Chinese Love

[Joe Miner]

What's the deal with the Olympics this year?

 

Either I've gotten more cynical the past 4 years, or it really seems that the TV coverage of the Olympics really wants me to love China.

 

Many of the announcers during the Olympics almost seem to be rooting for the Chinese, and almost every commercial that's on during the Olympics has something to do with China.

 

During the men's basketball game yesterday against China, one Chinese player dunked a rebound over Carmello Anthony and the announcer (Doug Collins I think) said something to the affect of "Well maybe that's what he needs to get him fired up and get him going" referring to the Chinese player, not Anthony, as if he was rooting for what I thought was supposed to be "our" opponent.

 

Last night's coverage of women's gymnastics was all about how great China is, and how great their gymnasts are.

 

Every commercial that comes on has something to do with loving China, and China being all about coming together as one. I realize that's the Olympic theme this year, but coming from China, it's pretty laughable IMO. Does the Chinese government have some kind of control over the advertisement aired during Olympic coverage, or do these companies really think that I want to see pro-China love on TV all the time?

 

I checked a map and everything, and I think I'm still living in America. So is it just me, or is the coverage of the Olympics this year trying to inundate me with some kind of love for China?

[ExiledInIllinois]

I don't know... But, they keep on saying how gracious the fans are to opposing teams... They made a real big point about that after the Japanese swimmer won the gold. I guess you gotta give them credit, it has been just shortly over 60 years since suffering the last round of Sino-Japanese tensions and atrocities American civilians could never begin to imagine.

 

 

On that note... Where else can one quote Murray Head (actually Abba)?...

Not exactly Bangkok, but close enough:

 

THE AMERICAN:

One town's very like another

When your head's down over your pieces, brother

 

COMPANY:

It's a drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity

To be looking at the board, not looking at the city

 

THE AMERICAN:

Whaddya mean? Ya seen one crowded, polluted, stinking town --

[UConn James]

Well, let's put it this way. As a guest, do you walk into someone's home and say, "Pretty nice place you got here" or do you beat them over the head and tell them they should get all new appliances and coordinating cabinets and they need to paint the spare bedroom? It's called decorum.

 

In case you didn't get whacked with the cluestick, this is tantamount to China's coming-out party, their moment to shine. Or would you just have the Games held in (pro)Western countries? They are an unbelievably fast-growing country with rising influence in the geopolitical and world economic sphere. If you don't like it, there's not much we can do about it, so we'd better get used to certain realities. Like several of our political leaders there have said, it's not a zero-sum relationship --- a growing China is a good thing for the US. And again, I don't know what coverage you've been watching, but there's been plenty of criticism re: human rights, political strong-arming vis-a-vis Tibet, etc. The important thing is to encourage them to change, not whack them over the head and hope they'll change.

 

Finally, this is the Olympics. The Chinese have built a very nice venue. The Olympics always has been about promoting the city where they're held. From Athens to Salt Lake to Sydney to Atlanta. Do you get similarly chagrined when you see Rick Steeves gushing about Italy or Iran or South Korea? The Games aren't supposed to be about highlighting political differences, tho that's the tack some seem to have taken. Christ, people. Sit back and enjoy the competition.

[The Poojer]

Great post....thank you for posting what I was thinking....you did it waaaaaaaaay more eloquently than I ever could have....

 

Well, let's put it this way. As a guest, do you walk into someone's home and say, "Pretty nice place you got here" or do you beat them over the head and tell them they should get all new appliances and coordinating cabinets and they need to paint the spare bedroom? It's called decorum.

 

In case you didn't get whacked with the cluestick, this is tantamount to China's coming-out party, their moment to shine. Or would you just have the Games held in (pro)Western countries? They are an unbelievably fast-growing country with rising influence in the geopolitical and world economic sphere. If you don't like it, there's not much we can do about it, so we'd better get used to certain realities. Like several of our political leaders there have said, it's not a zero-sum relationship --- a growing China is a good thing for the US. And again, I don't know what coverage you've been watching, but there's been plenty of criticism re: human rights, political strong-arming vis-a-vis Tibet, etc. The important thing is to encourage them to change, not whack them over the head and hope they'll change.

 

Finally, this is the Olympics. The Chinese have built a very nice venue. The Olympics always has been about promoting the city where they're held. From Athens to Salt Lake to Sydney to Atlanta. Do you get similarly chagrined when you see Rick Steeves gushing about Italy or Iran or South Korea? The Games aren't supposed to be about highlighting political differences, tho that's the tack some seem to have taken. Christ, people. Sit back and enjoy the competition.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Well, let's put it this way. As a guest, do you walk into someone's home and say, "Pretty nice place you got here" or do you beat them over the head and tell them they should get all new appliances and coordinating cabinets and they need to paint the spare bedroom? It's called decorum.

