Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I certainly be watching our athletes compete when events coincide with a decent hour. Like most Australian's I particularly enjoy the swimming and a couple of other events like cycling. Of course the main reason for this is they are the only ones we are competitive in .

I don't personally see how not watching the Olympics is going to make a political statement. Of course if you don't enjoy it, don't watch it.

I'm not going to watch the Olympics. But if some of the runners collapse half way and have to be put on oxygen can some one tell me. I want to learn more about 02 injection.

I am here now!

Bit late, but I made it too, wife watched the opening ceremony and liked it...guess I'll be doing all washing, ironing and preparing the meals whilst the olympics are on (Bonnie is a big fan )

I watched the opening ceremony. I figured being the country that invented fireworks it might be bright and loud and it was... Except the last half is just sooooooooooooooo boring.

Its also about me not being a hypocrite - its obviously not going to change the world by me not watching, but at least I will stand by what I believe in (something I hope my kids will do some day)... I like the concept and ideals of the Olympics, just don't believe that they should be hosted by countries which treat human beings the way they have (and then try conceal it while saying that they were concealing nothing )

As opposed to us upstanding defenders of truth, democracy and the free world eh AM...

Whilst I'll condemn China's invasion of a sovereign nation (Tibet).... I'm not going to be that hypocritical to overlook our invasion of a sovereign nation ...
(or two...or three.... Iraq, Afganistan, Vietnam etc)...

And yep our "undeclared" war, alteration of principles/codes of conduct and rules of war, re-interpretation of the Geneva Convention, imprisonment and torture of "enemy combatants"....

Are fine upstanding examples of human rights....

And lets not go near the turning of a blind eye... to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Rhowanda, Zimbabwe... etc...

Or the support we give to a nation forged, usurped and carved out of another peoples land by a select group of powers in direct contravention of an agreement and promised treaty with the landholders... (Israel/Palestine - The Balfour Treaty)... and the ongoing occupation and military control....

I could go on.....

Just for the sake of debate...

China could actually claim more legitimacy in invading/occupying Chinese Taipei than Tibet...

But I bet we ("the free world") would jump on our morally indignant high horses if they did...

WE.. the western world are the biggest hypocrites in the worlds history... for all the basest of human motives... greed, power, religous and racist bigotry...

All the more reason why I need to, at least in my home, work at not being a hypocrite - set a good example for my kids

Agreed AM... nothing personal intended mate ...

none taken

I just like fireworks.....

I don't see how watching the games makes anyone a hypocrite.

I'm quite patriotic and love to see Australia competing well against nations of much greater size.

This debate about sport versus the arts (in terms of funding) is one I can't cop. I respect those who get their thrills from the arts - but the fact of the matter is that a great percentage of ausies love their sport and get great pleasure and relaxation out of watching it. Anything that helps people get away from the pressures of modern day life is a good thing in my books, whether it be a theatre, opera, national sporting cops or the olympics is a good thing in my view.

I should clarify.

Voting for China to hold the games yet questionning their suitability to do so on the basis of human rights record would in my view be a hypocritical act.

Having had no ability to impact upon the choice of host, but having an objection to their human rights record and watching the games is not in my view hypocritical. China is not gaining anything from you watching, provided it does not change your views. On the other hand, you are also not achieving anything by not watching.

If you don't want to watch it and feel this way - I respect your views as I do anybodies views, but disagree with any suggestion that those who do watch yet have concerns about China are hypocrites.

I watched the first bit then fell asleep. They certainly have the fine art of precision downpat. quite a spectacle! impressive, just don't be the one guy who is a bit out of time or alignment...