Like I said, the main difference is China there are MORE people who don't believe in FOS than America!

[Matt]

Guys, take the political discussion to the political forum please.

On topic, I'm loving this Turkish girl in the Women's Clean and Jerk. She's so excitable. She's great. The Chinese woman got the gold, but I hope my Turkish girl gets the silver :up:

[BlackLantern]

Weightlifting usually doesn't do it for me....but like Matt says...the athletes get so excited on the world stage....

[SuperJediHero]

Guys, take the political discussion to the political forum please.

On topic, I'm loving this Turkish girl in the Women's Clean and Jerk. She's so excitable. She's great. The Chinese woman got the gold, but I hope my Turkish girl gets the silver :up:

Yes, I Agree!

Politics and Sports shouldn't Mix. It's very tiring and annoying to always hear Critism about China, other countries by Americans(Even at these sports events, I just CAN'T stand it!), as if America is perfect.



I am sorry for my arguments and responses about it.

I won't anymore! Please everybody NO MORE politics here! :)

[Matt]

Weightlifting usually doesn't do it for me....but like Matt says...the athletes get so excited on the world stage....

Nor for me but what I loved about Ozkan, is she seemed to be competing against only Japanese and Chinese lifters at that point in the competition, and their cultures are very reserved. They wave curteously to the crowd and walk off stage after their lift. Meanwhile, Ozkan would go running off and jump into her coach's arms. It was a unique change of pace at that stage. Her excitment level really got me in to it. I'm glad she got the silver. :up:

Yes, I Agree!

Politics and Sports shouldn't Mix. It's very tiring and annoying to always hear Critism about China, other countries by Americans(Even at these sports events, I just CAN'T stand it!), as if America is perfect.



I am sorry for my arguments and responses about it.

I won't anymore! Please everybody NO MORE politics here! :)

Thank you :up:

[Bunker]

This Japan vs USA volleyball match is pretty exciting, too.

[SuperJediHero]

I am kinda curious which Olympic Babes are Hot! ;)

[jaguarr]

Guys, take the political discussion to the political forum please.


Sorry about that. More than any other Olympics in recent history, this one has a massive amount of political tension attached to it. It's something that's unavoidably going to come up in discussion about these games every now and again.

jag

[Lemon]

I watched the opening ceremony at work yesterday, I was thoroughly confused when all the teams came out as it was according to the Chinese alphabet lol.

Should be a good Olympics me thinks, go NZ! :D

[BlackLantern]

the best place for the debate on the whole China thing is probably the Politics Lounge....so any political discussions regarding these games can happen there

[tzarinna]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080809/ap_on_re_as/oly_china_american_killed

Relative of the U.S. Volleyball team's coach is killed by a random assailant. Not good.

That's really sad and crazy. These games are really going to be well remembered.

[Dr. Evil]

America won it's first three medals.....

Granted it was Women's Sabre, but still, Americans won Gold, Silver and Bronze.

[Dr. Evil]

I am kinda curious which Olympic Babes are Hot! ;)

Natalie Coughlin- Swimming
Candace Parker- Womens Basketball
Jennie Finch- Softball
Amanda Beard- Swimming

:woot:

[Matt]

Sorry about that. More than any other Olympics in recent history, this one has a massive amount of political tension attached to it. It's something that's unavoidably going to come up in discussion about these games every now and again.

jag

the best place for the debate on the whole China thing is probably the Politics Lounge....so any political discussions regarding these games can happen there

I'll do you guys one better

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?p=15452057#post15452057

[Timstuff]

Women's Beach Volleyball is the real reason to watch the Olympics.

[Knightsaber Priss]

Women's Beach Volleyball is the real reason to watch the Olympics.

I always thought it was Gymnastics. Beach Volleyball was only introduced in 1996.

[BlackLantern]

I keep hearing Golf might get added to the games in the near future...I'd be all for that...run it like a regular 4 day tournament with a cut and everything

[Dr. Evil]

I keep hearing Golf might get added to the games in the near future...I'd be all for that...run it like a regular 4 day tournament with a cut and everything

Let's see:

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson- United States
Ernie Els- South Africa
Vijay Singh- Fiji
Sergio Garcia- Spain
Greg Norman- Australia? (or is he a Brit?)

2012 is in England, and that is where the British Open has been played (also played in Scotland).

[Dark Donnie]

Phelps FTW....

[terry78]

Dubya looks bored as hell during this entire thing.

[FaT_tONle]

Gymnastics is one my favorties other than track and field and a few other favorites... I am banking on another Chinese choke job this year on the men's side. Womens will be entertaining too as it should be a really good battle between the US/China but I am not as into it as the men's side... I got a feeling that entire team will be beheaded behind closed doors if they don't come through this year.

[BlackLantern]

Communists just shoot people....hanging is too much work....

[AmazinUncleBen]

The Chinese will dominate men's gymnastics, but I'm looking forward to women's its a much closer fight.

[ray243]

so why doesn't China allow its own citizens to travel freely in and out of the country? Why does the government do everything it can to keep its people isolated from the outside world?

is America perfect? **** no we aren't....but we allow our people to call our leaders and government ****ed up without fear of being jailed, beaten or both?

