The 2008 Nazi Olympics

Francois · 03-31-2008, 19:42 PM

Quote:

The 2008 Nazi Olympics
By CB Liddell

Back in 1936, a certain country used the Olympic Games to showcase the achievements of its totalitarian regime. Visitors were impressed by signs of economic progress, including a new national freeway system; amazed at technological innovations, like the first public use of live TV coverage; and awed by the orderly nature of a society where the police had the whip hand. Even the local athletes put on a good show. Apart from some unpopular successes for certain U.S. athletes of color, the host country easily topped the medal table, with 33 golds to the USA’s 24.

Now, 72 years later, we are to be treated to a similar spectacle — the Beijing Olympics, when another ascendant totalitarian power will pull out all the stops in an attempt to promote its economy, society and political system. But what, exactly, is China’s political system?

Although it claims to be a communist country, China can be more accurately described as a fascist state. Due largely to the horrific events of World War II, the word “fascism” and “fascist” are now terms charged with extreme emotions. But looked at in terms of political science, fascism is a system of state power that utilizes nationalism and big business to strengthen a country economically, industrially and militarily, especially when the country feels disadvantaged by the existing global system. In the past, Italy, Germany and Japan turned to fascism in an attempt to redress the power balance of what they saw as a biased international system that favored the main capitalist and colonial powers. Now China is doing something similar.

Instead of public ownership of the means of production and the equitable distribution of wealth that should characterize a communist system, the so-called Chinese Communist Party encourages big business, billionaires and bling. China is now a land of gross inequalities populated by high-class hookers and low-paid factory workers, a place where trendy consumer goods are promoted alongside the increasingly hollow platitudes of socialism.

The internationalist aspect of communism is merely used as a means of extending China’s influence in Africa, whose raw materials the Chinese covet but are too weak to control directly. Meanwhile, closer to home, under the umbrella of growing military might, Chinese nationalism has become increasingly virulent, with constant threats aimed at the Taiwanese or anyone who supports the independence of the Tibetans or Uighurs. Here in Tokyo, we get a front-row seat any time Japan does something that displeases the Chinese government — from visiting Yasukuni Shrine to complaining about poisoned gyoza. Then, we’ll see the Chinese rent-a-mob out there in force with its nationalistic slogans about “great China” and “little Japan.”

China’s role in the global economy is also interesting. Happy to be the “world producer” to America’s role as the “world consumer,” the Chinese government keeps the yuan low and exports high. While America closes factories and builds shopping malls, China builds steel plants and infrastructure, slowly altering the balance of power and transforming itself into the world’s major power. All this with a one party state, no democracy and oppression of dissent.

The big assumption is that involving China in the world economy like this will tie its interests to ours and promote Chinese democracy. In the meantime, China gets thousands of new factories and hundreds of millions of workers inured to hard labor and shortages, while the West gets to play with its credit cards. Chinese democracy, meanwhile, is left securely on the back burner.

In 1936, the very year of the Berlin Olympics, top Nazi Hermann Goering called on German workers to make greater sacrifices in the nation’s drive to become industrially and militarily powerful. “Guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat,” he famously said. China’s role in the world economy is a clear case of “guns instead of butter.”

Recently, the film director Steven Spielberg called attention to China’s role in the ethnic massacres taking place in Darfur, a province of the Republic of Sudan, whose government China supports by trading, supplying weapons, and using its U.N. Security Council veto when necessary.

Spielberg’s decision to boycott the Olympics soon came under attack by critics who suggested that what we needed was “constructive engagement” with the Chinese. It might chill some of us to remember that exactly the same arguments were used back in 1936, when many had reservations about attending Hitler’s Olympics.

Of course, each nation — including China — has a sovereign right to develop its industry, economy, and even military power in whichever way it likes. But at the same time, the rest of the world should do a better job of recognizing what’s really going on: a powerful one-party state is using our greed for cheap consumer goods to gradually transform itself into the biggest concentration of industrial muscle on earth, while using the Olympics to send out a “dog whistle signal” that a new superpower has arrived and expects to be obeyed.

This commentary originally appeared in Metropolis magazine (www.metropolis.co.jp)

A paralelle in history.
Dangerous comparing apples with lemons (the last one are acid), but similarities are shokingly evident...

Zeng · 03-31-2008, 22:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois

A paralelle in history.
Dangerous comparing apples with lemons (the last one are acid), but similarities are shokingly evident...

Hi Francois,

Long time no see. How are things going for you in Japan? Where is the sakura frontline right now? I miss the Ueno Park blossoming sakura very much. Haven't seen it for 3 years.

Do you still ride those right-wing Japanese black trucks once a while to Yasukuni shrine? Just kidding.

I really miss you and would like to make a little bit fun of you. Hope you are not angry. I know that France people are very friendly. I visited there twice before.

