Harper won't attend Beijing Olympic curtain raiser - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

hugh · 2008-04-04, 08:48 AM

Canada will play host to the Winter Olympics in 2010 and at least one expert said Mr. Harper's decision may prompt a retaliation from the Chinese.

Arthur Dent · 2008-04-04, 10:30 AM

Yeah, the retaliation is inevitable, and without the Chinese PM attending the Vancouver games are doomed!

Tom_Joad · 2008-04-04, 10:39 AM

I'm actually surprised by Harper's decision. He never struck me as someone who actually cared about human rights (over and above the usual political lip service). Guess I'm trying to see his angle here.

However, I'm not surprised at all that Dubya and Brown are attending...

Stargazer · 2008-04-04, 11:54 AM

Actually, I heard it was no big deal because Harper wasn't at the opening of the Torino Olympics, either.

Tom_Joad · 2008-04-04, 12:10 PM

Maybe he's just like the rest of us who view the Olympics as a colossal waste of time and money. Better things to do, etc.

Luis_A51 · 2008-04-04, 01:06 PM

Speak for yourself. I enjoy watching the olympics.

eljay · 2008-04-04, 04:55 PM

With all due respect, I don't believe he was speaking on your behalf. I believe he was speaking on behalf of "the rest of us who view the Olympics as a colossal waste of time and money" - that is, people like me.

Nanuuk · 2008-04-04, 06:53 PM

Where it is written that a head of state or a Prime Minister must attend opening ceremonies? And who cares a fig leaf if the Chinese Premier attends or not? The games are for athletes, not politicians (even the IOC ones). Personally, if Mr. Harper doesn't want to attend, for any reason, its o.k. with me. Now Canada's Olympic Games is another matter. Attending the Grey Cup (has to beat Trudeau's opening kick-off) or Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final (assuming a Canadian team is playing) might also prompt a visit.

Exid0r · 2008-04-04, 08:50 PM

Apparently Harper is a closet Toronto Maple Leafs fan so it's not likely he will ever be able to attend a Stanley Cup Final involving the Leafs.

/skates away giving the finger

2008-04-04, 08:48 AM	#1
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,501	Harper won't attend Beijing Olympic curtain raiser Canada will play host to the Winter Olympics in 2010 and at least one expert said Mr. Harper's decision may prompt a retaliation from the Chinese. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2008-04-04, 01:06 PM	#6
Luis_A51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Calgary Posts: 785	Speak for yourself. I enjoy watching the olympics. __________________ Sony KDS-60A2000, Sony Playstation 1/2/3 (60gig) and PSP, Sony STR-DG910, Pioneer/Sony 7.1, 39 PS3 Games, 120 BR movies

2008-04-04, 04:55 PM	#7
eljay Premium Supporter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ottawa (Orleans), ON Posts: 8,375	With all due respect, I don't believe he was speaking on your behalf. I believe he was speaking on behalf of "the rest of us who view the Olympics as a colossal waste of time and money" - that is, people like me. __________________ MY HT SET-UP (PICS & GEAR LIST)

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2008-04-04, 10:30 AM	#2
Arthur Dent Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Posts: 2,731	Yeah, the retaliation is inevitable, and without the Chinese PM attending the Vancouver games are doomed!

2008-04-04, 10:39 AM	#3
Tom_Joad Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,345	I'm actually surprised by Harper's decision. He never struck me as someone who actually cared about human rights (over and above the usual political lip service). Guess I'm trying to see his angle here. However, I'm not surprised at all that Dubya and Brown are attending...

2008-04-04, 11:54 AM	#4
Stargazer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Coquitlam, BC Posts: 926	Actually, I heard it was no big deal because Harper wasn't at the opening of the Torino Olympics, either.

2008-04-04, 12:10 PM	#5
Tom_Joad Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,345	Maybe he's just like the rest of us who view the Olympics as a colossal waste of time and money. Better things to do, etc.

2008-04-04, 06:53 PM	#8
Nanuuk Veteran Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Calgary, AB Shaw Exo Posts: 4,811	Where it is written that a head of state or a Prime Minister must attend opening ceremonies? And who cares a fig leaf if the Chinese Premier attends or not? The games are for athletes, not politicians (even the IOC ones). Personally, if Mr. Harper doesn't want to attend, for any reason, its o.k. with me. Now Canada's Olympic Games is another matter. Attending the Grey Cup (has to beat Trudeau's opening kick-off) or Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final (assuming a Canadian team is playing) might also prompt a visit.

2008-04-04, 08:50 PM	#9
Exid0r DHC Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brampton, Ontario Posts: 493	Apparently Harper is a closet Toronto Maple Leafs fan so it's not likely he will ever be able to attend a Stanley Cup Final involving the Leafs. /skates away giving the finger