Sochi

[britishboy]

Should we have boycotted Sochi? I am glad we didn't for a few reasons. Firstly the argument for boycotting is weak at best secondly we can do more good attending and thirdly so many people would miss out on a beautiful games.

[Harry Smith]

Should we have boycotted Sochi? I am glad we didn't for a few reasons. Firstly the argument for boycotting is weak at best secondly we can do more good attending and thirdly so many people would miss out on a beautiful games.

The argument is as weak as it was in South Africa during the 1970's.

Racism is in the exactly same category as homophobia. We boycotted South Africa in the 70's and it worked to a great effect. We were able to show as a united world community that these sort of oppressive regimes shouldn't be tolerated due to the planned targeting of one group.

We stood back in 1936-look what happened

so many people would miss out on a beautiful games.

Yeah like the gay teenagers who had acid thrown over there faces, I'm sure there going to miss someone jumping over a block of ice.

[thatcountrykid]

No im gald we disnt and honestly it would have been useless and unfair to the athletes. It would have worked and russia will never change their ways unless by choice.

[Lovelife090994]

I watch the Olympics for the athlete's abilities, not for their views and or sexuality.

[Stronk Serb]

The games should have been boycotted. Look at '36, '37 and '39. Hitler acquired the Rur basin without the permission of the Allies, he annexed Austria, Sudet area, and then Czechoslovakia. In all of these cases France and the UK backed away. If they cut it at the root of the problem, we wouldn't have a World War Two. Same with this.

[tovaris]

Its not your choice to decide athlets decide to or not to go themselves, the republic cannot forbit them if they kvalifay

[AlexOnToast]

No im gald we disnt and honestly it would have been useless and unfair to the athletes. It would have worked and russia will never change their ways unless by choice.

It would not have been useless at all. People standing up for what's right is never useless.
And I don't think it's unfair to the athletes if the public aren't watching. It's unfair to the athletes that the country hosting the games is causing people to boycott it.

[thatcountrykid]

It would not have been useless at all. People standing up for what's right is never useless.
And I don't think it's unfair to the athletes if the public aren't watching. It's unfair to the athletes that the country hosting the games is causing people to boycott it.

If nothing comes from it then its useless.

[AlexOnToast]

If nothing comes from it then its useless.

What a bleak and hopeless way of looking at things.
The fact that people Boycotted shows that there are people who care enough to make a stand and brings hope to many people living with circumstances such as the ones that homosexuals face in Russia. It gives hope. Are you saying hope is useless?

[thatcountrykid]

What a bleak and hopeless way of looking at things.
The fact that people Boycotted shows that there are people who care enough to make a stand and brings hope to many people living with circumstances such as the ones that homosexuals face in Russia. It gives hope. Are you saying hope is useless?

In some cases yes. For some hooe is always there i they beleive enough but i dont beleive equality will ever happen in the world. People will always fight.

[AlexOnToast]

In some cases yes. For some hooe is always there i they beleive enough but i dont beleive equality will ever happen in the world. People will always fight.


Will there ever be full equality and peace in the world? Likely not.
Should we therefore stop striving for it? Absolutely not!

The smallest difference made is still a difference.

[thatcountrykid]

Will there ever be full equality and peace in the world? Likely not.
Should we therefore stop striving for it? Absolutely not!

The smallest difference made is still a difference.

Fight for what you can accomplish. Do whats best for your self because in the end its you and only you.

[Human]

I'd feel bad for the athletes but they'd still be able to perform...

[Canadian Dream]

Sure we could have, but not having any olympics isn't fair to athletes and the people that like olympics. It's kinda what google did (in case you didn't notice they put seven olympic sports and associated the colors of the rainbow to them!). Putin is basically just trying to get some publicity to Russia.

[Gigablue]

A boycot would have been a good way to make a statement, but at the same time, it would have shown extreme inconsistency. At what point is the decision to boycot the Olympics made? How bad do human rights violations have to be before people decide to boycot.

Why wasn't there a boycot in 2008. China has much worse human rights that Russia, yet very few people even talked about them. If we are going to say that we care about human rights, we should be consistent.

At what point do you draw the line? The treatment of native people here in Canada is absolutely appalling. Does that mean that the world should have boycotted the 2010 Olympics?

In the grand scheme of things, I don't think boycotting the Olympics is that important, one way or another. We should impose severe sanctions on any country that violates the human rights of its citizens. Boycotting the Olympics may be a first step, but on its own, it won't do much.

[Zenos]

I'm sorry but I am tired of seeing Americans and the International Community interfering in the domestic affairs of a Sovereign Nation.

I'm sorry if you are not a Citizen of Nation X keep your nose out of their business!

