Thursday, August 28, 2008
Commentary on Liu Xiang's quit
With Liu’s Loss, All of China Misses Out
By Andrew Das
The news of Liu Xiang’s sudden, stunning exit from the Olympics early Monday, before he had a chance to hurl himself across a single hurdle, certainly ranks among the biggest disappointments of the Beijing Games. Not only for Liu, must who certainly have felt the crushing expectations of the host nation as he limped toward the Games on a bad leg. And not only to his supporters in China, who almost certainly number in the hundreds of millions.
Liu’s loss is everyone’s loss.
Not every country gets the chance for a moment like the one many hoped Liu would deliver. Think of what the United States ice hockey team victory in 1980 is meant to this country, or what South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph or France’s World Cup soccer win in 1998 meant to those nations. The Olympic Games are great for these time-stands-still events; some that were there say they have never heard a noise louder than the ovation as Cathy Freeman approached the finish of the 400 meters in Sydney in 2000.
But Liu’s coronation was bound to be different. As the organizers showed in their wonderful opening ceremony, the scale of successes in China — like everything else — can be astounding. If Liu could provide one of his own, if he could bring together the combined force of all China to produce an achievement fans of any country could appreciate — that would have been something to see.
Instead he never got out of the blocks, and we all missed out on something.
As Liu said in a Times video in May, “I will try my best to make the best of the opportunity, because once the opportunity is gone it’s not coming back.”
Commentary:
After reading this passage, I would like to present my point. Although I support the statement that some miracle presented in the Olympic Games is the scale of successes to a country. In fact, I really do not agree with the author’s opinion mostly. In my mind, Liu Xing’s loss cannot represent the loss of everyone.
Initially, I need to say that the author’s first point is exactly true. It is indeed that the miracle in the time-stands –still events make the Olympic Games great. Because the stunning legends presented not only reflect the progress and successes of one country in sports. But also represent the Olympic motto: faster, higher, and stronger. Moreover, and more important, the legends will refresh this game. You can imagine if a event is dominated by one country, such as table tennis to China, the situation will constraint the development of this sport (Luckily, Chinese table tennis player immigrate to every place around the world thus unburden this situation ). The reason is quite simple; the event is surely very popular at the first time, because many countries will be interested in it and try to have some achievement in it. This reaction is quite reasonable due to the glory contained in the gold medal. However, if the other states feel that it is not realistic to threat the first position of this country, they will soon lose interest in this event. Gradually, less and less people will participate in this kind of sport. However, if there is a legend appears unexpectedly, it will raise up the interest. Thus, the development and improvement of this event come to be possible. Back to the topic, one of the basic functions of Olympic Games is to develop the sports.
However, not only the legend or miracles can represent the achievement of a country in the Olympic Games. Similarly, an expected legend fail to appear cannot be regarded as the failure of one country, it is also not a loss of everyone. Just take Liu Xiang as a relevant example. It surely will be a glorious triumph if Liu succeeded in the gold medal of 110 hurdles. Not only to himself but also to the whole country. And certainly his matches will be the focus of this Olympic Games. It is not fair to others in some aspect. Other athletes sweated and bleed as well, and their competitions were also very amazing and fantastic, such as swimming, shooting, they are all supposed to be the focus of the audiences. Undeniably, their performance enriched the Olympic Games. So, the quit of Liu exactly provided more chance for the audience to witness the other aspects of Olympics, provided the other wonderful views of the Olympics. Since, the people got a wider view of the games, I don’t think Liu’s loss is everyone’s loss.
In the end, i would like to say we should not put so much hope on Liu; we need not to bind his coronation as different. In fact, we need to regard him as the unknown athlete who got the gold medal in 2004 in Athens.
By Andrew Das
The news of Liu Xiang’s sudden, stunning exit from the Olympics early Monday, before he had a chance to hurl himself across a single hurdle, certainly ranks among the biggest disappointments of the Beijing Games. Not only for Liu, must who certainly have felt the crushing expectations of the host nation as he limped toward the Games on a bad leg. And not only to his supporters in China, who almost certainly number in the hundreds of millions.
Liu’s loss is everyone’s loss.
Not every country gets the chance for a moment like the one many hoped Liu would deliver. Think of what the United States ice hockey team victory in 1980 is meant to this country, or what South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph or France’s World Cup soccer win in 1998 meant to those nations. The Olympic Games are great for these time-stands-still events; some that were there say they have never heard a noise louder than the ovation as Cathy Freeman approached the finish of the 400 meters in Sydney in 2000.