It is very sorry that Paris failed its bet on the 2012 Olympic Game. Why did you fail? Is it because someone tries to boycott the 2012 Paris Olympic Game? Kidding again.

I miss Paris too. Next time when Paris gets the Olympic Game, I will try to make the trip to show my support.

BTW, We have discussed this topic before and I agree with you. Please read my suggestions in the weblink below (especially #45) for how to boycott Beijing 2008 Olympic Game.

No protests during Olympics, Beijing warns foreigners

LetsTalk · 03-31-2008, 23:18 PM

China was not my first choice either, I believe it was a bad choice for many of the reasons mention in the article. But I must admit, I will probably watch them, love sports.

Zeng · 03-31-2008, 23:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetsTalk

China was not my first choice either, I believe it was a bad choice for many of the reasons mention in the article. But I must admit, I will probably watch them, love sports.

Thanks, this is a good way to deal with it

After all, it is a great sport event.

Don't like sports, don't watch them.

Love sports, watch them.

Tarek Morgen · 04-01-2008, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois

The 2008 Nazi Olympics

Doesn't completly fit imho, cause even the nazis started to behave (at least
for the time the spotlight was on them) during the games.

Mobbme · 04-01-2008, 06:32 AM

Hmmm, am I the only one that doesn't see China being as horrible and terrible as the rest of you see it as? Every country has their flaws, but comparing them to the Nazis???

Wouldn't it make more sense to compare the Nazis to the Iranians? The Iranians have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel (Jews) and the Nazis have committed the holocaust that took millions and millions of Jewish lives -and i'm not even going to bring into account how many GOOD soldiers died KILLING the Nazis. Don't get me wrong here, i'm not saying they're a good and peaceful country like Canada, but really, which country is? I don't believe China's human rights record is worse than that of Russia's, India's, Pre-war Iraq's, and/or anywhere near Sudan's. This is not a personal attack against anyone's country, so before you nationalists come at me (tronic, adux lol) try to understand what i'm saying; feel free to prove me wrong, because life is about learning and understanding as you go on, and I accept that.

Like with Tibet people and their struggle for so called freedom in a communist country, to that of the Quebec separatists and their struggle for an independant country outside of free/dom Canada. The Quebec people don't have any religious figures representing them, is that why there is no support for them? The Tibet people have the Dalai Lama, and astonishingly they have alot of support all around the world, BUT haven't we learned NOT to follow the path of religion when it comes down to political decisions? These are all questions that I need answered. I'm honestly confused right now with the support everyone has given Tibet, and I am still undecided and neutral. I am although, willing to sway to one side if i'm persuaded, because I feel left out

Mobbme · 04-01-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetsTalk

China was not my first choice either, I believe it was a bad choice for many of the reasons mention in the article. But I must admit, I will probably watch them, love sports.

Likewise. I don't give a rats a$s WHO hosts the olympics. Its JUST about sports for me. It's just an honour to watch our athletes (canadians AND americans) bring back almost ALL of the medals, where they belong

heheheh

Bigfella · 04-01-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobbme

Wouldn't it make more sense to compare the Nazis to the Iranians? The Iranians have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel (Jews) and the Nazis have committed the holocaust that took millions and millions of Jewish lives -and i'm not even going to bring into account how many GOOD soldiers died KILLING the Nazis.

On the subject of Iran I will borrow from a favourite rap song - don't believe the hype. Iran is certainly no paradise for non-Muslims, but it is also home to the largest community of Jews in the Middle East outside Israel. Apparently something like 13 Jews have been executed for religio/political reasons since 1979 - not exactly the holocaust Mk2. Indeed, when wealthy backers recently offered financial incentives of up to $30,000 for Jews to leave Iran only 40 accepted (of up to 40,000).

Jews do suffer discrimination in Iran, but the comparisons with Nazi Germany have much more to do with the fevered imaginations & self-serving rhetoric of American & Isralei conservatives than to any objective assessment.

I agree that the comparisons of China to Nazi Germany are wide of the mark, but not so wide as to be easily brushed aside. I would argue that the CCP's era of mass-murder is behind it, unlike Germany. Remember that in 1936 the holocaust had not swung into action. On the other hand, I wonder about the possibility of China trying to expand its influence by force.

There is a very legitimate comparison in the sense of a brutal dictatorship trying to show itself as a success. This is not the first time since 1936, however. In Mexico City in 1968 hundreds of protesters & poor people were killed shortly before the games as the government attempted to put on a smiley face for the world. Moscow 1980 & Seoul 1988 were likewise an opportunity for dictatorships to look good for the cameras (as was the '78 football World Cup). We can only hope the people of the world see past the glitz.

ravi_ku · 04-01-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobbme

Likewise. I don't give a rats a$s WHO hosts the olympics. Its JUST about sports for me. It's just an honour to watch our athletes (canadians AND americans) bring back almost ALL of the medals, where they belong

heheheh

Dont think that china will give that honour this time.
They made US squirm for the top spot (36-32) and this time I expect much more. After all it is a matter of "house honor" for them and all this showcase is just for that sake.

