Mr. Sulu wants to move Sochi Olympics to Vancouver

[phaeljones]

then he should move there,
not blabber continuously like a rabid moron who doesn't know anything about the Olympics time, cost and hosting a venue
neither is he an athlete, already the governments and athletes themselves are against the boycott

Fry and Takei are examples of selenity gone overboard

Firstly, this is a serious issue. It should not be swept under the carpet by the wilfully blind and morally bereft.

Secondly: Hey, free speech. Value it.

Thirdly, at least some governments (Canada and the United States) are putting pressure on the Olympic Committee to make sure that there are proper safeguards for the athletes and visitors. If those assurances can't be given, this issue will not die on the basis of "time, cost and hosting" issues . . . certainly not to those with a conscience.

A call for a boycott or changing the venue is premature. Mr. Takei's and Mr. Fry's comments are extreme at this stage. Mr. Takei's suggestion is impractical. But the effect of his saying what he has said is that people are being made aware of the issues, which the Olympic committee would love to be smothered by everyone's concern about "time, cost and hosting". (And for some people, it works.) That should never happen.

There are hopefully ways of participating, without being wilfully blind to the issue while ensuring the safety of athletes and visitors. But if there are not, some very hard decisions are going to have to be made. This issue is not going away on the basis of "time, cost and hosting". Quite frankly, the suggestion that this should be decided by anyone on the basis of "time, cost and hosting, is to me a sick one.

 

[billeh]

The reason that he mentions Vancouver is that all Olympic cities agree that they will host the games again should anything happen to the next scheduled city. If Sochi is deemed unfit, then Vancouver is technically obligated to host again. I don't think anyone believes Vancouver could mount another games so quickly, but it's important to follow Olympic protocol--even when the IOC chooses not to. This is not some made in Canada conspiracy.

 

[leoncorazon]

Is there really a need for name calling?

and I thought fry was an idiot, this one is a moron

I suggest Mr. Takei sip on some tea and get a grip, at age 70 something he cant afford to get sick at all but Im sure if the Canadian governemnt had more political power they wouldnt mind more medals for them and to lock V/M , Chan Fraud for gold and silver medal to stiffboard duhamel/robot radford and maybe bronze for Osmond

This statement is extremely offensive...please put away the name calling and get with the program...He's brough attention to an issue that needs attention...maybe you disagree but to call folks morons and idiot is against forum guidelines.

 

[ice coverage]

Deprivation of human rights has deeply affected George Takei's life on at least two levels -- not only because he is gay, but also because he is Japanese-American.

During WWII, Takei (as a young boy) and his family were forced to live in internment camps for Japanese-Americans. (BTW, Canada had similar camps for Japanese-Canadians.)
He recently told CBS Sunday Morning that through his camp's schoolroom window, he could see the guard towers and barbed wire that robbed him of his freedom. They were in view every morning as he and his classmates had to recite the Pledge of Allegiance "... with liberty and justice for all." :scowl:

After Takei became well-known as an adult because of his Star Trek character, he kept his homosexuality quiet for many years (IIRC) until it became possible for him to marry his longtime partner.

He suggested Vancouver as the most viable (relatively speaking) alternative to Sochi because of the 2010 Games.
Moving the Olympics to any alternate location of course would be a ginormous undertaking.
But it was barely two years ago that figure skating Worlds were moved from Japan to Moscow (ironically) with only a few weeks' notice.
Yes, the Olympics are orders of magnitude larger in scope. But the XXII Winter Games are over five months away. If/if/if the IOC and many/many/many participating countries really/really/really wanted to take the Olympics away from Russia, perhaps it is not impossible that they could find the right location and hold them without too much delay.

 

[bellafurr]

selenity gone overboard, sounds like somebody on this board,lol

 

[ice coverage]

bellafurr, if you were trying to insult me as senile, then my only answer (with apologies to Frank Costanza/Jerry Stiller ) is, "Selenity now, selenity now!"

The reason that he mentions Vancouver is that all Olympic cities agree that they will host the games again should anything happen to the next scheduled city. If Sochi is deemed unfit, then Vancouver is technically obligated to host again. I don't think anyone believes Vancouver could mount another games so quickly, but it's important to follow Olympic protocol--even when the IOC chooses not to.

