Bahrain GP Debate

Hmmm while I agree America isn't squeaky clean I don't think the trafficing of immigant workers, who are technically owned by an individual who is allowed to pay them as little as they like, stick them in crowded unhygenic housing and abuse them physcially, mentally and even sexually if they don't work hard enough, is seen as standard business practice like it is in Qatar.
 
When it comes to human rights abuses, even if everyone agreed on what human rights are, each would draw their own line according to what is acceptable and what isn't. Look at Diego Garcia, perhaps the British GP needs to be reconsidered?

I have some sympathy with Bernie's view that F1 "shouldn't do politics", even if I agree fervently with the decision to cancel Bahrain last season. Otherwise where does it end?
 
It doesn't end G, just changes countries every so often.

Bahrain are still a no-go as far as I am concerned and I don't think there has been any movement in tolerance in the last year.

Several other countries on the F1 calendar could be brought to account, but whilst the 'news channels' can't/won't report on such matters and bring human abuse to the fore, we have to assume that each is a humanitarian oasis of peace and tranquility.
 
Very good point. Do you think it (The Strait of Hormuz trouble) will be no more than a diplomatic tension, or a full-blown military conflict? I personally think Iran can't do without oil money from Europe, so they will cede to the European demands eventually
 
I suspect that the Iranian leadership is enjoying it's current position of bogeyman to the West. Expect more sabre rattling on both sides with the oil supplies stuck in the middle.

Buy now whilst stocks last.
 
Whether or not the Bahrain GP goes ahead may be determined by Iran. If they close the Strait of Hormuz I doubt that anyone will want to go near there.
That depend on whether you are talking about fans or teams, if no fans want to go there it wont matter to Bernie as the oil rich events are only attended by the rich of that country anyway and the teams will go because they are told to by Bernie.

A different view is should sport get involved in the politics of other countries?
 
What a load of rubbish.

"It is not a coincidence that every fascist regime has sprung from a Catholic country"

Except the most infamous one? Come on, this is basic stuff.

"Islam cannot get its collective mind around democracy because the idea undermines the dominance of the priesthood"

The most populous muslim country in the world is a democracy!

Evidently Damon isn't the only one who needs to get his facts straight, and Mr Lawrence can take off the blinkers while he's at it. If there is a credible terrorist threat against the event, that is a good reason to cancel it. The crimes of the regime, in my view, are not, otherwise F1 shouldn't be going to China either - you can argue about other countries too.
 
It was an interesting read but I have to agree with Galahad (and I think I've made the point before) there are very few countries on the calender which have a whiter than white human rights record is just that Bahrain, at the moment, is in the top 10 news items so is at the forefront of the debate. Scratch away at the surface and probably 16 or 17 of the 19 tracks raced at last year should not have a race if we to be brutal in our assessment.
 
If you took into consideration the countries that are empowering the "evil doers" by buying their products, oil etc, there wouldn't be ANY "clean" venues, and thus, no F1!
 
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=322695
MANAMA: The Cabinet yesterday called for concerted efforts to halt alarming new levels of violence in the country. Ministers urged religious leaders, activists and citizens to co-operate with police to help end the cycle of vandalism.
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the regular weekly meeting in Gudaibiya Palace which was devoted to the security situation.
 
Ha, I had a tape, many years ago, of the Collected Broadcasts of Idi Amin (a spoof by John Bird). One went something along the lines of:

"Will the Minster for Education, who is currently hurtling towards the border with Tanzania in a Ford Escort stolen from the Ministry car park, please stop, put his hands on the roof and wait to be collected by the security forces. Otherwise is family is going to be suddenly take very ill."

This sounds like a similar, slightly more veiled, threat.
 
Indeed, I meant Indonesia. Of course, in the context of this discussion India is a good example of international sport turning a blind eye to the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities, or locating itself in a zone of potential nuclear conflict.
 
Indeed, I meant Indonesia. Of course, in the context of this discussion India is a good example of international sport turning a blind eye to the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities, or locating itself in a zone of potential nuclear conflict.
Cannot argue with that fact.
 
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