 

 

Like HELL YOU DON'T!

 

Ya you do if they (the person you are visiting) live in a freakin' dump and beat their children with a pipe wrench while along your host is raving about what a great swimming pool and Porsche they have.

 

As Americans, in this case... We should be acting like the obnoxious mother-in-law. It is for everybody's own good.

 

The "buck" can always buy someone decorum... That is the real problem with America, and there is plenty in line.

[Joe Miner]

Well, let's put it this way. As a guest, do you walk into someone's home and say, "Pretty nice place you got here" or do you beat them over the head and tell them they should get all new appliances and coordinating cabinets and they need to paint the spare bedroom? It's called decorum.

 

In case you didn't get whacked with the cluestick, this is tantamount to China's coming-out party, their moment to shine. Or would you just have the Games held in (pro)Western countries? They are an unbelievably fast-growing country with rising influence in the geopolitical and world economic sphere. If you don't like it, there's not much we can do about it, so we'd better get used to certain realities. Like several of our political leaders there have said, it's not a zero-sum relationship --- a growing China is a good thing for the US. And again, I don't know what coverage you've been watching, but there's been plenty of criticism re: human rights, political strong-arming vis-a-vis Tibet, etc. The important thing is to encourage them to change, not whack them over the head and hope they'll change.

 

Finally, this is the Olympics. The Chinese have built a very nice venue. The Olympics always has been about promoting the city where they're held. From Athens to Salt Lake to Sydney to Atlanta. Do you get similarly chagrined when you see Rick Steeves gushing about Italy or Iran or South Korea? The Games aren't supposed to be about highlighting political differences, tho that's the tack some seem to have taken. Christ, people. Sit back and enjoy the competition.

 

Well, congrats on misconstruing my point, you sure put me in my place.

 

I didn't say we should be bashing China and telling hem how great the US is, and they should be more like us. I didn't say that we should assume we're #1, and everyone should bow down to our greatness. Great arguments against what I didn't say though.

 

But when our announcers seem to be rooting and cheering for our opponents, I tend to question why. When all of the commercials from US companies seem to be telling me how great China is, I tend to question why.

 

And I've watched a good amount of coverage this past weekend, and IMO, they really haven't mentioned anything negative about China like you seem to think they are.

 

There's a difference between rooting for your own country, while still respecting your host, and openly cheering for your opponents while telling your country how great the opponent is.

[stuckincincy]

What's the deal with the Olympics this year?

 

Either I've gotten more cynical the past 4 years, or it really seems that the TV coverage of the Olympics really wants me to love China.

 

They hold 500 billion dollars of US Treasury securities...we buy a lot of their goods then make a political football over jobs going overseas.

 

http://www.treas.gov/tic/mfh.txt

[The Poojer]

count me as one who misconstrued your post as well...and as for rooting for the home team...count me as one who gave a big cheer when Yao Ming scored a 3 pointer to open the game against the US....wasnt rooting for china, rooted that the local hero showed up....when it comes to the olympics, i find myself cheering for all atheletes, of course I want the americans to win, but this is a stage for atheletes across the globe to perform at the highest level, and they all have my appreciation and admiration...

 

Well, congrats on misconstruing my point, you sure put me in my place.

 

I didn't say we should be bashing China and telling hem how great the US is, and they should be more like us. I didn't say that we should assume we're #1, and everyone should bow down to our greatness. Great arguments against what I didn't say though.

 

But when our announcers seem to be rooting and cheering for our opponents, I tend to question why. When all of the commercials from US companies seem to be telling me how great China is, I tend to question why.

 

And I've watched a good amount of coverage this past weekend, and IMO, they really haven't mentioned anything negative about China like you seem to think they are.

 

There's a difference between rooting for your own country, while still respecting your host, and openly cheering for your opponents while telling your country how great the opponent is.

[ExiledInIllinois]

They hold 500 billion dollars of US Treasury securities...we buy a lot of their goods then make a political football over jobs going overseas.

 

http://www.treas.gov/tic/mfh.txt

 

"Shanna, they bought their tickets, they knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em crash.

[DrDawkinstein]

the point of the Olympics is not to drive countries further apart through competition, its to bring everyone together and to celebrate each others' victories.

 

unifying the world through good sportsmanship. if you cant be happy for an athlete who has trained all of their life to make it to that stage, just because they are from a different country, then youre kinda missing the point of the games.