On a serious note, thanks to billeh for the information about Olympic protocol. So interesting. :yes:

 

[sky_fly20]

Deprivation of human rights has deeply affected Takei's life on at least two levels -- not only because he is gay, but also because he is Japanese-American.

During WWII, Takei (as a young boy) and his family were forced to live in internment camps for Japanese-Americans. (BTW, Canada had similar camps for Japanese-Canadians.)
He recently told CBS Sunday morning that through his camp's schoolroom window, he could see the guard towers and barbed wire that robbed him of his freedom. They were in view every morning as he and his classmates had to recite the Pledge of Allegiance "... with liberty and justice for all."

After Takei became well-known as an adult because of his Star Trek character, he kept his homosexuality quiet for many years (IIRC) until it became possible for him to marry his longtime partner.

He suggested Vancouver as the most viable (relatively speaking) alternative to Sochi because of the 2010 Games.
Moving the Olympics to any alternate location of course would be a ginormous undertaking.
But it was barely two years ago that figure skating Worlds were moved from Japan to Moscow (ironically) with only a few weeks' notice.
Yes, the Olympics are orders of magnitude larger in scope. But the XXII Winter Games are over five months away. If/if/if the IOC and many/many/many participating countries really/really/really wanted to take the Olympics away from Russia, perhaps it is not impossible that they could find the right location and hold them without too much delay.

two different things, In Japan it was move on emergency because of a natural catastrophic disaster

of course Canada like I said would be happy had they have bigger political landscape
politicking against their athletes and nothing to do with the issue at all, the solution this wouldn't even be an issue had this been held in Saudi Arabia or Qatar. I bet nobody would even call for a gay or LGBT parade, silence of the crickets

 

[sky_fly20]

This statement is extremely offensive...please put away the name calling and get with the program...He's brough attention to an issue that needs attention...maybe you disagree but to call folks morons and idiot is against forum guidelines.

program what ? did you register here for skating or political views
this is goldenskate, golden for figure skating forum, yes :yes:

 

[ice coverage]

two different things, In Japan it was move on emergency because of a natural catastrophic disaster

You're missing my point.
I was discussing the logistical challenges -- no matter what the reason -- of moving major international sporting events.
Getting everything ready for Worlds in Moscow within a few short weeks would have been an equally enormous endeavor whether the cause was the tragic tsunami or a political controversy.

 

[sky_fly20]

You're missing my point.
I was discussing the logistical challenges -- no matter what the reason -- of moving major international sporting events.
Getting everything ready for Worlds in Moscow within a few short weeks would have been an equally enormous endeavor whether the cause was the tragic tsunami or a political controversy.

figure skating is one event !

 

[ice coverage]

Yes -- and if you read my previous post in entirety, I already acknowledged the differences both in magnitude and possible timeline.
What I said earlier:

But it was barely two years ago that figure skating Worlds were moved from Japan to Moscow (ironically) with only a few weeks' notice.
Yes, the Olympics are orders of magnitude larger in scope. But the XXII Winter Games are over five months away. If/if/if the IOC and many/many/many participating countries really/really/really wanted to take the Olympics away from Russia, perhaps it is not impossible that they could find the right location and hold them without too much delay.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

It's pretty useless trying to reason with sky_fly if they actually think Takei's suggestion is for personal gain, as is Fry's statement. I wouldn't be surprised if he/she would rather every LGBT person in Russia get thrown in jail just so that the Olympics still happen.Takei obviously suggested this to bring greater awareness to the issue. Vancouver already has the venues for the Olympics but not nearly the preparation or manpower (they've acknowledged this following Takei's suggestion) to pull off an impromptu Olympics.

It's not about medals (I mean, who really cares about medals anyways... do you think most Canadians still remember that we got 14 golds or even care?)... it's about the world showing that they will not stand for or support Russia's persecution of LGBT people. By moving the event to Canada (or wherever else), the Russian economy would not be supported by tourists, economy which feed a government that discriminates and persecutes... and they would be forced to either change their tune, or suffer the economic consequences.