Canadians won exactly 3 gold medals.

About indian athletes, their greatest resume will be that they are olympians -i.e. participated in olympics.

Edit: I almost forgot, the largest official entourage - with an all-expense paid beijing trip. I personally think we will save much more by not sending any athlete to this. the indian athletes are not upto mark. and you know the great coverup story ::;

yoda9999 · 04-01-2008, 08:12 AM

I agree that China is a fascist state. But I wouldn't compare them to Nazis. The Tibetans are protesting because they feel their culture is being destroyed and they want independence, or autonomy, as some like the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is not against the Olympics. No one is claiming that China is relocating Tibetans into death camps with gas chambers and ovens. Calling the Chinese the Nazis is trivializing the Holocaust.

ravi_ku · 04-01-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobbme

Hmmm, am I the only one that doesn't see China being as horrible and terrible as the rest of you see it as? Every country has their flaws, but comparing them to the Nazis???

Wouldn't it make more sense to compare the Nazis to the Iranians? The Iranians have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel (Jews) and the Nazis have committed the holocaust that took millions and millions of Jewish lives -and i'm not even going to bring into account how many GOOD soldiers died KILLING the Nazis. Don't get me wrong here, i'm not saying they're a good and peaceful country like Canada, but really, which country is? I don't believe China's human rights record is worse than that of Russia's, India's, Pre-war Iraq's, and/or anywhere near Sudan's. This is not a personal attack against anyone's country, so before you nationalists come at me (tronic, adux lol) try to understand what i'm saying; feel free to prove me wrong, because life is about learning and understanding as you go on, and I accept that.

Iranians frankly look through their talk of bravado and exactly what are they? hot air ballons. How many are they actually killing?

China CCP record with 2-3 million dead in GPCR/great leap can probably compared to Russias gulag or nazi concentration camps. Dont know much about Sudan. But whats with comparing 2-3 million dead by chinese CCP with Indian human rights record??- Its your call.

No sir, I do not personally think even canada has a greater moral standing than other countries(probably issue for discussion in another thread). All countries have their closet ghosts, some countries like nazi, soviets, china simply have one too many.

Quote:

Like with Tibet people and their struggle for so called freedom in a communist country, to that of the Quebec separatists and their struggle for an independant country outside of free/dom Canada. The Quebec people don't have any religious figures representing them, is that why there is no support for them? The Tibet people have the Dalai Lama, and astonishingly they have alot of support all around the world, BUT haven't we learned NOT to follow the path of religion when it comes down to political decisions? These are all questions that I need answered. I'm honestly confused right now with the support everyone has given Tibet, and I am still undecided and neutral. I am although, willing to sway to one side if i'm persuaded, because I feel left out

The difference has been through all these 50 years, DL tried to always say we want a peaceful expulsion of chinese or something on those lines. and dont forget charisma.

Imagine during the 50s,60s - "a peaceful buddhist country with all its mystic ways against the cruel communists trying to stamp out the culture"- with a charismatic leader like DL at the helm, you have a great hollywood spice for all the hippies. But personally my grouse with hollywood has been there has been no decent movie ala Rambo on burma on this issue

.

Mobbme · 04-01-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravi12

Dont think that china will give that honour this time.
They made US squirm for the top spot (36-32) and this time I expect much more. After all it is a matter of "house honor" for them and all this showcase is just for that sake.

Canadians won exactly 3 gold medals.

About indian athletes, their greatest resume will be that they are olympians -i.e. participated in olympics.

We'll see about that m8! Don't forget the winter olympics my friend.

Mobbme · 04-01-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigfella

On the subject of Iran I will borrow from a favourite rap song - don't believe the hype. Iran is certainly no paradise for non-Muslims, but it is also home to the largest community of Jews in the Middle East outside Israel. Apparently something like 13 Jews have been executed for religio/political reasons since 1979 - not exactly the holocaust Mk2. Indeed, when wealthy backers recently offered financial incentives of up to $30,000 for Jews to leave Iran only 40 accepted (of up to 40,000).

Jews do suffer discrimination in Iran, but the comparisons with Nazi Germany have much more to do with the fevered imaginations & self-serving rhetoric of American & Isralei conservatives than to any objective assessment.

I agree that the comparisons of China to Nazi Germany are wide of the mark, but not so wide as to be easily brushed aside. I would argue that the CCP's era of mass-murder is behind it, unlike Germany. Remember that in 1936 the holocaust had not swung into action. On the other hand, I wonder about the possibility of China trying to expand its influence by force.