But Liu’s coronation was bound to be different. As the organizers showed in their wonderful opening ceremony, the scale of successes in China — like everything else — can be astounding. If Liu could provide one of his own, if he could bring together the combined force of all China to produce an achievement fans of any country could appreciate — that would have been something to see.
Instead he never got out of the blocks, and we all missed out on something.
As Liu said in a Times video in May, “I will try my best to make the best of the opportunity, because once the opportunity is gone it’s not coming back.”
Commentary:
After reading this passage, I would like to present my point. Although I support the statement that some miracle presented in the Olympic Games is the scale of successes to a country. In fact, I really do not agree with the author’s opinion mostly. In my mind, Liu Xing’s loss cannot represent the loss of everyone.
Initially, I need to say that the author’s first point is exactly true. It is indeed that the miracle in the time-stands –still events make the Olympic Games great. Because the stunning legends presented not only reflect the progress and successes of one country in sports. But also represent the Olympic motto: faster, higher, and stronger. Moreover, and more important, the legends will refresh this game. You can imagine if a event is dominated by one country, such as table tennis to China, the situation will constraint the development of this sport (Luckily, Chinese table tennis player immigrate to every place around the world thus unburden this situation ). The reason is quite simple; the event is surely very popular at the first time, because many countries will be interested in it and try to have some achievement in it. This reaction is quite reasonable due to the glory contained in the gold medal. However, if the other states feel that it is not realistic to threat the first position of this country, they will soon lose interest in this event. Gradually, less and less people will participate in this kind of sport. However, if there is a legend appears unexpectedly, it will raise up the interest. Thus, the development and improvement of this event come to be possible. Back to the topic, one of the basic functions of Olympic Games is to develop the sports.
However, not only the legend or miracles can represent the achievement of a country in the Olympic Games. Similarly, an expected legend fail to appear cannot be regarded as the failure of one country, it is also not a loss of everyone. Just take Liu Xiang as a relevant example. It surely will be a glorious triumph if Liu succeeded in the gold medal of 110 hurdles. Not only to himself but also to the whole country. And certainly his matches will be the focus of this Olympic Games. It is not fair to others in some aspect. Other athletes sweated and bleed as well, and their competitions were also very amazing and fantastic, such as swimming, shooting, they are all supposed to be the focus of the audiences. Undeniably, their performance enriched the Olympic Games. So, the quit of Liu exactly provided more chance for the audience to witness the other aspects of Olympics, provided the other wonderful views of the Olympics. Since, the people got a wider view of the games, I don’t think Liu’s loss is everyone’s loss.
In the end, i would like to say we should not put so much hope on Liu; we need not to bind his coronation as different. In fact, we need to regard him as the unknown athlete who got the gold medal in 2004 in Athens.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
democray creates stability in a society
In my opinion, I am convinced that democracy creates stability in a society. But this word “democracy” is spelled in many forms by different countries. In another words, every country need different way to practice democracy in order to achieve stability.
It always is a long and tough way for a country, especially a developing country to find a suitable kind of democracy to use. In this period of time, riots and conflicts are common. Because, one certain type of democracy may benefits one group of people but not for the rest. To illustrate this point, I need to cite the revolution in French during the late 18th century. Everyone knows that the revolution started in 1789. At the beginning of the revolution, the new government managed to keep the position of emperor and tried to practice constitutional monarchy, which they imaged it could be easier to rule the people by using the virtually royal power, it seemed work. However, after the decapitation of Louis XVI, in the following 20 years, revolution and fighting between parties and army kept occurring, it was common situation that one government (like Jacobins) ran the country for as short as 1 year and then the officials were beheaded. Definitely, this span of time in looking for a proper type of democracy brings suffering and pain to the governments and public. On the other hands, the unstable situation also influences the country in other aspect, such as economy, trade, diplomacy, the development of culture, etc.
It also can be regarded fatal for a country has chosen a wrong way for practice democracy. Sometimes people are too urgent and inpatient and they wished to change the politics in their own country from A to Z. So they copy the type of democracy from developed country directly and use it immediately after revolution. Actually, the democracy can only be practiced step by step, if the revolutionists really hope to keep peace and benefits all the people. The leaders should concern the real situation of the new founded country, identify the advantages and the disadvantages, then, state the certain type of democracy to be used, elaborate a plan for the development of democracy, list the goals to achieve, regulate the energy and sources, and so on. Otherwise, it will come back to the previous phenomenon I mentioned before. For this, the history of revolution in China is an relevant example. From 1912 to 1945, the whole China was run by Kuomintang, which ruled the country by using the western type of democracy. But they didn’t notice one point, after the exist of feudalism for about 2000 years in China, the disadvantage which remained couldn’t be ignored. The corruption was amazingly serious, and the authority was centralized. In this way, the so called “democracy “could only bring pain to public, invasion and civil war lasted , that’s why this span of times was the darkest years in Chinese history.