To say the Olympics are just a sporting event where you try to win the most medals, and has no impact on global relations, economics, politics, or greater issues like human rights is sorely near-sighted. The best/most interesting idea so far that I've heard is banning Russia from its own Olympics. But I'm sure most will see it as "Oh this is just propaganda to get other countries medals." Look at the bigger picture.

 

[Olympia]

The reason that he mentions Vancouver is that all Olympic cities agree that they will host the games again should anything happen to the next scheduled city. If Sochi is deemed unfit, then Vancouver is technically obligated to host again. I don't think anyone believes Vancouver could mount another games so quickly, but it's important to follow Olympic protocol--even when the IOC chooses not to. This is not some made in Canada conspiracy.

I didn't know that! Thanks for the lesson on protocol.

At what age does senility start, I wonder? Or maybe we should be asking, at what meridian of longitude does it start? Clearly somewhere close to the west coast of North America, by that poster's estimation.

I do think it's impractical to move the Olympics, though by the time the Games roll around, Russia may wish that it could move them. All those undesirable, unpredictable sorts setting foot on Russian ground....Probably there shouldn't be any live telecasts allowed within Russia, on the off-chance that some athlete might display an effeminate move while putting on his skis. The footage will need to be vetted by a special department for questionable material before children are allowed to see them. The figure skating, of course, is not safe to show at all, except maybe the ladies' singles. Short-track speed skating is probably okay. And biathlon, of course. After all, it involves guns.

George Takei probably spoke without much understanding of the logistics of Olympics planning. But the word moron does not describe him. I believe he's earned the right not to be called such names.

 

[bestskate8]

George Takei or better known as Mr. Sulu on the original Star Trek has started a petition to get the Sochi Olympics moved to Vancouver so we can host the games instead of Russia. I don't think it will fly as there is not enough time for Vancouver to prepare. It would be quite the undertaking if it happens.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...bc-george-takei-sochi-olympics-vancouver.html

Canada invaded Avganestan and still there NOW!!! FACT, it was the reason Canada boycotted ussrOly in 1980. Now (and in 2010 and 2002) they are seating there like nothing wrong with it.Where are the same people who are crying for human rights?

Why can't be consistent!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada's_role_in_the_Afghanistan_War

This one, "what goes around comes around", is exactly about Western invasion to avganestan! Mr. Sulu forgot about it, so convenient.

 

[sky_fly20]

It's pretty useless trying to reason with sky_fly if they actually think Takei's suggestion is for personal gain, as is Fry's statement. I wouldn't be surprised if he/she would rather every LGBT person in Russia get thrown in jail just so that the Olympics still happen.Takei obviously suggested this to bring greater awareness to the issue. Vancouver already has the venues for the Olympics but not nearly the preparation or manpower (they've acknowledged this following Takei's suggestion) to pull off an impromptu Olympics.

It's not about medals (I mean, who really cares about medals anyways... do you think most Canadians still remember that we got 14 golds or even care?)... it's about the world showing that they will not stand for or support Russia's persecution of LGBT people. By moving the event to Canada (or wherever else), the Russian economy would not be supported by tourists, economy which feed a government that discriminates and persecutes... and they would be forced to either change their tune, or suffer the economic consequences.

To say the Olympics are just a sporting event where you try to win the most medals, and has no impact on global relations, economics, politics, or greater issues like human rights is sorely near-sighted. The best/most interesting idea so far that I've heard is banning Russia from its own Olympics. But I'm sure most will see it as "Oh this is just propaganda to get other countries medals." Look at the bigger picture.

its not just about economy like you say like in Canada or Britain, in countries like Russia or China, its more about prestige for the country and accumulate as many medal hauls. I have nothing against LGBT but it gets so tiring with the same repetitive overtunes like its biggest human rights crime ever, persecution ?
what about hunger, trafficking. the world as you mean the western world you hypocrite !!! more than half of the world has indifferent views of LGBT, most African countries, the middle east and parts of Asia also has similar Anti-Gay legistations, so why single the Olympics, do you think after that it will magically disappear ? :scratch:

would this even be suggested had this bene held in Saudi or Qatar
the answer: Big Fat cricket silence

attempt an LGBT rally or even a kiss
you will get to prison, lashes or even death sentence

