Boulderite beams over Tibet stunt in Beijing
By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 7, 2008 at 10:45 p.m.
Updated August 8, 2008 at 7:03 a.m.
A Boulder man returned to the United States exhilarated but tired after he and fellow protesters daringly unfurled Tibet flags and banners outside Beijing's Olympic stadium.
After a 12-hour interrogation by Chinese police, a deported Phill Bartell landed at San Francisco International Airport Wednesday night to a hero's welcome from his wife and Tibetans.
He and fellow protester Tirian Mink, of Portland, Ore., were showered with flowers and traditional "blessing" scarfs.
"That was the point where I was like, 'Wow, we actually pulled something off here and the world was listening,' " said Bartell, 34, a practicing Buddhist who owns the Rising Tide Tattoo shop in Boulder. He stressed the protest was not against the Chinese people or the Olympics.
It was, he said, against the "iron fist" of the Chinese government that last spring crushed an uprising by Tibetans against five decades of Chinese rule.
Despite security by Chinese authorities to prevent any disruption of the Olympic Games, the activists pulled off the protest Wednesday in Beijing - Tuesday Colorado time - just hours before the Olympic Torch arrived in Tiananmen Square.
Bartell said he, Mink and two British activists - Iain Thom and Lucy Marion - were doubtful of success the night before. Thousands of police and military troops were on hand to guard a stadium ceremony or rehearsal where blue-and-white clad participants paraded in formation.
"We were really nervous," Bartell said.
But the next morning, security was light as the activists arrived near the stadium with the banners and climbing gear hidden in their backpacks.
Bartell and Thom used ropes to shinny up twin 120-tall light posts outside the stadium called the Bird's Nest. The initial reaction was surprising, as Bartell unfurled his 140-square-foot banner declaring "Tibet Will Be Free" in English and "Free Tibet" in Chinese.
Thom's English banner read "One World, One Dream: Free Tibet."
The climbers only saw "locals running by . . . giving us the thumbs up," Bartell said.
Then dozens of police arrived, the locals vanished and Bartell's joy of executing the flawless "action" turned to fear.
"You have no idea how they're going to react or . . . how you're going to be treated," he said.
He stayed calm by reminding himself why he was there.
"You realize that thousands of miles away, there's people who have nothing, and they are standing up against oppression and tyranny. And that gives you a lot of strength," he said. Police generally treated them well at a detention center, Bartell said.
Yet, during the interrogation, they wanted to know "everything, down to how we got to the site that morning to 'Who is mastermind?' " he recalled.
"The government officials were kind of mocking us and laughing at our action, saying: 'No one witnessed it but them,' " he recounted.
But the protesters had already gotten the last laugh.
Thom, while still on the light pole, did a cell phone interview with ABC News.
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August 8, 2008
7:12 a.m.
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7_ogNiOj writes:
Well done, now join the fight against the "iron fist" at home. There is no difference, except in what the media tells you.
August 8, 2008
7:27 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
What a bunch of morons. 7...you make some truely stupid comments on here. Go to school young man!
August 8, 2008
7:38 a.m.
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jay045 writes:
Breaking the law to get your point across is not the way? In the face of injustice, changemakers throughout history have done so (Martin Luther King, Gandhi). I'm not equating their action to MLK or Gandhi, as it was not nearly as brave, but I do recognize that what they were doing was in the same vein.
August 8, 2008
7:59 a.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
Lucky break.. If not for being an American, and having every news agency in the country in town, you might not have gotten off so lucky.. The Chinese are not going to free Tibet any more than we would let Alabama seceed (sp?) from the Union.
August 8, 2008
8:28 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Congrats guys! Keep up the work.
To other posters: This guy and his friends stood up for something they believe in and the cause was for freedom. This act is a lot more than most of you will ever contribute towards freedom in your entire lives. I commend these people. You talk about breaking laws, well the goverments of this world break laws everyday. At least these people did not hurt anyone (ie wars, oppression, ect.). These guys are international freedom fighters in my eyes.
August 8, 2008
8:37 a.m.
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JLS writes:
While Tibet may not be my cause, and I do think there are plenty of things to work against here in the US, I applaud their willingness to act! Breaking the law to make a point against an unfair government policy is even more American than apple pie - it's the reason we exist. The signers of the Declaration of Independence all broke the law by doing so, and nearly every one of them was ruined during the revolution. (http://www.connecticutsar.org/article...) John Locke, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the leaders of our own revolution would be proud! Keep up the good work.
