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Iraq Banned From Olympics: Government Broke IOC Rule

LibertySugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:14 -0700

Iraq has been banned from participating in the Beijing Olympics because the government replaced the country's Olympic committee originally elected in 2004. The Olympic Charter states that all nations must have committees free from political influence. Now, Iraq's seven qualifying athletes — two rowers, two sprinters, an archer, a weightlifter, and a judo competitor — cannot fulfill their Olympic dreams because of their government's quarrel with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The dispute began in May when Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government disbanded the Iraqi Olympic Committee, maintaining that the members were corrupt and won their spots through phony elections. The action broke IOC rules, and prompted the banning. Following the decision, the general secretary of the current Iraqi Olympic Committee said, "it is a blow to Iraq and its international reputation, its athletes, and its youth."

Although Iraq faces problems much more urgent than exclusion from the Olympics, watching fellow citizens compete with the rest of the world could have raised Iraqis' spirits and potentially inspired further reconciliation. Should the Olympics make an exception for Iraq, or stick by its standard of not mixing politics with sports?

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Does Your Olympic Knowledge Deserve a Gold Medal?

LibertySugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:00:47 -0700

The Olympic Games have been going on since 776 BC! That's a whoooole lot of time for trivia. Did you know that when you put together the names of this year's five Olympic mascots — Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni — they say "Welcome to Beijing?" Go for the gold, and test your knowledge of Olympic history.

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Front Page: Hurricane Dolly Hits Texas, China to Allow Protests, Iran Says No Concessions

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:56:59 -0700

Hurricane Dolly Hits Texas:
Hurricane Dolly arrived on the Gulf Coast early Wednesday with heavy rain and winds ramping up before the center of the storm hits towns on the Texas-Mexico border later today. The hurricane will bring up to 15 inches of rain, threatening local levees that gave way 41 years ago in Hurricane Beulah. The National Hurricane Center said Dolly could approach Category 2 strength when it makes landfall today.

China to Allow Protests:
China has announced that protests will be allowed in three specific city parks during the upcoming Olympics. To protest, one has to apply for permission from the city government and police, and stay within the parks. The director of the Beijing committee said the parks are "close to the city proper and the Olympic venues," but didn't know how the application process would work "at this time."
Iran Says No Concessions:
The president of Iran says the country will not back down in its nuclear activities. The US, UN, and EU have instructed Iran to give an answer on the issue within two weeks or face sanctions. President Ahmadinejad responded in a televised speech, "the Iranian people are steadfast [they] will not retreat one iota in the face of oppressing powers."

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Olympics Emergency Air Plan: Is Wearing a Mask an Insult?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:00:26 -0700

Traffic restrictions started in Beijing over the weekend in a frantic effort to try and improve the city's air quality before the start of the Games. By only allowing vehicles with odd-numbered license plates into the city on alternating days with evens, officials hope the halving of traffic will take 60 percent of the city's 3.3 million cars off the roads and reduce emissions by two-thirds.

Though the atmospheric throat-clearing is all about getting gussied up for company, locals are loving the effect. One mom said, "it's great — today there are far fewer cars on the road and the air quality is so nice. This is good for the children." With 1,000 new cars hitting Beijing streets every day the measures are herculean in one of the world's most congested cities.

Not limited to cars, construction and factories have also been quashed, making it clear that the bid for cleaner air is wholly temporary — once the rings come down, it's business as usual. For now, an extra 4 million people are expected to smush their way onto public transportation — claustrophobes, stay out of China.

Though the plan seems to be helping a little, all of this effort still might not be enough — and the stars of the show, the athletes, are grappling with a crisis of manners over performance. To see how,

Where I'm Clicking Now: BBC Sport's Olympic Map

LibertySugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:30:27 -0700

The 2008 Summer Olympics don't begin for another 21 days, but anticipation and intrigue are already heating up. What to do if you can't make it to the Games in person?

BBC Sport has created an interactive map of Beijing that lets you in on all the excitement by allowing you to peruse the 37 Olympic venues and local landmarks (like the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square). It also showcases articles from journalists on BBC Sport's Olympics blog and Twitter updates from BBC Sports' journalists in China. Right now the site is more of a preview of the Olympic village, but once the games begin it will offer a timely account of what's happening.

If you hover over any icon a pop-up window will appear with more information and pictures of what the site looks like from the ground. Need more Olympic data? NBC also has a fancy site with a countdown, blogs, profiles and eventually, results.

