Appeasement…Asmeezement…China is the Pro Wrestling Champion of Countries
If you’ve ever seen a “pro” wrestling match, you’re familiar with irate fans yelling at the referee, whose back is to the action, that the “good guy” is getting his brains smashed by the “bad guy” wielding an illegal chair or crowbar within the confines of a “sporting” venue.
When the referee turns around, having spent significant time attempting to understand from the fans what they are saying, he’s confronted with good-guy-brains on the canvas, a bloody chair, and the “bad guy” prancing around the ring posing as the victor, at which time the referee counts to three and declares the villain the winner.
Sound familiar? Like judges in the Olympics? Like the IOC (International Olympic Committee) president? Like China vs. the world?
“Appeasement” is a policy of granting concessions to potential enemies to maintain peace. It’s pretty pervasive. After all, we see it every day between mothers and children, workers and bosses, and the occasional husband and wife. Among countries, however, it can get dangerous. Pushed to the limits, a mother can whack her kid on the behind and it’s unlikely that the kid will set off a nuclear device in retaliation (unless the kid has been taking dirty bomb lessons.) Countries are a little more careful in how far they go – except if they’re dealing with the United Stated and the western allies.
China can send pre-pre-pubescent girls to tumble and flip and use the power of the Politburo to assure that all the documentation is “corrected.” The IOC has less ability (and cojones) to confront China than the UN has the ability to stop petty dictators in Zimbabwe and Sudan.
I truly believe this: the U.S. may bomb a sovereign country, illegally detain people in prison, torture non-combatants, and even provoke our enemies, but would never…NEVER…forge a birth certificate for an Olympic athlete. (OK…we would be tempted…but a truly free press…the real enemy of a sneaky government…would likely find out…and no one in our government has been that stupid…yet.)
So, how can you enjoy the games when they roll around again in 2012? Simple…turn the channel to the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and watch Friday Night Slam instead.
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About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a Master of Arts in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism). Use the form on the right to sign up for the "Friday Morning Fix” and other timely updates.
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Political Disgust
| Aug 27, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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I know this isn’t what you were literally speaking about, but isn’t the rule in general silly to start with. Who cares if the people are 5 years old …. if they are the best! What makes 16 years old the magic number anyway? I say if the best athlete is under 16 let them compete. Let them make their country proud. Or…forge their birth certificates and passports and lie with a straight face.
Finally, you said: “Pushed to the limits, a mother can whack her kid on the behind and it’s unlikely that the kid will set off a nuclear device in retaliation”. While this is probably true, it is more likely that these days the parent will be quickly arrested, thrown in jail and convicted of abusing their child. Sad, lol.
RHM
| Aug 27, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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I have to say I thought the same thing every time I saw the 14 year old English diver.
Why is it 14 for diving and 16 for gymnastics?
In the end though I have to agree that wimpy orgs like the IOC (and even the UN to some extent) have much bigger balls when dealing with liberal democracies.
The IOC chairman’s criticism of Jamaican runner Bolt for celebrating his historical victory was laughable. But his silence on the mechanized system that churns out young Chinese athletes was deafening. Wouldn’t it be nicer if everyone was as pleasant as Bolt?
RHM
Frank the Tank
| Aug 27, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Those Chinese athletes were on more designer steroids than the East Germans back in the 70s and 80s.
Also those of us in the west should be very suspicious and leery of the Chinese. They pose the greatest long term strategic threat.
Political Disgust
| Aug 27, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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I BEG you guys to install the plugin that allows for email notification of new replies/comments. That way it would be so much easier to know that someone has posted a reply. Please!