August 8, 2008
8:40 a.m.
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BroncoDan writes:
He's lucky, he just got deported, instead of executed...
August 8, 2008
8:59 a.m.
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Rallyracer7 writes:
Now if only they would have sat on the top of the light poles, they would have shown everyone how China is doing everyone in the butt.... That would have been a better protest. Dumb S#!ts. I am not happy with what China is doing, but going to another country to break the law, grow up.
August 8, 2008
9:08 a.m.
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alanbl writes:
Feel good. Accomplish nothing. Typical.
August 8, 2008
9:13 a.m.
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alanbl writes:
freedomfighter1 writes: "These guys are international freedom fighters in my eyes."
Oh, puhleeze. He fought for nothing. He raised a banner and then counted on the fact that he was an American in China during the Olympics and the Chinese weren't going to do anything really terrible to him to attract the attention of the international media. There are thousands of real Chinese political prisoners languishing in the Lao Gai who have real principles.
August 8, 2008
9:22 a.m.
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SteveM writes:
A few things...
(a) If the opportunity arises, every red-blooded American should travel to China [I've been 3 times]. It is drastically unfair to pass any judgments on this 5,000 year-old nation until you have been there. Our media slants everything they want to about what it's really like partially because of the ongoing global conflict between the ideals of capitalism and communism. What you will find when you travel is going to bear little resemblance to what you've been led to believe about China. Is it a perfect nation? No. Is ours?
August 8, 2008
9:23 a.m.
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SteveM writes:
(b) At the end of August, there are going to be literally thousands of protesters in our city. The difference, they are domestic citizens protesting domestic policies at a political function where the people with the potential to make political change will be present. They will not be international citizens, protesting another nation's politics, at the Superbowl. Worse, it is outrageous to stage political demonstrations at the Olympics which are a global peace-promoting function. No matter how much you might personally disagree with the politics of the host country, the Olympics are a time for ALL GLOBAL CITIZENS TO UNITE under one purpose and put their international conflicts aside. These protesters can travel to protest any time. They violated the international covenant of trust in the OLYMPIC SPIRIT and in so doing, they make themselves and the USA look bad.
August 8, 2008
9:25 a.m.
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SteveM writes:
(c) If these protesters took the time to get to know the Chinese people at all, they would know that there is almost nothing the Chinese value more than their honor. They are a people easily embarrassed. Historically, the nation has not responded in the same way to the embarrassment as Western protesters might hope. They do not think the same way as Westerners about a lot of things. These protesters might have gained far more toward their cause, in other words, by not protesting. As ironic as it might seem to Western-thinking minds. More respect would have been gained by non-protesting at the Olympics; and, instead, traveling to China and meeting with people and working to understand them as a gigantic, very proud culture.
August 8, 2008
9:26 a.m.
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SteveM writes:
(d) We need to take many, many steps back and examine our own nation and our own culture before we travel around the world in protest of others. We have hundreds of thousands of indigenous people living in virtual squalor on Indian Reservations throughout this nation. There is a sizable movement in Hawai'i to separate from the USA and return to being a sovereign island nation as it was before the USA 'encouraged' it to become a state. You don't see a lot of citizens from other nations coming over here with FREE HAWAI'I banners. And you don't see a lot of American with FREE HAWAI'I bumper stickers. Is the way we came to possess Hawai'i that different from the way China came to possess Tibet? It's terribly hard to stand on a high horse of moral fiber when our morals are in pretty much the same morass as everyone else's.
With all due respect to Mr. Phill Bartell for feeling like he stood up for something in his actions in China for Tibet, in effect he brought shame to his country, to himself, and to the Chinese people. He made us look like two-faced foreign devils who have no respect for other people and their national pride.
August 8, 2008
9:34 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Alanb
thats your opinion, and I am sure we could disagree on a lot more.
"real principles"? You just sit there in your chair, don't worry others will make attempts to make the world a better place.
August 8, 2008
9:35 a.m.
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sol writes:
"Law and order, law and order", It is the cry of a fascist mind. I say "Law and disorder!" (Tongue in cheek) Steve M makes the most sense, but I feel strongly enough about this topic to venture to say, that I will be boycotting the olympics and I urge everyone to do the same. If NBC were to take a bath due to extremely poor ratings because everyone in the world chose not to watch the olympics, that might be a successful protest. Unfortunately, the sheeple don't want to be bothered. Whether or not it was a culturally dumb thing to do, I honor these protesters because at least they are trying to do the right thing. The atheletes themselves can still compete.