We're pretty excited for the Olympics around here, whether because of or despite the controversy — and here's a trivia question that popped up while we were checking out this map: we all know rhythmic gymnastics with its crazy ribbons and balls routines — but what do they call the other kind of gymnastics? You know, the flipping around kind? You can find the answer on the map if you don't already know — TeamSugar exercise ball gift on your profile page to the first person who answers correctly in the comments! Perfect 10.0!

Olympics Countdown Begins With a Flurry of Preparations

CitizenSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:15:10 -0700

The Olympics have revived China's second largest city. Today Beijing glitters with high-profile, modernist buildings, the world's largest airport terminal, and a new National Theater — one of the few cultural monuments built in China in the last 30 years. Now less than 30 days before 8-8-08, spectacular antiterrorism drills are underway and finishing touches are being made. Take a peek behind the curtains and see what China's up to — the Segways are just the beginning.

Odd Disappearance of Afghanistan's Only Female Olympian

CitizenSugar — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:34:19 -0700

Time magazine this week has a feature on the bizarre story of the mysterious disappearance of Afghanistan's only female, Olympics-bound runner. The 19-year-old Afghan middle distance runner, Mehbooba Andyar, went missing in Italy last week while on her way to the Olympics in China. Friends and co-athletes have not seen her since July 4, when she left her training facility in Formia, Italy.

Police are not ruling out any possibilities, although her missing bags and passport do indicate that she may have left on her own. Some believe she's seeking asylum in Europe over fear of Muslim extremists in her homeland where she faced constant rumors of prostitution and repeated threats of violence.

In a recent interview, Andyar said, "I'm the model for my country, being a woman in a typical Muslim nation. I'm very proud to say that I will be participating in the Olympic Games. By virtue of these opportunities, many women from my country are participating in many sports, and this will help to develop a better managed country."

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Front Page: Rice Warns Iran, China Foils Olympic Terrorists, Six Die at US Consulate in Turkey

CitizenSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:03:01 -0700

Rice Warns Iran:
The tension between Iran and the US elevated today as Iran tested missiles for the second day in a row. The action prompted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to assert that the US will defend its allies and interests against an attack. At a press conference Rice said, “we will defend our interests and defend our allies. We take very, very strongly our obligations to defend our allies and no one should be confused of that." An Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander was quoted as saying, "our hands are always on the trigger and our missiles are ready for launch." Meanwhile, the subject of Iran's nuclear program has led President Bush to count heavily on diplomacy hoping to assuage the mounting situation in Iran that newscasters can't stop describing as "sabre-rattling."

China Foils Olympic Terrorists:
China has foiled plans by five "terrorism" groups aiming to target the Beijing Olympics, as reported by the state media. So far this year, police have detained 82 people in the country's unsettled Xinjiang region who had allegedly been planning to sabotage the Beijing Olympics.

Six Die at US Consulate in Turkey:
Shots were fired outside of the US Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday, killing at least three police officers, with three assailants killed in a brief gun battle that followed. Officials report a fourth assailant escaped. The attack was the first on a diplomatic outpost in the city since 2003, when attacks on the British Consulate killed 62 people. Turkish and American officials consider yesterday's attack one of terrorism.

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Beijing Gets an Olympic-Sized Makeover: In 8 Easy Steps!

CitizenSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:30:49 -0700

Beijing will be dressed to impress this August when the world turns its attention east for the Summer Olympics. Radar lists eight changes in its July/August issue that China is making to ensure the city is picture perfect when the cameras go on.

Reduced traffic
To avoid unsightly traffic, the Chinese government will only let half of Beijing's drivers on its streets. How will they decide who gets to drive? Even- and odd-numbered license plates will alternate days. See, life is fair.
Less spitting
China's government is known for its oppressive quirks, but that does not include prohibiting spitting in the street. Until now. Fines and tissues will be handed to the defiant.
Fewer felines
Apparently, Beijing is like one giant cat lady. And that never did my image any good, so I can see why China is concerned. To reduce the city's overpopulated kitty sidewalks, the government launched an aggressive campaign to ensure people know the truth about cats. You know, like how they carry SARS. Scared pet owners have been sending their beloved fluffies to cat death camps.

There are more upgrades afoot. To see what else is going on,

Flush China Calls US Out For Mishandling Their Economy

CitizenSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:00:25 -0700

It's the ultimate economic version of the pot and the kettle and all that talk about being black. After having been on the receiving end of US scolding over their mishandled economy, the shoe has moved to the other foot. In recent weeks senior Chinese officials have been pointing the finger back at Americans for mismanaging their own economy. Among their criticisms is the “warped conception” of market regulation following the subprime mortgage debacle now eroding the world economy. At the latest World Trade Organization meeting, the Chinese envoy called upon the US to halt their dollar’s freefall depreciation before its complete failure further sends world oil and food prices upwards. To see who agrees, and how the Olympics fit in,

WNBA Veteran To Play For Russia At Olympics

CitizenSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:55:34 -0700

WNBA Veteran To Play For Russia At Olympics WNBA player Becky Hammon will travel to Beijing this summer for the 2008 Olympics to play for the Russian team. Hammon, a 10-year WNBA veteran, has no genealogical connection to Russia, but was granted a Russian passport from the country when she previously played for a professional team in Moscow. Hammon's decision spurred US women's basketball coach Anne Donovan to call her a traitor.