 

[sky_fly20]

and Canada isn't really a bastion for human rights, there is no such thing as a country for freedom
take your press and media with a grain of salt, who more are nothing but lying manipulative people who seek their own personal views to the mass
the two dirtiest job in the World are politicians and journalists,two opposing with corrupt views

 

[bellafurr]

I apolagize, iwasn't speaking to you

 

[demitasse]

By saying that they should move the Olympics? So what you're saying is that he doesn't really mean what he's saying?

For better or for worse, it often takes (perceived) extreme words/actions to garner any public attention or response re: social issues. As a long time activist, George Takei is probably aware of that. Every host nation wants their Olympics to be the most memorable one yet, the example that the next host nation should aspire to emulate and surpass. Having other people aware of your "dirty laundry" detracts from that goal, which is the kind of pressure that LGBTQ activists like Takei and Fry are probably trying to apply.

Also, assuming that "senility" was the word that a certain poster intended to use as an insult, that's an extremely ableist remark. Yes, GS is primarily a forum about figure skating and not politics nor social justice but, like most Internet forums, we have rules as a community and surely a little civility is not an unreasonable expectation?

 

[sky_fly20]

this shouldnt even be in FS section :disapp:

the call to Boycott in Beijing about Tibet, in 2008
few years later nothing much changed, only the media frenzies this issues

move this to politics pls, should lump the Fry and Takais thread
same commonal views from these two

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

its not just about economy like you say like in Canada or Britain, in countries like Russia or China, its more about prestige for the country and accumulate as many medal hauls. I have nothing against LGBT but it gets so tiring with the same repetitive overtunes like its biggest human rights crime ever, persecution ?
what about hunger, trafficking. the world as you mean the western world you hypocrite !!! more than half of the world has indifferent views of LGBT, some African countries, the middle east and parts of Asia also has similar Anti-Gay legistations, so why single the Olympics, do you think after that it will magically disappear ? :scratch:

would this even be suggested had this bene held in Saudi or Qatar
the answer: Big Fat cricket silence

"Repetitive overtunes like it's the biggest human rights crime ever?" This is about people being persecuted for who they are... thrown in jail, facing fines... encouraging violence against LGBT people by turning a blind eye... it is oppression at its worst. You are saying because it's not the grossest human rights crimes (e.g. mass genocide) that it's not worthy of people standing against it?! Yes, there are problems elsewhere in the world, but there are several countries that could hold an Olympics which have better human rights track records than Russia or China. Every country has its issues, but Russia demonizes a considerable part of the population as well as demonizes anyone who comes to Russia who is of that denomination. Can you really support a country that would remove children from families who have raised them, or who would throw somebody in jail just for holding their partner's hand? Even throw tourists in jail if they're known LGBT people? Oh, wait, I forgot, the prestige of Russia is on the line so let's all pretend that it's okay and not speak up or hold them accountable.

You're basically saying that because several countries are homophobic or indifferent towards homophobic acts then it's okay for Russia to be homophobic. If the Olympics were held in Saudi Arabia or Qatar, homophobia would be just one of the many issues, along with these countries' gross gender rights issues.

Let me put it this way: nobody gives a crap about if the Olympics being open to LGBT people... they care more about *Russia* being open to LGBT people. Sensible people, including Takei, aren't suggesting we boycott the Olympics... they are suggesting we boycott RUSSIA -- as in boycott our support of a country that is so grossly incriminating of LGBT people. It just so happens that the Olympics are the time Putin decides to institute these laws... which was frankly terrible timing for him if he wanted to actually suppress LGBT rights in Russia (since there's been such an outcry), and a perfect time for the rest of the world to actually take a stand.

And the Russian government promising that LGBT athletes/etc. will not be harmed is BS... "Let's all ensure that we have a happy Olympics that isn't marred by any issues. But please make sure you get the hell out after the Olympics are over otherwise we'll toss you in jail." That is beyond messed up.