August 8, 2008
9:42 a.m.
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Ringmaster writes:
alanbl - you sum it up perfectly - except for one more thing...
"feel good, accomplish nothing" (except ultimately getting some locals arrested and some Tibetans killed all for some 'sweet' publicity for me and my tat' shop).
At least he only got deported - I doubt it will go so easy for the locals.
August 8, 2008
9:44 a.m.
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davies writes:
This was pretty cool. Took some guts, and it seems it was pretty selfless too.
Though I guess it may turn out to be pretty cool publicity for the guy's tattoo shop in Boulder ;-)
August 8, 2008
9:48 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Well if you want to know....I have dedicated my vocational life to helping those in need. I have been working with mentally and developmental disabled families for around 7-8 years. I spent two years as a social worker, fighting for what I thought was best for children and families. I try to support different causes that I find important with donations or even giving a little time. I argue for people's rights even if I do not partake in their lifestyles (homosexual rights, ect.) I spend my time trying to educate people like you Marine. And what have you done, gone to war?
August 8, 2008
9:50 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Oh and I forgot... I am a gradute student in social science and sfterwards I plan to attend law school. My goal is to work for an international organization that works to make the world a better place.
August 8, 2008
10:03 a.m.
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elkman writes:
Just another reason to hate Boulder. What a self centered idiot!
August 8, 2008
10:09 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
self centered? he wasn't protesting about himself or his tatoo parlor. I'm sure the trip wasn't cheap.
August 8, 2008
10:11 a.m.
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elkman writes:
Self centered is correct. Promoting his personal cause is self centered. God, I am glad I don't live in the "Republic".
August 8, 2008
10:13 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
freedom...(I refuse to add the fighter at the end), going to war is more than all your worthless talk will do.
August 8, 2008
10:25 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
depends which side of the line you are on, I refuse to believe that killing is the only way to making the world a better place. If my talk is worthless then tell us your great deeds. I was asked a question and I answered it. Don't try to degrade what I have done. Refuse to add the fighter, I refuse to add the herder making you only a following sheep.
August 8, 2008
10:29 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
elkman don't we all promote things we believe in?
August 8, 2008
10:50 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
freedom...OK, you got me:) The sheep comment was funny. Let's just say I have served my country for fifteen years. I don't diminish your accolades, but your "Gone to war" comment was insulting to anyone who has risked their lives for the USA. Sometimes words don't work (like the UN sanctions in Iraq) and we need to quit talking and start fighting.
August 8, 2008
10:51 a.m.
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earlbowden writes:
SteveM - wear a "Free Hawaii" tshirt to the DNC, then wear a "Free Tibet" tshirt on your 4th trip to China, then compare the two experiences for us.
August 8, 2008
10:54 a.m.
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LadyBird112 writes:
The guy is lucky they didn't do to him what they probably did to Tankman.
August 8, 2008
10:59 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
SheepHERDER...I may have been a little jumpy, MG asked what I have done and I just wanted it to be clear that there are more ways to help then just war. I am proud of all our soldiers. I had grandparents in both WW and am thankful for what they did. My uncle was a general and I have a cousin who was in the airforce. We all have rolls to play and though my international time has not come, I am looking foward to it.
August 8, 2008
10:59 a.m.
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elkman writes:
freedomfighter1:
Isn't that self centered? Thanks for proving my point.
August 8, 2008
11:04 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Elkman
No, I did not prove your point. Having an interest in something bigger than one's self does not make that person self centered, in fact just the opposite in my opinion. These people went to another country and tried to make a statement regarding other people's freedom, not his own; he was already free. Isn't that what we send people to other countries for-to fight for their freedoms. Are you saying that it is a self centered act for someone to join the military and fight for what they believe in?
August 8, 2008
11:10 a.m.
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elkman writes:
There is a time and a place for everything. Going to Olympic Games to only protest your personal cause is self centered in my opinion. These games are supposed to be non-political in nature. For this guy to go and promote his politics is self centered. If he is so fanatic about Tibit's freedom, why not go when the games were not on? No, he had to try to make a name for himself and get all the ku-do's from the rest of the "Republic".
August 8, 2008
11:34 a.m.