Amputee Wins Olympic Right, Amputee Swimmer Qualifies

CitizenSugar — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:00:29 -0700

South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius won a landmark appeal from the Court of Arbitration for Sport allowing the runner to compete for a slot in the Beijing Olympics despite a previous ban on his artificial legs.

Nicknamed "Bladerunner," Pistorius runs on specially-adapted carbon fiber blades and said of the ruling,

I am going to try and make it to Beijing. I have a few chances ahead of me and I will try to make the most of them. . . Sport brings people together and it doesn't divide or judge. This decision will open new doors for disabled athletes. Happily, the CAS considered the question a scientific matter and only looked to determine if my blades gave me an advantage or not. Handicapped or able-bodied, for me there is no difference. I'm just a sprinter and it is this that people see me as.

It was a big day all around for differently-bodied South African athletes. South African swimmer and amputee Natalie Du Toit qualified for the Beijing Olympics after finishing fourth in the 10K race in the Open Water World Championships.

Is the decision to let Pistorius compete fair? The swimmer doesn't use a prosthesis, while the runner does — should there be a difference? Is it a great victory for sports?

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Should China Edit Its Chinglish?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:25:03 -0700

Should China Edit Its Chinglish? CNN reported that China recently launched a major effort to correct all the "Chinglish" on public safety signs and menus located throughout Beijing. In preparation for the upcoming Olympic games, English teachers are voluntarily proofreading signs and restaurant menus for translation errors that amount to silly gibberish. I think it'll be a sad day when the streets of China are deprived of their "anus" hospitals and restaurants no longer serve "crap."

China Clamps Down and Cleans House for Olympics

LibertySugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 09:00:31 -0700

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), as well as China, are looking for ways to make the Beijing Olympics run smoothly this summer.

China finally admitted yesterday that it has been tightening visa controls. Fears that activists, or even terrorists may disrupt the games, the government is implementing a more strict procedure. Typically easy to get business visas will not be available from mid-April until mid-October.

Foreign students are also being told to leave for July and August. Some estimate that as many as 10,000 students will be exiled, as China attempts to reduce the number of potential protesters.

Meanwhile in the arena, athletes' clothes and gestures will be subject to Olympic Rules. The IOC clarified "Rule 53.1" which says that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas." Athletes are free to answer media questions about political topics but cannot express such opinions with their look, external appearance, clothing, gestures, and written or oral statements at official Olympic sites.

Are these restrictions necessary to a safe and smooth Olympics? Do you think athletes should be able to express their opposition to human rights violations? Are the Olympics ignoring its own tradition of activism, as seen in this picture of USA athletes protesting racism in the US during the 1968 Olympics?

Olympic Sponsors Responsible for Human Rights Violations?

LibertySugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Pro-Tibet groups are joining together to call out the corporate sponsors of the Beijing Olympics. The groups say that unless the companies use their influence to pressure China, they are complicit in a humanitarian disaster.

Twelve global sponsors, including Coca Cola, General Electric, McDonald's, Visa, Johnson & Johnson and Omega have paid a combined $80 million for the four year exclusive sponsorship deal. Activists explain that together these companies have a GDP equal to Canada's, the world's eighth largest economy. Thus, they can wield a lot of influence.

Do you expect sponsors to get involved in global politics, considering they work with governments, employ lobbying firms, and maintain international presences?

Are human rights more than politics, therefore giving everyone an obligation to pressure China, including corporations and consumers? Or, should the sponsors be commended for supporting the Olympic movement, which would be impossible without them?

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Front Page: Afghanistan Attack, North Korea Agreement, Kenya Riots, San Francisco Torch

CitizenSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:58:08 -0700

In Afghanistan, Taliban insurgents ambushed a group of road construction workers and their security guards, killing 18 of the guards and wounding seven. It was one of the worst attacks in months. The security guards killed were young boys working for $150 a month. The president of the International Committee for the Red Cross said, “we are extremely concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. There is growing insecurity and a clear intensification of the armed conflict, which is no longer limited to the south but has spread to the east and west."

