But, their RULING party CAN be! And how is that different from America?

I am watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing, China.... and I cannot find it in myself to hate these people.

Is every man, woman and child on Earth defined by his politics? Or those he is compelled to follow?

Have we not brought a search for freedom to the Soviets and Russians.... and do we not support their struggle?

Are we so ignorant as to believe that every Muslim in the World is our enemy... and not just another human being looking for justice and freedom from oppression? [this is NOT an acceptance of or excuse for terrorism.]

Are we not now friends and colleagues of the free people of Japan and Germany?

Have young Chinese men not stood up to tyranny, as our forefathers did, to lay the groundwork for reform?

Will we embrace the Chinese culture without condemnation for the RULE they have been forced to live under for so many years?

And are they any different than those of Hispanic descent?

I have always said that the answer to the immigration problem we face, is the economic reform of the country and the administration that controls them. The same applies to stabilization of the economy (read economic regulation of big business) in a country like China.

It is clear that we cannot take them all in here. We have no jobs left for our OWN, let alone them. It truly HAS become a "global economy" and with it must come political and economic reform.

We can learn to embrace these cultures, and work with them..... or we can continue to fight them and bomb them. Even the most Conservative and Isolationist among us must know when we are outnumbered, and our tactics are not only futile, but detrimental.

I am glad that our poor excuse for a President is AT the ceremonies tonight. Perhaps he will get an education in Humanity!

There was a time in our history when the military might of America was the stabilizing force in the World, (and before that, it was Britain and lesser Europeans,) but those times have changed. It IS a "new World" and there IS "another side of the coin."

It is time for our Political strength to "re-surge" and for diplomacy and trade to once again bring diverse peoples of the World together. Free trade, yes.... but ONLY when it is FAIR trade.

This will not be cheap, but the cost will or can be counted in mere dollars instead of lives. And there IS only that one solution. The U.S. Military domination of the World is a tactical impossibility.

The energy resources of the Earth are, to some extent, finite and must be shared and replaced. Third World countries are a vanishing minority and even THEY have increased energy needs. This is a GLOBAL problem, and it requires a Global solution. War only exacerbates the waste of resources.

It is time for humanity to GROW UP and start working together, or we shall ALL perish. And do not deceive yourseves that WE will be "the last man standing."

I really don't care much about the competition of the "games." I care about the PRIDE of the contestants and their represented countries. I care about the PEOPLE of the World and their histories and traditions.

I care about the FUTURE of us all.

I care about others because I AM a Christian and that is what I've been LED to feel. I care because I am a Liberal and that is what I CHOOSE to feel. I find no basis in the teachings of the Bible for conservatism. Morality, yes. But not elitism.

The parable of the "talents" has often been misconstrued. [yes, I am now attempting to interpret the regulations of the Bible. lol!] The servant that HOARDED his one talent was chastised, whereas the one who "invested" it was glorified. But, the MEANING of the parable was NOT that we should invest our "talents" (or money) for our OWN riches, but for the purpose of helping others to the glory of God. "To HIM that god giveth MUCH.... MUCH is expected." He does not give you riches (one talent) to hoard for yourself or to return to him unused. He expects you to USE those "talents" (riches) that HE gives you to produce more riches WITH HIS HELP to bring back MORE to HIM than he gave you. And God has NEVER been about MONEY!

Anyway, I digress into religion and politics, and that was NOT my intention. Like MANY Americans, I wanted to HATE the fact that China won the chance to host this year's Olympics. But, I find I cannot. Like the "original" Teamster Marco Polo, I am intrigued by the people and culture of China. I recognize and SHARE the pride of the Chinese people.

The flaming of certain posters who have nothing more to offer than childish condemnation of my posts and my beliefs notwithstanding, I would like to know how the REST of you feel about the Olympics this year, and/or the host country.

I promise no more than a "muted" response to any opposing views. I've said MY piece. I look forward to hearing the views of others.

Hobo ...... with a "B"

GH you make some interesting observations and some valid points. America is hated for more than just our politics. We are an arrogant and selfish people. We can't even get along amongst ourselves, let alone in a global sense.

As a world leader we are so far behind the rest of the word in developing something as simple as mass transit/public transportation. Public transportation in Europe is not only far advanced to what we have, it is used by the masses. We are far too selfish a people to 'share a ride'. We have evolved from beleiving out 'home is our castle' to beleiving our vehicles are an extension of it. All you have to do is drive anywhere is this country to see that. Not only are we obsessed with driving the 'best' car, it always has to be in front of everyone else. The driving habits seen daily are an extension of how we live. It's all about "me" I am first, I am best, and I am ALL that matters.

We have lost the idea of neighborhoods, of community. We live in a country of tattle tales who beleive that it is not only their right, but their duty to turn in their neighbors for not living up to their own ideals. There is no freedom of expression here anymore. People have been sued for painting their house a color someone doesn't like, or even putting up a flag pole, or growing herbs (legal ones) instead of petunias like everyone else.

