Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. I am happy to see that you decided to stop by to visit with me. I am not a political activist by any means, however I believe I need to speak out on a political issue. I am motivated to do so because my heart is saddened by an obvious disregard for human rights, freedom and the power to choose.
In my mind I have always viewed the Olympics as a triumph of the human spirit where individuals test the skills that they have spent their entire lives honing. In years gone by I have eagerly anticipated the opening ceremonies of the Olympics because those ceremonies marked the beginning of several weeks of individual and team competitions. Consequently, in years gone by I have looked forward to the Olympics opening ceremonies.
This year was different for me. I was disheartened by the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies because while the festivities were taking place with in the stands and on the in field I knew human atrocities — based on China’s human rights record — were taking place on the other side of the Stadium walls. I was and am saddened because although the leadership of China sought to present a package of empowerment to the world, their policies practically seek to undermine and dis empower the triumph of the human spirit with in their own people.
I am reminded by the phrase that I have heard, “What you are doing makes it impossible for me to hear what you are saying.” In my opinion, China’s hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics is an oxymoron. How can the Chinese government say that they champion the human spirit while at the same time kill individuals who are seeking to express their power through their freedom of choice.
In my opinion if the Chinese government is going to herald the human spirit through hosting the Olympics then they need to empower each and every one of their citizens with the freedom and the power of choose. To the Chinese Goverment I would say, if you are not going to empower all of your citizens with the spirit of the Olympics then you will be practicing hypocrisy.
If you do not empower your citizens — to pursue their power of choice — after the Olympic games are over no amount of PR is going to change your image through out the world.
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