In July 2001, François Carrard, the executive director of the I.O.C. said, “Some people say, because of serious human rights issues, ‘We close the door and say no, the other way is to bet on openness. Bet on the fact that in the coming seven years, openness, progress and development in many areas will be such that the situation will be improved. We are taking the bet that seven years from now we will see many changes.”.

Obviously this has not happened. As the father of young boys, i know very well that if i were to reward them for work in advance, that work would not get done. This is purely and simply about money and corruption. Now that Tibet has been silenced by bloodshed the next controversy is the olympic torch. Over the weekend there were riots in Paris and London and Australia’s prime minister will not attend the olympic torch ceremony in Australia.  Read news article

Andrew Heslop is one of the torch bearers selected in Australia. Last night said he was concerned for the safety of runners around the world and that the relay should not be used as a political protest. “I think the organisation of the Olympics and the activities of the Chinese Government are separate,” said Heslop, the founder of Neighbour Day. “Personally, I don’t think its appropriate to use any sporting activity as a form of protest.” Obviously Heslop does not have much character. He is right in saying the organisation of the olympics and the activities of the Chinese government is separate - which is why China should never have been given the olympics in the first place.

Grant Hacket said boycotting the olympics would hurt the athletes and he is against it. I have news for Mr. Hacket. The innocent Tibetans who got beaten to death, and those that are now to spent the rest of their lives in gaol will feel a bit more hurt. I say boycott these olympic where it will hurt and where we can sent a message to those responsible for this - the corporates.

The link below is to a list of official olympic sponsors. If possible boycott the tv broadcasts as well. Our elected representatives want their free trip to China, let’s show them what people power is capable of. We ourselves may learn that it is actually us that hold the power and not them.

Olympic Sponsors

With the first of the caucuses starting today in Iowa, i thought i would examine the American presidential system a bit. In most countries the choosing of a new president is done in a matter of weeks. Not so in the US where the race is a political marathon.

Every state holds either a caucus or a primary between January and September to choose their presidential candidate. A caucus is a meeting at which party members choose the state’s winning candidates. They require the party member to be present for their vote to be counted. A primary (first round election) means the members can show up at the nearest polling station to vote. Only a small number of states hold caucuses and their popularity is waning.

Joining a party in the US is as simple as ticking a box in a voter registration form. And in most states one can only vote for a candidate if they are affiliated with that party. As candidates win state primaries and caucuses they acrue delegates, or people who represent them at the national party conferences. Then when the national party conference comes around those with the most delegates ratifying the candidate will win its parties presidential nomination.

Candidates not looking to make the cut will drop out before the national convention. They simply cannot afford to continue but still have influence on the outcome by endorsing another candidate. The two candidates - one each from the Democrats and the Republicans then go on to a national election in October, with the inauguration on January 20th. More on that when the time comes.

It’s time for the election 2007 (finally).  Which one of the two uninspired, boring, tedious, and with a complete lack of creative thought or moral compass will win.  My prediction: Labor (but not by much) with a larger than normal chunk of the votes going to the minor parties (but not as much as they think).  As it just doesn’t matter who wins with both mirroring each other’s policies i hope it will be close and that there will be an effective opposition.  It is the only way to keep the government in line.