You are concerned with us learning to accept other cultures? We can't even accept our own.

I see you've found me out... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Where I'm concerned, it really doesn't matter what color or religion a person is. But, you have "pinned down" what seems to be a majority of Americans. We (I'm generallizing here) seem to want EVERYBODY to conform to our ideals, and what we feel is right may not be right for everyone. Tolarance has gone on vacation long ago, and lost it's way back. What we find in society today certainly is not what I was defending when I was in the Navy. And, believe it or not, it seems to be RELIGION that is the MOST INTOLARANT, or at least at the root of it all.

Religion may be a part of it, but I see IGNORANCE and self-centeredness as the main culprits. People can't even begin to understand or tolerate something that is 'different' from their viewpoint, until they LEARN something about it. But they don't want to hear about anything that doesn't conform to what they think is right.

Our society, as a whole, has taken the idea of "Rights" to such a level that no one has any rights anymore, except for the right to bitch about everyone else. I don't have the "right" to grow herbs in my garden because my neighbor thinks they look like weeds because they don't have flowers on them. WTF is that????


Sorry for the hi-jack hobo. ops:

I'll get off my soapbox for now.... :wink:

I personally, will not watch the Olympics this year.
Not that my singular boycott will matter. But I see absolutely NO REASON to condone the brutal regime that enslaves it's people, will not allow religious freedom, or the peoples' freedom to speak out against tyranny.
I cannot condone a government that allows and/or tolerates child labor and slave labor. That knowingly poisons it's own rivers and land and lets those downstream to suffer, all for the profits the very few enjoy. A government that rules by fear.
I cannot condone the actions of a government that sends "operative agents" into all free nations to steal via espionage their technology, military secrets and the like.
I do not condone the largest counterfeiter in the world today. A government that refuses to acknowledge and abide by world standards with regards to the intellectual and artistic rights of others.

It is all a very well orchstrated PROPOGANDA production, they (the Chinese Government) want you to forget how they rule their own people.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Yet another blabbering diatribe from the resident Socialist......

I personally enjoy the Olympics, I loved the Chinese Ceremony, It was beautiful and spectacular. Does China have problems sure, but turn my back on them, Not for a second. Even if they were an enemy we should stay closer then with allies.

I am not only proud that The President is there to support our country and the host country. I am completely impressed by the security the China must have to allow the most hated President out in the open for scheduled events.

Again China does have problems but lets face it name a country that doesn't. Some of the other Asian countries have more human trafficing problems then China. That is more grossly unexceptable then not allowing the Tibetians their right to protest. They are making changes, they are trying to be more transparent before the world. China has come along way and it is irresponsible of us to not see that.

China despite horrible earthquakes, pollution troubles, and the over whelming obsticals of hosting such an event has done an awesome job.

I am not sure I wanted to hate the host country but after watching them and all that they have accomplished, not mention their graciousness when another countries wins I am in awe of China and find myself rooting for them.

Of course the President is protected. It is a virtual police state!!! Any dissidents were rounded up 3 months ago and sent maybe to a "re-education camp" or shot. Their relatives don't really know.

And they sure don't want anything to happen to the man, our President, whose stupidity has given them the extra dollars to "host" the propoganda event. It is the money we borrow from China that is used to fund the war in Iraq, and then must pay back with interest, that allows them to spend 600 Million dollars. So in a round about way, we funded the whole thing!

Transparent? Only what they want you to see.

First, it's not a diatribe. I didn't rail against anybody. I attempted to provoke thought and comments on the Olympics, and it appears that is what we are getting from everyone but YOU. There has been far too little of that lately on this forum, and far too much of YOUR :dung:

YOU wouldn't know the meaning of the word diatribe if someone looked it up and READ it to you from a dictionary.

And YOU couldn't string together two sentences about politics or world affairs if your "goodbuddy" Rev whispered them in your ear! (as evidenced by your post.) :roll:

Why don't you stay OFF of the grown-up threads, and stick with something you KNOW like..... um....er..... well..... :roll:

Okay.... why don't you just STFU??

I'm SURE there's a low-class truckers forum somewhere on the web that is just DYING for your unispired wit! (and if not, I'm sure you could find one and KILL it!)....... but, THIS ain't IT!

Your "schtick" got old (and got you banned) the LAST time you were here! And you haven't learned a thing! Even an old DOG can learn new tricks! Of course, dogs are SMARTER than sheep and asses!

Just sayin' :roll:

Didn't you claim to have a job this week ??? Or are part of my taxes enabling you to get the goobermint cheese you are so proud to receive.....

BTW this is a forum for employed company drivers, students, local line haul drivers, state, federal, local CDL drivers, O/O's who are leased onto carriers, motor carriers and people who are employed in the industry. You are not any one of these..... :roll:

Now please return to one of your Nambla forums..... Thank you.