what? they have to sign something that says theyll keep the olympics what they should be? THE HORROR! stop with the politics and play the games already!

VOTE RON PAUL!

what? they have to sign something that says theyll keep the olympics what they should be? THE HORROR!

a job is about work, so please sign this pledge that you will say nothing negative to anyone or we will not let you work

Um, competing in the Olympics is NOT a job, or a right, rather a privelege - If those are the rules, then to play, you must abide.

Now - I agree that it is abridging free speech, but the Olympics ARE being held in a communist nation. When in Rome....

Besides - as much as I disagree with the athletes not being able to speak their minds, it IS a refreshing change to not have to worry about some moron being able to stand up on a global stage and spew opinion.

Um, competing in the Olympics is NOT a job, or a right, rather a privelege - If those are the rules, then to play, you must abide.

laugh-ola. i knew that this would be one of the first responses.

what do you call something that you do 7 days a week, typically for 4 hours or more a day, that takes years, and that pays quite a lot of money?

Now - I agree that it is abridging free speech, but the Olympics ARE being held in a communist nation

can we at least agree that it isn't good?

it IS a refreshing change to not have to worry about some moron being able to stand up on a global stage and spew opinion.

yeah god forbid you have to hear someone else's opinion

(you know that the english national soccer team gave a nazi salute in germany once upon a time?)

Time for another boycott. If no-one went, not only would the Chinese lose a lot of cash, but the IOC would also be severely out of pocket. Maybe then they would think twice before kow-towing to really oppressive and corrupt regimes, and stick to those that are only mildly oppressive and corrupt, like the US, or the rest of the Western world.

fuck china.

Those last two comments were fucking Awesome! I agree.

laugh-ola. i knew that this would be one of the first responses.

And I knew how you would respond, but I note that you did not have an argument refuting this statement.

Listen, I agree that a gag order is bullshit at the highest level, but at the same time I am sick of hearing the likes of Tim Robbins use his celebrity to blather on about his views. Personally, I think he's a capable actor, but I don't give a rat's ass about where he stands on the issues, unless he runs for office.

yeah god forbid you have to hear someone else's opinion

When I want to hear someone's opinion on world events I'm certainly NOT going to tune in to a sporting event.

And I agree. FUCK china.

I like Chinese food.

LOki LIVES!!!!

And I knew how you would respond, but I note that you did not have an argument refuting this statement.

uh what.

as far as the 'track is not a job,' well, i answered that. unless you want to argue that pro football (or any other sport, really) is not a job, in which case, i don't know how you think athletes make their money.

and competing in the olympics is a privilege, yes, just like your job. do they curtail your basic human rights at your job? no? oh ok because i already made that point too.

they could boycott and protest that way, sure. but in that sense, it isn't like a conventional job where you could quit in protest, just to find another one. the olympics only happen every 4 years, and for most athletes, it's a once in a lifetime chance to make it once. there's also nothing bigger than the olympics, so most of those athletes stand to make the most money of their careers in those races.

basically, i'm saying it's bad and not good, and i can't believe i even have to argue that point.

Personally, I think he's a capable actor, but I don't give a rat's ass about where he stands on the issues, unless he runs for office

how does that change his opinions in any way?

When I want to hear someone's opinion on world events I'm certainly NOT going to tune in to a sporting event.

only an idiot would. but who cares if they want to spend their 30 second post-race interview talking about human rights violations? they spent their lives getting to that point, i guess it's up to them if they want to take a half-assed stand at that point. i'd rather hear that then listen to them thank god for their performance.

Wow - Holy missing the point. First, you are in agreement that going to the Olympics is a privelege, as is holding a job. That was the point you did not refute, so we are in agreement.

As far as sports being a job is concerned, yes, professional athletes earn money for playing, so sure - I'll concede that, inasmuch as I was still stuck on the point that until recently, Olympians had to be amateurs. Forgive me for being stuck in the pre-Dream Team era - I honestly haven't paid much attention since the rules for amateur status to compete in the Olympics changed. Sorry, my bad.

But honestly, outside endorsements, how much money is there really to be made from professional track and field events? A lot of those athletes hold other jobs.

My biggest issue here is that I'm tired of people using celebrity status to stand on a national or world stage and express their personal opinions about whatever - going back to my point about Tim Robbins. When did I say I wanted him to change his opinions? Um, NEVER. Try this - next time you're at work and have the opportunity to give a career changing presentation to a bunch of upper management types, and instead of sticking to the issues at hand you start blathering on about your position on abortion, or human or animal rights, or any other societal hotbutton - and see where it gets you. I'm not talking about water cooler chat, here, but a full blown FUCK THE MAN dissertation about why you think fuzzy little bunnies should have the right not to be run over.

As far as caring about what an athlete says in their 30 sec. post-race interview? I care. Talk about the race; talk about the training and dedication it required to achieve greatness; just don't make me listen to something I don't care to hear from an athlete. What it amounts to is that when watching, you are more or less a captive audience. Why should I have to endure a human rights speech when I tuned in to watch a race?

I know, I know, you can always turn off the coverage, but that's a whole new thread.

This is way more words than link comments need. Take this shit to the forum and build a thread.

wotak:
This is way more words than link comments need.

No it's not.

wotak:
Take this shit to the forum and build a thread.

No, you.

Why should I have to endure a human rights speech when I tuned in to watch a race?

I never get this point of view. Why do you even care?

You could just as easily say 'Why should I have to endure discussions of what you have to endure when you tune in to watch a race?'

Except, it'd be more words, so not quite as easy, I guess.

People pick a time and place to make points that are important to them. Athletes get the spotlight at certain intervals and will predictably use that time to try and affect whatever influences they think they're worth. Whether it's agreeable to you and/or me is totally irrelevant; they'll do it regardless.

You could argue in several ways that their speech is more effective and important than ours, too. No one's going to change the way they think or take action based on reading your post above or my post now; I don't think the same is true for Mr. Olympiad.

right, why should i have to endure praise to god and their parents and their trainer when i tuned in to watch a race?

also, this. if you can bring light to an issue, why wouldn't you? especially if you think it's important.

i view 'celebrity opinions' the way i view 'offensive speech': big fucking deal, too fucking bad, cry for me evita.