Actually, however, the proper kind of democracy can really bring benefit to the society. One of the most significant characteristics of democracy is the freedom of expression; everyone can present their opinion to the authority via different ways. It is an advantage for the governors to listen to the public and be aware of the real situation of their own country, thus evaluate the decisions before process them. In this way, the management will be efficient and considerate to the public. Definitely, the stability will be created. Also as China, since the found of People Republic of China, communistic democracy is being practicing, and the People Congress has been held once a year. Before the national congress, each province elected the representatives to attend the meeting. Mean while, the congress in one particular province or city also process, in order to prepare the suggestions to Beijing. It means that the congress is held in different level of districts, in this way, the opinions from everyone can all be considered by the different level of governments. In this way, every government knows which direction they should choose, and what to do really be good for their people.
All in all, democracy creates stability in a society. But the process of searching for a proper kind of democracy is tough, and the effect of choosing a wrong democracy is quite serious. In order to create stability in a society, democracy is a double-edged sword, should be considered carefully and thoughtfully.
It always is a long and tough way for a country, especially a developing country to find a suitable kind of democracy to use. In this period of time, riots and conflicts are common. Because, one certain type of democracy may benefits one group of people but not for the rest. To illustrate this point, I need to cite the revolution in French during the late 18th century. Everyone knows that the revolution started in 1789. At the beginning of the revolution, the new government managed to keep the position of emperor and tried to practice constitutional monarchy, which they imaged it could be easier to rule the people by using the virtually royal power, it seemed work. However, after the decapitation of Louis XVI, in the following 20 years, revolution and fighting between parties and army kept occurring, it was common situation that one government (like Jacobins) ran the country for as short as 1 year and then the officials were beheaded. Definitely, this span of time in looking for a proper type of democracy brings suffering and pain to the governments and public. On the other hands, the unstable situation also influences the country in other aspect, such as economy, trade, diplomacy, the development of culture, etc.
It also can be regarded fatal for a country has chosen a wrong way for practice democracy. Sometimes people are too urgent and inpatient and they wished to change the politics in their own country from A to Z. So they copy the type of democracy from developed country directly and use it immediately after revolution. Actually, the democracy can only be practiced step by step, if the revolutionists really hope to keep peace and benefits all the people. The leaders should concern the real situation of the new founded country, identify the advantages and the disadvantages, then, state the certain type of democracy to be used, elaborate a plan for the development of democracy, list the goals to achieve, regulate the energy and sources, and so on. Otherwise, it will come back to the previous phenomenon I mentioned before. For this, the history of revolution in China is an relevant example. From 1912 to 1945, the whole China was run by Kuomintang, which ruled the country by using the western type of democracy. But they didn’t notice one point, after the exist of feudalism for about 2000 years in China, the disadvantage which remained couldn’t be ignored. The corruption was amazingly serious, and the authority was centralized. In this way, the so called “democracy “could only bring pain to public, invasion and civil war lasted , that’s why this span of times was the darkest years in Chinese history.
Actually, however, the proper kind of democracy can really bring benefit to the society. One of the most significant characteristics of democracy is the freedom of expression; everyone can present their opinion to the authority via different ways. It is an advantage for the governors to listen to the public and be aware of the real situation of their own country, thus evaluate the decisions before process them. In this way, the management will be efficient and considerate to the public. Definitely, the stability will be created. Also as China, since the found of People Republic of China, communistic democracy is being practicing, and the People Congress has been held once a year. Before the national congress, each province elected the representatives to attend the meeting. Mean while, the congress in one particular province or city also process, in order to prepare the suggestions to Beijing. It means that the congress is held in different level of districts, in this way, the opinions from everyone can all be considered by the different level of governments. In this way, every government knows which direction they should choose, and what to do really be good for their people.
All in all, democracy creates stability in a society. But the process of searching for a proper kind of democracy is tough, and the effect of choosing a wrong democracy is quite serious. In order to create stability in a society, democracy is a double-edged sword, should be considered carefully and thoughtfully.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Real Blizzards in China
The Real Blizzards in China
Looking back the blizzards occurred in China from late February to early March, all the Chinese are still shocking at the unbelievable disaster. The snowstorm which was claimed “the worst in past 50 years” caused 129 deaths and S$30 BILLION of losses and over 1.606million people were made homeless. Transport and electricity system were crippled.
