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'Olympics Are A Waste Of Money'
Sky News ^ | August 12, 2008 | By Alex Watts

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 ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2008olympics; china; ioc; olympics; sponsors
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1 posted on 08/14/2008 8:01:25 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
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To: jahp; LilAngel; metmom; EggsAckley; Battle Axe; SweetCaroline; Grizzled Bear; goldfinch; B4Ranch; ..
MADE IN CHINA POTTERY STAMP

A ping list dedicated to exposing the quality, safety and security issues of anything “Made in China”.


Please FReepmail me if you would like to be on or off of the list.

(This can be a high volume ping list.)

2 posted on 08/14/2008 8:01:44 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
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To: JACKRUSSELL

Their construction also drove up the price of concrete, steel, and copper.


3 posted on 08/14/2008 8:08:33 PM PDT by Perdogg
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To: JACKRUSSELL
Is it just me, or does anyone else get annoyed at reading a dozen one sentence paragraphs?
4 posted on 08/14/2008 8:10:38 PM PDT by chaos_5
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To: JACKRUSSELL
I agree with some of this and disagree with some.

From what I've seen ordinary Chinese are taking a lot of pride in a job generally well done, certainly the opening ceremonies were spectacular.

But I also agree there is tremendous resentment toward the government, especially seeing all this lavish spending on the Olympics hard on the heals of the poor response to the earthquake and scandals of party officials cutting corners on school buildings to pocket the extra. Plus, I think many Chinese have been surprised how their country is viewed around the world, with the protests during the torch run.

Who knows, maybe this will be a catalyst for change.

5 posted on 08/14/2008 8:10:42 PM PDT by colorado tanker (Number nine, number nine, number nine . . .)
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To: colorado tanker

I’d like to know how much money the US Government spent supporting these Olympic games (security and such). Anybody know?


6 posted on 08/14/2008 8:13:26 PM PDT by satan
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To: colorado tanker

Don’t get your hopes up. The harder they try to look good to the world the worse they come off. They just keep sinking lower from where I sit.

BTW, the fireworks were phony too. Surprised?


7 posted on 08/14/2008 8:14:10 PM PDT by derllak
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To: satan

I haven’t heard of any U.S. money going to support China. The local host committee has to eat all the expenses, except those of the teams. But USOC covers the team expenses.


8 posted on 08/14/2008 8:20:45 PM PDT by colorado tanker (Number nine, number nine, number nine . . .)
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To: chaos_5

My old English composition professor, Dr. Ed Cronin, PhD would flunk the writer for that reason alone.


9 posted on 08/14/2008 8:22:51 PM PDT by shibumi (".....panta en pasin....." - Origen)
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To: derllak
I think the government has little support among the people. How long it might be before those autocrats lose control, I have no idea.

And, no, I was not surprised the "footprint" fireworks were staged because the pollution was so thick they wouldn't have been seen otherwise. The cute little girl was dubbed, too.

The Chinese have also looked very ham fisted to the media and sponsors, who can't get customers through the security. God forbid some Tibet flag might be unfurled.

10 posted on 08/14/2008 8:24:21 PM PDT by colorado tanker (Number nine, number nine, number nine . . .)
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To: JACKRUSSELL
I know one thing, this one just upped the ante big time. Spending 700 million on the opening ceremony only puts more pressure on future countries to try to out do the one before.
11 posted on 08/14/2008 8:26:09 PM PDT by NavyCanDo
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To: Perdogg

Buy your stocks accordingly... :o)


12 posted on 08/14/2008 8:28:33 PM PDT by traumer
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To: JACKRUSSELL

BTTT


13 posted on 08/14/2008 8:29:37 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
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To: JACKRUSSELL
And the groundswell of pride and nationalist fervour in China is obvious.

What is a groundswell of pride and nationalist fervor in a country where dissent with the official party line is a quick ticket to being blacklisted for employment, jail time, and persecution?

Answer: Self-preservation.

14 posted on 08/14/2008 8:42:40 PM PDT by coconutt2000 (NO MORE PEACE FOR OIL!!! DOWN WITH TYRANTS, TERRORISTS, AND TIMIDCRATS!!!! (3-T's For World Peace))
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To: JACKRUSSELL

I have been to Tibet and have seen how brutally the Chinese treat them. I have not watched the olympics at all.


15 posted on 08/14/2008 8:44:52 PM PDT by MtnClimber (http://www.jeffhead.com/obama/nobamanation-sticker.jpg)
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To: JACKRUSSELL

Not to mention how many people were kicked out of their homes so that the Olympic center could be built.


16 posted on 08/14/2008 8:55:16 PM PDT by loreldan (Can't vote for Obama, so rah rah McCain I guess)
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To: JACKRUSSELL

btt


17 posted on 08/14/2008 9:15:27 PM PDT by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))
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To: Cacique

I’m extremely proud to say that I have watched 0 seconds of this farce they call the Olympics! Haven’t watched them since I last saw them in black and white. That was a while back!


18 posted on 08/14/2008 9:26:49 PM PDT by Never2baCrat
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To: Never2baCrat

Same here. Mark Spitz era (1972?) was the last time I watched.


19 posted on 08/14/2008 9:50:38 PM PDT by Inyo-Mono (If you don't want people to get your goat, don't tell them where it's tied.)
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To: Never2baCrat
I’m extremely proud to say that I have watched 0 seconds of this farce they call the Olympics! Haven’t watched them since I last saw them in black and white. That was a while back!

You're not alone, bro.

20 posted on 08/14/2008 10:20:52 PM PDT by NurdlyPeon (New tag line in progress.)
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