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JLS writes:
I'm shocked and embarrassed by most of these comments. I'm a conservative who's served in the military (and not on my ___ somewhere in CONUS either), but I would NEVER suggest that serving in the military is the only way to advance the cause of freedom. And who is anyone to ridicule the suffering and oppression of another nation?
As for the Olympics being an inappropriate forum for protests, you're just not familiar with the facts, the Olympics have long been a forum for politics. Most recently, much of the Cold War was fought at the Olympics, including the US boycott after USSR invaded Afghanistan? (http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/...) When the world is watching, it is the perfect time to make a statement, and the fact that this group took the risk and expense to do it is commendable.
For people to stand up and agitate for the cause of freedom is not only honorable and appropriate, but indeed necessary for freedom to persist. When did standing up for what's right, and fighting against an unfair government become the subject of ridicule?
Here are some thoughts from people who have more to contribute on the subject than I:
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
"Do you know what a soldier is, young man? He's the chap who makes it possible for civilized folk to despise war." - Allan Massie
"We are not weak, if we make proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power... The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave." - Patrick Henry
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms." - Samuel Adams
"It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves." - Thomas Jefferson
August 8, 2008
11:36 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Elkman
They chose a time when the world was watching. Now he could have done this in Timbucktoo (not sure where that is), but no one would have gotten the message. I understand that you are unhappy that an American has went to another country and embarresed you, I understand your position; but I disagree with you considering this as self-centered. Agree to disagree?
August 8, 2008
11:41 a.m.
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JLS writes:
oh yeah... it wasn't just the US who boycotted the 1980 Olympics, it was about 60 nations... nope, that's not political...
August 8, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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bubbabeers writes:
Marine is always worried about breaking the law - Since you respect the laws of China so much, you should leave this country and move to China marine; after all, this country was founded by dirty lawbreakers.
August 8, 2008
11:53 a.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Wrong MG. I do not believe in war, that's why I didn't enlist. "I ain't no senator's son."
Good for you, I am proud of what you did for the needy (whether you like me or not). So once again, we all do different things on this planet, so are benificial, some are not. This guy did what he thought was needed and helpful, who knows how many will now join him in this fight just from being exposed to his deeds. You criticize what he has done. Who knows maybe he would criticize what you have done. For you to take away anyone's contribution to making the world a better a place is my issue. We all have different opininons about how to help, and his didn't result in any deaths.
August 8, 2008
11:56 a.m.
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LadyBird112 writes:
MarineGrunt writes:
'"The guy is lucky they didn't do to him what they probably did to Tankman."
Know one knows who that was! To this day it has never come out the name of that guy who stopped a T54/55 all by himself."'
What is your point, Grunt?
August 8, 2008
12:04 p.m.
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JLS writes:
"Where these men talking about their Homeland or a Foreign Country? Did they talk of rioting 1000's of miles away from home for Freedom or in thier native lands?"
Well, the statement by Edmund Burke is certainly universally true, and the statement from Allan Massie could certainly be true in general in today's world where the military is often used to make peace, create stability, or relieve suffering, but the others were certainly talking about the US revolution.
Regardless however, the point is that it is the duty of every free person to work to preserve and further the freedom of others. Certainly you don't disagree with my statements MarineGrunt? Are you suggesting that it's none of our business because it's not in the US? What about our involvement in WWI WWII, or Korea? What about the first and second Gulf War? Except for the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War, almost all of our wars have been fought for the continuance of freedom throughout the world. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (Ronald Reagan)
I would direct you to my first post at 8:37 if there is any confusion as to where I stand on Tibet specifically.
August 8, 2008
1:02 p.m.
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P_Denver writes:
For once, the RMN headline writer got it right: it was a stunt. Nothing more.
August 8, 2008
1:05 p.m.
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elkman writes:
My point is, as many of you have negelected to notice: The Olympics was never intended to be a political forum. Yes, it has become just that, but that is not what I stated in my post earlier. I wish people would read what is written and then make comments. "it was supposed" is what I wrote. And let me ask this question. Should the Olympics be a political forum?
JLS:
"It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves." - Thomas Jefferson
What does that statement have to with the price of tea in China? We here in America are not defending ourselves in the case of Tibet.
Get real.
August 8, 2008
1:07 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
"It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves." - Thomas Jefferson"
This is not the slogan in America today.
August 8, 2008
1:20 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Defend freedom on a global level, isn't this the democratic slogan.
