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I’m not sure if it’s as much human rights or freedom of the press, but this Olympics is starting out poorly in the eyes of free nations around the world.
The latest bit of bad news is delivered to our door steps via the New York Times, which is reporting that although promises were made that foreign journalists would have unlimited access to the Web, many sites have been blocked so that reporters can not get access to them from Beijing’s press centers. In a roundabout way, Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said publicly two weeks ago there had been an agreement to allow journalists unlimited access. But at the behest of China, Rogge succumbed to the country’s objections.
Strangely, it appears both China and Rogge have lost what is a basic ideal of the Olympics: Camaraderie of sovereign nations in which peace and freedom are promoted. Sadly, China has yet to portray any of the characteristics of a nation that is concerned with freedom or camaraderie. Human rights continue to overshadow the games and suppression of this known negativity is paramount to the Chinese government. For what reason, I’m not sure. But the party line is the censorship of many Web sites is to keep social stability.
Let’s be clear: In the Olympics, there is no escaping politics. It’s guaranteed. There have been bombings (1996 in Atlanta, USA), propaganda (1936 in Berlin, Germany) and boycotts from competing nations (1980 in Moscow and 1984 in Los Angeles).
This year, we’ve already seen propaganda on issues ranging from the legitimacy of Falun Gong, Tibetan human rights and Taiwanese independence. I am sure we will continue to see demonstrations of dissent as well, as seen in the video below, in the course of these Olympics.
In essence, the backlash against the media is a protracted stance in form with China’s normal crackdown on dissenting voices against the country’s human rights record. Even Amnesty International, according to the New York Times, has been blocked.
This is all a disturbing trend, seeing how China had promised reforms in order to get the games in the first place. So far, the only thing that has changed, although slightly, is the pollution in Beijing.
China’s history on human rights, it’s record on suppressing dissent and its cowardly initiative to suppress the freedom of information, therefore the press, points to a very shallow Olympics in which the country proudly protects its reputation while damaging it more in the process. I can conclude, without fail, that China will not see the see the games again until this is rectified. Even the IOC can’t put up with this terrible publicity for more than one year.
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UPDATE: The New York Times is reporting today that some of the Web sites previously blocked by China, such as Amnesty International, are now available to reporters at the Olympics. That’s what happens when the press starts putting the focus on lies and backward rhetoric.
That’s what he thinks. Artest was responding to a comment by Yao Ming, who was concerned with team chemistry issues after the trade:
“Hopefully, he’s not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands,” Yao said, according to the Houston Chronicle.
First of all, that’s hilarious. But if anyone can top it, it’s Artest:
“I understand what Yao said, but I’m still ghetto,” Artest said. “That’s not going to change. I’m never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don’t think he’s ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he’ll understand what I’m about. If you go back to the brawl, that’s a culture issue right there. Somebody was disrespecting me, so he’s got to understand where I’m coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed.”
Wrrrrrrrong answer! Nice try though. He does answer questions honestly, I’ll give him that. I’m one of the few that doesn’t mind that he went into the stands to fight a beer-tossing A-hole, but publicly he just needs to keep apologizing. Try not to take an entire culture down with you, Ron.
I was getting a little tired of Artest saying he wanted to be a King for the next 20 years, then demanding a trade the very next day. And during the season I didn’t care for him jacking up a string of threes every time he thought he was on fire. But for the most part he was a success story in Sacramento, and stayed out of trouble. Truthfully, I think this is a good trade for both sides.
Houston is getting another All-Star caliber player to round out their roster. He gives them a new attitude, added toughness, and a lockdown defender. The trade makes the Rockets legitimate title contenders, so long as he doesn’t rape or stab any spectators. Artest seems to love coach Rick Adelman, so I think the raping and stabbing will be kept to a minimum.
The Kings get back a fan favorite in Jackson, a first round pick that I’m confident GM Geoff Petrie will use to get another piece to the championship puzzle, and a rookie in Greene who scouts say has the potential to be a star. ESPN’s J.A. Adande gave a great explanation:
“They weren’t going to win a championship with Artest. They weren’t going to win a championship with whatever key player they got for Artest. By going for draft picks and the expiring contract of Jackson they’re sticking with their long-term strategy of good young players until they can be major players in the 2010 free agent market. That summer they can have Beno Udrih, Kevin Martin, Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Quincy Douby, Greene and three more draft picks under contract, plus some $25 million-plus in salary cap room.”
The Kings have bet on the future, while the Rockets have bet on the present. I like the odds that both teams are getting.
But it’s his play that keeps me believing in this young man. He’s got the tools, the intangibles and the humble demeanor to provide a particular personality the W’s need going forward. He’s a hard worker who puts his head down and just goes to work.
In this offseason, the combination of signings and departures in the W’s camp all points to an increased, yet balanced load geared in Ellis’ direction. As I wrote in my column, he’ll have Corey Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Marcus Williams and hopefully Andris Biedrins. With Anthony Randolph coming in the mix, Brandan Wright coming of age and Al Harrington still doing his thing, the W’s have a solid group. I’m still looking for a bruiser down low, but I can live knowing that at least the team has three bona fide stars.
All of this points to a singular thought and feeling, Ellis will do nothing but succeed in this situation. He’s got the right mix of talent around him and an undeniable work attitude that shows on the court day in and day out.
