Posted on 07/17/2008 10:54:18 PM PDT by robertvance
From the moment that the IOC bestowed the Olympic Game upon Beijing there was never any doubt that there would be controversy. However, I do not think that the Chinese people were really prepared for the protests and other backlash that followed the Torch on its ill-fated journey around the world. Even without the international backlash surrounding the Olympics, the first half of 2008 has been full of confusion, disappointment, and heartache for the Chinese people. The harsh and deadly winter, the tragic train crash in Shandong, the earthquake in Sichuan, and numerous floods in the South of China are alone enough to sober anyone’s happy mood. When you add the violence in Tibet, the Carrefour protests, the CNN controversy and the Torch’s less than friendly welcome worldwide you have the makings of a very troubling period of time for the Chinese people. Thus, I am not surprised that many of my friends and students are not as excited as they were before about the August festivities in Beijing. I think many are simply emotionally exhausted.
So the Olympics aren’t going to be the great propaganda victory that Red China hopoed for?
Too effing bad!
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