3 ms·

There is quite a leap from Russian anti gay propaganda laws to boycotting the Olympics. Many people would argue that laws supporting any kind of torture or the

There is quite a leap from Russian anti gay propaganda laws to boycotting the Olympics. Many people would argue that laws supporting any kind of torture or the death penalty are human rights abuses so should any and all countries practicing those laws be forbidden from partaking in or hosting something so arbitrary as the Olympics? I'm not arguing that this wouldn't be an effective way to get the Russian government to go back on some of the recent legislation, but then why stop there? Can we use this tactic to stop drone attacks, decriminalize marijuana and improve women's rights in many countries? No we can't. Because this isn't a genuine movement designed to change Russian public opinion and laws, but a simple us=enlightened you=backwards monsters campaign.

seandougall 13y ago
As far as I've seen, nobody in those countries has publicly threatened Olympic athletes with torture or the death penalty, simply for the crime of existing. I'm open to counterexamples, if I'm wrong.
- hedgie13 13y ago
  I think homosexuality is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia and Iran. No one is trying to exclude teams from these countries from Olympics. Also: > Milan, Venice and Turin had severed their “twin” relationships with Russian cities in outrage over the “anti-gay law”. However, Milan remains twinned with Dakar, Senegal, where any same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by 1 to 5 years imprisonment. Turin remains twinned with Kazerun, Iran, where any same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by death. Venice had only two twins; since it dumped St Petersburg in a show of solidarity that likely had the gay community in tears of emotion, it now has only one – Esfahan, Iran. Yeah, that’s right. ( https://marknesop.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/somewhere-over-the-rainbow-the-west-calls-the-gay-to-arms-against-russia/ https://marknesop.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/somewhere-over-th... )
- mladenkovacevic 13y ago
  So you are saying Russia has threatened to legislate the execution and torture of any gay athletes simply for existing? Common, I'm all for enabling all minorities across the globe to live in peace and without fear of persecution, but let's make an honest effort of it and not via hyperbole and political posturing.

seandougall 13y ago

As far as I've seen, nobody in those countries has publicly threatened Olympic athletes with torture or the death penalty, simply for the crime of existing. I'm open to counterexamples, if I'm wrong.

hedgie13 13y ago
I think homosexuality is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia and Iran. No one is trying to exclude teams from these countries from Olympics. Also: > Milan, Venice and Turin had severed their “twin” relationships with Russian cities in outrage over the “anti-gay law”. However, Milan remains twinned with Dakar, Senegal, where any same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by 1 to 5 years imprisonment. Turin remains twinned with Kazerun, Iran, where any same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by death. Venice had only two twins; since it dumped St Petersburg in a show of solidarity that likely had the gay community in tears of emotion, it now has only one – Esfahan, Iran. Yeah, that’s right. ( https://marknesop.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/somewhere-over-the-rainbow-the-west-calls-the-gay-to-arms-against-russia/ https://marknesop.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/somewhere-over-th... )
mladenkovacevic 13y ago
So you are saying Russia has threatened to legislate the execution and torture of any gay athletes simply for existing? Common, I'm all for enabling all minorities across the globe to live in peace and without fear of persecution, but let's make an honest effort of it and not via hyperbole and political posturing.