[ExiledInIllinois]

the point of the Olympics is not to drive countries further apart through competition, its to bring everyone together and to celebrate each others' victories.

 

unifying the world through good sportsmanship. if you cant be happy for an athlete who has trained all of their life to make it to that stage, just because they are from a different country, then youre kinda missing the point of the games.

 

I understand that... But you also can't be given a "domestic abuser" their glory just because they hold the purse strings... That is my point.

 

That is what the world is doing. Is this how we should handle the "wife beater" next door?

 

[ieatcrayonz]

Well, let's put it this way. As a guest, do you walk into someone's home and say, "Pretty nice place you got here" or do you beat them over the head and tell them they should get all new appliances and coordinating cabinets and they need to paint the spare bedroom? It's called decorum.

Jimmy,

 

Is "decorum" French for "Commie lover"?

[Joe Miner]

the point of the Olympics is not to drive countries further apart through competition, its to bring everyone together and to celebrate each others' victories.

 

unifying the world through good sportsmanship. if you cant be happy for an athlete who has trained all of their life to make it to that stage, just because they are from a different country, then youre kinda missing the point of the games.

 

I'm not saying that we can't appreciate good competition from an opponent. But IMO, the Olympics are also a time to unite as a country and bring our best to compete with the rest of the world's best. Just because we can appreciate the excellent competition, doesn't mean we should actively be rooting for them, especially when they are directly competing against us.

 

The other 31 NFL teams practice just as hard as the Bills, and all their players have prepared for the NFL their whole life, just like the Bills' players. Saying Tom Brady made a good play and is a good player is different than saying 'Hopefully that 3rd down completion is just what Brady needs to get going this game' when it's a game against the Bills.

[UConn James]

Well, congrats on misconstruing my point, you sure put me in my place.

 

I didn't say we should be bashing China and telling hem how great the US is, and they should be more like us. I didn't say that we should assume we're #1, and everyone should bow down to our greatness. Great arguments against what I didn't say though.

 

You're laboring in misapprehension. I didn't say you were making those claims.

 

But when our announcers seem to be rooting and cheering for our opponents, I tend to question why. When all of the commercials from US companies seem to be telling me how great China is, I tend to question why.

 

And I've watched a good amount of coverage this past weekend, and IMO, they really haven't mentioned anything negative about China like you seem to think they are.

 

There's a difference between rooting for your own country, while still respecting your host, and openly cheering for your opponents while telling your country how great the opponent is.

 

Do you question loyalty when Steve Tasker says what a great play Tom Brady had? Seriously, you expect the announcers to be blatant homers? They typically gush/chide on equal terms about whoever is competing. Did you watch gymnastics last night? They were talking about Romania's once-dominant teams and the differences b/w then and now. They had the story of the 33-year-old German emmigre pummel vaulter and her son with leukemia who was treated there, then gushed when she qualified for the finals. They were talking about the Chinese and how their program has gotten very good, and they voiced that the US coaches were questioning the Chinese athletes' age (really, several of them for sure look under 14), saying that in Caroli's experience in "authoritarian states like China" (he once coached in an eastern bloc country) they routinely doctor passports/records. How is that lauding "our opponents"? Not to mention the Bush interview last night ~8:30 where Costas asked the president whether in the talks with China's prez, he'd brought up China's "atrocious human rights record," the Chinese decline of Joey Cheek's visa due to his Tibet support, etc. Is that an example of your stance there's been "[nothing] negative about China"? Perhaps you missed how everyone in the NBC studio was cheering like crazy at the end of the swimming relay last night? (BTW, that was just a brilliant display. Ten feet to go and the US anchor was behind by about an arm-length, he closes the gap and gets a WR by an unheard-of 4 seconds. Simply awesome!)

 

That was just in a couple of hours that I saw. There's been plenty of criticism out there. It's been acknowledged. To mention it more than they do would be beating a dead horse... This is the Olympics, not a G-8 summit.

 

You may be watching, but I don't think you're paying attention.

[Joe Miner]

You're laboring in misapprehension. I didn't say you were making those claims.