However, victims could only get pain and cold physically from the snow, yet the social problems exposed during the blizzards brought the mental freeze to the citizens.
The friable infrastructure.
During the snowstorm, the electric pylons and cables all over China’s south were mangled by the ice encrusted on them, especially in country sides and villages. Some villagers had to survive against electricity and water cut for 40 days in ultimate frozen. On the other hand, the railway and roads were also disappointing. One of the most important highways which cross eastern China from north to south was deadly crippled due to the sleet cover. The factors for that was the way Chinese thought. Many times the whole world was impressed by the speed of development in China. It really was. But, it was only because the quantity of the new structures appeared on the land, not from the quality of them. In fact, people in China only focused on the word “rate” instead of “efficiency”. “We knew that the world was impressed by our speed, and then we can give them more surprise.”This kind of thought dominated Chinese’s mind. That‘s why the infrastructure were so delicate when meeting the snow.
Bureaucracy
The bureaucracy unwrapped during the storm was definitely the most powerful impact to the government, it even caused a shadow over the government’s grip, both Beijing and local’s.
When the weather report was sent to the government officials, they took it too lightly at first. Then they flustered at the situation. Thereafter, the people who didn’t suffer the snow were told how well the victims had been treated via a lot of mediums. The view they received the food and clothes were repeated again and again. Top leaders appeared in the screen and promised to try their best to help the victims. As a Chinese, I know it is the method that the Chinese government always used to maintain the respect and honor of government. Although many local governments did a lot job for victims, however, actually, there were still governments which are not sensitive enough. They only acted under the command from Beijing but not the complaining from the citizens.
Obviously, the factors should be the disadvantage in Chinese’s traditional thought. As one of the most unforgettable Chinese writers Lu Xun expressed, in the Chinese’s value system, to work as an official and earn a lot of money is their final purpose. Following this kinds of thought, it is hard to achieve integrity of the government in China, hard for the officials to really “serve the citizens”, which was said by Chairman Mao.
the sources is from THE STRAITS TIMES Monday, March 3 2008. 10th page of EAST ASIA
Looking back the blizzards occurred in China from late February to early March, all the Chinese are still shocking at the unbelievable disaster. The snowstorm which was claimed “the worst in past 50 years” caused 129 deaths and S$30 BILLION of losses and over 1.606million people were made homeless. Transport and electricity system were crippled.
However, victims could only get pain and cold physically from the snow, yet the social problems exposed during the blizzards brought the mental freeze to the citizens.
The friable infrastructure.
During the snowstorm, the electric pylons and cables all over China’s south were mangled by the ice encrusted on them, especially in country sides and villages. Some villagers had to survive against electricity and water cut for 40 days in ultimate frozen. On the other hand, the railway and roads were also disappointing. One of the most important highways which cross eastern China from north to south was deadly crippled due to the sleet cover. The factors for that was the way Chinese thought. Many times the whole world was impressed by the speed of development in China. It really was. But, it was only because the quantity of the new structures appeared on the land, not from the quality of them. In fact, people in China only focused on the word “rate” instead of “efficiency”. “We knew that the world was impressed by our speed, and then we can give them more surprise.”This kind of thought dominated Chinese’s mind. That‘s why the infrastructure were so delicate when meeting the snow.
Bureaucracy
The bureaucracy unwrapped during the storm was definitely the most powerful impact to the government, it even caused a shadow over the government’s grip, both Beijing and local’s.
When the weather report was sent to the government officials, they took it too lightly at first. Then they flustered at the situation. Thereafter, the people who didn’t suffer the snow were told how well the victims had been treated via a lot of mediums. The view they received the food and clothes were repeated again and again. Top leaders appeared in the screen and promised to try their best to help the victims. As a Chinese, I know it is the method that the Chinese government always used to maintain the respect and honor of government. Although many local governments did a lot job for victims, however, actually, there were still governments which are not sensitive enough. They only acted under the command from Beijing but not the complaining from the citizens.
Obviously, the factors should be the disadvantage in Chinese’s traditional thought. As one of the most unforgettable Chinese writers Lu Xun expressed, in the Chinese’s value system, to work as an official and earn a lot of money is their final purpose. Following this kinds of thought, it is hard to achieve integrity of the government in China, hard for the officials to really “serve the citizens”, which was said by Chairman Mao.
the sources is from THE STRAITS TIMES Monday, March 3 2008. 10th page of EAST ASIA
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