Originally Posted by Loveless
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... Especially when the olympics (which really shouldn't happen IMO) is around the corner.
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Originally Posted by Maki
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Unfortunately.. That is the reason why it isn't publicalised as much as it should have been for public aid.
I guess the China government didn't want to ruin the good spirit of things...  |
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Originally Posted by Hessah
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I think the Olympic may bring their spirit up... something to be proud of as a Chinese.... ... but they get their good spirit from knowing that people around the world is giving every bit of our effort to help them through...
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Originally Posted by lvramire
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I don't see how they plan to shrug off the problems they've been having in time for the Olympics... Especially when it seems like noones looking at the people who suffered in the natural disasters anymore (media)
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The Olympics has been a highly anticipated event in China, and it is also a matter of national pride to see it through in as exotic a manner as possible in an attempt to woo the rest of the world. It's an event for it to show off whatever it's got - backing out wouldn't even be considered.
I've noticed that CCTV news today come in this sequence: speech by senior party officials; updates on the disaster relief effort; updates on the preparations for the Olympics. Very little world news, if at all. Several times this was followed by specials on the earthquake's survivors and select moving stories. All the time, a ticker scrolls at the bottom showing updates on the disaster and relief effort statistics and the Olympics (I last saw one saying 53bn RMB of funds in total with over 30bn RMB already distributed). Within the country, this is certainly a widely publicised incident, with coverage on TV plus lots of huge posters on 5.12. I've also heard of an additional Party fee collected to fund for disaster relief. But the Party's approach to international aid seems to be to accept aid with no strings attached and not beg for more.
The people directly affected by the earthquake have their lives irreversibly changed and there is little that can be done to remove their sorrow and or misery. In terms of monetary and material relief, what could have been done had been done. Which country could have done better?
The earthquake was felt by so many people across the country and when the buildings shook, all of them experienced fear. Afterwards, everyone donated money to disaster aid; some more, some less. What more can one ask of them?
China already had its share of mishaps this year with the earthquake and the floods. To let the Olympics be affected would just drown the people in their own misery. Frankly though, the whole thing is just hype. Olympics is just something for the people to be proud of when China wins medals.
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Originally Posted by Loveless
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The olympics is a form of celebration. I don't see how they can celebrate when so many are homeless and many more grieving for their lost families. If they have enough money to embed each and every medal with jade. I think they have more than enough to help those families in need.
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What idealistic views. Even though the operator of China is called the Chinese Communist Party, they don't go around redistributing wealth. See it as the Party of Chinese-Communists rather than the Chinese Party of Communists. Social welfare is rather vague. An event such as the Olympics is known to bring about foreign attention, business investments, forced development, tourism, broadcasting rights, and all that equal wealth! Running the Olympics is a delicate issue. Celebration is like a meaningless mascot to me.
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Originally Posted by Ralath
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Of course, they're not going to. Who knows how long the problems facing that region are going to be solved?
And of course, the Chinese government's remedy to the situation is to cover it up.
To be fair, it's not as if the Olympics were planned to coincide with this.
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All true. The first won't happen in my lifetime. The second, well - who doesn't do cover-ups? It's just a matter of how much is covered up. I'm pretty sure the Party tried to fend off aggressive foreign humanitarian aid inputs, and on the international stage it appears to be quiet about the issue, and the reason can only be that it doesn't want all this unwanted attention. After all, nothing in this world comes free, aid included. I was frequently asked whether I heard of the earthquake outside the country. This gave me the impression that public announcements made no mention of foreign involvement, so these people are wondering if these other countries know about the earthquake.
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Originally Posted by lvramire
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So I guess the actual Outspark donation thing is long-past revival?
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Outspark will try to make a bundle of money out of everything, wow. The last time they used
Planting 10,000 Trees to promote their CS items, I found that it only costs a 3-digit sum of money to do so, from the link that was given as the organisation that carries out the planting.
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Originally Posted by Ethelinde
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I loved how China rushed aid to US when Katrina hit while Bush is still scrambling around...
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Interestingly, I heard this. Russia, upon hearing of the earthquake, swiftly sent in planes carrying aid relief goods. The US pondered, and decided to ask first whether it could send in relief. The Chinese Premier hinted that he'd appreciate it if only the US could stop meddling with the Taiwan issue.
Basically, if you have the money to spare, donate by all means. If not, just go away or shut up and watch. That's the feeling I get.
Hybrid Mode