There is a very legitimate comparison in the sense of a brutal dictatorship trying to show itself as a success. This is not the first time since 1936, however. In Mexico City in 1968 hundreds of protesters & poor people were killed shortly before the games as the government attempted to put on a smiley face for the world. Moscow 1980 & Seoul 1988 were likewise an opportunity for dictatorships to look good for the cameras (as was the '78 football World Cup). We can only hope the people of the world see past the glitz.

You're right on the mark. But shouldn't we take the Iranian threats seriously? Also, Nazi did not committ the crimes during the olympics, but after the holocaust took place right? But in China's case, I highly doubt that they will massacre millions after the olympics.

Mobbme · 04-01-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravi12

Iranians frankly look through their talk of bravado and exactly what are they? hot air ballons. How many are they actually killing?

Other than the training and arming of insurgents in iraq, I think we should take Iran's threats seriously.

Quote:

China CCP record with 2-3 million dead in GPCR/great leap can probably compared to Russias gulag or nazi concentration camps. Dont know much about Sudan.

Sudan/Darfur is like the Godfather of worst human rights records.

Quote:

But whats with comparing 2-3 million dead by chinese CCP with Indian human rights record??- Its your call.

I retract that statement, I had made it upon Adu's post about the caste differences. After realizing I made no sense, I decided to retract it.

Quote:

No sir, I do not personally think even canada has a greater moral standing than other countries(probably issue for discussion in another thread). All countries have their closet ghosts, some countries like nazi, soviets, china simply have one too many.

We do sir, we do. Our policy is and has always been peace first. But when it comes down to military prowess, we're close to the top.

Quote:

The difference has been through all these 50 years, DL tried to always say we want a peaceful expulsion of chinese or something on those lines. and dont forget charisma.

Imagine during the 50s,60s - "a peaceful buddhist country with all its mystic ways against the cruel communists trying to stamp out the culture"- with a charismatic leader like DL at the helm, you have a great hollywood spice for all the hippies. But personally my grouse with hollywood has been there has been no decent movie ala Rambo on burma on this issue

.

Since 1990, hasn't China come a long way? Especially in the Tibet region?

antimony · 04-01-2008, 13:26 PM

Quote:

About indian athletes, their greatest resume will be that they are olympians -i.e. participated in olympics.
Edit: I almost forgot, the largest official entourage - with an all-expense paid beijing trip. I personally think we will save much more by not sending any athlete to this. the indian athletes are not upto mark. and you know the great coverup story ::;

TOTALLY agree; that money is better spent building sporting infrastructure for the kids. Paring down the department of sports to the bone seems like a good idea too, given that they seem to be totally useless.

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03-31-2008, 23:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
LetsTalk Contributor Join Date: 03-15-08 Location: Illinois Posts: 722 Country:	China was not my first choice either, I believe it was a bad choice for many of the reasons mention in the article. But I must admit, I will probably watch them, love sports.

04-01-2008, 06:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mobbme The Cool Guy *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 10-10-07 Location: Ontario Posts: 2,644 Country:	Hmmm, am I the only one that doesn't see China being as horrible and terrible as the rest of you see it as? Every country has their flaws, but comparing them to the Nazis??? Wouldn't it make more sense to compare the Nazis to the Iranians? The Iranians have repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel (Jews) and the Nazis have committed the holocaust that took millions and millions of Jewish lives -and i'm not even going to bring into account how many GOOD soldiers died KILLING the Nazis. Don't get me wrong here, i'm not saying they're a good and peaceful country like Canada, but really, which country is? I don't believe China's human rights record is worse than that of Russia's, India's, Pre-war Iraq's, and/or anywhere near Sudan's. This is not a personal attack against anyone's country, so before you nationalists come at me (tronic, adux lol) try to understand what i'm saying; feel free to prove me wrong, because life is about learning and understanding as you go on, and I accept that. Like with Tibet people and their struggle for so called freedom in a communist country, to that of the Quebec separatists and their struggle for an independant country outside of free/dom Canada. The Quebec people don't have any religious figures representing them, is that why there is no support for them? The Tibet people have the Dalai Lama, and astonishingly they have alot of support all around the world, BUT haven't we learned NOT to follow the path of religion when it comes down to political decisions? These are all questions that I need answered. I'm honestly confused right now with the support everyone has given Tibet, and I am still undecided and neutral. I am although, willing to sway to one side if i'm persuaded, because I feel left out

04-01-2008, 08:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
yoda9999 Regular Join Date: 05-22-07 Location: California Posts: 43 Country:	I agree that China is a fascist state. But I wouldn't compare them to Nazis. The Tibetans are protesting because they feel their culture is being destroyed and they want independence, or autonomy, as some like the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is not against the Olympics. No one is claiming that China is relocating Tibetans into death camps with gas chambers and ovens. Calling the Chinese the Nazis is trivializing the Holocaust.

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