[Stronk Serb]

I'm sorry but I am tired of seeing Americans and the International Community interfering in the domestic affairs of a Sovereign Nation.

I'm sorry if you are not a Citizen of Nation X keep your nose out of their business!

Thinking like this caused WWII. This is a boycott, not an armed intervention. Countries should just tell the Russians that they don't want to participate unless something is done to better the state of the gay population.

[Zenos]

Thinking like this caused WWII. This is a boycott, not an armed intervention. Countries should just tell the Russians that they don't want to participate unless something is done to better the state of the gay population.


No that's too different things altogether, WW2 was caused by a group of nutters in power who where attacking other nations.

What i'm saying is this if there are no firepower being used against the people,or the legitament government is not fighting for it's existence ( as in Syria) and we are not asked for aid either to back said government or said rebels then we have no business telling a soverigen nation what it can or can not do with in the confines of it's own boarders!

[Stronk Serb]

No that's too different things altogether, WW2 was caused by a group of nutters in power who where attacking other nations.

What i'm saying is this if there are no firepower being used against the people,or the legitament government is not fighting for it's existence ( as in Syria) and we are not asked for aid either to back said government or said rebels then we have no business telling a soverigen nation what it can or can not do with in the confines of it's own boarders!

Now, if Chamberlain & Co. boycotted the 1936. Olympics, and said that Hitler cannot have Austria, the Rur Basin and Czechoslovakia (which was their ally), we wouldn't have a WWII. The only thing needed for true evil to triumph is if good people do nothing.

[Zenos]

Now, if Chamberlain & Co. boycotted the 1936. Olympics, and said that Hitler cannot have Austria, the Rur Basin and Czechoslovakia (which was their ally), we wouldn't have a WWII. The only thing needed for true evil to triumph is if good people do nothing.

Now that's the most asnine thing ever.

WW2 would have still happened it might not have happened in 1939 but it would still have happened.

[Stronk Serb]

Now that's the most asnine thing ever.

WW2 would have still happened it might not have happened in 1939 but it would still have happened.

It wouldn't because Hitler could only throw infantry away, not tanks, airplanes et. The annexation of Czechoslovakia and retaking Rur Basin gave Hitler large industrial capacities.

[Zenos]

It wouldn't because Hitler could only throw infantry away, not tanks, airplanes et. The annexation of Czechoslovakia and retaking Rur Basin gave Hitler large industrial capacities.

So you think Chamberlin boycotting the 36 Olympics would have changed a thing?

I don't think so simply because in the case of WW2 what was to happen was fixed in time as destiny, the only thing a boycott would have done was sped things up are pushed it a bit further down the time line is all.

[Stronk Serb]

So you think Chamberlin boycotting the 36 Olympics would have changed a thing?

I don't think so simply because in the case of WW2 what was to happen was fixed in time as destiny, the only thing a boycott would have done was sped things up are pushed it a bit further down the time line is all.

What I meant was if Chamberlain and Co. did not let Hitler do what he wants before the war, it wouldn't happen.

[Zenos]

What I meant was if Chamberlain and Co. did not let Hitler do what he wants before the war, it wouldn't happen.

um ok are you talking about what he wanted to do within the confines of Germany?

If that what you mean then he's the reason why back then they respected a nations rights and did not rush off to get involved in another nations internal business.

[Stronk Serb]

um ok are you talking about what he wanted to do within the confines of Germany?

If that what you mean then he's the reason why back then they respected a nations rights and did not rush off to get involved in another nations internal business.

Like giving away Czechoslovakia's independence and letting them get annexed by the Germans. Like allowing Hitler to take major industrial centers, which were forbidden for Germany by treaty. Like allowing him to annex Austria.

[britishboy]

The argument is as weak as it was in South Africa during the 1970's.

Racism is in the exactly same category as homophobia. We boycotted South Africa in the 70's and it worked to a great effect. We were able to show as a united world community that these sort of oppressive regimes shouldn't be tolerated due to the planned targeting of one group.

We stood back in 1936-look what happened



Yeah like the gay teenagers who had acid thrown over there faces, I'm sure there going to miss someone jumping over a block of ice.

There are homophobic people in Britian...

[Harry Smith]

There are homophobic people in Britian...

Really? As a gay teen I never noticed.

The homophobia in Britain isn't endorsed by the state, we've got the 2010 equality bill and the 2013 gay marriage act which both provides a great deal of support compared to Russia where the government have approved homophobic behavior

[britishboy]

Really? As a gay teen I never noticed.

The homophobia in Britain isn't endorsed by the state, we've got the 2010 equality bill and the 2013 gay marriage act which both provides a great deal of support compared to Russia where the government have approved homophobic behavior

No they haven't the assaults are committed by Russian citizens, it's not encouraged, I am sure similar things are committed against British gays.

