Bahrain GP Debate

[mjo]

when your government shoots protesters with live bullets, then I can't see that the government should be 'rewarded' with an F1 race.

 

[Jen]

when your government shoots protesters with live bullets, then I can't see that the government should be 'rewarded' with an F1 race.

I did say that I didn't think the race should go ahead and my stance on the value of human life is quite apparent.

The race is not a 'reward', it is business and, if the Bahraini government believe they can protect the participants, then it will go ahead.

I think it is called realism and it is something you come to terms with as you get older - I'm not being dismissive or poncey - just a realist.

 

[mjo]

The race is not a 'reward', it is business and, if the Bahraini government believe they can protect the participants, then it will go ahead.

If the government's decisions adversely affect the population's safety, then international events will be limited. Take for example apartheid in South Africa, the international community stopped many events taking place there. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that if a government makes decisions and carries them out which adversely affect the population, then the 'reward' - the vindication of government decisions - of international events will be removed. It was reported that the Bahrain Grand Prix is worth £300 million to the Bahrain economy; whilst the race is undoubtedly business, it is also undoubtedly a reward from the formula one authorities for government decisions. When government decisions have gone so disastrously that it involves the shooting of protesters, then the 'reward' of the race - economic benefits to the country mainly - needs to be removed.

I am being a bit pedantic as I have a Critical Thinking (arguing) exam in a few weeks and I need the practice!

 

[Jen]

If the government's decisions adversely affect the population's safety, then international events will be limited. Take for example apartheid in South Africa, the international community stopped many events taking place there. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that if a government makes decisions and carries them out which adversely affect the population, then the 'reward' - the vindication of government decisions - of international events will be removed. It was reported that the Bahrain Grand Prix is worth £300 million to the Bahrain economy; whilst the race is undoubtedly business, it is also undoubtedly a reward from the formula one authorities for government decisions. When government decisions have gone so disastrously that it involves the shooting of protesters, then the 'reward' of the race - economic benefits to the country mainly - needs to be removed.

I am being a bit pedantic as I have a Critical Thinking (arguing) exam in a few weeks and I need the practice!

Apartheid, per se, lasted about 45 years and it was only in the later years that world opinion had any effect on sporting events. F1 'authorities' aren't condoning the actions of the incumbent government in Bahrain - although some will see that as such - they are merely enforcing the terms of their contract.

Good luck with the exam.

 

[FB]

Errm, F1 used to go to South Africa when Apatheid was at its peak so perhaps not the best example Mjo.

 

[Vortex]

Off topic sorry, but… they do exams on arguing now???

That’s one every teen should pass then lol

 

[Jen]

Only if they argue effectively!

 

[mjo]

Errm, F1 used to go to South Africa when Apatheid was at its peak so perhaps not the best example Mjo.

I completely overlooked f1!! (although they did stop going between 1985 and 1992). But football, golf, rugby, tennis and table tennis all did boycott South Africa, thereby removing South African exposure to the international world.

 

[jez101]

If the government's decisions adversely affect the population's safety, then international events will be limited. Take for example apartheid in South Africa, the international community stopped many events taking place there. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that if a government makes decisions and carries them out which adversely affect the population, then the 'reward' - the vindication of government decisions - of international events will be removed. It was reported that the Bahrain Grand Prix is worth £300 million to the Bahrain economy; whilst the race is undoubtedly business, it is also undoubtedly a reward from the formula one authorities for government decisions. When government decisions have gone so disastrously that it involves the shooting of protesters, then the 'reward' of the race - economic benefits to the country mainly - needs to be removed.

I am being a bit pedantic as I have a Critical Thinking (arguing) exam in a few weeks and I need the practice!

That £300m is people's jobs and livelihoods. Cancel the race and a whole different group of innocent people suffer.

I'm with Jen on this. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

 

[the_roadie]

when your government shoots protesters with live bullets, then I can't see that the government should be 'rewarded' with an F1 race.

well that's just about every GP except Spa out of the running then!

Belgium is just about the only country I can think off where I can't remember hearing of a citizen being shot dead by the authorities, though I'll grant you that in many cases it involved criminals rather than protesters, though one man's criminal is another man's freedom-fighter is another man's protester

 

[teabagyokel]

Monaco might be OK too

 

[the_roadie]

Errm, F1 used to go to South Africa when Apatheid was at its peak so perhaps not the best example Mjo.

Kyalami used to produce some good races, it would be on my list of tracks to make a comeback if ever, say, Bahrain or Abu decided they couldn't hack it any more

 

[mjo]

Off topic sorry, but… they do exams on arguing now???

That’s one every teen should pass then lol

Yep, teaching you how to argue properly and not just rant. Many Russell Group universities have this as part of their admissions tests.

 

[the_roadie]

Monaco might be OK too

Good point, well made !!

I guess the only crime there is white collar !

 

[gethinceri]

It was called debating in my day.

 

[Jen]

It was called debating in my day.

Logic in mine!

 

[Slyboogy]

Badgering in mine.

 

[sportsman]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/af...ocId=CNG.128e7c3df939aae66479f5f1f04d4b9c.5a1
DUBAI — Bahraini police fired tear gas and arrested demonstrators Sunday in two Shiite villages as protests were mounted against the Formula One race to be held in the Gulf kingdom, activists said.
Dozens of young protesters gathered in the village of Abu Saiba, west of Manama, and Tubli, south of the capital, according to postings by the Coalition of the Youth of the February 14th Revolution on Facebook.
Police fired tear gas to disperse the small gatherings and made some arrests, according to provided footage.
Activists have intensified their campaign to push Formula One to cancel the Bahrain round of the world championship, slated for April 20-22 at the Sakhir circuit, southwest of Manama.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

http://www.planet-f1.com/driver/3213/7644059/-Contingency-plans-for-Bahrain-axing-

 

[canis]

I was about to post what EN has just put up with the above link. I am hearing that more and more teams have 2 sets of travel plans after China as they are expecting the whole Bahrain GP to be called off at the last minute (likely duing the weekend of China). All staff and freight have 2 exits planned and paid for. They wouldn't be doing that if they were not fairly sure that there is a high possibility of the cancellation happening due to the cost of paying for unused travel.

Oh, and McLaren, who are 50% owned by the investment arm of the Bahrain Royal Family have also "reportedly" made contingency plans...