The US and North Korea have reached an agreement on what North Korea will receive from the US in exchange for disclosing its nuclear activities. Negotiations on US political compensation for the declaration have been holding up progress in disarmament talks. The US had accused Pyongyang of missing a year-end deadline to make a full nuclear declaration as promised.
Renewed riots erupted in Kenya yesterday after opposition leaders announced that they were suspending talks with the government over a stalled power-sharing agreement. Protesters took to the streets shouting, “no cabinet, no peace!” referring to the division of power after the disputed presidential election last December. The riots are the first major incident since Feb. 28. At the center of the conflict is the division of power. The government headed by President Mwai Kibaki is refusing to cede enough powerful ministries, like finance, foreign affairs, or internal security, to satisfy the opposition. The post-election violence has left more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands still displaced.
San Francisco is preparing for the US leg of the Olympic torch relay today. The run will start at 1:00 p.m. PDT, and heavy protests are expected. Mayor Gavin Newsom said he had been in touch with officials in the UK and France to discuss ways of handling the controversy saying, "I'm not naive to the challenge associated with this event."

Olympics Causing Further Human Rights Abuse

LibertySugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:00:26 -0700

Ironically, human rights abuses in China are actually getting worse because of the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. Amnesty International warns that China's pre-Olympic clean up is not good for dissidents. With all eyes on China, it is certainly trying to appear more stable and harmonious, but the latest report says:

It is increasingly clear that much of the current wave of repression is occurring not in spite of the Olympics but actually because of the Olympics.

China has already announced that it plans to control a natural phenomenon — rain— with a technique that involves dropping chemicals on clouds. If this is the sort of approach the government takes toward unruly weather, I can't imagine how it will control an unruly population.

So, I'm not surprised by Amnesty International's assessment that a positive legacy for the Beijing Olympics looks unlikely. Apparently China wasn't surprised either, as the foreign ministry spokeswoman said: "The organization holds prejudice against China, so you can imagine what kind of report it will release."

Do you still have any hope that the Olympics, with all the attention, might inspire reform in China? Or could they be heading in the opposite direction?

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Front Page: More Troops for Afghanistan, Pelosi Calls for Boycott, UK Troop Reductions Stalled

CitizenSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:54:03 -0700

President Bush asked NATO allies to send more troops to Afghanistan in a speech delivered before a big NATO summit. Bush quoted Sarkozy saying, "As [French] President Sarkozy put it in London last week, we cannot afford to lose Afghanistan. Whatever the cost, however difficult, we cannot afford it, we must win. If we do not defeat the terrorists in Afghanistan, we will face them on our soil." NATO-led forces currently number 47,000 troops. France has already answered the call for more — Prime Minister Francois Fillon said that his country would send several hundred more troops.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is calling for President Bush to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. Pelosi has just returned from a visit with the Dalai Lama. She said, “the president of the United States, if he is going to give credibility to the Chinese government, he should also take the time to say to them we are very concerned, not only about human rights, which are a very important value to us, but we are also concerned about our trade situation.” Pelosi says a high profile boycott of the opening will send a message without affecting the games. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has already announced she will be skipping the ceremony.
British Prime Minister Gordon Browne announced the draw-down of British troops from Iraq will be postponed given the recent violence in Basra. The plan was to reduce the number of troops from 4,000 to 2,500 this spring. Browne said, "In the light of the last week's events, however, it is prudent that we pause any further reductions while the current situation is unfolding. It is absolutely right that military commanders review plans when conditions on the ground change."

China to Control Universe Starting With the Weather

CitizenSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:00:17 -0700

Well, it's obvious that China isn't a capitalist society. Why? Instead of making a gabillion dollars selling souvenir Olympic umbrellas, to ensure a dry and happy experience for Olympic attendees they're employing an army of thousands (scores of thousands!) to control the weather.

That's right. They're not just interested in controlling thoughts, actions, media, Tibet, nope. They're kind of behaving like a crazy jealous boyfriend to the Weather. "Where are you going to be? What are you doing? What time will you rain?" And then they send out their army of workers, like so many hosts of Cheaters to follow the clouds and force them to comply.

