I’ve said it before, I don’t do much politics or sports here. I like (?) the politics, while ya’ll like the sports? I conclude this by the turnout for elections? In many third world countries it’s two, three times the percentage here in the good ole US of A. People in some of those places will brave bullets and bullies to vote! Meanwhile here, the “home of democracy” a few drops of rain will “dampen” already anemic voter turnouts.

As for you liking sports better? Let's just say it’s a darn good thing Nascar doesn’t run races on election days! If they did we’d have what, a ten percent turnout to vote? Geez, maybe we should put polling places (that’s where you vote, sports fans) at the gates to Nascar, football and baseball games? Probably increase voter turnout by fifty percent! Somebody write your congressman about that, won’t ya? One of you actual voters out there.

Having said I don’t write much on sports and politics, I’ll leave the country to do just that. Half-way ‘round the world as a matter of fact. The Olympics are coming! I do enjoy them, since they involve some wonderously talented young athletes, And politics. The athletes compete for the pure joy of personal accomplishment and international recognition. At the same time the countries they come from use politics (covertly?) to gain favor with the rest of the world.

I don’t believe politics were originally suppose to be that involved? But they certainly have been, longer than most may recall. The nazis in the 1930s, communist nations during the cold war, even the palestinians got into the act in 1972. All (trying to) use the olympics to demonstrate their superiority (in politics).

Now we come to an olympics games in China. The most celebrated “open competition” in the world, being held in the most “closed” nation in the world (not counting North Korea here, I don’t count them at all). China is actually open to only two things. The flow of money (and respect) from us and the rest of the world. Anything else..., they don’t want to hear it.

They suppress their own people in ways we don’t even fathom. The internet and satelite TV are touted as being available there. Filtered through government censors and internet servers to the extent that their people have no real access to the outside world through either.

Yet somehow they’ve been given the great privilege of hosting the olympic games!? For most countries in the past this has meant an opportunity to show the world the wonders of their countries. Knowing this would open the gates of tourism (money) and promote intellectual growth in knowledge about their cultures. Thereby benefiting their
country and the worlds citizens by spreading understanding and the brotherhood of man.

But China has no intention of spreading anything. Politics has the final say in everything they do. The fact that they currently have people in two major areas clamoring for a separation from the mainland just adds to the “closed door” policy they’ve always practiced.

Recently, major newscast organizations were informed there would be no “live coverage” from Tiananmen Square during the games. Some of you might recall that’s where (the last) major “protests for democracy” took place in China back in 1989. The most vivid picture from that time was that of a lone protester stopping a line of government tanks. That was shortly before all “live broadcasts” were shut down. Later reports said perhaps as many as thousands were killed (off camera) by their government. All to stop their own people pursuing “democracy”.

I realize politics allowed the games to be scheduled in China in the first place. Liberal thinking people making the decisions thought China might be encouraged to “open up” to the world if they were given this opportunity to host the games. They were wrong.

Now the french are thinking of boycotting at least part of the ceremonies. I for one, am ashamed to see that it’s the french (!) taking the lead in protesting Chinas policies concerning the games.

I believe the whole world’s been bamboozeled, letting China host the olympics. The people of the world should all be showing their displeasure at this sham. I’m betting the world will eventually come to the realization of Chinas poor sportsmanship. There should be more protesting, further boycotts, more disdain heaped on the chinese government. Sadly, I’ll also bet the money they covet will still flow!

I don’t know about you..., I may not even watch this singular sporting event that I do enjoy.

Cal Teeple, sole fulltime member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium may often be found three stools down from you. He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at: twinews@wayneindependent.com