Spring Break
China should not host 2008 Olympics
Phil Elder
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Opinion
Several subsequent protestors, in a traditionally Chinese repercussion, have been murdered.
China has also been trying to lighten their global image.
Aware of their infamy as the new Stalinist USSR, the government has allowed for the Dalai Lama to return to his home in Tibet, a country he has not been allowed to return since the Chinese Army massacred his family and village in 1959 in an attempt to quell the rumor that the next reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion may have been Tibetan.
This action was made in an attempt to conceal both the fact that they have refused to allow the Buddha to be reincarnated in current Chinese territories, a tradition that exceeds the communist regime by several centuries, and the fact that the Tibetan people "have had to live in a state of constant fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese repression," and that "in Tibet, repression continues to increase with numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and the politicization of religious issues," according to the Dalai Lama.
The Chinese Government has engaged in "bribing and threatening large numbers of members of the International Olympic Committee" according to Lesh Donlup, a human rights worker. A number of U.S. Representatives, including the late Congressman Tom Lantos, have testified to this on national television.
The Olympic Charter defines the philosophy of the Olympic Games as the "respect for universal fundamental ethical principles" and its goal of promoting "a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity."
China has spent the last 50 years actively combating every word, every essence and every value expressed in that philosophy, and does not, in any way, deserve to compete in, let alone host, the hallowed Olympic Games.
Phil Elder is a senior politicial science major. His column appears Wednesdays in the Collegian. Letters and feedback can be sent to letters@collegian.com.
China has also been trying to lighten their global image.
Aware of their infamy as the new Stalinist USSR, the government has allowed for the Dalai Lama to return to his home in Tibet, a country he has not been allowed to return since the Chinese Army massacred his family and village in 1959 in an attempt to quell the rumor that the next reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion may have been Tibetan.
This action was made in an attempt to conceal both the fact that they have refused to allow the Buddha to be reincarnated in current Chinese territories, a tradition that exceeds the communist regime by several centuries, and the fact that the Tibetan people "have had to live in a state of constant fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese repression," and that "in Tibet, repression continues to increase with numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and the politicization of religious issues," according to the Dalai Lama.
The Chinese Government has engaged in "bribing and threatening large numbers of members of the International Olympic Committee" according to Lesh Donlup, a human rights worker. A number of U.S. Representatives, including the late Congressman Tom Lantos, have testified to this on national television.
The Olympic Charter defines the philosophy of the Olympic Games as the "respect for universal fundamental ethical principles" and its goal of promoting "a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity."
China has spent the last 50 years actively combating every word, every essence and every value expressed in that philosophy, and does not, in any way, deserve to compete in, let alone host, the hallowed Olympic Games.
Phil Elder is a senior politicial science major. His column appears Wednesdays in the Collegian. Letters and feedback can be sent to letters@collegian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 33
jimmy
posted 3/12/08 @ 8:25 AM MST
you are silly. If you are going to use history to justify who wins the bid for the Olympics lets get a few things straight,
1. Nagano games were in Japan. (Continued…)
Chris O
posted 3/12/08 @ 12:27 PM MST
Wow, only like seven years too late buddy. Why does every single Collegian columnist write only stuff they know from second or third or even fourth hand knowledge. (Continued…)
Student
posted 3/12/08 @ 3:19 PM MST
Agreed with Chris.
The Collegian is insane - Iran should get nuclear power but China shouldn't host the Summer Olympics...
Too late and start writing articles the campus community cares about, or at least ones that are more timely. (Continued…)
Jessica Gu
posted 3/12/08 @ 7:54 PM MST
When I looked at the article "China should not host 2008 Olympics", the first thing coming to my mind is " are you kidding me, Phil?"
Phil Elder compared the Adolf Hitler's government with current Chinese government, which absolutely frustrated me. (Continued…)
Tony
posted 3/12/08 @ 9:53 PM MST
I was shocked to see this piece of crap on Collegian. Obviously, the writer Phil Elder is a no-brainer who has read lots of negative reports about China and then makes up this 'article'. (Continued…)
???
posted 3/13/08 @ 10:17 AM MST
Of all the articles/statements opposing China hosting the summer Olympics, this one stood out as one of most appalling, ignorant, and disturbing.
I was astonished at the comparison of China holding the Olympics in 2008 with the Nazi German doing it 70 years ago. (Continued…)
An Alumni
posted 3/13/08 @ 1:01 PM MST
Phil's article is really a good example of arrogance and ignorance. This is also a good example for the action of Smearing China's Image. I feel very disappointed that Collegian published such type senseless article. (Continued…)
DamnYouJenkins
posted 3/13/08 @ 3:24 PM MST
To be honest, I do not think Beijing should be hosting the games, but their organizing committee promised that changes would come and some have. There are certainly less sanctions on outside media, however, that does not make up for the fact that China is way behind on Human Rights issues. (Continued…)
Jerry Wang
posted 3/13/08 @ 8:56 PM MST
As a Chinese American who lived in US for more than 20 years, I have always appreciated the culture of diversity in this country. When I see local people coming to various minority activities and festivals, my feelings about American people been warm, friendly, and open minded get stronger and stronger every time. (Continued…)
Jenny
posted 3/14/08 @ 7:11 AM MST
I agree with Jerry. This is the first time I am so disppointed about the American people. During the two years I spend in Fort Collins. I always thinks people here are nice and friendly. (Continued…)
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