No doubt you’ve heard the indignant whining by Western reporters covering the Olympics about the number of Internet sites (related to Tibet and other embarrassing political matters) that have been blocked by the Chinese government. But I find most of their complaints in this respect impudent and patently disingenuous.
After all, these Western reporters accepted their coveted assignments knowing full well the Orwellian state of political affairs that exist in China. Moreover, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – with the blessings of all Western governments – handed the torch to China to host these Games knowing full well that the Chinese government, like a leopard, was not about to change its spots vis-a-vis censorship and human rights abuses.
(Frankly, I think banning dog meat from the menu of all restaurants catering to Westerners over the next couple weeks was accommodating enough….)
Therefore, I urge reporters covering the Olympics to spare us any more of their self-righteous handwringing about politics, and just report on the spectacular sporting (and cultural) events that will be on display. (For example, previews of the Opening Ceremony on Friday suggest that it’s going to be an extravaganza unlike anything we’ve ever seen….)
Besides, it is naive and indulgent for these lucky scribes to think that sports fans will care one iota about reporters’ access to sites which document the way Chinese leaders have restricted democratic freedoms and oppressed their people.
Especially since the story of these Olympics will be swimmer Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian in history, or the US men’s basketball “redeem” team avenging their stunning 2004 upset in Athens, or China dethroning the US as the quadrennial all-around medal champion (which, more than their insurgent economic power, would signify that this is truly the Chinese century).
So let the Games begin!
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