I can't tell if he was sarcastic or not.

And, yeah, the Tibet thing's still going on. See: Riots. I also think one of the female Buddha in Tibet is denouncing the Dalai Lama and claiming that Tibet is perfectly fine and flourish under Chinese rule. Dunno if I'm more surprised that there's female Buddha or more surprised at her comment.

Tibet... genocide???

Never heard that one before.

China taking over Tibet and imposing rule on a country and culture that doesn't want Chinese rule... that I have heard about. Why does china want Tibet anyways?


Yeah, upon further google investigation, I see claims of Tibet "cultural genocide" which is a completely different issue!

I read this on some site, and now I see why china wants Tibet:

"What did the Chinese bring to Tibet in July, 1949 when they invaded this country at the top of the world? They brought many disasters and great sorrows to the Tibetan people. Now, all of Tibet has become a prison. Everywhere the Chinese spy on the Tibetans. So many people were executed by the Chinese, so many people perished! The Chinese can they pull any Tibetan out of his home at any time, day or night, throw them in the prison, and after that, no mercy: just execute them!"


Obviously, China wants to have claim to mount Everest. Stranger things have happened I guess.

China and all its people are EVIL! Its the only logical conclusion!

China's not evil, but I think the Government really needs to straighten itself out in some areas. There are things that are wrong that shouldn't be, etc, etc.

The Tibet thing for sure.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the people at all, more than anything's wrong with any people. It's the Government I worry about.

A friend of mine went to China with a group for a few months and came back with nothing but raves and praise about the country. The villages they visited, the people who were so friendly, the scenery that was so pretty, the food, and so on. So, maybe your neighbor just had a bad experience that doesn't necessarily dictate the entire state of the country.

Now, I don't honestly know enough about the Tibet/China issue to discuss it rationally. I know that I'm going to watch and enjoy the Olympics, because to me, the Olympics transcends the differences between countries. It's about the world setting that aside and getting together and competing peacefully in sport. Allowing the best athletes in the world to prove themselves in front of the world and people who love the sport cheering for their athletes. Maybe I'm just enamored of my own little rosy view of the Games, but I enjoy it.

I was gonna rant but I stopped myself. D:

Oh ninja'd by Noola. <3 Noola

For some reason though, the Olympics just feel like one big commercial for China -.-

I love how blocking IRE is listed with genocide, communism, and citizen surveillance.

The Athens games were the same way. And the Atlanta games. And all the others. (those were just the first ones that popped into my head) The country that hosts always gets a big bunch of promo and props. That's why they all want to host.

Oh, can I ask Noola (not trying to be a jerk), but how socially conscious is your friend who visited China?

Yes, the Olympics have begun. In related news, who gives a crap?

About as much as anyone, I guess. Probably more than me, to be honest. She'd probably be able to discuss the finer points of the China/Tibet issue. But, really, the Chinese government might be just awful, but the people and the country isn't necessarily so. After all, I'd seriously hate for people to judge me, my country and my people by the actions of the current President and his Administration.

Anyway, the Olympics rock.

*cough*Bush*cough*

I know. Just cause he's an ass who starts wars based on lies, hides and lies about torture and ignites civil wars in other countries and so on, doesn't make the US a terrible country. That's what I'm tryin to say.

Wow! The drum show, with the 2008 drums and all was amazing. Really beautiful and I can't even imagine how hard they had to practice to get 2008 drummers to be that synchronized!

Probably something you couldn't find in America...

The little kids were so freakin cute too.

I can't wait till the atheletes start coming out. It's always one of my favorite parts of the Opening Ceremony. I love seeing all the outfits they wear for the occasion.

The scroll with the dancers using their bodies to paint on the blank page is awesome.

You should have seen the bitchfit the media pitched over here when they realised Australia was marching out third last.