[Harry Smith]

No they haven't the assaults are committed by Russian citizens, it's not encouraged, I am sure similar things are committed against British gays.

No not at all-if I went to the police to say I'd been assaulted then the police would investigate-in Russia the police would have joined in. You quite clearly have no understanding of how the laws towards LGBT work in Britain compared to Russia. It's completely different-someone named Britishboy should be able to see a very clear difference. I haven't been arrested for going to a gay pride march, or for meeting up with another gay, neither have I heard a British MP calling for my mutilation

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sochi-2014-gay-former-italian-mp-vladimir-luxuria-detained-in-russia-for-gay-is-ok-winter-olympics-protest-9133674.html

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/sochi-olympics/brutal-attacks-russian-gays-revealed-documentary-n22751

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/sochi-olympics/brutal-attacks-russian-gays-revealed-documentary-n22751

[phuckphace]

boycott or no boycott it wouldn't change the average Russian's opinion on homosexuality

[britishboy]

No not at all-if I went to the police to say I'd been assaulted then the police would investigate-in Russia the police would have joined in. You quite clearly have no understanding of how the laws towards LGBT work in Britain compared to Russia. It's completely different-someone named Britishboy should be able to see a very clear difference. I haven't been arrested for going to a gay pride march, or for meeting up with another gay, neither have I heard a British MP calling for my mutilation

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sochi-2014-gay-former-italian-mp-vladimir-luxuria-detained-in-russia-for-gay-is-ok-winter-olympics-protest-9133674.html

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/sochi-olympics/brutal-attacks-russian-gays-revealed-documentary-n22751

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/sochi-olympics/brutal-attacks-russian-gays-revealed-documentary-n22751

None of that is ordered by law, in fact it breaks the law.

[Harry Smith]

None of that is ordered by law, in fact it breaks the law.

If it breaks the law then why aren't the police doing anything about it? The answer is because the Russian state endorse homophobic attacks

Russian activists contend that when they report the antigay attacks to police, officers tell them it's the treatment they should expect for being gay ...

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/05/28/video-dan-choi-and-other-gay-rights-activists-arrested-during-moscow-pride-violence/

We witnessed a high level of fraternisation and collusion between neo-Nazis and the Moscow police. I saw neo-Nazis leave and re-enter police buses parked on Tverskaya Street by City Hall.
“Our suspicion is that many of the neo-Nazis were actually plainclothes police officers, who did to us what their uniformed colleagues dared not do in front of the world’s media.

[britishboy]

If it breaks the law then why aren't the police doing anything about it? The answer is because the Russian state endorse homophobic attacks



http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/05/28/video-dan-choi-and-other-gay-rights-activists-arrested-during-moscow-pride-violence/

That is an issue of police discipline.

[Harry Smith]

That is an issue of police discipline.

No-it shows that the Police in the capital city are working with homophobic gangs to endorse beating and then not follow up on them. What more do you want? Do I have to have a picture of Putin killing gays to make you think Russia is homophobic?


We witnessed a high level of fraternisation and collusion between neo-Nazis and the Moscow police. I saw neo-Nazis leave and re-enter police buses parked on Tverskaya Street by City Hall.
“Our suspicion is that many of the neo-Nazis were actually plainclothes police officers, who did to us what their uniformed colleagues dared not do in front of the world’s media

[britishboy]

No-it shows that the Police in the capital city are working with homophobic gangs to endorse beating and then not follow up on them. What more do you want? Do I have to have a picture of Putin killing gays to make you think Russia is homophobic?


We witnessed a high level of fraternisation and collusion between neo-Nazis and the Moscow police. I saw neo-Nazis leave and re-enter police buses parked on Tverskaya Street by City Hall.
“Our suspicion is that many of the neo-Nazis were actually plainclothes police officers, who did to us what their uniformed colleagues dared not do in front of the world’s media

I have no doubt police in Russia are homophobic, gays in Russia hate gays! But that is not a reason to boycott a country, they seriously need to discipline their police because they're breaking the law.

[Stronk Serb]

gays in Russia hate gays!

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!

Seriously, they don't want to discipline their police. A boycott should show them that countries don't support this.

[NickCollins]

I boycotted it i'm my own way i didn't watch and i openly stated i resented that the games were in russian and my hate for Vladimir Putin(let him burn in hell with his followers)
and where the fuck did the money they were given go cause it didn't go into building the games #sochiproblems
Vladimir Putin's pockets i wonder???

[Harry Smith]

I boycotted it i'm my own way i didn't watch and i openly stated i resented that the games were in russian and my hate for Vladimir Putin(let him burn in hell with his followers)
and where the fuck did the money they were given go cause it didn't go into building the games #sochiproblems
Vladimir Putin's pockets i wonder???

