China is bidding and campaigning hard to get the 2008 Olympics. Many people are of the opinion that they should not get the bid because of their history of human rights abuses and their continued iron fist concerning political freedom, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
My take is this, if they want to be isolated from the rest of the world then why should they be able to host an event that is all world inclusive. On the other hand there are plenty of countries including the US that are guilty of human rights abuses so maybe the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should just judge them on their abiltiy to host a good games. Any thoughts?

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"Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them"
Martin Luther King Jr.
"You cannot separate peace from freedom, because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom" -Malcom X

Hosting the games MIGHT help them open up. I mean, with all those people there, you're really bringing in the sunshine.

Besides, I HONESTLY think China wants to open up more now. I think they're on their way out from the shadows. I'm hoping this will help them to improve their human rights record, as well. Besides, that's a LOT of people to sell products to! LOL!

Originally posted by D Durden:
Hosting the games MIGHT help them open up. I mean, with all those people there, you're really bringing in the sunshine.

Besides, I HONESTLY think China wants to open up more now. I think they're on their way out from the shadows. I'm hoping this will help them to improve their human rights record, as well. Besides, that's a LOT of people to sell products to! LOL!

That might be the case but the argument against it would be: Did Germany hosting the 1936 Olympics open them up any? The games were praised for the pagentry and surely China is capable of a similar show but once everybody is gone back down with the iron fist. It is tough one for me. I am still not sure. I think I am leaning towards no for now.

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"Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at Negroes in every waking moment of their lives to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them"
Martin Luther King Jr.
"You cannot separate peace from freedom, because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom" -Malcom X