Sochi 2014, Russian anti-gay laws, and Stephen Fry’s letter

Russian OMOH policeman reflected showing HOMO

Since Stephen Fry’s open letter to David Cameron and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) I have seen many misapprehensions from people defending the hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games at Sochi, Russia (cough cough Daily Telegraph cough cough). The same arguments as to why the Games should go ahead despite Russia’s human rights violations go round and round so I thought I would list the principal ones I’ve seen and my suggested responses. I’m sure there are more around – please add your own in the comments!

There are lots of places which don’t respect human rights, why aren’t they complaining about Saudi Arabia and Uganda and just concentrating on Russia?” Well Saudi Arabia and Uganda aren’t hosting the Olympics! And if they were I would argue against that too.

We didn’t stop China having the Games and their human rights record is terrible!” True, and in my opinion the IOC shouldn’t have let them host the games. But two wrongs don’t make a right.
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Bar retribution

yin-yang

Barman just gave me change from £20 when I gave him £10. After a moment’s soul searching (well more than a few moments if I’m honest) I let him know and gave it back.

He said it would have come out of his wages and got me a shot. And from now on whenever I’m at the bar no matter how many people are waiting I get served first.

£10 well spent as far as I’m concerned!

Tim Peacock’s Blog

Owl on a branch with the moon behind

I love languages, science, mathematics and people with something to say. Life can be wonderful and perplexing, often at the same time, and this is my take on it! I live in Brighton, UK.
Please feel free to add comments below.

Bopping the night away

Party balloons

Nothing like making you feel old than waking up early and going for a walk along the sea front and walking past kids still bopping in the clubs down there.

They do still call it bopping, don’t they?

Spoilers!

book

Me, to Graham who is reading a book I want to borrow: Have you finished that book yet?

Graham: No, almost. He’s just been found guilty.

Me: Graham!!!!!