These are my two favourite images from hotels in sochi during the games

http://cdn2.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article29987029.ece/ALTERNATES/h342/sochi_bee.jpg

[britishboy]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!

Seriously, they don't want to discipline their police. A boycott should show them that countries don't support this.

Really? You actually think Putin would care? By attending we could highlight the problems if we hadn't attended nothing would have changed.

[Stronk Serb]

Really? You actually think Putin would care? By attending we could highlight the problems if we hadn't attended nothing would have changed.

It would be a great stain on Russia's (Putin's) image. Like a slap in the face on a convention. That's the message you would send to the Russians.

These are my two favourite images from hotels in sochi during the games

image (http://cdn2.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article29987029.ece/ALTERNATES/h342/sochi_bee.jpg)

Are these the breakfast military rations from 1989? My dad had those when he was in the army, but his rations didn't contain bugs and all that.

[Harry Smith]

Really? You actually think Putin would care? By attending we could highlight the problems if we hadn't attended nothing would have changed.

I'm sure that's what people said in 1936-lets go we can save the Jews


It would be a great stain on Russia's (Putin's) image. Like a slap in the face on a convention. That's the message you would send to the Russians.

Are these the breakfast military rations from 1989? My dad had those when he was in the army, but his rations didn't contain bugs and all that.

ahah the water had a sign next to it saying 'don't use on face' it just shows how great Russia is right?

[britishboy]

I'm sure that's what people said in 1936-lets go we can save the Jews


'Cos I am sure if we just boycotted the German Olympics the Jews would have been fine right? No...

If you are passionate about the issue, protest! Our PM can put diplomatic pressure on Putin, so can the US President.

I am not saying ignore the issue but boycotting would have achieved nothing.

[Stronk Serb]

I'm sure that's what people said in 1936-lets go we can save the Jews




ahah the water had a sign next to it saying 'don't use on face' it just shows how great Russia is right?

A guy here said that if you put something on your skin, and it causes no harm, it's edible/drinkable. That water says not to use on face, so I wouldn't drink it. Without joking, even my dad's decade or two old military rations he used to eat look better the this.

[Harry Smith]

'Cos I am sure if we just boycotted the German Olympics the Jews would have been fine right?

Probably-if we were actually aggressive in protecting the Jews then a great deal could of been done-the '36 Olympics paved way for Hitler to march into the Rhine, then Austria and then Poland. If we stopped it in '36 in all likeliness Hitler would of been thrown out because his whole strategy relied on expansion. The holocaust occurred because Hitler was able to expand across Europe where the majority of Jews had gone to avoid Hitler

[britishboy]

Probably-if we were actually aggressive in protecting the Jews then a great deal could of been done-the '36 Olympics paved way for Hitler to march into the Rhine, then Austria and then Poland. If we stopped it in '36 in all likeliness Hitler would of been thrown out because his whole strategy relied on expansion. The holocaust occurred because Hitler was able to expand across Europe where the majority of Jews had gone to avoid Hitler

That is not how the holocaust happened, that was how he got so many victims.

The holocaust happened after developments like the reistag fire and the final solution.

We should be aggressive in protecting everyone everywhere I can't disagree on that. From Jews in Germany to blacks in the USA.

[Harry Smith]

T
The holocaust happened after developments like the reistag fire and the final solution.

No-the Reichstag fire has absolutely nothing to do wit the Holocaust-literally nothing at all. All the Reichstag fire did was make the German parliament void

[britishboy]

No-the Reichstag fire has absolutely nothing to do wit the Holocaust-literally nothing at all. All the Reichstag fire did was make the German parliament void

The Reichstag fire gave Hitler the support and power he needed. Communists was his closest political rival. After the fire there was over 4000 communists arrested and changed public opinion towards communists and also jews.

Back to the topic in question, yes we should try to highlight the problem although Russia is not like the UK and to be honest I have no great idea on how to.

[Harry Smith]

The Reichstag fire gave Hitler the support and power he needed. Communists was his closest political rival. After the fire there was over 4000 communists arrested and changed public opinion towards communists and also jews.

I'm sorry but your GSCE History is simply wrong-the communists weren't his closest politcal rival-Von Papen and the SDP. It also didn't change public opinion towards the Jews-the Nazis had been trying to push threw anti-jewish laws throughout the whole of the '33 and it simply didn't work.

The reichstag fire didn't give Hitler any power,neither did the enabling act. Hitler only had power after the knight of long knives in 1934 when the Army gave him support-Hindenburg and the Army controlled Hitler until that. It's simply incorrect to say that the Reichstag fire gave Hitler power or that the Reichstag fire directly lead to the holocaust

Russia is not like the UK

I think 99% of the world knows that