 

 

 

Do you question loyalty when Steve Tasker says what a great play Tom Brady had? Seriously, you expect the announcers to be blatant homers? They typically gush/chide on equal terms about whoever is competing. Did you watch gymnastics last night? They were talking about Romania's once-dominant teams and the differences b/w then and now. They had the story of the 33-year-old German emmigre pummel vaulter and her son with leukemia who was treated there, then gushed when she qualified for the finals. They were talking about the Chinese and how their program has gotten very good, and they voiced that the US coaches were questioning the Chinese athletes' age (really, several of them for sure look under 14), saying that in Caroli's experience in "authoritarian states like China" (he once coached in an eastern bloc country) they routinely doctor passports/records. How is that lauding "our opponents"? Not to mention the Bush interview last night ~8:30 where Costas asked the president whether in the talks with China's prez, he'd brought up China's "atrocious human rights record," the Chinese decline of Joey Cheek's visa due to his Tibet support, etc. Is that an example of your stance there's been "[nothing] negative about China"? Perhaps you missed how everyone in the NBC studio was cheering like crazy at the end of the swimming relay last night? (BTW, that was just a brilliant display. Ten feet to go and the US anchor was behind by about an arm-length, he closes the gap and gets a WR by an unheard-of 4 seconds. Simply awesome!)

 

That was just in a couple of hours that I saw. There's been plenty of criticism out there. It's been acknowledged. To mention it more than they do would be beating a dead horse... This is the Olympics, not a G-8 summit.

 

You may be watching, but I don't think you're paying attention.

 

Why are you so wound up on criticism of China? I didn't mention it in my original post. You're the only one bringing it up. All I said was from the amount of Olympics I've seen so far, I (and the other 4 people that watched it with me this weekend) haven't seen much negative about China at all.

 

Again, I'm not arguing that we should be criticizing/bashing China. I'm not arguing that we should be making the Olympics a political statement.

 

You may be reading my posts, but I don't think you're paying attention.

[UConn James]

The other 31 NFL teams practice just as hard as the Bills, and all their players have prepared for the NFL their whole life, just like the Bills' players. Saying Tom Brady made a good play and is a good player is different than saying 'Hopefully that 3rd down completion is just what Brady needs to get going this game' when it's a game against the Bills.

 

Dude, it's kind of become the color analyst's job to root for both teams.

 

And I think you need to give attribution for that exact quote to Randy Cross.

 

Then, the Chinese team was grossly overmatched on paper by the US squad. The intent there was probably that he was hoping for a well-matched game... as blow-outs are kind of boring. If sportscasters could go back and edit their comments, I'm sure he'd change the wording, but it's live teevee. How many times in your day do you wish you could do the same?

[UConn James]

Why are you so wound up on criticism of China? I didn't mention it in my original post. You're the only one bringing it up. All I said was from the amount of Olympics I've seen so far, I (and the other 4 people that watched it with me this weekend) haven't seen much negative about China at all.

 

Criticism = Postive?

 

What's your definition of "negative" things about China? Do you want them to say the bathroom stalls in the "Water Bubble" are too small? That the opening ceremony was absolute garbage? The pollution (they have mentioned that lots in the lead-up to the Games)? Their possibly underage athletes (one of my examples above that they have voiced allegations of cheating)? What signifies "negative" if not criticisms?

[Joe Miner]

Criticism = Postive?

 

What's your definition of "negative" things about China? Do you want them to say the bathroom stalls in the "Water Bubble" are too small? That the opening ceremony was absolute garbage? The pollution (they have mentioned that lots in the lead-up to the Games)? Their possibly underage athletes (one of my examples above that they have voiced allegations of cheating)? What signifies "negative" if not criticisms?

 

Wow, you really don't get it.

 

You have apparently failed at understanding this thread.

 

Again, you're the only one talking about this.

[UConn James]

Wow, you really don't get it.

 

You have apparently failed at understanding this thread.

 

Again, you're the only one talking about this.

 

My grandfather always taught me not to match wits with unarmed people.... But against my better judgment, I'll ask again for a straight answer.

 

What construes the "negative" that you'd like to be expressed about China?

[Joe Miner]

What construes the "negative" that you'd like to be expressed about China?

 

Holy SHIIT!!!

 

As I've tried to express several times:

 

I AM NOT CALLING FOR CHINA TO BE PORTRAYED IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT AT ALL. AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T SEE THE NEED TO CONSTANTLY KISS THEIR ASS.

 

NOT WANTING TO KISS THEIR ASS IS NOT THE SAME AS WANTING THE ANNOUNCERS TO SPEAK NEGATIVELY ABOUT THEM.

 

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACKNOWLEDGING THAT OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE GOOD ATHLETES AND GOOD TEAMS, AND OPENLY ROOTING FOR THEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE (THE U.S.) ARE PLAYING AGAINST THEM.

 

I AM NOT BRINGING ANYTHING POLITICAL ABOUT CHINA INTO THIS THREAD. THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T START THIS IN THE PPP SECTION. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE BRINGING THIS CRAP UP.