You obviously don't understand satire...the McCain/ Paris Hilton thing is exactly that...its satire...that's a form of humor that allows people to mock their government...but oh yeah I forgot...talk against the government in China and you stand a good chance of being shot...



Funny thing is...you seems that you are brainwashed into certain things about china.


Come on, the last time I have heard, the US itself created alot of complicated rules in regards to chinese TOURIST.


Yes, there are TONS of chinese tourist...even taiwan is opening up its doors to china.



You want to talk about politics, go to the political sections, NOT in the sports thread.



Although, I doubt debating against a brainwashed person is going to help.

[Knightsaber Priss]

Phelps FTW....

One down 7 more to go.

[Dr. Evil]

USA Basketball time!

I missed the NBA on NBC Theme, so great to hear that again.

[Knightsaber Priss]

USA Basketball time!

I missed the NBA on NBC Theme, so great to hear that again.

Really? Are they playing like right now?

[Dr. Evil]

Really? Are they playing like right now?

Getting ready to.

[FaT_tONle]

Duna duna duna dunaaaaaaaa dunaduna ddduuuuuuuunnnnaaa duna duna duna..... ah the good old days...

[Pluto]

MP Equals GOLD!

[Warhammer]

Oh yeah, it feels so good to hear the NBA on NBC theme. :up:

[Dr. Evil]

This really did not surprise me when the announcers said that when Team USA visited The Olympic Village, it was a media scene of epic proportions.

Also, there was a mob scene when the Men went to watch the Women play.

[BlackLantern]

where is Team USA staying?

[Knightsaber Priss]

I just certainly hope the Men's basketball team doesn't let things get to their heads. Either the tough early quarters are a strategy or they're just slow to start.

[Dr. Evil]

where is Team USA staying?

The announcers did not say, although in 2004, they stayed on a cruise ship.

Also, the announcers mentioned that Team USA got the chance to meet other US Olympians.

Not that anyone cares, but the Womens Team (who is expected to roll past the whole field), was in attendance.

Also, one of the Chinese players just signed with the Lakers.

[Hush]

That was a spectactular win for America and i hate basketball.

[Mario_Galaxy]

****, that guy from Switzerland was quite a bit ahead of Phelps. :wow:

[Marx]

****, that guy from Switzerland was quite a bit ahead of Phelps. :wow:

That wasn't the final. All Phelps was concerned about during that race was qualifying - which he did.

[Knightsaber Priss]

That wasn't the final. All Phelps was concerned about during that race was qualifying - which he did.

Yep. He's conserving his energy for the big one I bet. Don't use up all your money shots on the small races.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm concerned for the U.S. Ladies' Gymnastic Team. I so want them to be another team like the team from Atlanta, but it doesn't look good. There are alot of stress injuries, plus the fact the qualifying round was a disaster. But then again it was like that in Atlanta too before the team got themselves in control and won Gold.

[SuperJediHero]

Natalie Coughlin- Swimming
Candace Parker- Womens Basketball
Jennie Finch- Softball
Amanda Beard- Swimming

:woot:

What about foregin hot females?

[Dr. Evil]

What about foregin hot females?

Of course, don't know any of there names.

[Dark Donnie]

That was an amazing finish in the relay....

[Ziggyman]

That was an amazing finish in the relay....

Twas so close...From the beginning!

[Dark Donnie]

I thought the US was done going into that last leg....what a ending.

[CaptainStacy]

Anyone see the Men's swimming relay? For all their trash-talking about "smashing the Americans", France just got their asses kicked. :word:

Their stunned expressions just made my day. :yay:

[the dmg]

That was an amazing finish in the relay....

Seriously. I thought France was going to take it for sure with the lead they had.

[Dr. Evil]

Ha! The French lost.

[Ziggyman]

Seriously. I thought France was going to take it for sure with the lead they had.

I wish they did win...:csad:

[CaptainStacy]

Ha! The French lost.

That'll teach them to shoot their mouths off. :word:

[Marx]

I missed it. Did the US relay team win?

[Dr. Evil]

I missed it. Did the US relay team win?

Yes.

And NFL Guy Cris Collinsworth doing the Olympics? Has hell frozen over?

[Marx]

Yes.

And NFL Guy Cris Collinsworth doing the Olympics? Has hell frozen over?

That's great! :applaud

[Ziggyman]

That's great! :applaud

They won by literally a fingernail...:csad:

[Marx]

They won by literally a fingernail...:csad:

Dang! That's close. I thought I had more time before it started, so I stepped out of the room...needless to say, when I came back it was over. :csad:

[FaT_tONle]

Way to stick it to the French... I could care less if USA doesn't win a medal in another single event... that finish made my Olympics.... hopefully Phelps catches Spitz anyhow.

[bunk]

That was awesome. Even if the French had won, they wouldn't have "smashed" anybody.

[Kelly]

Anyone see the Men's swimming relay? For all their trash-talking about "smashing the Americans", France just got their asses kicked. :word:

Their stunned expressions just made my day. :yay:

Yes, it was a beautiful thing......:indy:

[Darthphere]

I never been that excited watching half naked dudes swimming before.