August 8, 2008
1:33 p.m.
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JLS writes:
I'm not sure I'd agree that the Olympics were never intended to be a political forum. I'm pretty sure that the original intent of the Greek City States was to show their strength to would be attackers, etc. but I'm starting to inject a little conjecture, so I'll stop with that, and apologize now if I'm incorrect.
To answer your question as to whether the Olympics "should" be political, personally, I think it is naive to ignore the current and historical political reality that it "is" political.
Regarding the quote, why would you pick the one quote that may not be dead on, and use it to redirect the conversation. Clearly the intent of my posts is to promote the idea that it is important that Americans be vigilant, and ready to promote, support, and fight for freedom whenever and wherever necessary. That may take many forms - anything from risking arrest and torture to display a banner to risking our country's best and brightest in a war. Can't you comment on the central idea of the discussion rather than try to obfuscate?
But to answer your question directly, the quote supports the idea that one should be strong and ready to fight to protect the values and ideals of American Democracy and self-rule. I would assert that this is exactly what the protester was doing when he went to China and risked torture or death to display a banner in the hopes that it would have some impact on the world stage.
August 8, 2008
1:41 p.m.
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JLS writes:
FreedomFighter: I would submit that that is still very much the slogan in the US today. While the invasion of Iraq was misguided, the environment in which that decision was made was created by an attack on the US. Even if one believes that the Iraq war was a bad decision, it happened because most members of Congress and most citizens of the US thought that it was justified to protect our country from further harm.
August 8, 2008
1:44 p.m.
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elkman writes:
If your quote is not correct, why present it? Thomas Jefferson was talking about defending the 13 original colonies. I find it a long stretch to apply this to Tibet in 2008. I would assert that the protester was making a name for himself and the "republic of boulder". I stand by my first statement. The man is self centered. Otherwise, maybe he could have been thinking about the reflection of America he left with the rest of the world. Probably not a good one. The Olympics is not the time or the place to present one's personal views on politics. Maybe he should get elected and then he could ..........
August 8, 2008
1:55 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Elkman
When reading your posts, you seem to be the self centered one. You are on this blog expressing your views and trying to discredit what this man did. I am an American and I am proud of what he did.
August 8, 2008
2 p.m.
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elkman writes:
freedomfighter1
Are you not on this blog expressing your views as well? I am also an American and not proud of what he did. Your blog name implies that you are for freedom. Is it not my freedom to write what I believe? Or does my freedom end because yours is more important? You seem to be talking out both sides of your mount. Freedom is ok here, but not here?
August 8, 2008
2:13 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
Elkman
? Did we loose focus of what we were discussing? I was making a point that we all do and say things we believe in. You said that (because he was promoting something he believed in) made him (and us?) self-centered. So I said that if it was self-centered for him to stand up for something he believes in, then you are self-centered for expressing yourself on these blogs. I think we are still fighting on whether it was a self-centered act, maybe I took it too far; I will drop it now.
Freedom is right and OK everywhere. Please express yourself, I am not trying to take that from you.
August 8, 2008
2:31 p.m.
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elkman writes:
Whether I am self centered or not was not the focus of the discussion. You took charge of re-directing the discussion by saying that I am self centered. I stated earlier that I believe what this man did was self centered. I still stand by my point. You don't agree with me. Thats fine. The man has freedoms in this country. China sees it a little differently. They have an enormous job putting on the Olympics and trying to keep everyone safe. This guy from boulder was not thinking about the Olympics, safety, or what China has to go through to put on the Olympics. My point, this guy was doing something that was self gratifying for his own personal beliefs. To do this during the Olympics is just bad judgement.
August 8, 2008
2:37 p.m.
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freedomfighter1 writes:
OK
August 9, 2008
7:07 p.m.
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LadyBird112 writes:
"MarineGrunt writes:
MarineGrunt writes:
'"The guy is lucky they didn't do to him what they probably did to Tankman."
Know one knows who that was! To this day it has never come out the name of that guy who stopped a T54/55 all by himself."'
What is your point, Grunt?"
Just filling you in on history. And from your idiot post... it looks like you need the help!"
Sweetheart, I know history, and you're the one that needs help, after all, you seem to love attacking people online. And you wrote the idiot post, since you made no point, all you did was say nobody knew his name--that's why he was given a nickname. But I wouldn't expect you to put all that together by yourself.
PS--it's "no" not "know."