In 2004, 26 Olympians were caught doping. That’s the basis for Rogge’s expecting 40 to succumb to juicing. Don’t you think that’s backwards? I do. I’d like to think that there has been a bit of education over the course of of the last four to six years.
But then again, the urge to succeed may overcome any logic. Your thoughts?
I don’t know. Ask Lamont Jordan, who has been released by his employer even though he’s due $4.7 million this upcoming season with a total hit on the salary cap of $6.1 million.
It looks like the reigns of the team have been handed to first round pick Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas. But don’t take your eyes off the ball. Jordan, imho, is still an elite back. He grabbed 549 yards last season as a part-time running back. In 2005, when he was playing full-time, he gained 1,025 yards and scored nine touchdowns. No lie. He also caught 70 balls for 563 yards, making him a dynamic force on my fantasy squad that year.
I’d also like to add, he hasn’t been given much of a chance since. But let’s keep our eyes on the prize. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a player can’t be locked out of their team’s training facility simply because a certain owner, doesn’t want him. The classic example is of course Steve McNair being locked out of the Tennesse Titans’ training facility. That ended with McNair winning a grievance against the team and then being traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
I can see Al Davis going down the same road. Can’t you?
At least I hope he was joking. According to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb believes Philadelphia is the team to beat - not just in the NFC East, but in the NFC. It strikes me as strange, considering they finished in last place in the division with an 8-8 record, and have done almost nothing to improve over the offseason.
“A lot of people have picked us to win the NFC and rightfully so,” he said. “It’s not that hard to see the type of team we have. You don’t
win NFC championships or the NFC on paper. You put it out on the field. Our team hasn’t changed that much where we can’t win the NFC again.”
I don’t think Eagles fans count, Donovan. I haven’t heard a single person pick them to win the NFC, and they should lose their job if they do. The biggest problem with the Eagles is the same as it’s been - they don’t have any receivers. I’ll never understand why they continue to think the Greg Browns, Hank Basketts and Freddie Mitchells of the world can get the job done at a championship level. I’m a big DeSean Jackson fan (2nd round pick), but how much can you rely on a rookie?
I remember Eagles players saying last year the road to the NFC East title went through Philadelphia. Even though that road had a carpool lane, McNabb thinks that’s the case again this year. Nevermind that the NFC East might be the toughest in the league and includes the 13-3 Cowboys, the defending champion Giants and the 9-7 and improved Redskins.
“We beat the Cowboys last year, and we should have beaten them in the first game,” McNabb explained. “The Redskins, we should have beaten them the first time. The Giants, we should have beaten them both times. It’s not just teams in our division; it’s the NFC, period. I feel like we can compete with all of them. If you ask those teams, they’ll tell you the same, that we have the type of team you have to look out for. “
And I should be sleeping on a mattress stuffed with $100s. As Bill Parcells says, you are what you are.
The Cowboys beat the Eagles 38-17 in the first game, and it wasn’t even that close. Philly’s final touchdown came when the Dallas starters had already begun packing up their belongings and heading toward the bus. Why should they have won that game, exactly?
I’m no expert on the other games he mentioned, but my research tells me that in the Redskins loss, the Eagles used their final drive of the game to score their fourth field goal and make it an 20-12 final. Then there’s a 16-3 loss to the Giants, and a 16-13 loss to the Giants, the only close game.
I’ll give him one thing: you do have to look out for the Eagles. They’re one of the best-coached, best-run teams in the league, and will make you pay if you don’t bring your A game. But unless they find a way to add some major talent in the next month, the Eagles can start planning for the 2009 draft.
The New Jersey Nets have traded point guard Marcus Williams to the Golden State Warriors for a future first-round draft pick, sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday.
Williams backed up Devin Harris last season, but Williams’ role grew more uncertain by the acquisition Monday of Keyon Dooling from the Orlando Magic via a sign-and-trade deal.
The Post reported that the pick the Warriors are sending New Jersey is lottery-protected for 2011, meaning the Nets will obtain it if the Warriors reach the playoffs.
It’s never a sad day in Giants land when the day before was just as sad or worse. I can point to only a select few ball clubs in which the talent is heavily dependent upon the old-timers. The Giants have ranked No. 1 in the last few seasons and their dismissal of second baseman Ray Durham yesterday for prospects is apart of an ongoing effort to undo that.
It’s all very much appreciated in this fan’s eyes.
Durham, while solid in the field, was shaky with his bat. He wasn’t a clutch hitter and was unfortunately overhyped in his move from the Oakland A’s in 2003, a team built on young talent. This year he was on a high, batting .293 through 87 games but was an empty bat last season en route to finishing the year with .218 average. It was really just embarrassing.
The tradeoff is that the Giants have more prospects to work with as the team still tries to figure out its identity and provide some run support for their heralded pitchers. In the coming months, I expect for the Giants to showcase more young talent (as they have been) in hopes of filling out their ranks.
For the first time, in a long time, the farm system really matters to the Giants management. This post-Barry Bonds era is increasingly interesting. The post-Durham era will be increasingly productive.
I’m not sure if it’s as much human rights or freedom of the press, but this Olympics is starting out poorly in the eyes of free nations around the world.