[kane9321]

gimme more soccer,women's beach volleyball..when does the greco roman wrestling start?

[Marx]

I never been that excited watching half naked dudes swimming before.

:funny:

[RAMORE]

That Relay was fantastic, it was the middle of the night and newborn is sleeping next to me and jumping in the air screaming USA USA You can do eeeeet! Best relay ever!!!

[Bastila]

Good to see the UK has 2 golds.....well last time I checked, its like funny in a way when you watch the opening and you got some country's who have like 5/6 people and like say the UK who have 314 I think........ :p

[Kaleb]

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0811/oly_g_phelps_gale_412.jpg

:hehe::hehe::hehe:

[BlackLantern]

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0811/oly_g_phelps_gale_412.jpg

:hehe::hehe::hehe:

BOOBIES!!!!!

[04nbod]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Beijing-Olympics-Opening-Ceremony-Faked-Firework-Footprints-Added-For-TV/Article/200808215075291?lpos=World%2BNews_4&lid=ARTICLE_15075291_Beijing%2BOlympics%2BOpening% 2BCeremony%2BFaked%253A%2BFirework%2BFootprints%2B Added%2BFor%2BTV

money well spent...

[BlackLantern]

so they are lying Communists....great...

[Marx]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Beijing-Olympics-Opening-Ceremony-Faked-Firework-Footprints-Added-For-TV/Article/200808215075291?lpos=World%2BNews_4&lid=ARTICLE_15075291_Beijing%2BOlympics%2BOpening% 2BCeremony%2BFaked%253A%2BFirework%2BFootprints%2B Added%2BFor%2BTV

money well spent...

I thought that the announcers specifically said that some parts were computerized. (i.e. the foot steps) :huh:

[04nbod]

Good to see the UK has 2 golds.....well last time I checked, its like funny in a way when you watch the opening and you got some country's who have like 5/6 people and like say the UK who have 314 I think........ :p

2 gold one bronze the BBC says. Top ten on the medals table would be a good result. I hope the USA beats the chinese to the top though.

[Bastila]

I thought that the announcers specifically said that some parts were computerized. (i.e. the foot steps) :huh:

Yep they where, all apart from the last foot step which was above the birds nest.

I never watched Judo before untill the weekend...its....stupid lol well I thought it was, oh lets push them over lol jeez what are they 5 lol.
But did watch some fencing which was cool .

[Marx]

Yep they where, all apart from the last foot step which was above the birds nest.

I never watched Judo before untill the weekend...its....stupid lol well I thought it was, oh lets push them over lol jeez what are they 5 lol.
But did watch some fencing which was cool .

I guess I just don't understand the problem. The announcers said that parts were computerized on the broadcast. It's not as if the Chinese government didn't want it to get out.

[Raiden]

The relay victory was a real storybook ending, and I have no problem with the computerized fireworks (nor should anyone). It did not take away from what was an amazing opening ceremony.

[terry78]

Ah, women's volleyball...the only sport I can't watch cross-legged. :o


:dry:

[The Chris]

The only sport that has sucked so far is boxing. Horrible rules, and stupid fighters who leap at each other like maniacs. Everything else rocks. Swimming was really exciting last night.

[Marx]

The only sport that has sucked so far is boxing. Horrible rules, and stupid fighters who leap at each other like maniacs. Everything else rocks. Swimming was really exciting last night.

You must not have seen olympic fencing then...

[The Chris]

You must not have seen olympic fencing then...

I've seen olympic fencing. Boxing is just so damn disappointing man. The judging is horrible, the point system is depressing, and I've already mentioned the fighters. Then you get 3 hrs worth of just boxing on CNBC. Which would be great if it didn't suck. Everything else is much more fresh anyway so there isn't something pre-existing for me to complain about. Like I said, everything is great and fun for me, except boxing.

[BlackLantern]

Womens Beach Volleyball is a gift from Jesus....

[Marx]

I've seen olympic fencing. Boxing is just so damn disappointing man. The judging is horrible, the point system is depressing, and I've already mentioned the fighters. Then you get 3 hrs worth of just boxing on CNBC. Which would be great if it didn't suck. Everything else is much more fresh anyway so there isn't something pre-existing for me to complain about. Like I said, everything is great and fun for me, except boxing.

Yeah, I agree. The boxing just isn't keeping my attention.

Womens Beach Volleyball is a gift from Jesus....

:funny:

[Kelly]

Womens Beach Volleyball is a gift from Jesus....



But Men's Beach Volleyball is a gift from God.....:cwink:

[Kelly]

Has anyone heard more on the problems with the gymnastic judges?.......I'm hearing murmurs of bias....

[Marx]

Has anyone heard more on the problems with the gymnastic judges?.......I'm hearing murmurs of bias....

I haven't heard anything beyond what was reported before. (Which was that the scoring allows for bias.)

[Kelly]

I haven't heard anything beyond what was reported before. (Which was that the scoring allows for bias.)

Oh yeah, the scoring is far too subjective in gymnastics, always has been........

Béla Károlyi said in an interview yesterday that it was going to be extreme this olympics, and was shown pretty strongly the past few days....