Bahrain B*****

[TWRv12]

Sad to see a load rubbish like that in 'print'
http://www.speedcafe.com/2012/03/21/...sa-al-khalifa/

Compare with what these sites say:

http://physiciansforhumanrights.org

http://www.humanrightsfirst.org

http://www.hrw.org

http://www.amnesty.org

[ujoint]

No amount of money on this planet will ever change that part of the world. Stop pretending. It is what it is.

[Denosaur]

I've always wanted to see that part of the world, but given all the talk I don't think I'll be in a hurry to go there.

[pplater]

Originally Posted by Denosaur

I've always wanted to see that part of the world, but given all the talk I don't think I'll be in a hurry to go there.

Bahrain is worlds away from Oz! Haven't been there yet, though I spent time in Dubai, Egypt and Israel last year not long after the Mubarak Facebook revolution in Cairo, and it was a pretty massive culture shock. Fascinating places to visit, to be sure.

Sport can have a role in helping nations progress (South African apartheid boycotts come to mind), and the F1 circus has shone a spotlight on abuse in Bahrain, which can only be a good thing.

[eduardo1]

Originally Posted by pplater

Bahrain is worlds away from Oz! Haven't been there yet, though I spent time in Dubai, Egypt and Israel last year not long after the Mubarak Facebook revolution in Cairo, and it was a pretty massive culture shock. Fascinating places to visit, to be sure.

Sport can have a role in helping nations progress (South African apartheid boycotts come to mind), and the F1 circus has shone a spotlight on abuse in Bahrain, which can only be a good thing.

Sorry, but that's patently untrue. F1 has in fact swept the abuses under the rug and refused to acknowledge them. The FIA gave Bahrain a clean bill of health shortly prior to the planned GP last year. It was only the rapid deterioration and the safety concerns of its own 'circus' that caused them to postpone the event. They wouldn't cancel it, because then they would have to refund money to Bahrain.

They have resisted all international pressure to boycott the Bahrain event.

As for apartheid - F1 was one of the few sports to go to South Africa during this period. So not much has changed. I appreciate that there's remaining politically neutral, but it's another thing to offer validation to oppressive regimes.

[pplater]

Originally Posted by eduardo1

Sorry, but that's patently untrue. F1 has in fact swept the abuses under the rug and refused to acknowledge them. The FIA gave Bahrain a clean bill of health shortly prior to the planned GP last year. It was only the rapid deterioration and the safety concerns of its own 'circus' that caused them to postpone the event. They wouldn't cancel it, because then they would have to refund money to Bahrain.

They have resisted all international pressure to boycott the Bahrain event.

As for apartheid - F1 was one of the few sports to go to South Africa during this period. So not much has changed. I appreciate that there's remaining politically neutral, but it's another thing to offer validation to oppressive regimes.

Actually, you're right. I was more thinking of the media spotlight attached to the F1 circus. While Bernie etc aren't doing any advocacy, the will-they, won't-they hoopla around F1 and Bahrain has certainly brought more attention to what's happening there.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by eduardo1

Sorry, but that's patently untrue. F1 has in fact swept the abuses under the rug and refused to acknowledge them.

One might suggest the working practices of F1 are quite in tune with the state. I couldn't possibly comment on anyone that might hold that view...

However, all this really has little to do with AusTC other than that a race is held there. I'll close it, if you want to continue the discussion please visit Parc Ferme and start a thread in there. Preferably without the autocensor dodge in the title.