Posted on 08/14/2008 8:01:25 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
The Communist regime has spent billions on lavish sports venues, the world's biggest airport terminal, and a huge security operation.
All this while sweatshop conditions are widespread and millions are still homeless after May's deadly earthquake in the region.
Of course, the official line is the country’s 1.3 billion people are delighted that the Games have arrived.
And the groundswell of pride and nationalist fervour in China is obvious.
But privately there is anger from some that the leadership continues to declare that running a successful Games is its "number one priority".
Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, some in the capital told Sky News the money would have been better spent on helping the country's poor.
A 21-year-old student, gazing out across the futuristic cityscape at the "Bird's Nest" centrepiece, said: "It's terrible the money they wasted.
"Millions of people live and work in terrible conditions, but the government doesn't think of them.
"They have spent our taxes on buildings – and who does it help? It does nothing for the people of this country."
A taxi driver, who has family in the impoverished Guizhou province, said: "It’s all for Beijing – but what about the rest of the country?
"What about those who lost their homes in the earthquake? What about the people who try to feed their families and send their children out to work?"
The estimated £20bn spent on the 29th Olympiad represents nearly £20 for every Chinese citizen – in a country where many survive on £1 a day......
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
It's a little better than having one dozen sentence paragraph.
The Communist regime has spent billions on lavish sports venues, the world's biggest airport terminal, and a huge security operation. All this while sweatshop conditions are widespread and millions are still homeless after May's deadly earthquake in the region. Of course, the official line is the country’s 1.3 billion people are delighted that the Games have arrived. And the groundswell of pride and nationalist fervour in China is obvious. But privately there is anger from some that the leadership continues to declare that running a successful Games is its "number one priority". Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, some in the capital told Sky News the money would have been better spent on helping the country's poor. A 21-year-old student, gazing out across the futuristic cityscape at the "Bird's Nest" centrepiece, said: "It's terrible the money they wasted. "Millions of people live and work in terrible conditions, but the government doesn't think of them. "They have spent our taxes on buildings – and who does it help? It does nothing for the people of this country." A taxi driver, who has family in the impoverished Guizhou province, said: "It’s all for Beijing – but what about the rest of the country? "What about those who lost their homes in the earthquake? What about the people who try to feed their families and send their children out to work?" The estimated £20bn spent on the 29th Olympiad represents nearly £20 for every Chinese citizen – in a country where many survive on £1 a day......
I would like to watch some of it - but won’t. Although I did see on the hotel lobby TV some fluff about Chinese fashion and food. I suppose flowered gowns and paper umbrella’s will be the new look for the liberal chic. I imagine the viewers are also getting an education on the wonderful culture of China. (Well, at least up until about 1920).
Just goes to show how little most people know about China. China didn’t go communist until 1949.
I do agree that it is a terrible terrible waste of money. For 40 Billion USD, China could have built an additional 40 nuclear attack submarines, 1000 fighter aircraft, or over 10000 tanks. Those would have been a lot more useful than throwing money away for facilities that won’t get much use. Though to be fair much of the spending on infrastructure upgrades such as the airport, subways, roads, etc. will be useful. Still not as useful as 10000 tanks though...
Or maybe Obama is lying (?)
Thanks for the correction. I should have recalled my grade school report on Chiang Kai-shek. However, in learning a bit more right now I was thinking (and guessing at the date)more of the end of the dynasties in China. (From a search - Qing Dynasty in 1911 - thanks to your prompting).
I think what Ann Coulter side might apply...
Said, not side
I have found that spending money is a waste of money especially when my wife does it
Couldn’t agree more. I refuse to watch any of this abomination from our biggest enemy and one of the biggest advocates of oppression and torture on the planet. Anyone who watches the Olympics is a traitor to liberty.
Interesting. So all of those troops in Iraq (and I suspect Afghanistan, I just don't have the eyewitness evidence) who are watching the Olympics on AFN are traitors to liberty?
You are accusing the very people who defend your right to spout such hyperbolic rhetoric of being traitors to liberty?
So, you are just excusing your desire to watch kiddie games on TV as well as your blatant support of our biggest enemy and the world’s biggest torturer, I suppose.
Nice going.
Interesting. So all of those troops in Iraq (and I suspect Afghanistan, I just don't have the eyewitness evidence) who are watching the Olympics on AFN are traitors to liberty?
You are accusing the very people who defend your right to spout such hyperbolic rhetoric of being traitors to liberty?
Do you just stutter or are you hard of hearing?
I assume you are saying that NBC is the world's biggest torturer. because China doesn't make a penny off of whether or not I tune in to watch.
China is playing a PR game. You can choose to buy it or not. But to attack someone for watching it because they are supporting China is just goofy. To attack the patriotism of our military personnel serving overseas for watching just demonstrates how absurd you and your claim are.
Read closer. I said nothing about the “patriotism” of our troops. And anyone who wastes their time with the garbage “sports” show IS supporting the Chinks. They are, each man woman and child, the ENEMY of the USA. When they attack, you will find out and wish you’d listened.
They need opposing, not coddling.
If the attitude over here was to "help the poor" before spending any money on anything else, the result would be that none of us would have anything and everybody would be poor.
Too bad for you; you won't be able to see Michael Phelps blow away what Spitz did.
First of all, oh so charming one, the internet "stutters" quite a bit where I am and was doing so this morning.
Nor am I "excusing" any "desire" and I most certainly am not giving "blatant support" to ANY of our enemies. Try slamming or even questioning my patriotism again and it's ON. And I mean it.
You clearly don't understand the meaning of the word "liberty." You seem to think it means freedom to be just like you. Anyone who does not believe exactly the way you do is wrong, is that it? Yes, I've seen your overblown, hyperbolic posts before.
I imagine you were raised to believe that you're the most special kid in the world. Well, time to grow up and face reality. Not everybody is like you (thank the Lord), nor does everybody want to be. And just because someone has a different view on something from yours does not make that person wrong. So grow up and get over yourself.
And you might want to consider switching to decaf, devloping a sense of humor and learning some manners.
You are not good enough to lick the boots of the troops who are quite enthusiastically enjoying the Olympics on Armed Forces Network. And not a single one of them gives a rat's what you have to say about it.
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