How? To find out,

Games Off? Should We Boycott the Beijing Olympics?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:00:36 -0700

Well sports fans, it might be time to make some Olympian-sized decisions regarding the upcoming games in China. The torch began its big journey today amid protests, and it's probably just a taste of what's to come. As the venues near completion and the situation in Tibet keeps China in the news and on the defensive, more countries are giving the games careful consideration. Today, a poll in France shows that a majority want government officials to boycott the opening ceremonies, and almost the same amount supported some kind of protest by French athletes at the Games against China's human-rights record. The president of the European Parliament echoed this by saying that Europe "should not rule out a boycott of the Olympic Games in Beijing."
Germans however have already packed their bags, the Olympics are on according to their Olympic committee. They said of the decision, "Sport is not a suitable tool to be used to apply political pressure." President Bush issued a similar statement over the weekend through his press secretary who added, “One of the things the president has said, also, in regards to this is that any country who’s going to be hosting the Olympics will have a bright light shined upon it and it is a chance for that country to put its best face forward.”Critics of the games point to these issues:

China's presence in Tibet and the recent crackdown on dissenters there

The suppression of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in China

China's policies related to Burma and the Darfur region of Sudan

China's policies toward Taiwan

General lack of freedoms in China, such as expression, assembly, and the press

Will China take advantage of this bright light? Should the international community use the games as a political issue?

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Front Page: Casualites Reach 4,000, Torch Lit, PA Deadline

CitizenSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:58:51 -0700

The US death toll in Iraq reached 4,000 yesterday after four soldiers were killed in a roadside bombing in Baghdad. This sad milestone is likely to fuel calls for the withdrawal of American forces as the war enters its sixth year. The fatal attacks came amid heavy shelling on the US-protected Green Zone which also killed 61 Iraqis. The grim tally of US deaths has a companion list, that of Iraqi casualties. One widely respected count is by Iraq Body Count, which collects figures based mostly on media reports, estimates that 82,349 to 89,867 Iraqi civilians have lost their lives in the conflict.

The Olympic torch has been lit at a ceremony briefly disrupted by protesters. At the lighting held in Greece, two pro-Tibet activists broke through the mass of 1,000 police officers in Olympia and tried to display a flag as China's envoy spoke. During the speech by the head of the Beijing Olympic committee, two men ran up behind him attempting to display a black flag depicting the Olympic rings made from handcuffs. The men were swiftly contained and removed by police and the ceremony continued uninterrupted. The torch will now begin the journey around Greece before being sent to China to start a trip through 20 countries, returning to Beijing on 08.08.08.
Today marks the deadline for Pennsylvania voters to register to vote prior to the state's big primary. The April 22 contest could prove to be a pivotal point in the campaign with 188 delegate votes at stake.

Dalai Lama: China's "Cultural Genocide," China Blocks YouTube

CitizenSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:00:49 -0700

Yesterday the Dalai Lama accused China of waging “cultural genocide” against his followers in Tibet and called for an international investigation into the increasingly violent suppression of protests. It was the Dalai Lama's strongest defense of Tibetan Buddhists staging an uprising against Chinese rule to date. He endorsed the right of his people to protest their grievances peacefully against Chinese authorities, adding that he would not ask Tibetans to surrender to Chinese military police by midnight on Monday, as Beijing has demanded.

Some Tibetans are hoping for outright independence from China and feel that they have the perfect political opportunity to call attention to change as China prepares for the Olympic Games, moving centerstage and sparking intense scrutiny of its human rights record.

In response to the protests, Internet users in China were blocked from accessing YouTube yesterday after dozens of videos about protests in Tibet appeared on the video website. The videos posted Saturday showed foreign news reports about the demonstrations, with photos and scenes from Tibet-related protests abroad. The Chinese government is silent on its move to prevent access to YouTube. Users trying to call up the YouTube were presented with a blank screen.

Do you think the move by China to block access to this information just serves to underscore the Dalai Lama's point?

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Front Page: Microsoft Fine, Turkey Must Leave, China Talks

CitizenSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:04:27 -0800

The European Union has fined Microsoft a record $1.4 billion for defying sanctions imposed on it for anti-competitive behavior. The fine ruling goes back to a 2004 decision that says Microsoft is guilty of not providing key code to rival software makers. Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said, "Microsoft was the first company in 50 years of EU competition policy that the Commission has had to fine for failure to comply with an antitrust decision."
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is set to tell Turkish leaders that they must conclude their current invasion of Iraq, and leave in no longer than two weeks. Turkey began this invasion into northern Iraq last week against separatist rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or the PKK. The U.S. provides Turkey with intelligence and surveillance assistance. Gates said, "It's very important that the Turks make this operation as short as possible and then leave. They have to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty."
China has said that it will resume human rights talks with the U.S. This agreement appears to be aimed at countering potential criticism from activists ahead of the Olympic Games to be held in China this summer. The talks stalled in 2004 after the Bush administration sponsored an unsuccessful resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Commission rebuking China’s human rights record. China has warned that attempts to link Darfur with the Olympics will not help resolve the issue.